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An empirical evaluation of factors influencing camera calibration accuracy using three publicly available techniques

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Abstract

This paper presents an empirical study investigating the effects of training dataquantity, measurement error, pixel coordinate noise, and the choice of camera model, oncamera calibration accuracy, based on three publicly available techniques, developed byTsai, Heikkilä and Zhang. Results are first provided for asimulated camera system and then verified through carefully controlled experiments using real-world measurements. Our aims are to provide suggestions to researchers who require an immediate solution for camera calibration and a warning of the practical difficulties one may encounter in a real environment. In addition, we offer some insight into the factors to keep in mind when selecting a calibration technique. Finally, we hope that this paper can serve as an introduction to the field for those newly embarking upon calibration-related research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, 3480 University Street, Montreal, H3A 2A7, Quebec, Canada

    Wei Sun & Jeremy R. Cooperstock

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  1. Wei Sun
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  2. Jeremy R. Cooperstock
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Correspondence to Wei Sun.

Additional information

Wei Sun received the B.Eng. degree in Electronic Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1995 and the M.Sc. degree in Computer Science from Fudan University in 1998. At present, she is a Ph.D. candidate working at Centre for Intelligent Machines, Department of Eletrical and Computer Engineering of McGill University. Her research interests include image and video processing, computervision, machine learning and computer graphics.

Jeremy R. Cooperstock (Ph.D. Toronto, 1996) is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a member of the Centre for Intelligent Machines, and a founding member of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music, Media and Technology at McGill University. Cooperstock is a member of the ACM and chairs the AES Technical Committee on Network Audio Systems. Cooperstock's research interests focus on computer mediation to facilitate high-fidelity human communication and the underlying technologies that support this goal.

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Sun, W., Cooperstock, J.R. An empirical evaluation of factors influencing camera calibration accuracy using three publicly available techniques. Machine Vision and Applications 17, 51–67 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00138-006-0014-6

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