Panoramic Imaging: Sensor-Line Cameras and Laser Range-Finders

7

Image Quality Control

In this chapter, the camera is assumed to be a precisely defined parameterized model, and we do not apply any further constraints on camera parameters. Pinhole or multiple-projection-center panoramic cameras are examples of parameterized camera models. This chapter discusses image quality in the context of stereo data acquisition. For example, the number of potential stereo samples should be maximized for the 3D space of interest.

The chapter introduces four application-specific parameters, namely the scene range of interest enclosed by two coaxial cylinders, where we have radius D₁ for inner cylinder and radius D₂ for outer cylinder, the imaging distance H₁ (it also characterizes the vertical field of view), and the width θ_w of the angular disparity interval (θ_w specifies stereoacuity). Estimated values of these four parameters are required as inputs for the image quality control method which allows optimum sensor parameters R and ω to be calculated.

7.1 Two Requirements

Image quality has been addressed in camera developments since the first photo ever was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833) in 1826, when an exposure time of eight hours produced (what would today be regarded as) a highly unsatisfactory image of parts of farm buildings. Image quality has considerable influence on the range of possible applications (e.g., in computer vision or photogrammetry); it is of continuous interest in camera design, production, and application. Image quality ...