Camera Calibration and Stereo via a Single Image of a Spherical Mirror

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new camera calibration method using a single image of a spherical mirror, enabling precise calibration and scene understanding, which facilitates simple catadioptric stereo systems.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel single-image calibration technique leveraging spherical mirror reflections, advancing the development of practical catadioptric stereo systems.

Findings

Effective calibration with synthetic and real data

Enhanced scene information from mirror reflections

Potential for simple stereo system development

Abstract

This paper presents a novel technique for camera calibration using a single view that incorporates a spherical mirror. Leveraging the distinct characteristics of the sphere's contour visible in the image and its reflections, we showcase the effectiveness of our method in achieving precise calibration. Furthermore, the reflection from the mirrored surface provides additional information about the surrounding scene beyond the image frame. Our method paves the way for the development of simple catadioptric stereo systems. We explore the challenges and opportunities associated with employing a single mirrored sphere, highlighting the potential applications of this setup in practical scenarios. The paper delves into the intricacies of the geometry and calibration procedures involved in catadioptric stereo utilizing a spherical mirror. Experimental results, encompassing both synthetic and real-world data, are presented to illustrate the feasibility and accuracy of our approach.