Method for three-dimensional measurement and imaging having focus-related convergence compensation

摘要

A method of measuring the position of a subject in three dimensions from a left and a right image produced by an apparatus for creation of three-dimensional images using a single lens (4), having a right and a left outer mirror (12) facing outward toward the subject, the outer mirrors being pivotable simultaneously and oppositely about a vertical axis, such that the outer mirrors are adjusted to converge at an angle of convergence related to the lens, the method comprising the steps of: a) calibrating the apparatus with a plurality of targets having a plurality of measurement points at known position in three dimensions, resulting in a plurality of calibration maps, each map being indexed by angle of convergence and each comprising a plurality of two dimensional coordinates representing the position of the measurement points on the target in each of the left and right images, and a plurality of coordinates representing the actual position of the measurement points on the target in three dimensions; b) aiming the apparatus on the subject, simultaneously converging the outer mirrors so as to maximize the overlap of the images; c) measuring the angle of convergence of the outer mirrors; d) selecting the calibration map most closely matching the measured angle of convergence; e) measuring the two-dimensional position of the subject in each of the left and right images; and f) Using the measured two dimensional positions of the subject in the left and light images, determining the actual position of the subject in three dimensions from the selected calibration map.