UniProjection

The projection model (PM) of a vision system is a function that relates a 3D point and its projection in image. The PM is central or noncentral whenever all incident rays intersect each other in a unique point (central) or not (noncentral). This is of key importance for the type of methods one can use in the visual system, since most of them are only applicable with accuracy for central projection systems. Furthermore, the refraction of light in liquid mediums as well as the effect of scattering augments the non-centrality of the projection, possibly making the usual central assumption unrealistic. This project aims to achieve two main objectives. In the theoretical point of view, it aims to achieve the derivation of a unified and parametric PM for noncentral cameras using mirrors, lenses or passing through liquid environments. The existing PMs are usually ray-based (non-parametric) and as a consequence difficult and heavy to calibrate. The PM must be also applicable to illumination path calculations since the basic physical phenomena are the same as for image formation. Several researchers that worked at the project UniProjection (FCT funded) are now placed at the industry in regional enterprises (e.g. Project Box -Viseu) and national enterprises (e.g. Vison Box - Lisboa) due to their high level of expertise in Vision acquired during their research phase at the ISR project. It was possible to fix several specialized jobs nationally and regionally.