Calibration errors in augmented reality: a practical study

This paper confronts some theoretical camera models to reality and evaluates the suitability of these models for effective augmented reality (AR). It analyses what level of accuracy can be expected in real situations using a particular camera model and how robust the results are against realistic calibration errors. An experimental protocol is used that consists of taking images of a particular scene from different quality cameras mounted on a 4DOF micro-controlled device. The scene is made of a calibration target and three markers placed at different distances of the target. This protocol enables us to consider assessment criteria specific to AR as alignment error and visual impression, in addition to the classical camera positioning error.