Simple calibration algorithm for high-distortion lens camera

A simple and useful calibration method for a TV camera with a high-distortion lens is presented. The parameters to be calibrated are effective focal length, one-pixel width on an image plane, image distortion center, and distortion coefficient. A simple-pattern calibration chart composed of parallel straight lines is introduced as a reference for calibration. An ordinary 2D model fitting is decomposed into two 1D model fittings on the column and row of a frame buffer across the image distortion center by ingeniously utilizing the point symmetry characteristic of image distortion. Some parameters with a calibration chart are eliminated by setting up a calibration chart precisely and by utilizing negligibly low distortion near the image distortion center. Thus, the number of unknown parameters to be calibrated is drastically decreased, enabling simple and useful calibration. The effectiveness of the proposed calibration method is confirmed by experimentation