A low-cost calibration method for automated optical mensuration using a video camera

Automated optical mensuration gauges the acquired image of the inspected unit while assessing its actual size and shape. The mensuration requires the following preparations: (1) alignment of the video camera perpendicularly to the inspection table, and (2) calibration of the scale ratios of image acquisition, notably, the stretching ratio caused by signal conversion and the magnification ratio of optical coupling. This paper presents the unique two-stage calibration method. The first stage applies the parallelogram conservation property, a property very sensitive to misorientation, to test against the potential misalignment. Once detected, we adjust the misalignment towards orthogonal alignment using image patterns of the calibration template. Then, the second stage determines the scale ratios. The proposed calibration method is suitable for on-site applications, and its implementation cost is low. Sensitivity analysis and experimental results are reported.