Novel multiple wide-baseline stereo approach for target ranging

Binocular stereo is recognized as a useful approach for extracting range information from images. This approach is passive and it can provide detailed depth information. In this paper we extend the area-based stereo approaches, to make them well suited for target ranging applications. In this domain it is required that the stereo approach should be able to handle relatively large depth of fields in outdoor environments. This is accomplished by using widebase lines in the placement of cameras. Also, in order to minimize the false alarms, multiple binocular cameras are utilized. Algorithmic development of this multiple widebaseline stereo approach is presented with the help of experiments use random dot stereograms. Preliminary evaluation with a series of outdoor images is also presented.