Gathering range and dimensional information for underwater surveys

1. An underwater survey system for gathering range and 3D dimensional information of subsea objects, the system comprising

a camera configured to capture images of a subsea scene; and

one or more reference projection light sources configured to project one or more structured light beams

the camera configured to capture a sequence of images of each of a plurality of fields of view within the scene, where each of the plurality of fields of view of the scene is illuminated by one or more of the light sources, and wherein the camera and light sources are synchronized so that each time an image is acquired, a specific configuration of light source parameters and camera parameters is used;

the one or more reference projection light sources having a fixed distance from the camera and a fixed orientation in relation to the camera.

2. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more reference projection light sources comprise a laser.

3. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more reference projection light sources is adapted to:

project a straight line beam on a target,

project a point beam on a target,

project a beam of a set of parallel lines on a target, or

project a grid beam on a target.

4. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , being configured to analyze the captured images to determine the optimal imaging or lighting parameters.

5. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , being configured to adjust imaging or lighting parameters to produce images optimized for machine vision.

6. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 4 , being configured to perform machine vision techniques to reduce the impact of floating particles in a scene.

7. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more structured light beams is configured to be parallel with the orientation of the camera.

8. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a pair of reference projection light sources, each a fixed distance from the camera and a fixed orientation in relation to the camera.

9. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the reference projection light sources are configured to project substantially identical structured light beams.

10. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the reference projection light sources are each the same distance from the camera.

11. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the reference projection light sources each have the same orientation in relation to the camera.

12. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a pair of cameras.

13. A method for gathering range and 3D dimensional information of subsea objects in a system comprising a camera and one or more reference projection light sources, the method comprising the steps of:

the one or more reference projection light sources projecting one or more structured light beams onto an object; and

the camera capturing a sequence of images of each of a plurality of fields of view of the object having the one or more structured light beams projected thereon, where the object is illuminated by one or more of the light sources, wherein the camera and light sources are synchronized so that each time an image is acquired, a specific configuration of light source parameters and camera parameters is used.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the system further comprises an image processor, and at least one of the one or more structured light beams is configured to be parallel to the orientation of the camera, where the steps of the method further include:

the image processor measuring, in the captured images, a horizontal distance from a vertical centerline of the image to the structured light beam;

comparing the measured horizontal distance to a known horizontal distance between a center of the lens and the structured light beam; and

deducing a range to the object based on a known magnification of the image caused by the lens.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the system further comprises an illumination source, and the method comprises the additional steps of

the illumination source illuminating the object to be surveyed,

the camera capturing an image of the illuminated object; and

superimposing the two captured images to form an augmented output image.

16. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the structured light beams are substantially parallel.

17. An underwater survey system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the reference projection light sources are arranged such that the structured light beams intersect.