Long range image calibration

1. A method for making a measurement comprising:

(a) capturing a digital image, the captured digital image including a calibration pattern, the calibration pattern being square in shape, the calibration pattern including displayed encoded information arranged in a two dimensional pattern;

(b) attempting locating said calibration pattern and decoding said calibration pattern to determine said displayed encoded information, where said displayed encoded information includes (1) a first square non-solid box at a first corner of said calibration pattern with a first solid box located within said first square non-solid box, (2) a second square non-solid box at a second corner of said calibration pattern with a second solid box located within said second square non-solid box, (3) a third square non-solid box at a third corner of said calibration pattern with a third solid box located within said third square non-solid box;

(c) automatically prompting a user to indicate a location of said calibration pattern within said image on a display presented at a first scale if said locating said calibration pattern and said decoding said calibration pattern is not successful;

(d) receiving an indication of said location of said calibration pattern within said image from a user;

(e) based upon receiving said indication, attempting locating said calibration pattern and decoding said calibration pattern at a second scale different from said first scale to determine said displayed encoded information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said displayed encoded information directly providing calibration information about the calibration pattern that can be used directly in a calibration process.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said displayed encoded information arranged in said two dimensional pattern relates to a size calibration information of said calibration pattern, where said displayed encoded information arranged in said two dimensional pattern also relates to a geometrical calibration information of said calibration pattern based upon said first, second, and third square non-solid boxes.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising utilizing said size calibration information and said geometrical calibration information about the calibration pattern to make a calibrated measurement.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein steps (b), (c), and (d) are repeated a plurality of times.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said plurality of times is ended when a magnification limit is reached.

7. A method for making a measurement comprising:

(a) capturing a digital image, the captured digital image including a calibration pattern, the calibration pattern including displayed encoded information arranged in a two dimensional pattern;

(b) attempting locating said calibration pattern and decoding said calibration pattern to determine said displayed encoded information;

(c) automatically prompting a user to indicate a location of said calibration pattern within said image on a display presented at a first scale if said locating said calibration pattern and said decoding said calibration pattern is not successful;

(d) receiving an indication of said location of said calibration pattern within said image from a user;

(e) based upon receiving said indication, attempting locating said calibration pattern and decoding said calibration pattern at a second scale different from said first scale to determine said displayed encoded information;

(f) wherein said displayed encoded information directly providing calibration information about the calibration pattern that can be used directly in a calibration process;

(g) wherein said displayed encoded information arranged in said two dimensional pattern relates to a size calibration information of said calibration pattern, where said displayed encoded information arranged in said two dimensional pattern also relates to a geometrical calibration information of said calibration pattern based upon said first, second, and third square non-solid boxes.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising utilizing said size calibration information and said geometrical calibration information about the calibration pattern to make a calibrated measurement.

9. A method for making a measurement comprising:

(a) capturing a digital image, the captured digital image including a calibration pattern, the calibration pattern including displayed encoded information arranged in a two dimensional pattern;

(b) attempting locating said calibration pattern and decoding said calibration pattern to determine said displayed encoded information;

(c) automatically prompting a user to indicate a location of said calibration pattern within said image on a display presented at a first scale if said locating said calibration pattern and said decoding said calibration pattern is not successful;

(d) receiving an indication of said location of said calibration pattern within said image from a user;

(e) based upon receiving said indication, attempting locating said calibration pattern and decoding said calibration pattern at a second scale different from said first scale to determine said displayed encoded information;

(f) where said displayed encoded information includes (1) a first square non-solid box at a first corner of said calibration pattern with a first solid box located within said first square non-solid box, (2) a second square non-solid box at a second corner of said calibration pattern with a second solid box located within said second square non-solid box, (3) a third square non-solid box at a third corner of said calibration pattern with a third solid box located within said third square non-solid box.