Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional depth map, are provided. The method comprising the steps of: (i) illuminating a target by a pattern projector having background intensity or by a combination of a pattern projector which does not have a background intensity operative together with a flood projector; (ii) capturing at least one image that comprises one or more objects present at the illuminated target; (iii) converting the at least one captured image into data; (iv) processing the data received from the conversion of the at least one captured image while filtering out the projected pattern from the processed data; (v) detecting edges of at least one of the one or more objects present at the illuminated target; and (vi) generating a three-dimensional depth map that comprises the at least one of the one or more objects whose edges have been determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional depth map, are provided. The method comprising the steps of: (i) illuminating a target by a pattern projector having background intensity or by a combination of a pattern projector which does not have a background intensity operative together with a flood projector; (ii) capturing at least one image that comprises one or more objects present at the illuminated target; (iii) converting the at least one captured image into data; (iv) processing the data received from the conversion of the at least one captured image while filtering out the projected pattern from the processed data; (v) detecting edges of at least one of the one or more objects present at the illuminated target; and (vi) generating a three-dimensional depth map that comprises the at least one of the one or more objects whose edges have been determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a stereoscopic image generating system, the system including at least two image capturing sensors and at least one aggregation processor. The at least one aggregation processor is configured to: receive data associated with an image captured by the image capturing sensors; calculate aggregation results for a pre-defined number of disparity levels based on data received from one of the at least two image capturing sensors; estimate aggregation results for data received from another image capturing sensor; and combine the calculated results with the estimated results.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining a disparity map for reconstructing a three dimensional image. The map is based upon a large range of disparities and is obtained by using a hardware provided with a buffer capable of storing data that relates to substantially less disparities than a data associated with the large disparities' range. The method comprises the steps of: providing a pair of stereoscopic images captured by two image capturing devices; dividing the large disparities' range into N disparity ranges; executing a stereo matching algorithm for a plurality of times, using data retrieved from a pair of captured images, wherein the algorithm is executed each time while using a different disparity range out of the N disparity ranges, thereby obtaining a plurality of individual disparity maps, each corresponding to a different disparity range; and merging the individual disparity maps to generate a map of the large disparities' range.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a stereoscopic image generating system comprising at least two image capturing sensors and at least one aggregation processor configured to: receive data associated with an image captured by the image capturing sensors; calculate aggregation results for a pre-defined number of disparity levels based on data received from one of the at least two image capturing sensors; estimate aggregation results for data received from another image capturing sensors; and combine the calculated results with the estimated results.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining a disparity map for reconstructing a three dimensional image. The map is based upon a large range of disparities and is obtained by using a hardware provided with a buffer capable of storing data that relates to substantially less disparities than a data associated with the large disparities' range. The method comprises the steps of: providing a pair of stereoscopic images captured by two image capturing devices; dividing the large disparities' range into N disparity ranges; executing a stereo matching algorithm for a plurality of times, using data retrieved from a pair of captured images, wherein the algorithm is executed each time while using a different disparity range out of the N disparity ranges, thereby obtaining a plurality of individual disparity maps, each corresponding to a different disparity range; and merging the individual disparity maps to generate a map of the large disparities' range.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a patterned surface employs reference data related to the pattern to provide a map for identifying regions which are expected to generate equivalent images. These regions are then compared in an image-to-image comparison to identify possible defects. In a first implementation, the regions are related by local symmetry operators. In a second, disjoint corner features or other features are classified and similar features compared.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a patterned surface employs reference data related to the pattern to provide a map for identifying regions which are expected to generate equivalent images. These regions are then compared in an image-to-image comparison to identify possible defects. In a first implementation, the regions are related by local symmetry operators. In a second, disjoint corner features or other features are classified and similar features compared.