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 central unit is provided which is operative in a system that comprises a plurality of moveable devices, each comprising an optical depth sensor. The central unit comprises a processor adapted to: divide the moveable devices into a plurality of groups, wherein each of the groups is characterized by a specific wavelength range at which all projecting modules associated with the optical depth sensors of the moveable devices belonging to that group, are operative; establish a time frame within which each of the optical depth sensors of the moveable devices will operate, wherein the time frame comprises a plurality of time slots; and associate at least two of the moveable devices with a single time slot, wherein each of the at least two moveable devices belongs to a different group than the other.

Abstract: An optical passive stereo assembly for generating a three-dimensional image, the optical assembly comprising: two image capturing devices each mounted within the optical passive stereo assembly in a skewed position to the other with respect to the horizontal plane; a processor configured to: process data retrieved from a plurality of pixels comprised within images captured by the two image capturing devices, and generate a point cloud, being a set of data points in a 3D space retrieved from the tilted coordinate system (X?, Y?, Z?); apply a 2D rotation in the X-Y plane to the point cloud, thereby converting the coordinate system of the resulting point cloud to a conventional cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z), to enable generating the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A method and a stereoscopic apparatus configured to determine an exposure time period for capturing images. The apparatus comprises at least one image capturing device for capturing pairs of images; a processor configured to: calculate a texture-signal-to-noise ratio (TSNR) metric based on information derived from a pair of captured images; calculate an image saturation metric based on that pair of captured images; calculate a value for an exposure duration that will be implemented by the at least one image capturing device when another pair of images are captured; provide the value of the calculated exposure time period to each at least one image capturing device; and wherein the at least one image capturing device is configured to capture at least one image of the target while implementing each the respective calculated value of the exposure time period provided to the corresponding one of the at least one image capturing device.

Abstract: An optical collimating unit is provided that comprises a laser unit, and a lens having three optical surfaces, being a first refractive surface, a second reflective surface and a third refractive surface. Also provided is a light projection device comprising an optical collimating unit that comprises a laser unit, a lens and an optical component configured to shape laser beams being emitted into respective desired light patterns.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a 3D sensing apparatus that comprises at least two projectors, wherein the assembling of the apparatus is carried out by ensuring that a pattern formed from a combination of images projected by each of the at least two projectors, is not formed along an epi-polar line or part thereof more than once. The method comprises the steps of: placing the at least two projectors at initial approximate physical positions within the 3D sensing apparatus; and, placing one or more projectors' protectors on top of the at least two projectors, thereby changing the projectors initial positions and automatically positioning them accurately in their pre-defined position and orientation by using the one or more projectors' protectors.

Abstract: A system and a method on an integrated circuit are provided herein. The system may include: a plurality of defined data processing dedicated areas to perform computational functions relating to a corresponding plurality of natural user interface features, to obtain the plurality of user interface features based on scene features detected by a plurality of sensors within a defined period of time; a central processing unit configured to carry out software instructions to support the computational functions of the dedicated areas; and at least one defined area for synchronized data management, to receive signals corresponding to detected scene features from the plurality of sensors and to route the signals to suitable dedicated areas of the plurality of dedicated areas to provide real-time acquiring of user interface features.

Abstract: An optical module and a method for its used are provided. The optical module comprises: an image capturing device; an illuminating device; a position measurement unit and a processor configured to: a) identify objects included in at least one frame that has been captured by the image capturing device; b) determine expected position of the one or more identified objects based on data received from the position measurement unit; and c) control operation of the at least one illuminating device while capturing a new image, to illuminate only part of the field of view of the target being acquired by the at least one image capturing device, wherein the one or more identified objects are included.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a three dimensional image, wherein the method includes: illuminating a target; capturing an image that comprises an object present at the illuminated target; converting the captured image into data and processing it to determine depth of the object; and generating a three dimensional image of the object whose depth has been determined. Preferably, the illumination intensity applied while illuminating the target, is determined based on the current intensity of ambient light at the target.

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 reconstructing a three dimensional image, comprising: providing a pair of stereoscopic images captured by two image capturing devices; retrieving disparity data from the pair of stereoscopic images; using retrieved disparity data to determine contours of an object present in the pair of the stereoscopic images captured; selecting a pixel belonging to that object; establishing a search area at the vicinity of the selected pixel; determining values for various disparity candidates, wherein the determined values correspond to one or more chosen hypothesis associated with the search area; testing the one or more chosen hypothesis and selecting an hypothesis which best fits the selected pixel and its neighboring pixels; executing a stereo matching algorithm using data retrieved from the captured images while using the values of disparity candidates that correspond to the chosen hypothesis; and reconstructing the three dimensional image based on the results obtained.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed. The system comprises: a first imaging device and a second imaging device being spaced apart and configured to provide partially overlapping field-of-views of a scene over a spectral range from infrared to visible light. The system comprises at least one infrared light source constituted for illuminating at least the overlap with patterned infrared light, and a computer system configured for receiving image data pertaining to infrared and visible light acquired by the imaging devices, and computing three-dimensional information of the scene based on the image data. The image data optionally and preferably comprises the patterned infrared light as acquired by both the imaging devices.

Abstract: An image capturing arrangement is provided which comprises a depth (3D) sensor, a processor, an illuminating device and one or more image capturing devices. The depth sensor is configured to acquire at least a partial representation of the scene whose image is about to be taken, the processor retrieves required information from the acquired representation about distances of objects included in that scene from the sensor, and the illuminating device is configured to provide a non-uniform illumination of the scene whose image is to be captured, based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for generating an image. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing information that relates to an image of a single target captured by at least two image capturing devices; (ii) storing the information provided in at least two input buffers; (iii) sampling the stored information and storing the sampled information at at least two output line buffers, each corresponding to a different image resolution; (iv) processing the sampled information that had been stored at the at least two output line buffers in accordance with pre-defined disparity related information, wherein the pre-defined disparity related information is associated with a respective one of the at least two image capturing devices that had captured the information being currently processed; and (v) retrieving information from the at least two output line buffers and storing the retrieved information at a hybrid row buffer, for generating the image.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a stereoscopic image generating system comprising two cameras, a plurality of memory buffers, and at least one processor. The method comprises: identifying at least one common region of interest (ROI) at images obtained from the two cameras; generating a Look Up table (LUT), for holding displacement values of pixels that belong to the at least one common ROI; forwarding data associated with images obtained from the two cameras that relates to the at least one common ROI, to the plurality of memory buffers; processing output lines retrieved from the plurality of memory buffers and propagating data that relates to a YUV image and associated LUTs, wherein the propagating of the data is carried out at a rate associated with a respective memory buffer from which that data is retrieved; and generating a stereoscopic image based on the propagated data.

Abstract: A system for video conferencing is disclosed. The system comprises a data processor which receives from a remote location a stream of imagery data of a remote user, and displays an image of the remote user on a display device. The data processor also receives a stream of imagery data of an individual in a local scene in front of the display device, and extracts a gaze direction and/or a head orientation of the individual. The data processor varies a view of the image responsively to the gaze direction and/or the head orientation.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a three dimensional frame. The method comprises the steps of: retrieving information that relates to a plurality of images of a target captured by two image capturing devices; determining data that will be applied for analyzing objects of interests included in the captured images; calculating disparity between groups of corresponding frames, wherein each of said groups comprises frames taken essentially simultaneously by the two image capturing devices; determining an initial estimation of a disparity range for the frames included in the groups of the corresponding frames; evaluating a disparity range value for each proceeding group based on information retrieved on a dynamic basis from frames included therein, and changing the value of said disparity range when required; and applying a current value of the disparity range in a stereo matching algorithm, and generating a three-dimensional frame for each proceeding group of corresponding frames.

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 natural user interface (NUI) computer processor is provided herein. The NUI computer processor may include: at least one computer processing module; and a plurality of sensors, connected with direct, high bandwidth connectors to the at least one computer processing module, wherein the computer processing module is configured to support a full extent of processing power required for simultaneous multi-modal high resolution information handling gathered by said sensors, wherein the computer processing module and the high bandwidth connectors are cooperatively configured to eliminate any non-vital delays, to reduce latency between human user actions captured by said sensors and response by the NUI computer processor.

Abstract: An image processing method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving from an imaging sensor input image data arranged in a plurality of pixel data rows corresponding to a grid of sensor pixels, and sampling the input image data to provide sampled image data having less pixel data rows. The method further comprises correcting image distortion in at least a portion of the sampled data.