Abstract: Described is a method and system for fast three-dimensional imaging using defocusing and feature recognition is disclosed. The method comprises acts of capturing a plurality of defocused images of an object on a sensor, identifying segments of interest in each of the plurality of images using a feature recognition algorithm, and matching the segments with three-dimensional coordinates according to the positions of the images of the segments on the sensor to produce a three-dimensional position of each segment of interest. The disclosed imaging method is “aware” in that it uses a priori knowledge of a small number of object features to reduce computation time as compared with “dumb” methods known in the art which exhaustively calculate positions of a large number of marker points.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for fast three-dimensional imaging using defocusing and feature recognition is disclosed. The method comprises acts of capturing a plurality of defocused images of an object on a sensor, identifying segments of interest in each of the plurality of images using a feature recognition algorithm, and matching the segments with three-dimensional coordinates according to the positions of the images of the segments on the sensor to produce a three-dimensional position of each segment of interest. The disclosed imaging method is “aware” in that it uses a priori knowledge of a small number of object features to reduce computation time as compared with “dumb” methods known in the art which exhaustively calculate positions of a large number of marker points.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens having a substantially oblong aperture, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the substantially oblong aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The aperture may have an asymmetrical shape for distinguishing objects in front of versus in back of the focal plane. The aperture may also be rotatable, where the orientation of the observed pattern relative to the oblong aperture is varied with time thereby removing the ambiguity generated by image overlap. The disclosed device further comprises a light projection system configured to project a predetermined pattern onto a surface of the desired object thereby allowing for mapping of unmarked surfaces in three dimensions.

Abstract: An encoder/decoder for multi-channel audio data, and in particular for audio reproduction through wave field synthesis. The encoder comprises a two-dimensional filter-bank to the multi-channel signal, in which the channel index is treated as an independent variable as well as time, and and the resulting spectral coefficient are quantized according to a two-dimensional psychoacoustic model, including masking effect in the spatial frequency as well as in the temporal frequency. The coded spectral data are organized in a bitstream together with side information containing scale factors and Huffman codebook identifiers.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, at least one polarization-coded aperture obstructing the lens, a polarization-sensitive sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the at least one polarization-coded aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for fast three-dimensional imaging using defocusing and feature recognition is disclosed. The method comprises acts of capturing a plurality of defocused images of an object on a sensor, identifying segments of interest in each of the plurality of images using a feature recognition algorithm, and matching the segments with three-dimensional coordinates according to the positions of the images of the segments on the sensor to produce a three-dimensional position of each segment of interest. The disclosed imaging method is “aware” in that it uses a priori knowledge of a small number of object features to reduce computation time as compared with “dumb” methods known in the art which exhaustively calculate positions of a large number of marker points.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for fast three-dimensional imaging using defocusing and feature recognition is disclosed. The method comprises acts of capturing a plurality of defocused images of an object on a sensor, identifying segments of interest in each of the plurality of images using a feature recognition algorithm, and matching the segments with three-dimensional coordinates according to the positions of the images of the segments on the sensor to produce a three-dimensional position of each segment of interest. The disclosed imaging method is “aware” in that it uses a priori knowledge of a small number of object features to reduce computation time as compared with “dumb” methods known in the art which exhaustively calculate positions of a large number of marker points.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens having a substantially oblong aperture, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the substantially oblong aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The aperture may have an asymmetrical shape for distinguishing objects in front of versus in back of the focal plane. The aperture may also be rotatable, where the orientation of the observed pattern relative to the oblong aperture is varied with time thereby removing the ambiguity generated by image overlap. The disclosed device further comprises a light projection system configured to project a predetermined pattern onto a surface of the desired object thereby allowing for mapping of unmarked surfaces in three dimensions.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, at least one polarization-coded aperture obstructing the lens, a polarization-sensitive sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the at least one polarization-coded aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens having a substantially oblong aperture, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the substantially oblong aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The aperture may have an asymmetrical shape for distinguishing objects in front of versus in back of the focal plane. The aperture may also be rotatable, where the orientation of the observed pattern relative to the oblong aperture is varied with time thereby removing the ambiguity generated by image overlap. The disclosed device further comprises a light projection system configured to project a predetermined pattern onto a surface of the desired object thereby allowing for mapping of unmarked surfaces in three dimensions.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for fast three-dimensional imaging using defocusing and feature recognition is disclosed. The method comprises acts of capturing a plurality of defocused images of an object on a sensor, identifying segments of interest in each of the plurality of images using a feature recognition algorithm, and matching the segments with three-dimensional coordinates according to the positions of the images of the segments on the sensor to produce a three-dimensional position of each segment of interest. The disclosed imaging method is “aware” in that it uses a priori knowledge of a small number of object features to reduce computation time as compared with “dumb” methods known in the art which exhaustively calculate positions of a large number of marker points.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, at least one polarization-coded aperture obstructing the lens, a polarization-sensitive sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the at least one polarization-coded aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: A lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. An SLR camera has a lens and aperture that allows the SLR camera to determine defocused information.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for obtaining additional information from an object and a method for surface imaging and three-dimensional imaging. Single lens, single aperture, single sensor system and stereo optic systems are enhanced via selective filtering, use of defocusing information, use of an addressable pattern, image matching, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for improving resolution of a 3-D image by pattern inversion is disclosed. An image of a marker pattern transmitted from the surface of a 3-D object is captured with a sensor and analyzed using a 3-D image analysis method. The respective light and dark areas in the image are then inverted. The inverted image is then analyzed using a 3-D image analysis method, whereby the inversion allows for analysis of a greater portion of the image, resulting in a higher resolution 3-D image than without inversion.

Abstract: A method and device for high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) imaging which obtains camera pose using defocusing is disclosed. The device comprises a lens obstructed by a mask having two sets of apertures. The first set of apertures produces a plurality of defocused images of the object, which are used to obtain camera pose. The second set of optical filters produces a plurality of defocused images of a projected pattern of markers on the object. The images produced by the second set of apertures are differentiable from the images used to determine pose, and are used to construct a detailed 3-D image of the object. Using the known change in camera pose between captured images, the 3-D images produced can be overlaid to produce a high-resolution 3-D image of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for determining instantaneously the three-dimensional coordinates of large sets of points in space is disclosed. This system uses two or more CCD cameras (or any other type of camera), each with its own lens and pinhole. The CCD's are all arranged so that the pixel arrays are within the same plane. The CCD's are also arranged in a predefined pattern. The combination of the multiple images acquired from the CCD's onto one single image forms a pattern, which is dictated by the predefined arrangement of the CCD's. The size and centroid on the combined image are a direct measure of the depth location Z and in-plane position (X,Y), respectively. The use of a predefined pattern enables high speed computation through simple algorithmic procedures. Moreover, the use of CCD cameras allows for the recording of such datasets at the corresponding image frame rate, thus opening the use of the invention to the mapping of dynamical systems.

Abstract: Determining instantaneously three-dimensional coordinates of large sets of points in space using apertures associated with cameras or camera parts. An embodiment associates information from the apertures with different portions of the imager, so that portions on the imager do not overlap.

Abstract: An encoder/decoder for multi-channel audio data, and in particular for audio reproduction through wave field synthesis. The encoder comprises a two-dimensional filter-bank to the multi-channel signal, in which the channel index is treated as an independent variable as well as time, and and the resulting spectral coefficient are quantized according to a two-dimensional psychoacoustic model, including masking effect in the spatial frequency as well as in the temporal frequency. The coded spectral data are organized in a bitstream together with side information containing scale factors and Huffman codebook identifiers.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, a plurality of spatially-biased apertures obstructing the lens, a sensor operable for capturing light transmitted from an object through the lens and the plurality of spatially-biased apertures, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. The spatially-biased apertures may differ in shape, size, and/or distance from the optical axis.