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 may be modified in order to successfully generate surface maps of objects or three-dimensional representations of target objects. A variety of the aspects of the present invention provide examples of the use of an addressable pattern in order to overcome mismatching common to standard defocusing techniques.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, a central aperture located along an optical axis for projecting an entire image of a target object, at least one defocusing aperture located off of the optical axis, a sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the central aperture and the at least one defocusing aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. Different optical filters can be used for the central aperture and the defocusing apertures respectively, whereby a background image produced by the central aperture can be easily distinguished from defocused images produced by the defocusing apertures.

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 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: 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: 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 the three-dimensional coordinates of large sets of points in space using 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.

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.