Abstract: A fiber optic sensing device includes an optical fiber having a polished end defining a flat sensory portion coated with a lossy-mode-resonance (LMR) coating. A reflective coating on an end face of the optical fiber facilitates propagation of a return signal. An optic circuit for identifies a wavelength attenuated by the LMR coating from the return signal reflected by the reflective coating based on a moisture presence at the sensory portion. Various gaseous parameters may be detected based on the coating on the sensory portion. An LMR coating of tin oxide (SnO2) is employed for moisture sensing.

Abstract: A method of mapping an interior of a building and/or a device for mapping and/or construction of an interior of a building is disclosed. For example, an autonomous device may find a reference point in a building and/or build an accurate 3D model of the space and/or the building. For example, while mapping the building, the device may use 3D features to orient itself and/or define reference points. For example, a corner where three surfaces meet may serve as a reference point. In some embodiments, the device starts from a starting point (optionally the starting point is arbitrary) and/or finds a defined reference point. For example, the device may include a self-mobile device (e.g. a robot) including a 3D sensor (for example a depth camera and/or 3D Lidar). Optionally the system may include a high precision robotic arm.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a camera and a processor. The processor is configured to: obtain a first image from the camera with respect to an external object, move a lens device depending on a specified amount of movement using a lens driver, obtain a second image corresponding to a position to which the lens device moves with respect to the external object, determine a first partial area of the first image corresponding to a specified portion of the external object, determine a second partial area of the second image corresponding to the first partial area based on the first partial area and the specified movement amount, determine a focus position with respect to the lens device based on a defocus difference between the first partial area and the second partial area and the specified movement amount, and move the lens device to the focus position using the lens driver.

Abstract: A distance information processing apparatus includes: a distance calculator configured to calculate object distances, which are distances to an object in ae depth direction, for a plurality of pixel positions on the basis of a first image signal and a second image signal, so as to calculate a distance image signal constituted by a plurality of object distances; a first confidence calculator configured to calculate a first confidence representing certainty of an object distance value in the distance image signal; and a range calculator configured to calculate a distance range, which is a range of an object distance, on the basis of the distance image signal and the first confidence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to determine the wavelength dependent absorption coefficient of a turbid medium using overlapping illumination-detection areas comprising the steps of a) retrieving a calibration spectrum (CA) from a reference measurement using a reference sample; b) carrying out a measurement on an actual sample for determining the absolute reflection spectrum (Rabs) using a raw spectrum measured on the sample (Smedium) and the calibration spectrum (C?); C) using the absolute reflection spectrum (Rabs) for determining the wavelength dependent absorption coefficient by minimizing the difference between the measured absolute reflection spectrum (Rabs) and a model function (Rabsmodel).

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for phase measuring profilometry (PMP) using structured light patterns based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In some examples, a composite structured light pattern generated using OFDM may be used to illuminate a surface of interest. The surface may reflect a phase-distorted version of the structured light pattern, and the phase-distorted structured light pattern may be processed to recover image and/or height information about the surface. In some embodiments, fast Fourier transform schemes may be used to generate the composite structured light pattern and process the phase-distorted structured light pattern.

Abstract: An image recording device having a projected viewfinder is described that projects individual, or multiple sets of synchronized framing beams onto a target image that are coaxially aligned with the field of view of the camera. The set of framing beams is projected onto the target image beyond the scope of the field of view being recorded by the image recording device but still within the field of vision of the operator of the device. In this way, the operator of the image recording device will be able to clearly see the framing beams identifying the limits of the recorded areas, while not having any portion of the field of view of the image recording device obscured by the framing beams themselves.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for stitching images. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: receive a group of images captured at a particular time by a group of camera modules, the group of camera modules configured to form camera pairs with respective overlap fields of view; calibrate the group of images; generate pairs of disparity maps associated with the camera pairs, the generating including generating a corresponding pair of disparity maps for each camera pair from the camera pairs; apply morphed rendering to create morphed images from the group of images; and construct a left panoramic image and a right panoramic image from the morphed images.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image-capturing apparatus for determining an object distance with higher accuracy. An image-capturing apparatus includes an optical system that forms an object image of an object, the optical system including a focus lens, an image sensor that captures the object image formed via the optical system and generates image data, and a controller that determines an object distance according to information representing a state of the optical system based on (i) first image data generated when the focus lens is at a first focus lens position and (ii) second image data generated when the focus lens is at a second focus lens position.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes a focus lens that forms an object image of the object, an image sensor that produces image data by capturing the object image, and a controller that controls the focus lens. The focus lens has a focal position. The controller is operable to detect a change of a distance from the image-capturing apparatus to the object during a first exposure period based on image data produced by capturing the object image with the image sensor during the first exposure period. The controller is operable to determine, based on the detected change in the distance, a control amount which controls a moving velocity at which the focal position moves during a second exposure period after the first exposure period. The controller is operable to move the focal position at a moving velocity corresponding to the determined control amount, and cause the image sensor to capture the object image during the second exposure period.

Abstract: A method for estimating a rotation axis and a mass center of a spatial target based on binocular optical flows.

Abstract: A target recognition system operatively connected to a stereo imaging device to capture a stereo image of an area ahead of the target recognition system, includes a parallax calculator to calculate parallax of the stereo image including two captured images; a target candidate detector to detect a candidate set of recognition target areas based on a luminance image of one of the captured images; and a target recognition processor to limit the candidate set of recognition target areas detected by the target candidate detector within a range of threshold values of characteristics in the candidate set of recognition target areas set in advance based on the parallax calculated by the parallax calculator to extract and output the one or more recognition targets.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, means for generating a disparity map based on a depth map, means for determining accuracy of pixels in the depth map where the determining means identifies the pixels as either accurate or inaccurate based on a confidence map and the disparity map, and means for providing an adjusted depth map where the providing means adjusts inaccurate pixels of the depth map using a cost function associated with the inaccurate pixels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a three-dimensional (3D) image comprising at least two depth layers wherein each depth layer comprising image objects. The method comprising the steps of determining a near field and a far field comprising at least one depth layer each, identifying the image objects in the near field and the far field respectively, applying a first correction curve to the image objects identified in the near field and applying a second correction curve to the image objects identified in the far field.

Abstract: A non-contact method and apparatus for inspecting an object. At least one first image of the object on which an optical pattern is projected, taken from a first perspective is obtained. At least one second image of the object on which an optical pattern is projected, taken from a second perspective that is different to the first perspective is obtained. At least one common object feature in each of the at least one first and second images is then determined on the basis of an irregularity in the optical pattern as imaged in the at least one first and second images.

Abstract: A method of combined exchange of image data and further data being related to the image data, the image data being represented by a first two-dimensional matrix of image data elements and the further data being represented by a second two-dimensional matrix of further data elements is disclosed. The method comprises combining the first two-dimensional matrix and the second two-dimensional matrix into a combined two-dimensional matrix of data elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a parallax barrier including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and the second substrates. A plurality of first strip electrodes and a plurality of second strip electrodes are arranged on the first substrate, whereas a plurality of third electrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes are arranged on the second substrate. Each of the third electrodes has a step-shaped first portion and each of the fourth electrodes has a step-shaped second portion.

Abstract: The present invention relate to an image generating apparatus for generating an image from a viewpoint specified by a user. According to the invention, the apparatus has a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of images, and a disparity map generating unit that generates a disparity map. The disparity map is associated with a pair of images including a first image and a second image, and indicates corresponding pixels in the first and second images.

Abstract: A non-contact method and apparatus for inspecting an object. At least one first image of the object on which an optical pattern is projected, taken from a first perspective is obtained. At least one second image of the object on which an optical pattern is projected, taken from a second perspective that is different to the first perspective is obtained. At least one common object feature in each of the at least one first and second images is then determined on the basis of an irregularity in the optical pattern as imaged in the at least one first and second images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transprojection of geometry data acquired by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CMM acquires geometry data corresponding to 3D coordinate measurements collected by a measuring probe that are transformed into scaled 2D data that is transprojected upon various digital object image views captured by a camera. The transprojection process can utilize stored image and coordinate information or perform live transprojection viewing capabilities in both still image and video modes.

Abstract: When a plurality of images are to be overlapped and synthesized, coincidence degrees between the plurality of images in an area near the boundary of a common area are calculated, and the plurality of images are overlapped and synthesized so that an area near the boundary having a high coincidence degree appears on the overlapped image. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the duplexing of the subject in the common area and unnatural ruptures on the boundary made by the overlapping while reducing the number of processes for the synthesizing.

Abstract: A system and a method that facilitates generating a model from a 3-dimensional (3D) object assembled from 2-dimensional (2D) content are described. A content aggregator can construct a 3D object from a collection of two or more 2D images each depicting a real entity in a physical real world, wherein the 3D object is constructed by combining the two or more 2D images based upon a respective image perspective. A 3D virtual environment can allow exploration of the 3D object. A model component can extrapolate a true 3D geometric model from the 3D object, wherein the true 3D geometric model is generated to include scaling in proportion to a size within the physical real world.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. An input interface is configured to receive pixel data from two or more images. A pixel handling processor disposed on the substrate is configured to convert the pixel data into depth and intensity pixel data. In some embodiments, a foreground detector processor disposed on the substrate is configured to classify pixels as background or not background. In some embodiments, a projection generator disposed on the substrate is configured to generate a projection in space of the depth and intensity pixel data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a two dimensional image or video to three dimensional image or video. The method includes segmenting objects in at least one of a two dimensional image and video, performing, in the digital processor, a depth map generation based on low-level features, performing face detection and scene classification on at least one of a two dimensional image and video, and utilizing face detection and scene classification in enhancing the depth map and for converting the at least one of a two dimensional image and video to three dimensional image and video.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a display device according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a display device including a liquid crystal interposed between a CF substrate and a TFT substrate that are opposed to each other, the method including the steps of: bonding the CF substrate and the TFT substrate each having a mother substrate shape to form a cell substrate from which at least one panel is to be cut out; forming, after formation of the cell substrate, a parallax barrier layer for separating a display image on an outer side of the cell substrate at a side of one of the CF substrate and the TFT substrate; and dividing, after formation of the parallax barrier layer, the cell substrate into at least one panel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing method includes calculating an activity value for a first block, the activity value indicating a higher degree of activity as pixel values vary in a greater degree in the first block, and calculating a first evaluation value that indicates higher evaluation as a difference between a pixel value of the first block and a pixel value of a second block is smaller. The method further includes calculating a second evaluation value that indicates higher evaluation as correlation between a relative spatial relationship of the pixel value of the first block and that of the pixel value of the second block is higher, and calculating a third evaluation value by weighting the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value to search for the second block that corresponds to the first block, a weight of the first evaluation value is larger as the activity value is larger.

Abstract: Provided are a high density multi-view image display system and method based on active sub-pixel rendering. The image display system may perform a rendering with respect to a viewpoint image in a pixel unit, using a viewpoint varying based on a position of left/right eyes of a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an object-based 3-dimensional stereo information generation apparatus and method, and an interactive system using the same. The method comprises: obtaining at least two 2-dimensional images with respect to the same space at a first time point; extracting objects from the at least two 2-dimensional images, respectively; establishing correspondences between objects; and generating 3-dimensional stereo information according to corresponding objects. The apparatus and interactive system comprises: at least two image capturing units for respectively capturing 2-dimensional images; and processing means for generating 3-dimensional stereo information according to the captured 2-dimensional images.

Abstract: A stereo matching processing system includes an associating unit that associates with each other such regions, in a plurality of images obtained by shooting a same object from different directions, that are on a same scanning line and have a largest correlation coefficient between them, as items that represent a same position, and a line segment determining unit that determines whether or not line segments that are associated with each other as items that teach a same position are drawn in the plurality of images respectively. When said line segment determining unit determines that the line segments are drawn, said associating unit associates with each other, not such regions that are on the same scanning line and have a largest correlation coefficient between them, but intersections at which the scanning line and the line segments each cross, as items that represent a same position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for creating a stereo image adaptively according to the characteristic of an input image and a method and an apparatus for reproducing the created stereo image are provided. The method for creating a stereo image includes selecting one of a left view image and a right view image that constitute the stereo image and measuring the directivity of high frequency components of the selected image, and synthesizing the left view image and the right view image into a stereo image in a format depending on the measured directivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a model forming apparatus that can simply and efficiently form a three-dimensional model of an object using previously obtained three-dimensional model data of the object as a starting point. The apparatus comprises a photographing section 110 for photographing an object 10, an image data storage section 130 for storing three-dimensional model data of the object, a display section 140 for displaying a three-dimensional model based on the three-dimensional model data of the object 10, a recognition section 150 for recognizing an unmodeled part of the object 10 based on the three-dimensional model data stored in the image data storage section 130, and a photographing instruction information section 160 for obtaining photographing instruction information related to photographing the unmodeled part. The photographing section 110 photographs the object 10 in accordance with the photographing instruction information obtained by the photographing instruction information section 160.

Abstract: A technique is provided which can improve the precision of a matching point search with a plurality of images taking the same object where distant and near views coexist. A plurality of first images obtained by time-sequentially imaging an object from a first viewpoint, and a plurality of second images obtained by time-sequentially imaging the object from a second viewpoint, are obtained. Reference regions including a reference point are set respectively in the first images with the same arrangement, and comparison regions corresponding to the form of the reference regions are set respectively in the second images with the same arrangement. One reference distribution of pixel values about two-or-more-dimensional space is generated from the distributions of pixel values about the plurality of reference regions, and one comparison distribution of pixel values about two-or-more-dimensional space is generated from the distributions of pixel values about the plurality of comparison regions.

Abstract: Methods of optimizing the diameters of nanowire photodiode light sensors. The method includes comparing the response of nanowire photodiode pixels having predetermined diameters with standard spectral response curves and determining the difference between the spectral response of the photodiode pixels and the standard spectral response curves. Also included are nanowire photodiode light sensors with optimized nanowire diameters and methods of scene reconstruction.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3D face model by using multi-view image information, includes: creating a mesh structure for expressing an appearance of a 3D face model by using a first multi-view image obtained by capturing an expressionless face of a performer; and locating joints of a hierarchical structure in the mesh structure, by using a second multi-view image obtained by capturing an expression performance of the performer. Further, the method includes creating a 3D face model that is animated to enable reproduction of a natural expression of the performer, by setting dependency between the joints and the mesh structure.

Abstract: A k-covered motion capture volume is modeled. The modeling includes representing the k-covered motion capture volume with a distance field.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, means for generating a disparity map based on a depth map, means for determining accuracy of pixels in the depth map where the determining means identifies the pixels as either accurate or inaccurate based on a confidence map and the disparity map, and means for providing an adjusted depth map where the providing means adjusts inaccurate pixels of the depth map using a cost function associated with the inaccurate pixels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for orienting an optical element (e. g. a parallax barrier screen or lenticular screen) on a screen comprising pixels x(i, j) in a raster composed of lines (i) and columns (j) in order to produce a screen for three-dimensional representation. In said method, especially a test pattern is presented which consists of various views A(k), wherein k=1, . . . , n, and n>1. The test pattern comprises at least two first straight lines that are located in different horizontal positions in the n>1 views A(k) as well as at least two second straight lines which each extend parallel to one of the first straight lines and are located in at least the same horizontal positions in the n>1 views A(k). The method according to the invention can be carried out quickly and with high accuracy and is therefore suitable for industrial use to produce screens for three-dimensional representation.

Abstract: A stereo-image processing apparatus includes a stereo-image taking means configured to take a plurality of images from different viewpoints, a parallax detecting means configured to detect a parallax of a subject on the basis of the images taken by the stereo-image taking means, an object detecting means configured to detect objects on the basis of the parallax detected by the parallax detecting means and a parallax offset value, and a parallax-offset-value correcting means configured to correct the parallax offset value on the basis of a change in a parallax corresponding to an object whose size in real space does not change with time, of the objects detected by the object detecting means, and a change in an apparent size of the object.

Abstract: Generating three-dimensional information can include accessing multiple different images of an object taken by one or more cameras; selecting one of the accessed images as a reference image; identifying corresponding features between the reference image and one or more different ones of the accessed images; determining first camera pose information for each accessed image based on one or more of the corresponding features, each first camera pose information indicative of a relationship between an imaging device and the object; determining a first three-dimensional structure of the object based on first camera pose information of two of the accessed images; and generating a second three-dimensional structure and a second camera pose information for each accessed image based on the first three-dimensional structure and the first camera pose information for each accessed image.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and a method for processing stereo images utilizing a real time, robust, and accurate stereo matching system and method based on a coarse-to-fine architecture. At each image pyramid level, non-centered windows for matching and adaptive upsampling of coarse-level disparities are performed to generate estimated disparity maps using the ACTF approach. In order to minimize propagation of disparity errors from coarser to finer levels, the present invention performs an iterative optimization, at each level, that minimizes a cost function to generate smooth disparity maps with crisp occlusion boundaries.

Abstract: Arrangements are disclosed herein that can capture image data reflecting real world objects and/or interactions and convert this data into a format that is usable in a virtual universe (VU). In one embodiment, a method can include receiving sets of image data that capture an object or a setting from different viewing angles. The image can be in multiple data sets where the sets have at least one common feature. The image data can be analyzed using the common features in the image data and a spatial map can be created. The spatial map can be modified (if required) such that a VU engine can use the modified data to provide a VU that has a representation of the real world object and/or interaction. This allows a participant to customize objects and/or activities in the VU, and provide a unique “persona” for their avatar and their VU.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for creating a stereo image adaptively according to the characteristic of an input image and a method and an apparatus for reproducing the created stereo image are provided. The method for creating a stereo image includes selecting one of a left view image and a right view image that constitute the stereo image and measuring the directivity of high frequency components of the selected image, and synthesizing the left view image and the right view image into a stereo image in a format depending on the measured directivity.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of an object (1) in space is described, in which measurement characteristics (4) of the object (1) are recorded with an optical recording device (3) calibrated to a space coordinate system (5), and on the basis of these measurement characteristics (4), the position of the object (1) in the space coordinate system (5) is determined in an image processing device. To enable reliable ascertainment of the position even with only a few recording devices, it is provided that at least two measurement characteristics (4) of the object (1) are detected simultaneously in a recording device (3) and used to determine the position of the object (1).

Abstract: Systems and methods for transprojection of geometry data acquired by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CMM acquires geometry data corresponding to 3D coordinate measurements collected by a measuring probe that are transformed into scaled 2D data that is transprojected upon various digital object image views captured by a camera. The transprojection process can utilize stored image and coordinate information or perform live transprojection viewing capabilities in both still image and video modes.

Abstract: Processing images includes projecting an infra-red pattern onto a three-dimensional object and producing a first image, a second image, and a third image of the three-dimensional object while the pattern is projected on the three-dimensional object. The first image and the second image include the three-dimensional object and the pattern. The first image and the second image are produced by capturing at a first camera and a second camera, respectively, light filtered through an infra-red filter. The third image includes the three-dimensional object but not the pattern. Processing the images also includes establishing a first-pair correspondence between a portion of pixels in the first image and a portion of pixels in the second image. Processing the images further includes constructing, based on the first-pair correspondence and the third image, a two-dimensional image that depicts a three-dimensional construction of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method and system for target detecting, editing and rebuilding by 3D image is provided, which comprises an inputting and picking unit, a training and detecting unit, a displaying and editing unit and a rebuilding unit. The inputting and picking unit receives a digital image and a LiDAR data and picks up a first parameter to form a 3D image. The training and detecting unit selects a target, picks up a second parameter therefrom, calculates the second parameter to generate a threshold and detects the target areas in the 3D image according to the threshold. The displaying and editing unit sets a quick selecting tool according to the threshold and edits the detecting result. The rebuilding unit sets a buffer area surrounding the target, picks up a third parameter therefrom and calculates the original shape of the target by the Surface Fitting method according to the third parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for mapping an object includes an illumination assembly, which includes a single transparency containing a fixed pattern of spots. A light source transilluminates the single transparency with optical radiation so as to project the pattern onto the object. An image capture assembly captures an image of the pattern that is projected onto the object using the single transparency. A processor processes the image captured by the image capture assembly so as to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object.

Abstract: An image processing technique comprises the steps of: (a) stretching an original image in the Y-direction (vertical) by a factor falling within the range of 2-10%; selecting a fixation point and disordering operation around the fixation point; and rotating the image through an angle falling within the range of 3-9°, preferably clockwise; (b) stretching a copy of the original image in the X-direction (horizontal by a factor falling within the range of 2-10%; and selecting an area of the image around the selected fixation point; and (c) merging the selected area of the image formed in step (b) with the image formed in step (a).

Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an electrostatic chuck (ESC) is provided. The ESC has a dielectric support surface for a semiconductor wafer. The dielectric support surface is scanned with a Kelvin probe to obtain a surface potential map. The surface potential map is compared with a reference Kelvin probe surface potential map to determine if the ESC passes inspection.