Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080279446 | SYSTEM AND TECHNIQUE FOR RETRIEVING DEPTH INFORMATION ABOUT A SURFACE BY PROJECTING A COMPOSITE IMAGE OF MODULATED LIGHT PATTERNS - A technique, associated system and program code, for retrieving depth information about at least one surface of an object. Core features include: projecting a composite image comprising a plurality of modulated structured light patterns, at the object; capturing an image reflected from the surface; and recovering pattern information from the reflected image, for each of the modulated structured light patterns. Pattern information is preferably recovered for each modulated structured light pattern used to create the composite, by performing a demodulation of the reflected image. Reconstruction of the surface can be accomplished by using depth information from the recovered patterns to produce a depth map/mapping thereof. Each signal waveform used for the modulation of a respective structured light pattern, is distinct from each of the other signal waveforms used for the modulation of other structured light patterns of a composite image; these signal waveforms may be selected from suitable types in any combination of distinct signal waveforms, provided the waveforms used are uncorrelated with respect to each other. The depth map/mapping to be utilized in a host of applications, for example: displaying a 3-D view of the object; virtual reality user-interaction interface with a computerized device; face—or other animal feature or inanimate object—recognition and comparison techniques for security or identification purposes; and 3-D video teleconferencing/telecollaboration. | 11-13-2008 |
20090016572 | System and technique for retrieving depth information about a surface by projecting a composite image of modulated light patterns - A technique, associated system and program code, for retrieving depth information about at least one surface of an object, such as an anatomical feature. Core features include: projecting a composite image comprising a plurality of modulated structured light patterns, at the anatomical feature; capturing an image reflected from the surface; and recovering pattern information from the reflected image, for each of the modulated structured light patterns. Pattern information is preferably recovered for each modulated structured light pattern used to create the composite, by performing a demodulation of the reflected image. Reconstruction of the surface can be accomplished by using depth information from the recovered patterns to produce a depth map/mapping thereof. Each signal waveform used for the modulation of a respective structured light pattern, is distinct from each of the other signal waveforms used for the modulation of other structured light patterns of a composite image; these signal waveforms may be selected from suitable types in any combination of distinct signal waveforms, provided the waveforms used are uncorrelated with respect to each other. The depth map/mapping to be utilized in a host of applications, for example: displaying a 3-D view of the object; virtual reality user-interaction interface with a computerized device; face—or other animal feature or inanimate object—recognition and comparison techniques for security or identification purposes; and 3-D video teleconferencing/telecollaboration. | 01-15-2009 |
20090080700 | PROJECTILE TRACKING SYSTEM - A system and method for determining the track of a projectile use a thermal signature of the projectile. Sequential infrared image frames are acquired from a sensor at a given position. A set of frames containing spots with characteristics consistent with a projectile in flight are identified. A possible projectile track solution for said spots is identified. A thermal signature value for each pixel of each spot of the possible solution is determined. The determined thermal signature is then compared to an actual thermal signature for a substantially similar projectile track to ascertain whether the determined thermal signature substantially matches the actual thermal signature, which indicates that the possible projectile track solution is the correct solution. | 03-26-2009 |
20090103777 | Lock and hold structured light illumination - A method, system, and associated program code, for 3-dimentional image acquisition, using structured light illumination, of a surface-of-interest under observation by at least one camera. One aspect includes: illuminating the surface-of-interest, while static/at rest, with structured light to obtain initial depth map data therefor; while projecting a hold pattern comprised of a plurality of snake-stripes at the static surface-of-interest, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of each of the snake-stripes of the hold pattern; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame each of the snake-stripes. Another aspect includes: projecting a hold pattern comprised of a plurality of snake-stripes; as the surface-of-interest moves into a region under observation by at least one camera that also comprises the projected hold pattern, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of each snake-stripe as it sequentially illuminates the surface-of-interest; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame, each snake-stripe while it passes through the region. Yet another aspect includes: projecting, in sequence at the surface-of-interest positioned within a region under observation by at least one camera, a plurality of snake-stripes of a hold pattern by opening/moving a shutter cover; as each of the snake-stripes sequentially illuminates the surface-of-interest, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of that snake-stripe; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame, each of the snake-stripes once it has illuminated the surface-of-interest and entered the region. | 04-23-2009 |
20090109490 | METHOD OF PRODUCING IMPROVED LENTICULAR IMAGES - An image comprising a plurality of interlaced images is provided, the image is halftone processed according to one or more processes, and the image is printed, for example, using an inkjet printer. The image is halftone processed according a predetermined function depending at least in part on a gray scale level for a given pixel and those nearby the given pixel. The predetermined function can operate on a continuous tone version or on a printed-dot model of the image and may include a predetermined error filter where error is distributed to pixels corresponding to the same interlaced image from which the error accumulates. The image may be post-processed to arrange dots and/or shift columns of pixels to minimize overlap error or modified to include extra pixels to align the interlaced images under the lenses. | 04-30-2009 |
20100060939 | METHOD OF PRODUCING IMPROVED LENTICULAR IMAGES - An image comprising a plurality of interlaced images is provided, and the image is halftone processed according to one or more processes. The image is halftone processed according to a predetermined function depending at least in part on a gray scale level for a given pixel and on gray scale levels for local pixels nearby the given pixel. The predetermined function can operate on a continuous tone version or on a printed-dot model of the image. Alternatively, the predetermined function may include a predetermined error filter where error which is distributed to pixels corresponding to the same interlaced image from which the error accumulates. The image may be post-processed to arrange dots and/or shift columns of pixels to minimize overlap error. The image may be modified to include extra pixels to align the interlaced images under the lenses. | 03-11-2010 |
20110134223 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR REDUCING ARTIFACTS - A method for preparing an article of lenticular imaging. The method comprises receiving a plurality of source images, superimposing at least one deghosting element on the plurality of source images, the deghosting element being formed to reduce an estimated ghosting artifact from the article, interlacing the plurality of processed source images so as to form a spatially multiplexed image, and preparing the article by attaching an optical element to the spatially multiplexed image. | 06-09-2011 |
20110310436 | IMAGE QUANTIZATION FOR DIGITAL PRINTING - An image may be quantized into a pattern of dots, e.g., for devices capable of printing dots of variable size and variable color intensity. One may use a pre-determined mapping of the continuous-tone intensity value into a discrete vector of intensity values, and each intensity value may then be processed by a set of binary quantizers. The resulting binary vector may then be mapped into a combination of available dot sizes and color intensities. Through a scalar multiplier, the pre-determined mapping of continuous-tone intensity values may be used as multiple print resolutions. | 12-22-2011 |
20120067238 | AUTOMATED LENTICULAR PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEM - An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images. The system also includes a processing station where the interlaced print sheet is aligned with a lenticular lens sheet with a registration system that detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. The system also includes means for controllably adjusting the position of the lenticular lens sheet relative to the interlaced print sheet until proper registration between the lenticular lens sheet and the interlaced print sheet is achieved. The lenticular lens sheet is at least selectively joined to the interlaced print sheet to provide a lenticular product that can be delivered back to the user. | 03-22-2012 |
20120092463 | Dual-frequency Phase Multiplexing (DFPM) and Period Coded Phase Measuring (PCPM) Pattern Strategies in 3-D Structured Light Systems, and Lookup Table (LUT) Based Data Processing - A computer-implemented process, system, and computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon, program code and instructions for 3-D triangulation-based image acquisition of a contoured surface/object-of-interest under observation by at least one camera, by projecting onto the surface-of-interest a multi-frequency pattern comprising a plurality of pixels representing at least a first and second superimposed sinusoid projected simultaneously, each of the sinusoids represented by the pixels having a unique temporal frequency and each of the pixels projected to satisfy | 04-19-2012 |
20120120412 | Structured Light 3-D Measurement Module and System for Illuminating an Area-under-test using a Fixed-pattern Optic - A surface measurement module for 3-D triangulation-based image acquisition of a surface-under-inspection and under observation by at least one camera. The module having: (a) a casing housing an optical system comprising a plurality of lens elements positioned between a fixed-pattern optic and a light source; (b) an output of said fixed-pattern optic comprising a multi-frequency pattern comprising a plurality of pixels representing at least a first and second superimposed sinusoid projected simultaneously, each of the sinusoids represented by the pixels having a unique temporal frequency and each of the pixels projected to satisfy | 05-17-2012 |
20120120413 | Structured Light 3-D Measurement Module and System for Illuminating a Subject-under-test in Relative Linear Motion with a Fixed-pattern Optic - A surface measurement module for 3-D triangulation-based image acquisition of a subject-under-inspection and under observation by at least one camera. The module having: (a) casing housing an optical system comprising a plurality of lens elements positioned between a fixed-pattern optic and a light source; (b) an output of said fixed-pattern optic comprising a multi-frequency pattern comprising a plurality of pixels representing at least a first and second superimposed sinusoid projected simultaneously, each of the sinusoids represented by the pixels having a unique temporal frequency and each of the pixels projected to satisfy | 05-17-2012 |
20120125217 | AUTOMATED LENTICULAR PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEM - An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images to assist in aligning the interlaced print sheet with a lenticular lens sheet. A registration system detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. | 05-24-2012 |
20120269404 | System and method for 3D imaging using structured light illumination - A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images and maps the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. | 10-25-2012 |
20130052430 | Radial Lenticular Blending Effect - A method of integrating a radial zoom effect with a complementary radial image transition effect includes integrating the effects such that the two blended radial effects share a common center, and thereby share common displacement paths during the perceived transition. In addition to the visual appeal of the effect, the invention also resolves operational incompatibilities between the practice of commercial photography and the practice of lenticular printing. A lenticular product is formed in accordance with this method. | 02-28-2013 |
20130136318 | System and method for 3D imaging using structured light illumination - A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images and maps the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. | 05-30-2013 |
20130188012 | Portable Structured Light Measurement Module/Apparatus with Pattern Shifting Device Incorporating a Fixed-pattern Optic for Illuminating a Subject-under-test - A surface measurement module for 3-D image acquisition of a subject-under-inspection. The module having: (a) a casing to house a pattern shifting device having a fixed-pattern optic through which light from a light source is passed, an output of the pattern shifting device being directed at a polarizing beam splitter and the polarized output of the splitter directed through a lens assembly comprising at least one lens element; (b) a reflector to direct the polarized output exiting the lens assembly, to illuminate a surface of the subject-under-inspection; (c) a scattered light illumination off the surface is directed back through the lens assembly for capture by an image sensor; and (d) the casing also housing the polarizing beam splitter, the lens assembly, and the image sensor. The output of the fixed-pattern optic comprises a multi-frequency pattern. The pattern shifting device may be a linear or rotating type. | 07-25-2013 |
20130321585 | System and Method for 3D Imaging using Structured Light Illumination - A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images and maps the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. | 12-05-2013 |