Video Rate 3D Data Acquisition using Structured Light

Investigators:
Laurence Hassebrook
Daniel Lau
Chun Guan

Contributors:
University of Alabama

Sponsors:
NASA, University of Kentucky

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Papers:
C. Guan, L.G. Hassebrook and D. L. Lau. Composite structured light pattern for three-dimensional video, Optics Express, Vol. 11, No. 5 (March 2003), pp. 406-417.

C. Guan, L.G. Hassebrook and D. L. Lau. Real-time 3-D data acquisition for augmented reality man and machine interfacing, Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Civilian and Defense Applications V, SPIE AeroSense 2003 (Orlando)

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Articles:
Electronic Imaging & Signal Processing Noncontact, depth-detailed 3D fingerprinting

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Project Description:
We have developed a scientific method to combine multiple patterns into a single projection image. This allows the subject to move because the camera does not have to synchronize with the projector and can capture at video rate. Since the idea is new, we are systematically improving it.

Our strategy is to first improve the accuracy of the depth reconstruction. We are presently working on projecting the composite pattern using near infrared (NIR) light. This way, the subject will not see the light pattern and a color image will be captured simultaneously with the NIR depth pattern. The next research step is to achieve high lateral and depth resolution from composite patterns. Because there are multiple channels, there are aliasing and band limits that constrain the reconstructed surface accuracy. However, because the bands contain correlated or redundant information we believe it is theoretically possible to restore the original surface topology with high accuracy. A more distant step in the process is to use multiple sensors to capture topologies from different directions that can be combined into one 3D surround topology.

For more information, see: http://128.163.147.208/lgh/research.html