초록 ▼

Range or distance to points is estimated within a scene, while simultaneously imaging the scene. The range to various points within the scene is estimated by imaging at least a first color of light from the scene through an optical mask and a lens onto a CCD, and then digitally processing the first

Range or distance to points is estimated within a scene, while simultaneously imaging the scene. The range to various points within the scene is estimated by imaging at least a first color of light from the scene through an optical mask and a lens onto a CCD, and then digitally processing the first color light intensity values stored in the CCD. At least a second color of light passes through the mask essentially unchanged and is separated from the first color of light before reaching the CCD and used for imaging the scene. The optical mask is designed such that the optical system transformation matrix for the first color of light is rank deficient for a particular set of object ranges. In this way, linear functions can be found to annihilate given sampled image data at a plurality of ranges, independent of the intensity of the light received from the object. A statistical detector is used to determine the closest associated range to the actual range of the point within the scene.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for estimating the distance from an observation location to various points in a three-dimensional scene that contains a three-dimensional object while imaging the scene, comprising:a color optical mask means at said observation location constructed and arranged

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for estimating the distance from an observation location to various points in a three-dimensional scene that contains a three-dimensional object while imaging the scene, comprising:a color optical mask means at said observation location constructed and arranged to yield a rank deficient, known, imaging system transformation matrix for a predetermined spread of object distances for at least a first color of light, thereby encoding object distance information onto the intensity field of said first color of light passing through said mask means,said color mask means permitting at least a second color of light to pass through said mask substantially unchanged,means for separating the first color of light from the second color of light,imaging means for forming an image of said scene from said second color of light,image recording and retrieval means for digitally recording the intensity of said distance encoded first color of light, anddigital processing means for extracting said distance information from said digitally recorded intensity of said distance encoded first color of light.