Image contrast enhancement in depth sensor
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorScott McEldowney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments related to the enhancement of contrast in an image pattern in a structured light depth sensor are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, in a structured light depth sensor system comprising a structured light depth sensor, a method comprising projecting a light pattern onto an object, detecting via an image sensor an image of the light pattern as reflected from the object, increasing a contrast of the light pattern relative to ambient light present in the image of the light pattern as reflected from the object to form a contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern as reflected from the object, and based upon a motion of the object as detected via the contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern, controlling an application that is providing output to a display.
Claims20
In a structured light depth sensor system comprising a structured light depth sensor, a method comprising:
- projecting a light pattern onto an object;
- detecting via an image sensor an image of the light pattern as reflected from the object;
- increasing a contrast of the light pattern relative to ambient light present in the image of the light pattern as reflected from the object to form a contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern as reflected from the object;
- and
- based upon a motion of the object as detected via the contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern, controlling an application that is providing output to a display.
An optical depth-sensing system, comprising:
- an image source configured to project a light pattern onto an object;
- an image sensor configured to capture an image of light reflected from the object;
- a processor in operative communication with the image source, the display, and the image sensor;
- and
- memory comprising instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to:
- control projection of the light pattern onto the object;
- receive from the image sensor an image of the light pattern as reflected from the object;
- increase a contrast of the light pattern relative to ambient light in the image of the light pattern as reflected from the object to form a contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern as reflected from the object;
- detect motion of the object via the contrast-enhanced image;
- and
- in response to the motion, control an application that is providing an output to a display.
A computer gaming system, comprising:
- an image source configured to project a light pattern onto a target;
- an image sensor configured to capture an image of the light pattern reflected from the target;
- a processor in operative communication with the image source and the image sensor;
- and
- memory comprising instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to:
- control projection of the light pattern onto the target;
- receive from the image sensor an image of the light pattern as reflected from the target;
- increase a contrast of the light pattern as reflected from the target to form a contrast-enhanced image of the light pattern as reflected from the target;
- compare the contrast-enhanced image to a previously acquired contrast-enhanced image to detect motion of the target;
- and
- in response to detecting motion of the target, display motion of an avatar on a display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.