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US 2014/0177913 A1Published application
Enhanced contrast for object detection and characterization by optical imaging
AssigneeLeap Motion, Inc.
InventorDavid Holz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Enhanced contrast between an object of interest and background surfaces visible in an image is provided using controlled lighting directed at the object. Exploiting the falloff of light intensity with distance, a light source (or multiple light sources), such as an infrared light source, can be positioned near one or more cameras to shine light onto the object while the camera(s) capture images. The captured images can be analyzed to distinguish object pixels from background pixels.
Claims21
A method for analyzing captured images, the method comprising:
- capturing a first plurality of digital images of a field of view that might include an object of interest using a camera and at least one light source to illuminate the field of view at one or more illumination powers to include:
- capturing a first image when the at least one light source is at a first illumination power;
- capturing a second image when the at least one light source is at a second illumination power;
- and
- capturing a third image when the at least one light source is at the first illumination power;
- identifying pixels that might correspond to the object rather than to a background, wherein pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on a difference between the second and first images and a difference between the second and third images;
- and
- constructing a model of the object based on the identified pixels, including a position and shape of the object.
5 more elements
A wearable goggle, comprising:
- at least one camera oriented toward a field of view;
- at least one light source disposed on a same side of the field of view as the camera and oriented to illuminate the field of view;
- and
- a processor coupled to the camera and the at least one light source and configured to:
- capture a first plurality of digital images of a field of view that might include an object of interest using the camera and the at least one light source to illuminate the field of view at one or more illumination powers to include:
- capturing a first image when the at least one light source is at a first illumination power;
- capturing a second image when the at least one light source is at a second illumination power;
- and
- capturing a third image when the at least one light source is at the first illumination power;
- identify pixels that might correspond to the object rather than to a background, wherein pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on a difference between the second and first images and a difference between the second and third images;
- construct a model of the object based on the identified pixels, including a position and shape of the object;
- capture a second plurality of images;
- identify pixels in the second plurality of images that might correspond to the object rather than to a background;
- detect motion of the object comprising the identified pixels based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of images;
- and
- interpret the motion detected as gestures indicating user interaction with a virtual or augmented environment.
13 more elements
A computer system comprising:
- at least one camera oriented toward a field of view;
- at least one light source disposed on a same side of the field of view as the camera and oriented to illuminate the field of view;
- and
- a processor coupled to the camera and the at least one light source and configured to:
- capture a first plurality of digital images of a field of view that might include an object of interest using the camera and the at least one light source to illuminate the field of view at one or more illumination powers to include:
- capturing a first image when the at least one light source is at a first illumination power;
- capturing a second image when the at least one light source is at a second illumination power;
- and
- capturing a third image when the at least one light source is at the first illumination power;
- identify pixels that might correspond to the object rather than to a background, wherein pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on a difference between the second and first images and a difference between the second and third images;
- construct a model of the object based on the identified pixels, including a position and shape of the object;
- capture a second plurality of images;
- identify pixels in the second plurality of images that might correspond to the object rather than to a background;
- detect motion of the object comprising the identified pixels based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of images;
- and
- use the motion detected as user input to the computer system.
13 more elements
A tablet computer system comprising:
- at least one camera having a field of view and oriented toward a front toward a front surface so as to capture motion of a user;
- at least one light source disposed on a same side of the field of view as the camera and oriented to illuminate the field of view;
- and
- a processor coupled to the camera and the at least one light source and configured to:
- capture a first plurality of digital images of a field of view that might include an object of interest using the camera and the at least one light source to illuminate the field of view at one or more illumination powers to include:
- capturing a first image when the at least one light source is at a first illumination power;
- capturing a second image when the at least one light source is at a second illumination power;
- and
- capturing a third image when the at least one light source is at the first illumination power;
- identify pixels that might correspond to the object rather than to a background, wherein pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on a difference between the second and first images and a difference between the second and third images;
- construct a model of the object based on the identified pixels, including a position and shape of the object;
- capture a second plurality of images;
- identify pixels in the second plurality of images that might correspond to the object rather than to a background;
- detect motion of the object comprising the identified pixels based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of images;
- and
- use the motion detected as user input to the tablet computer system.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.