Three-Dimensional Image Sensors
AssigneeLeap Motion, Inc.
InventorDavid HOLZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A single image sensor including an array of uniformly and continuously spaced light-sensing pixels in conjunction with a plurality of lenses that focus light reflected from an object onto a plurality of different pixel regions of the image sensor, each lens focusing light on a different one of the pixel regions enables a controller, including a processor and an object detection module, coupled to the single image to analyze the pixel regions, to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image of the object through a plurality of images obtained with the image sensor, generate a depth map that calculates depth values for pixels of at least the object, detect 3D motion of the object using the depth values, create a 3D model of the object based on the 3D image, and track 3D motion of the object based on the 3D model.
Claims21
A camera for capturing images of an object, the camera comprising:
- a single image sensor including an array of uniformly and continuously spaced light-sensing pixels;
- a plurality of lenses that focus light reflected from an object onto a plurality of different pixel regions of the image sensor, each lens focusing light on a different one of the pixel regions;
- and
- a controller, including a processor and an object detection module, coupled to the single image sensor that:
- analyzes at least two of the plurality of different pixel regions to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image of the object through a plurality of images obtained with the image sensor;
- generates a depth map of depth values for at least some of the pixels in the image of the object;
- and
- repeats the analyze and generate on additional images of the object acquired by the image sensor as the object moves through space;
- thereby:
- detecting 3D motion of the object using the three-dimensional (3D) images of the object;
- and
- tracking 3D motion of the object based on the three-dimensional (3D) images of the object.
A method of capturing images of an object using a camera comprising an image sensor having an array of light-sensing pixels and a plurality of lenses, each lens focusing light on one of a plurality of pixel regions of the image sensor, the method comprising:
- focusing light reflected from the object onto a plurality of different pixel regions of the image sensor;
- and
- capturing with the camera a three-dimensional (3D) image of the object using at least two of the plurality of different pixel regions of the image sensor;
- generating a depth map of depth values for at least some of the pixels in the image of the object;
- and
- repeating the generating on additional images of the object acquired by the image sensor as the object moves through space;
- thereby:
- detecting 3D motion of the object using the three-dimensional (3D) images of the object;
- and
- tracking 3D motion of the object based on the three-dimensional (3D) images of the object.
An image capture and analysis system comprising:
- a camera oriented toward a field of view, the camera comprising:
- a single image sensor including an array of uniformly and continuously spaced light-sensing pixels;
- a plurality of lenses that focus light reflected from an object onto a plurality of different pixel regions of the image sensor, each lens focusing light on a different one of the pixel regions;
- and
- a processor for analyzing the pixel regions to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image of the object based on the images received in the different pixel regions, generating a depth map of depth values for pixels of at least some of the pixels in the image of the object, through successive images obtained with the image sensor, detecting 3D motion of the object and tracking 3D motion of the object based on the three-dimensional (3D) images of the object.
-20. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.