3D Imaging via Master-Slave Device Recruitment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices face challenges in providing three-dimensional imaging due to the added hardware cost, integration complexity, and bulkiness of incorporating multiple cameras, making it impractical for widespread adoption in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method where a master device recruits a local slave device to match image capture and display characteristics, collect contemporaneous images, and extract three-dimensional information to create a three-dimensional image, allowing for background substitution and display on both devices without the need for multiple cameras within a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are incorporated into a single mobile device to enable three-dimensional imaging, then three-dimensional image quality is improved, but device complexity, hardware cost, and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the three-dimensional imaging function across multiple separate devices instead of consolidating multiple cameras in one device. Each device captures images independently, and the master device combines these images to create the three-dimensional effect, thereby avoiding the complexity of integrating multiple cameras in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the imaging capabilities of multiple separate devices to achieve three-dimensional imaging. The master device recruits slave devices and combines their captured images through image processing algorithms to generate three-dimensional information, achieving the desired image quality without the hardware complexity of a single multi-camera device.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are incorporated into a single mobile device to enable three-dimensional imaging, then three-dimensional image quality is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables ordinary mobile devices with single cameras to perform three-dimensional imaging by recruiting multiple devices to work together. This multi-functional approach allows standard devices to serve the specialized function of three-dimensional capture without requiring expensive multi-camera hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical cameras in one device, the system uses copies of the imaging function across multiple separate devices. Each slave device acts as a copy of the imaging capability, and their combined output creates the three-dimensional effect, avoiding the need for expensive multi-camera hardware.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are incorporated into a single mobile device to enable three-dimensional imaging, then three-dimensional image quality is improved, but device bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the three-dimensional imaging function across multiple separate handheld devices rather than integrating multiple cameras into one device. This distributes the physical bulk across several devices that users already possess, avoiding the need for a single bulky multi-camera device.
4Ease of operation
If background substitution is performed using traditional two-dimensional image processing, then background replacement is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates when the device is moved or illumination changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional two-dimensional image processing mechanics with three-dimensional depth information. By using depth maps generated from multiple device viewpoints, the system can accurately distinguish foreground subjects from backgrounds in three-dimensional space, making background substitution reliable even when devices move or illumination changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional image processing to three-dimensional imaging by incorporating depth information from multiple device viewpoints. This additional dimension allows for more accurate separation of foreground and background elements, improving the reliability of background substitution under varying conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing three dimensional (3D) information is disclosed in which a master recruits a local slave to provide contemporaneous images. The images are collected and 3D information extracted therefrom. The 3D information or various images may be transmitted to a remote device and is employed to provide a substitute background that replaces the background of the original image. Either the new image is displayed on one or both devices. The images can be collected and the 3D information extracted at either of the master or slave or at a separate device. To recruit the slave, the master broadcasts a query to all local devices, determines the available devices and their characteristics, automatically or manually selects a particular device, requests authorization from the selected device, and pairs with the selected device when authorization is received. Devices of the same or different types may be paired.