Color-Depth Time Difference Correction for 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining three-dimensional (3D) images face challenges in precisely matching depth and color images captured simultaneously, often resulting in mismatches due to time differences and view discrepancies between depth and color image generation.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that includes a sensor unit for generating both color and depth images, a color-depth time difference correcting unit to address time mismatches, and a view correcting unit to align views between depth and color images, along with a high precision unit for enhancing depth image quality and a resolution matching unit to ensure matching resolutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If depth image and color image are obtained using a single camera, then device complexity is reduced, but mismatching precision between depth and color images deteriorates due to time differences and view discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preprocessing on the depth image before matching with the color image. Specifically, the depth image is processed to correct distortions and adjust for time differences between captures, so that when the depth and color images are subsequently matched, the preprocessing has already prepared the depth image to account for the temporal separation, thereby improving matching precision without requiring complex synchronized dual-camera systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing unit that acts as a mediator between the depth image and color image. This intermediary unit performs time difference correction and view alignment by generating corrected depth images that are temporally and spatially aligned with the color images, effectively mediating the mismatching caused by simultaneous capture limitations
2Measurement precision
If depth image is processed to enhance quality, then measurement precision improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing quality enhancement processing on the depth image before the matching operation. The depth image undergoes preprocessing including distortion correction and time difference adjustment in advance, so that when the matching process occurs, the depth image is already optimized, thereby improving measurement precision without adding significant time delay to the overall processing pipeline
3Measurement precision
If time difference correction is performed on depth image, then matching precision with color image improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing unit that acts as a mediator between the depth image and color image. This intermediary unit performs time difference correction and view alignment by generating corrected depth images that are temporally and spatially aligned with the color images, effectively mediating the mismatching caused by simultaneous capture limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a corrected version of the depth image that replicates the temporal and spatial characteristics of the color image. The time difference correction unit generates a corrected depth image that copies the timing information from the color image, thereby enabling precise matching without requiring complex real-time synchronization hardware
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus may include a sensor unit which generates both a color image and a depth image. A color-depth time difference correcting unit may correct a mismatching that occurs due to a time difference between a point in time when the color image is generated and a point in time when the depth image is generated. An image generator may generate a stereoscopic image or a multi-view image using the color image and the depth image after the mismatching is corrected.