High Dynamic Depth Range for 3D Image Capturing System

Abstract

To detect the 3D depth information of objects in a deep scene is not so easy due to the limited depth of field (DoF) of cameras. In this paper, we proposed a 3D depth map capturing system with high dynamic depth range (HDDR). Unlike conventional extending depth of field (EDoF) method, the HDDR method will not deteriorate the image quality. By imitating an active tunable m x n lens array focusing on a sequential of imaging planes, each object in the scene would be clearly captured by at least three elemental lenses. We estimated the elemental depth maps by using the method depth from disparity individually, and then fused them into one all-in-focus depth map. Comparing with the conventional 3D cameras, the working range of HDDR system with 3x3 camera array can be extend from 90cm to 165cm.