Enhanced contrast for object detection and characterization by optical imaging based on differences between images
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for analyzing captured images, the method comprising:
- capturing a first plurality of digital images of a field of view using a camera and at least one light source;
identifying pixels of the first plurality of digital images that correspond to an object rather than to a background, wherein the pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on differences between first, second and third digital images captured by the capturing;
capturing a second plurality of digital images;
identifying pixels of the second plurality of digital images that correspond to the object rather than to the background;
detecting a motion of the object based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of digital images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of digital images;
comparing the motion of the object to a library; and
enabling a particular gesture associated with the motion of the object.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method for analyzing captured images, the method comprising:
-
capturing a first plurality of digital images of a field of view using a camera and at least one light source; identifying pixels of the first plurality of digital images that correspond to an object rather than to a background, wherein the pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on differences between first, second and third digital images captured by the capturing; capturing a second plurality of digital images; identifying pixels of the second plurality of digital images that correspond to the object rather than to the background; detecting a motion of the object based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of digital images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of digital images; comparing the motion of the object to a library; and enabling a particular gesture associated with the motion of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. 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 at least one camera and oriented to illuminate the field of view; and a processor coupled to the at least one camera and the at least one light source and configured to; capture a first plurality of digital images of the field of view using the at least one camera and the at least one light source; identify pixels of the first plurality of digital images that correspond to an object rather than to a background, wherein the pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on differences between first, second and third digital images; capture a second plurality of digital images; identify pixels of the second plurality of digital images that correspond to the object rather than to the background; detect a motion of the object based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of digital images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of digital images; compare the motion of the object to a library; and enable a particular gesture associated with the motion of the object, the gesture indicating a user interaction with a virtual or augmented environment. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
-
14. 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 at least one camera and oriented to illuminate the field of view; and a processor coupled to the at least one camera and the at least one light source and configured to; capture a first plurality of digital images of the field of view using the at least one camera and the at least one light source; identify pixels of the first plurality of digital images that correspond to an object rather than to a background, wherein the pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on differences between first, second and third digital images; capture a second plurality of digital images; identify pixels of the second plurality of digital images that correspond to the object rather than to the background; detect a motion of the object based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of digital images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of digital images; compare the motion of the object to a library; and enable a particular gesture associated with the motion of the object, the gesture indicating a user input to the computer system.
-
-
15. A tablet computer system comprising:
-
at least one camera having a field of view and oriented toward a front surface so as to capture a motion of a user; at least one light source disposed on a same side of the field of view as the at least one camera and oriented to illuminate the field of view; and a processor coupled to the at least one camera and the at least one light source and configured to; capture a first plurality of digital images of the field of view using the at least one camera and the at least one light source; identify pixels of the first plurality of digital images that correspond to an object rather than to a background, wherein the pixels corresponding to the object are identified based on differences between first, second and third digital images; capture a second plurality of images; identify pixels of the second plurality of digital images that correspond to the object rather than to the background; detect a motion of the object based at least in part upon the identified pixels of the first plurality of digital images and the identified pixels of the second plurality of digital images; compare the motion of the object to a library; and enable a particular gesture associated with the motion of the object, the gesture indicating a user input to the tablet computer system.
-
Specification