Dynamic generation of imperceptible structured light for tracking and acquisition of three dimensional scene geometry and surface characteristics in interactive three dimensional computer graphics applications
Patent Number: 5,870,136
Date of Patent: Feb. 9, 1999
Inventors: Henry Fuchs (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Mark A. Livingston (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Gary Bishop (Apex, N.C.), and Gregory F. Welch (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Appl. No.: 986,309
Filed: Dec. 5, 1997
Int. Cl.: H04N 13/00
U.S. Cl.: 348/42; 348/169; 382/106
29 Claims
Abstract
Methods, systems and computer products are provided for tracking objects within a scene using imperceptible structured light. The imperceptible structured light may be used in environments where humans work and therefore avoids disorienting observers. The structured light patterns are generated dynamically, allowing tracking without physical landmarks. Moreover, the occlusion of the generated landmarks is overcome by determining the position of objects using a determined camera position. The imperceptible structured light may be used in systems without tracking. The tracking may be used without imperceptible structured light.