Methods and apparatus for absolute and relative depth measurements using camera focus distance
US11032464B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2013/0081
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A depth measuring apparatus includes a camera assembly, a position sensor, and a controller. The camera assembly is configured to capture a plurality of images of a target at a plurality of distances from the target. The position sensor is configured to capture, for each of the plurality of images, corresponding position data associated with a relative distance between the camera assembly and the target. The controller is configured to, for each of a plurality of regions within the plurality of images: determine corresponding gradient values within the plurality of images; determine a corresponding maximum gradient value from the corresponding gradient values; and determine a depth measurement for the region based on the corresponding maximum gradient and the corresponding position data captured for an image from the plurality of images that includes the corresponding maximum gradient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.