Patent ID: 8947505
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: G01B,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method of 3D imaging implemented in an apparatus that includes a stereoscopic or other type of multi-view imaging system, said method comprising: capturing multi-view image data for a field of view of the multi-view imaging system; evaluating the multi-view image data to identify any regions in the field of view lacking sufficient texture for determining corresponding 3D range data, which regions are regarded as low-texture regions; in the case that one or more low-texture regions are identified, generating output data or signals to control a texture tool or to guide a user controlling the texture tool, to project synthetic texture into the field of view for the one or more low-texture regions; capturing multi-view image data at least for the one or more low-texture regions while illuminated with the synthetic texture; and determining whether sufficient texture has been provided for 3D ranging of the low-texture regions and, if so, updating the corresponding 3D range data for the low-texture regions; wherein the user rather than the apparatus controls the texture tool, and wherein, in the case that one or more low-texture regions are identified, said generating output data or signals to guide the user controlling the texture tool comprises generating output data or signals causing a representation of a scene corresponding to the field of view to be displayed, and further causing the one or more identified low-texture regions to be indicated within said representation; and further wherein generating the output data or signals to guide the user controlling the texture tool further comprises indicating to the user when sufficient texture has been obtained, for individual ones of said identified low-texture regions.