Patent ID: 7742640

Claim:
A method for segmenting light from an illumination source from background light, in images of a scene obtained by a structured lighting system, the method comprising: illuminating the scene with light from the illumination source, the light from the illumination source comprising a first wavelength; receiving by an imaging device, a first image of the scene comprising a first spectral band, the first spectral band including the first wavelength, a second image of the scene comprising a second spectral band, the second spectral band not including the first wavelength, a third image of the scene comprising a third spectral band, the third spectral band not including the first wavelength, and each of the first, second and third images comprising light intensity values for corresponding locations within the scene; calculating, using a computer processor, estimated light intensity values due to background light, for one or more locations as viewed in the first image, by interpolation of the light intensity values for the corresponding locations as viewed in the second and third images; and subtracting, using the computer processor, the estimated light intensity values due to background light from the light intensity values for the one or more locations as viewed in the first image.