Computer Vision Tech Grabs Humans In Real-Time 3D

Tinkle writes "Toshiba's R&D Labs in Cambridge, UK have developed a system capable of real-time 3D modeling of the human face and body — using a simple set of three different colored lights. Simple it may be, but the results are impressive. Commercial applications for computer vision technology look set to be huge — according professor Roberto Cipolla. On the horizon: cheap and easy digitized everyday objects for ecommerce, plus gesture-based interfaces — a la Natal — and in-car safety systems. Ultimately even driver-less cars. 'This is going to be the decade of computer vision,' predicts Cipolla."

Comments

Re:Colors

[HTH NE1]

You'd need a custom CCD that's sensitive to each of those frequencies, as well as method of storing the image preserving the intensities of each component. And if you want a color full-motion 3D model, that CCD would need to be sensitive to six frequencies--the 3D sampling set and RGB--all at once. To fit all those different sensors will enlarge your CCD, else you'll lose resolution.

Re:The obligatory response:

[HTH NE1]

This is how the Martians see us.

Overrated? You're making me feel old, and I wasn't even born yet.

It's a reference to the RGB eyes of the Martians in the 1953 movie version of The War of the Worlds. The tri-segmented eyes in the movie emitted red, green, and blue light, illuminating the subject, allowing the cyclopian Martians to see in 3D, just like how a cyclopian camera can derive 3D information using this method now. Otherwise, as depicted with Futurama's Leela, a cyclops would have no depth perception.

Of course, the amount of depth perception would depend on the spread of the lights, so even the Martians' sense of depth would be limited, but not non-existent.