Inventors:
Morteza Gharib - San Marino CA, US
Jian Lu - San Gabriel CA, US
Emilio Graff - Pasadena CA, US
Francisco Pereira - Rome, IT
Assignee:
California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA
International Classification:
H04N 13/02
US Classification:
348 46, 348349, 348E13074, 348E13015, 348E13005, 382154, 345419, 356602
Abstract:
A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, a central aperture located along an optical axis for projecting an entire image of a target object, at least one defocusing aperture located off of the optical axis, a sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the central aperture and the at least one defocusing aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. Different optical filters can be used for the central aperture and the defocusing apertures respectively, whereby a background image produced by the central aperture can be easily distinguished from defocused images produced by the defocusing apertures.