Composite structured light pattern for three-dimensional video

Based on recent discoveries, we introduce a method to project a single structured pattern onto an object and then reconstruct the three-dimensional range from the distortions in the reflected and captured image. Traditional structured light methods require several different patterns to recover the depth, without ambiguity or albedo sensitivity, and are corrupted by object movement during the projection/capture process. Our method efficiently combines multiple patterns into a single composite pattern projection allowing for real-time implementations. Because structured light techniques require standard image capture and projection technology, unlike time of arrival techniques, they are relatively low cost. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America