Sensor-based Depth Capturing

Abstract

Video communication, as the real-time transmission of sequences of images representing a real scene, requires sensing devices to capture the moving reality. Though 2D scene representation techniques work well, there are limitations in the quality and quantity of the information to transmit as well as restrictions to the visualisation at the reception and in particular users’ interactivity. This chapter describes techniques and equipment used to build geometrically accurate and visually realistic 3D representations of real world scenes, both indoors and outdoors, from small objects to large buildings. The chapter concludes with a review of the existing techniques and some forecasts on relevant future technologies.