Microsoft Patent | Depth imaging of a surrounding environment

Patent: Depth imaging of a surrounding environment

Publication Number: 10178374

Publication Date: 2019-01-08

Applicants: Microsoft

Abstract

Examples are disclosed herein that are related to depth imaging of a 360-degree field of view. One example provides a depth imaging system comprising an image sensor, a reflector subsystem comprising one or more reflectors arranged to reflect a radial field of view of a surrounding environment toward the image sensor, a projector configured to project light onto the reflector subsystem for reflection into the surrounding environment, and a computing device comprising a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem comprising instructions executable by the logic subsystem to receive image data from the image sensor, and output a depth image based upon the image data.

Background

Imaging systems configured to capture a wide field of view of a scene may be useful in many applications, including but not limited to audiovisual communications in conference room settings. For example, images from multiple cameras may be stitched together to form a combined image capturing multiple meeting participants seated around a conference table. The combined image then may be sent to another party participating in the meeting remotely so that the other party may view the meeting participants during the meeting.

Summary

Examples are disclosed herein that are related to depth imaging of a 360-degree field of view. One example provides a depth imaging system comprising an image sensor, a reflector subsystem comprising one or more reflectors arranged to reflect a radial field of view of a surrounding environment toward the image sensor, a projector configured to project light onto the reflector subsystem for reflection into the surrounding environment, and a computing device comprising a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem comprising instructions executable by the logic subsystem to receive image data from the image sensor, and output a depth image based upon the image data.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.