Enhanced depth estimation of integral imaging using pixel blink rate

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new depth estimation technique with enhanced depth resolution in three-dimensional (3D) integral imaging. Typical integral imaging using a lenslet array can obtain elemental images with different perspectives by a single shot. However, the lateral and depth resolutions of the reconstructed 3D image may be low, which limit applications of integral imaging such as for object tracking, occlusion removal, and depth estimation. Especially, enhanced depth estimation may be required since depth is the most important information for all 3D applications. In this paper, we use the pixel rearrangement technique for visual quality enhancement of the reconstructed 3D image, and use pixel blink rate to evaluate the defocus area for depth estimation improvement. Our experimental results support that our method can enhance the depth resolution in typical integral imaging using lenslet arrays.