Three dimensional moving pictures with a single imager and microfluidic lens

Three-dimensional movie acquisition and corresponding depth data is commonly generated from multiple cameras and multiple views. This technology has high cost and large size which are limitations for current consumer products, such as small camcorders and cell phone movie cameras. This research result shows that a single imager, equipped with a fast-focus microfluidic lens, produces a highly accurate depth map. On test material, the depth is found to be an average Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 4.67 gray level steps (1.8%) accuracy compared to ranging data. The depth is inferred using a new Extended Depth from Defocus (EDfD), and defocus is achieved at movie speeds with a microfluidic lens. In addition, early indications show that real-time HDTV 3D movie frame rates are feasible.