ToF-sensors: New dimensions for realism and interactivity

A growing number of applications depend on accurate and fast 3D scene analysis. Examples are object recognition, collision prevention, 3D modeling, mixed reality, and gesture recognition. The estimation of a range map by image analysis or laser scan techniques is still a time- consuming and expensive part of such systems. A lower-priced, fast and robust alternative for distance measurements are time-of-flight (ToF) cameras. Recently, significant improvements have been made in order to achieve low-cost and compact ToF-devices, that have the potential to revolutionize many fields of research, including computer vision, computer graphics and human computer interaction (HCI). These technologies are starting to have an impact on research and commercial applications. The upcoming generation of ToF sensors, however, will be even more powerful and will have the potential to become "ubiquitous geometry devices" for gaming, web-conferencing, and numerous other applications. This paper will give an account of some recent developments in ToF-technology and will discuss applications of this technology for vision, graphics, and HCI.