High Accuracy Depth Measurement using Multi-view Stereo

A novel scheme for depth extraction is achieved using a multiple view ring camera system. The ring camera method captures a series of images of scene from a set of camera locations arranged in a circular ring. Tracking of scene features through this sequence realizes circular feature trajectories. The recovery of depth can be obtained with this method by determining the diameter of the circular trajectory. Depth obtained using the ring camera strategy is shown to be more accurate and more robust than binocular methods. In addition, associated with this method is a trajectory confidence measure which provides a good and reliable indication of depth accuracy.