Relative Depth Estimation using a Rotating Camera System

In the proposed method, the relative depth of the objects present in a 3D scene is calculated, using 2D images captured from a camera placed on a rotating platform. Unlike the conventional stereo imaging system, the proposed method captures multiple views of a 3D scene, each view taken at a different camera positions while on the rotating platform. The approach adapted calculates the disparity between the corresponding pixels present in both the views to get the relative depth of the objects. The relative depth of the objects can be calculated for the objects which are in common FOV (Field of View) of both the views captured. By virtue of the rotating platform, the proposed system is capable of creating a depth map in full 360 degree field of view unlike its traditional counterpart. The approach presented is a thereby also cost effective way for depth estimation since only one camera is being used. Keywords—stereo; image rectification; stereo matching; disparity; depth map