Depth extraction for 3D objects via windowing technique in computational integral imaging with a lenslet array

Abstract This paper describes a novel depth extraction method for 3D objects using the windowing technique in computational integral imaging with a lenslet array. The proposed method includes pickup through a lenslet array with a snapshot, introduction of slice image pairs obtained from the windowing technique, and extraction of depth information using block matching between the slice image pairs. Also, this paper presents a theory of how the windowing technique works for depth extraction and an analysis of how it enables us to have a depth image from low-resolution elemental images. A preliminary optical experiment indicates that the proposed method provides a substantial improvement on the depth extraction technique in computational integral imaging with a lenslet array.