Synthesizing an image from a virtual perspective using pixels from a physical imager array weighted based on depth error sensitivity

Abstract

A method assigns weights to physical imager pixels in order to generate photorealistic images for virtual perspectives in real-time. The imagers are arranged in three-dimensional space such that they sparsely sample the light field within a scene of interest. This scene is defined by the overlapping fields of view of all the imagers or for subsets of imagers. The weights assigned to imager pixels are calculated based on the relative poses of the virtual perspective and physical imagers, properties of the scene geometry, and error associated with the measurement of geometry. This method is particularly useful for accurately rendering numerous synthesized perspectives within a digitized scene in real-time in order to create immersive, three-dimensional experiences for applications such as performing surgery, infrastructure inspection, or remote collaboration.