The 2012-2013 Freshmen Imaging Project

Each year, the Innovative Freshmen Experience (IFE) focuses on a different imaging system to research, design, and build in time to exhibit at ImagineRIT. The focus of the 2012-2013 freshmen imaging project was "X-ray Vision" with a Multicamera Array.

A multicamera array is an advanced imaging system that utilizes multiple camera perspectives. Multicamera arrays have been applied to synthetic aperture imaging, high-resolution still imaging, and special effects for cinematography, such as the “Bullet Time” scene from the film "The Matrix."

Our class designed and built a prototype system that successfully demonstrates synthetic aperture imaging using multicamera technology. The large synthetic aperture of the prototype results in a small depth of field in the image, and the different locations of the component cameras allows users to "see through" occlusions in a manner that appears similar to "x-ray vision."

Camera 1	Camera 2	Camera 3	Camera 4	Camera 5	Camera 6
Final combined synthetic aperture image Note how subject of interest (student on couch) is visible through obstruction (student in foreground)

The prototype system demonstrated basic functions at the 2013 Imagine RIT fair, but its capabilities were limited. During the summer of 2013, additional research is being conducted by several class members and some high school interns to improve the performance of the prototype, reduce the cost, and develop a predictive model to examine alternate configurations. Updates on progress made in each of these areas, along with newly captured videos demonstrating the system's advanced capabilities, will be available in Fall 2013.

Multicamera Array System Workflow

1. Cameras Point Grey Chameleon cameras are set up in order to capture frames
2. Arrangement Each camera views the calibration target from a unique angle
3. Frame Grabbers Once frames are captured by the cameras, raw data flows to computers to be compressed
4. Processor The data is then sent to a custom computer where software is run to process a single image
5. Synthetic Aperture Effect The frames are combined to produce an unobstructed image of the target

An array like ours could be used in a variety of security applications. This technology can be used to track an individual or object in a crowded or highly obstructed environment. Watch our video below (originally produced for Imagine RIT) to learn more.

Click here for information about the 2011-2012 project - 3D Imaging for Medical Applications Using Structured Light.

Click here for information about the 2010-2011 project - Interactive Digital Images: The Dome

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