3D depth map generation for embedded stereo applications

This paper presents a low complexity 3D image depth map generation algorithm for embedded stereo applications. The proposed algorithm generates depth information based on a single view 2D image automatically. Owing to different scene characteristics of image, we propose a mechanism to classify images to “Scenery”, “Normal” and “Close-up” types first and generate the associated depth map according to the proposed techniques. In addition, we propose a human detection method for strengthening the depth information in images with humans and post-processing for refining depth map. With good quality in the generated depth map, the proposed algorithm achieves about 93% in complexity reduction as compared to the traditional algorithm, which is suitable for realization in both the hardware and embedded systems for portable stereo applications.