A novel algorithm for estimation of depth map using image focus for 3D shape recovery in the presence of noise

Three-dimensional shape recovery from one or multiple observations is a challenging problem of computer vision. In this paper, we present a new Focus Measure for the estimation of a depth map using image focus. This depth map can subsequently be used in techniques and algorithms leading to the recovery of a three-dimensional structure of the object, a requirement of a number of high level vision applications. The proposed Focus Measure has shown robustness in the presence of noise as compared to the earlier Focus Measures. This new Focus Measure is based on an optical transfer function implemented in the Fourier domain. The results of the proposed Focus Measure have shown drastic improvements in estimation of a depth map, with respect to the earlier Focus Measures, in the presence of various types of noise including Gaussian, Shot, and Speckle noises. The results of a range of Focus Measures are compared using root mean square error and correlation metric measures. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.