Specularity detection using time-of-flight cameras

Abstract

Time-of-flight (TOF) cameras are primarily used for range estimation by illuminating the scene through a TOF infrared source. However, additional background sources of illumination of the scene are also captured in the measurement process. This paper exploits conventional Lambertian and Phong's illumination models, developed for 2D CCD image cameras, to propose a radiometric model for a generic TOF camera. The model is used as the basis for a novel specularity detection algorithm. The proposed model is experimentally verified using real data. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.