Syvyyskuvan

Syvyyskuvan, often translated as depth image or depth map, is a type of image where each pixel represents a distance from a viewpoint or camera. Unlike a conventional color image that captures visible light and color information, a depth image encodes geometric information about the scene. The values within a depth image typically correspond to the Z-coordinate of each point in 3D space relative to the camera. Brighter pixels usually indicate closer objects, while darker pixels represent objects farther away, though this convention can be reversed depending on the specific implementation.

Depth images are generated by specialized sensors such as stereo cameras, time-of-flight (ToF) sensors, or structured light scanners. These sensors work by measuring the time it takes for light to travel to an object and back, or by analyzing the disparity between images captured from slightly different viewpoints. The resulting data provides a grayscale image where intensity directly correlates with depth.

Applications of depth images are widespread across various fields. In robotics and autonomous systems, they are crucial for navigation, obstacle detection, and 3D mapping. In augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), depth images enable realistic rendering and interaction with virtual objects within a real-world environment. They are also utilized in computer vision for tasks like object recognition, scene understanding, and motion tracking, as well as in medical imaging and industrial automation for precise measurement and inspection.