Alternative interpretation of color phase-shifting profilometry and a self-contained method for fringe analysis

This work aims to report a robust single-shot color fringe projection method based on phase-shifting profilometry, where, to calculate the phase, is it not necessary to have knowledge of color coupling or color imbalance calibration parameters of the projector-camera system; additionally, it does not require knowledge of the phase-shifting step, nor projecting equally stepped fringe patterns. Furthermore, it does not require a high density of carrier fringes; it only requires a composite single color image. Theoretical and experimental results are provided. Its suitability to simplify absolute unwrapping is also discussed.