Abstract: A depth imaging system and a control method thereof are provided. The depth imaging system includes a first imaging device, a second imaging device, a sliding base, a detecting module, an estimating module, a calculating module, and a control module. The first imaging device and the second imaging device are mounted on the sliding base. The detecting module detects a target region of the first image and the second image. The estimating module estimates an initial depth of the target region. The calculating module calculates a baseline corresponding to the initial depth. The control module controls the sliding base to adjust a relative distance between the first imaging device and the second imaging device. The calculating module generates an adjusted baseline according to the adjusted relative distance between the first imaging device and the second imaging device, such that the adjusted baseline is closer to the calculated baseline.

Abstract: This invention introduces, as one aspect, an apparatus for creating three-dimensional object model, comprising photographing means for photographing an object to be modeled for obtaining images to be used for creating the three-dimensional object model, setting means for longitudinally and latitudinally setting a relative position between the object and said photographing means, said setting means being capable of setting the object and said photographing means a plurality of different relative longitudinal and latitudinal positions, and control means for controlling said photographing means and said setting means so that a number of photographs taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a first relative latitudinal position is larger than that taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a second relative latitudinal position, the first relative latitudinal position being closer to a lateral position than the second relative latitudinal position.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed in which input images are processed to generate texture map data for texture rendering a generated three-dimensional computer model of object(s) appearing in the images. In order to select the portions of the images utilised, confidence data is generated indicative of the extent portions of the surface of a model are visible in each of the images. The images are then combined utilising this confidence data, where image data representative of different spatial frequencies are blended in different ways utilising the confidence data.

Abstract: View-dependent texture images and view-independent texture data for a 3D computer model are processed to compress each view-dependent texture image by subtracting the view-dependent data and view-independent data in a common 2D image space to generate a difference image, and compression encoding the difference image. The difference images, 3D computer model and view-independent texture data are transmitted to a second apparatus, where the difference data and view-independent texture data are recombined in a common 2D image space as part of the processing to render an image.

Abstract: A texture map (188) for texturing a polygon mesh 3D computer model (150) during rendering is generated by defining a respective triangle within the texture map for each triangle in the polygon mesh to create a texture coordinate map (170), and allocating image data to each defined triangle. To generate the texture coordinate map, the triangles in the polygon mesh are processed to generate a plurality of lists, each list identifying adjacent triangles in the mesh having shapes which can be packed into strips (173-179) of the texture coordinate map without significant shape distortion. The triangle lists are then packed into the texture coordinate map strips. No padding is defined between triangles in the same list, only between triangles of different lists. Image data is allocated to each triangle.

Abstract: A plurality of texture maps for a 3D computer model of an object are generated by processing images of the object, data defining the computer model, and data defining the relative positions and orientations of the images and computer model. A respective texture map is generated for the viewing position and direction of each image. Each texture map stores texture data for all parts of the computer model which are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and also texture data for all invisible parts of the computer model. Each texture map therefore stores texture data that can be used for rendering accurate images of the 3D computer model over a wide range of viewing positions and directions.

Abstract: A 3D computer model of an object is generated by processing a preliminary 3D computer model and the silhouette of the object in images recorded at different positions and orientations. The processing comprises calculating smoothing parameters to smooth the 3D computer model in dependence upon a geometric property of different parts of the silhouettes, such as a curvature or width of the silhouette parts, calculating displacements to move surface points in the 3D computer model to positions closer to the projection of the silhouette boundaries in 3D space, and moving surface points in the 3D computer model in accordance with the smoothing parameters and displacements. The 3D computer model is smoothed to different extents in different areas, resulting in a 3D surface in which unwanted artefacts are smoothed out but high curvature features and thin features representing features present on the subject object are not over-smoothed.

Abstract: To generate a 3D computer model of a subject object 210, images 300-316, 380-384 of the subject object are recorded from different viewing positions and directions. The image data is processed to generate a plurality of sets of images, each set containing images having registered imaging positions and directions. A preliminary 3D computer model 390 is generated using the images from a first of the sets such that the position and orientation of the preliminary 3D computer model 390 is registered with the images in the set. The imaging positions and directions of the images in the first set are then registered with the imaging positions and directions of the images in each other respective set.