Abstract: A 3D modeling system for automatically generating fully-textured 3D models of objects from a sequence of images taken around the objects is disclosed. There are several processes developed to facilitate the operation of the 3D modeling system by an ordinary skilled person. One of the processes is the automatic calibration of a camera using only a portion of a calibration disc to essentially provide a larger effective field of view of the camera. Another process is a space carving process that subdivides volumetric cells recursively to fit to a 3D object using a tree structure that encodes the entire process. Still another process is a 3D mesh model generation process that begins with the tree structure and generates self-constraint and interconnected triangles, in a sense that all triangles intersect with each other either not at all or at common boundary faces, to represent the shape of the 3D object.

Abstract: A face recognition device which operates in sunlit conditions such as in sunlight, or in indirect sunlight. The device operates without projection of light or other illumination to the face. Stereo information indicative of the face shape is obtained, and used to construct a 3D model. That model is compared to other models of known faces, and used to verify identity based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system of using three-dimensional information as a front and for a two-dimensional image comparison system. The three-dimensional information is obtained that is indicated of a known user's face. This three-dimensional information is used to generate two-dimensional views from different perspectives, including different poses and/or different lighting effects, and used to populate a database of a two-dimensional recognition system. The images are then two-dimensionally recognized using conventional two-dimensional recognition techniques, but this two-dimensional recognition is carried out on an improved database.

Abstract: A 3D modeling system employing a commercially available structured light source is disclosed. The light source projecting a light stripe is swung manually across an object or a particular area of interest on the surface of the object. Under the illumination of the swinging light stripe, the object is imaged to produce a sequence of images. For each of the images, the position and orientation of the structured light source are independently and dynamically derived. From each of the images, a set of curvilinear points from the (deformed) projected line falling on the object or the area of interest are calculated in conjunction with a calibration model of the imager. The curvilinear points from all the images are merged to provide accurate and complete 3D data about the object or the area of interest.

Abstract: A 3D modeling system employing a commercially available structured light source is disclosed. The light source projecting a light stripe is swung manually across an object or a particular area of interest on the surface of the object. Under the illumination of the swinging light stripe, the object is imaged to produce a sequence of images. For each of the images, the position and orientation of the structured light source are independently and dynamically derived. From each of the images, a set of curvilinear points from the (deformed) projected line falling on the object or the area of interest are calculated in conjunction with a calibration model of the imager. The curvilinear points from all the images are merged to provide accurate and complete 3D data about the object or the area of interest.