Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-17
2004-11-16
Wong, Don (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C382S154000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06819318
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to a system for three-dimensional (3D) image processing, and more particularly to a system that generates 3D models using a 3D mosaic method.
BACKGROUND ART
Three-dimensional (3D) modeling of physical objects and environments is used in many scientific and engineering tasks. Generally, a 3D model is an electronically generated image constructed from geometric primitives that, when considered together, describes the surface/volume of a 3D object or a 3D scene made of several objects. 3D imaging systems that can acquire full-frame 3D images are currently available for generating electronic 3D models of physical objects. Because no single image can capture all of the characteristics of a 3D object, however, completing a 3D model of an object or scene requires taking and integrating multiple 3D images of the same object or scene from various viewpoints. This process is known as “mosaicing” because the various 3D images are combined together to form an image mosaic to generate the complete 3D model.
Currently known 3D modeling systems have several drawbacks. Existing systems require knowledge of the camera's position and orientation at which each 3D image was taken, making the system impossible to use with hand-held cameras or in other contexts where precise positional information for the camera is not available. Further, current systems cannot automatically generate a complete 3D model from 3D images without significant user intervention.
There is a need for a 3D imaging system that does not depend on camera position information to construct the 3D model. There is also a need for a 3D imaging system that can generate a 3D model without requiring extensive user intervention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a method and system for modeling of a 3D surface that obtains a plurality of uncalibrated 3D images (i.e., 3D images that do not have camera position information), selects and integrates a pair of 3D images, and repeatedly selects and integrates additional 3D images to form a 3D mosaic that creates a 3D model. The invention may also overlay a 2D texture/color overlay on the completed 3D model to provide a more realistic representation of the object being modeled. Further, the invention may compress the 3D model so that the data can be loaded and stored more efficiently.
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Cao Huedung X.
Fish Paul W.
Geng Z. Jason
Nichols Steven L.
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
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