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US6081273A
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Method and system for building three-dimensional object models
Assignee: Michigan State University
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Filing: 1996-01-31
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Granted: 2000-06-27
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Expires: 2016-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for building virtual reality object models. The method includes defining an object space, generating multiple two-dimensional real images of the object, and selecting multiple reference points in each image, the reference points defining an image region, the region having a texture. The method also includes determining the three-dimensional position in the object space of each of the reference points in each image, the positions determined defining a model surface, mapping the texture of an image region onto a model surface, and generating a three-dimensional model of the object using the determined positions and the mapped texture. The system includes one or more cameras, a calibration apparatus, a graphic interface and software for performing the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Juyang Weng
- 👤 David James Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/50; G06T7/55; G06T7/593; G06T7/80; G06T7/85; G06T2200/00; G06T2200/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for building a virtual reality model of an object, the method comprising: defining an object space including generating a plurality of two-dimensional images of a reference object, each image having a projection center, selecting at least three reference points in each image, the reference points having a predetermined three-dimensional relationship therebetween, determining a horizontal and a vertical focal length associated with each image, determining a preliminary position and orientation of each projection center, and determining a final position and orientation of each projection center based on the reference points, the horizontal and vertical focal lengths, and the preliminary position and orientation of the projection center of each image; generating a plurality of two-dimensional real images of the object; selecting a plurality of reference points in each image, the reference points defining an image region, the region having a texture; determining the three-dimensional position in the object space of each of the reference points in each image, the positions determined defining a model surface; mapping the texture of an image region onto a model surface; and generating a three-dimensional model of the object using the determined positions and the mapped texture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for building a virtual reality model of an object, the method comprising: defining an object space including generating a plurality of two-dimensional images of a reference object, each image having a projection center, selecting at least three reference points in each image, the reference points having a predetermined three-dimensional relationship therebetween, determining a horizontal and a vertical focal length associated with each image, determining a preliminary position and orientation of each projection center, and determining a final position and orientation of each projection center based on the reference points, the horizontal and vertical focal lengths, and the preliminary position and orientation of the projection center of each image; generating a plurality of two-dimensional real images of the object; selecting a plurality of reference points in each image, the reference points defining an image region, the region having a texture; determining the three-dimensional position in the object space of each of the reference points in each image, the positions determined defining a model surface; mapping the texture of an image region onto a model surface; and generating a three-dimensional model of the object using the determined positions and the mapped texture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether a selected reference point is common to a plurality of image regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the model surfaces are two-dimensional.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image regions are selected from the group consisting of polygons, circles and splines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein at least one of the model surfaces is three-dimensional.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional model of the object generated is continuously navigable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the texture of an image region mapped onto a model surface is the texture of an image region having a large area relative to other image regions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting at least 3 referent points comprises selecting at least six reference points in each image, the reference points having a pre-determined non-coplanar three-dimensional relationship therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of two-dimensional real images of the object is generated from a different position relative to the object.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for building a virtual reality model of an object, the method comprising: means for defining an object space including means for generating a plurality of two-dimensional images of a reference object, each image having a projection center, means for selecting at least three reference points in each image, the reference points having a predetermined three-dimensional relationship therebetween, means for determining a horizontal and a vertical focal length associated with each image, means for determining a preliminary position and orientation of each projection center, and means for determining a final position and orientation of each projection center based on the reference points, the horizontal and vertical focal lengths, and the preliminary position and orientation of the projection center of each image; means for generating a plurality of two-dimensional real images of the object; means for selecting a plurality of reference points in each image, the reference points defining an image region, the region having a texture; means for determining the three-dimensional position in the object space of each of the reference points in each image, the positions determined defining a model surface; means for mapping the texture of an image region onto a model surface; and means for generating a three-dimensional model of the object using the determined positions and the mapped texture.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for building a virtual reality model of an object, the method comprising: means for defining an object space including means for generating a plurality of two-dimensional images of a reference object, each image having a projection center, means for selecting at least three reference points in each image, the reference points having a predetermined three-dimensional relationship therebetween, means for determining a horizontal and a vertical focal length associated with each image, means for determining a preliminary position and orientation of each projection center, and means for determining a final position and orientation of each projection center based on the reference points, the horizontal and vertical focal lengths, and the preliminary position and orientation of the projection center of each image; means for generating a plurality of two-dimensional real images of the object; means for selecting a plurality of reference points in each image, the reference points defining an image region, the region having a texture; means for determining the three-dimensional position in the object space of each of the reference points in each image, the positions determined defining a model surface; means for mapping the texture of an image region onto a model surface; and means for generating a three-dimensional model of the object using the determined positions and the mapped texture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising means for determining whether a selected reference point is common to a plurality of image regions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the model surfaces are two-dimensional.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the image regions are selected from the group consisting of polygons, circles and splines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein at least one of the model surfaces is three-dimensional.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the three-dimensional model of the object generated is continuously navigable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the texture of an image region mapped onto a model surface is the texture of an image region having a large area relative to other image regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the means for selecting at least 3 referent points comprises selecting at least six reference points in each image, the reference points having a pre-determined non-coplanar three-dimensional relationship therebetween.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of two-dimensional real images of the object is generated from a different position relative to the object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |