In the areas of image processing and computer vision, there is a particular need for software that can infer the three-dimensional shape of a scene. This book describes the analytical processes that go into designing such software. It also presents original algorithms.

Images contain information about the spatial properties of the scene they depict. When coupled with suitable assumptions, images can be used to infer thr- dimensional information. For instance, if the scene contains objects made with homogeneous material, such as marble, variations in image intensity can be - sociated with variations in shape, and hence the shading in the image can be exploited to infer the shape of the scene (shape from shading). Similarly, if the scene contains (statistically) regular structures, variations in image intensity can be used to infer shape (shape from textures). Shading, texture, cast shadows, - cluding boundaries are all cues that can be exploited to infer spatial properties of the scene from a single image, when the underlying assumptions are sat- ?ed. In addition, one can obtain spatial cues from multiple images of the same scene taken with changing conditions. For instance, changes in the image due to a moving light source are used in photometric stereo, changes in the image due to changes in the position of the cameras are used in stereo, structure from motion, and motion blur. Finally, changes in the image due to changes in the geometry of the camera are used in shape from defocus. In this book, we will concentrate on the latter two approaches, motion blur and defocus, which are referred to collectively as accommodation cues.

Describes analytical processes Delineates the options open to programmers Presents original algorithms Demonstrates a coherent analytical framework for the analysis and design of algorithms to estimate 3D shape from defocused and blurred images

Inhalt
Basic models of image formation.- Some analysis: When can 3-D shape be reconstructed from blurred images?.- Least-squares shape from defocus.- Enforcing positivity: Shape from defocus and image restoration by minimizing I-divergence.- Defocus via diffusion: Modeling and reconstruction.- Dealing with motion: Unifying defocus and motion blur.- Dealing with multiple moving objects.- Dealing with occlusions.- Final remarks.