Generalized multiple baseline stereo and direct virtual view synthesis using range-space search, match, and render

A new "range-space" approach is described for synergistic resolution of both stereovision and reflectance (visual) modeling problems simultaneously. This synergistic approach can be applied to arbitrary camera arrangements with different intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, image types, image resolutions, and image number. These images are analyzed in a step-wise manner to extract 3-D range measurements and also to render a customized perspective view. The entire process is fully automatic. An extensive and detailed experimental validation phase supports the basic feasibility and generality of the Range-Space Approach.