MATHEMATICAL-METHODS IN SHAPE-FROM-SHADING - A REVIEW OF RECENT RESULTS

Recent developments in the mathematical methods in shape-from-shading are surveyed. The basic differential geometry of the problem is reviewed, especially as it relates to uniqueness. The algorithms of Horn, Lee, Frankot-Chellappa, Shao-Simchony-Chellappa, Szeliski and others are discussed. These algorithms include regularization techniques to impose integrability or smoothness constraints, discrete smoothing splines, multi-resolution techniques, and associated iterative methods. Related issues of shape-from-texture, shape-from-shading in SAR imagery and illuminant direction estimation are explored.