Patent US 7,953,301

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for searching for 3-dimensional shapes. The apparatus includes, an input means, an acquisition module, a storage means, a comparison and search module, an output means, and control means. The input means receives 3-dimensional image data. The acquisition module acquires a 2-dimensional image data group about the shape of an object represented by the 3-dimensional image data. The comparison and search module compares the respective data of the acquired 2-dimensional image data group with the respective data of the 2-dimensional image data groups that are previously stored in the storage means, and searches for 3-dimensional image data. The control means controls the modules and the means.