METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PATCH-BASED SHAPE FROM SHADING

Methods and apparatus for patch-based construction of an object shape from the shading of an image are disclosed. An image is divided into a set of image subregions. For each image subregion, a set of subregion dictionary entries is identified. Each of the set of subregion dictionary entries includes a subregion entry appearance matching an appearance of the respective image subregion and a subregion entry geometry. A set of optimal subregion dictionary entries is identified. Identifying the set of optimal subregion dictionary entries includes minimizing an energy function of the sets of subregion dictionary entries for all image subregions. Each optimal subregion dictionary entry is, for a respective one of the image subregions, a subregion entry associated with a minimum of the energy function. The shape includes a shape construction parameter from a subregion geometry entry of each optimal subregion geometry entry of the set of optimal subregion geometry entries.