Method for estimating the shape of an object from IR image shading

摘要

A method for estimating the shape of a body that emits electromagnetic energy using a sensor (10) having an image plane (15) and the ability to measure the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation (12) received at a point on image plane (15) comprises the steps of first expressing the intensity of radiation (12) reaching image plane (15) as a function of surface gradient parameters (p,q) for a pre-determined point (P.sub.i) on object (14). Next, the method requires measuring the intensity (E(s,t)) of radiation (12) that sensor (10) senses at the point (P.sub.i) on image plane (15). The method then requires determining the values of the surface gradient parameters (p,q) for the point (P.sub.i) on object (14) that minimizes the difference between the expressed intensity (F.sub.1 (p, q) for the pre-determined point (P.sub.i) on object (14) and the measured intensity (E(s,t)) at pixel (p.sub.i) on image plane (15).