Imposing Integrability in Geometric Shape-from-Shading

Mario Castelán, Edwin R. Hancock

Abstract: This paper describes a Fourier domain algorithm for surface height recovery using shape from shading. The algorithm constrains surface normals to fall on an irradiance cone. The axis of the cone points in the light source direction. The opening angle of the cone varies with iteration number, and is such that the surface normal minimizes brightness error and satisfies the integrability constraint. The results show that the method recovers needle maps that are both smooth and integrable, with improved surface stability.