3D GEOMETRIC MODELING AND 3D VIDEO CONTENT CREATION

A method and apparatus for obtaining an image to determine a three dimens ional shape of a stationary or moving object using a bi dimensional coded li ght pattern having a plurality of distinct identifiable feature types. The c oded light pattern is projected on the object such that each of the identifi able feature types appears at most once on predefined sections of distinguis hable epipolar lines. An image of the object is captured and the reflected f eature types are extracted along with their location on known epipolar lines in the captured image. The locations of identified feature types in the 2D image are corresponded to 3D coordinates in space in accordance to triangula tion mappings. Thus a 3D mapping or model of imaged objects at an point in t ime is obtained.