Using differential constraints to reconstruct complex surfaces from stereo

Stereo reconstruction algorithms often fail to properly deal with complex surfaces, because there is not enough image information. To overcome this problem, we propose to guide the reconstruction process using a priori information about the differential geometry of the object surfaces. We use both linear structures such as crest lines or scalar fields such as curvature values to generate a reconstruction of the surface which is consistent with the differential properties. This method improves the accuracy of the reconstruction around the discontinuities and increases the compactness of the surface representation.