Adaptive polynomial modelling of the reflectance map for shape estimation from stereo and shading

This paper i s concerned with estimation of the reflectance map and i t s use in surface shape estimation by a method that combines stereo and shading information. There are many advantages t o the integrated approach. However, shape f rom shading algorithms are limited in their applicability by ihe assumption of idealized reflectance and lighting models involving many preset or hard t o estimate parameters. In this paper, it i s shown that the dif icul t ies involved in estimation of the reflectance function and light source distribution can be eliminated through direct estimation of the reflectance map using adapiiue polynomial models. The refleciance map estimate is used wiih a surface esiimaie provided by stereo i n an integrated approach to surface shape estimation.