Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Alexandre Percival Dodge

Adam Michael Baumberg

Alexander Ralph Lyons

Richard Ian Taylor

Allan Joseph Davison

Customer computer processing apparatus () are connected to a service apparatus () via the Internet (). Service apparatus () processes requests and payment details from a customer apparatus (), and, in response to a valid payment, sends instructions to the customer apparatus to enable the customer apparatus to control a printer () or a display panel () to print or display a photographic mat (). Service apparatus () retains details of the photographic mat pattern for subsequent use. Images of a subject object on the photographic mat are recorded at different positions and orientations with a camera (). Data defining the images is returned from the customer processing apparatus () to the service apparatus (). The service apparatus processes the image data along with the stored pattern data to identify the photographic mat features in the images and to calculate the position and orientation at which each image was recorded. A three-dimensional computer model of the subject object is then generated using the calculated positions and orientations.

Image processing apparatus

A method is provided for generating an image of a subject object to show a predetermined part thereof. The subject object is positioned so that a selected part of the subject object is positioned in a predetermined direction relative to the calibration pattern. Images of the subject object and calibration pattern from different relative recording positions and/or orientations are recorded. Data defining the recorded images is processed to calculate the relative positions and orientations at which the images were recorded by comparing the calibration pattern in the images with stored data defining the calibration pattern. Data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the subject object relative to the stored calibration pattern is generated using the calculated positions and orientations. Data defining an image of the three-dimensional computer model showing the selected part of the subject object is generated using a viewing camera defined relative to the stored calibration pattern.

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Berks, United Kingdom

Alexandre Percival Dodge