Title
A robust multi-scale integration method to obtain the depth from gradient maps
Abstract
We describe a robust method for the recovery of the depth map (or height map) from a gradient map (or normal map) of a scene, such as would be obtained by photometric stereo or interferometry. Our method allows for uncertain or missing samples, which are often present in experimentally measured gradient maps, and also for sharp discontinuities in the scene's depth, e.g. along object silhouette edges. By using a multi-scale approach, our integration algorithm achieves linear time and memory costs. A key feature of our method is the allowance for a given weight map that flags unreliable or missing gradient samples. We also describe several integration methods from the literature that are commonly used for this task. Based on theoretical analysis and tests with various synthetic and measured gradient maps, we argue that our algorithm is as accurate as the best existing methods, handling incomplete data and discontinuities, and is more efficient in time and memory usage, especially for large gradient maps.
Year
DOI
Venue
2012
10.1016/j.cviu.2012.03.006
Computer Vision and Image Understanding
Keywords
DocType
Volume
weight map,missing gradient sample,large gradient map,existing method,robust method,depth map,gradient map,robust multi-scale integration method,integration method,normal map,height map,surface reconstruction,computer vision
Journal
116
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
8
1077-3142
3
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.40
15
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Rafael F. V. Saracchini1203.39
Jorge Stolfi21559296.06
Helena C. G. LeitãO391.19
Gary A. Atkinson411410.58
Melvyn L. Smith519422.20