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The viewpoint consistency constraint

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Abstract

The viewpoint consistency constraint requires that the locations of all object features in an image must be consistent with projection from a single viewpoint. The application of this constraint is central to the problem of achieving robust recognition, since it allows the spatial information in an image to be compared with prior knowledge of an object's shape to the full degree of available image resolution. In addition, the constraint greatly reduces the size of the search space during model-based matching by allowing a few initial matches to provide tight constraints for the locations of other model features. Unfortunately, while simple to state, this constraint has seldom been effectively applied in model-based computer vision systems. This paper reviews the history of attempts to make use of the viewpoint consistency constraint and then describes a number of new techniques for applying it to the process of model-based recognition. A method is presented for probabilistically evaluating new potential matches to extend and refine an initial viewpoint estimate. This evaluation allows the model-based verification process to proceed without the expense of backtracking or search. It will be shown that the effective application of the viewpoint consistency constraint, in conjunction with bottom-up image description based upon principles of perceptual organization, can lead to robust three-dimensional object recognition from single gray-scale images.

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Lowe, D.G. The viewpoint consistency constraint. Int J Comput Vision 1, 57–72 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00128526

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00128526

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