Patent ID: 7640137
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A shape model generation method for generating a shape model of an object from data acquired for the object to describe the shape of the object, comprising: a process by virtual probe measuring means of causing a virtual probe defined as an area having a finite expansion in a virtual space in said shape description data to sequentially scan a plurality of probe paths sequentially set by probe path setting means, measuring said shape description data and thereby acquiring a characteristic value specific to the position in said virtual space of said virtual probe for each of said probe paths; a process by a user interface of setting a first one of the probe paths in accordance with a user instruction, and a process by the probe path setting means of generating a second one of the probe paths using said characteristic value obtained for said first probe path and of subsequently sequentially generating new ones of said plurality of probe paths wherein each new probe path is generated using said characteristic value obtained from a previous one of the probe paths until a point is reached where it is determined that no new probe paths are necessary.