Local analysis for 3D reconstruction of specular surfaces

Abstract

We explore the geometry linking the shape of a curved mirror surface to the distortions it produces on a scene it reflects. Our analysis is local and differential. We assume a simple calibrated scene composed of lines passing through a point. We demonstrate that local information about the geometry of the surface may be recovered up to the second order from either the orientation and curvature of the images of two intersecting lines, or from the orientation of the images of three or more intersecting lines. An explicit solution for calculating shape and position of spherical mirror surfaces is given.