Three-dimensional shape detecting device, image capturing device, and three-dimensional shape detecting program

A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for calculating a three-dimensional shape of a subject based on a locus of pattern light extracted from a pattern light projection image of the subject captured with pattern light projected on the subject, the computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer to execute:

• a first area setting program segment for setting a first area, including a part of the locus of the pattern light, in the pattern light projection image;
• a first detecting program segment for detecting pixels forming the part of the locus of the pattern light in the first area set by the first area setting program segment;
• an approximated curve calculation program segment for calculating an approximated curve regarding the locus of the pattern light based on the pixels detected by the first detecting program segment;
• and
• a second area setting program segment for setting a second area, for detecting pixels forming the remaining part of the locus of the pattern light in the pattern light projection image, based on the approximated curve calculated by the approximated curve calculation program segment, wherein:
• the locus of the pattern light is extracted based on the pixels detected by the first detecting program segment and the pixels detected in the second area set by the second area setting program segment.

A computerized method for calculating a three-dimensional shape of a subject based on a locus of pattern light extracted from a pattern light projection image of the subject captured with pattern light projected on the subject, the method comprising:

• setting a first area, including a part of the locus of the pattern light in the pattern light projection image;
• detecting pixels forming the part of the locus of the pattern light in the first area set in the first area setting step;
• calculating an approximated curve regarding the locus of the pattern light based on the pixels detected in the detecting step;
• and
• setting a second area, including the remaining part of the locus of the pattern light in the pattern light projection image, based on the approximated curve calculated in the approximated curve calculation step;
• detecting pixels forming the remaining part of the locus of the pattern light in the second area set in the second area setting step, wherein:
• the locus of the pattern light is extracted based on the pixels detected in the detecting step and the pixels detected in the second area set in the second area setting step.