Method and system for forming a virtual model of a human subject

A method of forming a virtual model of a subject using at least a hand-held scanner and a scanning module adapted specifically to receive the subject in a predetermined position and orientation, the method comprising:

• providing module reference data concerning the scanning module;
• providing subject reference data;
• immobilizing the subject in the predetermined position and orientation relative to the scanning module;
• obtaining a plurality of depth images of the immobilized subject and module, the depth images being from corresponding different points of view relative to a ground reference;
• determining a position and an orientation of the scanning module in each one of the depth images using the module reference data;
• and
• forming the virtual model of the subject including registering the plurality of depth images using the determined position and orientation of the scanning module and at least one of completing and correcting the alignment of the registered depth images using the subject reference data;
• wherein the subject is a human torso and the scanning module is securable around the waist thereof.

A system for forming a virtual model of a subject, the system comprising:

• a scanning module having at least one subject-receiving abutment associated to a reference plane;
• a memory for storing module reference data of the scanning module, said module reference data including a location of the reference plane;
• a software application capable of accessing the module reference data, receiving a plurality of depth images, from a plurality of points of view, of the scanning module and of the subject immobilized relative to the scanning module, and operable to determine a position and an orientation of the reference plane in each of the depth images using the module reference data;
• and
• a software application operable to register the plurality of depth images using the determined position and orientation of the reference plane and to produce the virtual image of the subject based thereon;
• wherein the subject is a human head, the scanning module is in the form of a pair of glasses, and the at least one subject-receiving abutment includes a nose abutment, a left ear abutment, and a right ear abutment.

A system for forming a virtual model of a subject, the system comprising:

• a scanning module having at least one subject-receiving abutment associated to a reference plane;
• a memory for storing module reference data of the scanning module, said module reference data including a location of the reference plane;
• a software application capable of accessing the module reference data, receiving a plurality of depth images, from a plurality of points of view, of the scanning module and of the subject immobilized relative to the scanning module, and operable to determine a position and an orientation of the reference plane in each of the depth images using the module reference data;
• and
• a software application operable to register the plurality of depth images using the determined position and orientation of the reference plane and to produce the virtual image of the subject based thereon;
• wherein the subject is a human torso, the scanning module is in the form of a belt, and the at least one subject-receiving abutment includes a strap attachable around the waist of the torso.