Template-based Ear Modeling and Reconstruction

In the paper, we propose a novel approach to reconstruct 3D ear models from color images. This approach uses a template-based registration method. A template ear mesh model is deformed to register to ear scan models. The whole architecture is divided into three stages: ear detection and landmark location, global rigid ICP and non-rigid ICP. The first stage is designed to locate ear positions automatically. In the second stage, global rigid ICP is used for position and orientation registration and in the third stage, non-rigid ICP is used to deform the template so that shape variations can be eliminated.