Methods and apparatuses for printing three dimensional images

Abstract

Systems and methods for printing a 3D object on a three-dimensional (3D) printer are described. The methods semi-automatically or automatically delineate an item in an image, receive a 3D model of the item, matches said item to said 3D model, and send the matched 3D model to a 3D printer.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A computer-implemented method of three-dimensional (3D) printing of a 3D object of interest, the method comprising:
 obtaining, using a processor, a 3D wire-frame model of the object of interest;   breaking the 3D wire-frame model into 3D components using a processor; and   generating, using a processor, a 3D model of the object of interest by mapping information from a portion of an image that depicts the object of interest to the 3D components of the 3D wire-frame model.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting the 3D model to a 3D printer. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 3 , further comprising printing the 3D model of the object of interest as a raised-contoured surface. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 3 , further comprising printing the 3D model of the object of interest as a freestanding figurine on a platform. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 3 , further comprising printing 3D model on the 3D printer, wherein the 3D printer is located a remote location. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 6 , further comprising shipping the printed 3D model to a user. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , wherein the 3D model includes surface color information. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , wherein the 3D model includes surface pose information. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining, using a processor, a 3D wire-frame model of an object of interest comprises generating the 3D wire-frame model from at least one pair of stereoscopic images. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining, using a processor, a 3D wire-frame model of an object of interest comprises selecting the 3D wire-frame model from a database of 3D wire-frame models. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , wherein the 3D wire-frame model includes shape information of the object of interest, and wherein the method further comprises further comprising determining the position of the 3D components with respect to video frames depicting the object of interest. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 2 , wherein the 3D wire-frame model includes one or more constraints of texture, color, or lighting. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting the mapped information to a 3D printer. 
     
     
         15 . A system for three-dimensional (3D) printing, comprising:
 at least one processor configured to
 obtain, using a processor, a 3D wire-frame model of the object of interest; 
 break the 3D wire-frame model into 3D components using a processor; and 
 generate, using a processor, a 3D model of the object of interest by mapping information from a portion of an image that depicts the object of interest to the 3D components of the 3D wire-frame model. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system for 3D printing of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to calculate the wire-frame 3D model using at least one pair of stereoscopic images. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 15 , wherein the mapped information includes surface color information. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 15 , wherein the mapped information includes surface texture color information. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of 3D printing of  claim 15 , further comprising a feedback interface configured to receive user input, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to select the 3D wire-frame model from a database of 3D wire-frame models based on a user input received through the feedback interface. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that cause an apparatus to perform a method comprising:
 obtaining, using a processor, a 3D wire-frame model of the object of interest;   breaking the 3D wire-frame model into 3D components using a processor; and   generating, using a processor, a 3D model of the object of interest by mapping information from a portion of an image that depicts the object of interest to the 3D components of the 3D wire-frame model.   
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium of  claim 20 , wherein the method further comprises receiving a user input through a feedback interface, and using the received user input to select the 3D wire-frame model from a database of 3D wire-frame models based on a user input received through the feedback interface.