3D reconstruction of soccer sequences using non-calibrated video cameras

Abstract

We present a global approach that enables the production of 3D soccer sequences from non-calibrated video cameras. Our system can produce a 3D animated model of the scene from a single non-calibrated moving camera (a TV sequence for example). The results presented here are very encouraging even with a single camera approach and will probably improve with the future introduction of multiple images that will help resolving occlusion issues and integrating into a single model information coming from various locations on the field. The key point of our approach is that it doesn't need any camera calibration and it still works when the camera parameters vary along the process. Details on the registration and tracking processes are given as well as the description of the "Virtual Reality" system used for displaying the resulting animated model. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.