Method and system for combining multiple exposure images having scene and camera motion
First Claim
1. A method for processing digital images, comprising:
- inputting an input image set containing a plurality of images capturing a scene, the input image set having different exposures and at least partial spatial overlap;
combining at least some of the plurality of images to create a reference panorama; and
generating from the reference panorama a panoramic high-dynamic range (HDR) image having a full available spatial extent of the scene and a full available dynamic exposure range of the scene.
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Abstract
A panoramic high-dynamic range (HDR) image method and system of combining multiple images having different exposures and at least partial spatial overlap wherein each of the images may have scene motion, camera motion, or both. The major part of the panoramic HDR image method and system is a two-pass optimization-based approach that first defines the position of the objects in a scene and then fills in the dynamic range when possible and consistent. Data costs are created to encourage radiance values that are both consistent with object placement (defined by the first pass) and of a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Seam costs are used to ensure that transitions occur in regions of consistent radiances. The result is a high-quality panoramic HDR image having the full available spatial extent of the scene along with the full available exposure range.
158 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for processing digital images, comprising:
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inputting an input image set containing a plurality of images capturing a scene, the input image set having different exposures and at least partial spatial overlap;
combining at least some of the plurality of images to create a reference panorama; and
generating from the reference panorama a panoramic high-dynamic range (HDR) image having a full available spatial extent of the scene and a full available dynamic exposure range of the scene. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-implemented process for generating a panoramic high-dynamic range (HDR) image, comprising:
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an input step for obtaining an input image set containing a plurality of images capturing different exposure levels and at least partial spatial overlap of a scene;
a reference panorama step for combining at least some of the plurality of images in the input image set to generate a reference panorama containing at least a majority of a spatial extent of the scene; and
an exposure augmentation step for filling in and augmenting exposure details of the reference panorama using exposure detail available from the input image set to generate the panoramic HDR image. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for creating a panoramic high-dynamic range (HDR) image containing a full available spatial extent of a scene and a full available exposure range of the scene, comprising:
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an input image set containing images capturing the scene at various exposure levels and capturing a spatial extent of the scene, wherein at least some of the images overlap in the spatial domain;
a reference panorama generation module that generates a reference panorama containing a full available spatial extent of the scene using a subset of the input image set; and
a pixel labeling module that fills in and augments exposure detail of the reference panorama by simultaneously minimizing data costs and seam costs to obtain optimal pixel labeling for pixels in the input image set and outputs the panoramic HDR image. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification