Panorama Imaging Using Lo-Res Images
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of acquiring a panorama image using a portable imaging device, said method comprising:
- fixing an exposure level for acquiring the panorama image with the portable imaging device;
panning the imaging device across a panoramic scene;
acquiring a set of at least two relatively low-resolution image frames of overlapping portions of said panoramic scene and processing said image set, said acquiring comprising using an optic and imaging sensor of the portable imaging device, said processing including;
sorting and retaining said set of relatively low resolution image frames,determining a relative displacement between each image of said set of relatively low resolution image frames,determining an approximately optimal stitch line between each pair of images of said relatively low resolution image frames;
acquiring and storing a set of main image frames corresponding to the set of relatively low resolution image frames;
registering or aligning, or both, said main image frames based on relative displacements of corresponding images of the set of relatively low resolution images;
mapping the approximately optimal stitch line onto corresponding pairs of registered and/or aligned main image frames;
joining said set of main image frames to form a main panorama image; and
storing, communicating or displaying said main panorama image, or a processed version, or combinations thereof.
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Abstract
A technique of generating a panoramic image involves acquiring a set of at least two main image frames, as well as corresponding generating and/or acquiring corresponding relatively low-resolution image frames, of overlapping portions of a panoramic scene. A map or other information is stored relating to the generation of a low-res panorama. A main panorama image is formed by joining main image frames based on the map or other information gained in the low-res process.
126 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of acquiring a panorama image using a portable imaging device, said method comprising:
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fixing an exposure level for acquiring the panorama image with the portable imaging device; panning the imaging device across a panoramic scene; acquiring a set of at least two relatively low-resolution image frames of overlapping portions of said panoramic scene and processing said image set, said acquiring comprising using an optic and imaging sensor of the portable imaging device, said processing including; sorting and retaining said set of relatively low resolution image frames, determining a relative displacement between each image of said set of relatively low resolution image frames, determining an approximately optimal stitch line between each pair of images of said relatively low resolution image frames; acquiring and storing a set of main image frames corresponding to the set of relatively low resolution image frames; registering or aligning, or both, said main image frames based on relative displacements of corresponding images of the set of relatively low resolution images; mapping the approximately optimal stitch line onto corresponding pairs of registered and/or aligned main image frames; joining said set of main image frames to form a main panorama image; and storing, communicating or displaying said main panorama image, or a processed version, or combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable camera-enabled device capable of in-camera generation of a panorama image, comprising:
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a lens; an image sensor; a processor; and a processor readable medium having code embedded therein for programming the processor to perform a panorama image generation method that comprises; fixing an exposure level for acquiring the panorama image with the portable imaging device; panning the imaging device across a panoramic scene; acquiring a set of at least two relatively low-resolution image frames of overlapping portions of said panoramic scene and processing said image set, said acquiring comprising using an optic and imaging sensor of the portable imaging device, said processing including; sorting and retaining said set of relatively low resolution image frames, determining a relative displacement between each image of said set of relatively low resolution image frames, determining an approximately optimal stitch line between each pair of images of said relatively low resolution image frames; acquiring and storing a set of main image frames corresponding to the set of relatively low resolution image frames; registering or aligning, or both, said main image frames based on relative displacements of corresponding images of the set of relatively low resolution images; mapping the approximately optimal stitch line onto corresponding pairs of registered and/or aligned main image frames; joining said set of main image frames to form a main panorama image; and storing, communicating or displaying said main panorama image, or a processed version, or combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. One or more processor-readable storage media having code embedded therein for programming a processor to perform a method of generating a panorama image using a portable imaging device, said method comprising:
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fixing an exposure level for acquiring the panorama image with the portable imaging device; panning the imaging device across a panoramic scene; acquiring a set of at least two relatively low-resolution image frames of overlapping portions of said panoramic scene and processing said image set, said acquiring comprising using an optic and imaging sensor of the portable imaging device, said processing including; sorting and retaining said set of relatively low resolution image frames, determining a relative displacement between each image of said set of relatively low resolution image frames, determining an approximately optimal stitch line between each pair of images of said relatively low resolution image frames; acquiring and storing a set of main image frames corresponding to the set of relatively low resolution image frames; registering or aligning, or both, said main image frames based on relative displacements of corresponding images of the set of relatively low resolution images; mapping the approximately optimal stitch line onto corresponding pairs of registered and/or aligned main image frames; joining said set of main image frames to form a main panorama image; and storing, transmitting or displaying said main panorama image, or combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification