Apparatus for forming composite images

• US 5,138,460 A
• Filed: 06/22/1990
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Egawa, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Application Number:
  US07/541,193
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 358/87, 358/103, 358/183, 358/909, 358/906, 358/335, 358/224, 358/22, 358/226, 358/209, 358/182, 354/94, 354/99, 354/217, 340/723, 340/724, 340/726
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3876 Recombination of partial images to recreate the original image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 Mixing

Abstract

A panorama photographing device such as a camera has a display device for displaying an image to be photographed such as a portion of an object, a memory device for storing data concerning an image which has been already photographed such as a previously photographed portion of the object, and a control device for enabling the display device to substantially simultaneously display both the image to be photographed and the image already photographed and stored as data in the memory device.

Claims

1. An apparatus having a display device for a camera, said apparatus comprising:

(A) display means for displaying a first image corresponding to an image to be photographed;

(B) memory means for storing data representing at least a second image which has been already photographed; and

(C) control means for enabling said display means substantially simultaneously display both the first and second images in such a manner that a resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction formed between the first and second images.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said shifting means comprises right shifting means for shifting the junction to a position which is right of a centerline of said picture frame.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said shifting means comprises right shifting means for shifting the junction to a position which is right of a centerline of said picture frame.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said shifting means comprises operation means for operating said shifting means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising additional memory means for storing data representing the first image, said control means comprising means for reading out the stored data to enable said display means to display the first image.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction by means of reading out the data stored in said memory means and in said additional memory means according to an address of said memory means and an address of said additional memory means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises right panorama means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a panorama display in the rightward direction.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and wherein said control means comprises setting means for setting the junction at a position which is right of a centerline of said picture frame.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises left panorama means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a panorama display in the leftward direction.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and wherein said control means comprises setting means for setting the junction at a position which is left of a centerline of said picture frame.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a panorama display.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and wherein said control means comprises setting mean for setting the junction at a predetermined position of said picture frame.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction in said display means.

15. The apparatus or a device according to claim 14, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said shifting means comprises right shifting means for shifting the junction to a position which is right of a centerline of said picture frame.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said shifting means comprises right shifting means for shifting the junction to a position which is left of a centerline of said picture frame.

17. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images by scrolling.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to stop scrolling and to display the first and second images as a stationary image.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images as a stationary image.

20. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the junction in the form of a borderline.

21. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprise means for enabling said display means to display at least two previously photographed images and stored in said memory means as data in such a manner that the resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction formed between the at least two previously photographed images.

22. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images in a partially overlapped state.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to change the display according to whether the partially overlapped state is stored.

24. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction in a lateral direction.

25. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display only the second image.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a lateral panorama display.

27. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a longitudinal panorama display.

28. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said control means comprises setting means for setting the junction at a predetermined position of said picture frame.

29. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images by scrolling.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to stop scrolling and to display the first and second images as a stationary image.

31. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images as a stationary image.

32. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the junction in the form of a borderline.

33. An apparatus having a display device according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display at least two previously photographed images in combination as the first image and stored in said memory means as data in such a manner that the resulting combined image is substantially continuous at said junction formed therefrom.

34. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images in a partially overlapped state.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to change the display according to whether the partially overlapped state is stored.

36. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises shifting mean for shifting the junction in a lateral direction.

37. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display only the first image.

38. An apparatus having a display device for a camera, said apparatus comprising:

(A) display means for displaying a first image to be photographed;

(B) memory means for storing data representing a second image which has been already photographed; and

(C) control means for enabling said display mean to substantially simultaneously display both the first and second images in such a manner that a resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction formed between the first and second images, said control means being capable of shifting the junction.

41. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said control means comprises operation means for operating said control means.

42. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction in a lateral direction.

43. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a lateral panorama display.

44. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a longitudinal panorama display.

39. The apparatus according to clam 28, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said shifting means comprises left shifting means for shifting the junction to a position which is left of a centerline of said picture frame.

45. An apparatus having a display device for a camera, said apparatus comprising:

(A) display means for displaying a first image to be photographed;

(B) memory means for storing data representing a second image which has been already photographed; and

(C) control means for enabling said display means to substantially simultaneously display both the first and second images in such a manner that a resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction formed between the first and second images in such a manner to form a panorama display.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises control means for shifting the junction.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said control means comprises right control means for controlling the junction to a position which is right of a centerline of said picture frame.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and said control means comprises right control means for controlling the junction to a position which is left of a centerline of said picture frame.

49. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said control means comprises operation means for operating said control means.

50. The apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising additional memory means for storing data representing said first image, said control mean comprising means for reading out the stored data to enable said display means to display the first image.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction of the data stored in said memory means and in said additional memory means according to an address of said memory means and an address of said additional memory means.

52. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises right panorama means for enabling said display means to display both the first and second images so as to form a panorama display in the right direction.

53. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame, and wherein said control means comprises setting means for setting the junction at a position which is right of a centerline of said picture frame.

54. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises left panorama means for enabling said display means to display first and second images so as to form a panorama display in the leftward direction.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said display means comprises a picture frame and wherein said control means comprises setting mean for setting the junction at a position which is left of a centerline of said picture frame.

56. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said display means comprise a picture frame and wherein said control means comprises setting means for setting the junction at a predetermined position of said picture frame.

57. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a lateral panorama display.

58. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images so as to form a longitudinal panorama display.

59. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images by scrolling.

60. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to stop scrolling and to display the first and second images as a stationary image.

61. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images as a stationary image.

62. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display the junction in the form of a borderline.

63. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display at least two previously photographed images in combination as the first image and stored in said memory means as data in such a manner that the resulting combined image is substantially continuous at said junction formed therefrom.

64. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control mean comprises means for enabling said display means to display the first and second images in a partially overlapped state.

65. The apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to change the display according to whether the partially overlapped state is stored.

66. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said control means comprises shifting means for shifting the junction in a lateral direction.

67. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said control means comprises means for enabling said display means to display only the first image.

68. An apparatus having a display device for a camera, said apparatus comprising

(A) display means for displaying an image;

(B) image generating means for generating an image signal corresponding to a displayed image;

(C) memory means for storing image signals in a frame-by-frame manner; and

(D) control means for causing said display means to simultaneously display at least a portion of a frame of a stored image, and at least a portion of a frame of a subsequently stored image in such a manner that a resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction between the images.

69. An apparatus having a display device for a camera, said apparatus comprising:

(A) display means for displaying an image;

(B) image generating means for generating an image signal corresponding to an image;

(C) memory means for storing the image signal as data;

(D) control means for causing said display means to simultaneously display at least a portion of a first image, the portion being derived from said image signal stored in said memory means, and at least portion of a second image corresponding to a real-time image in such a manner that a resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction between the images.

70. An apparatus having a display device for a camera, said apparatus comprising:

(A) display means for displaying an image;

(B) memory means for storing data representing a plurality of images which have been already photographed; and

(C) control means for enabling said display means to substantially simultaneously display both a first image and a second image in such a manner that a resulting combined image in such a manner that a resulting combined image is substantially continuous at a junction formed between the first and second images.