Method and system for centering image objects

• US 6,215,494 B1
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: MGI Software Corporation (MelodyVR Group Plc)
• Inventors: Teo, Patrick Cheng-San
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Cliff N.
• Application Number:
  US08/992,994
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 345/418, 345/419, 382/288, 382/289, 382/291, 382/103
• US Class Current: 345/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20092 Interactive image processing based on input by user
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/30 Determination of transform parameters for the alignment of images, i.e. image registration

Abstract

A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, including computing modification parameters for the images, and modifying the images based upon the modification parameters using a computer.

Claims

1. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

computing modification parameters for said images, based upon projected axis adjustment vectors for at least two of said plurality of images; and

modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

2. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said projected axis adjustment vectors are horizontal vectors.

3. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

computing modification parameters for said images, based upon an axis adjustment vector that is manually set by a user by means of a user interface; and

modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

4. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

computing modification parameters for said images, based upon an axis adjustment vector that is automatically computed by a computer; and

modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using the computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

5. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

computing modification parameters for said images, comprising calculating major and minor semi-axis lengths and a phase angle for a planar ellipse; and

modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

6. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

selecting a desired axis, said selecting comprising selecting desired positions for a projected axis in at least two of said images; and

modifying said images based upon said desired positions using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

7. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

selecting a desired axis by adjusting a moveable axis by means of a cursor control device; and

modifying said images based upon said desired axis using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

8. A method according to claim 7 and wherein said adjusting is carried out by dragging a vertical line in the horizontal direction.

9. A method for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

selecting a desired axis;

specifying a tilt angle by means of a cursor control device and a user interface; and

modifying said images based upon said desired axis and said tilt angle using a computer to center said plurality of image relative to said object.

10. A method according to claim 9 and wherein said specifying a tilt angle is carried out by sliding a slider bar.

11. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

a processor for computing modification parameters for said images using projected axis adjustment vectors for at least two of said plurality of images; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

12. A system according to claim 11 and wherein said projected axis adjustment vectors are horizontal vectors.

13. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

a processor for computing modification parameters for said images, using an axis adjustment vector that is manually set by a user by means of a user interface; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

14. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

a processor for computing modification parameters for said images, using an axis adjustment vector that is automatically computed by a computer; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using the computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

15. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

a processor for computing modification parameters for said images by calculating major and minor semi-axis lengths and a phase angle for a planar ellipse; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said modification parameters using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

16. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

an axis selector for selecting a desired axis, wherein said axis selector selects desired positions for a projected axis in at least two of said images; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said desired axis using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

17. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

an axis selector for selecting a desired axis comprising a user interface for adjusting a moveable axis; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said desired axis using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

18. A system according to claim 17 and wherein said user interface comprises a cursor control device for said computer.

19. A system according to claim 18 and wherein said cursor control device is used for dragging a vertical line in the horizontal direction.

20. A system for centering a plurality of images which are snapshots of an object seen at a plurality of orientations, comprising:

an axis selector for selecting a desired axis;

an angle specifier comprising a cursor control device and a user interface for specifying a tilt angle; and

an image modifier for modifying said images based upon said desired axis and said tilt angle using a computer to center said plurality of images relative to said object.

21. A system according to claim 20 and wherein said angle specifier comprises a slider bar.