Producing panoramic digital images by digital camera systems

• US 6,714,249 B2
• Filed: 12/31/1998
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: May, Michael J., Dunsmore, Clay A., Rinas, Eugene R., VanSprewenburg, Brett, Vermillion, Colleen E., Parulski, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHIPKEY, JASON T
• Application Number:
  US09/224,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,916 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/207.99, 348/373, 248/187.1, 335/69, 335/70, 335/71, 396/428
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/02 with scanning movement of lens or cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2129 Recording in, or reproducing from, a specific memory area or areas, or recording or reproducing at a specific moment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/634 Warning indications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2624 for obtaining an image which is composed of whole input images, e.g. splitscreen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 using transform coding

Abstract

A panoramic digital image is produced by providing a digital camera having a memory and which is operable in a first mode for producing individual still digital images, and in a second mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image. The digital camera is mounted on a stand, rotated on the stand through a series of predetermined positions, and operated in the second mode to capture the series of overlapping digital images. The series of overlapping digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image is stored in a predetermined location in the memory, and processed to stitch such images together to produce the panoramic digital image.

Claims

1. Method of producing a panoramic digital image, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image;

(b) mounting the digital camera on a stand, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to capture the series of overlapping digital images;

(d) storing the series of overlapping digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image in a predetermined location in the memory means; and

(e) automatically stitching the series of stored overlapping digital images together to produce the panoramic digital image.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the storing step includes storing the series of overlapping digital images in a uniquely named folder in the memory means.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

4. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of providing instructions to a user to assist the user in taking the series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image.

5. The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of displaying the captured images on a display, and storing instructions to be displayed on the display to assist a user in capturing the series of overlapping digital images.

6. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of automatically setting a compression quality level to enable the series of overlapping digital images to be stored in the memory means.

7. Digital camera system for capturing a panoramic digital image, comprising:

(a) a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image;

(b) a stand for mounting the digital camera, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) means for rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to produce the series of overlapping digital images; and

(d) means for storing the series of overlapping digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image in a predetermined location in the memory means.

8. The digital camera system according to claim 7 wherein the series of overlapping digital images are stored in a uniquely named folder in the memory means.

9. The digital camera system according to claim 7 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

10. The digital camera system according to claim 7 wherein the digital camera further includes means for providing instructions to a user to assist the user in taking the series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image.

11. The digital camera system according to claim 7 wherein the digital camera further includes a display for displaying the captured images, and means for storing instructions to be displayed on the display to assist a user in capturing the series of overlapping digital images.

12. The digital camera system according to claim 7 wherein the digital camera further includes means for automatically setting a compression quality level to enable the series of overlapping digital images to be stored in the memory means.

13. Method of producing a panoramic digital image, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image, and fixing the white balance and exposure parameters of the digital camera in the panoramic mode when capturing the digital images in the series of overlapping digital images;

(b) mounting the digital camera on a tripod, the tripod including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) rotating the digital camera on the tripod through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to capture the series of overlapping white balanced and exposure fixed digital images;

(d) storing the series of overlapping white balance and exposure fixed digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image in a predetermined location in the memory means; and

(e) automatically stitching the series of stored overlapping white balanced and exposure fixed digit images together to produce the panoramic digital image.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the white balance and exposure fixing step includes storing the white balance and exposure parameters.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the white balance and exposure parameters are determined using the first image in the series of overlapping digital images, and wherein such parameters are used when capturing subsequent digital images in the series.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

17. Digital camera system for capturing a panoramic digital image, comprising:

(a) a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image, and means for fixing the white balance and exposure parameters of the digital camera in the panoramic mode when capturing the digital images in the series of overlapping digital images;

(b) a stand for mounting the digital camera, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) means for rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to produce the series of overlapping white balanced and exposure fixed digital images; and

(d) means for storing the series of white balance and exposure fixed overlapping digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image in a predetermined location in the memory means.

18. The digital camera system according to claim 17 wherein the means for fixing the white balance and exposure of the digital camera includes means for storing the white balance and exposure parameters and means for adjusting the white balance and exposure of the series of overlapping digital images.

19. The digital camera system according to claim 18 wherein the exposure parameters include lens f-number, exposure time, and analog gain level.

20. The digital camera system according to claim 17 wherein the white balance and exposure parameters are determined using the first image in the series of overlapping digital images, and wherein such parameters are used when capturing subsequent digital images in the series.

21. The digital camera system according to claim 17 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

22. Method of producing panoramic digital images, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image;

(b) mounting the digital camera on a stand, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to produce the series of overlapping digital images;

(d) selecting storage locations corresponding to a folder for each series of overlapping digital images and storing each series of overlapping digital images in the selected storage locations in the memory means; and

(e) selecting a desired folder corresponding to a desired panoramic digital image and automatically stitching the series of stored overlapping digital images in the desired folder together to produce the panoramic digital image.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

24. Method of producing panoramic digital images, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a digital camera having a removable memory card and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image;

(b) mounting the digital camera on a stand, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to produce the series of overlapping digital images;

(d) selecting storage locations corresponding to a folder for each series of overlapping digital images and storing each series of overlapping digital images in the selected storage locations in the removable memory card;

(e) removing the memory card from the digital camera and inserting it into a host computer; and

(f) selecting on the host computer, a desired folder corresponding to a desired panoramic digital image and stitching the series of stored overlapping digital images together to produce the panoramic digital image.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

26. System for capturing and producing a panoramic digital image, comprising:

(a) a digital camera having a removable memory card and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image;

(b) a stand for mounting the digital camera, the stand including means for rotating the digital camera through a series of predetermined positions when the digital camera is operating in the panoramic mode to produce the series of overlapping digital images, and means for indicating an image number for the series;

(d) means far selecting a storage location corresponding to a folder for the series of overlapping digital images and for storing the series of overlapping digital images in the selected storage location in the removable memory card; and

(e) a host computer having an interface for receiving the removable memory card and including means for processing the series of stored digital images in a desired folder and for stitching such images together to produce the panoramic digital image.

27. The system according to claim 26 wherein the processing means further includes means for automatically stitching together the series of stored digital images when a folder is selected to produce the panoramic digital image.

28. The system according to claim 26 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

29. System for capturing and producing a panoramic digital image, comprising:

(a) a digital camera having a removable memory card and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing the panoramic digital image, and means for fixing the white balance and exposure parameters of the digital camera in the panoramic mode after the capture of the first image in the series to be used when capturing subsequent digital images in the sales of overlapping digital images;

(b) a stand for mounting the digital camera, the stand including means for rotating the digital camera through a series of predetermined positions when the digital camera is operating in the panoramic mode to produce the series of overlapping digital images, and means for indicating an image number for the series;

(d) means for selecting a storage location corresponding to a folder for the series of overlapping digital images and for storing the series of overlapping digital images in the selected storage location in the removable memory card; and

(e) a host computer having an interface for receiving the removable memory card and including means for automatically stitching the series of stored white balance and exposure fixed digit images in a desired folder together to produce the panoramic digital image.

30. The system according to claim 29 wherein the digital camera includes a user display indicating the image number.

31. Method of producing a series of overlapping digital images, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing a panoramic digital image;

(b) mounting the digital camera on a stand, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to capture the series of overlapping digital images; and

(d) storing the series of overlapping digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image in a predetermined location in the memory means.

32. Method of producing a series of overlapping digital images, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a digital camera having memory means and being operable in a panoramic mode for capturing a series of overlapping digital images to be used in constructing a panoramic digital image, the digital camera including a user display indicating the image number;

(b) mounting the digital camera on a stand, the stand including means for indicating an image number for the series;

(c) rotating the digital camera on the stand through a series of predetermined positions and operating the digital camera in the panoramic mode to capture the series of overlapping digital images; and

(d) storing the series of overlapping digital images corresponding to the panoramic digital image in a predetermined location in the memory means.