System and method for panoramic imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for processing images, the system comprising:
- a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene;
a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis;
an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape;
a camera for capturing the image reflected by the minor;
a digital conveder device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image; and
means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image comprising;
means for retrieving a source image file including the pixel data of the captured image;
a processor for creating a destination image file buffer, for mapping the pixel data of the captured image to the destination image file buffer, and for outputting pixel data from the destination image file buffer as a destination image file; and
means for displaying a viewable image defined by the destination file, wherein the destination image file comprises one of;
a cylindrical panoramic projection image file, a perspective panoramic projection image file, an equi-rectangular panoramic projection image file, and an equi-angular panoramic projection image file.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, a digital converter device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image, and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image. The mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. Methods for processing images in accordance with the system are also provided.
174 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for processing images, the system comprising:
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a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene; a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis;
an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape;a camera for capturing the image reflected by the minor; a digital conveder device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image; and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image comprising; means for retrieving a source image file including the pixel data of the captured image; a processor for creating a destination image file buffer, for mapping the pixel data of the captured image to the destination image file buffer, and for outputting pixel data from the destination image file buffer as a destination image file; and means for displaying a viewable image defined by the destination file, wherein the destination image file comprises one of;
a cylindrical panoramic projection image file, a perspective panoramic projection image file, an equi-rectangular panoramic projection image file, and an equi-angular panoramic projection image file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for processing images, the system comprising:
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a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene; means for mounting the mirror on an axis, wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis;
an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape;means for capturing the image reflected by the mirror; means for producing pixel data representative of the captured image; and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image comprising; means for retrieving a source image file including the pixel data of the captured image; a processor for creating a destination image file buffer, for mapping the pixel data of the captured image to the destination image file buffer, and for outputting pixel data from the destination image file buffer as a destination image file; and means for displaying a viewable image defined by the destination file, wherein the destination image file comprises one of;
a cylindrical panoramic projection image file, a perspective panoramic projection image file, an equi-rectangular panoramic projection image file, and an equi-angular panoramic projection image file. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of processing images, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene; mounting the mirror on an axis, wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis;
an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape;capturing the image reflected by the mirror; producing pixel data representative of the captured image; and radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image comprising; retrieving a source image file including the pixel data of the captured image; creating a destination image file buffer;
mapping the pixel data from the source image file to the destination image file buffer;
outputting pixel data from the destination image file buffer as a destination image file; anddisplaying a viewable image defined by the destination file, wherein the destination image file comprises one of;
a cylindrical panoramic projection image file, a perspective panoramic projection image file, an equi-rectangular panoramic projection image file, and an equi-angular panoramic protection image file. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for processing images, the system comprising:
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a minor for reflecting an image of a scene; means for mounting the mirror on an axis, wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis;
an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape;means for capturing the image reflected by the mirror; means for producing pixel data representative of the captured image; and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image comprising; means for retrieving a source image file including the pixel data of the captured image; a processor for creating a destination image file buffer, for mapping the pixel data of the captured image to the destination image file buffer, and for outputting pixel data from the destination image file buffer as a destination image file, wherein the processor further serves as means for interpolating the source image pixel data to produce pixel data for the destination image file buffer; and means for displaying a viewable image defined by the destination file.
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31. A method of processing images, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a minor for reflecting an image of a scene; mounting the minor on an axis, wherein the mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis;
an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape;capturing the image reflected by the minor; producing pixel data representative of the captured image; and radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image comprising; retrieving a source image file including the pixel data of the captured image, wherein the source image file comprises a panoramic projection image file; creating a destination image file buffer;
mapping the pixel data from the source image file to the destination image file buffer;
outputting pixel data from the destination image file buffer as a destination image file; anddisplaying a viewable image defined by the destination file.
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Specification