Digital imaging system using overlapping images to formulate a seamless composite image and implemented using either a digital imaging sensor array

• US 20040061774A1
• Filed: 04/10/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pan-X Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pan-X Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Wachtel, Robert A., Paulson, Richard, Keable, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,215,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/00 Cameras details G03B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2624 for obtaining an image which is composed of whole input images, e.g. splitscreen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2627 for providing spin image effect, 3D stop motion effect or temporal freeze effect 2D image animation in general G06T13/80

Abstract

An imaging system for obtaining a wide field of view comprises a plurality of imaging devices each having a defined field of view and each of the imaging devices having a mechanism for capturing an image at a selected time instant. The imaging devices are positioned such that the field of view of each device overlaps the field of view of each adjacent device. A control module simultaneously actuates each of the imaging devices to capturing an image within the field of view of all devices concurrently. The resulting images from each of the devices are merged to produce a wide field of view image.

Claims

1. An imaging system for obtaining a wide field of view comprising:

a plurality of imaging devices each having a defined field of view and each of the imaging devices having a mechanism for capturing an image at a selected time instant;

apparatus for positioning the plurality of imaging devices such that the field of view of each device overlaps the field of view of each adjacent device;

a control module for simultaneously actuating each of the imaging devices for capturing an image within the field of view of all devices concurrently; and

means for combining the images from each of the devices to produce a wide field of view image.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the imaging devices comprise a lens and imaging receiving sensor.

3. The imaging system of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises a CCD array.

4. The imaging system of claim 3 wherein the sensor provides an image in the form of pixel data representing object brightness and color.

5. The imaging system of claim 4 wherein the combining means comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) for receiving the pixel data.

6. The imaging system of claim 5 and including a computer program operating in the DSP for merging the images by identifying objects common to adjacent images.

7. The imaging system of claim 6 and including means operable in the DSP program for compensating for spatial distortion.

8. The imaging system of claim 7 wherein the imaging devices are arranged in an arcuate path in a single plane.

9. The imaging system of claim 8 wherein the spatial distortion arises from differences in angular fields of view and the DSP program compensates for distortion by modifying pixel data to simulate an arcuate image.

10. The imaging system of claim 7 wherein the imaging devices are arranged in a three-dimensional array about a common centroid.