Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for combining a plurality of images without incurring a visible seam

US6097418A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
5References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 1998
Grant dateAug 1, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N2201/04787
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention eliminates artifacts in an image formed using a plurality of imaging sources. Visible seams in the image are eliminated by randomizing the stitch point between the scan lines produced by each imaging source. The randomization may be optimized by additionally applying a method for relocating the random stitch point based on the data content of the scan line, adjacent scan lines, and other criteria. The present invention further compensates for in-scan and cross-scan errors caused by thermally induced errors, spinner synchronization errors, mechanical misalignment, and other factors associated with the use of a plurality of imaging systems. A photodetector system, comprising a mask having a pair of triangular openings, provides measurements of the in-scan and cross-scan errors.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.