In camera implementation of selecting and stitching frames for panoramic imagery
US8947502B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/20021
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system, method, and computer program product for selecting qualifying frames from an image sequence for use in subsequent stitching into a composite panoramic image are disclosed. Incoming frames from any source may be cropped and downscaled prior to evaluation against qualifying criteria relating to image overlap and local motion. Qualifying images are saved and/or output. The resulting panoramic image generally uses fewer qualifying images and appears smoother and has fewer artifacts than those of the prior art. The qualifying criterion for image overlap is a predetermined overlap margin or percentage between a current image and a previous image from the sequence. The qualifying criterion for image motion includes a maximum amount of local motion, often due to passing objects. The embodiments may process incoming images in real time or from stored sequences. Problems may trigger user warnings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.