Digital Camera Panoramic Mode Automatic Image Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing panoramic images with digital still cameras require users to manually manage exposure, focus, and overlap, and involve cumbersome post-processing steps, including transferring and stitching multiple images, which is disruptive and inefficient, especially for users without powerful and expensive cameras.
Innovation Solution
A digital still camera with a panoramic mode that automatically captures and processes multiple still images, using a stitching engine to form a panoramic image within the camera or a transfer module, which determines overlap and orientation, allowing for automatic stitching and storage of the final image while deleting unnecessary images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If movie mode is used to capture many images for panoramic formation, then adequate overlap is ensured, but processing power requirements and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the capture rate parameter from movie mode (30 fps) to still image mode (1-10 fps), and adjusts the total number of images captured based on pan speed and duration. This parameter optimization ensures adequate overlap while reducing processing requirements to levels handled by standard digital cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent captures a predetermined number of images (e.g., 5-20 images) which is sufficient for typical panoramic shots, rather than capturing excessive numbers of images as in movie mode (200+ images). This partial action approach provides adequate overlap for most users while dramatically reducing processing burden.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple still images are captured manually with pauses for framing, then image quality is maintained, but user effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing subsequent images at predetermined intervals after the first image is taken. The system pre-determines the capture sequence, overlap requirements, and processing steps, eliminating the need for manual intervention during the capture phase while maintaining image quality standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically capturing images, determining overlap regions, performing stitching operations, and creating the panoramic image without continuous user input. The camera autonomously manages the entire panoramic capture and processing workflow after initial user setup.
3Ease of operation
If automatic stitching is performed in the transfer module, then user work is reduced, but processing speed requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stitching process into discrete steps: capturing a first image, capturing subsequent images at intervals, identifying overlap regions between adjacent images, and stitching images in sequence. This segmentation allows processing to occur in manageable chunks during the transfer phase rather than requiring high-speed bulk processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer module acts as an intermediary between the camera and the user, performing automatic stitching operations during the image transfer phase. This intermediary processing reduces the workload on the user while distributing the processing burden over time during transfer, rather than requiring high-speed real-time processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for forming a panoramic image, the system comprising:(a) a digital still camera for taking still images and having a panoramic mode for creating a panoramic image, the camera comprising a photographic imaging system for capturing a plurality of still photographic images used to form the panoramic image;(b) a transfer module for receiving the plurality of still photographic images to be automatically stitched together to form the panoramic image, the transfer module comprising a processor;(c) the processor being for automatically processing the plurality of still photographic images to automatically form the panoramic image, the processor comprising a stitching engine to automatically form the panoramic image; and(d) a memory for storing at least one of the panoramic image and the plurality of still photographic images.