Panoramic Image Generation Using Motion Vector Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional panoramic image photography is complex and requires manual proficiency, often resulting in image distortion due to the need for separate devices and post-processing, and struggles to accurately align overlapping images captured while rotating a camera.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that estimate camera motion to detect and select regions for panoramic image generation without additional hardware, using a Motion Vector detector and region selector to align and blend images in real-time, minimizing distortion and enabling immediate image review.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a camera is manually mounted to an auxiliary apparatus such as a tripod and rotated for photographing, then panoramic images can be captured, but the operation becomes complex and requires user proficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanoramic photographing capabilityVSAvoiduser manipulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system performs panoramic photographing automatically without requiring manual mounting to auxiliary apparatus. The camera self-manages the panoramic capture process through automated control, eliminating the need for users to manually operate tripods or rotation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual tripod mounting and rotation with an automated electronic control system. The camera uses internal mechanisms and software control to achieve panoramic capture, substituting the complex mechanical operation with a simplified electronic automation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If images are captured by rotating a camera in horizontal or vertical direction, then panoramic coverage is achieved, but perspective distortion occurs making overlapping portions difficult to estimate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle coverageVSAvoidimage alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The camera performs preliminary estimation of camera motion (pan and tilt angles) before capturing images. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-calculate the overlapping regions between consecutive images, ensuring accurate alignment without perspective distortion issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the estimated camera motion to adjust the image capture and processing. By continuously monitoring the pan and tilt angles and using this information to guide the stitching process, the system compensates for perspective distortion and achieves accurate alignment of overlapping portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional panoramic processing is performed with separate post-processing, then images can be combined, but the process requires separate devices and additional time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanoramic image processingVSAvoidseparate processing equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the panoramic image processing function into the camera itself. The camera integrates both the capture and processing capabilities in a single device, combining what were previously separate operations (capture with tripod/rotation and post-processing with external equipment) into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the capture device and the processing device. The same camera that captures the individual images also performs the panoramic stitching and processing, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of time

If real-time panoramic image generation is implemented, then immediate image review is enabled, but processing speed and accuracy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-processing timeVSAvoidcamera motion estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of camera motion between frames in real-time as images are captured. This preliminary action enables immediate processing without waiting for complete capture sequences, reducing post-processing time while maintaining accuracy through continuous motion estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9986158B2Method and apparatus for photographing a panoramic image

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus for photographing a panoramic image. The method includes detecting a Motion Vector (MV) of a plurality of images captured through a photographing unit, selecting regions to be included in the panoramic image from the plurality of images, based on the MV, and generating the panoramic image including the selected regions.