Panoramic Image Registration System Using Segmentation and Preliminary Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current panoramic image systems fail to effectively register and display images taken from the same perspective at different times, leading to loss of detail and inability to track observable changes over time, while also lacking the ability to relate images to their environment and provide dynamic user interface access.
Innovation Solution
A system that overlays and displays panoramic sequences of images taken from the same perspective at various times, preserving their spatial and temporal relationships, using a dynamic user interface that allows users to interactively view and manipulate images in relation to their environment, including different imaging techniques and times, through an image management system with computational modules for storage, retrieval, composition, and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple images are blended into a composite panoramic image, then the coverage area is improved, but the detail quality deteriorates due to loss of detail from contributing images
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the composite panoramic view into multiple constituent images that are displayed simultaneously. Each constituent image maintains its original detail quality while collectively providing comprehensive coverage. The segmented display allows users to see both the broad coverage and fine details without the quality loss inherent in traditional blending methods.
2Loss of time
If traditional panoramic blending algorithms are used, then the computation time is reduced, but the ability to register images from different times deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of images to a common coordinate system before display, using metadata and geometric relationships established during image capture. This pre-processing step enables rapid retrieval and display of time-sequential images without requiring computationally intensive blending operations at display time, thus maintaining both speed and registration accuracy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If images are warped to fit a reference coordinate system, then the composite image alignment is improved, but the distortion-free quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of warping individual images to fit a reference coordinate system, the system segments the display into multiple unwarped constituent images. Each image maintains its original geometric integrity while the segmented layout provides the composite view. This approach achieves proper alignment through the segmented arrangement rather than through distortion of individual images.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a significant amount of computation is performed to generate composite images, then the image composition capability is improved, but the processing run time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image registration and coordinate system establishment as preliminary actions during image capture and storage. This pre-computation allows the display system to rapidly retrieve and display registered images without performing intensive composition operations in real-time, thus maintaining high versatility while minimizing processing run time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses metadata copies and geometric relationship data stored during image capture to rapidly retrieve and display images. Instead of re-computing complex transformations, the system copies pre-processed registration data and uses it for rapid image retrieval and display, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining composition capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a system for organizing, storing, retrieving and displaying spatially related images where such images may also be relatable within time or image modality parameters. The system includes a dynamically manipulable user interface capable of visually depicting one or more images in a registerable manner, and also depicting the orientation of the image or images in relation to the surrounding neighborhood. The inventive system provides for display of panoramic image sequences consisting of multiple rows with multiple images per row, or image sequences consisting of only a single image. In a preferred embodiment, images taken from the same perspective at different times can be overlaid, and the user manipulates the display to perform real-time compare and contrast between images. In an alternate embodiment, the registered images include those created by means of different imaging modes or modalities such as, for example, visible light images and thermographic images.