Panoramic Print Alignment via Vector Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer-grade digital cameras lack precise orientation control, leading to variable overlap regions and tilting issues when capturing panoramic views, making it difficult to produce seamless panoramic prints without complicated adjustments and undesirable projections or absences.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves capturing images with overlap regions, identifying matching points, defining vectors, determining rotation and translation adjustments, and synchronizing print engine speed to align and correct digital files for seamless printing, allowing for the creation of panoramic images from multiple views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If consumer-grade digital cameras are used to capture panoramic views, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variable overlap regions and tilting issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of overlap regions between adjacent images before printing, identifying matching points and calculating geometric transformations (rotation, translation, scaling) to correct misalignment. This preliminary processing enables consumer cameras to produce professional-quality panoramic prints without requiring precise manual orientation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes geometric parameters (rotation angle, translation distance, scaling factor) of the digital images based on analysis of overlap regions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system compensates for variable overlap and tilting issues introduced by consumer-grade cameras, achieving precise alignment in the final panoramic print.
2Manufacturing precision
If professional mounting systems with precise orientation control are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical orientation control systems with a computational approach. Instead of requiring precise physical mounting and rotation mechanisms, the system captures images with consumer cameras and uses software to analyze overlap regions, identify matching points, and calculate geometric transformations. This substitution of mechanical precision with computational processing dramatically simplifies the hardware requirements while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple sheets of paper are used to print panoramic images, then area of the print is improved, but consistency of borders and alignment deteriorates due to magnification differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different local transformations to different regions of the panoramic image corresponding to different sheets. By analyzing overlap regions between adjacent images, the system calculates specific rotation, translation, and scaling parameters for each local region, ensuring that borders align consistently across multiple sheets while accommodating magnification differences introduced by consumer cameras.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a panoramic image includes capturing a first image (30) defining a first overlap region (115) capturing a second image (40), and defining a second overlap region (215). Two points (150, 151) in the first overlap region are identified and a first vector (175) overlap region connecting the two points is defined. Two points (250, 251) in the second overlap region which correspond to the two points in the first overlap region are identified and a second vector (275) the two points is defined. If points in the first vector match points in the second vector, determine if the first and second vectors are parallel. If the vectors are not parallel, rotate the second vector image until the second vector is parallel to the first vector.