Image Processing Apparatus for Planar-Spherical Coordinate Stitching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Panoramic content with high resolution results in excessively large data sizes, compromising viewer immersion when resolution is lowered to manage size, and existing technologies struggle to effectively integrate high-definition planar coordinate system image data with low-definition spherical coordinate system image data without degrading immersion.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method and apparatus that aligns, warps, and stitches high-definition image data from a planar coordinate system with low-definition image data from a spherical coordinate system, using feature point matching and transformation techniques to maintain high-definition quality while preventing excessive data size increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the resolution of panoramic content is raised, then the immersion feeling of viewers is improved, but the data size becomes excessively increased

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresolutionVSAvoiddata size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The panoramic image is segmented into a central high-definition region (from planar coordinate system) and surrounding low-definition regions (from spherical coordinate system). This segmentation allows different resolution levels in different areas, maintaining immersion in the central view while reducing overall data size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality levels are applied to different regions of the panoramic image. The central region where the viewer's attention is focused maintains high definition, while peripheral regions use lower definition. This local quality differentiation preserves immersion where needed while reducing total data size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the resolution is lowered to prevent an excessive increase in the size of the panoramic content, then the data size is controlled, but the immersion feeling of viewers is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sizeVSAvoidresolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality levels to different spatial regions: high definition in the central planar region and low definition in the surrounding spherical regions. This ensures that the central viewing area maintains sufficient resolution for immersion while the overall data size remains manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If high-definition image data of planar coordinate system and low-definition image data of spherical coordinate system are integrated, then the immersion feeling is maintained, but the technical complexity of alignment and stitching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmersion feelingVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary coordinate transformation process that converts spherical coordinate system data to planar coordinate system data through feature point matching. This intermediary step simplifies the integration by establishing a common reference frame between the two coordinate systems, making alignment and stitching more manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with automated image processing techniques, including feature point detection, coordinate transformation, and algorithmic stitching. This substitution reduces manual intervention and simplifies the overall processing complexity while maintaining integration quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10805534B2Image processing apparatus and method using video signal of planar coordinate system and spherical coordinate system
Publication Date: 2020.10.13 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH
  • US10805534B2 patent drawing
  • US10805534B2 patent drawing
  • US10805534B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus and method for transforming image data of a spherical coordinate system corresponding to image data of a planar coordinate system without transforming the image data of the planar coordinate system, and stitching the transformed image data of the spherical coordinate system to the image data of the planar coordinate system.