Smart Targets for Panoramic Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casual photographers face challenges in capturing suitable images for panoramic stitching due to lack of experience and skill, leading to inefficient use of time, battery power, and memory, and potential distortion or disjointed images.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a computing device to display graphical targets on an image capture device, guiding the user to capture contiguous images by aligning the camera's field of view with these targets, ensuring proper overlap and aspect ratio for seamless panoramic image assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If photographers manually capture images for panoramic stitching without guidance, then they have flexibility in image selection, but they waste time, battery power, and memory space due to taking too many or too few pictures
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying graphical targets and indicators on the display device that show the user whether the current field of view is properly positioned for capturing the next image in the sequence. This feedback mechanism guides the user to take the correct number of images with proper overlap, preventing both waste of battery power from taking too many images and failure to capture sufficient images for stitching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines when to capture the next image by monitoring the position of the camera relative to graphical targets, eliminating the need for the user to manually decide when to take each picture. The camera device or computing device automatically captures images when the center of the field of view aligns with the graphical target, reducing user cognitive load and optimizing capture efficiency.
2Productivity
If photographers manually capture images for panoramic stitching without guidance, then they have flexibility in image selection, but they waste time due to taking too many or too few pictures
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and displays graphical targets indicating the exact positions where the next images should be captured. By showing these targets in advance and guiding the user to align the camera with them, the system eliminates the trial-and-error process of taking extra images or missing critical overlapping regions, thereby reducing the total time required to capture a complete panoramic sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time visual feedback through graphical targets and field of view indicators allows the user to quickly understand whether the current shot is appropriate or if adjustment is needed. This immediate feedback loop accelerates the capture process by preventing rework from taking incorrect images.
3Reliability
If photographers manually capture images for panoramic stitching without guidance, then they have flexibility in image selection, but they produce distorted or disjoint panoramic images due to insufficient overlap or improper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical targets serve as an intermediary between the user's intent to capture a panorama and the technical requirements for successful stitching. These visual guides translate complex stitching requirements into simple, intuitive positioning instructions, making it easy for users to capture images with proper overlap and alignment without needing to understand the underlying image processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual indicators that change appearance (such as color or brightness) to communicate the alignment status of the camera with the target position. When the center of the field of view aligns with the graphical target, the indicator provides clear visual confirmation, ensuring the user captures images at the correct positions for reliable panoramic assembly.
4Productivity
If skilled photographers attempt to shoot large panoramic scenes quickly, then they can capture the scene before it changes, but they may not be able to capture suitable images in time due to the complexity of manual positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time visual feedback system allows photographers to rapidly capture images while maintaining precision by immediately showing whether each shot is properly positioned. The graphical targets and field of view indicators provide continuous guidance, enabling photographers to work quickly without sacrificing the precision needed for successful stitching, even in dynamic or time-sensitive situations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods facilitating the capture of contiguous images suitable for composition into a wide-angle or panoramic image. The method may include displaying smart graphical targets on an image capture graphical user interface representing target focal points to direct a camera to in order capture images with sufficient continuity or overlap for panorama creation. In one implementation, the method may include automatically capturing an image when the center of the current field of view is aligned with or within a threshold distance of a target focal point. In another implementation, the method may provide graphical targets along multiple axes. In another implementation the method may provide graphical targets for creating a panoramic image adhering to a certain aspect ratio. In another implementation, the method may suggest graphical targets on the motion of a camera after capturing a first image.