Spherical Image Processing System for Virtual Tours

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems face challenges in efficiently processing and transmitting spherical images captured in all directions, particularly in real estate and construction applications, where images need to be viewed online and require virtual tours, but current methods struggle with distortion and efficient data storage.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system comprising an image capturing device that generates spherical images using equirectangular projection, a server for processing and transmitting these images, and a communication terminal for managing settings, allowing for efficient image processing and transmission based on predefined image-processing settings, enabling virtual tours with reduced distortion and efficient data handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If spherical images are captured and transmitted using conventional image processing methods, then the images can be viewed online, but distortion occurs and data efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddata efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical image data is segmented into multiple resolution levels, with the first resolution level containing high-frequency components and the second resolution level containing low-frequency components. This segmentation allows selective transmission and processing of different data portions, improving both image quality and data efficiency by transmitting only essential information at each resolution level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different processing methods are applied to different portions of the image data based on their characteristics. The first resolution level (high-frequency) and second resolution level (low-frequency) are processed differently, with the destination apparatus performing image processing based on image processing setting information specific to each level, optimizing both quality and efficiency locally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If image processing is performed at the source apparatus, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The source apparatus performs preliminary image processing to generate processed image data in multiple resolution levels before transmission. By pre-processing the image data and organizing it into structured resolution levels with associated setting information, the system reduces the processing burden on the destination apparatus and improves overall processing speed without significantly increasing destination device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Image processing setting information acts as an intermediary that guides the destination apparatus in performing appropriate image processing on the transmitted data. This intermediary information enables the destination apparatus to efficiently process the image data without requiring complex processing algorithms, thus improving processing speed while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4412191A1Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4412191A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4412191A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4412191A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes: reception means (51) configured to receive a processed image transmitted from a source apparatus (10, 90), the processed image being obtained by performing first image processing on a captured image of a subject, the first image processing being based on image-processing setting information; and image processing means (57) configured to perform second image processing on the processed image, the second image processing being based on the image-processing setting information.