Image Processing Apparatus for Spherical Planar Projection Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
When spherical images and planar images are combined, positional shifts occur due to differences in their projections, leading to misalignment and an unnatural display.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that transforms and aligns images by extracting feature points, determining corresponding areas, and generating location information to associate points between different projections, ensuring accurate positioning and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spherical images and planar images are combined without projection transformation, then the combination process is simple, but positional shifts occur between images leading to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing projection transformation on the spherical image before combining it with the planar image. The image processing apparatus transforms the spherical image from its original projection to a projection that matches the planar image's projection, ensuring proper alignment before the combination step occurs. This preliminary transformation prevents positional shifts and misalignment issues that would otherwise require complex correction procedures later.
2Manufacturing precision
If projection transformation is applied to align spherical and planar images, then image alignment accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a projection transformation step that acts as a mediator between the spherical image and the planar image. The image processing apparatus transforms the spherical image into a intermediate projection format that is compatible with the planar image's projection, enabling seamless combination without direct conflict between different projection systems. This intermediary transformation simplifies the overall combination process while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus, an image capturing system, an image processing method, and a recording medium are provided. The image processing apparatus: obtains a first image in a first projection, and a second image in a second projection; transforms projection of at least a part of the first image corresponding to the second image, from the first projection to the second projection, to generate a third image in the second projection; extracts a plurality of feature points, respectively, from the second image and the third image; determines a corresponding area in the third image that corresponds to the second image, based on the plurality of feature points respectively extracted from the second image and the third image; transforms projection of a plurality of points in the corresponding area of the third image, from the second projection to the first projection, to obtain location information indicating locations of the plurality of points in the first projection in the first image; and stores, in a memory, the location information indicating the locations of the plurality of points in the first projection in the first image, in association with the plurality of points in the second projection in the second image.