Surround Image Capture Using Sensor-Based Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing and processing 360-degree panoramic images without specialized equipment, such as turntables or rail-mounted cameras, is challenging due to shaky footage and misalignment of images, making it difficult to produce smooth and continuous rotations.
Innovation Solution
A camera device equipped with positional sensors and a processor that captures images based on motion and orientation data, using sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers to track feature points and align images, allowing for seamless 360-degree image capture and processing without the need for post-processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a camera device is moved around an object to capture 360-degree images, then the coverage area is improved, but the image alignment and stability deteriorate due to shaky footage and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images at each position and pre-processing them to identify and select feature points before final alignment. This allows the system to prepare alignment data in advance, improving overall alignment precision despite the dynamic capture process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where captured images are immediately analyzed to identify feature points, and this information feeds back into the alignment process. The processor continuously refines alignment based on detected feature point correspondences between images, correcting misalignment in real-time
2Reliability
If multiple images are captured and processed to create 360-degree panorama, then the completeness of object representation is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image processing task by identifying and tracking specific feature points (corners, edges, distinctive regions) rather than processing entire images uniformly. This segmentation allows selective processing of critical alignment information, reducing overall processing time while maintaining representation completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential feature point information from captured images for alignment purposes, rather than processing all image data. By taking out and focusing on distinctive features such as corners and edges, the system achieves complete object representation with reduced processing requirements
3Measurement precision
If feature point tracking is performed across multiple images, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by focusing computational resources on specific feature points with distinctive characteristics (corners, edges, high-contrast regions) rather than uniformly processing all image areas. This localized approach maintains high alignment accuracy for critical features while reducing overall computational complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of smooth and continuously rotatable 360-degree animations directly on devices like smartphones or tablets, eliminating the need for separate editing and ensuring consistent image quality across all angles.
Implementation Method 1
sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers to track feature points and align images
Implementation Method 2
sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers to track feature points and align images
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to perform surround image capture and processing. A camera device may use physical position and orientation sensors to determine the camera device's position along a circular path. The camera device may capture images from positions along the circular path and combine the images into a surround image animation of a central point within the circular path. The camera device may determine feature points within the image frames, and determine a smooth path or track for corresponding feature points to follow from one image to the next. The images can be combined into a smoothly animated 360-degree surround animation, which may be continually rotated without a set beginning or ending point to the animation.