US 2014/0210949 A1 · COMBINATION OF NARROW-AND WIDE-VIEW IMAGES

Abstract

A dual field of view (FOV) image is generated as a combination of a small footprint image and large footprint image, where the large footprint image is generated based on rendering to the current viewpoint at least a first image captured relatively farther away from a target so as to appear as a continuation of a small footprint image which is relatively closer to the target. Preferably, both the first image and the small footprint image are captured with the same fixed narrow field of view (NFOV) imaging device. The system is able to operate in real time, using a variety of image capture devices, and provides the benefits of both NFOV and wide FOV (WFOV) without limitations of conventional techniques, including operation at a longer range from a target, with higher resolution, while innovative processing of the captured images provides orientation information via a dual FOV image.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for generating an image of a target area, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of images of the target area, wherein said plurality of images includes:
(i) at least a first image of the target area sampled at a first distance from an imaging device to the target area, said first image having a corresponding viewpoint;
and
(ii) a second image of the target area sampled at a second distance from said imaging device to the target area, said second distance being less than said first distance, said second image having a current viewpoint and a first field of view (FOV);
and
(b) generating a dual field of view image as a combination of:
(i) said second image;
and
(ii) a generated large footprint image based on at least said first image rendered so as to appear as a continuation of said second image with said current viewpoint, said generated large footprint image having an effective FOV greater than said first FOV.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combination of narrow-and wide-view images

Life of this patent

Combination of narrow-and wide-view images

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21