US 5,625,765 A · Vision systems including devices and methods for combining images for extended magnification schemes

Abstract

Vision systems having knowledge of position and attitude can reliably determine what scenes are being addressed by the system. Real images of the scene can then be augmented with computer generated information which relates to the known scene. Since the level of detail or resolution is not restricted in computer generated models, a system can continue to provide further magnified images without limit. As magnification increases, the amount of information presented to a user from images of the real scene decreases but computer generated imagery continues to provides realistic images which represent scenes being addressed by the apparatus. Computer generated imagery is combined with an image of a real scene to form an augmented image which is presented to the user aligned to the viewing direction of the device at any desired magnification.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An imaging apparatus having variable magnification selectable by a user, the apparatus comprising:

a position determining means;
an attitude determining means;
a camera having a position and pointing direction associated therewith;
a computer;
and
a display,
said position determining means being operable for determining the position of the camera;
said attitude determining means being operable for determining the pointing direction of the camera;
said camera being operable for producing an electronic image of a scene;
said computer being in communication with said position and attitude determining means and responsive to the determinations made therein, being operable for generating image information relating to the scene, and operable for combining the information with features of the electronic image produced by said camera to form an augmented image, and operable for presenting the augmented image at;
said display.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vision systems including devices and methods for combining images for extended magnification schemes

Life of this patent

Vision systems including devices and methods for combining images for extended magnification schemes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16