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US 6,304,284 B1Granted
Method of and apparatus for creating panoramic or surround images using a motion sensor equipped camera
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsRandy R. Dunton, Thomas Mark Charlesworth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A camera system for generating panoramic images is described. The camera uses sensors to determine the orientation of the camera as each image is recorded. The orientation information is recorded in memory. A processor reconstructs a single panoramic image from the recorded images using the recorded orientation information.
Claims25
A system for generating a composite image comprising:
- a camera configured to capture a first image at a first orientation and a second image at a second orientation, the second orientation defined such that an overlap of the first image and the second image is approximately a minimum required overlap;
- a sensor to detect reorientation of the camera from first the orientation to the second orientation;
- a notification device to communicate to a user when the camera has reached the second orientation;
- and
- a processor to generate a panoramic image by combining the first image, the second image and an output of the sensor.
2 more elements
A method of generating a panoramic image comprising:
- capturing a first image using a camera oriented in a first orientation;
- reorienting the camera to a second orientation, the reorienting performed by a user of the camera;
- obtaining data sufficient to define the reorientation of the camera between the first orientation and the second orientation;
- capturing a second image responsive to a notification to the user that the camera is in the second orientation such that an overlap of the first image and the second image is approximately a minimum required overlap;
- and
- combining the first image and the second image to form the panoramic image.
3 more elements
A method of prompting a user to capture a panoramic image of a subject comprising:
- determining a field of view of a lens in a camera;
- capturing a first image while the camera is in a first position;
- prompting a user to move the camera to a second position suitable for capturing a second image for use in constructing a panoramic image of the subject;
- and
- capturing the second image.
2 more elements
An apparatus for constructing panoramic images comprising:
- a lens assembly;
- a light-sensitive detector to capture a plurality of images generated by the lens assembly;
- a motor to rotate the lens assembly;
- a decoder to determine a corresponding orientation of the lens assembly when each of the plurality of images is captured;
- and
- a processor to generate at least one panoramic image by combining at least two images of the plurality of images and the corresponding orientation of the lens assembly for the images.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.