Method and apparatus for capturing a multidimensional array of overlapping images for composite image generation
AssigneeFlashPoint Technology, Inc.
InventorEric C. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for capturing a multidimensional array of overlapping images for composite image generation using a camera that includes a viewfinder. This is accomplished by providing a composite image format comprising an N×M array of overlapping images, and allowing the user to sequentially capture the images in the array. When the user attempts to capture one of the images in the array, the overlap ping areas of previously captured images are displayed in the viewfinder to enable the user to align the next image to be captured in the array with the previously captured images.
Claims28
A method for capturing a multidimensional array of overlapping images for composite image generation using a camera that includes a viewfinder, method comprising the steps of:
- a) displaying to a user a plurality of composite image formats comprising N×M arrays of image panes;
- b) allowing the user to select a composite image format from the plurality of composite image formats;
- c) allowing the user to sequentially capture the images in the array;
- and
- d) in response to the user capturing one of the images in the array, displaying overlapping areas of previously captured images in the array in the viewfinder to enable the user to align the next image to be captured in the array with the previously captured images.
A method for capturing a multidimensional array of overlapping images for composite image generation using a camera, wherein the camera includes a viewfinder that is bounded by four edges, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a composite image format comprising an N×M array of image panes corresponding to a relative position of overlapping images, wherein each image pane overlaps at least two other image panes in the image format, and a current image pane corresponds to a position of an image to be captured;
- b) selecting a first image in the N×M array to capture;
- c) capturing the first image;
- d) selecting a second image in the N×M array to capture, wherein the second image overlaps the first image in the N×M array;
- e) determining how many (x) captured images overlap with the current pane and dividing the viewfinder into x zones and a live view zone, wherein each of the x zones is adjacent to one of the four edges of the viewfinder;
- f) displaying portions of the overlapping images in their corresponding zones;
- g) displaying a live view of the second image in the live view zone to enable the user to align the second image with the first image;
- h) capturing the second image;
- i) selecting a third image in the N×M array to capture, wherein the third image overlaps with either the first image or the second image in the N×M array;
- and
- j) repeating steps c) through i) until all the images in the N×M array have been captured.
A digital camera comprising:
- an imaging device for capturing image data;
- a memory for storing the image data from the imaging device;
- a viewfinder bounded by four edges;
- and
- processing means coupled to the imaging device, the memory and to the viewfinder, the processing means including
- means for providing a composite image format comprising an N×M array of image panes corresponding to a relative position of overlapping images, wherein each image pane overlaps at least two other image panes in the image format, and a current image pane corresponds to a position of an image to be captured;
- means for selecting a first image in the N×M array to capture, means for capturing the first image,
- means for selecting a second image in the N×M array to capture, wherein the second image overlaps the first image in the N×M array,
- means for dividing the viewfinder into a first and a second zone in response to the user capturing the first image, wherein the first zone is adjacent to one of the four edges of the viewfinder,
- means for displaying a portion of the first image that is to overlap with the second image in the first zone,
- means for displaying a live view of the second image in the second zone to enable the user to align the second image with the first image,
- means for determining a number (x) of previously captured images that overlap the current pane, and means for dividing the viewfinder into the (x) number of zones and a live view zone, and
- means for displaying portions of the overlapping images in their corresponding zones.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.