A method of generating a remapping table for use in mapping pixels from a plurality of preliminary digital images into a final composite image, comprising:
- a) providing a first camera and a second camera at a vehicle such that each camera has a field of view that overlaps partially with the field of view of the other camera, each camera having an imager for generating one of the preliminary digital image, wherein the cameras together have a combined field of view, and wherein the first camera comprises a rear backup camera having a field of view rearward of the vehicle;
- b) detecting a target feature along the path of the vehicle while the vehicle is driven, using a controller at the vehicle;
- c) providing a first preliminary digital image from the first camera, wherein the first preliminary digital image contains a first representation of the target feature at a first point time;
- d) determining the position of the first representation of the target feature in the first preliminary digital image;
- e) providing a second preliminary digital image from the second camera, wherein the second preliminary digital image contains a second representation of the target feature at a second point time;
- f) determining the position of the second representation of the target feature in the second preliminary digital image;
- g) comparing the positions of the first and second representations of the target feature;
- h) generating at least one value for the remapping table based on the result of the comparison in step g);
- i) sequentially performing at least three functions on the at least one preliminary digital image, wherein the at least three functions comprise (i) dewarping the at least one preliminary digital image to generate at least one intermediate dewarped image and storing the pixel remapping used to generate the intermediate dewarped images in a first intermediate remapping table, (ii) viewpoint adjustment of the at least one intermediate dewarped image to generate at least one dewarped and viewpoint-adjusted image and storing the pixel remapping used to generate the dewarped and viewpoint-adjusted images in a second intermediate remapping table, and (iii) offset correction of the at least one dewarped and viewpoint-adjusted image and storing the pixel remapping used to generate the dewarped and viewpoint-adjusted and offset-corrected images in a third intermediate remapping table;
- j) generating a combined remapping table by combining remapping information of the first, second and third intermediate remapping tables;
- k) generating at least one final composite digital image that corresponds to a selected digital representation of the combined field of view of the cameras by remapping selected pixels from the at least one preliminary digital image into selected positions of the at least one final composite digital image in accordance with the combined remapping table;
- l) displaying, at a video display screen during a backup maneuver of the vehicle, intermediate dewarped images derived from applying the pixel remapping of the first intermediate remapping table on the preliminary digital images of the first camera;
- m) displaying, at the video display screen, the final composite digital images when parking the vehicle;
- and
- n) wherein the video display screen is operable to display a split view of images.