US6549681B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image synthesization method
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1996-09-25
•
Granted: 2003-04-15
•
Expires: 2016-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An image synthesization method, whereby a plurality of images, each of which has a partially overlapping image area, are synthesized to create a single synthetic image, comprises a determination step of inputting a plurality of image data sets that correspond to the plurality of images that are input, and of determining whether or not an image in the partially overlapping image area of each of images that are indicated by the plurality of image data sets includes mainly characters an image processing step of performing, for the plurality of image data sets that are input, image processing in consonance with a result of a determination performed at the determination step and an image synthesization step of synthesizing images that are indicated by the resultant plurality of image data, for which the image processing has been performed at the image processing step. With this arrangement, a plurality of images can be easily and effectively synthesized.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Takiguchi
- 👤 Kotaro Yano
- 👤 Tatsushi Katayama
- 👤 Fumiaki Takahashi
- 👤 Kenji Hatori
- 👤 Koji Hatanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/4038; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/3876; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/698
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A panoramic image synthesizing system which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode point designation means for designating points in the overlapping areas: operation means for cutting out a predetermined-sized partial image based on the points designated by said point designation means, and performing an image superimposing operation to manually superimpose the cut-out image on the other image; and first synthesizing means for extracting the matching points corresponding to the points designated by said point designation means in a predetermined first searching area based on the position where the images are superimposed by said operation means, and synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the extracted matching points to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching area and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images, without performing the manual image superimposing operation; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching area is narrower than said second searching area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A panoramic image synthesizing system which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode point designation means for designating points in the overlapping areas: operation means for cutting out a predetermined-sized partial image based on the points designated by said point designation means, and performing an image superimposing operation to manually superimpose the cut-out image on the other image; and first synthesizing means for extracting the matching points corresponding to the points designated by said point designation means in a predetermined first searching area based on the position where the images are superimposed by said operation means, and synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the extracted matching points to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching area and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images, without performing the manual image superimposing operation; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching area is narrower than said second searching area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system according to claim 1 , further comprising display means for performing an AND operation for each bit in the unit of pixel between the cut-out image and the other image and transparently displaying both the cut-out image and the other image in the area where the cut-out image and the other image overlap each other, while the cut-out image is being superimposed on the other image by the image superimposing operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein the cut-out image is a rectangular image which is cut out with a certain size having, as the center, the point designated by said point designation means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein, if the image superimposing operation is performed only once, said first synthesizing means sets that the relation of the cut-out image and the other image is mis-registered only in horizontal and vertical directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein, when the image superimposing operation is newly performed, new image synthesizing starts on the basis of the setting regarding the plural relations obtained by the image superimposing operation, and the image synthesizing which has been performed till then ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
A panoramic image synthesizing system which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode first area designation means for designating a desired area in the overlapping areas; second area designation means for manually designating, in the other image, the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means; and first synthesizing means for extracting the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means in a predetermined-sized image first searching range based on the area designated by said second area designation means, and synthesizing the plurality images on the basis of the extracted area to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching range and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching range is narrower than said second searching range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
196 words
A panoramic image synthesizing system which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode first area designation means for designating a desired area in the overlapping areas; second area designation means for manually designating, in the other image, the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means; and first synthesizing means for extracting the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means in a predetermined-sized image first searching range based on the area designated by said second area designation means, and synthesizing the plurality images on the basis of the extracted area to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching range and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching range is narrower than said second searching range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
214 words
A panoramic image synthesizing apparatus which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said apparatus comprising: in a first synthesizing mode point designation means for designating points in the overlapping areas: operation means for cutting out a predetermined-sized partial image based on the points designated by said point designation means, and performing an image superimposing operation to manually superimpose the cut-out image on the other image; and first synthesizing means for extracting the matching points corresponding to the points designated by said point designation means in a predetermined first searching area based on the position where the images are superimposed by said operation means, and synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the extracted matching points to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching area and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images, without performing the manual image superimposing operation; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching area is narrower than said second searching area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
214 words
A panoramic image synthesizing apparatus which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said apparatus comprising: in a first synthesizing mode point designation means for designating points in the overlapping areas: operation means for cutting out a predetermined-sized partial image based on the points designated by said point designation means, and performing an image superimposing operation to manually superimpose the cut-out image on the other image; and first synthesizing means for extracting the matching points corresponding to the points designated by said point designation means in a predetermined first searching area based on the position where the images are superimposed by said operation means, and synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the extracted matching points to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching area and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images, without performing the manual image superimposing operation; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching area is narrower than said second searching area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising display means for performing an AND operation for each bit in the unit of pixel between the cut-out image and the other image and transparently displaying both the cut-out image and the other image in the area where the cut-out image and the other image overlap each other, while the cut-out image is being superimposed on the other image by the image superimposing operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the cut-out image is a rectangular image which is cut out with a certain size having, as the center, the point designated by said point designation means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein, if the image superimposing operation is performed only once, said first synthesizing means sets that the relation of the cut-out image and the other image is mis-registered only in horizontal and vertical directions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein, when the image superimposing operation is newly performed, new image synthesizing starts on the basis of the setting regarding the plural relations obtained by the image superimposing operation, and the image synthesizing which has been performed till then ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
196 words
A panoramic image synthesizing apparatus which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode first area designation means for designating a desired area in the overlapping areas; second area designation means for manually designating, in the other image, the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means; and first synthesizing means for extracting the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means in a predetermined-sized image first searching range based on the area designated by said second area designation means, and synthesizing the plurality images on the basis of the extracted area to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching range and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching range is narrower than said second searching range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
196 words
A panoramic image synthesizing apparatus which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode first area designation means for designating a desired area in the overlapping areas; second area designation means for manually designating, in the other image, the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means; and first synthesizing means for extracting the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designation means in a predetermined-sized image first searching range based on the area designated by said second area designation means, and synthesizing the plurality images on the basis of the extracted area to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode determining means for searching a second searching range and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images; and second synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining means, wherein said first searching range is narrower than said second searching range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
219 words
A panoramic image synthesizing method which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said method comprising: in a first synthesizing mode a point designating step, of designating points in the overlapping areas: an operating step, of cutting out a predetermined-sized partial image based on the points designated by said point designating step, and performing an image superimposing operation to manually superimpose the cut-out image on the other image; and a first synthesizing step, of extracting the matching points corresponding to the points designated by said point designating step in a predetermined first searching area based on the position where the images are superimposed by said operating step, and synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the extracted matching points to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode a determining step, of searching a second searching area and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images, without performing the manual image superimposing operation; and a second synthesizing step, of synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining step, wherein said first searching area is narrower than said second searching area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
219 words
A panoramic image synthesizing method which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said method comprising: in a first synthesizing mode a point designating step, of designating points in the overlapping areas: an operating step, of cutting out a predetermined-sized partial image based on the points designated by said point designating step, and performing an image superimposing operation to manually superimpose the cut-out image on the other image; and a first synthesizing step, of extracting the matching points corresponding to the points designated by said point designating step in a predetermined first searching area based on the position where the images are superimposed by said operating step, and synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the extracted matching points to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode a determining step, of searching a second searching area and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images, without performing the manual image superimposing operation; and a second synthesizing step, of synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining step, wherein said first searching area is narrower than said second searching area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method according to claim 13 , further comprising a displaying step, of performing an AND operation for each bit in the unit of pixel between the cut-out image and the other image and transparently displaying both the cut-out image and the other image in the area where the cut-out image and the other image overlap each other, while the cut-out image is being superimposed on the other image by the image superimposing operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein the cut-out image is a rectangular image which is cut out with a certain size having, as the center, the point designated by said point designating step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein, if the image superimposing operation is performed only once, said first synthesizing step sets that the relation of the cut-out image and the other image is mis-registered only in horizontal and vertical directions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein, when the image superimposing operation is newly performed, new image synthesizing starts on the basis of the setting regarding the plural relations obtained by the image superimposing operation, and the image synthesizing which has been performed till then ends.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
201 words
A panoramic image synthesizing method which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode a first area designating step, of designating a desired area in the overlapping areas; a second area designating step, of manually designating, in the other image, the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designating step; and a first synthesizing step, of extracting the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designating step in a predetermined-sized image first searching range based on the area designated by said second area designating step, and synthesizing the plurality images on the basis of the extracted area to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode a determining step, of searching a second searching range and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images; and a second synthesizing step, of synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining step, wherein said first searching range is narrower than said second searching range.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
201 words
A panoramic image synthesizing method which synthesizes a plurality of images to create a one panoramic image on the basis of matching points representing the relations of the plurality of images where parts of their image areas overlap other images, said system comprising: in a first synthesizing mode a first area designating step, of designating a desired area in the overlapping areas; a second area designating step, of manually designating, in the other image, the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designating step; and a first synthesizing step, of extracting the area corresponding to the area designated by said first area designating step in a predetermined-sized image first searching range based on the area designated by said second area designating step, and synthesizing the plurality images on the basis of the extracted area to create the one panoramic image, and in a second synthesizing mode a determining step, of searching a second searching range and determining a synthesizing position of the plurality of images; and a second synthesizing step, of synthesizing the plurality of images on the basis of the determination by said determining step, wherein said first searching range is narrower than said second searching range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4393453A
Cited
US5721624A
Cited
JPH04290066A
Cited
US5465163A
Cited
JPH05342344A
Cited
US5790165A
Cited
US5602584A
Cited
US5680150A
Cited
US5581377A
Cited
JPH08130630A
Cited
JPH0923330A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-14 | 2006-10-14 | 2007-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-14 | 2010-10-14 | 2011-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-14 | 2014-10-14 | 2015-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |