Patent ID: 6486908
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A method of transforming a plurality of photographic images of a panoramic scene into a spherical environment map, each photographic image taken at a predetermined sight direction characterized by an elevation angle, the method comprising:warping each of the plurality of photographic images into a parametric spherical environment map; image cutting each of the warped photographic images into a rectangular image based on the elevation angle of the sight direction for each of the warped photographic images; wherein during image cutting, the warped photographic images are cut either horizontally or vertically on the basis of the elevation angle of the sight direction for each of the warped photographic images; if the elevation angle of the sight direction for a warped photographic image is less than 10 degrees or greater than 170 degrees, the warped photographic image is cut into a rectangular region defined by one horizontal line, which is either a bottom or top edge of the rectangular warped image of the photograph; and if the elevation angle of the sight direction for a warped photographic image is between 30 degrees and 150 degrees, the warped photographic image is cut into a rectangular region defined by two opposing horizontal lines and two opposing vertical lines.