Patent ID: 6389179
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
An image combining apparatus for generating a combined image by combining a plurality of images of an object sensed so that frames partially overlap each other, comprising:condition detection means for detecting an image sensing condition upon image sensing and a moving state of image sensing means; storage means for storing information associated with the image sensing condition and moving state detected by said condition detection means in correspondence with the images as additional information together with image data of a plurality of sensed images; discriminating means for discriminating an overlapping area between the plurality of images on the basis of the additional information stored in said storage means and set a search area in the overlapping area; corresponding point detection means for detecting a correspondence between certain pixels present in the search area set by said discriminating means; and image combining means for generating a panoramic image by combining a series of images stored in said storage means on the basis of the correspondence information obtained by said corresponding point detection means.