Abstract: The method employs a computer interconnected with a GPS transceiver and a distance measurement means and operatively interconnected with a digital camera, all provided on a moving vehicle, to acquire a plurality of geographic location related images. A first geographic position is obtained from the GPS transceiver and a plurality of distance measurements are received before a second geographic position is taken. A photo request is generated after a pre-determined distance is traveled, as determined by the distance measurement means, and transmitted to the digital camera. The camera takes a photo based on the request; and the photos, photo requests, first and second positions and distance measurements are stored for post-processing. Post-processing determines a path traveled by the vehicle using the positions and distance measurements to determine an accurate geographic location and orientation for each photo. The method is suitable for building a database of geographically related images.

Abstract: The method employs a computer interconnected with a GPS transceiver and a distance measurement means and operatively interconnected with a digital camera, all provided on a moving vehicle, in order to acquire a plurality of geographic location related images. A first geographic position is obtained from the GPS transceiver and a plurality of distance measurements are then received before a second geographic position is taken. A photo request is generated after a pre-determined distance has been traveled, as determined by the distance measurement means, and transmitted to the digital camera. The camera takes a photo based on the request and the photos, photo requests, first and second positions and distance measurements are stored for post-processing. The post-processing determines a path traveled by the vehicle using the positions and distance measurements in order to determine an accurate geographic location and orientation for each photo.

Abstract: The method employs a computer interconnected with a GPS transceiver and a distance measurement means and operatively interconnected with a digital camera, all provided on a moving vehicle, in order to acquire a plurality of geographic location related images. A first geographic position is obtained from the GPS transceiver and a plurality of distance measurements are then received before a second geographic position is taken. A photo request is generated after a pre-determined distance has been traveled and is transmitted to the digital camera. The camera takes a photo based on the request and the photos, photo requests, first and second positions and distance measurements are stored for post-processing. The post-processing determines a path traveled by the vehicle using the positions and distance measurements and assigns an accurate geographic location and orientation to each photo. The method is useful in building a database of geographically related images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering hemispheric images obtained using a fisheye lens for panoramic viewing, relating to spatial alignment and color balancing of complement half-side images derived from the hemispheric images. The systems and methods for spatial alignment determine the displacement of the digitized recorded images using a single translation and rotation model of distortion, which further evaluates the center of projection, and the extent of translation and rotation. The system and method for color balancing iteratively increase (or decrease) the values of pixels near the edge (discontinuity) between the two half-sides of an image, each time taking into consideration the average difference of pixel color across a smaller strip of the edge near the pixel. This invention removes the color differential but does not remove any detail underlying the features of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering hemispheric images obtained using a fisheye lens for panoramic viewing, relating to spatial alignment and colour balancing of complement half-side images derived from the hemispheric images. The systems and methods for spatial alignment determine the displacement of the digitized recorded images using a single translation and rotation model of distortion, which further evaluates the centre of projection, and the extent of translation and rotation. The system and method for colour balancing iteratively increase (or decrease) the values of pixels near the edge (discontinuity) between the two half-sides of an image, each time taking into consideration the average difference of pixel colour across a smaller strip of the edge near the pixel. This invention removes the colour differential but does not remove any detail underlying the features of the image.