Abstract: Provided is a triggering system for triggering a plurality of vehicle-mounted cameras for obtaining a set of images. The present invention further relates to a camera system including the same. The triggering system includes a central unit and a plurality of camera controllers that each control one or more cameras. The present invention proposes a combination of a de-centralized updating process to determine the respective triggering time instants for the cameras, and a local timer in each of the camera controllers that is repeatedly synchronized using GNSS time information. This allows better control of the position of the entrance pupils of the cameras at the time of recording images. This will in turn produce a set of images that enables the generation of a panoramic image having less parallax-related errors.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a position of a mobile device is disclosed. In particular, a method and system in which the position of a mobile device is determined using measurements of received Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, satellite signals is disclosed. The present invention therefore proposes to qualify a received satellite signal based on whether a signal propagation characteristic of this signal falls within an expected range of this characteristic. The expected range is determined using information about the satellite that sent the signal. The position of the mobile device is computed based on the validated satellite signals.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an image stitching method. It is further related to an image stitching device and to a computer readable medium carrying instructions for performing such method. The method according to the invention includes determining a pixel value of a pixel at an interpolation position in the region to be stitched using pixel values of corresponding pixels in a plurality of sub-images. According to the invention, the interpolation position corresponds to a weighted sum of positions of the corresponding pixels. The weighting factor for the position of a corresponding pixel in a given sub-image depends on a relative distance of at said interpolation position to a border of the region to be stitched associated with that sub-image.

Abstract: A method and system for improving position information associated with a collection of images is disclosed, more in particular, a method and system for improving position information of images obtained using a camera system including at least one camera mounted on or to a vehicle. A 3D model is constructed from an overlapping region in which at least two images obtained at different positions of the vehicle among the collection of images at least partially overlap. By comparing the 3D model to an aerial image, the position of the 3D model can be updated.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a position of a mobile device is disclosed. In particular, a method and system in which the position of a mobile device is determined using measurements of received Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, satellite signals is disclosed. The present invention therefore proposes to qualify a received satellite signal based on whether a signal propagation characteristic of this signal falls within an expected range of this characteristic. The expected range is determined using information about the satellite that sent the signal. The position of the mobile device is computed based on the validated satellite signals.

Abstract: A method for generating a panoramic image includes providing a 3D point model of an area surrounding a virtual viewpoint, acquiring multiple images of the area surrounding the virtual viewpoint, projecting the acquired images onto the 3D point model and generating the panoramic image using the thus obtained 3D point model of the surrounding area.

Abstract: A method and system for improving position information associated with a collection of images is disclosed, more in particular, a method and system for improving position information of images obtained using a camera system including at least one camera mounted on or to a vehicle. A 3D model is constructed from an overlapping region in which at least two images obtained at different positions of the vehicle among the collection of images at least partially overlap. By comparing the 3D model to an aerial image, the position of the 3D model can be updated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a device, and vehicle for recording panoramic images. According to the present invention, panoramic images can be obtained using a plurality of optical cameras and light directing elements which are arranged based on a parabola. This allows a compact device to be obtained while ensuring that each camera records a partial image as if it were at substantially the same focus point as the other cameras. By arranging the plurality of cameras and light directing elements such that the respective focus points are slightly offset relative to each other, a slight overlap between adjacent field of views can be obtained to improve stitching of the partial images to from the panoramic image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a panoramic image. The method includes the steps of providing a 3D point model of an area surrounding a virtual viewpoint, acquiring multiple images of the area surrounding the virtual viewpoint, projecting the acquired images onto the 3D point model and generating the panoramic image using the thus obtained 3D point model of the surrounding area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a device, and vehicle for recording panoramic images. According to the present invention, panoramic images can be obtained using a plurality of optical cameras and light directing elements which are arranged based on a parabola. This allows a compact device to be obtained while ensuring that each camera records a partial image as if it were at substantially the same focus point as the other cameras. By arranging the plurality of cameras and light directing elements such that the respective focus points are slightly offset relative to each other, a slight overlap between adjacent field of views can be obtained to improve stitching of the partial images to from the panoramic image.

Abstract: Method for producing an image from a vehicle, comprising the steps of: mounting a first camera on the vehicle, the first camera having a field of view; mounting a second camera on the vehicle and on a predetermined position relative to the first camera, the second camera having a field of view; acquiring a first image with the first camera; acquiring a second image with the second camera after the first image has been acquired when the position of the second camera is sufficiently close to or even coincides with the position from which the first image was taken, whereby the field of view of the second camera partially overlaps the field of view of the first camera when the first image was taken; and generating an image by stitching the first image and the second image together.