Abstract: First imaging device collects first image data, whereas second imaging device collects second image data of a storage portion. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected first image data and the collected second image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An image data evaluator determines whether to use the first image data, the second image data, or both based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or a target zone of the container perimeter.

Abstract: First imaging device collects first image data, whereas second imaging device collects second image data of a storage portion. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected first image data and the collected second image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An image data evaluator determines whether to use the first image data, the second image data, or both based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or a target zone of the container perimeter.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.

Abstract: Present invention is an adjustable transfer device for unloading processed crop onto a container of a transport vehicle including a control arrangement with an electronic control unit, among other integrated components. Electronic control unit calculates position of expected point of incidence of crop flow on the container within field of view of optical image capture device, displays image of container together with symbol representing calculated expected point of incidence of crop flow on container on display, receives adjustment inputs from user interface for adjusting position of actuator and thus of adjustable transfer device, updates position of symbol in image on display, receives confirmation input from user interface once symbol in image on display is in appropriate position, derives at least one feature in image representing container, and tracks container within output signal of image processing system based on retrieved image feature and controls actuator accordingly to fill container with crop.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an apparatus including receiving data indicative of an actual state of the apparatus, defining a first viewpoint relative to at least one of the environment and the apparatus, determining a first predicted state of the apparatus at time T, determining a first predicted state of the environment at time T, producing a first virtualized view from the first viewpoint, sending a first control signal to the apparatus after producing the first virtualized view, defining a second viewpoint relative to at least one of the apparatus and the environment, determining a second predicted state of the apparatus at time T+delta T, determining a second predicted state of the environment at time T+delta T, producing the second virtualized view from the second viewpoint, sending a second control signal to the apparatus after producing the second virtualized view, and changing the actual state of the apparatus based on the first control signal.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an apparatus including receiving data indicative of an actual state of the apparatus, defining a first viewpoint relative to at least one of the environment and the apparatus, determining a first predicted state of the apparatus at time T, determining a first predicted state of the environment at time T, producing a first virtualized view from the first viewpoint, sending a first control signal to the apparatus after producing the first virtualized view, defining a second viewpoint relative to at least one of the apparatus and the environment, determining a second predicted state of the apparatus at time T+delta T, determining a second predicted state of the environment at time T+delta T, producing the second virtualized view from the second viewpoint, sending a second control signal to the apparatus after producing the second virtualized view, and changing the actual state of the apparatus based on the first control signal.

Abstract: A method and system for sensing an obstacle comprises transmitting an electromagnetic signal from a mobile machine to an object. A reflected electromagnetic signal is received from the object to determine a distance between the object and the mobile machine. An image patch is extracted from a region associated with the object. Each image patch comprises coordinates (e.g., three dimensional coordinates) associated with corresponding image data (e.g., pixels). If an object is present, image data may include at least one of object density data and object color data. Object density data is determined based on a statistical measure of variation associated with the image patch. Object color data based on the color of the object detected with brightness normalization. An object is classified or identified based on the determined object density and determined object color data.

Abstract: A method of encoding images comprising the steps of retrieving a source image file including pixel data, transforming the source image file pixel data into a destination data set of pixel data representative of a modified partial equi-rectangular projection, and outputting the pixel data from the destination data set as a destination image file. The source image file can include an annular source image file. An apparatus for encoding images in accordance with the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, a digital converter device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image, and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image. The mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. Methods for processing images in accordance with the system are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a first camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, at least one secondary camera for capturing a portion of the scene, means for mapping pixel data of the image captured by the first camera into a viewable image, and means for cooperatively displaying the viewable image and the portion of the scene captured by the at least one of the secondary cameras. The mirror may include a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. The secondary camera may also capture a portion of the image reflected by the mirror. Alternatively, the system may include a single camera including an active-pixel image sensor for capturing at least a portion of the image reflected by the mirror.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.

Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted portions of an image comprising the steps of generating a panoramic image including a plurality of image pixels, identifying a first set of the image pixels that correspond to the unwanted portions of the image, determining particular characteristics of the image pixels positioned adjacent to the image pixels in the first set of image pixels, and replacing the first set of image pixels with replacement pixel data generated by using the particular characteristics of the image pixels adjacent to the first set of image pixels. The replacement pixel data can be generated by interpolating or extrapolating pixel data from the image pixels positioned adjacent to the image pixels in the first set of image pixels. A panoramic photographic system that operates in accordance with the above method is also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing enhanced panoramic images with an improved panoramic mirror. A panoramic mirror is provided with a controlled vertical field of view. The controlled vertical field of view improves the resolution of a viewable panoramic image by eliminating portions of unwanted images from the viewable panoramic image.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a camera, a transparent cylinder for mounting the convex reflector to the camera, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A second radially-oriented planar member can be positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. The first and second radially-oriented planar members would preferably lie in perpendicular planes, however, they may lie in non-perpendicular planes. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a transparent cylinder for supporting the convex reflector, means for connecting a camera to the transparent cylinder, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A method of reducing unwanted reflections in the panoramic imaging system is also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a first camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, at least one secondary camera for capturing a portion of the scene, means for mapping pixel data of the image captured by the first camera into a viewable image, and means for cooperatively displaying the viewable image and the portion of the scene captured by the at least one of the secondary cameras. The mirror may include a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. The secondary camera may also capture a portion of the image reflected by the mirror. Alternatively, the system may include a single camera including an active-pixel image sensor for capturing at least a portion of the image reflected by the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, a digital converter device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image, and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image. The mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. Methods for processing images in accordance with the system are also provided.

Abstract: A method of encoding images comprising the steps of retrieving a source image file including pixel data, transforming the source image file pixel data into a destination data set of pixel data representative of a modified partial equi-rectangular projection, and outputting the pixel data from the destination data set as a destination image file. The source image file can include an annular source image file. An apparatus for encoding images in accordance with the method is also provided.