Panoramic Imaging

Panoramic imaging is a progressive application and research area. This technology has applications in digital photography, robotics, film productions for panoramic screens, architecture, environmental studies, remote sensing and GIS technology. Applications demand different levels of accuracy for 3D documentation or visualizations. This book describes two modern technologies for capturing high-accuracy panoramic images and range data, namely the use of sensor-line cameras and laser range-finders. It provides mathematically accurate descriptions of the geometry of these sensing technologies and the necessary information required to apply them to 3D scene visualization or 3D representation. The book is divided into three parts: Part One contains a full introduction to panoramic cameras and laser range-finders, including a discussion of calibration to aid preparation of equipment ready for use. Part Two explains the concept of stereo panoramic imaging, looking at epipolar geometry, spatial sampling, image quality control and camera analysis and design. Part Three looks at surface modelling and rendering based on panoramic input data, starting with the basics and taking the reader through to more advanced techniques such as the optimization of surface meshes and data fusion. There is also an accompanying website containing high-resolution visual samples and animations, illustrating techniques discussed in the text. Panoramic Imaging is primarily aimed at researchers and students in engineering or computer science involved in using imaging technologies for 3D visualization or 3D scene reconstruction. It is also of significant use as an advanced manual to practising engineers in panoramic imaging. In brief, the book is of value to all those interested in current developments in multimedia imaging technology

Panoramic imaging is a progressive application and research area.This technology has applications in digital photography, roboticsfilm productions for panoramic screens, architecture, environmentalstudies, remote sensing and GIS technology. Applications demanddifferent levels of accuracy for 3D documentation orvisualizations.This book describes two modern technologies for capturinghigh-accuracy panoramic images and range data, namely the use ofsensor-line cameras and laser range-finders. It providesmathematically accurate descriptions of the geometry of thesesensing technologies and the necessary information required toapply them to 3D scene visualization or 3D representation. The bookis divided into three parts:* Part One contains a full introduction to panoramic cameras andlaser range-finders, including a discussion of calibration to aidpreparation of equipment ready for use.* Part Two explains the concept of stereo panoramic imaginglooking at epipolar geometry, spatial sampling, image qualitycontrol and camera analysis and design.* Part Three looks at surface modelling and rendering based onpanoramic input data, starting with the basics and taking thereader through to more advanced techniques such as the optimizationof surface meshes and data fusion.* There is also an accompanying website containinghigh-resolution visual samples and animations, illustratingtechniques discussed in the text.Panoramic Imaging is primarily aimed at researchers andstudents in engineering or computer science involved in usingimaging technologies for 3D visualization or 3D scenereconstruction. It is also of significant use as an advanced manualto practising engineers in panoramic imaging. In brief, the book isof value to all those interested in current developments inmultimedia imaging technology

Preface.Series Preface.Website and Exercises.List of Symbols.1. Introduction.1.1 Panoramas1.2 Panoramic Paintings1.3 Panoramic or Wide-Angle Photographs1.4 Digital Panoramas1.5 Striving for Accuracy1.6 Exercises1.7 Further Reading2. Cameras and Sensors.2.1 Camera Models2.2 Optics2.3 Sensor Models2.4 Examples and Challenges2.5 Exercises2.6 Further Reading3. Spatial Alignments.3.1 Mathematical Fundamentals3.2 Central Projection:World into Image Plane3.3 Classification of Panoramas3.4 Coordinate Systems for Panoramas3.5 General Projection Formula for Cylindrical Panorama3.6 Rotating Cameras3.7 Mappings between Different Image Surfaces3.8 Laser Range-Finder3.9 Exercises3.10 Further Reading4. Epipolar Geometry.4.1 General Epipolar Curve Equation4.2 Constrained Poses of Cameras4.3 Exercises4.4 Further Reading5. Sensor Calibration.5.1 Basics5.2 Preprocesses for a Rotating Sensor-Line Camera5.3 A Least-Square Error Optimization Calibration Procedure5.4 Geometric Dependencies of R and w5.5 Error Components in LRF Data5.6 Exercises5.7 Further Reading6. Spatial Sampling.6.1 Stereo Panoramas6.2 Sampling Structure6.3 Spatial Resolution6.4 Distances between Spatial Samples6.5 Exercises6.6 Further Reading7. Image Quality Control.7.1 Two Requirements7.2 Terminology7.3 Parameter Optimization7.4 Error Analysis7.5 Exercises7.6 Further Reading8. Sensor Analysis and Design.8.1 Introduction8.2 Scene Composition Analysis8.3 Stereoacuity Analysis8.4 Specification of Camera Parameters8.5 Exercises8.6 Further Reading9. 3D Meshing and Visualization.9.1 3D Graphics9.2 Surface Modeling9.3 More Techniques for Dealing with Digital Surfaces9.4 Exercises9.5 Further Reading10. Data Fusion.10.1 Determination of Camera Image Coordinates10.2 Texture Mapping10.3 High Resolution Orthophotos10.4 Fusion of Panoramic Images and Airborne Data10.5 Exercises10.6 Further ReadingReferences.Index.