METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING A HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE INTO A LOW RESOLUTION INTERACTIVE IMAGE TO PRODUCE A REALISTIC IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

摘要

A method of inserting a high resolution image into a low resolutioninteractive image provides a greater sensation of virtual reality (presence)because increased magnification of the low resolution image, typically a wideangle image, reduces the sensation of virtual presence in the image. Forexample, according to the invention, as an image of the wall (2) of an artgallery becomes magnified in a virtual presence experience, a rectangular orother planar image portion such as a painting (3) that the user zooms on isreplaced with a high resolution image stored and associated in memory. Thevirtual presence may be achieved by high resolution scanning a desired sectionof an image portion for overlay into the image scanned into a second memory atlower resolution. The high resolution image for insertion may be a dewarpedportion of a fish-eye lens captured interactive image. Preferably, at leastthree reference points in the wide angle image and the planar image portionfor insertion, such as the painting image (3), are identified and stored withthe image data and a selected or predetermined magnification level. In thismanner, the three image points can be manipulated and matched from the highresolution image to the perspective of the wide angle image. Also, foridentity of perspective, the wide angle and high resolution images may becaptured from the identical camera location. As the user inputs viewing anglecriteria, such as pan and tilt angles, the rectangular image may bemanipulated to match. The camera may be digital or analog, video, movie orstill. Also, a high resolution photographic image may be inserted into agraphic image or vice versa.