Method and system for generating images used in extended range panorama composition

摘要

In a method of obtaining an extended dynamic range panorama of a scene from a plurality of limited dynamic range images captured by an image sensor in a digital camera, a plurality of digital images comprising image pixels of the scene are captured from a plurality of positions by exposing the image sensor to light transmitted from the scene, wherein light transmittance upon the image sensor is adjustable. Each image is evaluated after it is captured for an illumination level exceeding the limited dynamic range of the image for at least some of the image pixels. Based on the evaluation of each image exceeding the limited dynamic range, the light transmittance upon the image sensor is adjusted in order to obtain a subsequent digital image having a different scene brightness range. The plurality of digital images are stored, and subsequently the stored digital images are processed to generate a plurality of composite images, each having an extended dynamic range greater than any of the digital images by themselves. The plurality of composite images are used in producing an extended range panorama. In addition, light attenuation data may be stored with the images for subsequent reconstruction of higher bit-depth panorama than the original panorama. <IMAGE>