Design and implementation of an electronic pan/tilt/rotate/magnify camera system for wide-angle viewing applications

A camera system for omni-directional image viewing applications that provides pan, tilt, zoom, and rotational orientation within a hemispherical field-of-view utilizing no moving parts has been developed. The imaging device is based on the effect that the image from a fisheye lens, which produces a circular image of an entire hemispherical field-of-view, can be mathematically corrected using high speed electronic circuitry. More specifically, an incoming fisheye image from any image acquisition source is captured in the memory of the device, a transformation is performed for the viewing region-of-interest and viewing direction, and a corrected image is output as a video image signal for viewing, recording, or analysis. As a result, this system can accomplish the functions of pan, tilt, rotation, and zoom throughout a hemispherical field-of-view without the need for any mechanical mechanisms. A programmable transformation processor provides flexible control over viewing situations. Multiple images, each with different image magnifications and pan-tilt-rotate parameters, can be obtained from a single camera. The image transformation processor can provide corrected images at frame rates compatible with RS-170 standard video equipment. The system can be used for many applications where a conventional mechanical pan-and-tilt orientation mechanism might be considered including inspection, monitoring, surveillance, and target acquisition. Omniview is ideal for multiple target acquisition and image stabilization in military applications due to its multiple image handling and fast response capabilities.