A new image projection method for panoramic image stitching

We propose a new image projection method in an attempt to reduce the perceptual distortion in panoramic image mosaics. Specifically, we reduce the stretching distortion of some image patches and bending of straight lines. Since the stretching distortion usually occurs when projecting a viewing sphere to the cylindrical image surface in an oblique direction, we propose to use an adjustable cylindrical surface to match the viewing direction with the equator of the cylindrical surface. Also, in order to find the trade-off between the stretching distortion and bending of straight lines, we also adjust the curvature of cylindrical surface according to the object of interest in the image. The warping function from the viewing sphere to the adjustable image surface is derived and the amount of distortion caused by this warping function is also defined. From the measure of distortion, the optimal pose of the cylindrical image plane and its curvature are determined, and the image on the viewing sphere is projected on the optimal plane. The experimental results show that the proposed method produces the panoramic image with less distortion than the existing methods.