Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for creating weight maps capable of indicating how much each pixel in an image should contribute to a blended image. One such map is a view-dependent weight map created by inputting an image that has been characterized as a collection of regions. A 2D perspective transform is computed for each region that is to be part of the weight map. The transforms are used to warp the associated regions to prescribed coordinates to create a warped image. Once the warped image is created, a Jacobian matrix is computed for each pixel. The determinant of each Jacobian matrix is then computed to establish a weight factor for that pixel. The weight map for the inputted image is created using these computed determinants. Another advantageous weight map is a combination weight map. The process for creating type of weight map is identical to the view-dependant map up to the point the warped image has been created. After that, a first weight factor is computed for each pixel of the warped image using a first weight mapping process. At least one additional weight factor is also computed for each pixel using one or more additional weight mapping processes. The weight factors computed for each pixel are then combined to create a combined weight factor and the weight map is formed from these factors. Preferably, one of the weight mapping processes used to create the combination weight map is the aforementioned view-dependent weight mapping process.

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