Composite imaging method and system

Abstract

In a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for forming a group image. In accordance with the method, a set of imaging information is obtained depicting a scene over a period of time. Elements in the set of imaging information are distinguished and attributes of the elements in the set of image information are examined. Imaging information is selected from the set of imaging information depicting each element with the selection being made according to the attributes for that element. A group image is formed based upon the set of imaging information with the archival image incorporating the selected image information.

1 . A method for forming an image, the method comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a set of imaging information depicting a scene over a period of time;    providing a base image based upon the set of image information;    identifying elements in the base image;    ordering portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element;    selecting imaging information from the set of imaging information depicting each element according to the ordering; and,    forming an image based upon the set of imaging information with the image incorporating the selected image information.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a base image comprises automatically selecting an image from the set of image information.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a base image comprises receiving a manual input selecting the base image.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of ordering the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element is based at least in part upon a user input.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of ordering the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element is based at least in part upon user inputs from more than one user.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of ordering the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element comprises comparing the appearance of the imaging information depicting each of the elements to a template over the period of time that the element is depicted in the set of imaging information and ordering the imaging information associated with the element over the set of imaging information based upon the attributes for the element.  
   
   
       7 . A computer program product having data stored thereon for causing an imaging system to perform a method for forming an image, the method comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a set of imaging information depicting a scene over a period of time;    providing a base image based upon the set of image information;    identifying elements in the base image;    ordering the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element;    selecting imaging information from the set of imaging information depicting each element according to the ordering; and,    forming an image based upon the set of imaging information with the image incorporating the selected image information.    
   
   
       8 . An imaging system comprising: 
 a source of a set of image information;    a signal processor adapted to obtain a set of imaging information depicting a scene over a period of time, to provide a base image based upon the set of imaging information to identify elements in the base image, and to order the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element, wherein the processor selects imaging information from the set of imaging information depicting each element according to the ordering; and forms an archival image based upon the set of imaging information with the archival image incorporating the selected image information.    
   
   
       9 . The imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the signal processor automatically selects a base image from the set of image information.  
   
   
       10 . The imaging system of  claim 8 , further comprising a display for presenting the set of imaging information and a user input adapted to receive an input selecting a base image from the set of image information.  
   
   
       11 . The imaging system of  claim 8 , further comprising a user input, wherein the signal processor orders the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element based at least in part upon a user input.  
   
   
       12 . The imaging system of  claim 8 , further comprising a user input, wherein the signal processor orders the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element based at least in part upon inputs from more than one user.  
   
   
       13 . The imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the signal processor orders the portions of the set of imaging information depicting each of the elements according to an attribute of each element by comparing the appearance of the imaging information depicting each of the elements to a template over the period of time that the element is depicted in the set of imaging information and ordering the imaging information associated with the element over the set of imaging information based upon the attributes for the element.