The present invention provides a process for accurately combining
low-resolution and high-resolution video streams into a single seamless
display to a human observer. The present invention also provides a method
for the smooth blending of high- and low-resolution video boundary. In
order to create an effective visual display, it is advantageous that the
boundary between high- and low-resolution video not be overly distracting
and irregular. The present method to reduce distractions from the
quadrilateral boundary between low-and high-resolution video by smoothly
blending the two in an annular region between the two. This results in a
much more visually pleasing, effective display. The present invention
also provides a method for progressively mosaicking high resolution
imagery over a low resolution image captured by our panoramic sensor. The
observer is continuously presented with a low-resolution panoramic image
of a remote scene, and this image is updated with high-resolution imagery
from the high-resolution sensor, at selected locations of interest, as
they are available.