Translating the viewing position in single equirectangular panoramic images

Abstract

Equirectangular panoramas are popular tools for achieving 360 degree immersed viewing experiences. A panorama captures a scene from one point and panoramic viewers allow the user to control the viewing direction, but the viewer is not allowed to move around. This study proposes a strategy for transforming equirectangular panoramic images with the effect of moving freely in three dimensions. The strategy assumes that the panorama is an enclosed space comprising a flat ground and flat vertical walls. A equirectuangular Hough transform is proposed for detecting the boundaries of the respective planes. The panoramic image is then decomposed into the respective planes, the viewing point is translated and a new panoramic image based on the new viewing position is composed. Preliminary proof of concept test shows that the strategy allows free translation within simple panoramic images.