An image processing tool for cropping and enhancing images

An educational system called GeoSim is being developed at Virginia Tech; its purpose is to simulate processes related to several geographical subjects. The software consists of six different modules; one of these modules is designed to simulate a field trip for orienteering and position finding. This module uses a database of captured images to pan and zoom from one location to another. However, the original images have overlapping areas which does not allow simulating a continuous panoramic view. To fix this problem a cropping tool was designed and implemented with Intel DVI ActionMedia boards to support the orienteering module of project GeoSim. The tool allows cropping of overlapped areas in the images. In addition, the tool allows the user to minimize differences in intensity and colors between neighboring images. The cropping, color, and intensity values obtained from manipulating images are saved in an ASCII file where they can be read and used in the orienteering module. The images used are captured and stored on the hard disk from a videodisc, with 512x480 resolution and 16 bits per pixel DVI compressed format.