System for digitally capturing and recording panoramic movies
US6323858A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N9/8233
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a very flexible, digital system for capturing and storing panoramic images using progressive scan (that is, non interlaced) technology. The system includes a digital image input device and an associated control computer. Since the image capture device is digital it can be easily and flexibly controlled by software in the control computer. The image input device has six lenses positioned on the six faces of a cube. While the image input system can have other lens configurations, the use of six lenses in a cubic configuration is optimal for a system that is used to capture a spherical panorama. The six lenses simultaneously focuses different images on six CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices). The image input device also includes an embedded controller, and data compression circuitry. The embedded controller controls the exposure time of the CCDs (i.e. the effective aperture and effective shutter speed) and reads image data from the CCDs. The image data read from the CCDs is compressed, multiplexed, and sent to the control computer. The control computer stores the images in frames, each of which have one image from each of the six lenses. Each frame includes si…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.