Method and apparatus for a panoramic camera to capture a 360 degree image
US6459451B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/183
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Most camera systems only record an image from a limited viewing angle. A new panoramic camera apparatus is disclosed that instantaneously captures a 360 degree panoramic image. In the camera device, virtually all of the light that converges on a point in space is captured. Specifically, in the camera of the present invention, light striking this point in space is captured if it comes from any direction, 360 degrees around the point and from angles 50 degrees or more above and below the horizon. The panoramic image is recorded as a two dimensional annular image. Furthermore, various different systems for displaying the panoramic images and distributing the panoramic images. Specifically, methods and apparatus for digitally performing a geometric transformation of the two dimensional annular image into rectangular projections such that the panoramic image can be displayed using conventional methods such as printed images and televised images.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.