Digital 3D/360 degree camera system

• US 10,218,903 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leonard P. Steuart III
• Original Assignee: Leonard P. Steuart III
• Inventors: Steuart, III, Leonard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Allen C
• Application Number:
  US15/627,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20170285455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 348 36
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/08 by simultaneous recording
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/00 Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/246 Calibration of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

The digital 3D/360° camera system is an omnidirectional stereoscopic device for capturing image data that may be used to create a 3-dimensional model for presenting a 3D image, a 3D movie, or 3D animation. The device uses multiple digital cameras, arranged with overlapping fields of view, to capture image data covering an entire 360° scene. The data collected by one, or several, digital 3D/360° camera systems can be used to create a 3D model of a 360° scene by using triangulation of the image data within the overlapping fields of view.

Claims

1. A method for exporting digital images in a digital camera system comprising a plurality of digital cameras, the method comprising:

storing digital image data and embedded metadata in an electronic file;

generating, based on a calibration process that exposes pixels of the plurality of digital cameras to distinct coordinate points, a pixel vector map, wherein the pixel vector map includes a collection of data that identifies a geometry of each of the plurality digital cameras in the digital camera system;

storing, based on the generated pixel vector map, pixel vector map data in the electronic file, wherein the file includes pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system; and

exporting the file via a communication interface to an external device, wherein the exporting includes delivering the image data and the pixel vector map data for processing, and wherein the exporting is based on a request received by the digital camera system from an external processing system and a determination that no more images are to be captured.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing a new image based on a determination that additional images in a sequence are to be taken.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic file includes a timestamp and identifies the plurality of digital cameras.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system includes at least one of a serial number, name, model, type, or other information describing the digital camera system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image data is used to create a three-dimensional model.

6. The method of claim 1, further including determining a location of each of the plurality of digital cameras, including:

determining a coordinate location of each of the plurality of digital cameras within a coordinate system, and

determining a distance between each of the plurality of digital cameras and based on the coordinate locations.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pixel vector map for each of the plurality of digital cameras includes a definition of the coordinate system in relation to the digital camera.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pixel vector map for at least one of the plurality of digital cameras can be determined from a parameter of the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras or by calibrating the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras with respect to a coordinate system.

9. A digital camera system, comprising:

a camera housing;

a plurality of digital cameras having overlapping fields of view rigidly mounted to the housing; and

a controller in communication with the plurality of digital cameras, the controller configured to;

store digital image data and embedded metadata in an electronic file;

generate, based on a calibration process that exposes pixels of the plurality of digital cameras to distinct coordinate points, a pixel vector map, wherein the pixel vector map includes a collection of data that identifies a geometry of each of the plurality digital cameras in the digital camera system;

store, based on the generated pixel vector map, pixel vector map data in the electronic file, wherein the file includes pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system; and

export the file via a communication interface to an external device, wherein the exporting includes delivering the image data and the pixel vector map data for processing, and wherein the exporting is based on a request received by the digital camera system from an external processing system and a determination that no more images are to be captured.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to capture a new image based on a determination that additional images in a sequence are to be taken.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic file includes a timestamp and identifies the plurality of digital cameras.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system includes at least one of a serial number, name, model, type, or other information describing the digital camera system.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the image data is used to create a three-dimensional model.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine a coordinate location of each of the plurality of digital cameras within a coordinate system, and

determine a distance between of the plurality of digital cameras and based on the coordinate locations.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pixel vector map for each of the plurality of digital cameras includes a definition of the coordinate system in relation to the camera.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the pixel vector map for at least one of the plurality of digital cameras can be determined from a parameter of the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras or by calibrating the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras with respect to a coordinate system.