Methods and apparatuses for capturing and viewing content through a multi-lens device

• US 20050001898A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yasutomi, Hiroshi, Endler, Sean Christopher, Proehl, Andy
• Granted Patent: US 7,480,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/53 of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence

Abstract

In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses simultaneously display a first content stream and a second content stream within a spherical display; receive instructions to change a partition between a first area for displaying the first content stream and a second area for displaying the second content stream; and dynamically partition the first area and the second area based on the instructions, wherein the first area and the second area are within the spherical display.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

simultaneously displaying a first content stream and a second content stream within a spherical display;

receiving instructions to change a partition between a first area for displaying the first content stream and a second area for displaying the second content stream; and

dynamically partitioning the first area and the second area based on the instructions, wherein the first area and the second area are within the spherical display.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising storing the first content stream and the second content stream in a storage device.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing the first content stream with a content capturing device.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the content capturing device is a video camera.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein the content capturing device is a digital camera.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising simultaneously capturing the first content stream and the second content stream.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the instructions are based on rotating a playback ring to adjust the partition.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the spherical display includes a flat display surface and a spherical display surface.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first content stream is video footage.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first content stream is a digital image.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first content stream is audio data.

12. A system comprising:

means for simultaneously displaying a first content stream and a second content stream within a spherical display;

means for receiving instructions to change a partition between a first area for displaying the first content stream and a second area for displaying the second content stream; and

means for dynamically partitioning the first area and the second area based on the instructions, wherein the first area and the second area are within the spherical display.

13. A method comprising:

receiving a first content stream and a second content stream;

projecting the first content stream onto a first area;

projecting the second content stream onto a second area; and

dynamically intersecting the first content stream onto the second content stream wherein a portion of the first area and the second area are shared.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising simultaneously capturing the first content stream and the second content stream.

15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising transmitting the first content stream and the second content stream in real time.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the first content stream is video footage.

17. The method according to claim 13 wherein the first content stream is captured by a video camera.

18. A method comprising:

simultaneously capturing a first content stream and a second content stream;

simultaneously displaying the first content stream and the second content stream within a spherical display; and

dynamically partitioning a first area for displaying the first content stream and a second area for displaying the second content stream,

wherein the first area and the second area are within the spherical display.

22. The device according to claim 18 wherein the spherical display further comprises a flat display surface and a spherical display surface.

23. The device according to claim 18 further comprising a sensor to detect a gravitational force.

19. A device, comprising:

a spherical display for simultaneously displaying a first content stream within a first area and a second content stream within a second area;

a playback ring for controlling the spherical display and adjusting space occupied by the first area and the second area;

a storage module to store the first content stream and the second content stream; and

an interface module for receiving the first content stream and the second content stream.

20. The device according to claim 19 further comprising a first capture device to capture the first content stream.

21. The device according to claim 19 wherein the first content stream and the second content stream are captured at a common time.

24. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

receiving a first content stream and a second content stream;

projecting the first content stream onto a first area;

projecting the second content stream onto a second area; and

dynamically intersecting the first content stream onto the second content stream wherein a portion of the first area and the second area are shared.