SURROUND VIDEO RECORDING

• US 20120307068A1
• Filed: 06/01/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roy Feinson
• Original Assignee: Roy Feinson
• Inventors: Feinson, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 10,778,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/159
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A method and a system are disclosed including multiple Image Acquisition Devices (IAD), such as cameras, simultaneously, consecutively, or independently filming a scene, each IAD having a known position with respect to each of the other IADs. Each image data stream obtained from each IAD may be uniquely identified, by the position of the IAD or by a unique identifier, to allow selective real-time display and/or playback of each individual image data stream under the control of a user. Depending on the position of an IAD, the image data stream collected by the IAD represents a corresponding viewing angle to the user. Thus, the user may dynamically select a different viewing angle for the same scene by selecting a corresponding image stream during real-time viewing and/or playback. In various embodiments, multiple image streams of the same scene may be selected and viewed simultaneously to provide a 3-Dimensional effect or other visual effects.

Claims

1. A surround video system comprising:

a plurality of image acquisition devices (IAD) positioned at predetermined locations with respect to other IADs, each IAD configured to acquire images from a subject scene or different takes of the subject scene to generate a corresponding image stream, each image stream having a unique identifier corresponding to the predetermined location of each IAD, and each image stream configured to be integrated with other image streams to generate a multi-stream video.

2. The surround video system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting matrix configured to hold the IADs.

3. The surround video system of claim 2, wherein the mounting matrix is configured to change shape.

4. The surround video system of claim 2, wherein the mounting matrix comprises recording ports configured to hold the IADs and allow recording through the recording ports.

5. The surround video system of claim 4, wherein the recording ports are spaced sufficiently close to each other to allow smooth transition from one selected image stream to another selected image stream during playback of the multi-stream video.

6. The surround video system of claim 1, further comprising a central recording device.

7. The surround video system of claim 1, further comprising a central controller configured to control an operation of the IADs.

8. The surround video system of claim 7, wherein the central controller is coupled with each IAD via an addressable network.

9. The surround video system of claim 1, wherein the IADs include a video camera, an image sensor, and a fiber optic element.

10. A mounting matrix in a surround video system, the mounting matrix comprising:

a plurality of recording ports; and

a plurality of image acquisition devices (IAD) coupled with the mounting matrix via the plurality of the recording ports, wherein the mounting matrix is configured to generate a recording surface by positioning the plurality of IADs around a subject scene.

11. The mounting matrix of claim 10, further comprising a central recorder.

12. The mounting matrix of claim 10, further comprising a central controller networked with the IADs and configured to control the IADs.

13. The mounting matrix of claim 10, further comprising a movable platform configured to move the mounting matrix during active filming of the subject scene.

14. The mounting matrix of claim 10, further comprising a tension cable configured to change a curvature of the mounting matrix.

15. The mounting matrix of claim 10, wherein the IADs include a video camera, an image sensor, and an optic fiber element.

16. A method of video recording, the method comprising:

using a plurality of image acquisition devices (IAD) positioned at predetermined intervals with respect to each other around a subject scene;

filming the subject scene via the plurality of IADs; and

generating a plurality of image streams, each image stream corresponding to one of the plurality of IADs, wherein each image stream is tagged to be distinguished from other image streams.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising combining the plurality of image streams into one multi-stream video.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising using a flexible mounting matrix to hold and position the plurality of the IADs.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising using a central controller networked to each of the IADs to control each of the IADs.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of IADs are positioned sufficiently close to each other to allow smooth transition from one selected image stream to another selected image stream during playback of the multi-stream video.

21. A method of video recording comprising:

recording a subject scene or multiple recordings of the subject scene from different directions via at least one Image Acquisition Device (IAD); and

generating a plurality of image streams, each image stream corresponding to one of the multiple recordings, wherein each image stream is tagged to be distinguished from other image streams and at least two of the image streams are simultaneously available to a user.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising two or more IADs, wherein each IAD records the subject scene from a different direction and the recorded images are synchronized into a multi-stream video.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein one IAD records different takes of the subject scene from different angles and the recorded images are synchronized into a multi-scene video.