360-DEGREE PANORAMIC CAMERA SYSTEMS

• US 20150138311A1
• Filed: 11/14/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panavision Federal Systems, LLC (Panavision Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Panavision International LP (Panavision Incorporated)
• Inventors: TOWNDROW, Clive
• Application Number:
  US14/541,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138311A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

360-degree panoramic camera systems include a plurality of modular cameras positioned at angular intervals to capture images around a 360-degree field of view, a camera-housing module configured to at least house the plurality of cameras, an electronic interface coupled to each camera, and an imaging system coupled to the electronic interface. The camera systems utilize technology that processes fixed images or raw video streams at a minimum of 24 frames per second. In so doing, these systems produce a high-resolution, seamless image of objects within the 360-degree field of view. The technology also allows for real-time correction of distortions, spherical projection, stitching, blending, white balance, etc.

Claims

1. A 360-degree panoramic camera system, comprising:

a plurality of camera modules positioned at angular intervals with respect to a central axis to capture images around a 360-degree field of view,

a camera-housing module configured to at least partially house each camera module, and

an imaging system coupled to each camera module.

2. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system comprises one or more image processors that process real-time image data streams at a minimum of 24 frames per second.

3. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system produces a high-resolution and seamless image of objects positioned within the 360-degree field of view.

4. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system is configured to correct image distortion, spherical projection, stitching, blending, and white balance in real-time.

5. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, further comprising an output interface/display electrically coupled to the imaging system.

6. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system is configured to support camera repair without compromising the camera-housing module to environmental effects.

7. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, wherein each camera modules comprises one or more low-resolution sensors.

8. The 360-degree panoramic camera system of claim 1, wherein each camera module comprises one or more high-resolution sensors.