Method and apparatus for image acquisition from a plurality of cameras
First Claim
1. An apparatus for acquiring images at selected resolutions using multiple cameras that includes:
- a) at least one source of light, an image receptor, an image integrator, and a central processing unit;
b) the image receptor including a camera mounting panel, the camera mounting panel including integral electronic components and circuitry for providing any of a plurality of cameras mounted thereon and thereto with direct communication with the image integrator, each camera having a geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being arrayed for providing at least one of the cameras with adjacent cameras along all edges of its geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being further arrayed for providing an overlapping of the geometrical viewing area of the at least one camera with the viewing area any camera adjacent thereto absent any voids;
c) the image integrator and the central processing unit further providing circuitry and software for matching the level of input from each camera;
d) a calibrating means arrayed for aligning the sub-pixel level of each camera and compensating for differences in gray scale level of each camera; and
wherein the central processing unit simultaneously distinguishing between images from the viewing area of each camera and subsequently integrates the image into a continuous seamless form.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image acquisition system that uses multiple cameras or image sensors in a redundant camera array. The cameras or sensors are arrayed in rows and columns so that a viewing area of each camera overlaps a viewing area of an adjacent camera. At least one camera is positioned in the array so that all edges of its viewing area abuts the viewing area of an adjacent camera. The image is displayed or stored in seamless and continuous form in high resolution. The system may also be used in low light conditions for image acquisition. Multiple cameras or sensors may be arrayed on modular panels that mates with and adjacent modular panel. The system is adaptable to image acquisition for X-rays, scanning, photocopying, security systems and the like.
236 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for acquiring images at selected resolutions using multiple cameras that includes:
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a) at least one source of light, an image receptor, an image integrator, and a central processing unit; b) the image receptor including a camera mounting panel, the camera mounting panel including integral electronic components and circuitry for providing any of a plurality of cameras mounted thereon and thereto with direct communication with the image integrator, each camera having a geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being arrayed for providing at least one of the cameras with adjacent cameras along all edges of its geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being further arrayed for providing an overlapping of the geometrical viewing area of the at least one camera with the viewing area any camera adjacent thereto absent any voids; c) the image integrator and the central processing unit further providing circuitry and software for matching the level of input from each camera; d) a calibrating means arrayed for aligning the sub-pixel level of each camera and compensating for differences in gray scale level of each camera; and wherein the central processing unit simultaneously distinguishing between images from the viewing area of each camera and subsequently integrates the image into a continuous seamless form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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4. An apparatus for acquiring images at selected resolutions using multiple cameras that includes:
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a) at least one source of light, an image receptor, an image integrator, and a central processing unit; b) the image receptor including a camera mounting panel, the camera mounting panel including integral electronic components and circuitry for providing any of a plurality of cameras mounted thereon and thereto with direct communication with the image integrator, each camera having a geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being arrayed for providing at least one of the cameras with adjacent cameras along all edges of its geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being further arrayed for providing an overlapping of the geometrical viewing area of the at least one camera with the viewing area any camera adjacent thereto absent any voids the camera panel further includes a partition means that is selectively arrayed between at least one lens and its associated camera for limiting the unwanted scattering of light from an adjacent lens; c) the image integrator and the central processing unit further providing circuitry and software for matching the level of input from each camera; and wherein the central processing unit simultaneously distinguishing between images from the viewing area of each camera and subsequently integrates the image into a continuous seamless form.
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5. An apparatus for acquiring images at selected resolutions using multiple cameras that includes:
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a) at least one source of light, an image receptor, an image integrator, and a central processing unit; b) the image receptor including a camera mounting panel, the camera mounting panel including integral electronic components and circuitry for providing any of a plurality of cameras mounted thereon and thereto with direct communication with the image integrator, each camera having a geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being arrayed for providing at least one of the cameras with adjacent cameras along all edges of its geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being further arrayed for providing an overlapping of the geometrical viewing area of the at least one camera with the viewing area any camera adjacent thereto absent any voids; c) the image integrator and the central processing unit further providing circuitry and software for matching the level of input from each camera; and wherein the central processing unit simultaneously distinguishing between images from the viewing area of each camera and subsequently integrates the image into a continuous seamless form and the image receptor, the image integrator and the central processing unit are integrally mounted on at least one image receptor PC board, and each image receptor PC board is adapted for allowing a wireless communication between it and at least one peripheral. - View Dependent Claims (9, 14, 18)
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6. An apparatus for acquiring images at selected resolutions using multiple cameras that includes:
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a) at least one source of light, an image receptor, an image integrator, and a central processing unit; b) each light source being arrayed for emitting X-rays; c) the image receptor including a camera mounting panel, the camera mounting panel including integral electronic components and circuitry for providing any of a plurality of cameras mounted thereon and thereto with direct communication with the image integrator, each camera having a geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being arrayed for providing at least one of the cameras with adjacent cameras along all edges of its geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being further arrayed for providing an overlapping of the geometrical viewing area of the at least one camera with the viewing area any camera adjacent thereto absent any voids, said image receptor further including a first panel being positioned between said camera mounting panel and each light source, said first panel having phosphorescent properties for converting the X-rays to light rays, a selected surface of said first panel having at least one light directing means for limiting the scattering of the light rays passing therethrough towards the cameras; d) the image integrator and the central processing unit further providing circuitry and software for matching the level of input from each camera; and wherein the central processing unit simultaneously distinguishing between images from the viewing area of each camera and subsequently integrates the image into a continuous seamless form. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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7. An apparatus for acquiring images at selected resolutions using multiple cameras that includes:
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a) at least one source of light, an image receptor, an image integrator, and a central processing unit; b) the image receptor including a camera mounting panel, the camera mounting panel including integral electronic components and circuitry for providing any of a plurality of cameras mounted thereon and thereto with direct communication with the image integrator, each camera being of a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor type and having a geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being arrayed for providing at least one of the cameras with adjacent cameras along all edges of its geometrical viewing area, the camera panel being further arrayed for providing an overlapping of the geometrical viewing area of the at least one camera with the viewing area any camera adjacent thereto absent any voids; c) the image integrator and the central processing unit further providing circuitry and software for matching the level of input from each camera; and wherein the central processing unit simultaneously distinguishing between images from the viewing area of each camera and subsequently integrates the image into a continuous seamless form. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification