Panoramic camera
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for preparing a panoramic image for presentation including:
- a first computer and a second computer in communication using a network, said first computer configured to acquire a digitized annular representation that includes information digitized from an annular representation of a panorama;
a transformation mechanism configured to geometrically transform a portion of said digitized annular representation into a digitized planar representation of said portion;
an image formatting mechanism configured to prepare said digitized planar representation of said portion transformed by the transformation mechanism for presentation; and
a presentation mechanism at said second computer configured to display said digitized planar representation prepared by the image formatting mechanism.
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Abstract
Most camera systems only record an image from a limited viewing angle. A new panoramic camera apparatus is disclosed that instantaneously captures a 360 degree panoramic image. In the camera device, virtually all of the light that converges on a point in space is captured. Specifically, in the camera of the present invention, light striking this point in space is captured if it comes from any direction, 360 degrees around the point and from angles 50 degrees or more above and below the horizon. The panoramic image is recorded as a two dimensional annular image. Furthermore, various different systems for displaying the panoramic images and distributing the panoramic images. Specifically, methods and apparatus for digitally performing a geometric transformation of the two dimensional annular image into rectangular projections such that the panoramic image can be displayed using conventional methods such as printed images and televised images.
163 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system for preparing a panoramic image for presentation including:
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a first computer and a second computer in communication using a network, said first computer configured to acquire a digitized annular representation that includes information digitized from an annular representation of a panorama; a transformation mechanism configured to geometrically transform a portion of said digitized annular representation into a digitized planar representation of said portion; an image formatting mechanism configured to prepare said digitized planar representation of said portion transformed by the transformation mechanism for presentation; and a presentation mechanism at said second computer configured to display said digitized planar representation prepared by the image formatting mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification