Array-camera motion picture device, and methods to produce new visual and aural effects

• US 8,964,067 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory J. Conley
• Original Assignee: Gregory J. Conley
• Inventors: Conley, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US13/873,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20130235225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/18 Motion-picture cameras with non-intermittently running film G03B41/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2627 for providing spin image effect, 3D stop motion effect or temporal freeze effect 2D image animation in general G06T13/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 Mixing

Abstract

A system and method for creating special effects comprising capturing an image of an object or objects in motion from each of a plurality of cameras aligned in an array, assembling the images from each camera into a series of images in a manner providing a simulation of motion from a perspective along the array with respect to the object or objects within the images when a series of images is displayed in sequence, wherein certain object or objects appear substantially stationary in time during the simulation of motion.

Claims

1. A method for producing a visual special effect comprising the steps of:

providing an array of cameras deployed along a curvilinear path with each camera focused on a common scene containing a moving object;

controlling time actuation of a series of proximate cameras along said array of cameras so that each camera begins to capture a respective light tunnel image of the common scene at a different point in space from each other;

controlling a time length of exposure of the proximate cameras to allow a controlled amount of light tunneling caused by said moving object to accumulate respective light tunnel images;

capturing a first series of said respective light tunnel images on a plurality of cameras of the array of cameras, from the moving object to form a frozen image effect of the moving object;

actuating a particular one of said cameras to capture a second set of light tunnel images of the moving object over time;

selecting a second series of images from said second set of light tunnel images captured by said particular one camera; and

displaying in a motion picture medium said second series of images one of immediately before or after displaying said frozen image effect;

wherein the frozen image effect comprises stopping the moving object in space, in a series of images while viewing the moving object from various angles along a sequentially changing perspective view along the curvilinear path;

wherein said second series of images is captured over a first time period;

wherein said frozen image effect is captured over a second time period whose beginning adjoins the end of the first time period.

3. The method for producing the visual special effect according to claim 1,

wherein, in said displaying in the motion picture medium, said frozen image effect is displayed first, followed immediately by displaying of said second series of images.

2. A method for producing a visual special effect comprising the steps of:

providing an array of cameras deployed along a curvilinear path with each camera focused on a common scene containing a moving object;

controlling time actuation of a series of proximate cameras along said array of cameras so that each camera begins to capture a respective light tunnel image of the common scene at a different point in space from each other;

controlling a time length of exposure of the proximate cameras to allow a controlled amount of light tunneling caused by said moving object to accumulate respective light tunnel images;

capturing a first series of said respective light tunnel images on a plurality of cameras of the array of cameras, from the moving object to form a frozen image effect of the moving object;

actuating a particular one of said cameras to capture a second set of light tunnel images of the moving object over time;

selecting a second series of images from said second set of light tunnel images captured by said particular one camera; and

displaying in a motion picture medium said second series of images one of immediately before or after displaying said frozen image effect;

wherein the frozen image effect comprises slowing the moving object in space, in a series of images while viewing the moving object from various angles along a sequentially changing perspective view along the curvilinear path;

wherein said first series of images is captured over a first time period;

wherein said frozen image effect is captured over a second time period whose beginning adjoins the end of the first time period;

wherein, during said displaying in the motion picture medium, said second series of images is displayed first, followed immediately by display of said frozen image effect;

wherein said first series of images of said frozen image effect are captured in a manner in which a time period elapses between the start of capture of each successive said respective light tunnel image constituent of said first series of images; and

wherein said time period which elapses is of shorter duration than the time period which transpires between display of successive images during said displaying in said motion picture medium.

4. The method for producing the visual special effect according to claim 2,

wherein said displaying in the motion picture medium, said frozen image effect is displayed first, followed immediately by displaying of said second series of images.

5. A method for producing a visual special effect comprising the steps of:

providing an array of cameras deployed along a curvilinear path with each camera focused on a common scene containing a moving object;

controlling time actuation of a series of proximate cameras along said array of cameras so that each camera begins to capture respective light tunnel images of the common scene at a different point in space from each other;

controlling a time length of exposure of the proximate cameras to allow a controlled amount of light tunneling caused by said moving object to accumulate respective light tunnel images;

capturing a first series said respective light tunnel images on a plurality of cameras of the array of cameras, from the moving object to form a frozen image effect of the moving object;

selecting a second series of said respective light tunnel images captured by a particular one of said cameras; and

displaying in a motion picture medium said second series of said respective light tunnel images immediately before or after displaying said frozen image effect,

wherein the frozen image effect comprises stopping a moving object in space, in a series of images while viewing the moving object from various angles along a sequentially changing perspective view along the curvilinear path;

wherein said second series of images is captured over a first time period;

wherein said frozen image effect is captured over a second time period whose beginning adjoins the end of the first time period;

wherein, during said displaying in the motion picture medium, said second series of images is displayed first, followed immediately by displaying of said frozen image effect.

6. A method for producing a visual special effect comprising the steps of:

providing an array of cameras deployed along a curvilinear path with each camera focused on a common scene containing a moving object;

controlling time actuation of a series of proximate cameras along said array of cameras so that each camera begins to capture respective light tunnel images of the common scene at a different point in space from each other;

controlling a time length of exposure of the proximate cameras to allow a controlled amount of light tunneling caused by said moving object to accumulate respective light tunnel images;

capturing a first series said respective light tunnel images on a plurality of cameras of the array of cameras, from the moving object to form a frozen image effect of the moving object;

selecting a second series of said respective light tunnel images captured by a particular one of said cameras; and

displaying in a motion picture medium said second series of said respective light tunnel images immediately before or after displaying said frozen image effect,

wherein the frozen image effect comprises slowing the moving object in space, in a series of images while viewing the moving object from various angles along a sequentially changing perspective view along the curvilinear path;

wherein said second series of images is captured over a first time period;

wherein said frozen image effect is captured over a second time period whose beginning adjoins the end of the first time period;

wherein, during said displaying in the motion picture medium, said second series of images is displayed first, followed immediately by displaying of said frozen image effect;

wherein said first series of images of said frozen image effect are captured in a manner in which a time period elapses between the start of capture of each successive said respective light tunnel image constituent of said first series of images; and

wherein said time period which elapses is of shorter duration than the time period which transpires between display of successive images during said displaying in said motion picture medium.