Systems and methods for producing visual representations of objects

• US 9,123,172 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Durst Digital Print Corporation
• Original Assignee: Steven Sebring
• Inventors: Sebring, Steven, Fernekes, Leo
• Primary Examiner(s): Seth, Manav
• Application Number:
  US14/449,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20140341484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/20 Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/205 Image-based rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/08 involving all processing steps from image acquisition to 3D model generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/21 involving computational photography
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/292 Multi-camera tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A system for producing a visual representation of an object includes a structure for at least partially circumscribing the object, a plurality of still cameras mounted in fixed relation to each other, and at least one computer processor. The one or more computer processors trigger the plurality of still cameras to capture a plurality of still images of the object, create the visual representation of the object by, at least in part, arranging at least some of the plurality of still images in an order, and transmit a digital file that includes the visual representation of the object to a storage medium accessible by a user device. The visual representation of the object is user manipulable to permit presenting the visual representation in more than one way.

Claims

1. A system for producing a visual representation of an object, the system comprising:

a structure for at least partially circumscribing the object;

a plurality of still cameras mounted in fixed relation to each other;

a plurality of trigger modules, connected in a daisy chain, for triggering the plurality of still cameras, each one of the plurality of trigger modules associated with a single camera and each camera associated with a single one of the plurality of trigger modules;

at least one computer processor for;

i) issuing at least one signal to control the plurality of trigger modules to trigger the plurality of still cameras and thereby capture a plurality of still images of the object;

ii) creating the visual representation of the object by, at least in part, arranging at least some of the plurality of still images in an order; and

iii) transmitting a digital file comprising the visual representation of the object to a storage medium accessible by a user device, the visual representation of the object being user-manipulable to permit presenting the visual representation in more than one way; and

an additional trigger module, unassociated with a camera and connected to a first one of the plurality of trigger modules at one end of the daisy chain, for acting as a trigger input by receiving the at least one signal from the computer processor and passing the at least one signal to the first one of the plurality of trigger modules.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second additional trigger module, unassociated with a camera, for interfacing with a photography prop.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual representation of the object is user-manipulable through touch input.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is configured to trigger the cameras substantially simultaneously.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is configured to introduce a trigger delay between the triggering of each camera.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the cameras comprise a sequential order and further wherein the computer processor is configured to arrange the images captured by the cameras in the sequential order.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises an individual.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the visual representation of the object comprises a personal avatar of the individual.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one feature in the visual representation of the individual is user-manipulable through a color palette.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one article of clothing or fashion accessory in the visual representation of the individual is changeable.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a mobile computing device selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, and a smartphone.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of an article of clothing, a fashion accessory, a cosmetic product, and a work of art.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure forms an entry path.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the structure comprises a spiral wall.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cameras are arranged along a portion of the spiral wall.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a dome.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the cameras are coupled in proximity to the structure and are arranged in an arcuate pattern.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable support for supporting the object.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the adjustable support is selected from the group consisting of an adjustable seat, an adjustable table, and an adjustable platform.

20. A method for producing a visual representation of an object, the method comprising the steps of:

aiming a plurality of still cameras at the object;

issuing at least one signal from a computer processor to control a plurality of trigger modules connected in a daisy chain, each one of the plurality of trigger modules associated with a single camera and each camera associated with a single one of the plurality of trigger modules;

receiving the at least one signal from the computer processor at an additional trigger module unassociated with a camera and connected to a first one of the plurality of trigger modules at one end of the daisy chain;

passing the at least one signal from the additional trigger module to the first one of the plurality of trigger modules, the at least one signal controlling the plurality of trigger modules to trigger the plurality of still cameras and thereby capture a plurality of still images of the object;

creating the visual representation of the object by, at least in part, arranging at least some of the plurality of still images in an order; and

transmitting a digital file comprising the visual representation of the object to a storage medium accessible by a user device, the visual representation of the object being user-manipulable to permit presenting the visual representation in more than one way.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the visual representation of the object is user-manipulable through touch input.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the cameras are triggered substantially simultaneously.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising introducing a trigger delay between the triggering of each camera.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the cameras comprise a sequential order and further wherein the images captured by the cameras are arranged in the sequential order.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the object comprises an individual.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the visual representation of the object comprises a personal avatar of the individual.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one feature in the visual representation of the individual is user-manipulable through a color palette.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one article of clothing or fashion accessory in the visual representation of the individual is changeable.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the user device comprises a mobile computing device selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, and a smartphone.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of an article of clothing, a fashion accessory, a cosmetic product, and a work of art.