Multi-lens array system and method
First Claim
1. An image capture system, comprising:
- a plurality of cameras;
a camera mount comprising a curved portion, the curved portion having an inner concave surface, an outer convex surface, and a plurality of apertures, the plurality of cameras being disposed above the outer convex surface; and
a plurality of collars coupled to the plurality of cameras above the camera mount, wherein;
each of the collars includes a sidewall, an inner recessed portion having an inner shoulder extending radially inward, and an outer recessed portion having an outer shoulder extending radially outward;
the outer shoulder of each collar is adjacent to the outer convex surface of the curved portion of the camera mount and the inner shoulder of each collar is adjacent to an objective end of a lens portion of each of the cameras; and
the plurality of collars are secured to the outer convex surface of the curved portion of the camera mount by inserting the outer recessed portion of each collar into corresponding ones of the plurality of the apertures.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An image capture system comprises a plurality of cameras and a camera mount. The camera mount has a curved portion, and the plurality of cameras are secured to the curved portion. The cameras are oriented radially inward relative to the curved portion of the camera mount, such that the lines of sight of the cameras intersect. Images are captured substantially simultaneously with the plurality of cameras. The captured images are stitched together to form a collective image. The image capture system may be positioned in an aerial vehicle to provide overhead views of an environment, and captured images may be transmitted to a remote location for viewing in substantially real time. A remote user may indicate a region of interest within the collective image, and the image capture system may render a portion of the collective image in accordance with the user'"'"'s indications.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An image capture system, comprising:
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a plurality of cameras; a camera mount comprising a curved portion, the curved portion having an inner concave surface, an outer convex surface, and a plurality of apertures, the plurality of cameras being disposed above the outer convex surface; and a plurality of collars coupled to the plurality of cameras above the camera mount, wherein; each of the collars includes a sidewall, an inner recessed portion having an inner shoulder extending radially inward, and an outer recessed portion having an outer shoulder extending radially outward; the outer shoulder of each collar is adjacent to the outer convex surface of the curved portion of the camera mount and the inner shoulder of each collar is adjacent to an objective end of a lens portion of each of the cameras; and the plurality of collars are secured to the outer convex surface of the curved portion of the camera mount by inserting the outer recessed portion of each collar into corresponding ones of the plurality of the apertures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19)
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12. An image capture system, comprising:
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a camera mount comprising a curved portion, the curved portion having an inner concave surface, an outer concave surface, and a plurality of apertures; a plurality of cameras; a plurality of collars coupled to the plurality of cameras above the camera mount, the plurality of cameras being disposed above the outer concave surface of the camera mount, wherein the cameras comprise; lens assemblies comprising barrels and one or more corresponding lens elements, and sensor portions secured to corresponding ones of the lens assemblies, wherein the sensor portions are operable to capture image data representing views obtained through the lens assemblies, and the sensor portions are separated from the lens assemblies by corresponding displacements; and a processor in communication with the sensor portions, wherein the processor is configured to create a two-dimensional image from image data captured substantially simultaneously with the sensor portions, wherein; at least a portion of views obtained through adjacent lens assemblies overlap; each of the collars includes a sidewall, an inner recessed portion having an inner shoulder extending radially inward, and an outer recessed portion having an outer shoulder extending radially outward; the outer shoulder of each collar is adjacent to the outer convex surface of the curved portion of the camera mount and the inner shoulder of each collar is adjacent to an objective end of a lens portion of each of the cameras; and the plurality of collars are secured to the outer convex surface of the curved portion of the camera mount by inserting the outer recessed portion of each collar into corresponding ones of the plurality of the apertures. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification