Spherical television system

• US 9,332,248 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2014
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harlan Sandidge
• Original Assignee: Harlan Sandidge
• Inventors: Sandidge, Harlan
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US14/257,522
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 348 36- 41, 348/840
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/30 Image reproducers optical systems for producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects G02B30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/388 Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/001 Constructional or mechanical details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A spherical television system for displaying imagery on a sphere. The spherical television includes layered displays or a rotating disc display along with a coordinate system to allow the spherical television system to measure ambient light through light tubes and playback spherical imagery.

Claims

1. A spherical television system, comprising:

a spherical shaped display, comprising;

a plurality of display elements arrayed across a first spherical layer;

a plurality of display elements arrayed across a second spherical layer; and

a plurality of display elements arrayed across a third spherical layer; and

a base for supporting the display.

2. The spherical television system according to claim 1, the display comprising:

a plurality of display elements;

wherein the plurality of display elements are arranged in a series of vertical sections around the display.

3. The spherical television system according to claim 2, wherein the series of vertical sections are arranged in layers;

and

wherein the layers are translucent.

4. The spherical television system according to claim 1, the display comprising:

a disk having a linear series of display elements;

wherein the disk rotates about two axes.

5. The spherical television system according to claim 1, the display comprising:

a plurality of light tubes groups arrayed around the display; and

a display element located with each light tube group;

wherein the light tube groups are for measuring light.

6. The spherical television system according to claim 5, the plurality of light tube groups comprise:

a red light tube;

a green light tube; and

a blue light tube.

7. The spherical television system according to claim 5, the plurality of light tube groups further comprise:

a laser pointed outwardly for measuring distance from a surface of the display.

8. The spherical television system according to claim 1, the display comprising:

an array of hexagon shaped display elements.

9. The spherical television system according to claim 8, further comprising:

an array of cameras facing outward.

10. The spherical television system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a scanning system, having;

a first imaging sensor;

a second imaging sensor; and

a third imaging sensor;

wherein the first imaging sensor and the second imaging system are located at similar heights; and

wherein the third imaging sensor is located above the first and second imaging sensor;

wherein light measured from the imaging sensors is displayed on the display; and

wherein the scanning system is located external to the spherical display.

11. The spherical television system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of light sensors for measuring light, the light sensors pointed outwardly from a surface of the display;

wherein the display reproduces the measured light from the light sensors.

12. The spherical television system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a polarizing filter located on a surface of the display.

13. The spherical television system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a spherical shaped recorder;

wherein the recorder produces content for the display.