Systems and methods for producing visual representations of objects

• US 9,473,707 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2015
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Durst Digital Print Corporation
• Original Assignee: Durst Sebring Revolution, LLC
• Inventors: Sebring, Steven, Fernekes, Leo
• Primary Examiner(s): Seth, Manav
• Application Number:
  US14/837,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20150365606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 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, configured to self-assign sequential hardware addresses, for triggering the plurality of still cameras;

at least one computer processor for;

i) controlling 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) causing a digital file comprising the visual representation of the object to be stored on 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

at least one user input/output module, in proximity to the structure and in communication with the at least one computer processor, usable by a user to direct application of different looks to the visual representation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cameras are aimable at a common region.

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 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.

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

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one user input/output module is usable by the user to provide access to the digital file using e-mail.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one user input/output module comprises a touch screen.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure is modular.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure defines an entry permitting access to an interior of the structure.

21. The system of claim 9, wherein the cameras are arranged in a ring.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user instructional interface.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein each trigger module is associated with a single camera and each camera is associated with a single trigger module.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein each trigger module comprises at least one serial communication line for communicating serial command data signals.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein each trigger module comprises at least one communication line for communicating a hardware signal that triggers a camera.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of trigger modules are further configured to validate a status of all signal interconnections therebetween.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer processor is configured, in controlling the plurality of trigger modules, to issue a command selected from the group consisting of a command indicating a direction in which signals are to propagate through the plurality of trigger modules, a command to set a mode of at least one trigger module, and a command to set a delay timer of at least one trigger module.

10. A method for producing a visual representation of an object circumscribed at least partially by a structure, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting, by at least one user input/output module in proximity to the structure, a direction from a user to apply a particular look to the visual representation;

controlling a plurality of trigger modules, configured to self-assign sequential hardware addresses, to trigger a plurality of still cameras aimed at the object 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

causing a digital file comprising the visual representation of the object to be stored on 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.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the visual representation of the object is user-manipulable through touch input.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the cameras are triggered substantially simultaneously.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising introducing a trigger delay between the triggering of each camera.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the cameras comprise a sequential order and further wherein the images captured by the cameras are arranged in the sequential order.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the object comprises an individual.

16. The method of claim 10, 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.

23. The method of claim 10 further comprising accepting, at the at least one user input/output module, a direction by the user to provide access to the digital file using e-mail.

24. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one user input/output module comprises a touch screen.

25. The method of claim 10 further comprising instructing the user using a user instructional interface.