IMAGING SYSTEMS

• US 20120019661A1
• Filed: 10/02/2009
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: YEPP Australia Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: YEPP Australia Pty Limited
• Inventors: Thomson, Peter K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,348,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/08 with water-filled pools
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/06 Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

An imaging system comprising one or more imaging devices wherein each device comprises a lens or lenses which together form an array of lens wherein the array includes two lenses; the two lenses face in opposing directions; the axes of the two lenses are substantially parallel; and the system is adapted to simultaneously capture and record images from the two lenses.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising an array of lenses mounted onto a single body wherein, the array includes two lenses;

the two lenses face in opposing directions;

the axes of the two lens are substantially parallel; and

the device is adapted to simultaneously capture images from the two lenses.

2. An imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the two lenses share the same axis.

3. An imaging device according to claim 1 wherein the single body supports a third lens and a fourth lens the third and fourth lenses face in opposing directions;

the axes of the third and fourth lenses are substantially parallel; and

the device is adapted to simultaneously capture and record images from all four lens.

4. An imaging device according to claim 1 wherein the field of view of each lens in the array does not substantially overlap with the field of view of any other lens in the array.

5. An imaging device according to claim 1 wherein each lens is associated with an image sensor.

6. An imaging device according to claim 5 wherein the image sensors are coupled to an image processor.

7. An imaging device according to claim 6 wherein the device includes means for storing the image data.

8. An imaging device according to claim 7 wherein a wired or wireless interface facilitates transfer of the data.

9. An imaging device according to claim 1 wherein the device includes a display screen and/or a graphical user interface.

10. An imaging device according to claim 9 wherein the device includes a touch and/or scroll interface.

11. An imaging device according to claim 1 wherein the device can simultaneously record images in two different directions.

12. An imaging device according to claim 11 wherein the images are captured from the same point of view.

13. An imaging device according to claim 11 wherein the image processor and imaging sensor are capable of recording images at high frame rates.

14. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke while rowing in a rowing apparatus, comprising an imaging device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the imaging device is fixed to a component of the apparatus that is stationary relative to the apparatus, for recording images of the rower and the rower'"'"'s oar.

15. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke whilst reviewing in a rowing apparatus, comprising an imaging device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the imaging device is fixed to a component of the apparatus that is moving relative to the apparatus for recording images of the rower and the rower'"'"'s oar.

16. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke in accordance with claim 14 wherein the imaging device is fixed substantially at or above a pivot point of the rower'"'"'s oar or in a position at or above a position simulating the location of the pivot point of a rower'"'"'s oar for recording side elevational view images of the rower and the rower'"'"'s oar.

17. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke in accordance with claim 14 wherein at least one imaging device is positioned on the centre line of the apparatus and is used synchronised with the imaging device mounted at or above the pivot point of the rower'"'"'s oar or on point simulating the rower'"'"'s oar.

18. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke in accordance with claim 14 wherein at least one single lens camera is positioned on a centre line of the apparatus and is used synchronised with the imaging device mounted at or above the pivot point of the rower'"'"'s oar or on the point simulating the rower'"'"'s oar.

19. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke in accordance with claim 14, wherein the imaging device is adapted to record both images and data indicative of the time that the images are captured.

20. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke in accordance with claim 24, wherein the imaging device includes means for receiving synchronisation and/or time data wherein the received data is used as the basis for synchronisation and recording the time that images are captured.

21. A system for capturing images of a rower'"'"'s stroke in accordance with claim 25, wherein the system comprises several imaging devices and a clock wherein time data is transmitted from the clock by wires or wirelessly to the imaging devices and used as the basis for recording the time that images are captured.