Panoramic digital camera system
First Claim
1. A dynamic, panoramic image processor for recording plural views taken at angular intervals about an axis, comprising a video image recorder disposed to convert optical images selectively directed towards said video image recorder into data in digital form, and a light directing device disposed to move through a predetermined path in repeating cycles and to direct optical images from the environment of said image processor to said said video image recorder such that images are recorded at each one of a predetermined plural number of viewing angles, said light directing device having a prime mover disposed to move said light directing device in said cycles at speeds assuring that images captured at each said viewing angle will be perceived by the unaided eye as continuous and uninterrupted when reproduced at similar frequencies, andwherein said light directing device comprises a motor having rotatable components and a mirror fixed to and rotated by said motor, andwherein only said rotatable components of said motor and said mirror rotate when said panoramic image processor is recording images.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for recording images at a scene in a panoramic manner enabling subsequent reproduction at remote display devices, and particularly enabling selection of a particular viewing angle at each display device without interfering with selection of viewing angles at other display devices. A stationary camera is operated at the scene being recorded, with a rapidly rotating mirror directing optical images successively from a three hundred sixty degree pattern about the axis of the lens of the stationary camera. Rotational speed is selected such that images are captured at frequencies assuring that reproduction of the images will yield continuous, smooth moving images from one selected viewing angle. The optical images are directed into the camera and then rendered into digital form and entered into memory. Shutter speed or rate and timing of data conversion or entry into memory is controlled to assure capture of optical images repeatedly from several predetermined different viewing angles, as recorded at the camera. Data entered into memory is subsequently transmitted for reproduction at a plurality of remotely located display devices such as CRTs. The operator of each CRT can control his or her CRT to display aspects of images, such as selecting one of the viewing angles, zooming, and changing viewing angles, independently of images displayed at other CRTs.
235 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A dynamic, panoramic image processor for recording plural views taken at angular intervals about an axis, comprising a video image recorder disposed to convert optical images selectively directed towards said video image recorder into data in digital form, and a light directing device disposed to move through a predetermined path in repeating cycles and to direct optical images from the environment of said image processor to said said video image recorder such that images are recorded at each one of a predetermined plural number of viewing angles, said light directing device having a prime mover disposed to move said light directing device in said cycles at speeds assuring that images captured at each said viewing angle will be perceived by the unaided eye as continuous and uninterrupted when reproduced at similar frequencies, and
wherein said light directing device comprises a motor having rotatable components and a mirror fixed to and rotated by said motor, and wherein only said rotatable components of said motor and said mirror rotate when said panoramic image processor is recording images.
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8. A dynamic, panoramic image processor for recording plural views taken at angular intervals about an axis, comprising:
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a video image recorder disposed to convert optical images selectively directed towards said video image recorder into data in digital form, and a light directing device disposed to move through a predetermined path in repeating cycles and to direct optical images from the environment of said image processor to said video image recorder such that images are recorded at each one of a predetermined plural number of viewing angles, said light directing device having a prime mover disposed to move said light directing device in said cycles at speeds assuring that images captured at each said viewing angle will be perceived by the unaided eye as continuous and uninterrupted when reproduced at similar frequencies, wherein said light directing device comprises a motor having rotatable components and a mirror fixed to and rotated by said motor, and wherein only said mirror and said rotatable components of said motor rotate when said panoramic image processor is recording images; a data processor having a memory device disposed to receive and store data in digital form from said video image recorder, whereby captured optical images may be stored in said memory device and retrieved for subsequent reproduction and viewing; data distribution apparatus disposed to transmit data stored in said memory device in the form of data signals to remotely located data operated display devices; a plurality of data operated display devices disposed to receive said data signals and generate reproduced optical images corresponding to optical images recorded in digital form in said memory device, each said display device having a control disposed to select data stored in digital form in said memory device for reproduction on said display device.
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9. A method of recording and reproducing dynamic optical images, comprising the steps of:
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operating a video image recorder at a scene to be viewed remotely by reproduction of optical images; directing light towards the video image recorder by a light directing device comprising a mirror and a motor having rotatable components; moving the light directing device in a predetermined path in repeating cycles; directing optical images from the scene into the video image recorder with a light directing device; causing only the mirror and rotatable components of the motor to rotate when recording images; positioning the video image recorder in a fixed position relative to the scene being recorded; and converting images into data in digital form and entering the data into memory. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A dynamic, panoramic image processor for recording plural views taken at angular intervals about an axis, comprising
a video image recorder disposed to convert optical images selectively directed towards said video image recorder into data in digital form; - and
a light directing device disposed to move through a predetermined path in repeating cycles and to direct optical images from the environment of said image processor to said video image recorder such that images are recorded at each one of a predetermined plural number of viewing angles, said light directing device having a prime mover disposed to move said light directing device in said cycles at speeds assuring that images captured at each said viewing angle will be perceived by the unaided eye as continuous and uninterrupted when reproduced at similar frequencies, wherein said light directing device comprises a motor having rotatable components and fixed components, and a mirror fixed to and rotated by said motor, and wherein said mirror is located between said motor and said video image recorder. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification