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US6507358B1
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Multi-lens image pickup apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-29
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Granted: 2003-01-14
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Expires: 2018-05-29
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a multi-lens image pickup apparatus provided with plural image pickup systems and an image display means and adapted to synthesize the plural images picked up respectively with the plural image pickup systems, into one, to store the synthesized image in image memory means and to display the stored image on the image display means. The camera further comprises horizontal compression means for comprising the plural picked-up images in the horizontal directions, selection means for compressing the plural images in the vertical direction by selecting the input of the plural image signals and outputting thus selected image signal to the image display means, and memory control means for storing the compressed plural images in said image memory means in such a manner that the plural images compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions are displayed in an arranged manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhiko Mori
- 👤 Katsumi Iijima
- 👤 Kotaro Yano
- 👤 Sunao Kurahashi
- 👤 Takeo Sakimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/58; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N5/2624; H04N13/00; H04N13/10; H04N13/106; H04N13/139; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/239; H04N13/30; H04N13/302; H04N13/305; H04N13/398; H04N23/60; H04N23/698
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a synthesized image, to store the synthesized image in image memory means, and to display the synthesized image stored in the image memory means on image display means, said apparatus comprising: compression means for electronically compressing, in the horizontal direction, plural images picked-up by the image pickup means; switching means for electronically compressing, in the vertical direction, the plural images horizontally compressed by said compression means, by switching over input among plural image signals corresponding to the plural images horizontally compressed by said compression means; and memory control means for controlling storage of compressed plural images in said image memory means in such a manner that plural images compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions and stored in said image memory means are displayed in a prearranged manner on the display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a synthesized image, to store the synthesized image in image memory means, and to display the synthesized image stored in the image memory means on image display means, said apparatus comprising: compression means for electronically compressing, in the horizontal direction, plural images picked-up by the image pickup means; switching means for electronically compressing, in the vertical direction, the plural images horizontally compressed by said compression means, by switching over input among plural image signals corresponding to the plural images horizontally compressed by said compression means; and memory control means for controlling storage of compressed plural images in said image memory means in such a manner that plural images compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions and stored in said image memory means are displayed in a prearranged manner on the display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: unit image memory means for time-sequentially storing the plural images respectfully picked up by the image pickup means, in a unit for each image; wherein, simultaneously with the storage of the plural images in said unit image memory means, the stored plural images are read from said unit image memory means by said switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image pickup means includes a mirror, and is adapted for a camera comprising image correction means for correcting an image picked up in an inverted state by said mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a synthesized image, and to display the synthesized image on image display means, said apparatus comprising: means for compressing plural images by switching over input among plural image signals corresponding to the plural images for each line so as to thin out the plural image signals and outputting a synthesized image signal, switched for each line, to the image display means; and memory means for storing image signals compressed by said compressing and switching means, wherein stored image signals are synthesized in stripe shapes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a synthesized image, and to display the synthesized image on image display means, said apparatus comprising: means for compressing plural images by switching over input among plural image signals corresponding to the plural images for each line so as to thin out the plural image signals and outputting a synthesized image signal, switched for each line, to the image display means; and memory means for storing image signals compressed by said compressing and switching means, wherein stored image signals are synthesized in stripe shapes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising: unit image memory means for time-sequentially storing the plural images respectively picked up by the image pickup means, in a unit for each image; wherein, simultaneously with the storage of the plural images in said unit image memory means, the stored plural images are read from said unit image memory means by said compressing and switching means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the image pickup means includes a mirror, and is adapted for a camera comprising image correction means for correcting an image picked up in an inverted state by said mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a synthesized image, and to display the synthesized image on image display means, said apparatus comprising: switching means for compressing the plural images by switching over input among plural image signals corresponding to the plural images for each pixel and for each line so as to thin out the plural images, and outputting a synthesized image signal, switched for each pixel and for each line, to the image display means, thereby compressing the plural images in the horizontal and vertical directions; and memory means for storing image signals compressed by said switching means, wherein stored image signals are synthesized in stripe shapes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a synthesized image, and to display the synthesized image on image display means, said apparatus comprising: switching means for compressing the plural images by switching over input among plural image signals corresponding to the plural images for each pixel and for each line so as to thin out the plural images, and outputting a synthesized image signal, switched for each pixel and for each line, to the image display means, thereby compressing the plural images in the horizontal and vertical directions; and memory means for storing image signals compressed by said switching means, wherein stored image signals are synthesized in stripe shapes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising: unit image memory means for time-sequentially storing the plural images respectively picked up by the image pickup means, in a unit for each image; wherein, simultaneously with the storage of the plural images in said unit image memory means, the stored plural images are read from said unit image memory means by said switching means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the image pickup means includes a mirror, and is adapted for a camera comprising image correction means for correcting an image picked up in an inverted state by said mirror.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a first synthesized image, and to display the first synthesized image on image display means capable of displaying a stereoscopic image, said apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying, on the image display means the first synthesized image and a thumbnail image of the first synthesized image, synthesized separately therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a first synthesized image, and to display the first synthesized image on image display means capable of displaying a stereoscopic image, said apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying, on the image display means the first synthesized image and a thumbnail image of the first synthesized image, synthesized separately therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the image display means is a display device enabling observation with both eyes without spectacles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a first synthesized image, and to display the first synthesized images a panoramic image on image display means, said apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying, on the image display means, the first synthesized image and a thumbnail image of the first synthesized panoramic image, synthesized separately therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to synthesize plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means into a first synthesized image, and to display the first synthesized images a panoramic image on image display means, said apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying, on the image display means, the first synthesized image and a thumbnail image of the first synthesized panoramic image, synthesized separately therefrom.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to display plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means on image display means capable of displaying a stereoscopic image, said apparatus comprising: image pickup means for picking up images of plural modes with the image pickup means; and display control means for displaying, on the image display means, a first synthesized image and a thumbnail image produced by processing a stereoscopic image, synthesized separately therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image pickup apparatus adapted to display plural images respectively picked up by image pickup means on image display means capable of displaying a stereoscopic image, said apparatus comprising: image pickup means for picking up images of plural modes with the image pickup means; and display control means for displaying, on the image display means, a first synthesized image and a thumbnail image produced by processing a stereoscopic image, synthesized separately therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the image display means is a display device enabling observation with both eyes without spectacles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the images of plural modes are a single-eyed image, a panoramic image and a stereoscopic image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising; thumbnail image selection means for selecting one of plural thumbnail images displayed on the image display means; and main image display means for displaying a main image of a selected thumbnail image according to the mode of the main image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the image display means is a display device enabling observation with both eyes without spectacles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the images of plural modes are a single-eyed image, a panoramic image and a stereoscopic image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-01-13 | 2006-07-15 | 2007-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | 2011-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-13 | 2014-07-15 | 2015-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |