US6552744B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Virtual reality camera
Assignee: Hanger Solutions LLC
•
Filing: 1997-09-26
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Granted: 2003-04-22
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Expires: 2017-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for creating and rendering multiple-view images. A camera includes an image sensor to receive images, sampling logic to digitize the images and a processor programmed to combine the images based upon a spatial relationship between the images.
Inventors
- 👤 Shenchang Eric Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/239; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/698; G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/4038; H04N23/50; H04N23/63; H04N23/631; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N5/2628; H04N13/10; H04N13/189; H04N13/30; H04N2013/0074; H04N2013/0088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing; responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of a view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view, and by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing; responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of a view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view, and by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hand-held camera of claim 1 wherein said image processing circuitry determines spatial relationships between the images based on at least one feature in images that at least partially overlap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The hand-held camera of claim 1 wherein said image processing circuitry determines spatial relationships between the images based on cross-correlations of images that at least partially overlap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hand-held camera of claim 1 wherein said image processing circuitry determines spatial relationships between the images based on the orientations of said camera housing during image acquisition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held cameral of claim 4 further comprising a sensor for detecting the orientations of said camera housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hand-held camera of claim 5 wherein said image acquisition circuitry uses orientation information from said sensor to automatically determine fields of view for which to acquire images thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hand-held camera of claim 1 wherein the camera is a video camera and wherein sampling logic digitizes the images at a predetermined rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
198 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; a display mounted on said camera housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said cameral housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; image processing circuitry located within said camera housing for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view, and by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on spatial relationships; at least one user input panel to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image view mode, and to receive a user request to display a spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image on said display; and view control circuitry, located within said camera housing and responsive to the panoramic view mode, to display a spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image on said display, wherein said view control circuitry selects the spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image based upon the user request.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
198 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; a display mounted on said camera housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said cameral housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; image processing circuitry located within said camera housing for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view, and by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on spatial relationships; at least one user input panel to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image view mode, and to receive a user request to display a spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image on said display; and view control circuitry, located within said camera housing and responsive to the panoramic view mode, to display a spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image on said display, wherein said view control circuitry selects the spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image based upon the user request.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hand-held camera of claim 8 wherein said view control circuitry selects the spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image to be displayed on said display based upon an orientation of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held camera of claim 9 further comprising a sensor for detecting the orientation of said camera housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held camera of claim 8 further comprising a sensor for detecting the orientation of said camera housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hand-held camera of claim 8 wherein said user input panel receives user requests to pan about a panoramic image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held camera of claim 12 wherein said user input panel comprises left, right, up and down buttons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held camera of claim 12 further comprising a sensor for detecting the orientation of said camera housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hand-held camera of claim 8 wherein said user input panel receives user requests to zoom in and out of a panoramic image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held camera of claim 15 wherein said user input panel comprises zoom in and zoom out buttons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand-held camera of claim 15 further comprising a sensor for detecting the orientation of said camera housing.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for providing cylindrical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising: determining spatial relationships between the image of fields of view; and mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for providing cylindrical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising: determining spatial relationships between the image of fields of view; and mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said determining is based on at least one feature in images that at least partially overlap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said determining is based on cross-correlations of images that at least partially overlap.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said determining is based on the orientations of the cameral during image acquisitions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising detecting the orientation of said camera housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising automatically determining fields of view for which to acquire images thereof, based on detected orientation information.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for providing cylindrical panoramic images comprising: acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a fields of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising: determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view; and mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on the spatial relationships; selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image view mode; when the panoramic image view mode is selected, receiving a user request to display a spatial region of a cylindrical panoramic image; and displaying the spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for providing cylindrical panoramic images comprising: acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a fields of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising: determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view; and mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on the spatial relationships; selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image view mode; when the panoramic image view mode is selected, receiving a user request to display a spatial region of a cylindrical panoramic image; and displaying the spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising selecting the spatial region of the cylindrical panoramic image to be displayed based upon an orientation of the camera.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising detecting the orientation of said camera housing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
139 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing, responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view, and by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
139 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing, responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view, and by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hand-held camera of claim 27 herein the camera is a video camera and wherein sampling logic digitizes the images at a predetermined rate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
133 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a careen housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing, responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired images of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
133 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a careen housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing, responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired images of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hand-held camera of claim 29 wherein the camera is a video camera and wherein sampling logic digitizes the images at a predetermined rate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
131 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing, responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by napping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
131 words
A hand-held camera comprising: a camera housing; a camera lens mounted on said housing; image acquisition circuitry located within said camera housing for acquiring images of fields of view via said camera lens at various orientations of said camera housing; at least one user input panel for receiving a user request to select a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; and image processing circuitry located within said camera housing, responsive to the panoramic image capture mode selection, for at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, by napping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hand-held camera of claim 31 wherein the camera is a video camera and wherein sampling logic digitizes the images at a predetermined rate.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for providing spherical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising: determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view; and mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for providing spherical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising: determining spatial relationships between the images of fields of view; and mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on the spatial relationships.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing cylindrical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing cylindrical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired images of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a cylindrical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing spherical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired image of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing spherical panoramic images comprising: selecting a panoramic or non-panoramic image capture mode; acquiring images of fields of view at various orientations of a camera; and when the panoramic image capture mode is selected, at least partially combining each successively acquired image of a field of view with previously acquired image of fields of view, on an image by image basis in real time, comprising mapping the images of fields of view onto regions of a spherical surface, based on spatial relationships between the images of fields of view.
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