WO1998027457A1 - Procede et mecanisme pour alignement automatique d'une saisie photographique d'images en opposition - Google Patents

Procede et mecanisme pour alignement automatique d'une saisie photographique d'images en opposition Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998027457A1
WO1998027457A1 PCT/US1997/023380 US9723380W WO9827457A1 WO 1998027457 A1 WO1998027457 A1 WO 1998027457A1 US 9723380 W US9723380 W US 9723380W WO 9827457 A1 WO9827457 A1 WO 9827457A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lens
axis
rotation
images
lens mount
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/023380
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daniel P. Kuban
Sean M. Kitzmiller
Original Assignee
Interactive Pictures Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Interactive Pictures Corporation filed Critical Interactive Pictures Corporation
Priority to AU57073/98A priority Critical patent/AU5707398A/en
Publication of WO1998027457A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998027457A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B37/00—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
    • G03B37/02—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe with scanning movement of lens or cameras

Definitions

  • the technical field of the invention generally relates to supporting structures for image capturing devices. More specifically, the field of the invention relates to a supporting device that aligns an image capturing device so that captured images can be easily processed to form spherical images.
  • Panoramic images provide some feeling of being
  • Zimmermann discloses a system and method for navigating about a spherically distorted image where the user's inputs control the displayed portion of the screen.
  • Another difficulty of capturing large field-of-view images is the potential for misalignment of a camera as it is moved from a first image capturing position to a second image capturing position.
  • the possible alignment error grows with each movement of a misaligned camera. The resulting images then require additional manual correlation to compensate for any misalignment of the camera.
  • Yet another difficulty is providing a supporting structure which allows quick and easy capturing of an image.
  • Another difficulty is providing a portable support for a camera where the support does not require numerous adjustments to capture panoramic or spherical images.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide enhanced contact devices for contacting the ground. Another object of the invention is to stablely support at least a camera's lens. Another object of the invention is to eliminate the requirement for leveling devices in capturing wide field-of-view images.
  • Another object of the invention is to eliminate the lack of alignment of captured images.
  • Another object of the invention is to reduce the mismatch between the edges of captured images so that minimal manual or computer manipulation is required to align and match the edges of the images to form a larger image.
  • a lens supporting structure which aligns a camera's lens so captured images are properly aligned for future seaming together to form a spherical image.
  • Embodiments of the present invention include a lens mount supporting a lens attached to a camera.
  • Embodiments of the present invention also contemplate the lens mount taking on a variety of forms. For a simplicity, the lens mount is described as a ring and associated elements. Additional configurations of the lens mount include a supporting platform and equivalents thereof.
  • the lens mount attaches to a rotating sleeve which rotates about a central bore.
  • the central bore attaches to a base which is supported by a static supporting structure.
  • the supporting structure is a tripod.
  • the supporting structure is a monopod.
  • the supporting structure is a combination of a monopod and tripod.
  • the axis of rotation of the lens mount coincides with a plane of an objective lens of the lens where the plane signifies a large field-of-view of the lens.
  • the plane signifies an approximate 180 degree field-of-view of the lens.
  • the plane signifies a field-of-view greater than 180 degrees.
  • the axis of rotation of the lens mount is preferably co-linear with the axis of rotation of the lens.
  • any directional representation could have easily been shown and used, for example, by directing a camera up and down, or in other directions so long as an entire spherical image is obtained, preferably by capturing only two hemispherical or 180 degree images and combining them.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the lens mount assembly as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 2 A and 2B show images captured and combined using embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 3A through 3C show a lens and camera body as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention and the associated fields-of-view.
  • Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C show a lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 5 A and 5B show an outer sleeve as contemplated by the embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 6A and 6B show a central bore assembly as contemplated by the embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 shows a combination of a lens mount, an outer sleeve, and a central bore in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 8A and 8B show views of the top of the central bore assembly as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 9 shows the lens mount with a securing device as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 shows another lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 shows yet another lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C show different supports for the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 13 shows a monopod with a pivoting base as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 14A and 14B show a detailed view of the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 15 shows mounting devices for the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figures 16A through 16D show alignment tabs and alignment hairs as contemplated by the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lens stabilizing system 100 as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • System 100 includes lens mount 101 securely mounting camera lens 102 which is in turn mounted to camera body 103.
  • Embodiments of the present invention contemplate camera 103 as a still camera taking chemical or digital pictures, or a video camera capturing video images.
  • lens 102 is a wide angle lens.
  • Embodiments of the present invention contemplate lens 102 including the lens types of: wide angle, fish-eye, hemispherical and greater that hemispherical types of lenses.
  • Lens mount 101 attaches to outer sleeve 105.
  • Outer sleeve 105 rests on central bore assembly 106. Between outer sleeve 105 and central bore assembly 106 is pivoting means
  • Pivoting means 104 allows outer sleeve 105 to rotate about central bore assembly 106.
  • Embodiments of the present invention contemplate the pivoting means including a low friction layer between the contacting surfaces of sleeve 105 and central bore assembly 106. This low friction layer preferably includes at least one Teflon TM (or equivalent) disk.
  • Alternative embodiments of the pivoting means 104 include bearings, a fluid-filed enclosure, and/or coated surfaces.
  • Central bore 106 attaches to stable mount 107. By rotating sleeve 105 about central bore assembly 106, camera 103 and lens 102 rotate as well.
  • the lens mount 101, sleeve 105, bore assembly 106 and stable mount 107 are made of aluminum and/or anodized aluminum.
  • the lens 102 points in a direction opposite from its initial pointing direction.
  • Positioning devices (not shown in Figure 1 for clarity) maintain lens 102 in a first position and in a second, opposite position, where the first and second positions differ by 180 degrees.
  • a user wishing to capture two oppositely directed images photographs a first image with the camera 103 in a first position, rotates sleeve 105 until the camera 103 is oriented in a second position, which is 180 degrees apart from the first position, and photographs a second image. Examples of these images are shown in Figures 2 A and 2B.
  • Figure 2 A shows image 1 501, taken when camera 103 is facing a first direction
  • edges 503 and 504 are the edges of 120 degree fields-of-view. If the field-of-view of lens 102 is 180 degrees, then the edges 503 and 504 are the edges of 180 degree fields-of-view. If the field-of-view of lens 102 is 220 degrees, then the edges 503 and 504 are the edges of 220 degree fields-of- view.
  • images 1 501 and 2 502 are seamed together to form spherical image 505. Aiding the seaming process is the reduction of duplicative information stored in the two images 1 501 and 2 502. Accordingly, through use of the present invention, the embodiments allow a user to capture oppositely directed images with minimum overlap between the two images. The minimum overlap allows for easier joining the two images together. The joining process is discussed in greater detail in co-pending U.S. Serial No. 08/516,629, expressly incorporated herein by reference for any necessary disclosure.
  • the embodiments of the present invention additionally contemplate the taking of three or more images (for example, three or four) each with a different orientation so as to increase the amount of information available for the seaming process.
  • This additional information while at least partially redundant, enables the seaming process discussed above to choose the best portions of images for seaming into the formed image 505.
  • Images 501 and 502 are subject to misaligning movements in three dimensions as shown by arrows 506, 507, and 508.
  • Arrow 506 shows positive and negative movement in the plane formed by the X-Y axes.
  • Arrow 507 shows positive and negative movement in the plane formed by the Y-Z axes.
  • Arrow 508 show positive and negative movement in the plane formed by the X-Z axes.
  • a first path of misalignment is through deflection of the lens mount 101 due to the weight of lens 102 and camera 103.
  • the strain on the system 100 due to gravity is rotational movement of lens 102 and camera 103 in a downward direction. Referring to Figure 2B, this rotation is shown as rotation in the Y-Z plane (arrow 507).
  • a second path of misalignment is through rotation of less than or greater than 180 degrees of sleeve 105. In this example, this misalignment is shown as rotation in the X-Y plane (arrow 506).
  • a third path of misalignment is the rotation of lens 102 about an axis through the length of lens 102 (as shown as axis 22 in Figure 3 A). This misalignment is shown as rotation in the X-Z plane (arrow 506).
  • Another possible source for errors includes backlash between fixed structures. For example, if there is play in the mechanism locking lens 102 to camera body 103, this play may result in rotational misalignment in the X-Z plane. Also, the plane of the film in camera body 103 needs to be perpendicular to the light illuminating it, otherwise additional errors may result. Further, the film needs to be rotationally aligned to the axis of rotation of the lens to prevent the rotational offset as shown by arrow 508 above.
  • a further source of misalignment is transitional misalignment of the lens (e.g., where the axis of rotation of the lens is parallel to the axis of rotation of the lens mount, so that the captured images are linearly offset).
  • the materials used to construct system 100 are of a sufficient stiffness so as to eliminate (or at least significantly minimize) the misalignments mentioned above.
  • Embodiments of the present invention contemplate the use of aluminum, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, chrome-vanadium-steel, and the like.
  • camera 103 is preferably of the quality as ensuring the film is perpendicular to the light illuminating it and precise enough so as to allow the consistent transport of the film to keep the plane of the film rotationally aligned with the axis of rotation 13 of the lens.
  • Figure 3 A shows one image capturing apparatus 10. It includes a camera 15 connected to a lens 16.
  • Lens 16 includes objective lens 12, attached to lens 16 by attachment structure 11.
  • One embodiment of attachment structure 11 includes external threads, allowing lens 16 to be attached to lens mount 101 of Figure 1.
  • Line 13 indicates the optical periphery of objective lens 12.
  • the optical periphery of a lens relates to the outside edge of a captured image. An example may be seen in edges 503 and 504 of Figures 2A and 2B.
  • line 13 represents the plane of lens 16 which has a 180 degree field-of-view.
  • line 13 is preferably located between the 180 degree field-of-view plane and optical periphery of the lens so as to compensate for a "halo" effect (where the image components at the maximum field-of-view of the captured image are diminished in intensity and/or clarity), described in greater detail below.
  • a lens with a greater that 180 degree field-of-view is that any halo effect resulting from image loss is readily eliminated.
  • Seam (or edge) filtering is preferably applied automatically to eliminate a "halo" effect caused on the last few degrees at the rim edge of the image. This rim halo causes the outermost portions that are part of the image to be dimmed.
  • the halo effect would primarily be concentrated in the last few degrees of the greater than 180 degree field-of- view of the lens. If the captured image is converted to a digital form or if the image is already in a digital form, then the thickness of this dimming is only a few pixels.
  • the filtering is preferably performed in a radial manner using linear pixel filtering and replication techniques across the radial vector that points from the perimeter of the edge to the center of each of the images.
  • linear pixel filtering techniques that may be used include a median filter (where the two outer pixels are replaced with the most prevalent pixel value in the region) or an average filter (where you average two pixels together and use the average value), other appropriate mathematical relationship or combinations of such relationships.
  • Another method of removing the halo effect includes chopping off the portions of the dimmed portions of the images. This is simplified with greater than 180 degree fields-of-view lenses as the resulting images include overlapping portions. While portions of a first image may be dimmed, the corresponding image information on a second, opposite-facing image will not be so dimmed. Accordingly, one combines the two images without any halo effect, thereby creating a spherical image as described in the related U.S. Applications and Patents.
  • Figure 3B shows fields-of-view 17 and 18 as captured by lens 16 where the axis of rotation 13 of the lens 16 is not co-linear with the axis of rotation 21 of the lens mount 101.
  • the axis of rotation 21 of the lens mount 101 is in front of the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16. This is also shown by axis of rotation 21 being closer to the front of objective lens 12 than axis of rotation 13.
  • the effect of the misalignment as shown in Figure 3B is the overlap 19 of the images captured by lens 16 when facing fields-of-view 17 and 18. In later processing steps, the overlap 19 needs to be removed. Otherwise, a simple combination of the images of fields-of-view 17 and 18 will result in duplicative information around the seam of formed spherical image 505.
  • FIG. 3C A related misalignment is shown in Figure 3C where the axis of rotation 21 ' of the lens mount 101 is placed behind the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16. The location of these two axes is also shown in Figure 3 A.
  • the resulting images capturing of view 17' and 18' do not include image elements found in gap 20. To account for the lost image elements in gap 20, later processing steps need to generate the missing portions to create formed
  • Spot 14 on lens 16 represents the center of gravity of lens 16. It should be noted that when camera body 15 is attached to lens 16, the center of gravity of the combination lens 16 and camera body 15 moves.
  • Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C relate to the lens mount 101.
  • Figure 4 A shows lens mount
  • Lens mount 101 in greater detail as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Lens mount 101 includes outer surface 202 and inner surface 204.
  • Leg 207 supports the lens mounting portion (202, 204, 205) of lens mount 101.
  • Foot 206 is attached to leg 207 for securing lens mount 101 to supporting assembly 105.
  • inner surface 204 includes threads which mate with attachment structure 11 of Figure 3.
  • FIG. 1 In another embodiment, for example, shown in Figure
  • adjustable screws 208 are used to secure lens 16 in lens mount 101.
  • the composition of the screws 208 includes at least one of nylon, aluminum and other metals, plastic, and
  • Figure 4C shows another embodiment of a securing device for securing lens 10 to lens mount 101.
  • Figure 4C shows screw 209 attaching upper and lower portions of lens mount 101.
  • the upper and lower portions of lens mount 101 are spread apart, lens 16 is placed between the two portions, and the upper and lower portions are secured together by screw 209.
  • screw 209 is recessed through recessing slot 211. By recessing screw 209 into the body of lens mount 101, screw 209 is kept out of the field-of-view of lens 16.
  • Alternative embodiments contemplate screw 209 mounted outside of lens mount 101.
  • lips 201 and 205 prevent lens 16 from extending past lens mount 101.
  • line 13 is coplanar with inside edge of lips 201 and 205.
  • lips 201 and 205 jut out from outer surface 202 so that, when lips 201 and 205 position lens 16,
  • line 13 is coplanar with the forward face 212 of outer surface 202. Additional lips can be used so as to support more portions of lens 16.
  • FIGS 5 A and 5B show sleeve 105 in greater detail as sleeve 301.
  • sleeve 301 includes outer shell 303 with recessed cavity 305.
  • Mounting device 314 On the top surface 302 of sleeve 301 is a mounting device 314 for securely holding foot 206 of lens mount 101.
  • Mounting device 314 includes a recessed area 308 which mates with the outer periphery of foot 205.
  • Inside recessed area 308 are holes 306 and pivot hole 307.
  • Pivot hole 307 is preferably located in the center of sleeve 301.
  • sleeve 301 to rotate smoothly about pivot hole 307 eliminates the need for leveling devices when the axis of rotation 21 of lens mount 101 is co-linear with the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16. For example, when a lens is used which captures a wide field-of-view and the supporting sleeve 301 is adequately supported, then the rotation of lens 16 caused by the rotation of sleeve 301 aligns the images captured by the lens 16. Accordingly, the amount of subsequent alignments, that need to be performed in the
  • seaming process described above are minimized. Whether or not the axis of rotation is truly vertical does not disturb the image capturing ability of the lens supporting assembly. Rather, leveling devices are not required as a user may wish to tilt the lens support to feature a subject more prominently in one image rather than another. For example, when a user wishes to capture an image which extends past vertical, a user tilts the lens mounting assembly to capture the desired image.
  • some photographers prefer ensuring that all images captured are vertically parallel. Accordingly, alternate embodiments of the present invention contemplate at least one bubble level 311 acting to align sleeve 301 (and the structure upon which sleeve 301 is mounted) in at least one direction.
  • Level 311 is preferably taken from the group of levels including cylindrical levels and bulls-eye levels.
  • Figure 5B shows a side view of sleeve 301.
  • Sleeve 301 includes knurled surface 313 so as to reduce slippage between sleeve 301 and a user's hand.
  • Outer structure 304 surrounds the lower portion of sleeve 301 so as to keep a user's hand away from the bottom of sleeve 301.
  • Sleeve 301 also contains stopping devices 309 and 310. Stopping devices 309 and 310, used in conjunction with recesses 404 and 405 (described below with respect to Figure 6), allow a user to rotate sleeve 301 to fixed positions, offering at least slight initial inertia to the rotation. Accordingly, the sleeve 301 is quickly and easily positioned in at least two predetermined locations.
  • the stopping devices 309 and 310 preferably contain spheres 314 recessed into cavities 316.
  • the spheres 314 are urged downward by springs 315.
  • Spheres 314 are held into cavities by means known in the art. For example, these means include lips on the opening of cavities 316 or equivalents thereof.
  • Alternative embodiments of the invention contemplate the positions of the stopping devices 309 and 310 and recesses 404 and 405 being reversed such that stopping devices 309 and 310 are located in base 403 and recesses 404 and 405 are contained in sleeve 301. It is noted that alternative detents or stopping devices may be used as known in the art.
  • Figures 6A and 6B show central bore 401 connected to base 403.
  • Sleeve 301 fits over central bore 401 and is supported by bore top 407 and base 403. The upper surface
  • recessed cavity 305 of sleeve 301 contacts bore top 407.
  • a low friction pivoting element 408 is sandwiched between the bore top 407 and the upper surface of recessed cavity 305.
  • the low friction pivoting element 408 is preferably a Teflon TM (or equivalent) disk.
  • Alternative embodiments of the low friction pivoting element 408 include bearings, a fluid-filed enclosure, and/or matching surfaces.
  • embodiments of the present invention contemplate the clearance between the surface of central bore 402 and the inside surface of sleeve 305 being adjusted accordingly.
  • Base 403 Fixedly attached to central bore 401 is base 403.
  • Base 403 includes at least one recess 404 or 405 which engages with stopping devices 309 and 310 as shown in Figure 6A.
  • Figure 6B shows an alternate embodiment of the number of recesses 404', 405' as interacting with stopping devices 309 and 310. Specifically, Figure 6B shows additional recesses 404' and 405' allowing additional rotational positions of sleeve 301 as engaged by stopping devices 309 and 310 at 0-60-120-180-240-300-360 degrees. The number of recesses 404', 405' and stopping devices is adjusted to fit the number of positions required.
  • Figure 7 shows a combination 701 of lens mount 101 with foot 206 securely fastened to sleeve 301, sleeve 301 pivoting on central bore 401, and central bore 401
  • Figure 7 additionally shows screws 702 attaching foot 206 (positioned in recess 308) to sleeve 301 through hole 711 in foot 206 and hole 306 in sleeve 301.
  • Pin 703 acts as a pivot point as it connects sleeve 301 and central bore 401.
  • Hole 710 allows secure attachment of base 403 to a supporting device (discussed in greater detail below).
  • Figures 8 A and 8B show different embodiments of the bottom of foot 206.
  • the periphery 801 of foot 206 is shaped to match the shape of recess 308.
  • Figure 8 A shows foot 206 with an oval periphery 801.
  • Figure 8B shows foot 206 with a rectangular periphery 801'.
  • Figure 9 shows a front view of one embodiment of lens mount 101, sleeve 301, central bore 401, and base 403.
  • This embodiment includes screw 209 securing the upper and lower halves of the lens mount 101 around a lens 16 (not shown for simplicity).
  • the width of lower lip 205 is proportioned so that the field-of-view of the lens consumed by lower lip 205 approaches the field-of-view consumed by the dimensions of sleeve 301.
  • the portion of the image consumed by sleeve 301 and lip 205 is kept to a minimum.
  • FIG. 10 shows lens 16 supported by a combination of supporting structures 904 and 906.
  • Monopod 904 supports lens mount 101.
  • the center axis of monopod 904 coincides with the rotation line 13 of objective lens 12.
  • Tripod 906 supports camera body 15.
  • tripod 906 includes adjustment device 908.
  • Adjustment device 908 increases and decreases the height of camera body 15 so that lens 16 and camera body 15 rotate about line 13 passing through lens 12.
  • monopod 904 terminates at point 905.
  • point 905 comprises a spike made of a hard material as chosen from the group of metals, metal alloys, and high density plastics. The spike allows good contact with soft ground.
  • point 905 terminates with a soft rubber point which allows for good contact on hard surfaces.
  • the soft rubber point and spike are combined as the soft rubber point covers the hard spike so the support can be used on a variety of surfaces
  • FIG 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a rotating support for lens 16.
  • Lens mount 101 attaches to tripod 906. While lens mount 101 supports objective lens 12, arm 1002 supports camera body 15.
  • Rotational device 1001 includes sleeve 301, central bore
  • Rotational device 1001 preferably includes an adjustment device for raising and lowering arm 1002 to compensate for the height of cameral body 15.
  • arm 1002 When the objective lens 12 rotates about line 13, camera body 15 and lens 16, supported by arm
  • Figures 12 A, 12B, and 12C show different supports for the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 12A shows monopod 904' supporting lens mount 101 terminating at point 905.
  • monopod 904' supports lens 16 and camera body 15 (not shown in Figure 12A for
  • FIG 12B shows an alternate embodiment of the base of tripod 906 from the embodiments disclosed in Figures 10 and 11.
  • Tripod 906 includes legs 1202 and leg bases
  • Leg bases 1201 are preferably hard rubber or metal in composition to establish a solid contact with the ground.
  • An alternative embodiment of leg bases 1201 includes spikes instead of pads for digging into the surface upon which tripod 906 rests.
  • Figure 12C shows another alternative embodiment of leg bases 1201. As seen in
  • leg bases 1201' include hook and loop-type fasteners (VELCRO TM) to attach to a carpeted surface or a surface with the appropriate one of a hook and loop type fastener attached to it.
  • An alternative embodiment of leg bases 1201' includes suction cups for attachment to a smooth surface.
  • Figure 13 shows an alternate embodiment of the lower portions of monopod 904.
  • Rotational device 100 connects to upper telescoping portion 1305, which is connected to lower telescoping portion 1306. Both upper telescoping portion 1305 and 1306 taken together form telescoping portion 1304.
  • Contact portion 1307 provides support for telescoping portion 1304.
  • Contact portion 1307 includes base member 1303 attached to lower telescoping portion 1307 by means of pivot 1301. Attached to base portion 1303 are points 1302 which are structurally similar to point 905 described above.
  • Figures 14Aand 14B show lens mount 101 with mounting holes 711.
  • Figure 14A is a front view of lens mount 101.
  • Figure 14B is a side view of lens mount 101.
  • Figure 15 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 4B.
  • Figure 15 shows a front view of lens mount 101 with wing nuts 1502 threaded through holes 1501 holding inserted lens 16.
  • Figures 16A through 16C show alignment devices and associated images.
  • Figure 16A shows marking sleeve 1601 with marking tabs 1602. Marking sleeve 1601 and marking tabs 1602 removably attach to lens mount 101. In an alternate embodiment, marking tabs 1602 fixedly attach to lens mount 101.
  • Lens 16 contains alignment hairs 1603.
  • the embodiments of the present invention contemplate the alignment hairs 1603 being located within camera body 15 (for example, at least one of etched on a mirror, prism, or eyepiece of camera body 15).
  • One advantage of having alignment hairs 1603 on a mirror or eyepiece in camera body 15 is that these components move or are positioned out of the way when film within camera body 15 is exposed.
  • Figure 16B shows alignment tabs 1602 and alignment hairs 1603 as seen by the image plane of camera 15.
  • images 1604 and 1605 are oppositely aligned through the rotation of lens mount 101.
  • the misalignment 1606 between lens mount 101 and lens 16 yields images 1604 and 1605. While the seaming process described in greater detail in co-pending application 08/516,629 filed August 18, 1995 (expressly incorporated herein for any essential subject matter) allows for the correction of the misalignment 1607 between images 1604 and 1605 through the rotation of at least one of images 1604 or
  • alignment tabs 1602 and alignment hairs 1603 allows for minimizing the amount of rotational correction required.
  • Figure 16C shows images 1604' and 1605' properly aligned through the alignment of lens mount 101 and at least one of lens 16 or camera body 15. The resulting images 1604' and 1605' require less rotational alignment to form a spherical image 505.
  • Figure 16D shows lens cap 1608 with alignment hairs 1603 covering lens 16.
  • lens cap 1608 helps align lens 16 to lens mount 101 through the use of alignment hairs 1603 and alignment tabs 1602.

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Abstract

Procédé et mécanisme associé pour alignement automatique d'une saisie photographique d'images en opposition. Une monture d'objectif (101) supporte au moins un objectif (102) grand angle. Pour saisir les images opposées l'une à l'autre, la monture d'objectif (101) tourne autour d'un axe (104) recoupant un plan de l'objectif (102), ce qui représente l'angle de champ de l'objectif. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le plan représente l'angle de champ à 180 degrés de l'objectif. En utilisant ce procédé et le mécanisme associé, la formation d'une image sphérique par combinaison des images opposées est facilitée.
PCT/US1997/023380 1996-12-16 1997-12-16 Procede et mecanisme pour alignement automatique d'une saisie photographique d'images en opposition WO1998027457A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU57073/98A AU5707398A (en) 1996-12-16 1997-12-16 Method and mechanism for automatic opposing alignment of photographic image capture

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US76737696A 1996-12-16 1996-12-16
US08/767,376 1996-12-16

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1029415A1 (fr) * 1997-10-08 2000-08-23 Interactive Pictures Corporation Procede et systeme de production et de visualisation d'images stereoscopiques totalement immersives
WO2001093199A1 (fr) * 2000-05-31 2001-12-06 Waehl Marco Procede et systeme pour produire des panoramiques spheriques
FR2821167A1 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-23 Immervision Internat Pte Ltd Dispositif support d'appareil photographique
FR2821172A1 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-23 Immervision Internat Pte Ltd Procede et dispositif pour l'orientation d'une image panoramique numerique
EP1910894A1 (fr) * 2005-07-19 2008-04-16 Clint Clemens Procédés de création d'images sphériques
DE102010028956A1 (de) 2010-05-12 2011-11-17 Tanja Mandrella-Simon Kamerahalterung, insbesondere für die Erstellung von Panoramabildern, und Verfahren zum Einfügen der Kamera in die Kamerahalterung

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Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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EP1029415A1 (fr) * 1997-10-08 2000-08-23 Interactive Pictures Corporation Procede et systeme de production et de visualisation d'images stereoscopiques totalement immersives
EP1029415A4 (fr) * 1997-10-08 2003-01-02 Interactive Pictures Corp Procede et systeme de production et de visualisation d'images stereoscopiques totalement immersives
WO2001093199A1 (fr) * 2000-05-31 2001-12-06 Waehl Marco Procede et systeme pour produire des panoramiques spheriques
WO2002067016A3 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-12-05 Immervision Internat Pte Ltd Dispositif support d"appareil photographique
WO2002067016A2 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-29 Immervision International Pte Ltd Dispositif support d"appareil photographique
WO2002067572A1 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-29 Immervision International Pte Ltd Procede et dispositif pour l"orientation d"une image panoramique numerique
FR2821172A1 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-23 Immervision Internat Pte Ltd Procede et dispositif pour l'orientation d'une image panoramique numerique
FR2821167A1 (fr) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-23 Immervision Internat Pte Ltd Dispositif support d'appareil photographique
US6885817B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2005-04-26 6115187 Canada Inc. Method and device for orienting a digital panoramic image
US6895180B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2005-05-17 6115187 Canada Inc. Camera support device
EP1910894A1 (fr) * 2005-07-19 2008-04-16 Clint Clemens Procédés de création d'images sphériques
EP1910894A4 (fr) * 2005-07-19 2011-10-19 Clint Clemens Procédés de création d'images sphériques
DE102010028956A1 (de) 2010-05-12 2011-11-17 Tanja Mandrella-Simon Kamerahalterung, insbesondere für die Erstellung von Panoramabildern, und Verfahren zum Einfügen der Kamera in die Kamerahalterung
WO2012022309A2 (fr) 2010-05-12 2012-02-23 Tanja Mandrella-Simon Support d'appareil photo notamment pour réaliser des photos panoramiques, et procédé d'insertion de l'appareil photo dans ce support
WO2012022309A3 (fr) * 2010-05-12 2012-11-15 Tanja Mandrella-Simon Support d'appareil photo notamment pour réaliser des photos panoramiques, et procédé d'insertion de l'appareil photo dans ce support

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