# US 2014/0192144 A1 · Spherical panoramic image camera rig > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192144 A1 - Document ID: US20140192144A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/147,529 - Filed: 2014-01-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-05 - Assignees: Circular Logic Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Patrick A. St. Clair - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192144A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - H04N 23/661: Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract One aspect of the present invention provides a simple, cost-effective, efficient solution directed to the generation of the source material for the generation of still panoramic images. The precision optical alignment among all the mounted lenses, provided by the precision rectangular mounting rig, greatly reduces or eliminates stitching errors. Stitching errors often result in noticeable defects in the final image which will require human technical assistance to remedy (if the defect is of the repairable type). Accurate, error-free, source material enables virtually full automation of the panoramic imaging process; wherein the end product is high quality and quickly achieved. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spherical image camera rig comprising four rectangularly disposed receptacles, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive a camera having a fisheye lens disposed thereon, two of said four receptacles are configured to receive two cameras in a first 180-degree linear alignment with directly opposing lenses, the other two of which are configured to receive two cameras in a second 180-degree linear alignment with directly opposing lenses, said second 180-degree linear alignment is configured to intersect perpendicularly with said first 180-degree linear alignment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, wherein each of said four rectangularly disposed receptacles comprises: (a) a planar surface comprising a plurality of first apertures; and (b) a U-shaped member comprising: (i) an adjustment slot within which a screw mechanism is disposed, wherein said adjustment slot is configured for adjustment of said screw mechanism in securing a camera; and (ii) a plurality of second apertures configured for receiving screws which thread through said plurality of first apertures for securing said U-shaped member to said planar surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, wherein each of said four rectangularly disposed receptacles comprises: (a) a planar surface; and (b) a protrusion extending from said surface, said protrusion comprising an adjustment slot within which a screw mechanism is disposed, wherein said adjustment slot is configured for adjustment of said screw mechanism in securing a camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fisheye lenses possesses vertical, horizontal and diagonal angles of view of at least about 170 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, wherein the overlap of images captured using the cameras is at least 10% of the total captured image area of the cameras. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, further comprising a single power source operably connected to the cameras. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The spherical image camera rig of claim 6, wherein said single power source comprises a battery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, further comprising a harness for connecting the power source of each of the cameras in parallel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of isolated triggers, each trigger is functionally connected to one of the cameras. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The spherical image camera rig of claim 9, wherein said plurality of isolated triggers is a device selected from a group consisting of an opto-coupler and an opti-coupler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, further comprising a remote triggering mechanism configured to trigger image capture of the cameras. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The spherical image camera rig of claim 11, wherein said remote triggering mechanism is a wireless triggering device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, further comprising a triggering mechanism configured for triggering image capture of the cameras at precisely the same moment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, said four rectangularly disposed receptacles are sized such that the distance between the nodes of two cameras disposed in a 180-degree linear alignment with directly opposing lenses is no more than about 10 inches. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The spherical image camera rig of claim 1, said four rectangularly disposed receptacles are sized such that the distance between the nodes of two cameras disposed in a 180-degree linear alignment with directly opposing lenses is no more than about 4 inches.