# US 2014/0193144 A1 · Method and apparatus for multiple camera alignment and use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193144 A1 - Document ID: US20140193144A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/110,405 - Filed: 2012-04-09 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-07 - Inventors: Leonard Coster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193144A1 ## CPC - G03B 35/08: by simultaneous recording - F16M 11/045: {adapted to left-right translation movement} - F16M 11/10: around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand - F16M 11/2014: {around a vertical axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/2085: {comprising means allowing sideward adjustment, i.e. left-right translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage} - F16M 11/2092: {comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage} - G03B 17/17: with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - H04N 13/239: using two two-dimensional [2D] image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance (H04N13/243 takes precedence) - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - G03B 17/14: interchangeably - H04N 2213/001: Constructional or mechanical details - 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 (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A camera rig system is provided for 3D stereo photography. The system includes a first camera mount configured to removably hold a first camera module having a first optical axis being oriented horizontally. The system also includes a second camera mount configured to removably hold a second camera module having a second optical axis being oriented vertically and orthogonal to the first optical axis. The system further includes a mirror assembly configured to receive an incoming light and transmit a first portion of the incoming light to the first camera module and reflect a second portion of the incoming light to the second camera module. The mirror assembly has a first rotational axis, and the mirror assembly independently controls a rotational movement around the rotating axis and a linear movement along at least one of the first optical axis and the second optical axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera rig system for 3D stereo photography, the system comprising a first camera mount configured to removably hold a first camera module having a first optical axis being oriented horizontally; a second camera mount configured to removably hold a second camera module having a second optical axis being oriented vertically and orthogonal to the first optical axis; a mirror assembly configured to receive an incoming light and transmit a first portion of the incoming light to the first camera module and reflect a second portion of the incoming light to the second camera module, said mirror assembly has a first rotational axis, and the mirror assembly independently controls a rotational movement around the rotating axis and a linear movement along at least one of the first optical axis and the second optical axis, the first rotating axis being orthogonal to the first optical axis and the second optical axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera rig system of claim 1, further comprising a rig frame coupled to the first camera mount, the second camera mount, and a mirror box enclosing the mirror assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera rig system of claim 2, wherein the mirror box comprises: a rotational mount coupled to the mirror assembly and being configured for the rotational movement of the mirror assembly around the first rotational axis; a carriage coupled to the mirror assembly and being configured for the linear movement of the mirror assembly along the first optical axis and the second optical axis such that a reflected optical axis of the second camera module and a transmitted optical axis of the first camera module are coincident at a reflective surface of the mirror assembly the transmitted optical axis being parallel to the first optical axis and the reflected optical axis being perpendicular to the second optical axis; the carriage configured for the rotational movement of the mirror assembly around a second rotational axis and the rotational mount configured to carry the mirror assembly within the carriage, the second rotational axis orthogonal to the first rotational axis; a first opening configured to allow the transmitted light to pass through toward the first camera module; and a second opening configured to allow the reflected light to pass through toward the second camera module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The camera rig system of claim 1, wherein the mirror assembly comprises: a mirror; and a mirror frame coupled to the mirror. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The camera rig system of claim 4, wherein the mirror comprises a beam splitter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The camera rig system of claim 1, wherein the linear movement of the mirror assembly is along a horizontal axis within approximately 1.5 inches. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The camera rig system of claim 1, wherein the rotational movement of the mirror assembly is within approximately 2 degrees. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The camera rig system of claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to adjust the mirror assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The camera rig system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic adjustment system configured to adjust the mirror assembly. ### Claim 10 A method for aligning camera modules in a camera rig system for 3D stereo photography, the system comprising at least two fixed camera modules and a movable mirror assembly, the method comprising: mounting a first camera module in a horizontal orientation and a second camera module in a vertical orientation onto respective camera mounts; rotating the mirror assembly around a first rotational axis; and moving the mirror assembly along at least one of a first optical axis of the first camera module and a second optical axis of the second camera module, such that the incoming light transmitting through the mirror assembly toward the first camera module and the incoming light reflecting from the mirror assembly toward the second camera module are coincident at a reflective surface of the mirror assembly, wherein the first optical axis, the second optical axis, and the first rotational axis are perpendicular to each other, the mirror assembly is angled at roughly 45 degrees from the first optical axis or the second optical axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising moving the mirror assembly along a horizontal axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising moving the mirror assembly along a vertical axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising moving the mirror assembly along both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising rotating the mirror assembly around the first rotational axis within approximately 2 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising moving the mirror assembly within 1.5 inches. ### Claim 16 A method for aligning camera modules in a camera rig system for 3D stereo photography, the system comprising at least two fixed camera modules and a movable mirror assembly, the method comprising: mounting a first camera module in a horizontal orientation and a second camera module in a vertical orientation onto respective camera mounts; moving the mirror assembly along a first optical axis of the first camera module and a second optical axis of the second camera module; and rotating the mirror assembly around a first rotational axis such that the incoming light transmitting through the mirror assembly toward the first camera module and the incoming light reflecting from the mirror assembly toward the second camera module are coincident with an intersection point of the first rotational axis and a second rotational axis being perpendicular to the first rotational axis; and wherein the first optical axis, the second optical axis, and the first rotational axis are perpendicular to each other, the mirror assembly is angled at roughly 45 degrees from the first optical axis or the second optical axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising rotating the mirror assembly around the second rotational axis of the mirror assembly, the second rotational axis being parallel to the second optical axis of the second camera module. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising moving the mirror assembly along a horizontal axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising moving the mirror assembly along a vertical axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising moving the mirror assembly along both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. ### Claim at position 21 -22. (canceled)