# US 2017/0285455 A1 · Digital 3d/360 degree camera system

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- Number: US 2017/0285455 A1
- Document ID: US20170285455A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/627,347
- Filed: 2017-06-19
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2003-06-03
- Inventors: Leonard P. Steuart, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285455A1

## CPC

- H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
- G03B 35/08: by simultaneous recording
- G03B 37/00: Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
- G03B 37/04: with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
- H04N 13/243: using three or more two-dimensional [2D] image sensors
- H04N 13/246: Calibration of cameras
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- H04N 23/58: Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- 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)

## Abstract

The digital 3D/360° camera system is an omnidirectional stereoscopic device for capturing image data that may be used to create a 3-dimensional model for presenting a 3D image, a 3D movie, or 3D animation. The device uses multiple digital cameras, arranged with overlapping fields of view, to capture image data covering an entire 360° scene. The data collected by one, or several, digital 3D/360° camera systems can be used to create a 3D model of a 360° scene by using triangulation of the image data within the overlapping fields of view.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-19. (canceled)

### Claim 20

A method for exporting digital images in a digital camera system comprising a plurality of digital cameras, the method comprising:
storing digital image data and embedded metadata in an electronic file;
generating a pixel vector map for the plurality of digital cameras;
storing pixel vector map data in the electronic file, wherein the file includes pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system; and
exporting the file via a communication interface to an external device, wherein the exporting includes delivering the image data and the pixel vector map data for processing.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the exporting further includes exporting the image data based on a request by an external processing system.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the exporting further includes exporting the image data based on a determination that no more images are to be captured.

### Claim 23 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, further comprising capturing a new image based on a determination that additional images in a sequence are to be taken.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the electronic file includes a timestamp and identifies the plurality of digital cameras.

### Claim 25 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system includes at least one of a serial number, name, model, type, or other information describing the digital camera system.

### Claim 26 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the image data is used to create a three-dimensional model.

### Claim 27 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, further including determining a location of each of the plurality of digital cameras, including:
determining a coordinate location of each of the plurality of digital cameras within a coordinate system, and
determining a distance between each of the plurality of digital cameras and based on the coordinate locations.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, wherein the pixel vector map for each of the plurality of digital cameras includes a definition of the coordinate system in relation to the digital camera.

### Claim 29 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the pixel vector map for at least one of the plurality of digital cameras can be determined from a parameter of the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras or by calibrating the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras with respect to a coordinate system.

### Claim 30

A digital camera system, comprising:
a camera housing;
a plurality of digital cameras having overlapping fields of view rigidly mounted to the housing; and
a controller in communication with the plurality of digital cameras, the controller configured to:
store digital image data and embedded metadata in an electronic file;
generate a pixel vector map for the one or more digital cameras;
store pixel vector map data in the electronic file, wherein the file includes pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system; and
export the file via a communication interface to an external device, wherein the exporting includes delivering the image data and the pixel vector map data for processing.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the exporting further includes exporting the image data based on a request by an external processing system.

### Claim 32 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the exporting further includes exporting the image data based on a determination that no more images are to be captured.

### Claim 33 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the controller is further configured to capture a new image based on a determination that additional images in a sequence are to be taken.

### Claim 34 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the electronic file includes a timestamp and identifies the plurality of digital cameras.

### Claim 35 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the pixel vector map data describing the digital camera system includes at least one of a serial number, name, model, type, or other information describing the digital camera system.

### Claim 36 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the image data is used to create a three-dimensional model.

### Claim 37 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine a coordinate location of each of the plurality of digital cameras within a coordinate system, and
determine a distance between of the plurality of digital cameras and based on the coordinate locations.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The system of claim 37, wherein the pixel vector map for each of the plurality of digital cameras includes a definition of the coordinate system in relation to the camera.

### Claim 39 (depends on 30)

The system of claim 30, wherein the pixel vector map for at least one of the plurality of digital cameras can be determined from a parameter of the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras or by calibrating the at least one of the plurality of digital cameras with respect to a coordinate system.