Abstract: An apparatus includes a panoramic optical component shaped to direct light toward a camera; and an enclosure having a transparent portion, the transparent portion being configured such that only light entering the transparent portion in a direction substantially normal to a surface of the transparent portion is transmitted to the panoramic optical component.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a concave panoramic reflector, a support structure configured to hold the concave panoramic reflector in a fixed position with respect to the housing, and a mounting device for positioning the housing in a fixed orientation with respect to a computing device such that light reflected by the concave panoramic reflector is directed to a light sensor in the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for mapping a sound spatialization field to a displayed panoramic image as the viewing angle of the panoramic image changes. As the viewing angle of the image data changes, the audio data is processed to rotate the captured sound spatialization field to the same extent. Thus, the audio data remains mapped to the image data whether the image data is rotated about a single axis or about more than one axis.

Abstract: A chassis assembly is disclosed including a chassis and plurality of image sensors fixedly mounted to the chassis. The number of image sensors may vary, but in one example, there are three image sensors, arranged in an equilateral triangle within the chassis. Each image sensor includes a camera, which may be a video camera, and a catadioptric mirror. The mirror in each image sensor is fixedly mounted with respect to the camera via a stem and a collar for mounting the mirror to the chassis.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for stitching together first and second sets of images from three or more image sensors. The first set of images are combined into a composite left view of the panorama, and the second set of images are combined into a composite right view of the panorama. When properly stitched together, the left and right views may be presented as a stereoscopic view of the panorama. A stitching algorithm is applied which removes any disparity due to the parallax in the combined left images and in the combined right images.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for capturing image data from three or more image sensors, and for processing the captured image data into left views of a panorama taken from each image sensor and right views taken of the panorama from each image sensor. The left views are combined and used as the left perspective of the panorama, and the right views are combined as used as the right perspective of the panorama, in the stereoscopic view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating panoramic stereoscopic images. The system includes an assembly of three or more catadioptric image sensors affixed to each other in a chassis. Each image sensor generates a catadioptric image of a panorama, which may for example be a 360° view of a scene. The software components process the catadioptric image to a 3D stereoscopic view of a panorama.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mounting apparatus for mounting a panoramic mirror in front of the focal point of a camera. The mounting apparatus comprises a conical optical stage configured to contact the mirror at an end point along the longitudinal axis. An optical masking spike is also disclosed which can be disposed along the longitudinal axis and extend at least partially into the interior of the conical optical stage. The conical optical stage and optical masking spike provide improved stability of the overall optic and reduce unwanted glare in images reflected to the camera.

Abstract: A method of encoding images comprising the steps of retrieving a source image file including pixel data, transforming the source image file pixel data into a destination data set of pixel data representative of a modified partial equi-rectangular projection, and outputting the pixel data from the destination data set as a destination image file. The source image file can include an annular source image file. An apparatus for encoding images in accordance with the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, a digital converter device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image, and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image. The mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. Methods for processing images in accordance with the system are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a first camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, at least one secondary camera for capturing a portion of the scene, means for mapping pixel data of the image captured by the first camera into a viewable image, and means for cooperatively displaying the viewable image and the portion of the scene captured by the at least one of the secondary cameras. The mirror may include a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. The secondary camera may also capture a portion of the image reflected by the mirror. Alternatively, the system may include a single camera including an active-pixel image sensor for capturing at least a portion of the image reflected by the mirror.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.

Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted portions of an image comprising the steps of generating a panoramic image including a plurality of image pixels, identifying a first set of the image pixels that correspond to the unwanted portions of the image, determining particular characteristics of the image pixels positioned adjacent to the image pixels in the first set of image pixels, and replacing the first set of image pixels with replacement pixel data generated by using the particular characteristics of the image pixels adjacent to the first set of image pixels. The replacement pixel data can be generated by interpolating or extrapolating pixel data from the image pixels positioned adjacent to the image pixels in the first set of image pixels. A panoramic photographic system that operates in accordance with the above method is also included.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mounting apparatus for mounting a panoramic mirror in front of the focal point of a camera. The mounting apparatus comprises a conical optical stage configured to contact the mirror at an end point along the longitudinal axis. An optical masking spike is also disclosed which can be disposed along the longitudinal axis and extend at least partially into the interior of the conical optical stage. The conical optical stage and optical masking spike provide improved stability of the overall optic and reduce unwanted glare in images reflected to the camera.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a camera, a transparent cylinder for mounting the convex reflector to the camera, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A second radially-oriented planar member can be positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. The first and second radially-oriented planar members would preferably lie in perpendicular planes, however, they may lie in non-perpendicular planes. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a transparent cylinder for supporting the convex reflector, means for connecting a camera to the transparent cylinder, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A method of reducing unwanted reflections in the panoramic imaging system is also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing images including the steps of retrieving a source image file including pixel data, mapping the source image file pixel data into at least one viewable image, mapping the source image file pixel data into at least one representation of one or more dormant properties of the viewable image, and displaying cooperatively the at least one viewable image and the at least one representation of the one or more dormant properties of the viewable image. The representations of the one or more dormant properties of the viewable image may be displayed adjacent to the viewable image, overlaid on the viewable image, and/or the viewable image may be transformed into a representation of the one or more dormant properties of the viewable image, and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a first camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, at least one secondary camera for capturing a portion of the scene, means for mapping pixel data of the image captured by the first camera into a viewable image, and means for cooperatively displaying the viewable image and the portion of the scene captured by the at least one of the secondary cameras. The mirror may include a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. The secondary camera may also capture a portion of the image reflected by the mirror. Alternatively, the system may include a single camera including an active-pixel image sensor for capturing at least a portion of the image reflected by the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for processing panoramic photographic images. The system includes a mirror for reflecting an image of a scene, a mounting assembly for mounting the mirror on an axis, a camera for capturing the image reflected by the mirror, a digital converter device for producing pixel data representative of the captured image, and means for radially linearly mapping the pixel data into a viewable image. The mirror includes a convex reflective surface defined by rotating around the axis: an equi-angular shape or a compensated equi-angular shape. Methods for processing images in accordance with the system are also provided.

Abstract: A method of encoding images comprising the steps of retrieving a source image file including pixel data, transforming the source image file pixel data into a destination data set of pixel data representative of a modified partial equi-rectangular projection, and outputting the pixel data from the destination data set as a destination image file. The source image file can include an annular source image file. An apparatus for encoding images in accordance with the method is also provided.

Abstract: A panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a camera, a transparent cylinder for mounting the convex reflector to the camera, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A second radially-oriented planar member can be positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. The first and second radially-oriented planar members would preferably lie in perpendicular planes, however, they may lie in non-perpendicular planes. A mirror mount for a panoramic imaging system includes a convex reflector, a transparent cylinder for supporting the convex reflector, means for connecting a camera to the transparent cylinder, and a first radially-oriented planar member positioned in the transparent cylinder between the convex reflector and the camera. A method of reducing unwanted reflections in the panoramic imaging system is also included.