Abstract: An event data and location-linked spherical imaging system including a spherical imager configured for capturing a spherical image with an action; a localization device collocated with the spherical imager, the localization device configured for providing a location of the spherical imager; a level collocated with the spherical imager, the level configured for indicating an imaging level of the spherical imager; an event data receiver configured for receiving event data from a user, the event data is associated with one or more points of interest on the spherical image; and a compass configured for providing an orientation of the spherical imager in capturing the spherical image, wherein the orientation and location-linked event data is accessible within the context of the spherical image. In one embodiment, the spherical imager includes no more than two imagers. In one embodiment, the action is a single capture.

Abstract: An event data and location-linked spherical imaging system including a spherical imager configured for capturing a spherical image with an action; a localization device collocated with the spherical imager, the localization device configured for providing a location of the spherical imager; a level collocated with the spherical imager, the level configured for indicating an imaging level of the spherical imager; an event data receiver configured for receiving event data from a user, the event data is associated with one or more points of interest on the spherical image; and a compass configured for providing an orientation of the spherical imager in capturing the spherical image, wherein the orientation and location-linked event data is accessible within the context of the spherical image. In one embodiment, the spherical imager includes no more than two imagers. In one embodiment, the action is a single capture.

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.

Abstract: A spherical panoramic image camera system including four receptacles equally angularly spaced about a geometric center and four cameras, each camera comprises a lens having a lens field of view of more than about 180 degrees and an optical axis, each camera is configured to be mountable to one of the four receptacles with the field of view pointed away from the geometric center and an image recorder having a substantially rectangular shape having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension, wherein the vertical dimension is adapted to receive an image cast by the lens that corresponds to the lens field of view and the horizontal dimension is adapted to receive an image cast by the lens that corresponds to a field of view of more than about 90 degrees. The optical axes of the four cameras are equally angularly spaced about the geometric center.

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.