Omni-directional Camera Integrating Multiple Sensors for Spherical Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for creating high-resolution spherical video are complex, expensive, and difficult to use, requiring specialized hardware and software that is often unreliable and inaccessible to the general public due to high costs and technical complexity, with limitations in compatibility with mobile devices and lack of native audio support.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, integrated camera device with multiple cameras and a computer processor that captures a 360-degree field of view, including audio, and encodes the data into a media file, allowing for real-time processing and transfer to various devices, enabling spherical video creation and viewing on multiple platforms with directional audio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate hardware components (lens adaptors, camera heads, recording devices) are used to create spherical video, then the system can achieve 360-degree field of view capture, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to multiple points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate hardware components (lens adaptors, camera heads, recording devices) into a single integrated camera device. The housing contains a computer processor, memory, and multiple cameras with different field of view orientations, merging what were previously separate piecemeal components into one unified system that captures spherical video without requiring external recording devices or multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated camera device performs multiple functions within a single unit: it captures video from multiple directions using cameras with different orientations, processes the video data through an integrated computer processor, stores the processed data in memory, and can transfer the final spherical video file to external devices. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate hardware components are used to create spherical video, then the system can achieve omnidirectional capture, but the reliability decreases due to increased risk of malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the computer processor, memory, and multiple cameras into a single integrated housing, the patent reduces the number of connection points and interaction interfaces between components. This integration eliminates potential failure points where separate components would need to communicate, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining omnidirectional capture capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If generic lens adaptors are used with separate recording devices, then the system can be more flexible in camera selection, but the manufacturing precision and video quality become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for generic lens adaptors by integrating the cameras directly into the housing with precise mounting. The cameras are positioned and oriented with high manufacturing precision during assembly, ensuring consistent alignment and optimal performance. This integrated approach removes the variability introduced by user-attached adaptors while maintaining the ability to select from multiple camera types during the manufacturing process.
4Manufacturing precision
If specialized hardware and software systems are used for spherical video creation, then the video quality can be high-resolution, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated camera device performs self-configuration through automated processes. The computer processor automatically synchronizes the multiple cameras, calibrates their orientations, and processes the video data without requiring manual user configuration. This self-service capability maintains high-resolution video quality while eliminating the need for users to perform complex setup procedures, making the device easy to operate upon purchase.
5Adaptability or versatility
If existing spherical camera systems are used, then spherical video can be captured, but the ease of operation worsens due to lack of documentation and support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a system that is complete and self-contained, requiring no additional components or external support systems. The integrated design includes all necessary elements (cameras, processor, memory) within the single device, eliminating the need for users to seek external documentation or support for configuring additional components. The device is ready to capture spherical video immediately upon purchase and basic operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Creating spherical video and corresponding audio utilizing a plurality of cameras by acquiring images via the cameras, processing the images, and mathematically converting and/or transforming the images into a combined spherical image file. A camera device creates the spherical image file and transfers it to devices running a viewer application, whereby the transfer occurs by saving the file to a storage file, streaming it to the devices via wired/wireless communication, or both.