WO2015123371A1 - Action camera with multiple image-capturing systems - Google Patents

Action camera with multiple image-capturing systems Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015123371A1
WO2015123371A1 PCT/US2015/015529 US2015015529W WO2015123371A1 WO 2015123371 A1 WO2015123371 A1 WO 2015123371A1 US 2015015529 W US2015015529 W US 2015015529W WO 2015123371 A1 WO2015123371 A1 WO 2015123371A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lens assembly
view
field
image
lens
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/015529
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mark J. Cuddeback
Original Assignee
Cuddeback Mark J
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cuddeback Mark J filed Critical Cuddeback Mark J
Publication of WO2015123371A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015123371A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • 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
    • G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • 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
    • G03B19/00—Cameras
    • G03B19/02—Still-picture cameras
    • G03B19/04—Roll-film cameras
    • G03B19/07—Roll-film cameras having more than one objective
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/45—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H04N5/77—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television camera
    • H04N5/772—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television camera the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to action cameras.
  • Action cameras are known to record images (e.g., pictures or video) of various action-related activities.
  • shockproof and waterproof cameras have been adapted to be mounted on vehicles and helmets so that activities can be recorded from the perspective of the user.
  • Trail cameras are a form of action camera that typically record images from a static position, such as mounted on a tree.
  • the present invention provides an action camera comprising a base (e.g., a housing), a first lens assembly supported on the base and having a first field of view (e.g., fixed at less than 45 degrees), a second lens assembly supported on the base and having a second field of view (e.g., fixed at greater than 45 degrees) different from the first field of view, and an image-capturing device (e.g., film, tape, or a digital image recorder) adapted to capture images from the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly without the need to move the lens assembly (e.g., substantially simultaneously).
  • the first field of view is substantially contained within the second field of view of the second lens assembly .
  • the camera can further include a digital storage device programmed to record images from both of the first and second lens assemblies.
  • the digital storage device can comprise a storage medium and a processor for storing images fi om the first and second lenses assemblies onto the storage medium.
  • the image-recording device can be a single unit that can record images from both the first and second lens assemblies or, alternatively, the image-recording device can comprise two distinct devices - one for each lens assembly.
  • the first and second lens assemblies are substantially fixed relative to the base and both face in substantially the same direction.
  • Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an action camera embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a rear view of the camera of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic of the camera of Fig. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic of a camera with a single microprocessor and a single storage device.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic of the camera with a single microprocessor and two storage devices
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic of the camera with two microprocessors and two storage devices
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic of the camera with two microprocessors a d a single storage device
  • Figure I illustrates an action camera 10 having a housing 12, first and second lenses 14,16 extending through a front of the housing 12, buttons 18 for controlling the mode and operation of the camera 10, and an image display 20 on the back of the housing 12 for providing information regarding the camera 10 and for displaying images taken and stored by the camera 10.
  • Each lens 14,15 gathers light to provide an image (picture or video) to an image- capturing device 22, such as film, tape, or a digital image receptor.
  • Each lens 14,16 can provide the image to its own image-captming device 22a,22b or, alternatively, the two lenses 14,16 can provide the images to a shared (e.g., segmented) miage-capniring device 22.
  • a digital storage device 24 such as a memory card, as is known hi the art. Operation of the camera 10 is controlled by a processor 26, as is known in the art.
  • Each lens 14, 16 faces in substantially the same direction as the other lens 14, 16 and has a field of view that is different from the field of view of the othe lens 14, 6.
  • the first lens 14 can have a field of view of 30 degr ees
  • the second lens 16 can have a field of view of 120 degrees.
  • the camera 10 can take images having different fields of view.
  • the lenses 14,16 are arranged such thai the field of view of the first lens 14 is substantially contained within the field of view of the second lens 16 so that any image collected by the first lens 14 will also be collected by the second lens 16 (although at a different magnification).
  • the illustrated camera 10 is set u so that it can take images from both lenses 14,16 simultaneously. This allows telephoto and wide-angle images to be taken at the same time from the same position.
  • the processor 26 is programmed such that the image display 20 can be segmented 28 to display both images (i.e., both the wide-angle image and the telephoto image) simultaneously.
  • the above-described camera 10 can be used by positioning the camera 10 at a location (e.g., aiming the first and second lenses 14,16 in substantially th same direction) and recording a first image from the first lens 14 and recording a second image from the second lens 16 without moving th lens assemblies relative to the housing 12.
  • the recording steps occur substantially simultaneously and include storing the first and second images onto a storage medium (e.g., a digital storage medium).
  • Figs. 4-7 illustrate various digital configurations that embody aspects of the present invention.
  • Ea ch embodiment includes two lenses 30 with difierent fields of view, and each lens 30 has a corresponding digital image sensor 32.
  • the two digital image sensors 32 provide data to a conmion microprocessor 34, which then can store the data on a storage device 36.
  • the common microprocessor 34 In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the common
  • microprocessor 34 provides the data from the two digital image sensors to two different storage device 36a,36b, one for each lens 30.
  • a microprocessor 34a,34b for each lens and sensor combination and a storage device 36a, 36b for each microprocessor 34a,34b.
  • two microprocessors 34a,34b (one for each lens and sensor combination) provide data to a common storage device 36.

Abstract

An action camera is disclosed as including a base, a first lens assembly supported on the base and having a first field of view, a second lens assembly supported on the base and having a second field of view different from the first field of view, and an image-capturing device adapted to capture images from the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly without the need to move the lens assembly (e.g., substantially simultaneously). The camera can further include a digital storage device programmed to record images from both of the first and second lens assemblies. The image-recording device can be a single unit that records images from both the first and second lens assemblies or, alternatively, can be two distinct devices - one for each lens assembly. Preferably, the first and second lens assemblies are substantially fixed relative to the base and both face in substantially the same direction.

Description

ACTION CAMERA WITH MULTIPLE IMAGE-CAPTURING SYSTEMS
BACKGROUND
[00013 The present invention relates generally to action cameras.
[0002] Action cameras are known to record images (e.g., pictures or video) of various action-related activities. For example, shockproof and waterproof cameras have been adapted to be mounted on vehicles and helmets so that activities can be recorded from the perspective of the user. Trail cameras are a form of action camera that typically record images from a static position, such as mounted on a tree.
[0003] Most of these action cameras have relatively wide fields of view so thai more of the activity can be captured. One problem with these cameras is that the lens is wide angle and thus activity or objects at a distance appear very small in the frame. This can be a problem when it is desired to record distant activity or distant objects with ig!i resolution. For example, hunters often want to record images of animals at a great distance, and wide- angle cameras often do not provide the desired image resolution. Telephoto cameras having a narrower field of view can be used to solve the problem of viewing ob jects at a distance. However, a telephoto lens is more likely to be aimed in the wrong direction and therefore can miss some of the action. For hunting this is a problem because hunters often want to film animals that are far away. A wide- angle camera will result in a bad video (animal small in frame), and a telephoto camera might not capture the subject in the frame.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides an action camera comprising a base (e.g., a housing), a first lens assembly supported on the base and having a first field of view (e.g., fixed at less than 45 degrees), a second lens assembly supported on the base and having a second field of view (e.g., fixed at greater than 45 degrees) different from the first field of view, and an image-capturing device (e.g., film, tape, or a digital image recorder) adapted to capture images from the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly without the need to move the lens assembly (e.g., substantially simultaneously). Preferably, the first field of view is substantially contained within the second field of view of the second lens assembly . [0005] When the miage-capturing device is a digital image recorder, the camera can further include a digital storage device programmed to record images from both of the first and second lens assemblies. For example, the digital storage device can comprise a storage medium and a processor for storing images fi om the first and second lenses assemblies onto the storage medium.
[0006] The image-recording device can be a single unit that can record images from both the first and second lens assemblies or, alternatively, the image-recording device can comprise two distinct devices - one for each lens assembly. Preferably, the first and second lens assemblies are substantially fixed relative to the base and both face in substantially the same direction.
[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an action camera embodying the present invention.
[0009] Figure 2 is a rear view of the camera of Fig. 1.
[0010] Fig. 3 is a schematic of the camera of Fig. 1.
[0011] Fig. 4 is a schematic of a camera with a single microprocessor and a single storage device.
[0012] Fig. 5 is a schematic of the camera with a single microprocessor and two storage devices,
[0013] Fig. 6 is a schematic of the camera with two microprocessors and two storage devices,
[0014] Fig. 7 is a schematic of the camera with two microprocessors a d a single storage device, [0015] Before any embodiments of the invention ar e explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustr ated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being earned out in various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Figure I illustrates an action camera 10 having a housing 12, first and second lenses 14,16 extending through a front of the housing 12, buttons 18 for controlling the mode and operation of the camera 10, and an image display 20 on the back of the housing 12 for providing information regarding the camera 10 and for displaying images taken and stored by the camera 10.
[0017] Each lens 14,15 gathers light to provide an image (picture or video) to an image- capturing device 22, such as film, tape, or a digital image receptor. Each lens 14,16 can provide the image to its own image-captming device 22a,22b or, alternatively, the two lenses 14,16 can provide the images to a shared (e.g., segmented) miage-capniring device 22. When digital images are produced, the images are then stored on a digital storage device 24, such as a memory card, as is known hi the art. Operation of the camera 10 is controlled by a processor 26, as is known in the art.
[0018] Each lens 14, 16 faces in substantially the same direction as the other lens 14, 16 and has a field of view that is different from the field of view of the othe lens 14, 6. For example, the first lens 14 can have a field of view of 30 degr ees, and the second lens 16 can have a field of view of 120 degrees. By virtue of this arrangement, the camera 10 can take images having different fields of view. The lenses 14,16 are arranged such thai the field of view of the first lens 14 is substantially contained within the field of view of the second lens 16 so that any image collected by the first lens 14 will also be collected by the second lens 16 (although at a different magnification).
[0019] The illustrated camera 10 is set u so that it can take images from both lenses 14,16 simultaneously. This allows telephoto and wide-angle images to be taken at the same time from the same position. In addition, the processor 26 is programmed such that the image display 20 can be segmented 28 to display both images (i.e., both the wide-angle image and the telephoto image) simultaneously.
[00203 The above-described camera 10 can be used by positioning the camera 10 at a location (e.g., aiming the first and second lenses 14,16 in substantially th same direction) and recording a first image from the first lens 14 and recording a second image from the second lens 16 without moving th lens assemblies relative to the housing 12. Preferably, the recording steps occur substantially simultaneously and include storing the first and second images onto a storage medium (e.g., a digital storage medium).
[0021] Figs. 4-7 illustrate various digital configurations that embody aspects of the present invention. Ea ch embodiment includes two lenses 30 with difierent fields of view, and each lens 30 has a corresponding digital image sensor 32. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the two digital image sensors 32 provide data to a conmion microprocessor 34, which then can store the data on a storage device 36. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the common
microprocessor 34 provides the data from the two digital image sensors to two different storage device 36a,36b, one for each lens 30. hi the embodiment of Fig. 6, there is a microprocessor 34a,34b for each lens and sensor combination and a storage device 36a, 36b for each microprocessor 34a,34b. In Fig. 7. two microprocessors 34a,34b (one for each lens and sensor combination) provide data to a common storage device 36.

Claims

1. An action camera comprising:
a base;
a first lens assembly supported on the base and ha ving a first field of view;
a second lens assembly supported on the base and having a second field of view different from the first field of view: and
a image-recording device adapted to record images from the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly without the need to move the lens assembly.
2. An action camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a housing enclosing the first lens assembly, the second lens assembly, and the image-recording device.
3. An action camera as claimed in claim ϊ , wherein the first lens assembly has a field of view of less than 45 degrees.
4. An action camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second lens assembly has a field of view of greater than 45 degrees.
5. An action camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first field of view is substantially contained within the second field of view.
6. An action camera as claimed in claim I, wherei the first and second lens assemblies each have a fixed field of view.
7. An action camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image-recording device comprises a digital storage device programmed to record images from both of the first and second lens assemblies.
8. Ail action camera as claimed in claim 7, wherein the digital storage device comprises a storage medium and a processor for storing images from the first and second lenses assemblies onto the storage medium.
9. An action camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image-recording device is configured to record images substantially simultaneously from both the first and second lens assemblies.
10. An action camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image-recording device comprises a first image recorder for recording images from the first lens assembly and a second image recorder for recording images from the second lens assembly.
11. An action camera as claimed in claim ϊ , wherein the digital storage device comprises a first storage device for storing images from the first lens assembly and a second storage device for storing images from the second lens assembly.
12. An action camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first lens assembly is aimed in substantially the same direction as the second lens assembly.
13. An action camera as claimed in claim Ϊ 2, wherein a position of the first and second lens assemblies relative to the base is substantially fixed.
14. A method of recording images comprising:
providing a camera having a base, a first lens assembly supported on the bas and ha ving a first field of view, and a second lens assembly supported on the base and having a second field of view different from the first field of view;
positioning the camera at a location; and
recording a first image from the first lens assembly and recording a second image from the second lens assembly without moving the lens assemblies relative to the base..
15. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein positioning includes aiming the first lens assembly in substantially the same direction as the second lens assembly.
16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first lens assembly includes a first field of view that is substantially contained within a second field of view of the second lens assembly.
17. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein recording includes storing the first and second images onto a storage medium.
18. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the storage medium comprises a digital storage medium.
19. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein recording a first image and recording a second image occur substantially simultaneously.
PCT/US2015/015529 2014-02-13 2015-02-12 Action camera with multiple image-capturing systems WO2015123371A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201461939389P 2014-02-13 2014-02-13
US61/939,389 2014-02-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015123371A1 true WO2015123371A1 (en) 2015-08-20

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060187338A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 May Michael J Camera phone using multiple lenses and image sensors to provide an extended zoom range
US20080030592A1 (en) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-07 Eastman Kodak Company Producing digital image with different resolution portions
US8439265B2 (en) * 2009-06-16 2013-05-14 Intel Corporation Camera applications in a handheld device
US8542287B2 (en) * 2009-03-19 2013-09-24 Digitaloptics Corporation Dual sensor camera

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060187338A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 May Michael J Camera phone using multiple lenses and image sensors to provide an extended zoom range
US20080030592A1 (en) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-07 Eastman Kodak Company Producing digital image with different resolution portions
US8542287B2 (en) * 2009-03-19 2013-09-24 Digitaloptics Corporation Dual sensor camera
US8439265B2 (en) * 2009-06-16 2013-05-14 Intel Corporation Camera applications in a handheld device

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