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Digital360
A digital camera that takes a 360 degree image | |
This is a sphere made of a resilient and
transparent material. Suspended in the
center of the sphere are two super-wide
(maybe 10.5 or the Nikkor 6mm) lenses
back-to-
back, and two shutter/CCD mechanisms
sandwitched between them.
The Sphere would carry a memory card
that you could access
by twisting and
seperating the two hemispheres.
The idea is that you could either place
the
Sphere on a surface (or special
transparent
stand) or toss it in the air if it can be
made
strong enough. You then fire the shutters
simultaneously using a remote control or
timer. The camera's software tags the
two
recorded images which are then stiched
together using the bundled software.
Applications include:
Consumer: It would just be fun to use
Real Estate/Architecture: quickly and
simply create a Quicktime VR file for
customers to explore a space
Sports: Imagine a transparent Volly Ball
that also took pictures of the match?
Military: A Morter fires the camera into a
combat zone or dangerous area. The
Sphere is programmed to fire just before
hitting the ground, and transmits the
image back to central command
The Nikkor 6mm
http://www.digitalb....de/nikon/comp9.htm That's an eight inch front element. [coprocephalous, Jul 12 2005]
Columbia University's approach to 360° at-once capture.
http://www1.cs.colu...kman_IUW_1998_2.pdf PDF file - Clever. [bristolz, Jul 12 2005]
[link]
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Given that software exists to convert a series of regular pictures into a 360 degree view, you're not likely to find many takers in the commercial world. |
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But it would probably be useful for surveillance purposes. |
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I think [Photofreak] is looking at capturing light from every direction, not just 360 degrees on the horizontal. This also sounds quicker and easier (although harder to build) than the usual photo-stitching method. |
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Simpler to fit an old Alpa Roto with a linear CCD and an encoder on the film advance roller - those Nikkor 6mms are HUGE. sp. "sandwiched" "separating" "stitched" "mortar" "volley" Welcome to the HB [PF]. |
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//either place the Sphere on a surface (or special transparent stand) or toss it in the air// |
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Either way, is this a real advantage over the 360-degree panoramic mirror lenses? They cover an impressive area in one shot, with a single "standard" camera, and don't require toting a sphere. But work on it a while -- panoramic shots are just plain cool! |
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[Amos] - I repeat, I think [Photofreak] wants a single shot of *everything*. Panoramic mirror lenses only capture the horizontal axis, they photograph neither what is above them, nor what is below. This would be a real advance, although possibly more cool than useful. |
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Granted, It would be more fun then useful.
At least until the technology is
streamlined, but someone once said: "to
hell with practicality". I couldn't agree
more.
But those Columbia students seem to have
me beat (by 7 years!).
Thanks for the welcome, I'm looking
forward to much silliness and many
strokes of genuine brilliance (by the bunch
of ya) in my time here. |
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