WO1998027457A1

WO1998027457A1 - Method and mechanism for automatic opposing alignment of photographic image capture

Info

Publication number: WO1998027457A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/023380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel P. Kuban; Sean M. Kitzmiller
Original assignee: Interactive Pictures Corporation
Priority date: 1996-12-16
Filing date: 1997-12-16
Publication date: 1998-06-25
Also published as: AU5707398A

Abstract

A method and associated mechanism for automatic opposing alignment of photographic image capture is disclosed. A lens mount (101) supports at least an objective lens (102) of wide angle lens. To capture opposing images, the lens mount (101) is rotated about an axis (104) which intersects a plane of the objective lens (102) which signifies the objective lens' field-of-view. In a preferred embodiment, the plane signifies the objective lens' 180 degree field-of-view. By using the disclosed method and associated mechanism, the captured opposing images are more readilly combined into a spherical image.

Description

METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC OPPOSING ALIGNMENT

OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE CAPTURE

Background of the Invention

1. Technical Field

The technical field of the invention generally relates to supporting structures for image capturing devices. More specifically, the field of the invention relates to a supporting device that aligns an image capturing device so that captured images can be easily processed to form spherical images. 2. Related Art

One of the purposes of modern photography is to encourage a viewer to explore an image and, in the process, transform the image into something more than a two dimensional representation of space. Panoramic images provide some feeling of being

enveloped into an image but this feeling diminishes at the periphery of the image. To create a greater feeling of being enveloped and to provide a greater resolution image to a viewer, high numbers of picture elements have been combined to create even larger panoramic images. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,083,389 to Alperin which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Unfortunately, the combining of a plurality of images creates the potential for distortions at the seams of the images. Additionally, the number of images required to create a composite image in this manner is burdensome. A partially enveloping image was disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,185,667 to Zimmermann, expressly incorporated by reference to its entire contents. Zimmermann discloses a system and method for navigating about a spherically distorted image where the user's inputs control the displayed portion of the screen. Another difficulty of capturing large field-of-view images is the potential for misalignment of a camera as it is moved from a first image capturing position to a second image capturing position. Further, with multiple images being captured, the possible alignment error grows with each movement of a misaligned camera. The resulting images then require additional manual correlation to compensate for any misalignment of the camera.

Yet another difficulty is providing a supporting structure which allows quick and easy capturing of an image. Another difficulty is providing a portable support for a camera where the support does not require numerous adjustments to capture panoramic or spherical images.

Objects of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and mechanism enabling the capture of oppositely aligned photographic images.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solid support for supporting an image capturing device. Another object of the invention is to provide a user with a simplified method of capturing opposingly aligned images through guided rotation of a camera's lens.

Another object of the invention is to provide enhanced contact devices for contacting the ground. Another object of the invention is to stablely support at least a camera's lens. Another object of the invention is to eliminate the requirement for leveling devices in capturing wide field-of-view images.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate the lack of alignment of captured images.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the mismatch between the edges of captured images so that minimal manual or computer manipulation is required to align and match the edges of the images to form a larger image.

Summary of the Invention

The problems and related problems of the prior art are overcome by the principles of the present invention. According to these principles, a lens supporting structure is disclosed which aligns a camera's lens so captured images are properly aligned for future seaming together to form a spherical image. Embodiments of the present invention include a lens mount supporting a lens attached to a camera. Embodiments of the present invention also contemplate the lens mount taking on a variety of forms. For a simplicity, the lens mount is described as a ring and associated elements. Additional configurations of the lens mount include a supporting platform and equivalents thereof. In at least one embodiment, the lens mount attaches to a rotating sleeve which rotates about a central bore. The central bore attaches to a base which is supported by a static supporting structure. In one embodiment the supporting structure is a tripod. In an alternate embodiment, the supporting structure is a monopod. In a third embodiment, the supporting structure is a combination of a monopod and tripod. Preferably the axis of rotation of the lens mount coincides with a plane of an objective lens of the lens where the plane signifies a large field-of-view of the lens. In one embodiment, the plane signifies an approximate 180 degree field-of-view of the lens. In another embodiment, the plane signifies a field-of-view greater than 180 degrees. The axis of rotation of the lens mount is preferably co-linear with the axis of rotation of the lens.

By rotating the lens about the axis of rotation of the lens mount, two images are exposed for capturing. In particular, through the controlled positions of the lens mount, the two captured images are further seamed together to form a spherical image. The number of fixed positions of the lens mount accounts for lenses with various fields of field-of-view. By way of example only, captured left and right hemispherical images will be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 2 A, 2B, 16B, and 16C. These figures

are captured by a camera pointed directly forward to capture a first image and directly backward to capture a second image. Actually, any directional representation could have easily been shown and used, for example, by directing a camera up and down, or in other directions so long as an entire spherical image is obtained, preferably by capturing only two hemispherical or 180 degree images and combining them.

Additional techniques for capturing first and second images having approximately equal to or greater than 180 degree field-of-view are described in co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 08/494,599 filed June 23, 1995, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Simultaneous Capture of a Spherical Image" of Danny A. McCall and H. Lee Martin, incorporated by reference herein as to its entire contents.

Through the use of perspective correction and manipulation disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,185,667 and its progeny including U.S. Patent Nos. 5,384,588; 5,359,363; and 5,313,306 and U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 08/189,585, 08/339,663 and 08/373,446, the formed seamless image is explored, of which these are expressly incorporated by reference as to their entire contents. The exact representation of the transformation provided by this approach allows the seamless edges to be produced when the data is collected in a controlled manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the

drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the lens mount assembly as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 2 A and 2B show images captured and combined using embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 3A through 3C show a lens and camera body as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention and the associated fields-of-view. Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C show a lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 5 A and 5B show an outer sleeve as contemplated by the embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 6A and 6B show a central bore assembly as contemplated by the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a combination of a lens mount, an outer sleeve, and a central bore in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Figures 8A and 8B show views of the top of the central bore assembly as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 9 shows the lens mount with a securing device as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention. Figure 10 shows another lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 11 shows yet another lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C show different supports for the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 13 shows a monopod with a pivoting base as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 14A and 14B show a detailed view of the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 15 shows mounting devices for the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 16A through 16D show alignment tabs and alignment hairs as contemplated by the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lens stabilizing system 100 as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention. System 100 includes lens mount 101 securely mounting camera lens 102 which is in turn mounted to camera body 103. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate camera 103 as a still camera taking chemical or digital pictures, or a video camera capturing video images. Preferably, lens 102 is a wide angle lens. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate lens 102 including the lens types of: wide angle, fish-eye, hemispherical and greater that hemispherical types of lenses. Lens mount 101 attaches to outer sleeve 105. Outer sleeve 105 rests on central bore assembly 106. Between outer sleeve 105 and central bore assembly 106 is pivoting means

104. Pivoting means 104 allows outer sleeve 105 to rotate about central bore assembly 106. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate the pivoting means including a low friction layer between the contacting surfaces of sleeve 105 and central bore assembly 106. This low friction layer preferably includes at least one Teflon TM (or equivalent) disk. Alternative embodiments of the pivoting means 104 include bearings, a fluid-filed enclosure, and/or coated surfaces. Central bore 106 attaches to stable mount 107. By rotating sleeve 105 about central bore assembly 106, camera 103 and lens 102 rotate as well. Preferably, the lens mount 101, sleeve 105, bore assembly 106 and stable mount 107 are made of aluminum and/or anodized aluminum. By rotating sleeve 105 180 degrees, the lens 102 points in a direction opposite from its initial pointing direction. Positioning devices (not shown in Figure 1 for clarity) maintain lens 102 in a first position and in a second, opposite position, where the first and second positions differ by 180 degrees. Accordingly, a user wishing to capture two oppositely directed images photographs a first image with the camera 103 in a first position, rotates sleeve 105 until the camera 103 is oriented in a second position, which is 180 degrees apart from the first position, and photographs a second image. Examples of these images are shown in Figures 2 A and 2B.

Figure 2 A shows image 1 501, taken when camera 103 is facing a first direction

and image 2 502, taken when camera 103 is facing a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The periphery of image 1 501 is edge 503. The corresponding edge of image 2 502 is edge 504. These edges signify the limit of the field-of-view of lens 102 of Figure 1. If the field-of-view of lens 102 is 120 degrees, then the edges 503 and 504 are the edges of 120 degree fields-of-view. If the field-of-view of lens 102 is 180 degrees, then the edges 503 and 504 are the edges of 180 degree fields-of-view. If the field-of-view of lens 102 is 220 degrees, then the edges 503 and 504 are the edges of 220 degree fields-of- view.

As discussed in greater detail in co-pending U.S. Serial No. 08/516,629 filed August 18, 1995, expressly incorporated herein by reference for any necessary disclosure, images 1 501 and 2 502 are seamed together to form spherical image 505. Aiding the seaming process is the reduction of duplicative information stored in the two images 1 501 and 2 502. Accordingly, through use of the present invention, the embodiments allow a user to capture oppositely directed images with minimum overlap between the two images. The minimum overlap allows for easier joining the two images together. The joining process is discussed in greater detail in co-pending U.S. Serial No. 08/516,629, expressly incorporated herein by reference for any necessary disclosure. The dewarping of these warped images and the types of cameras are discussed in greater detail in the following U.S. Applications 08/386,912 filed February 8, 1995, 08/339,663 filed November 11, 1994, 08/189,585 filed January 31, 1994 (now U.S. Patent No. 5,384,588), 08/014,508 filed February 8, 1993 (now U.S. Patent No. 5,359,363), 07/699,366 filed

May 13, 1991 (now U.S. Patent No. 5,185,667), and 08/373,446 filed January 17, 1995. All of these references are expressly incorporated herein by reference for any necessary

disclosure.

The embodiments of the present invention additionally contemplate the taking of three or more images (for example, three or four) each with a different orientation so as to increase the amount of information available for the seaming process. This additional information, while at least partially redundant, enables the seaming process discussed above to choose the best portions of images for seaming into the formed image 505. Images 501 and 502 are subject to misaligning movements in three dimensions as shown by arrows 506, 507, and 508. Arrow 506 shows positive and negative movement in the plane formed by the X-Y axes. Arrow 507 shows positive and negative movement in the plane formed by the Y-Z axes. Arrow 508 show positive and negative movement in the plane formed by the X-Z axes. These misalignments become a consideration when the amount of misalignment exceeds the diameter of a pixel in the captured image.

Misalignment of the images 501 and 502 arise through various paths.

A first path of misalignment is through deflection of the lens mount 101 due to the weight of lens 102 and camera 103. For example, if the system 100 is assembled as shown in Figure 1, the strain on the system 100 due to gravity is rotational movement of lens 102 and camera 103 in a downward direction. Referring to Figure 2B, this rotation is shown as rotation in the Y-Z plane (arrow 507).

A second path of misalignment is through rotation of less than or greater than 180 degrees of sleeve 105. In this example, this misalignment is shown as rotation in the X-Y plane (arrow 506). A third path of misalignment is the rotation of lens 102 about an axis through the length of lens 102 (as shown as axis 22 in Figure 3 A). This misalignment is shown as rotation in the X-Z plane (arrow 506).

Another possible source for errors includes backlash between fixed structures. For example, if there is play in the mechanism locking lens 102 to camera body 103, this play may result in rotational misalignment in the X-Z plane. Also, the plane of the film in camera body 103 needs to be perpendicular to the light illuminating it, otherwise additional errors may result. Further, the film needs to be rotationally aligned to the axis of rotation of the lens to prevent the rotational offset as shown by arrow 508 above. A further source of misalignment is transitional misalignment of the lens (e.g., where the axis of rotation of the lens is parallel to the axis of rotation of the lens mount, so that the captured images are linearly offset).

Accordingly, as to misalignments due to strain, the materials used to construct system 100 are of a sufficient stiffness so as to eliminate (or at least significantly minimize) the misalignments mentioned above. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate the use of aluminum, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, chrome-vanadium-steel, and the like. As to the misalignments due to backlash between elements, sufficient precision is utilized to rrrirrimize this backlash. Further, camera 103 is preferably of the quality as ensuring the film is perpendicular to the light illuminating it and precise enough so as to allow the consistent transport of the film to keep the plane of the film rotationally aligned with the axis of rotation 13 of the lens.

Figure 3 A shows one image capturing apparatus 10. It includes a camera 15 connected to a lens 16. Lens 16 includes objective lens 12, attached to lens 16 by attachment structure 11. One embodiment of attachment structure 11 includes external threads, allowing lens 16 to be attached to lens mount 101 of Figure 1. Line 13 indicates the optical periphery of objective lens 12. The optical periphery of a lens relates to the outside edge of a captured image. An example may be seen in edges 503 and 504 of Figures 2A and 2B. In an alternate embodiment, when lens 16 captures more that 180 degrees (for example, a Nikon 6 mm lens having a 220 degree field-of-view), line 13 represents the plane of lens 16 which has a 180 degree field-of-view. In a third embodiment, line 13 is preferably located between the 180 degree field-of-view plane and optical periphery of the lens so as to compensate for a "halo" effect (where the image components at the maximum field-of-view of the captured image are diminished in intensity and/or clarity), described in greater detail below.

One advantage of using a lens with a greater that 180 degree field-of-view is that any halo effect resulting from image loss is readily eliminated. Seam (or edge) filtering is preferably applied automatically to eliminate a "halo" effect caused on the last few degrees at the rim edge of the image. This rim halo causes the outermost portions that are part of the image to be dimmed. Using a lens of greater than 180 degrees, the halo effect would primarily be concentrated in the last few degrees of the greater than 180 degree field-of- view of the lens. If the captured image is converted to a digital form or if the image is already in a digital form, then the thickness of this dimming is only a few pixels. The filtering is preferably performed in a radial manner using linear pixel filtering and replication techniques across the radial vector that points from the perimeter of the edge to the center of each of the images. Examples of linear pixel filtering techniques that may be used include a median filter (where the two outer pixels are replaced with the most prevalent pixel value in the region) or an average filter (where you average two pixels together and use the average value), other appropriate mathematical relationship or combinations of such relationships. Another method of removing the halo effect includes chopping off the portions of the dimmed portions of the images. This is simplified with greater than 180 degree fields-of-view lenses as the resulting images include overlapping portions. While portions of a first image may be dimmed, the corresponding image information on a second, opposite-facing image will not be so dimmed. Accordingly, one combines the two images without any halo effect, thereby creating a spherical image as described in the related U.S. Applications and Patents.

One advantage of locating line 13 at the 180 degree field-of-view of lens 16 is that the mis-capture of images is reduced. For example, Figure 3B shows fields-of-view 17 and 18 as captured by lens 16 where the axis of rotation 13 of the lens 16 is not co-linear with the axis of rotation 21 of the lens mount 101. When lens 16 faces field-of-view 17, the axis of rotation 21 of the lens mount 101 is in front of the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16. This is also shown by axis of rotation 21 being closer to the front of objective lens 12 than axis of rotation 13. The effect of the misalignment as shown in Figure 3B is the overlap 19 of the images captured by lens 16 when facing fields-of-view 17 and 18. In later processing steps, the overlap 19 needs to be removed. Otherwise, a simple combination of the images of fields-of-view 17 and 18 will result in duplicative information around the seam of formed spherical image 505.

A related misalignment is shown in Figure 3C where the axis of rotation 21 ' of the lens mount 101 is placed behind the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16. The location of these two axes is also shown in Figure 3 A. The resulting images capturing of view 17' and 18' do not include image elements found in gap 20. To account for the lost image elements in gap 20, later processing steps need to generate the missing portions to create formed

image 505. By aligning the axis of rotation 21 of lens mount 101 with the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16, the misalignment and resulting misaligned images (shown in Figures 3B and 3C) are eliminated.

Spot 14 on lens 16 represents the center of gravity of lens 16. It should be noted that when camera body 15 is attached to lens 16, the center of gravity of the combination lens 16 and camera body 15 moves.

When lens 16 is rotated 180 degrees about line 13, the two images captured at

these positions are combined through manual or automatic means. The overlap of each image of the fields-of-view greater that 180 degrees may be removed through manual touch-up or through an automated correlation process. These processes are described in greater detail in co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 08/516,629, expressly incorporated herein by reference for any essential subject matter.

Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C relate to the lens mount 101. Figure 4 A shows lens mount

101 in greater detail as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention. Lens mount 101 includes outer surface 202 and inner surface 204. Leg 207 supports the lens mounting portion (202, 204, 205) of lens mount 101. Foot 206 is attached to leg 207 for securing lens mount 101 to supporting assembly 105.

Different holding means are contemplated by the embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, inner surface 204 includes threads which mate with attachment structure 11 of Figure 3. In another embodiment, for example, shown in Figure

4B, adjustable screws 208 are used to secure lens 16 in lens mount 101. The composition of the screws 208 includes at least one of nylon, aluminum and other metals, plastic, and

equivalent screw materials.

Figure 4C shows another embodiment of a securing device for securing lens 10 to lens mount 101. Figure 4C shows screw 209 attaching upper and lower portions of lens mount 101. To secure the lens 16, the upper and lower portions of lens mount 101 are spread apart, lens 16 is placed between the two portions, and the upper and lower portions are secured together by screw 209. As shown, screw 209 is recessed through recessing slot 211. By recessing screw 209 into the body of lens mount 101, screw 209 is kept out of the field-of-view of lens 16. Alternative embodiments contemplate screw 209 mounted outside of lens mount 101.

Referring back to Figure 4 A, lips 201 and 205 prevent lens 16 from extending past lens mount 101. Preferably, when lens 16 is securely positioned in lens mount 101, line 13 is coplanar with inside edge of lips 201 and 205. In an alternative embodiment, lips 201 and 205 jut out from outer surface 202 so that, when lips 201 and 205 position lens 16,

line 13 is coplanar with the forward face 212 of outer surface 202. Additional lips can be used so as to support more portions of lens 16.

Figures 5 A and 5B show sleeve 105 in greater detail as sleeve 301. As shown in Figure 5A, sleeve 301 includes outer shell 303 with recessed cavity 305. On the top surface 302 of sleeve 301 is a mounting device 314 for securely holding foot 206 of lens mount 101. Mounting device 314 includes a recessed area 308 which mates with the outer periphery of foot 205. Inside recessed area 308 are holes 306 and pivot hole 307. Pivot hole 307 is preferably located in the center of sleeve 301. When lens 16 is attached to lens mount 101 and lens mount is attached to sleeve 301, line 13 of lens 16 preferably passes through pivot hold 307. When sleeve 301 rotates about pivot hole 307, line 13 of lines 16

rotates about this same axis.

The ability of sleeve 301 to rotate smoothly about pivot hole 307 eliminates the need for leveling devices when the axis of rotation 21 of lens mount 101 is co-linear with the axis of rotation 13 of lens 16. For example, when a lens is used which captures a wide field-of-view and the supporting sleeve 301 is adequately supported, then the rotation of lens 16 caused by the rotation of sleeve 301 aligns the images captured by the lens 16. Accordingly, the amount of subsequent alignments, that need to be performed in the

seaming process described above, are minimized. Whether or not the axis of rotation is truly vertical does not disturb the image capturing ability of the lens supporting assembly. Rather, leveling devices are not required as a user may wish to tilt the lens support to feature a subject more prominently in one image rather than another. For example, when a user wishes to capture an image which extends past vertical, a user tilts the lens mounting assembly to capture the desired image.

When the lens 16 and camera 15 are rotated, the image components missing from the first image are captured in the second image.

Similarly, a user does not have to worry about uneven ground as the fixed plane of rotation of the lens supporting structure compensates for any non-level mounting of the supporting structure due to the wide field-of-view of the image capturing lens 16 and the rotational alignment of lens 16.

Alternatively, some photographers prefer ensuring that all images captured are vertically parallel. Accordingly, alternate embodiments of the present invention contemplate at least one bubble level 311 acting to align sleeve 301 (and the structure upon which sleeve 301 is mounted) in at least one direction. Level 311 is preferably taken from the group of levels including cylindrical levels and bulls-eye levels.

Figure 5B shows a side view of sleeve 301. Sleeve 301 includes knurled surface 313 so as to reduce slippage between sleeve 301 and a user's hand. Outer structure 304 surrounds the lower portion of sleeve 301 so as to keep a user's hand away from the bottom of sleeve 301. Sleeve 301 also contains stopping devices 309 and 310. Stopping devices 309 and 310, used in conjunction with recesses 404 and 405 (described below with respect to Figure 6), allow a user to rotate sleeve 301 to fixed positions, offering at least slight initial inertia to the rotation. Accordingly, the sleeve 301 is quickly and easily positioned in at least two predetermined locations. The stopping devices 309 and 310 preferably contain spheres 314 recessed into cavities 316. The spheres 314 are urged downward by springs 315. Spheres 314 are held into cavities by means known in the art. For example, these means include lips on the opening of cavities 316 or equivalents thereof. Alternative embodiments of the invention contemplate the positions of the stopping devices 309 and 310 and recesses 404 and 405 being reversed such that stopping devices 309 and 310 are located in base 403 and recesses 404 and 405 are contained in sleeve 301. It is noted that alternative detents or stopping devices may be used as known in the art. Figures 6A and 6B show central bore 401 connected to base 403. Sleeve 301 fits over central bore 401 and is supported by bore top 407 and base 403. The upper surface

of recessed cavity 305 of sleeve 301 contacts bore top 407. As a bore top 407 contacts the upper surface of recess cavity 305, a low friction pivoting element 408 is sandwiched between the bore top 407 and the upper surface of recessed cavity 305. The low friction pivoting element 408 is preferably a Teflon TM (or equivalent) disk. Alternative embodiments of the low friction pivoting element 408 include bearings, a fluid-filed enclosure, and/or matching surfaces. To increase or decrease the friction between sleeve 301 and central bore 401 as well as to increase or decrease the stability of the sleeve 301, embodiments of the present invention contemplate the clearance between the surface of central bore 402 and the inside surface of sleeve 305 being adjusted accordingly.

Fixedly attached to central bore 401 is base 403. Base 403 includes at least one recess 404 or 405 which engages with stopping devices 309 and 310 as shown in Figure 6A. Figure 6B shows an alternate embodiment of the number of recesses 404', 405' as interacting with stopping devices 309 and 310. Specifically, Figure 6B shows additional recesses 404' and 405' allowing additional rotational positions of sleeve 301 as engaged by stopping devices 309 and 310 at 0-60-120-180-240-300-360 degrees. The number of recesses 404', 405' and stopping devices is adjusted to fit the number of positions required. Figure 7 shows a combination 701 of lens mount 101 with foot 206 securely fastened to sleeve 301, sleeve 301 pivoting on central bore 401, and central bore 401

attached to base 403. Common reference numerals have been carried through from previous Figures for simplicity. Figure 7 additionally shows screws 702 attaching foot 206 (positioned in recess 308) to sleeve 301 through hole 711 in foot 206 and hole 306 in sleeve 301. Pin 703 acts as a pivot point as it connects sleeve 301 and central bore 401.

Hole 710 allows secure attachment of base 403 to a supporting device (discussed in greater detail below).

Figures 8 A and 8B show different embodiments of the bottom of foot 206. The periphery 801 of foot 206 is shaped to match the shape of recess 308. Figure 8 A shows foot 206 with an oval periphery 801. Figure 8B shows foot 206 with a rectangular periphery 801'.

Figure 9 shows a front view of one embodiment of lens mount 101, sleeve 301, central bore 401, and base 403. This embodiment includes screw 209 securing the upper and lower halves of the lens mount 101 around a lens 16 (not shown for simplicity). As another aspect of this embodiment, the width of lower lip 205 is proportioned so that the field-of-view of the lens consumed by lower lip 205 approaches the field-of-view consumed by the dimensions of sleeve 301. Thus, the portion of the image consumed by sleeve 301 and lip 205 is kept to a minimum.

Figure 10 shows lens 16 supported by a combination of supporting structures 904 and 906. Monopod 904 supports lens mount 101. Preferably, the center axis of monopod 904 coincides with the rotation line 13 of objective lens 12. Tripod 906 supports camera body 15. To aid in aligning lens 16, tripod 906 includes adjustment device 908. Adjustment device 908 increases and decreases the height of camera body 15 so that lens 16 and camera body 15 rotate about line 13 passing through lens 12. To aid in the rotation of tripod 906, camera body 15 and lens 16 about line 13 of lens 12, monopod 904 terminates at point 905. In a preferred embodiment, point 905 comprises a spike made of a hard material as chosen from the group of metals, metal alloys, and high density plastics. The spike allows good contact with soft ground. In an alternative embodiment, point 905 terminates with a soft rubber point which allows for good contact on hard surfaces. In another embodiment, the soft rubber point and spike are combined as the soft rubber point covers the hard spike so the support can be used on a variety of surfaces

Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a rotating support for lens 16. Lens mount 101 attaches to tripod 906. While lens mount 101 supports objective lens 12, arm 1002 supports camera body 15. Rotational device 1001 includes sleeve 301, central bore

401, and base 403. Rotational device 1001 preferably includes an adjustment device for raising and lowering arm 1002 to compensate for the height of cameral body 15. When the objective lens 12 rotates about line 13, camera body 15 and lens 16, supported by arm

1002 pivot about line 13 as well. Figures 12 A, 12B, and 12C show different supports for the lens mount as contemplated by embodiments of the present invention. Figure 12A shows monopod 904' supporting lens mount 101 terminating at point 905. As an alternate embodiment of Figure 10, monopod 904' supports lens 16 and camera body 15 (not shown in Figure 12A for

clarity). Figure 12B shows an alternate embodiment of the base of tripod 906 from the embodiments disclosed in Figures 10 and 11. Tripod 906 includes legs 1202 and leg bases

1201. Leg bases 1201 are preferably hard rubber or metal in composition to establish a solid contact with the ground. An alternative embodiment of leg bases 1201 includes spikes instead of pads for digging into the surface upon which tripod 906 rests.

Figure 12C shows another alternative embodiment of leg bases 1201. As seen in

Figure 12C, leg bases 1201' include hook and loop-type fasteners (VELCRO TM) to attach to a carpeted surface or a surface with the appropriate one of a hook and loop type fastener attached to it. An alternative embodiment of leg bases 1201' includes suction cups for attachment to a smooth surface.

Figure 13 shows an alternate embodiment of the lower portions of monopod 904. Rotational device 1001, described above, connects to upper telescoping portion 1305, which is connected to lower telescoping portion 1306. Both upper telescoping portion 1305 and 1306 taken together form telescoping portion 1304. Contact portion 1307 provides support for telescoping portion 1304. Contact portion 1307 includes base member 1303 attached to lower telescoping portion 1307 by means of pivot 1301. Attached to base portion 1303 are points 1302 which are structurally similar to point 905 described above.

Figures 14Aand 14B show lens mount 101 with mounting holes 711. Figure 14A is a front view of lens mount 101. Figure 14B is a side view of lens mount 101.

Figure 15 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 4B. Figure 15 shows a front view of lens mount 101 with wing nuts 1502 threaded through holes 1501 holding inserted lens 16.

Figures 16A through 16C show alignment devices and associated images. Figure 16A shows marking sleeve 1601 with marking tabs 1602. Marking sleeve 1601 and marking tabs 1602 removably attach to lens mount 101. In an alternate embodiment, marking tabs 1602 fixedly attach to lens mount 101. Lens 16 contains alignment hairs 1603. Alternatively, the embodiments of the present invention contemplate the alignment hairs 1603 being located within camera body 15 (for example, at least one of etched on a mirror, prism, or eyepiece of camera body 15). One advantage of having alignment hairs 1603 on a mirror or eyepiece in camera body 15 is that these components move or are positioned out of the way when film within camera body 15 is exposed.

Figure 16B shows alignment tabs 1602 and alignment hairs 1603 as seen by the image plane of camera 15. In this example, images 1604 and 1605 are oppositely aligned through the rotation of lens mount 101. The misalignment 1606 between lens mount 101 and lens 16 yields images 1604 and 1605. While the seaming process described in greater detail in co-pending application 08/516,629 filed August 18, 1995 (expressly incorporated herein for any essential subject matter) allows for the correction of the misalignment 1607 between images 1604 and 1605 through the rotation of at least one of images 1604 or

1605, the use of alignment tabs 1602 and alignment hairs 1603 allows for minimizing the amount of rotational correction required.

Figure 16C shows images 1604' and 1605' properly aligned through the alignment of lens mount 101 and at least one of lens 16 or camera body 15. The resulting images 1604' and 1605' require less rotational alignment to form a spherical image 505.

Figure 16D shows lens cap 1608 with alignment hairs 1603 covering lens 16. In addition to protecting lens 16 while lens 16 is mounted in lens mount 101, lens cap 1608 helps align lens 16 to lens mount 101 through the use of alignment hairs 1603 and alignment tabs 1602. From the foregoing description, it is or should be readily apparent that the described method of operation and apparatus permits a user to obtain aligned images and that the disclosed system achieves the objectives sought. Of course, the foregoing description is that of preferred embodiments of the invention and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. All of the above-referenced U. S. patents and patent applications referenced herein should be deemed to be incorporated by reference as to any subject matter believed to be essential to an understanding of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A lens mount assembly comprising: a structure for supporting an objective lens of an image capturing device; an adjustable support supporting said structure; and a stationary support supporting said adjustable support.

2. The lens mount assembly of claim 1, wherein said adjustable support rotatably supports said structure.

3. The lens mount assembly of claim 1, wherein said adjustable support swivelly supports said structure.

4. The lens mount assembly of claim 2, wherein said structure has a rotatable axis such that said rotatable axis is coplanar with said lens.

5. The lens mount assembly of claim 2, wherein said structure has a rotatable axis such that said rotatable axis bisects and is coplanar with a plane of a 180 degree field- of-view of the lens.

6. The lens mount assembly of claim 3, wherein said structure has a swivel axis such that said swivel axis bisects and is coplanar with a plane of a 180 degree field-of- view of the lens.

7. The lens mount assembly of claim 5, further comprising releasable locking means locating and securing said adjustable support to said stationary support.

8. A lens support assembly for supporting an objective lens which has plane signifying a 180 degree field-of-view, said assembly comprising: an adjustable mount for supporting said objective lens; adjusting means for adjusting said mount; and a stationary support supporting said adjustable mount wherein said adjustable mount rotates about an axis which is co-planar with said objective lens' plane.

9. The lens support assembly according to claim 8 wherein said stationary support includes a monopod.

10. The lens mount assembly of claim 8 wherein said stationary support includes a tripod.

11. A method of capturing images by a camera attached to a lens, where said images are combinable, comprising the steps of: providing a support for said lens; rotating said lens about an axis of rotation of said support to a first predetermined location; capturing a first image; rotating said lens about an axis of rotation of said support to at least a second

predetermined location; capturing a second image; wherein the field-of-view of said first and second images totals approximately at

least 360 degrees.

12. The method of capturing images according to claim 11 further comprising

the steps of: rotating said lens about an axis of rotation of said support to a third predetermined location; capturing a third image.

13. The method of capturing images according to claim 11 wherein said first and second predetermined locations are separated by 180 degrees.

14. The method of capturing images according to claim 11 wherein said predetermined locations are chosen to mimmize the amount of overlap between the said first and second images.

15. A lens mount assembly to facilitate the taking of diametrically opposed images comprising:

a stationary component; a rotational component rotatably attached to said stationary component; and, a lens supporting component attached to said rotational component for supporting a lens, wherein said rotational component includes an axis of rotation and said lens supporting component rotates about said axis of rotation.

16. The lens mount assembly according to claim 15 further comprising: securing devices on said lens supporting component securing said lens in said lens supporting component.

17. The lens mount assembly according to claim 15 wherein said lens supporting component further comprises: a lens mount with a front face, wherein said axis of rotation is parallel with said front face of said lens mount .

18. The lens mount assembly according to claim 15 wherein said lens supporting component further comprises: a lens mount with a front face, wherein said axis of rotation is coplanar with said front face of said lens mount .

19. The lens mount assembly according to claim 15 wherein said axis of rotation differs from vertical.

20. A lens mount assembly to facilitate the taking of diametrically opposed images comprising: a stationary component; a rotational component rotatably attached to said stationary component; and, a lens supporting component attached to said rotational component for supporting a lens, wherein said lens includes an axis of rotation co-planar with a 180 degree field-of- view of said lens; wherein said rotational component includes an axis of rotation which is co-linear with said axis of rotation of said lens.