Patent ID: 7542073
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to capture images of a surrounding scene, the apparatus comprising: a camera array bar to support a camera at a plurality of substantially parallel capture planes; a camera, coupled to the camera array bar, to capture a plurality of images of a surrounding scene in each of the plurality of substantially parallel capture planes as the camera moves through each of the plurality of substantially parallel capture planes, wherein the camera is positioned to look outward toward the surrounding scene in a radial direction; a beam coupled to the camera array bar at an end and coupled to a counterweight on an other end, wherein the camera array bar and the counterweight are located on opposite ends of the beam; and the beam rotatably coupled to a support at a center of rotation, allowing the beam to rotate about 360 degrees around the center of rotation, wherein the beam is rotated in a plane substantially perpendicular to the camera array bar.