Camera that produces a special effect

A camera that produces a special photographic effect known as a "freeze" by simultaneously photographing an active subject from multiple perspectives. Multiple individual cameras are operated via a single computer controller and powered by a single external DC power supply. The photographs are then edited and sequenced to form a moving picture.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a method of using multiple still cameras 
to fire simultaneously, producing multiple images from different 
perspectives of a subject at a discrete moment in time. These images are 
then edited by placing them in a sequential order to create a moving 
picture that depicts the subject at a particular moment from different 
perspectives. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A "freeze" effect is defmed for purposes of this application as a 
photographic effect where a moving subject is still-photographed from 
multiple perspectives simultaneously. The resulting images are then placed 
in a sequential order, based on angular or linear displacement, to form a 
moving picture, like a movie. Thus, the end product is a moving picture of 
an active subject frozen in time. A "freeze" creates the illusion of 
freezing in time an active subject while a movie camera photographs the 
subject from multiple perspectives. 
To successfully create a "freeze," shutter timing is critical. The images 
must be made as close to simultaneously as possible. Because shutter 
speeds are measured in units as small as hundredths of a second, the 
slightest a synchronicity will destroy the effect: i.e., all the images 
will not be "frozen" at the same time, resulting in a moving picture where 
the subject appears to "jump" about. 
To solve this problem, one existing method utilizes a single camera and a 
single piece of film. This camera has a single shutter controlling 
exposure through several lenses. The single shutter simultaneously exposes 
the film at different places through the different lenses, eliminating the 
need to synchronize multiple shutters. This single-shutter method, 
however, limits the camera's--and the viewers'--perspectives by limiting 
the possible linear displacement between the lenses and the displacement 
between the first and last lens. Further, a single shutter limits the 
lenses' arrangement to a line, or, using a camera constructed of a 
flexible material, a shallow arc. Finally, the single shutter limits the 
number of lenses through which the film may be exposed. This limits the 
number of images that the camera can create and, consequently, the 
length--in time--of the moving picture. 
To create a longer "freeze" and a wider total linear and angular 
displacement, multiple shutters/cameras are necessary. However, using 
multiple shutters raises the problem of shutter asynchronicity and the 
resulting subject "jumpiness" in the moving picture product. A 
computer-enhancement technique known as "interlacing" minimizes this 
problem. 
"Interlacing" works as follows: Suppose three cameras, A, B, and C, are 
arranged from left to right and fired simultaneously (or as close to 
simultaneously as possible) to create a "freeze." The computer 
"interlaces" the right half of camera A's image with the left half of 
camera B's image to form a new, "interlaced" image AB. Likewise, the right 
half of camera B's image is "interlaced" with the left half of camera C's 
image to form BC. In the resulting image sequence--A-AB-B-BC-C--shutter 
timing differences are minimized, or smoothed out. However, the resulting 
moving picture's quality is less than it would be if the shutters could be 
perfectly, or almost perfectly, synchronized. 
This shutter synchronization must be virtually complete. Even if the 
shutters operate within hundredths of a second of one another, the 
resulting "freeze" will be ruined. For example, assume that the subject, 
or part of the subject, moves at fifty (50) feet per second. If the 
shutters each operate within one one-hundredth (1/100) of a second of one 
another, the images captured will still vary in space by as much as six 
(6) inches. 
The photographer must solve a number of problems to synchronize more than 
one camera shutter. One problem to solve when synchronizing multiple 
cameras' shutters is firing all the cameras simultaneously. However, even 
if each camera begins the shutter operation process simultaneously, each 
shutter may not operate simultaneously. This is because of inherent timing 
tolerance differences within each camera's controlling circuitry, or 
central processing unit (CPU). Finally, an internal or external DC power 
supply typically powers a camera. Small variations in DC power supply 
voltage between two cameras can vary the speed with which the cameras' 
CPUs send a "fire" signal to their respective shutters. This power 
supply-dependent asynchronization can also destroy a "freeze." Therefore, 
a need exists for a method of creating a "freeze" effect using multiple 
cameras/lenses/shutters by synchronizing the shutters and eliminating 
shutter asynchronicity instead of "interlacing" the images. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention discloses a method of creating a "freeze" by 
synchronizing the shutters of multiple cameras within a fraction of one 
one-thousandth of a second. In a preferred embodiment, 360 cameras--spaced 
at one (1) degree intervals--are arranged on a frame in a circle. However, 
other, non-circular arrangements may be used. The mechanism attaching each 
camera to the frame should allow the cameras to rotate up and down (tilt) 
and left to right (pan). Once the cameras are arranged in a circle, they 
must be leveled. To accomplish this, a laser leveling device, such as 
surveyors use, may be utilized. Next, each camera must be focused on the 
same exact spot. A sighting device is placed in the circle's center, where 
the ultimate subject will be photographed. This sighting device may be a 
ball, so that it may easily be sighted in the center of the circular sight 
of each camera lens. 
Once the cameras are leveled and sighted, they must be fired 
simultaneously. Each camera, however, has its own CPU that processes the 
firing signal. Each CPU has a timing tolerance; that is, the time each CPU 
takes to process a firing signal will vary from camera to camera. These 
timing tolerance differences may be as wide as 300 to 500 milliseconds. 
The present invention eliminates these timing differences by bypassing 
each camera's CPU and connecting each camera's shutter control to a 
central computer controller. Thus, the controller sends one firing signal 
simultaneously to all 360 cameras. 
Even if firing signals are sent simultaneously, the shutters may not 
perfectly synchronize if each camera's DC power supply voltage is not the 
same. Therefore, the present invention supplies each camera with DC power 
from a single source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
The present invention comprises simultaneously photographing with multiple 
cameras a single, active subject. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred 
arrangement 100. Three-hundred and sixty (360) cameras are arranged in a 
circle at one (1) degree intervals. For simplicity, this description will 
focus on only three cameras: 102, 104, and 106. 
The cameras are first leveled using a leveling means, such as a laser 
device used by surveyors. Once the cameras are leveled, they are aimed (by 
adjusting tilt and pan) at a sighting device placed in the circle's center 
where subject 110 will eventually be photographed. 
Finally, after the cameras are arranged, leveled, and sighted, all the 
cameras simultaneously photograph subject 110. Computer controller/power 
supply 112 (illustrated in FIG. 2) bypasses each camera's CPU and sends 
the firing signal directly to each camera's shutter simultaneously. This 
common signal source greatly improves shutter synchronization by 
eliminating the various timing tolerance differences present when a 
separate CPU controls each camera. The common DC power supply 112 shown in 
FIG. 3 further improves shutter synchronization by eliminating timing 
differences arising from voltage differences among the cameras when each 
has its own power supply. 
FIG. 3 illustrates how individual frames are sequenced to effect the 
"freeze." Each camera 102, 106, and 106 contains its own, separate film 
roll 102a, 104a, and 106a. After the film is exposed, a frame 102b, 104b, 
and 106b from each film roll is chosen for the "freeze" sequence. 
Importantly, selected frames 102b, 104b, and 106b must be the same frame 
in terms of temporal order. For example, FIG. 3 shows the 
simultaneously-exposed third frame selected from each roll. 
Next, the selected frames 102b, 104b, and 106b are sequenced to form a 
moving picture 108. This moving picture is the finished product, or 
"freeze," showing active subject 110 from a range of perspectives at a 
discrete instant. 
The foregoing description has described the present method using a 
"camera." However, it should be noted that the present method may utilize 
any type of image recording medium, including: standard film/camera, CCD 
cameras, video cameras, and digital video recording devices. The common 
still camera exposing a roll of film is not the only alternative. 
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the 
foregoing Detailed Description and illustrated in the accompanying 
drawings, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the 
embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, 
modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing 
from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is 
intended to encompass such rearrangements, modifications, and 
substitutions of parts and elements as fall within the spirit and scope of 
the invention.