Patent Publication Number: US-2003234330-A1

Title: Mount for supporting a camera and a mirrored optic

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/346,331, filed on Jan. 7, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates generally to a device supporting an object to be photographed, and more specifically to a device which supports and properly orients an object relative to a camera taking the photograph. In many situations, it is desired to have a panoramic photograph of an object, room or scene. Such a panoramic image might be utilized in a computer screen or internet website display to provide as full and detailed a picture as possible. Thus, the device and/or method of capturing the panoramic image for use and application to a variety of settings (such as a computer) is critical. One such way of capturing such a panoramic image is to take a photograph of an inverted optical mirror. For example, such a mirror may be mounted on a ceiling with the optical portion, or reflective surface facing downward such that a person standing directly under the mirror looking upward at it would have a 360° distorted view of the entire room reflected in the mirror. By taking a picture of the image as seen in the optical mirror, the 360° image of the room can be captured. Through software the distortion can be removed from the 360° image and the image of the room seen in the mirror can be converted into a single, panoramic picture for use with a computer. Such a mirror, having a generally parabolic shape, has been built by Eyesee360.com of 50 Standish Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pa., hereinafter referred to as a mirrored optic. A mirrored optic  60  is shown in FIG. 1. The mirrored optic  60  has been designed to capture a certain image of its surroundings and is described by a specific mathematical equation to resemble a parabola, although not a true parabola. The mirrored optic  60  make take on other shapes (i.e., described in different mathematical manners) to achieve different desired views or images, and be processed using correspondingly different software.  
       [0003] One problem, however, is how to mount, hold, and/or orient such an optic in relation to the camera taking the picture of the image seen in the reflective surface. The supporting structure must be such that little or no portion of the supporting structure is seen in the picture of the image in the mirror. Portions of the supporting structure (or any other obstruction) visible in the picture are undesirable since the imaging software which converts the captured image into a horizontal, panoramic display, will be unable to remove such errors. That is, the software is capable of removing distortions resulting from the curvature of the reflective surface of the mirrored optic, but cannot remove objects which form part of the picture itself. Thus, it is the goal of this invention to design and construct a mounting device for a mirrored optic such that the final viewable image of the mirrored optic is minimally affected by the mounting device itself.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] Briefly stated, the present invention is a mount for supporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis. The mount includes a plate configured for attachment to the camera, such that the first optical axis passes through the plate. A platform through which light may pass has first and second sides, with the second side opposite the first side. The first side of the platform is spaced from the plate and positioned such that the first optical axis passes through the platform. A support rod has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The first end is attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the second end of the support rod, such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.  
       [0005] In another aspect, the present invention is a mount for supporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis. The mount includes a platform through which light may pass. The platform has first and second sides, with the second side opposite the first side. The first side of the platform is spaced from the camera and positioned such that the first optical axis passes through the platform. A support rod has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The first end is attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optic have a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the second end of the support rod, such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.  
       [0006] In another aspect, the present invention is a mount for supporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis. The mount includes a lower bracket configured for attachment to the camera, such that the first optical axis passes through the lower bracket. An upper bracket is spaced from the lower bracket and positioned such that the first optical axis passes through the upper bracket. The upper bracket has a bottom side. An optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the bottom side of the upper bracket, such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
     [0008] In the drawings:  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mount for a camera according a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side view of the mount shown in FIG. 1;  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical support in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a bottom view photograph of the mirrored optic mounted to the optical support shown in FIG. 3;  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical support in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0014]FIG. 6 is a bottom view photograph of the mirrored optic mounted to the optical support shown in FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0015] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the mount and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.  
     [0016] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  a preferred embodiment of a support mount, generally designated  10 , in accordance with the present invention. The mount  10  is for supporting a camera  50  having a lens  52  and a lens housing  54 . A first optical axis  56  passes through the center of the lens  52 . Cameras and their lenses are well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted for purposes of convenience only and is not limiting.  
     [0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mount  10  includes an adjustable support  12 . The adjustable support  12  preferably includes a base portion, or foot  14  for resting on a horizontal surface (not shown). The foot  14  includes apertures  14   a  for receiving one or more fasteners (not shown) to firmly secure the foot  14  to the horizontal surface thereby preventing the mount  10  from falling on its side. A support leg  16  extends generally vertically upward from one end of the foot  14 . The support leg  16  extends through a bracket  18  which is slidable up and down the length of the support leg  16 . The bracket  18  includes one or more fasteners, preferably screws  17 , such that the bracket  18  may be secured in a desired vertical position along the support leg  16  by friction. The fastener alternatively may be, for example, a clip, clamp or any other fastening device generally known to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The camera  50  is releasably attached to the bracket  18  in a manner generally known to those skilled in the art, such as with a thumb screw (not shown) extending through one of the slots  18   a  on the bracket  18 , such that the camera  50  may be positioned in a desired vertical position along the support leg  16 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the bracket  18  may also be constructed so that the camera  50 , once mounted to the bracket  18 , is rotatable with respect to the bracket  18 , or so that the bracket  18  is rotatable about the support leg  16  (not shown). The bracket  18  could also be permanently secured in a single position on the support leg  16  (not shown).  
     [0018] An upper support ring  20  extends generally horizontally from the top of the support leg  16  in a cantilever fashion. The support ring  20  is preferably generally oval in shape, such that an optical support  24  (discussed in greater detail below) is supported by the support ring  20  and is slidable along the length of the support ring  20 . The support ring  20  includes a plurality of lightening holes  25  spaced equidistantly around the perimeter of the support ring  20  to reduce the weight of the support ring  20  on the adjustable support  12 .  
     [0019] The adjustable support  12  and the parts thereof (i.e., the foot  14 , the support leg  16 , the bracket  18  and the support ring  20 ) are made of any material generally known in the art, such as aluminum, so that the adjustable support  12  is capable of supporting the weight of the camera  50  and the optical support  24 .  
     [0020] Still referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , the optical support  24  includes a mounting plate  26 . The mounting plate  26  includes an aperture  28  having a diameter large enough such that the lens  52  is able to see through the plate  26  when the aperture  28  is at least partially aligned with the first optical axis  56 . When the aperture  28  is centered about the first optical axis  56  of the lens  52 , the full portion of the lens  52  is preferably able to see through the plate  26 . The mounting plate  26  is configured to slidably fit onto the support ring  20  of the adjustable support  12 . The plate  26  may be secured to the support ring  20  in a desired horizontal position using the attachment nut  30 . The attachment nut  30  is threaded and screws into the threaded inner portion (not shown) of the plate  26 , such that the support ring  20  is squeezed between the attachment nut  30  and the plate  26  to prevent the plate  26  from sliding along the support ring  20 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the plate  26  may be fastened to the support ring  20  by other means generally known in the art.  
     [0021] The optical support  24  further includes a disk-shaped platform  32 . The platform  32  is spaced from the mounting plate  26  such that the first optical axis  56  passes through the platform  32 . The platform  32  includes first and second sides  34 ,  36 , respectively, the second side  36  being opposite the first side  34 . The platform  32  is supported from the first side  34  by one or more equidistantly spaced support posts  38  extending upwardly from the mounting plate  26 . The support posts  38  are all of generally equal length, such that the platform  32  is level when mounted to the support posts  38 . The support posts  38  are made of plastic, but may be made of aluminum or any other suitable material. The platform  32  is attached to the support posts  38  by means of a screw  39  placed in each support post  38  from the second side  36  of the platform  32 , or by any other means to similarly secure the platform  32  to the support posts  38 . The support posts  38  are similarly attached to the mounting plate  26  using screws  38   a.  Those skilled in the art will recognize that the platform  32  may be supported by an infinite number of support posts  38  or, for example, a cylindrical tube attached to the mounting plate  26 , without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
     [0022] In the preferred embodiment, the platform  32  and the mounting plate  26  are circular in shape having approximately the same diameters. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the platform  32  may be any shape and/or size so long as it is able to be supported by the mounting plate  26 . The platform  32  is preferably comprised of optically clear material (such as optical grade polycarbonate), but may also be comprised of glass, plastic or any other material through which light may pass. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the more transparent the platform  32 , the less distorted that an image seen by the lens  52  will be when taking a picture through the platform  32 . The platform  32  may be of any thickness so long as the platform can support the weight of the structure mounted to it. The platform  32  is preferably a set distance, X, away from the mounting plate  26  (see FIG. 1).  
     [0023] The optical support  24  further includes a support rod  40  having first and second ends  42 ,  44 , respectively, extending upwardly from the second side  36  of the platform  32 . The support rod  40  has a longitudinal axis  46 . As shown in FIG. 1, the first end  42  of the support rod  40  attaches to the second side  36  of the platform  32 , preferably with a screw  40   a  inserted into the support rod  40  from the first side  34 , such that the longitudinal axis  46  and the first optical axis  56  are generally aligned. The support rod  40  is made of aluminum, but may be made of plastic or any other suitable material.  
     [0024] The optical support  24  supports the mirrored optic  60  at its distal end. The mirrored optic  60  includes a reflective surface  62  and a second optical axis  64 . The mirrored optic  60  is preferably generally parabolic in shape to capture the desired 360° image. However, other shapes could be used, depending on the desired image to be photographed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The mirrored optic  60  is attached to the second end  44  of the support rod  40 , such that the reflective surface  62  faces the lens  52  of the camera  50 . The second end  44  of the support rod  40  attaches to the mirrored optic  60  at the apex of the parabolic shape. The reflective surface  62  of the mirrored optic  60  has a hole at its apex, through which the second end  44  of the support rod  40  passes. The second end  44  is threaded and extends through an aperture at the apex of the mirrored optic  60 . The second end  44  is removeably attached to the interior surface  63  of the mirrored optic  60  by a nut  67  (see FIG. 2) to secure the support rod  40  to the mirrored optic  60 . The support rod  40  may also be attached to the mirrored optic  60  by other means such as a clip or snap fitting. In the preferred embodiment the mirrored optic  60  rests on a shoulder  68  formed on the second end  44  of the support rod  40 . Absence of the shoulder  68  on the support rod  40  does not preclude attachment to the mirrored optic  60 . The support rod  40  is situated such that the apex of the mirrored optic  60  is supported at a distance, H, away from the platform  32  and a desired distance, D, away from the mounting plate  26 .  
     [0025] The second optical axis  64  of the mirrored optic  60  is aligned with the longitudinal axis  46  of the support rod  40 , thereby aligning the second optical axis  64  of the mirrored optic  60  with the first optical axis  56  of the lens  52 . As shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 , the support rod  40  is positioned and dimensioned such that, when the camera  50  is attached to the mount  10  and the lens  52  is looking through the mounting plate  26  and the platform  32 , the lens  52  is able to see a majority of the reflective surface  62  of the mirrored optic  60 . That is, the larger a cross section that the support rod  40  has, the greater the portion of the view that the lens  52  sees will be obscured by the support rod  40  in the picture, thereby restricting the amount of the image reflected in the mirrored optic  60  that is photographed. Thus, it is preferred that the cross section of the support rod  40  be minimized to permit the maximum view of the mirrored optic  60 .  
     [0026] In operation, the optical support  24  preferably sits on the support ring  20  and is moved to the desired horizontal position, such that the second optical axis  64  aligns with the first optical axis  56  of the lens  52 . The mounting plate  26  is then secured to the support ring  20  using the attachment nut  30 . The camera  50  is then vertically and horizontally adjusted along the support leg  16  using the bracket  18  and secured in the desired position. Use of the adjustable support  12  thus allows for cameras of different shapes and sizes to be used with the optical support  24 , while still ensuring that the first and second optical axes  56 ,  64  will be aligned for proper photographing of the reflective surface  62  of the mirrored optic  60 . The mirrored optic  60  is thus easily aligned with the lens  52  of the camera  50 , oriented in the proper direction and set at a known distance D away from the mounting plate  26 .  
     [0027] Still referring to FIG. 1, the total distance Y from the lens  52  to the apex of the mirrored optic  60  depends on several factors, including the type of camera  50 , the camera lens  52  and the exact mathematical description of the mirrored optic  60 . Thus, the distance Y is different for a different camera lens  52  or mirrored optic  60 . One advantage of using the optical support  24  is that the distance D is pre-set, thereby allowing the distance Y to be set simply by adjusting the vertical height of the camera  50  on the adjustable support  12 . For a given distance D, however, it theoretically does not matter how that distance is distributed between H (the distance from the top of the platform  32  to the apex of the mirrored optic  60 ) and X (the distance from the top of the platform  32  to the mounting plate  26 ), since the camera  50  itself can be moved vertically on the adjustable support  12  to achieve the appropriate distance from the reflective surface  62  for an accurate photograph of the image seen in the reflective surface  62 . In the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 2 , the support posts  38  and the support rod  40  have lengths such that X is approximately twice as large as H. This ratio of X to H has the advantage of minimizing the visible obstruction of the support rod  40 , while providing sufficient structural support for the mirrored optic  60 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the distance X could be significantly greater than twice H. This ratio has the advantage of moving the support rod  40  farther away from the camera lens  52  (for the same distance Y), thereby making the visible obstruction of the support rod  40  in the picture smaller. However, a larger value of X also means that the total mass of the optical support  24  will change (because of the different size of the supporting members) and that a majority of that total mass will be further away from the plate  26 , thereby requiring stronger supporting materials. The converse is true if the distance H is made significantly larger than or equal to X. Thus, the distance D may be distributed depending on the desired effects of the total mass of the optical support  24 , the proportion of that mass farthest away from the camera  50  and the acceptable visible size of the support rod  40  in the picture.  
     [0028]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a mount  110  according to the present invention. The second embodiment is very similar to the first embodiment. Only the differences between the first and second embodiments are described below for convenience only. Elements which are substantially similar have been previously described with respect to FIGS.  1 - 2  are labeled with the same reference numerals used in describing the mount  110 . The mount  110  includes an optical support  124 , which is generally the same as the optical support  24  used with the mount  10 . The mounting plate  126  of the optical support  124  is configured for direct attachment to the camera  150 . In such a configuration, the aperture  128  of the plate  126  is preferably large enough to fit over the upward pointing lens housing (not shown) of the camera  150 . The mounting plate  126  is preferably attached to the camera  150  by means of a lens attachment nut  130  which screws onto the lens housing of the camera  150  over the top of the mounting plate  126 . The camera  150  is one which has an upward pointing lens, but requiring, however, no other special features or functions. Alternatively, the optical support  124  could be constructed as part of the camera  150  itself, and not as a separate attachment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the camera  150  may itself be attached to a tripod  151  or other camera support device generally known in the art.  
     [0029] When configured as shown in FIG. 3, the platform  32  is a set distance X from the mounting plate  126 , and is therefore also the distance X away from the lens (not shown) of the camera  150 . Accordingly, the mirrored optic  60  is automatically aligned with the lens of the camera  150  and set at a known distance D away from the lens. In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the total distance Y is equal to the distance D. Thus, similar dimensional considerations apply to the optical support  124  as discussed with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 2 .  
     [0030]FIG. 4 is a sample photograph of a picture taken by the camera  150  of an image displayed on the mirrored optic  60  using the optical support  24 . In the upper left and right hand corners of FIG. 4 the support posts  38  are seen. In the center of FIG. 4 is the mirrored optic  60  with the distorted image seen in the reflective surface  62 . In the direct center of the mirrored optic  60 , the support rod  40  is visible. The support rod  40  is visible because the camera  150  views the mirrored optic  60  through the platform  32  directly upward, including the support rod  40 . The fact that the support rod  40  is visible is of minor concern since the image of the mirrored optic  60  will be used to form a flat panoramic image after the distortion is removed. No other portion of the optical support  24  interferes with the image of the mirrored optic  60  in FIG. 4. The photograph shown in FIG. 4 is similar to an image that is seen when using the mount  10  with the optical support  24  discussed with respect to FIGS.  1 - 2 .  
     [0031] One problem with the style of optical supports  24 ,  124  shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  is that the camera lens  52  (and hence the picture taken by the camera  50 ,  150 ) looks through the platform  32  to view the mirrored optic  60 . Thus, in addition to the presence of the support rod  40 , the platform  32  itself adds a potential source of interference or distortion when taking the picture, depending on the clarity of the material used.  
     [0032] There is shown in FIG. 5 a third embodiment of a mount  210  according to the present invention. The mount  210  includes an optical support  224  which can be used with an adjustable support  12  similar to that shown in FIG. 1, or by direct attachment to a camera and/or other camera support device similar to that shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3. Therefore, FIG. 5 only shows the optical support  224  which is used with the mount  210 . Elements which are similar to and have been previously described with respect to those elements in FIGS.  1 - 4  are labeled with the same reference numerals in describing the mount  210 .  
     [0033] The optical support  224  of the mount  210  includes a lower annular bracket  227  configured for mounting to the camera  50  using the support ring  20  as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the optical mount  224  may be attached to the camera  150  by mounting the lower bracket  227  to the mounting plate  126  (which is attached to the camera  150  using the attachment nut  130 ) using the screw holes  229  or may be directly attached to the camera  150  by any other means generally known in the art. The lower bracket  227  is attached such that the first optical axis  56  of the camera lens (not shown) passes through the lower bracket  227 .  
     [0034] An upper annular bracket  232  is spaced from the lower bracket  227  and positioned such that the first optical axis  56  passes through the upper bracket  232 . The upper bracket  232  includes a bottom side  234  and is supported from the bottom side  234  by one or more support legs  238  extending from the lower bracket  238 . A generally hat-shaped insert  270  resides within the upper bracket  232 . The brim  272  of the insert  270  contacts the top of the upper bracket  232  and is secured to the upper bracket  232  by screws (not shown) inserted through the brim  272  and the upper bracket  232  and fastened to the bottom side  234  using the nuts  274 . The dome  276  of the insert  270  descends downwardly through the opening in the upper bracket  232 , and is configured such that the mirrored optic  60  is attached thereto. The base  66  of the mirrored optic  60  is attached to the dome  276  using screws (not shown), glue or any other means generally known in the art, such that the reflective surface  62  of the mirrored optic  60  faces the camera lens and the second optical axis  64  aligns with the first optical axis  56 . The support legs  238  are shaped and positioned such that the camera lens sees a majority of the reflective surface  62  of the mirrored optic  60  when the camera  50 ,  150  is attached to the lower bracket  227 . The legs  238  are configured such that, when the mirrored optic  60  is attached to the dome  276 , the apex of the mirrored optic  60  is generally even with the elbow  239  in each leg  238 . The optical support  224  may be made of aluminum, a strong plastic or any other similar material capable of bearing the necessary weight of the mirrored optic  60 .  
     [0035] The operation of the mount  210  is similar to that of the mount  10 ,  110  of FIGS.  1 - 3 , in that the optical support  224  may be used with the adjustable support  12 , the mounting plate  126  or alone for direct mounting on a camera. The mirrored optic  60  is also substantially similar to that described above and used with the optical support  24 ,  124 , and may also be customized depending on the desired photographic results. Similar advantages and disadvantages also apply as discussed above with respect to the first and second embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 3 . A major difference in the mount  210  is that use of the optical support  224  does not require the camera  50 ,  150  to take the picture of the mirrored optic  60  through any additional material, such as the platform  32  of the first and second embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 3 . However, as seen in FIG. 6 (which shows a sample photograph of a picture taken by the camera  150  of an image displayed on the mirrored optic  60  using the optical support  224 ), one trade-off to using the mount  210  is that the support legs  238  are seen in the picture of the mirrored optic  60 . All three support legs  238  are visible, which may be undesirable since the software will be unable to remove the distortions and errors caused by the visibility of the support legs  238  in the photograph.  
     [0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.