PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11375104-B2
Application Number: US-202016791762-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: System for producing a continuous image from separate image sources

Abstract:
A system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources. The system may include an image-capture unit including two or more image-capture devices arranged in an outward-facing arrangement. The image-capture devices may have overlapping fields-of-view, and a processing device may combine images captured by the individual image-capture devices into a single, continuous image. The system may also include a control device that may control each of the individual image-capture devices. The control device may also synchronize image-capture of the individual image-capture devices.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources, the system comprising:
 an image-capture unit, comprising:
 image-capture devices for simultaneously capturing images, and 
 an image-capture unit structure for supporting the image-capture devices in fixed positions relative to each other and to the image-capture unit structure, wherein the image-capture devices are disposed radially around a central axis of the image-capture unit, 
 
 wherein a centerline of the field-of-view of each of the image-capture devices forms at least a 30-degree angle with a radial line extending from the central axis, 
 wherein the centerline of the field of view of each of the image-capture devices is orientated in the same of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the central axis as are the centerlines of the fields of view of each of two adjacent image-capture devices; 
 wherein the field-of-view of each of the image-capture devices overlaps with the fields-of-view of two adjacent image-capture devices, and 
 wherein the fields-of-view of the image-capture devices together comprise a 360 degree field-of-view. 
 
     
     
       2. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , further comprising a control device, wherein the control device is in communication with the image-capture devices, and wherein the control device is configured to send synchronized commands to the image-capture devices. 
     
     
       3. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 2 , wherein the image-capture devices communicate with the control device through a wireless connection. 
     
     
       4. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 2 , wherein the control device is configured to receive images captured by the image-capture devices simultaneously and in real-time. 
     
     
       5. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 2 , wherein the control device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
       6. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 2 , further comprising a processing device, wherein the processing device is in communication with the image-capture devices, and wherein the processing device is configured to receive and process images captured by the image-capture devices. 
     
     
       7. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein each of the image-capture devices comprises a processor, internal memory, and a battery, and wherein each of the image-capture devices is configured to simultaneously capture images without any wired connection to the control device or to another component of the image-capture unit. 
     
     
       8. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the image-capture devices are smartphones. 
     
     
       9. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the image-capture unit comprises more than 10 of the image-capture devices. 
     
     
       10. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the image-capture devices are fixed relative to each other by the image-capture unit structure in a cylindrical arrangement. 
     
     
       11. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the image-capture unit has a footprint area of less than 1 square foot. 
     
     
       12. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the field-of-view of each image-capture device overlaps with the fields of view of two adjacent image-capture devices within a 3-foot radius of the central axis. 
     
     
       13. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the centerline of the field-of-view of each of the image-capture devices forms at least a 45-degree angle with a radial line extending from the central axis. 
     
     
       14. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the centerlines of the fields-of-view of each of the image-capture devices are coplanar. 
     
     
       15. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of the centerline of the field-of-view of each image-capture device with respect to the centerline of the field-of-view of an adjacent image-capture device is between 10 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
       16. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein an output image of each image-capture device overlaps with the output images of two adjacent image-capture devices, and wherein a ratio of non-overlapping portions to overlapping portions of each output image is at least 3:1. 
     
     
       17. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , wherein each image-capture device comprises an audio input and is configured to capture audio from the direction of the field-of-view of the image-capture device. 
     
     
       18. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 1 , further comprising second image-capture devices disposed above the first image-capture devices and held in a fixed position relative to the first image-capture devices by the image-capture unit structure,
 wherein the field-of-view of each of the second image-capture devices includes a portion directed in an axial direction relative to the central axis, and 
 wherein the field-of-view of each second image-capture device overlaps with the field-of-view of another second image-capture and overlaps with the field-of-view of a first image-capture device. 
 
     
     
       19. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 18 , wherein the fields of view of the first and second image-capture devices together comprise at least a hemispherical field-of-view. 
     
     
       20. A system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources, the system comprising:
 computing devices, wherein each computing device comprises an image-capture device, a processor, and memory; 
 a support structure for supporting the computing devices in fixed positions relative to each other and to the support structure; and 
 a control device configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the computing devices, 
 wherein the control device is configured to send commands to the computing devices, wherein each computing device is configured to independently adjust image-capture parameters of its respective image-capture device based on the commands received from the control device, and wherein the control device is configured to receive images captured by the image-capture devices in real-time, and 
 wherein the control device is configured to send commands to adjust an image-capture parameter of some of the image-capture devices based on an image-capture parameter of a selected one of the image-capture devices. 
 
     
     
       21. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 20 , wherein the control device directly communicates with at least one computing device using peer-to-peer communication, wherein the at least one computing device relays information received from the control device to a second computing device using peer-to-peer communication, and wherein the at least one computing devices relays information received from the second computing devices to the control device using peer-to-peer communication. 
     
     
       22. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 20 , wherein the system comprises at least 10 image-capture devices. 
     
     
       23. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 20 , wherein the images captured by each image-capture device are stored as image data in the memory of the respective computing device, and wherein the images received by the control device include less image data than the respective images stored in the memory of the respective computing devices. 
     
     
       24. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 20 , wherein the adjustable image-capture parameters include at least one of aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity, frame rate, focus point, focal length, and white balance. 
     
     
       25. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 20 , wherein the control device transmits electronic data to at least one of the computing devices, wherein the at least one computing device transmits electronic data to the control device, and wherein the electronic data received by the control device from the at least one computing device is used to determine a time difference between an internal clock of the control device and an internal clock of the at least one computing device. 
     
     
       26. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 25 , wherein the control device determines the time difference between the internal clock of the control device and the internal clock of a first computing device, wherein the control device determines the time difference between the internal clock of the control device and an internal clock of a second computing device, wherein the control device transmits a first synchronized start time to the first computing device and a second synchronized start time to the second computing device, and wherein the first synchronized start time and the second synchronized start time are different times according to the internal clock of the first image-capture device and the internal clock of the second image-capture device. 
     
     
       27. The system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 20 , wherein the computing devices are fixed relative to each other by the support structure within a 3 square foot area. 
     
     
       28. A method of producing a continuous image from separate image sources, the method comprising:
 transmitting first electronic data from a control device to an image-capture device, wherein the first electronic data comprises the time the control device sent the first electronic data according to an internal clock of the control device; 
 transmitting second electronic data from the image-capture device to the control device, wherein the second electronic data comprises the time the first electronic data was received by the image-capture device according to an internal clock of the image-capture device; and 
 determining the time difference between the internal clock of the control device and the internal clock of the image-capture device. 
 
     
     
       29. The method of producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 transmitting third electronic data from the control device to the image-capture device, wherein the third electronic data comprises a synchronized start time according to the internal clock of the image-capture device. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 transmitting third electronic data from the control device to a second image-capture device, wherein the third electronic data comprises the time the control device sent the third electronic data according to the internal clock of the control device; 
 transmitting fourth electronic data from the second image-capture device to the control device, wherein the fourth electronic data comprises the time the third electronic data was received by the second image-capture device according to an internal clock of the second image-capture device; and 
 determining the time difference between the internal clock of the control device and the internal clock of the second image-capture device. 
 
     
     
       31. The method of producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 transmitting fifth electronic data from the control device to the first image-capture device, wherein the fifth electronic data comprises a first synchronized start time according to the internal clock of the first image-capture device; 
 transmitting sixth electronic data from the control device to the second image-capture device, wherein the sixth electronic data comprises a second synchronized start time according to the internal clock of the second image-capture device; 
 wherein the first synchronized start time and the second synchronized start time are the same time according to the internal clock of the control device. 
 
     
     
       32. The method of producing a continuous image from separate image sources of  claim 31 , wherein the first synchronized start time and the second synchronized start time are different times according to the internal clock of the first image-capture device and the internal clock of the second image-capture device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/887,505, filed Aug. 15, 2019, titled “System for Producing a Continuous Image from Separate Image Sources,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to image-capture systems. More particularly, the embodiments relate to image-capture systems for producing continuous images from separate image sources. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A photographer, videographer, or other person may desire to capture images using several image-capture devices, and combine the images captured by each of the individual devices into one continuous image. The combined, continuous image may have a greater field-of-view and include more image data than the individual images captured by the image-capture devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments are disclosed that relate to systems for producing continuous images from separate image sources. For example, such a system may include an image-capture unit, where the image-capture unit includes image-capture devices for simultaneously capturing images, and an image-capture structure for supporting the image-capture devices. In some embodiments, the image-capture devices are disposed radially around a central axis of the image-capture unit and are supported in fixed positions relative to each other and to the image-capture unit structure. In some embodiments, a centerline of the field-of-view of each of the image-capture devices is directed in an angled outward direction relative to the central axis. Further, the field-of-view of each image-capture device may overlap with the fields-of-view of two adjacent image-capture devices, and the fields-of-view of the image-capture devices together may comprise a 360 degree field-of-view. 
     In some embodiments, a system for producing a continuous image from separate image sources may include computing devices that each include an image-capture device, a processor, and memory. The system may also include a support structure for supporting the computing devices in fixed positions relative to each other and to the support structure. The system may also include a control device that may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the computing devices. In some embodiments, the control device is configured to simultaneously send commands to the computing devices, and each computing device is configured to independently adjust image-capture parameters of its respective image-capture device based on the commands received from the control device. Further, in some embodiments, the control device is configured to receive images captured by the image-capture devices in real-time. 
     Embodiments also include methods of producing continuous images from separate image sources. In some embodiments, such a method may include transmitting first electronic data from a control device to an image-capture device, where the first electronic data comprises the time the control device sent the first electronic data according to an internal clock of the control device. The method may also include transmitting second electronic data from the image-capture device to the control device, where the second electronic data comprises the time the first electronic data was received by the image-capture device according to an internal clock of the image-capture device. The method may also include determining the time difference between the internal clock of the control device and the internal clock of the image-capture device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic top view of an image-capture unit. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a representation of example output images of the image-capture devices of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  shows a representation of the example output images of  FIG. 2A , combined together into a continuous image. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an image-capture unit. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic top view of the image-capture unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic top view of the image-capture unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6A  shows a representation of example output images of the image-capture devices of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6B  shows a representation of the example output images of  FIG. 6A , combined together into a continuous image. 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary network including the image-capture devices of  FIG. 3 , a control device, and a processing device. 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary network including the image-capture devices and the control device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a front view of the control device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary network including the image-capture devices and the control device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary network including the image-capture devices and the processing device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 12  shows a schematic side view of the image-capture unit of  FIG. 3 , with added upper image-capture devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Some photographers, videographers, or other persons may desire to capture (i.e., record) compelling, high-quality images (e.g., video) for use in certain large-format applications such as, for example, panoramic videos, 360 degree videos, spherical videos, immersive videos, virtual reality videos, or the like. One factor that contributes to the overall quality of an image captured by an image-capture device is the resolution (e.g., number of pixels) of the image, which may be limited by the size and configuration of the image sensor (e.g., a camera sensor, digital camera sensor, imager, or other device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal) of the image-capture device. While some image-capture devices may permit users to capture high-resolution images in standard formats (e.g., 1:1, 4:3, 16:9, or the like), larger format images may require a relatively high resolution in order to maintain the fidelity of the image, which may exceed the resolution of the image sensor of some image-capture devices. Further, the desired field-of-view of the image (e.g., 360 degrees) may exceed the field-of-view of the lens of some image-capture devices. Although some lenses may have larger fields-of-view (e.g., wide-angle, fisheye, or 360 degree lenses) such lenses may inherently distort the images they are used to capture. In some applications such as, for example, virtual reality videos, such distortions may detract from a user&#39;s experience, since a sharp, undistorted image may contribute to a more immersive and engaging user experience. Such persons may also desire to simultaneously record audio along with their video, and may want that audio to be directionally-dependent, with audio associated with the direction from which is was received, and the simultaneous image recorded in that direction. 
     The present disclosure relates to image-capture units, which may be part of image-capture systems, and which may be used to capture large, high-resolution images in an easy and efficient manner. The image-capture units may include two or more image-capture devices that may simultaneously capture images from different perspectives. For example, the image-capture units may include a support structure that supports the image-capture devices in an outward-facing cylindrical arrangement relative to the support structure. The image-capture lenses of the image-capture devices may have overlapping fields-of-view and, thus, images captured by the image-capture devices may include overlapping portions. A processing device (e.g., a computing device such as, for example, a tablet computer, a laptop, or a desktop computer) may then compare and combine the overlapping portions of the images together (e.g., “stitch” the overlapping portions together) such that a single, continuous image is formed. Accordingly, the single, continuous image may have a higher resolution and a larger field-of-view than any of the individual images captured by the image-capture devices. 
     In some embodiments, the image-capture devices may be commercially-available image-capture devices (e.g., cameras, smartphones, or the like), and may each include a processor, internal memory, and battery. In some embodiments, the image-capture devices may each be a standalone consumer-level computing device (e.g., a smartphone). Thus, the image-capture unit may include no external wiring (e.g., for external power or memory), which may increase the flexibility and ease of use of the image-capture unit. In some embodiments, the image-capture system includes a control device (e.g., a computing device such as, for example, a tablet computer) that may be used, for example, to control certain image-capture parameters of the image-capture devices, to preview images captured by the image-capture devices, and to synchronize image-capture timing of the image-capture devices. In some embodiments, the control device may communicate with the image-capture devices using a wireless, peer-to-peer network. 
     In some embodiments, each image-capture device may simultaneously capture audio from the direction in which it captures video. In a playback scenario (e.g., in virtual reality (VR) or panoramic playback) using audio and video captured from multiple devices simultaneously, the video seen and the audio heard by a user can be dependent on the direction in which the user is looking, providing a highly-immersive audio-visual experience. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an image-capture unit  10  may include an image-capture unit structure  20  and image-capture devices  300 . Image-capture device  300  may be, for example, an electronic device having an image-capture lens  320  for capturing images (e.g., still images and/or video). In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  may be a digital camera such as, for example, a compact digital camera, a digital single-lens reflex camera (“DSLR”), a mirrorless camera, or the like. In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  may be a computing device and may include, for example, a processor, internal memory, and a battery. In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  may be an electronic device that includes an image-capture lens  320  but also has other features and functionality such as, for example, a smartphone. Image-capture device  300  may include features and functionality such as, for example, wireless networking capability, internal memory, and an internal battery. In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  may also be configured to capture estimated depth information related to captured images (described in further detail below). In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  includes features and functionality unrelated to capturing images such as, for example, a telephone. 
     Each image-capture device  300  may include a field-of-view  330 . Field-of-view  330  may be, for example, the area that is observable through image-capture lens  320  of image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, field-of-view  330  is the area that is observable through image-capture lens  320  as perceived by an image sensor (e.g., a camera sensor, digital camera sensor, imager, or other device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal) of image-capture device  300 .  FIG. 1  shows a schematic top view of image-capture unit  10  and fields-of-view  330  of image-capture devices  300 . Although fields-of-view  330  are represented by a two-dimensional schematic in  FIG. 1 , for example, fields-of-view  330  may be three-dimensional (e.g., conical, originating at lenses  320 ). Further, fields-of-view  330  are not necessarily shown to scale. For example, the outer boundary of fields-of-view  330  (represented by a dashed broken line in  FIG. 1 , for example) is included for ease of illustration, but the extent to which field-of-view  330  extends from image-capture device  300  may vary. 
     Each field-of-view  330  may include a field-of-view centerline  334 , which may be, for example, the optical axis of image-capture lens  320 . Field-of-view  330  may be defined by an angle-of-view  333 . Angle-of-view  333  may be, for example, the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which field-of-view  330  extends in a plane that is coplanar with field-of-view centerline  334 . For example, such plane may also be perpendicular to a central axis  11  of image-capture unit  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Each angle-of-view  333  may be bisected by its respective centerline  334 . In some embodiments, angle-of-view  333  may be the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which field-of-view  330  extends in a horizontal plane that is coplanar with field-of-view centerline  334 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , for example, field-of-view  330  may also be defined by an angle-of-view  338 . Angle-of-view  338  may be, for example, the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which field-of-view  330  extends in a plane that is coplanar with field-of-view centerline  334  and is parallel to central axis  11 . In some embodiments, angle-of-view  338  may be the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which field-of-view  330  extends in a vertical plane that is coplanar with field-of-view centerline  334 . 
     In some embodiments, image-capture unit structure  20  may support image-capture devices  300  in fixed positions relative to each other and to image-capture unit structure  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, image-capture unit structure  20  may support image-capture devices  300  in a cylindrical arrangement. Although  FIG. 1  shows image-capture unit  10  to have five image-capture devices  300 , image-capture unit  10  may include any number of image-capture devices  300 . For example, in some embodiments, image-capture unit  10  includes two, three, four, or more image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, image-capture unit  10  includes twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, or more image-capture devices  300 . 
     In some embodiments, each of field-of-view centerlines  334  of image-capture devices  300  are coplanar and extend in a plane that is perpendicular to central axis  11  of image-capture unit  10 . In some embodiments, each of field-of-view centerlines  334  of image-capture devices  300  are disposed in the same horizontal plane (see, e.g.,  FIG. 12 ). In some embodiments, field-of-view centerline  334  of each image-capture device  300  may be directed in an outward direction relative to central axis  11 . In some embodiments, field-of-view centerlines  334  are each directed in a generally radial outward direction relative to central axis  11  of image-capture unit  10  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). As described in further detail below, in some embodiments, field-of-view centerlines  334  are each directed in a non-radially outward direction relative to central axis  11  of image-capture unit  10  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). 
     In some embodiments, field-of-view  330  of a first image-capture device  300  may overlap with field-of-view  330  of a second image-capture device  300 , which is to say that some or all of the area that is observable through image-capture lens  320  of the first image-capture device  300  may also be observable through image-capture lens  320  of the second image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, the field-of-view  330  of one image-capture device  300  may overlap with the fields-of-view  330  of two or more other image-capture devices  300 . Since each image-capture device  300  may have a different physical position and orientation, the overlapping area (e.g., the area that is observable through the image-capture lenses  320  of two or more image-capture devices  300 ) may be observed from different perspectives corresponding to the relative positions and orientations of the image-capture devices  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the field-of-view  330  of each image-capture device  300  may include an overlapping portion  331  (e.g., the portion of field-of-view  330  with darker gray shading) and a non-overlapping portion  332  (e.g., the portion of field-of-view  330  with lighter gray shading). Overlapping portion  331  may be the portion of field-of-view  330  of one image-capture device  300  that overlaps with the field-of-view  330  of another image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, field-of-view  330  of one image-capture device  300  may include several overlapping portions  331 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, the field-of-view  330  of each image-capture device  300  may overlap with the fields-of-view  330  of two adjacent image-capture devices  300 . Thus, the field-of-view  330  of each image-capture device  300  may include two overlapping portions  331 . 
     In some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  of image-capture unit  10  has the same angle-of-view  333 . In some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  of image-capture unit  10  has a different angle-of-view  333 . In some embodiments, some image-capture devices  300  have the same angle-of-view  333  and some have different angles-of-view  333 . In some embodiments, image-capture lens  320  may have a fixed focal length. In some embodiments, image-capture lens  320  may have a variable focal length. In some embodiments, angle-of-view  333  of each image-capture device  300  may be changed, for example, by adjusting the focal length of image-capture lens  320 . Accordingly, the amount of overlap between adjacent fields-of-view  330  may be changed, for example, by adjusting the focal length of image-capture lens  320 . 
     In some embodiments, two or more fields-of-view  330  with overlapping portions  331  may together form a combined field-of-view  350 . Combined field-of-view  350  may be, for example, the continuous area that is observable through at least one image-capture lens  320  of image-capture devices  300  with overlapping fields-of-view  330 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, combined field-of-view  350  is defined by a combined angle-of-view  353 . Combined angle-of-view  353  may be, for example, the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which combined field-of-view  350  extends in a plane that is coplanar with field-of-view centerlines  334  of image-capture devices  300  with overlapping fields-of-view  330  and is perpendicular to central axis  11 . In some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  353  may be the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which combined field-of-view  350  extends in a horizontal plane that is coplanar with field-of-view centerlines  334  of image-capture devices  300  with overlapping fields-of-view  330 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , combined angle-of-view  353  may be 360 degrees. However, in some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  353  is less than 360 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  353  is between approximately 360 degrees and 180 degrees. In some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  353  is between approximately 270 degrees and 180 degrees. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  of image-capture unit  10  is configured to capture and produce an output image  340  (e.g., a still image or video).  FIG. 2A , for example, shows output images  340  of image-capture devices  300  shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , for example, each image-capture device  300  of image-capture unit  10  may have an output image  340  corresponding to the device&#39;s field-of-view  330  (see, e.g., field-of-view “A B C” in  FIG. 1  and output image “A B C” in  FIG. 2A ). 
     As described above, the field-of-view  330  of one image-capture device  300  may overlap with the fields-of-view  330  of one or more other image-capture devices  300 . Accordingly, the output images  340  of image-captures devices  300  with overlapping fields-of-view  330  may include images of the same subject matter (e.g., from slightly different perspectives corresponding to the relative positions and orientations of the image-capture devices  300 ). As shown in  FIG. 2A , output images  340  may include an overlapping portion  341  and a non-overlapping portion  342 . Overlapping portion  341  may be the portion of output image  340  of one image-capture device  300  that also appear in the output image  340  of another image-capture device  300  (see, e.g., overlapping portions “A”, “C”, “E”, “G”, and “I” in  FIG. 2A ). Non-overlapping portion  342  may be the portion of output image  340  of one image-capture device  300  that includes subject matter that is not shown in the output image  340  of another image-capture device  300  (see, e.g., non-overlapping portions “B”, “D”, “F”, “H”, and “J” in  FIG. 2A ). In some embodiments, output image  340  of one image-capture device  300  may include several overlapping portions  341 . For example, output image  340  of each image-capture device  300  may include two overlapping portions  341 . In some embodiments, output images  340  of some image-capture devices  300  include two overlapping portions  341 , and output images  340  of other image-capture devices  300  include only one overlapping portion  341 . In some embodiments, output image  340  of an image-capture device  300  entirely overlaps with output images of its adjacent image-capture devices  300 . 
     In some embodiments, a processing device (e.g., processing device  500  described below) may combine images captured by several image-capture devices  300  into one continuous image.  FIG. 2B , for example, shows output images  340  of  FIG. 2A , combined together into a combined image  360 . As described in further detail below, processing device  500  may include a software application that compares and combines (e.g., “stiches”) together images captured by image-capture devices  300  with overlapping fields-of-view  330  to produce a single, combined image  360 . 
     In order to produce a single, combined image  360 , processing device  500  may combine overlapping portions  341  together (e.g., so that their subject matter is not duplicated in the combined image). As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , for example, two overlapping portions  341  may be combined together to form one combined portion  361  (see, e.g., combined portions “A”, “C”, “E”, “G”, and “I” in  FIG. 2B ). Further, non-overlapping portions  342  may appear as non-combined portions  362  in combined image  360  (see, e.g., non-combined portions “B”, “D”, “F”, “H”, and “J” in  FIG. 2B ). In some embodiments, combined portions  361  and non-combined portions  362  may appear in an alternating pattern in combined image  360 . 
     In some embodiments, combined image  360  may be a panoramic video, 360 degree video, spherical video, immersive video, virtual reality video, or the like. As shown in  FIG. 2A , for example, overlapping portion “A” appears on the left-most output image  340  and the right-most output image  340 . Accordingly, although combined image  360  is represented in two-dimensions, in some embodiments, combined image  360  may be an image that extends continuously for 360 degrees (e.g., without a defined end). 
     As mentioned above, image-capture device  300  may be configured to capture estimated depth information related to captured images. For example, image-capture device  300  may be configured to capture and record a depth map that is associated with a captured image. The depth map may include, for example, information relating to the distance of objects, surfaces, or other image subjects from image-capture lens  320 . In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  may capture depth information using, for example, multi-camera depth estimation, “time-of-flight” sensor and/or camera (e.g., LIDAR) depth estimation, and/or structured light depth estimation. As such, by capturing visual image data (e.g., the visual appearance) and depth data, image-capture unit  100  may be used in other applications such as, for example, augmented reality applications, volumetric video capture, photogrammetry, and/or  3 D reconstructions. 
     In some embodiments, image-capture device  300  may also be configured to capture audio. For example, each image-capture device may include an audio input  322  (see  FIG. 3 ), such as a microphone (e.g., a microphone of a smartphone, in embodiments where image-capture device is a smartphone). In image capture unit  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, each image-capture device  300  is arranged oriented in a different direction with overlapping fields-of-view  330  to together produce a combined image  360 , as described above. In such an arrangement, while each image-capture device  300  is capturing images (e.g., video) it may simultaneously be capturing audio. And the audio captured by each image-capture device  300  may be dependent on the direction in which image-capture device  300  is oriented, just as the images captured are dependent on this direction. For example, audio input  332  of each image-capture device  300  may capture audio from the direction of field-of-view  330  of its respective image-capture device  300 . 
     In some embodiments, captured audio can be split into two channels for each image-capture device  300 , and thus each image-capture device  300  can be configured to record highly-directional audio with the same orientation as its image-capture lens  320 . In this way, each image-capture device  300  may receive and capture (i.e., record) different audio, and this audio can be associated with the simultaneously-captured images (e.g., video) from the same image-capture device  300 . Captured audio can be stored separately, or embedded in video files with image data. Image-capture unit  100  can combine this audio into multi-channel audio that has each channel mapped to a different direction (known as “spacial audio”). 
     Such spacial audio may be used, for example, in VR and panoramic video playback. For example, an audio output (e.g., headphones) may output different audio to a user depending on the direction that their head is facing, so that the user hears audio that was captured in that relative direction. In some embodiments, the audio output corresponds with video that is being displayed in the direction that the user&#39;s head is facing, such video having been captured from the same direction (e.g., using the same image-capture device  300 ) as the audio channel being output to the user. As the user moves their head, the audio output can change to correspond with the new direction that their head is facing, in real time. Depending on the configuration of image-capture unit  10 , the large number of directional audio channels can provide a highly-immersive audio experience. For example, in an image-capture unit  10  with 10 image-capture devices  300  (e.g., smartphones), this would mean 20 channels of audio. In an image-capture-unit  10  with 14 image-capture devices  300 , this would mean 28 channels of audio. 
     In some embodiments, image-capture unit  100  may also be used in image-based lighting (“IBL”) applications. For example, image-capture devices  300  may be used to capture light information such as, for example, intensity, direction, and temperature, of the ambient light surrounding image-capture unit  100 . Processing device  500 , for example, may then use the captured light information to simulate lighting for objects (e.g., real or synthetic) in the scene (e.g., in combined image  360 ). Such a configuration may allow a highly-detailed real-world-based lighting model to be used to light the scene, rather than generating a synthetic lighting model using, for example, light rendering software. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, an image-capture unit  100  may be generally cylindrical in shape. However, image-capture unit  100  may take other shapes as well such as, for example, conical, frustoconical, spherical, prismatic, triangular prismatic, rectangular prismatic, or cubical, and it may or may not be symmetrical about any axis. Image-capture unit  100  may include some or all of the features described above with respect to image-capture unit  10 . In some embodiments, image-capture unit  100  may have a footprint area of less than 3 square feet. In some embodiments, image-capture unit  100  may have a footprint area of less than 1 square foot. 
     Image-capture unit structure  200  (which may include some or all of the features described above with respect to image-capture unit structure  20 ) may include a top portion  210  and a bottom portion  220 . In some embodiments, a support member  230  may extend between top portion  210  and bottom portion  220  and may support top portion  210  and bottom portion  220  in fixed positions relative to each other. 
     In some embodiments, top portion  210  has a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, top portion  210  has a circular disc shape. Top portion  210  may take other shapes as well such as, for example, a triangular solid shape, rectangular solid shape, pentagonal solid shape, hexagonal solid shape, or other shape, and it may or may not be symmetrical about any axis. In some embodiments, relative to central axis  110 , top portion  210  may be rotationally symmetric. In some embodiments, relative to central axis  110 , top portion  210  may have rotational symmetry of at least an order of 2. In some embodiments, top portion  210  may be axisymmetric relative to central axis  110 . In some embodiments, bottom portion  220  has a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, bottom portion  220  has a circular disc shape. Bottom portion  220  may take other shapes as well such as, for example, a triangular solid shape, rectangular solid shape, pentagonal solid shape, hexagonal solid shape, or other shape, and it may or may not be symmetrical about any axis. In some embodiments, relative to central axis  110 , bottom portion  220  may be rotationally symmetric. In some embodiments, relative to central axis  110 , bottom portion  220  may have rotational symmetry of at least an order of 2. In some embodiments, bottom portion  220  may be axisymmetric relative to central axis  110 . 
     In some embodiments, top portion  210  and bottom portion  220  have the same general shape (e.g., a circular disc shape). In some embodiments, top portion  210  is smaller than bottom portion  220 . For example, top portion  210  and bottom portion  220  may each have a circular disc shape, and a circular face (e.g., bottom surface  214 ) of top portion  210  may have a smaller diameter than a circular face (e.g., top surface  222 ) of bottom portion  220 . In some embodiments, bottom surface  214  of top portion  210  and top surface  222  of bottom portion  220  are parallel to one another. 
     In some embodiments, support member  230  has a cylindrical shape. Support member  230  may take other shapes as well such as, for example, a triangular solid shape, rectangular solid shape, pentagonal solid shape, hexagonal solid shape, or other shape, and it may or may not be symmetrical about any axis. In some embodiments, support member  230  extends in an axial direction relative to central axis  110 . In some embodiments, top portion  210 , bottom portion  220 , and/or support member  230  may be separable, for example, to facilitate easy transport of image-capture unit structure  200 , or to release image-capture devices  300  from image-capture unit structure  200  (described further below). For example, top portion  210  may be removable from support member  230 . In some embodiments, image-capture unit  200  may include a fastener  232  (e.g., a knob, screw, clamp or the like) that may couple top portion  210  to support member  230 . For example, support member  230  may include a threaded portion that extends through an opening in top portion  210 , and fastener  232  may include a threaded portion that meshes with the threaded portion of support member  230 . The threaded portion of support member  230  may have a smaller diameter than other portions of support member  230 , and fastener  232  may have a larger diameter than the opening in top portion  210 . Thus, top portion  210  may be secured between support member  230  and fastener  232  by coupling fastening  232  and support member  230  together. 
     In some embodiments, top portion  210  may include a device securement portion  216 . Device securement portion  216  may be, for example, a recess, groove, or the like in bottom surface  214  of top portion  210  that is configured to receive image-capture device  300 . Likewise, bottom portion  220  may include a device securement portion  226 . Device securement portion  226  may be, for example, a recess groove, or the like in top surface  222  of bottom portion  220  that is configured to receive image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, device securement portions  216  may extend through an outer edge  217  of top portion  210  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). In some embodiments, device securement portions  226  may be spaced inward from an outer edge  227  of bottom portion  220 . In some embodiments, a device securement portion  216  may be aligned (e.g., vertically) with each device securement portion  226  such that each pair of device securement portions  216 ,  226  may support and secure one image-capture device  300 . For example, image-capture device  300  may have a first end  302  and a second end  304 . In some embodiments, device securement portion  216  may receive and support first end  302  of image-capture device  300 . Further, device securement portion  226  may receive and support second end  304  of image-capture device  300 . Thus, image-capture device  300  may be supported and secured between top portion  210  and bottom portion  220 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  are secured to image-capture unit structure  200  only by device securement portions  216 ,  226  when image-capture unit structure  200  is assembled. For example, as described above, top portion  210  may be removable from support member  230 . Accordingly, to install image-capture devices  300  in image-capture unit structure  200 , top portion  210  may first be removed. Then, second end  304  of each image-capture device  300  may be inserted into a respective device securement portion  226 . Then, top portion  210  may be coupled to support member  230  (e.g., as described above) and aligned such that a respective device securement portion  216  may be aligned with first end  302  of each image-capture device  300 . The distance (e.g., vertical distance) between bottom surface  214  of top portion  210  and top surface  222  of bottom portion  220  may be less than the distance (e.g., vertical distance) between first end  302  and first end  304  of image-capture device  300 . Thus, since top portion  210  is fixed in portion relative to bottom portion  220  by support member  230 , image-capture devices  300  may be secured between top portion  210  and bottom portion  220  by device securement portions  216 ,  226 . 
     In some embodiments, a second end  204  (e.g., a bottom end) of image-capture unit structure  200  may be disposed on, coupled to, or integrally formed with an image-capture unit support  240  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 12 ). Image-capture unit support  240  may be, for example, a tripod, bipod, monopod, gimbal, harness, stabilizer, support arm, or other stationary or moving support device or support system. In some embodiments, support member  230  may extend through bottom portion  220  (e.g., for connecting to image-capture unit support  240 ). 
     In some embodiments, image-capture unit structure  200  may include no electronic components. In some embodiments, bottom portion  220  of image-capture unit structure  200  includes holes such that wiring, connectors, cables, or the like may extend through bottom portion  220  and may be received by image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, such holes may be disposed in some or all of device securement portions  226  of bottom portion  220  such that wiring, connectors, cables, or the like may be connected to, for example, ports on second ends  304  of image-capture devices  300  while second ends  304  are secured by device securement portions  226 . In some embodiments, image-capture unit structure  200  includes integrated wiring, connectors, cables, or the like that may be received by image-capture devices  300 . Such wiring, connectors, cables, or the like may be used, for example, to charge image-capture devices  300 , or to upload data to and/or download data from image-capture devices  300  while the devices are secured in image-capture unit structure  200 . However, during use (e.g., while capturing images) each image-capture device  300  may capture images without any wired connection to another component of image-capture unit  100 . In some embodiments, image-capture unit structure  200  may be made using additive manufacturing (e.g.,  3 D printing or the like). 
     With references to  FIGS. 3-5 , image-capture devices  300  may be disposed radially around a central axis  110  (which may have the same characteristics as central axis  11 , described above) of image-capture unit  100 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  may be disposed in a cylindrical arrangement, and may be fixed relative to each other by image-capture unit structure  200 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  may be fixed relative to each other by image-capture unit structure  200  within a 3 square foot area. As shown, image-capture unit  100  may include fourteen image-capture devices  300 , however, image-capture unit  100  may include any number of image-capture devices  300  sufficient to effect the features described herein. For example, image-capture unit  100  may include twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or more image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  may be spaced equally around central axis  110 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  may be spaced relative to central axis  110  at a spacing angle  370 . Spacing angle  370  may be, for example, the angle between a first line that extends from central axis  110  through the center of image-capture lens  320  of a first image-capture device  300  and a second line that extends from central axis  110  through the center of image-capture lens  320  of a second image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, spacing angle  370  may be approximately 10-45 degrees. In some embodiments, spacing angle  370  may be approximately 20-30 degrees. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, image-capture devices  300  may be disposed in a pinwheel arrangement relative to central axis  110 . For example, image-capture devices  300  may be generally of a rectangular solid shape (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  have two generally parallel front and rear surfaces that are surrounded by thinner edge surfaces. Thus, each image-capture device  300  may have a major central plane that is parallel to and disposed midway between the front and rear surfaces. When viewed from above (e.g., as in  FIG. 4 ), image-capture devices  300  may form a pinwheel arrangement around central axis  110 , with the major central planes of the image-capture devices  300  not intersecting with central axis  110 . Further, field-of-view centerline  334  of each image-capture device  300  may be oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the major central plane of the respective image-capture device  300 . Thus field-of-view centerlines  334  of image-capture devices  300 , together, may also form a pinwheel arrangement about central axis  110 . In some embodiments, there are at least 5 image-capture devices  300  that together form the pinwheel arrangement. In some embodiments, there are at least 10 image-capture devices  300  that together form the pinwheel arrangement. In some embodiments, there are 14 image-capture devices  300  that together form the pinwheel arrangement. 
     Combined field-of-view  350  may include an overlapping radius  352 , which may be defined by the distance between central axis  110  and overlapping points  351  (e.g., the points where two adjacent fields-of-view  330  first overlap). Overlapping radius  352  may be, for example, the distance from central axis  110  to a circle that passes through each of overlapping points  351 . Combined field-of-view  350  may only be continuous at a distance greater than or equal to overlapping radius  352 . In some embodiments, at a distance from central axis  110  that is greater than overlapping radius  352 , there may be no area that is not visible by at least one image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, at a distance less than overlapping radius  352 , there may be uncaptured portions  354 , which may be areas that are not in the field-of-view of any image-capture device  300 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , field-of-view centerline  334  of each image-capture device  300  may be directed in a non-radial direction with respect to central axis  110 . Since field-of-view centerlines  334  are directed in a non-radial direction, overlapping radius  352  may be less than if field-of-view centerlines  334  were directed in a radial direction. Reducing overlapping radius  352  may, for example, facilitate a greater amount of overlap between adjacent fields-of-view  330  which may, for example, improve the ability of processing device  500  to combine output images  340 , thereby improving the quality of combined image  360 . Further, reducing overlapping radius  352  may reduce the size of uncaptured portions  354 , which may improve the flexibility and usability of image-capture unit  100 , for example, by permitting image-capture unit  100  to capture images in small spaces, or to capture images of subjects disposed relatively close to image-capture unit  100 . In some embodiments, overlapping radius  352  may be less than 5 feet. In some embodiments, overlapping radius  352  may be less than 3 feet. 
     In some embodiments, the field-of-view centerline  334  of one image-capture device  300  may be disposed at a relative field-of-view angle  380  relative to the field-of-view centerline  334  of another image-capture device  300 . In some embodiments, relative field-of-view angle  380  is between approximately 20 and 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the output images  340  of adjacent image-capture devices  300  may overlap by at least 30 percent. In some embodiments, the output images  340  of adjacent image-capture devices  300  may overlap by at least 50 percent. In some embodiments, the ratio of overlapping portions  341  to non-overlapping portions  342  may be approximately 1:3. In some embodiments, the ratio of overlapping portions  341  to non-overlapping portions  342  may be approximately 1:2. In some embodiments, the ratio of overlapping portions  341  to non-overlapping portions  342  may be approximately 1:1. 
     As mentioned above, in some embodiments, field-of-view centerline  334  may be directed in a non-radially outward direction. As shown in  FIG. 4 , centerline  334  may be directed in a direction defined by a radial angle  336  and a tangential angle  337 . Radial angle  336  may be, for example, the angle between field-of-view centerline  334  and a radial line  120  that extends from central axis  110  and passes through the origin of field-of-view centerline  334  (e.g., image-capture lens  320 ). Tangential angle  337  may be, for example, the angle between field-of-view centerline  334  and a tangential line  130  that extends perpendicular to radial line  120  and passes through the origin of field-of-view centerline  334  (e.g., image-capture lens  320 ). In some embodiments, radial line  120 , tangential line  130 , and field-of-view centerline  334  are coplanar. In some embodiments, radial line  120 , tangential line  130 , and field-of-view centerline  334  are each disposed in the same horizontal plane. 
     Radial angle  336  and tangential angle  337  may be complementary angles. In some embodiments, radial angle  336  may be approximately zero degrees. In some embodiments, radial angle  336  may be at least 30 degrees. In some embodiments, radial angle  336  may be at least 45 degrees. In some embodiments, radial angle  336  may be between 45 to 60 degrees. In some embodiments, radial angle  336  may be sized such that image-capture devices  300  are positioned just outside of the field-of-view  330  (e.g., closer to central axis  110 ) of an adjacent image-capture device  300 , such that overlapping radius  352  may be minimized without image-capture devices  300  themselves appearing in output images  340 . 
     In some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  of image-capture unit  100  is configured to capture and produce an output image  340 , and output images  340  may be combined together to form a single, continuous combined image  360 .  FIG. 6A , for example, shows output images  340  of image-capture devices  300  shown in  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6B  shows output images  340  of  FIG. 6A , combined together into a combined image  360 . Since the image-capture unit of  FIG. 5  includes more image-capture devices  300  than the image-capture unit of  FIG. 1 , however, each output image  340  may form a smaller portion of the combined image  360 . Thus, compared to image-capture unit  100  of  FIG. 1  (which has only 5 devices), image-capture unit  100  of  FIG. 5  (which has 14 devices) may produce a higher-resolution combined image  360 . For example, in some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  may be configured to capture high-resolution images. In some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  may be configured to capture 4K video, 6K video, or other high-resolution video. In some embodiments, each video may be shot at, for example, 30 frames per second, 60 frames per second, or at another frame rate. In some embodiments, combined image  360  may be, for example, 4K video, 12K video, 16K video, or other high-resolution video. 
     As mentioned above, image-capture device  300  may be a smartphone, which may increase the flexibility of use and modularity of image-capture unit  100 . For example, each image-capture device  300  may be used independently as a smartphone and, in this manner, may be used for purposes other than capturing images. Since smartphones are often personally-owned devices, several people who own smartphones may come together and use their personal device (e.g., temporarily) as a part of image-capture unit  100 . Then, after a recording session is over, each person may take their smartphone back and once again use it as a personal device. Further, some smartphones are replaced periodically. Thus, a user may extend the useful life of an old smartphone, for example, by using it as a part of image-capture unit  100 . Such flexibility may, for example, allow users to create high-resolution, 360-degree imagery without the need for an expensive dedicated system. Further, since image-capture device  300  may be a smartphone, each image-capture device  300  will be capable of recording and embedding its own audio tracks with captured images. Audio channels can be automatically synchronized using the same process as video, as described elsewhere herein. 
     Further, since image-capture devices  300  may be commercially-available devices, image-capture devices  300  may be easy to replace. For example, image-capture devices  300  may be readily-available at a retail store, which may provide a convenient source for new and/or replacement image-capture devices  300  (e.g., if an image-capture device  300  is lost or malfunctions). As mentioned above, smartphones are often personally-owned devices. Thus, if an image-capture device  300  malfunctions, for example, a user of image-capture unit  100  may replace the malfunctioning image-capture device  300  with their own personal smartphone, and then continuing using image-capture unit  100 . However, even if no replacement image-capture device  300  is available, image-capture unit  100  may still operate with fewer than the maximum number of image-capture devices  300  that image-capture unit structure  200  is configured to support. For example, image-capture unit structure  200  may be configured to secure and support 14 image-capture devices  300 . However, image-capture unit  100  may operate with less than 14 image-capture devices  300 . For example, image-capture unit  100  may operate with only 7 image-capture devices  300 , with a device secured in every other pair of device securement portions  216 ,  226 , or with devices secured in consecutive pairs of device securement portions  216 ,  226  (e.g., to capture 180 degree imagery). 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , image-capture devices  300  may communicate with a control device  400  and/or a processing device  500  over a network  600 . Image-capture devices  300  may also communicate with one another over network  600 . Network  600  may be or may include, for example, a Peer-to-Peer Network, Local Area Network (“LAN”), Wireless Local Area Network (“WLAN”), Campus Area Network (“CAN”), Metropolitan Area Network (“MAN”), or Wide Area Network (“WAN”). In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300 , control device  400 , and/or processing device  500  each include a transceiver that is configured to send and receive information wirelessly. The transceivers may be configured to operate on a variety of frequencies, such as Very High Frequency (e.g., between 30 MHz and 300 MHz) or Ultra High Frequency (e.g., between 300 MHz and 3 GHz) ranges, and may be compatible with specific network standards such as cell phone, WIFI™, or BLUETOOTH® wireless networks, for example. In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300 , control device  400 , and/or processing device  500  may connect to network  600  using a wired connection (e.g., Ethernet or the like). 
     In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  may communicate with one another, control device  400 , and/or a processing device  500  using only peer-to-peer connections, which is to say that no additional network devices (e.g., a server, router, or ISP) are necessary for communication between image-capture devices  300 , control device  400  and/or processing device  500 . In this manner, image-capture devices  300 , control device  400 , and/or processing device  500  may communicate without requiring any external network infrastructure (e.g., a router), thus allowing the system to be used in remote locations, for example, without any dedicated external network or internet connection. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8-10 , control device  400  may communicate with and control image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, control device  400  may be a computing device and may include, for example, a processor, internal memory, and a battery. Control device  400  may be, for example, a tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, smartphone, or the like. In some embodiments, control device  400  is the same type of device as image-capture devices  300 . 
     As mentioned above, control device  400  may communicate with image-capture devices  300  using a peer-to-peer network  600 . However, in some embodiments control device  400  is configured to connect to a finite number of image-capture devices  300  using a peer-to-peer network, for example, due to software and/or hardware limitations of control device  400 . However, in some embodiments, one or more image-capture devices  300  may relay information between control device  400  and other image-capture devices  300 . Thus, control device  400  may effectively communicate (e.g., indirectly through relayed communications) with a number of image-capture devices  300  that exceeds the finite number of image-capture device  300  to which control device  400  may directly connect. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, image-capture devices  300 A may be in direct communication with control device  400 . Image-capture devices  300 B may be in direct communication with image-capture devices  300 A, and image-capture devices  300 A may relay information, including commands, between image-capture devices  300 B and control device  400 . 
     As with control device  400 , in some embodiments, image-capture devices  300 A are also configured to communicate with a finite amount of image-capture devices  300 B using a peer-to-peer network, for example, due to software and/or hardware limitations of image-capture devices  300 A or of the peer-to-peer standard. Thus, the number of image-capture devices  300 B that may connect to image-capture devices  300 A may be limited. However, in some embodiments, image-capture devices  300 B may also relay information between image-capture devices  300 A and other image-capture devices, which may also relay information between other image-capture devices, and so on. In this manner, control device  400  may indirectly communicate with and control any number of image-capture devices  300  using the above-described indirect communication structure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, control device  400  may include a user interface  410 . In some embodiments, user interface  410  includes a touch screen display for receiving user input and communicating information to the user. In some embodiments, user interface  410  includes electromechanical buttons for receiving input from a user. In some embodiments, user interface  410  includes a visual display for communicating with or displaying information to a user. In some embodiments, user interface  410  includes a combination of touch screens, electromechanical buttons, and/or visual displays. User interface  410  may display information about, for example, the status of image-capture devices  300  (e.g., remaining battery and memory levels) image-capture parameters (e.g., aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity (ISO), frame rate) of image-capture devices  300 , and/or other information about image-capture unit  100  or image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, user interface  410  may also display information about network  600  such as, for example, which devices are connected to network  600 . In some embodiments, user interface  410  may also display information about processing device  500  such as, for example, the status of processing device  500  (e.g., remaining battery and memory levels, processor usage, processing status). 
     In some embodiments, control device  400  may receive output images  340  from image-capture devices  300 , and output images  340  may be displayed on user interface  410  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). In some embodiments, control device  400  may receive and display images  340  from image-capture devices  300  in real-time. As discussed above, output images  340  may be high-resolution images and, accordingly, may have a large file size. In order to more efficiently transmit output images  340  in real-time via network  600 , image-capture devices  300  may transmit to control device  400  a “preview” version of output images  340  that have been reduced in size (e.g., compressed and/or downsampled). Although control device  400  receives a reduced-size version of output images  340 , the higher-quality, full-size version of output image  340  may be retained and stored in the memory of each image-capture device  300  and may be extracted (e.g., by processing device  500 ) for further processing in non-real-time (e.g., after a recording session). In some embodiments, control device  400  and processing device  500  are the same device. In some embodiments, control device  400  processes and combines output images  340  into combined image  360 , and displays combined image  360  on user interface  410  in real-time. In some embodiments, processing device  500  processes and combines output images  340  in real-time, and then transmits combined image  360  to control device  400  for display on user interface  410  in real-time. 
     User interface  410  may receive input from a user of image-capture unit  100  that may be used, for example, to control functions of image-capture unit  100 . For example, a user may monitor and/or adjust certain image-capture parameters of image-capture devices  300  using user interface  410 . In some embodiments, a user may adjust image-capture parameters of image-capture devices  300  such as, for example, aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity (e.g., ISO), frame rate, focus point or points, focal length, white balance, and/or other parameters of image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, a user may adjust image-capture parameters of each image-capture device  300  individually. In some embodiments, a user may adjust image-capture parameters of each image-capture device  300  simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments, a user may adjust the image-capture parameters of one image-capture device  300 , and the image-capture parameters of one or more other image-capture devices  300  may automatically adjust based on the user&#39;s input. For example, a user may designate one image-capture device  300  as a priority device, and the other image-capture devices  300  may automatically adjust their image-capture parameters based on the image-capture parameters of the priority device. Similarly, a user may select a priority subject (e.g., a person appearing in a captured image) via user interface  410 , for example, by taping on the subject shown in output image  340  on user interface  410 . Then, image-capture device  300  in which the priority subject appears may automatically adjust its image-capture parameters to best capture images of the priority subject. Then, image-capture devices  300  in which the priority subject does not appear may automatically adjust their image-capture parameters based on the image-capture parameters of the priority device such that, for example, image-capture parameters of all image-capture device  300  are consistent. Such consistency between the image-capture parameters of image-capture devices  300  may, for example, improve the ability of processing device  500  to combine output images  340  and/or may improve the quality of combined image  360 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , for example, control device  400  may send and receive electronic data (directly or indirectly) with each of image-capture devices  300  of image-capture unit  100 . The electronic data may include, for example, information and/or commands related to the image-capture parameters of each image-capture device  300 , as described above. 
     Control device  400  may be used to synchronize image-capture device  300  such that, for example, each image-capture device  300  begins to capture images at the same time. Control device  400  and each of image-capture devices  300  may include internal clocks, which may not necessarily be synchronized. However, synchronized image-capture may be beneficial for producing a high-quality combined image  360  since non-synchronized image-capture may impair the ability processing device  500  to combine output images  340 , or may cause ghosting or other undesirable effects, for example, if a subject moves between fields-of-view  330  of image-capture devices  300 . Thus, as described below, control device  400  may perform a synchronizing operation in order to compensate for differences between the internal clocks of control device  400  and image-capture devices  300 . 
     In order to synchronize (e.g., synchronizing the internal clock or synchronizing a start time for executing a command) each image-capture device  300 A with control device  400 , control device  400  may first send electronic data  420 A to each of image-capture devices  300 A, and may also store electronic data  420 A in its memory. Electronic data  420 A may include, for example, the time (according to the internal clock of control device  400 ) that control device  400  sent electronic data  420 A to image-capture devices  300 A. Then, when image-capture devices  300 A receive electronic data  420  from control device  400 , each image-capture device  300 A may send electronic data  430 A back to control device  400 . Electronic data  430 A may include, for example, the time (according to the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 A) that each image-capture device  300 A received electronic data  420 A from control device  400 . Then, when control device  400  receives electronic data  430 A from each image-capture device  300 A, control device  400  may store electronic data  430 A in its memory. Control device  400  and may also store in its memory the time (according to the internal clock of control device  400 ) at which control device  400  received electronic data  430 A from each image-capture device  300 A. 
     Control device  400  may calculate the difference between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture devices  300 A, with compensation for network latency (e.g., the time required for electronic data  420 A to travel between control device  400  and each image-capture device  300 A). For example, to compensate for network latency, control device  400  may compute the average of the difference between the time electronic data  420 A was sent by control device  400  and the time electronic data  430 A was received by control device  400 . Then, control device may determine the difference between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A by subtracting the determined network latency from the difference between the time (according to the internal clock of control device  400 ) that control device sent electronic data  420 A and the time (according to the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A) that image-capture device  300 A received electronic data  430 A. In some embodiments, during a synchronization operation, control device  400  and image-capture devices  300  may minimize or cease network traffic unrelated to the synchronization process (e.g., image previews, described above) in order to minimize the network latency and/or fluctuation of network latency during the synchronization process, which may help to more accurately determine the amount of network latency, and thus the difference between internal clocks of image-capture devices  300 A and control device  400 . 
     After control device  400  has calculated the differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 A, the calculated time differences may be used to synchronize image capturing of image-capture devices  300 A. For example, a user may initiate image capturing of image-capture devices  300 A using user interface  410  of control device  400 . Then, control device  400  may select a recording start time that may be, for example, several seconds in the future. Then control device  400  may communicate the recording start time to image-capture devices  300 A, with a compensation for the determined differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 A. 
     For example, using the process described above, control device  400  may determine that a first image-capture device  300 A has an internal clock that is 100 milliseconds ahead of the internal clock of control device  400 . Likewise, using the process described above, control device may determine that a second image-capture device  300 A has an internal clock that is 200 milliseconds behind the internal clock of control device  400 . After a user initiates image capturing (e.g., using user interface  410 ), control device  400  may choose a recording start time that that is 2000 milliseconds in the future (relative to the internal clock of control device  400 ). However, to compensate for the time difference between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of the first image-capture device  300 A, control device  400  may instruct the first image-capture device  300 A to begin recording in 2100 milliseconds (e.g., 2000 plus 100 milliseconds). Likewise, to compensate for the time difference between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of the second image-capture device  300 A, control device may instruct the first image-capture device  300 A to begin recording in 1800 milliseconds (e.g., 2000 minus 200 milliseconds) Thus, first and second image-capture devices  300 A may begin capturing images at the same time, despite difference between the internal clocks of control device  400 , the first image-capture device  300 A, and the second image-capture device  300 A. 
     As described above, in some embodiments, some image-capture devices  300 A may act as hubs (e.g., information relays) between control device  400  and other image-capture devices  300 B. Thus, in some embodiments, it may be necessary to calculate the difference between the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A and the internal clocks of image-capture devices  300 B that are connected to the image-capture device  300 A. The calculation and synchronization of image-capture devices  300 A and  300 B may use a similar process to that describe above with respect to control device  400  and image-capture devices  300 A. 
     For example, in order to synchronize the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A with image-capture devices  300 B, image-capture device  300 A may first send electronic data  420 B to each of image-capture devices  300 B, and may also store electronic data  420 B in its memory. Electronic data  420 B may include, for example, the time (according to the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A) that image-capture device  300 A sent electronic data  420 B to image-capture devices  300 B. Then, when image-capture devices  300 B receive electronic data  420 B from image-capture device  300 A, each image-capture device  300 B may send electronic data  430 B back to image-capture device  300 A. Electronic data  430 B may include, for example, the time (according to the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 B) that each image-capture device  300 B received electronic data  420 B from image-capture device  300 A. Then, when image-capture device  300 A receives electronic data  430 B from each image-capture device  300 B, image-capture device  300 A may store electronic data  430 B in its memory. Image-capture device  300 A may also store in its memory the time (according to the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A) at which image-capture device  300 A received electronic data  430 B from each image-capture device  300 B. 
     Image-capture device  300 A may calculate the difference between the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A and the internal clock of each image-capture devices  300 B, with compensation for network latency (e.g., the time required for electronic data  420 B to travel between image-capture device  300 A and each image-capture device  300 B). For example, to compensate for network latency, image-capture device  300 A may compute the average of the difference between the time electronic data  420 B was sent by image-capture device  300 A and the time electronic data  430 B was received by image-capture device  300 A. Then, image-capture device  300 A may determine the difference between the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A and the internal clock of image-capture device  300 B by subtracting the determined network latency from the difference between the time (according to the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A) that control device sent electronic data  420 B and the time (according to the internal clock of image-capture device  300 B) that image-capture device  300 B received electronic data  430 B. In some embodiments, during a synchronization operation, image-capture device  300 A and image-capture devices  300 B may minimize or cease network traffic unrelated to the synchronization process (e.g., image previews, described above) in order to minimize the network latency and/or fluctuation of network latency during the synchronization process, which may help to more accurately determine the amount of network latency, and thus the time difference between internal clocks of image-capture devices  300 B and image-capture device  300 A. 
     After image-capture device  300 A has calculated the differences between the internal clock of image-capture device  300 A and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 B, the calculated time differences may be used to synchronize image capturing of image-capture devices  300 A and  300 B. For example, a user may initiate image capturing of image-capture devices  300 A and  300 B using user interface  410  of control device  400 . Then, control device  400  may select a recording start time that may be, for example, several seconds in the future. Then control device  400  may communicate the recording start time to image-capture devices  300 A, with a compensation for the determined differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 A. Likewise image-capture devices  300 A may communicate the recording start time to image-capture devices  300 B, with a compensation for the determined differences between the internal clock of image-capture devices  300 A and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 B. 
     As mentioned above, in some embodiments, image-capture devices  300 B may also act as a hub for relaying information between image-capture devices  300 A and other image-capture devices (not shown), which may also act as a hub for relaying information between additional image-capture devices, and so on. In some embodiments where additional image-capture devices are included, a synchronization process that is similar to the synchronization process described above with respect to image-capture devices  300 A and  300 B may be used to synchronize the additional image-capture devices. 
     In some embodiments, the communication pathways and processes described above may also be used to send electronic data (e.g., commands and instructions) between control device  400  and image-capture devices  300  for purposes other than the above-described time synchronization process. For example, the above-mentioned communication pathways and processes may be used to send and receive commands, instructions, and/or other information related to image-capture parameters of image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, for example, certain image-capture parameters may be adjusted in real-time while image-capture devices  300  are capturing images (e.g., while recording a video) and, thus, it may be beneficial to make adjustments to the image-capture parameters simultaneously. Accordingly, control device  400 , for example, may send time-based commands to image-capture devices  300  with a compensation for the determined differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 , thereby permitting the image-capture parameters of image-capture devices  300  to be adjusted simultaneously. In some embodiments, control device  400  may calculate the differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300  each time that a new command is issued. In some embodiments, control device  400  may calculate the differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300  only at certain intervals (e.g., once every minutes, once every one hour, or once per recording session) and, between intervals, may issues commands based on the previously calculated differences between the internal clock of control device  400  and the internal clock of each image-capture device  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , network  600  may include processing device  500  and image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, processing device  500  receives images and/or other image-related data (e.g., image-capture parameters) from image-capture devices. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  may communicate with processing device  500  through a wireless connection. In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  each communicate with processing device  500  via a direct wireless connection. In some embodiments, some image-capture devices  300  directly communicate with processing device  500  and some communicate indirectly (e.g., through another image-capture device  300 ) using an indirect communication structure as described above with respect to control device  400 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  communicate with processing device  500  using a wired connection. In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  communicate with control device  400  using a wireless connection, and image-capture devices  300  communicate with processing device  500  using a wired connection. 
     In some embodiments, processing device  500  may be a computing device and may include, for example, a processor, internal memory, and a battery. Processing device  500  may be, for example, a tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or the like. In some embodiments, processing device  500  may be a smartphone. In some embodiments, processing device  500  may be the same type of device as image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, processing device  500  may be control device  400 . In some embodiments, processing device  500  may be one of image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, image processing may be distributed and performed by one or more of image-capture devices  300 . In some embodiments, image processing may be distributed and performed by one or more of image-capture devices  300  and control device  400 . It may be beneficial in some embodiments for processing device  500  to be a separate device from control device  400 , since the operations performed by processing device may be more processor-intensive and may benefit from more capable hardware than is needed for control device  400 . In this way, control device  400  can be a more lightweight, portable device (e.g., a tablet computer or smartphone) than processing device  500  (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer). 
     In some embodiments, each image-capture device  300  may save image data as well as image-parameter data (e.g., the image-capture parameters used when capturing the image) and the image parameter data may be associated with the image data that it relates to. Processing device  500  may receive the image data and may use the image data to make adjustments and/or compensations to the images when processing and combining output images  340 . For example, in some embodiments, one image-capture device  300  may have certain image-capture parameters that are different from another image-capture device  300 . Processing device  500  may then use the image data to make adjustments (e.g., exposure or coloring) to output images  340 , for example, to improve the quality of combined image  360 . 
     As mentioned above, processing device  500  may use an image-stitching process in order to combine overlapping portions  341  together. For example, processing device  500  may analyze and make certain alterations to output images  340  in order to create a more seamless, combined image  360 . For example, processing device may first detect key points (e.g., edges, corners, or other distinctive features) in overlapping portions  341 . Then, processing device  500  may match the detected key points of overlapping portions  341  together. Then, processing device  500  may, for example, align, transform, rotate and/or translate output images  340  or portions of output images  340  based on the matched key points. Then, processing device  500  may composite (e.g., combine) output images  340  together in order to produce a combined image  360 . In some embodiments, processing device  500  may blend, calibrate, or perform other operations on output images  340  in order to combine output images  340  into a seamless, combined image  360 . In some embodiments, processing device may include a software application that is configured to automatically combine output images  340 . In some embodiments, output images  340  may be videos, and processing device  500  may combine output images  340  together frame-by-frame. 
     In some embodiments, processing device  500  may use estimated depth data (described above) to more accurately combine output images  340 . For example, estimated depth data may provide information related to the physical distance of different pixels in output images  340 . Accordingly, such depth information, along with the other detections and comparisons described above, may permit processing devices  500  to combine output images  340  with greater nuance and accuracy. Likewise, such depth information may permit processing device to more accurately detect and compare objects as they pass from one output images  340  to another, which may facilitate a more seamless, combined output image  360 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, image-capture unit  100  may include image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on a first end  202  (e.g., the top) of image-capture unit structure  200  and that are directed in a generally upward direction.  FIG. 12  shows only two image-capture device  300  disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200 . However, image-capture unit  100  may include more than, or less than, two image-capture devices  100  disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200 . In some embodiments, for example, image-capture unit  100  includes, one, two, three, four, five, or more image-capture devices  300  disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200 . Image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200  may include the same features and functionality as the other images-capture devices  300  described herein. Further,  FIG. 12  shows only two image-capture devices  300  disposed on the sides of image-capture unit structure  200 . However, as described above, image-capture unit  100  may include any number of image-capture devices  300  disposed radially around central axis  110 . 
     In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200  may have fields-of-view  330  that include portions that are directed in an axial direction (e.g., vertical direction) relative to central axis  110 . In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200  may have field-of-view centerlines  334  that are directed in a non-axial direction relative to central axis  110 , but fields-of-view  330  of the image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  may overlap with one another at overlapping portions  331 . Likewise, in some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200  may have field-of-view centerlines  334  that are directed in a non-horizontal direction relative to central axis  110 , but fields-of-view  330  of the image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  may overlap with the fields-of-view  330  of image-capture devices that are disposed radially about central axis  110 . In some embodiments, image-capture unit  100  may also include image-capture devices  300  disposed on second end  204  (e.g., the bottom) of image-capture unit structure  200 . 
     An example of an image-capture unit structure  200  (including structure for supporting image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202 ) is shown in U.S. Design patent application No. 29/701,978, filed Aug. 15, 2019, titled “VIDEO DEVICE STAND,” which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, combined field-of-view  350  is defined by a combined angle-of-view  358 . Combined angle-of-view  358  may be, for example, the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which combined field-of-view  350  extends in a plane that is coplanar with central axis  110  and is parallel to central axis  110 . In some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  358  may be the angular extent (e.g., angular size) to which combined field-of-view  350  extends in a vertical plane that is coplanar with central axis  110 . In some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  358  may be 360 degrees. However, in some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  358  is less than 360 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  358  is between approximately 360 degrees and 180 degrees. In some embodiments, combined angle-of-view  358  is between approximately 270 degrees and 180 degrees. In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200  and image-capture devices  300  that are disposed radially about central axis  110  may, together, include a combined field-of-view that is at least hemispherical in shape, or has a shape that includes a portion of a sphere. In some embodiments, image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on first end  202  of image-capture unit structure  200 , image-capture devices  300  that are disposed on second end  204  of image-capture unit structure  200 , and image-capture devices  300  that are disposed radially about central axis  110  may, together, include a combined field-of-view that is spherical in shape. 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200214
Publication Date: 20220628
Grant Date: 20220628
Priority Date: 20190815
Inventors: MHATRE, AMEYA A.
AGNEW, John P.
FARGO, Matthew T.
FOSTER, DAVID M.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/698", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/62", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/50", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/50", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/698", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/661", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T3/4038", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B37/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/0733", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B37/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/0733", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T3/4038", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B37/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B37/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/0733", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/23216", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/0733", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/23206", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 74567628