Consumer/Home/Recreation
Spherical Camera
Everyone likes to get the complete picture. But for Interactive Pictures
Corporation (IPC) of Knoxville, Tennessee the whole scene is a panoramic
360-degrees and looking at four views at once.
The interactive imaging technology, called IPIX™, was developed
largely as a result of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract
through Langley Research Center. NASA found the technology appropriate
for use in guiding space robots, in the space shuttle and space station
programs, as well as research in cryogenic wind tunnels and for remote
docking of spacecraft.
An innovative imaging process, IPIX provides for real-time control of
live video data. Viewers can look in one direction from a single vantage
point or four views simultaneously.
IPIX technology relies on digital image manipulation of a standard video
signal. This permits independent panning, tilting, zooming and rotating
of four video images. It requires no moving parts, is noiseless, and responds
faster than the blink of an eye. Key elements are a high resolution charge
coupled device (CCD), image correction circuitry and a microcomputer for
image processing.
| Based on NASA Small Business Innovation
Research contracts, interactive imaging technology by IPIX combines two
images from 180 degree perspectives into a sphere. Dr. Lee Martin of IPIX
captures the images digitally. |
A further development of the IPIX technology is spherical photography.
A digital camera or standard 35mm camera fitted to a fisheye lens is required.
Images taken are processed and electronically scanned to create a digital
file. Once digitized, a single fisheye shot captures a hemisphere, while
two opposing shots provide an entire sphere. Using seaming tools, the two
opposing shots are fused without a discernible seam.
Images of any location are captured in their entirety in a 360-degree
immersive digital representation. The viewer is positioned inside the 360-degree
digital image and can navigate to any desired direction within the image
via a computer mouse, joystick, or other input device. Any part of the
image can be enlarged for detailed exploration.
Potential applications of IPIX technology include the viewing of homes
for sale, hotel accommodations, museum sites, news events, and sport stadiums.
Several car manufacturers already use IPIX to give a viewer a behind-the-steering
wheel look at their latest line up of automobiles.
Uses of IPIX technology are far reaching. One application is for non-invasive
surgeries. By implementing OmniScope™, also developed by IPC, surgeons
can look more closely at various parts of an organ with medical viewing
instruments now in use.
| Once the two images are joined, users
can select sections of the sphere and zoom in on desired areas. The technology
is finding applications in real estate sales, surgery and museum sites. |
OmniScope allows the surgeon to see more without repositioning the camera
all the time, says Daniel Kuban, chief operating officer of IPC. "The
OmniScope becomes an extension of the surgeon's eyes. It frees the surgeon
to focus on the operation," Kuban comments.
An OmniScope benefit to the surgeon is post-operation evaluation of
any aspect of the surgical area in detail because a wide-angle, digital
image has been captured.
IPIX technology means that tiny cameras that can see a whole room, could
revolutionize the security and surveillance industry. In addition, teleconferencing,
virtual reality and telepresence theme parks, and a host of military operations
are among the applications for this imaginative technology.
™ IPIX and OmniScope are trademarks of Interactive Pictures Corporation.
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