Optics: motion pictures – Time compression or expansion
Patent
1984-07-30
1986-07-29
Hayes, Monroe H.
Optics: motion pictures
Time compression or expansion
352 91C, G03B 4100
Patent
active
046028579
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a panoramic motion picture camera in which a filmstrip is continuously nonintermittently exposed while the camera lens is rapidly rotated through 360.degree..
Panoramic cameras for still and motion picture photography have been previously proposed. Hanke, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,068,410, discloses a panoramic camera having three lenses angularly spaced 120.degree. and rotatable about a central axis at a rate of speed of about sixteen revolutions per second. The camera casing supports film supply and take-up reels for each of the three lenses, each filmstrip passing through a film gate which is located between a shaft having an axis of rotation and the lens. The lens, film gates and film supply and take-up reels are located in the same planar zone. The camera casing and camera parts therein is first rotated, film movement being started by a manually operated brake which acts against an extension of the rotating shaft.
Back U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,349,931 and 2,815,701 disclose a panoramic camera in which the lens is rotated about an axis and the film supply and take-up reels are located on the opposite side of said axis and in the same planar zone as the lens. A sprocket on said axis is stationary while the film engages the sprocket without relative movement therebetween. A slit aperture is provided to expose the film while it is in contact with the sprocket. The focal length of the lens system is disclosed as equal to the radius of the sprocket.
In Van Praag U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,721, a lens and film reels lying in the same plane as the lens are rotated about an axis, the filmstrip passing over a rotatable sprocket at said axis, the film gate being adjacent the lens and spaced from the sprocket.
Globus, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,985, discloses another type of panoramic motion picture camera driven by a spring ribbon, this patent also including a discussion of the history of the panoramic camera. Globus, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,860 discloses a cycloramic projection system in which the film supply and film take-up reels are coaxial and spaced apart with the projection lens lying between the film reels and with the film path including a radial extension to provide space to translate the film between the separation reels.
Such prior proposed panoramic camera constructions were subject to various disadvantages in terms of expensive construction and mode of operation which required precise minimal tolerances; difficulties in maintaining uniform speed of rotation of camera lens and speed of the film which often resulted in banding on the exposed film; and severe wear and tear on edges and sprocket holes of the filmstrip. Use of standard motion picture accessories and facilities were minimized because of prior proposed special constructions and modes of operation. Further, such prior proposed panoramic motion picture camera systems were not adapted to operate at relatively high speeds of rotation. They were generally difficult to be kept in dynamic balance because of changing positions of the film material due to the arrangement of the supply and take-up film reels.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel construction and method of operation of a motion picture camera adapted to take panoramic scenes of a full 360.degree. and the provision of a motion picture film which may be readily adapted by standard motion picture practices to be projected at 360.degree. to provide a panoramic motion picture scene. The invention particularly relates to a panoramic motion picture camera construction in which a filmstrip is continuously moved at cine speeds, that is, twenty-four scans per second, and which uses a standard fixed focal length lens and a filmstrip of any desired width, such as 35 millimeter, or 8, 16, or 70 millimeter filmstrips but not limited thereto.
The present invention contemplates a panoramic camera in which a cylindrical camera body assembly comprises a generally cylindrical stationary housing portion from which is supported an
REFERENCES:
patent: 2925008 (1960-02-01), Hall
patent: 3246944 (1966-04-01), Winkler
Brentnall Thomas E.
Woltz Robert L.
Carmel James H.
Hayes Monroe H.
LandOfFree
Panoramic motion picture camera and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Panoramic motion picture camera and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Panoramic motion picture camera and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-697888