{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854164","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854164","title":"Single sensor multiple lens camera arrangement","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-08-20T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"An image capture device includes two fixed position ultra-wide angle lenses, one or more components to optically direct light, and a single image sensor. The two fixed position ultra-wide angle lenses face substantially opposing directions. A field of view of each of the lenses is greater than one hundred and eighty degrees. Facing the lenses in substantially opposing directions results in an overlapping region of image capture of substantially a three hundred and sixty degree horizontal field of view and a two hundred and seventy degree (or more) vertical field of view. The one or more components optically direct light so that optically directed light from both of the two fixed position ultra-wide angle lenses strikes a single surface of a single image sensor. The single image sensor converts an optical signal into an electronic signal."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent describes an innovative image capture device that simplifies panoramic and spherical imaging. The core innovation is a system that uses two fixed-position ultra-wide-angle lenses, facing substantially opposing directions, to capture a field of view exceeding 360 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically. This eliminates the need for complex multi-camera setups. The problem being solved is the complexity and cost associated with traditional panoramic camera systems that require multiple sensors and intricate image stitching processes. The key technical approach involves optically directing light from both lenses onto a single image sensor, reducing hardware complexity and computational overhead. This system offers significant business value by enabling the creation of compact, efficient, and cost-effective panoramic cameras for various applications. The market opportunity is vast, spanning virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, security and surveillance, and mobile devices. The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent offers a competitive advantage by providing a simpler, more efficient solution for capturing comprehensive visual data. This innovation has the potential to disrupt the imaging industry by enabling the development of smaller, cheaper, and more powerful panoramic cameras. The use of a single sensor reduces the computational overhead associated with image processing, enabling faster and more responsive performance. This efficiency is particularly important for real-time applications where low latency is essential. The system's compact design and low power consumption make it suitable for a wide range of mobile and embedded applications.","layman_explanation":"The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent addresses the challenge of capturing wide-angle or panoramic images in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Traditional methods often involve using multiple cameras and then stitching the images together, which can be complex and computationally intensive. This patent offers a solution by using a single image sensor and two ultra-wide-angle lenses. The problem this solves is the complexity and cost associated with creating panoramic or 360-degree images. Existing solutions often require multiple cameras, which increases the cost and size of the system. Additionally, the process of stitching together the images from multiple cameras can be computationally intensive and may introduce artifacts. The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent simplifies this process by using two lenses that capture a wide field of view, which is then directed onto a single sensor. How does it work? Instead of using multiple cameras, this invention uses two ultra-wide-angle lenses that face in opposite directions. Each lens captures an image that covers more than 180 degrees. The images from both lenses are then directed onto a single image sensor. This eliminates the need for multiple sensors and the complex process of stitching together multiple images. The system uses optical components to direct light from both lenses onto the single sensor. This allows the camera to capture a 360-degree view with a single sensor, reducing the complexity and cost of the system. Why does this matter? This innovation has several potential benefits. It can reduce the cost and size of panoramic cameras, making them more accessible for various applications. It can also simplify the image processing pipeline, reducing the computational requirements and improving the overall performance of the system. This technology has the potential to impact various industries, including virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and surveillance systems. What's next? Future applications of this technology could include integration into mobile devices, VR headsets, and autonomous vehicles. The market adoption timeline will depend on the development of cost-effective manufacturing processes and the integration of the technology into various products. Investment implications include the potential for licensing the technology to camera manufacturers and developing specialized camera systems for specific applications. The reduced complexity and cost of the system make it an attractive option for manufacturers looking to integrate comprehensive imaging capabilities into their products.","technical_analysis":"The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent presents a novel approach to wide-angle image capture, employing a single image sensor and two fixed ultra-wide-angle lenses. The system's architecture centers on capturing a 360-degree horizontal and 270-degree (or more) vertical field of view by positioning the lenses in opposing directions. Implementation details involve the precise optical alignment to direct the light from both lenses onto the single image sensor surface. This is achieved through carefully designed optical elements, such as mirrors or prisms, that minimize distortion and aberration. The algorithm specifics focus on image processing techniques to correct any remaining lens distortion and stitch the two images seamlessly. Integration patterns would involve connecting the image sensor output to a processor capable of running these algorithms in real-time. Performance characteristics would be evaluated based on the resolution, frame rate, and dynamic range of the captured images. Code-level implications would involve the development of efficient image processing libraries and drivers for the specific image sensor used. The technical architecture of the Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent allows for a compact and efficient design. The strategic placement of the lenses and the careful optical alignment are crucial to achieving the desired field of view and image quality. The image processing algorithms play a vital role in correcting for lens distortion and stitching the images seamlessly. The performance of the system is highly dependent on the quality of the image sensor and the efficiency of the image processing algorithms. The code-level implications involve the development of specialized software libraries and drivers to optimize the performance of the system. This patent has the potential to significantly impact the field of wide-angle image capture, enabling the development of more compact, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for various applications.","business_analysis":"The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent holds significant business implications across several sectors. The market opportunity size is substantial, encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), autonomous vehicles, security and surveillance, and consumer electronics. The competitive advantages stem from the system's simplified design, reduced hardware costs, and enhanced field of view compared to traditional multi-camera setups. Revenue potential can be realized through licensing the technology to camera manufacturers, integrating it into VR headsets and autonomous vehicles, and developing specialized surveillance systems. The business models include licensing agreements, product sales, and service offerings. Strategic positioning involves targeting markets where compact size, wide field of view, and cost-effectiveness are critical factors. ROI projections are favorable due to the large market size, competitive advantages, and potential for high-volume sales. This technology has the potential to disrupt the imaging industry by enabling the development of smaller, cheaper, and more powerful panoramic cameras. The reduced hardware costs and simplified design make it an attractive option for manufacturers looking to integrate comprehensive imaging capabilities into their products. The enhanced field of view provides a significant advantage in applications such as VR, AR, and autonomous vehicles, where situational awareness is crucial. The Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement patent offers a compelling value proposition for businesses seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for immersive and comprehensive visual data. The ability to capture a complete spherical view with a single sensor simplifies image processing and reduces computational overhead. This efficiency is particularly important for real-time applications where low latency is essential.","faqs":null,"topics":["single sensor camera","multiple lens system","wide angle lens","360 degree camera","image capture technology","single","sensor","multiple"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement - Patent US-9854164","description":"Explore the Single Sensor Multiple Lens Camera Arrangement: Captures 360° view with one sensor. Full patent analysis, claims, and applications.","keywords":["single sensor camera","multiple lens system","wide angle lens","360 degree camera","image capture technology","patent US-9854164","panoramic imaging","virtual reality camera","autonomous vehicle camera","security camera","imaging technology patent"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854164","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854164","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Single sensor multiple lens camera arrangement\" (US-9854164). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854164","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854164","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854164","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T11:53:49.454Z"}