360 degree camera mount and related photographic and video system

Abstract

A camera holding assembly that is configured to hold a plurality of cameras in a predetermined orientation includes a support having a plurality of receptacles. Each of the receptacles include at least one feature enabling a camera to be releasably retained therein as well as at least one and preferably at least three attachment features configured for enabling the camera holding assembly to be secured to another object. The receptacles are oriented about the support so that each camera, when loaded into the defined receptacles, is aimed in a different angular orientation. Images obtained from each retained camera can be stitched to create either a composite 360 degree×180 degree full spherical image or a composite 360 degree composite image of a scene of interest.

1 . A holding assembly configured to releasably retain a plurality of cameras in a predetermined orientation, said holding assembly comprising:
 a support;   a plurality of receptacles disposed radially about said support, each of said receptacles being configured for releasably retaining a photographic camera and having at least one feature for enabling the camera to be removed from the receptacle wherein the receptacles are oriented about said support such that each camera provides a different field of view, the cameras being disposed to create either a 360 degree by 180 degree full spherical composite image or a 360 degree composite image.   
     
     
         2 . A holding assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said support includes a plurality of radially extending arms and in which a receptacle is retained at a distal end of each arm. 
     
     
         3 . A holding assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacles are integral to the support. 
     
     
         4 . A holding assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least some of said camera receptacles are oriented about a common plane. 
     
     
         5 . A holding assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said camera receptacle is defined by an enclosure having a releasably securable latch, enabling the enclosure to be selectively opened and closed about a camera retained therein. 
     
     
         6 . A holding assembly as recited in  claim 1 , including a plurality of camera receptacles disposed within a common spherical plane and at least one camera receptacle disposed above or below the common spherical plane. 
     
     
         7 . A holding assembly as recited in  claim 1 , including at least one adaptive member attachable to a secured photographic camera to enable use underwater. 
     
     
         8 . A method for enabling capture of 360 degree images of a scene of interest, said method comprising:
 providing a holding assembly having a support, the support including a plurality of receptacles, in which each receptacle is configured for receiving at least one camera body and disposing each said receptacle in a specific angular or spherical orientation in which a composite 360 image can be obtained.   
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , in which the support has a plurality of arms that radially extend from a support body and in which a said receptacle is disposed at the distal end of each arm. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , including the step of supporting a plurality of cameras within a common spherical plane. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the arms is configured to radially extend or contract relative to an initial radial position. 
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the camera receptacles are integral to the support. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the camera receptacles are attached to the distal end of each arm. 
     
     
         14 . A system for creating 360 degree images of a scene of interest, the system comprising:
 a holding assembly configured to releasably retain a plurality of cameras in a predetermined orientation, the holding assembly comprising:
 a supporting frame; 
 a plurality of receptacles disposed radially about the supporting frame, each of said receptacles having a receiving cavity sized to accommodate a camera wherein the receptacles are oriented about said frame such that each camera, when loaded into the receptacles provides a different field of view, the cameras being disposed to create a 360 degree by 180 degree full spherical composite image or a 360 degree composite image. 
   
     
     
         15 . A system as recited in  claim 14 , in which the holding assembly includes at least one feature enabling the camera to be releasably retained within a said receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . A system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising at least one attachment feature configured for enabling the holding assembly to be secured to another object. 
     
     
         17 . A system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the holding assembly includes at least three spaced attachment features. 
     
     
         18 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein each of the receptacles are integral to the supporting frame. 
     
     
         19 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the receptacles are secured to the supporting frame using fasteners. 
     
     
         20 . A system as recited in  claim 16 , in which the receptacles are defined by an enclosure having a latch that enables a portion of the enclosure to be selectively opened and closed about a retained camera.