David S Mccutchen

US Patent:

7129971, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Mar 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/800978

Inventors:

David McCutchen - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

Immersive Media Company - Portland OR

International Classification:

H04N 7/00

US Classification:

348 37, 348222, 348202, 348207, 348143, 396 20

Abstract:

A scanning camera with a rotating drum has one or more sensors characterized by a non-radial optical axis. With two sensors on opposite sides of the drum and facing in substantially the same direction, stereoscopic recording of a panorama is accomplished as the drum rotates. Rapid rotation of the scanning camera produces panoramic motion picture recording, with the final frame speed dependent on the sensitivity and speed of the sensor, the resolution desired, and the capabilities of the recording device. The preferred embodiment employs rotating fisheye lenses for a substantially full-sphere field of view. Streamlining of the lens elements on the drum surface is described for quiet operation of the camera, even at high rotation speeds. The rapid rotation of the drum characteristic of motion picture frame rates can improve both the stability and portability of the camera. The gyroscopic effect of the rotating weight of the drum can increase the stability of the camera, and the apparent weight of the camera can be reduced by the lifting effect of aerodynamic elements such as rotors added to the rotating drum.

US Patent:

7525567, Apr 28, 2009

Filed:

Mar 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/800976

Inventors:

David McCutchen - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

Immersive Media Company - Portland OR

International Classification:

H04N 13/02

US Classification:

348 46, 348 47, 348 37, 348 48, 348 42, 348 36, 348807, 348806

Abstract:

A scanning camera with a rotating drum has one or more sensors characterized by a non-radial optical axis. With two sensors on opposite sides of the drum and facing in substantially the same direction, stereoscopic recording of a panorama is accomplished as the drum rotates. Rapid rotation of the scanning camera produces panoramic motion picture recording, with the final frame speed dependent on the sensitivity and speed of the sensor, the resolution desired, and the capabilities of the recording device. The preferred embodiment employs rotating fisheye lenses for a substantially fill-sphere field of view. Streamlining of the lens elements on the drum surface is described for quiet operation of the camera, even at high rotation speeds. The rapid rotation of the drum characteristic of motion picture frame rates can improve both the stability and portability of the camera. The gyroscopic effect of the rotating weight of the drum can increase the stability of the camera, and the apparent weight of the camera can be reduced by the lifting effect of aerodynamic elements such as rotors added to the rotating drum.

US Patent:

7791638, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/954585

Inventors:

David Johnstone McCutchen - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

Immersive Media Co. - Portland OR

International Classification:

H04N 13/02

US Classification:

348 46, 348 47, 348 48, 348 37, 348 42, 348 36, 348806, 348807

Abstract:

A scanning camera with a rotating drum has one or more sensors characterized by a non-radial optical axis. With two sensors on opposite sides of the drum and facing in substantially the same direction, stereoscopic recording of a panorama is accomplished as the drum rotates. The adjustment of convergence between stereoscopic viewpoints is described that improves the viewing and interpretation of stereoscopic images. Rapid rotation of the scanning camera produces panoramic motion picture recording, with the final frame speed dependent on the sensitivity and speed of the sensor, the resolution desired, and the capabilities of the recording device. The preferred embodiment employs rotating fisheye lenses for a substantially full-sphere field of view. Additional sensors in the same arrangement are used to increase resolution and light sensitivity through multiplexed or additive recording of the image data. Recording image information using film, either internal or external to the camera drum, is also described as a cost-effective alternative to digital media storage.

US Patent:

7973838, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/712247

Inventors:

David McCutchen - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

Immersive Media Company - Portland OR

International Classification:

H04N 9/04
H04N 3/14

US Classification:

348276, 348296, 348362, 2502011

Abstract:

An active pixel masking system for automatic glare suppression uses a variably transmissive screen such as an LCD in front of a lens. A measurement by an image sensor of oversaturated pixels from one or more extremely bright lights is used to generate corresponding opaque pixels in the variably transmissive screen, thereby preventing the excess light from entering the lens, and thereby clarifying the appearance of any objects near to the bright light. A continuous reading of a motion picture image is used to move the location and area of the opaque pixels in response to the motion and area of the light.

US Patent:

8018489, Sep 13, 2011

Filed:

Dec 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/293408

Inventors:

David McCutchen - Portland OR, US

International Classification:

H04N 7/18

US Classification:

348143, 348144, 348148

Abstract:

A surveillance device makes use of a fixed point in space such as a stabilized blimp, and a downward-looking high-resolution scanning camera. One or more line scan devices are arranged in a radial fashion on a rotating disk, together with associated lenses, so as to repeatedly scan an area of interest. To allow for manageable data bandwidth and to focus on objects of interest, the data from successive scans is compared so as to show primarily the moving objects, with occasional full-scan reference images included.

US Patent:

20070126867, Jun 7, 2007

Filed:

Dec 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/293409

Inventors:

David McCutchen - Portland OR, US

International Classification:

H04N 7/18

US Classification:

348143000

Abstract:

A surveillance device makes use of a fixed point in space such as a stabilized blimp, and a downward-looking high-resolution scanning camera. One or more line scan devices are arranged in a radial fashion on a rotating disk, together with associated lenses, so as to repeatedly scan an area of interest. To allow for manageable data bandwidth and to focus on objects of interest, the data from successive scans is compared so as to show primarily the moving objects, with occasional full-scan reference images included.

US Patent:

20070217782, Sep 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/378088

Inventors:

David McCutchen - Portland OR, US
Craig Adkins - Portland OR, US

International Classification:

G03B 17/00

US Classification:

396427000

Abstract:

An environmental protection system features a clear spinning curved volumetric enclosure to shed and throw off environmental contaminants such as rain, fog and dust that would affect a sensor image. The described design is especially suitable for cameras with extremely wide fields of view, such as panoramic or immersive cameras. Alternate forms of volumetric enclosures are described for different lens arrangements in compound camera systems. In all of these embodiments it is possible to keep the cover and the mechanism spinning it invisible to the cameras. An additional modification of the shape of the volumetric enclosure is described that prevents any accumulation of liquid drops within the fields of view of the sensors within the spinning volumetric enclosure. Alternate forms of construction with air and magnetic bearings are described for smoother and quieter operation of the spinning enclosure.

US Patent:

20090263309, Oct 22, 2009

Filed:

Feb 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/368236

Inventors:

David J. McCutchen - Portland OR, US
Wilmot H. McCutchen - Orinda CA, US

Assignee:

MCCUTCHEN CO. - Portland OR

International Classification:

D01F 9/12
B01J 19/08

US Classification:

4234471, 422186, 977743

Abstract:

Continuous nanotube synthesis by vortex deposition occurs in an axially-fed shear reactor comprising coaxial counter-rotating disk impeller/electrodes charged as anodes. Nanotube evolving ends, charged as cathodes, point toward the anode axis of rotation and protrude into the space between the anodes. Radial vortices in a shear layer of the space, between the boundary layers on the impeller/electrodes, spin cations to be deposited on evolving nanotube ends approximately at the vortex axis, so deposition is by swirling cathode fall. The evolved nanotubes are extracted mechanically, and they conduct electrons from charging means to charge the evolving ends as cathodes. The preferential synthesis of metallic carbon nanotubes is due to the greater resistance of non-metallic structures such as graphite or semiconductive structures. Ozone serves to oxidize non-metallic structures and to functionalize the loose ends of nanotube fragments. Dopants can be added to the evolving nanotubes by introduction of dopants at the periphery because the evolving ends are maintained in stable locations. Or dopants can be added by the simultaneous decomposition of gases (for example, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas) within the reactor or in an external reactor.