Accelerometer technology enables throwable camera array
Researchers at the Computer Graphics Group, TU Berlin have developed a panoramic ball camera that, when thrown into the air, captures an image at the highest point of its flight.
The device detects when it is moving at its slowest and takes full spherical panoramas, requires no preparation and images are taken instantaneously.
According to Jonas Pfeil, researcher at Computer Graphics, it can capture scenes with many moving objects without producing ghosting artifacts, creating unique images.
"Our camera uses 36 fixed focus 2 megapixel mobile phone camera modules," said Pfeil. "The camera modules are mounted in a robust, 3d printed, ball shaped enclosure that is padded with foam and handles just like a ball." The camera contains an accelerometer which measures launch acceleration and predicts rise time to the highest point, where exposure is triggered. Once the ball has been caught, full spherical panoramic pictures can be downloaded within seconds.
The patent pending technology will be on display at SIGGRAPH Asia 2011, Hong Kong.
