Bowl-shaped photographic stage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11856299-B2
Application number	US-202217883462-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 8, 2022
Priority date	Dec 5, 2018
Publication date	Dec 26, 2023
Grant date	Dec 26, 2023

Abstract

A bowl-shaped photographic stage and photographic system is provided that produces consistent diffused lighting of an object or subject that is virtually shadow free for obtaining rotational views of the object in a time efficient manner. The bowl-shaped photographic stage may be used with a camera array, or a single camera may be moved around the circumference of the photographic stage to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject. Alternatively, the bowl-shaped photographic stage may be rotated to pass by a single fixed camera to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a photographic stage comprising:
a bowl shaped outer portion; and
an item placement portion comprising a height adjustable column, wherein a top surface of the height adjustable column is flush with a floor of the photographic stage when the height adjustable column is in an un-extended state;

one or more lights configured to cast light onto the photographic stage; and
a light diffuser positioned in between the photographic stage and the one or more lights.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light diffuser is positioned above the photographic stage.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more lights are positioned above the light diffuser.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein a gap is between the photographic stage and the light diffuser.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bowl shaped outer portion of the photographic stage rotates around a central axis.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the photographic stage is tilted relative to one or more cameras surrounding the photographic stage.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a computer system configured to activate the one or more lights.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bowl shaped outer portion has an ovoid cross section.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light diffuser further comprises an aperture that opens when at least one of the one or more lights is activated.

10. A method comprising:
placing an item in an item placement portion of a photographic stage comprising a bowl shaped outer portion, the item placement portion comprising a height adjustable column having a top surface that is flush with a floor of the photographic stage when the height adjustable column is in an un-extended state;
activating one or more lights configured to cast light onto the photographic stage; and
placing a light diffuser in between the photographic stage and the one or more lights.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the placing the light diffuser comprises placing the light diffuser (1) above the photographic stage and (2) in between the photographic stage and the one or more lights.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the activating the one or more lights comprises activating the one or more lights when the one or more lights are above the light diffuser, wherein the one or more lights are configured to cast the light onto the photographic stage.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a gap is between the photographic stage and the light diffuser.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the bowl shaped outer portion of the photographic stage rotates around a central axis.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising tilting the photographic stage relative to one or more cameras surrounding the photographic stage.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the activating the one or more lights comprises using a computer system to activate the one or more lights.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the bowl shaped outer portion has an ovoid cross section.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising opening an aperture in the light diffuser when at least one of the one or more lights is activated.

19. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more cameras travel along an elliptical path around the tilted item placement portion in response to initiation of a photo capture sequence.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising causing the one or more cameras to travel along an elliptical path around the tilted item placement portion.

Assignees

• Carvana Llc

Inventors

• Scheich Davo

Classifications

• H04N23/698 Primary

  for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture · CPC title

• G03B15/06

  Special arrangements of screening, diffusing, or reflecting devices, e.g. in studio · CPC title

• G03B15/07 Primary

  Arrangements of lamps in studios · CPC title

• H04N23/50

  Constructional details · CPC title

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title