US 7292261

Here is a concise summary of US patent 7292261, based on the provided patent text:

US Patent 7292261: Virtual Reality Camera

• Title: Virtual reality camera
• Current Assignee: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc
• Inventors: Patrick Teo
• Filing Date: 1999-08-20
• Issue Date: 2007-11-06
• Abstract: A camera is described that includes a camera lens and acquisition circuitry for capturing a first field of view in a first orientation and a second field of view in a second orientation. It also features a viewfinder that displays the second field of view while compositing at least a portion of the first field of view with the second field of view.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent describes several independent inventive concepts, presented as distinct embodiments:

1. Camera with Viewfinder Compositing: This claim covers a camera with a lens and acquisition circuitry. It acquires a first view in a first position and a second view in a second position. Crucially, the camera's viewfinder displays the current (second) view while also showing a portion of the previously acquired (first) view composited onto it, helping the user align the shots.
2. In-Camera Image Coordinate Conversion Method: This claim outlines a method for converting an image within a camera's memory buffer from one coordinate system (e.g., rectilinear) to another (e.g., cylindrical or spherical) using a non-linear transformation. The method involves computing and storing color values along an axis in the buffer and repeating this process for parallel axes, effectively transforming the image "in-place" within the same memory buffer.
3. Camera with In-Camera Panoramic Image Combination: This claim describes a camera with a lens and acquisition circuitry to capture a first and second frame in different orientations. It also includes combining circuitry designed to at least partially merge these frames into a panoramic image within the camera itself.
4. Camera with Panoramic Image Playback: This claim covers a camera featuring a lens, memory for storing panoramic image data, a display for showing part of the panoramic image, and control circuitry to select which portion of the panoramic image is displayed. This enables interactive viewing of the panorama on the camera.
5. Method for Combining Frames (Spatial and Chromatic Alignment): This claim details a method for combining a first and second frame. It involves determining horizontal and vertical offsets for spatial alignment by summing absolute color differences at various pixel locations, based on trial offset values. It further includes determining brightness and contrast parameters for chromatic (color) alignment. Finally, it describes generating a panoramic image by compositing a portion of the second frame onto the first, using these determined offsets and parameters.

There is no uncertainty regarding the authoritative information for the patent details and claims, as these were extracted directly from the provided full patent text.

CAFC 2026 Dockets for US Patent 7292261:

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for the specific patent number US7292261 did not return any direct matches in the provided search results. The search results show general patent litigation activity at the Federal Circuit in 2026, including cases related to patent validity, infringement, claim construction, and inventorship. However, none of the summaries explicitly mention US Patent 7292261. The Google Patents page for US7292261B1 does indicate that the "Family has litigation" and lists numerous US cases filed in various district courts (e.g., Texas Western, Delaware, Florida Southern, Illinois Northern, California Northern) between 2019 and 2022, but these are district court cases and not directly within the CAFC 2026 dockets search. Therefore, based on the provided search results, there is no direct evidence of US Patent 7292261 being heard in CAFC 2026 dockets as of April 26, 2026.