Apple has a camera stand that can house 14 iPhone Pros to create 360-degree panoramic shots

Apple has invented a camera stand and system that can house 14 iPhone Pros to create 360-degree panoramic videos and still shots.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro. (Apple)

Apple is working on how to connect images from multiple iPhone cameras and also selectively control them all at the same time to capture 360-degree images and videos. While the company continues to research periscope cameras for the next-gen iPhones, PatentlyApple has shared a photo of a new device that uses multiple cameras to get one unified result - a panoramic shot or a video.

This concept of generating one continuous image using different image sources (in this case iPhone Pros) involves synchronising them all and then combining the footage into one iPhone.

The idea is to create one unified photo with content from all the devices.  (PatentlyApple)

The idea is to create one unified photo with content from all the devices.  (PatentlyApple)

‘A photographer, videographer, or other person may desire to capture images using several image-capture devices and combine the images captured by each of the individual devices into one continuous image,” the patent explains.

Apple Invents a 14-Pro Camera Stand & System for making 360º VR Panoramic Videos and Still Photography Creations https://t.co/2wtH3mEkCn pic.twitter.com/kLpySickRe

— Patently Apple (@PatentlyApple) February 20, 2021

Now, under normal circumstances using multiple devices means multiple individuals using their cameras on the same subject at the same time. Apple's patent application talks about installing several iPhone options in a way that maximises a 360-degree coverage and minimises overlap.

According to Gizchina, Apple describes this physical bracket as an “image capture unit structure” and the purpose of this is to support a fixed position of the camera relative to other cameras - “the idea is that these iPhones or other devices will be ‘placed radially around the central axis of the image capture unit”.

A structure like this will allow each camera to have an angle of at least 30 degrees with a radiation extending from the central axis. And they all overlap on the central axis to constitute a 360-degree field of view.

All the phones attached to this structure are the same model of the iPhone so the quality of images produced on each of them are the same and it simplifies stitching the images together. However, Apple did point out that the system cannot assume that everyone has the same device. The overall quality of the final image will be determined by the size and the configuration of the image sensors capturing it.

For most photos, especially being shot outside, the change in light means that to create a single image - it is best to capture every part at the same time.

Keeping the patent application as wide as possible, Apple recommends that multiple iPhones be connected via local Wi-Fi. No matter how several iPhones are connected. The idea is that one person can trigger all cameras at the same time. Apple has also proposed a way to use iPad to control all devices.