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WO2012009119A2 - Systèmes d'imagerie stéréoscopique - Google Patents

Systèmes d'imagerie stéréoscopique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012009119A2
WO2012009119A2 PCT/US2011/041560 US2011041560W WO2012009119A2 WO 2012009119 A2 WO2012009119 A2 WO 2012009119A2 US 2011041560 W US2011041560 W US 2011041560W WO 2012009119 A2 WO2012009119 A2 WO 2012009119A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
polarization
perspectives
lens
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2011/041560
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2012009119A3 (fr
Inventor
Stuart Mcmuldroch
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ILLUSION CAMERA CO LLC
Original Assignee
ILLUSION CAMERA CO LLC
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of WO2012009119A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012009119A2/fr
Publication of WO2012009119A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012009119A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/20—Image signal generators
    • H04N13/204—Image signal generators using stereoscopic image cameras
    • H04N13/239—Image signal generators using stereoscopic image cameras using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03C—PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES; PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY
    • G03C9/00—Stereo-photographic or similar processes
    • G03C9/02—Parallax-stereogram
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B35/00—Stereoscopic photography
    • G03B35/08—Stereoscopic photography by simultaneous recording
    • G03B35/10—Stereoscopic photography by simultaneous recording having single camera with stereoscopic-base-defining system
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/20—Image signal generators
    • H04N13/204—Image signal generators using stereoscopic image cameras
    • H04N13/207—Image signal generators using stereoscopic image cameras using a single 2D image sensor
    • H04N13/218—Image signal generators using stereoscopic image cameras using a single 2D image sensor using spatial multiplexing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
    • G02B30/20—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes
    • G02B30/22—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes of the stereoscopic type
    • G02B30/25—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes of the stereoscopic type using polarisation techniques

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for stereoscopic imaging.
  • a polarizing device produces simultaneous stereoscopic images from a single lens unit and a camera with coordinated functions.
  • Imaging systems for producing left and right eye equivalent stereo images. Most typically, these systems use one camera for forming a left eye image and another for forming the right eye image. The two cameras are spaced apart so as to create a parallax effect permitting the generation of stereo images. The amount of spacing between the optical axes of the cameras, normally known as the interaxial distance, governs the amount of parallax produced and the consequently the strength of the stereo effect.
  • US Pat. No. 5,222,477 to Lia describes a stereo imaging system for an endoscope that has an aperture plate within the optical train.
  • the plate defines left and right eye pupils located either side of the optical axis.
  • the left image passes through the left pupil and similarly the right image passes through the right pupil.
  • the images pass down a common lens assembly to an imager that captures the left and right eye stereo images.
  • the left and right eye images are distinguished either by the use of color filters located at the pupils or by switching between the left and right eye pupils using an alternating shutter.
  • US Pat. No. 5,964,696 describes an aperture plate that attaches to an endoscope or borescope in the vicinity of its pupil.
  • the plate defines left and right eye views and an optical switch alternately blocks light received from one of the two apertures.
  • US Pat. No. 6,275,335, to Costales defines the left and right eye portions using polarization techniques.
  • the light forming the left and right views has different polarization states, established by having a polarizing filter or retarder at one of the lens apertures.
  • the polarized light follows a common light path prior to being divided by a beamsplitter immediately prior to the image viewing or capture device.
  • US Pat No. 6,151,164 to Greening discloses a stereoscopic imaging system that uses an opaque leaf positioned between the lens system and a camera.
  • the leaf moves laterally from left to right creating a left image and right image perspective.
  • the leaf geometry and position can vary so as to produce alternating apertures of different sizes and of different separations and hence parallax.
  • the leaf remains stationary in each position for a sufficient length of time for the camera to view the corresponding perspective.
  • the pupil of a single lens system is being divided into two sections and left / right eye images acquired sequentially.
  • Greening's approach has the advantage of controlling the size and location of the apertures including configurations where the apertures are overlapping albeit separated in time.
  • US Pat No. 7,019,780 discloses a system that provides stereoscopic capability within a zoom lens.
  • An electronic optical shutter located on a stage within the lens defines a left and a right portion.
  • the electronic shutter can form an opening of any predetermined form. This permits control of the amount of parallax as a function of zoom in addition to being able to adjust the amount of light transmitted through the left and right apertures.
  • the shutter alternates between left and right states being transmissive, creating alternating left and right views.
  • a double speed camera is used for taking pictures with a left and right view pair forming a stereo image.
  • the approaches listed above provide single lens stereo capability by defining a left and right eye perspective within the lens, most often by dividing an aperture, pupil, or conjugate into two or more portions. The light then passes further down the lens assembly along a common light path prior to being viewed.
  • the left and right portions are distinct existing together at the same time with the light from each portion being distinguished by its color or polarization upon being viewed.
  • These approaches are limited, however, in that they cannot produce overlapping apertures thereby limiting the degree of control of parallax and aperture size.
  • the portions can overlap but not at the same time and the left and right images have to be viewed sequentially.
  • the present invention includes a polarizing unit that generates multiple polarizing states within the lens and camera system.
  • the polarizing states delineate varying portions of the lens view so that by viewing one or more of the states, one can generate left and right eye perspectives of multiple configurations including ones where the views overlap concurrently.
  • a stereo imaging camera comprising: a lens unit, a portion of the lens unit that may provide zoom function, one or more image viewing means, a polarizing unit placed within the lens or at least between the lens unit and the image viewing means, a unit that provides light adjusting means, and a computing device for controlling the polarizing unit and image viewing means.
  • an electronic polarizing modulator is used as the polarizing unit, fine opening patterns can be defined so that two or more polarizing light states can be generated simultaneously. Combining patterns of multiple different states permits a plurality of different configurations. Additionally, as such an electronic means is used, the patterns can be changed continuously to accommodate the optical configuration of the lens at that time to generate the desired stereo effect. Still further, as such electronic modulators are capable of operating at high speeds, the patterns can be defined and changed multiple times within the period over which the left and right images are simultaneously obtained.
  • the image viewing means can distinguish between the light of one or more different polarizing states thereby allowing the formation of images from multiple different patterns within one viewing period.
  • a computing device can coordinate operation between the lens unit configuration including zoom, f/#, or aperture and the polarizer unit and image viewing means. In such a way, the system can generate stereo effect by adjusting or accommodating all aspects of the system.
  • the imaging system has a camera comprising a lens unit forming the image, a polarizing optical modulator, a means for separating polarization, one or more light acquisition devices for receiving images of the object, and a computing device capable of providing coordinated operation so as to provide simultaneous stereo images through the said optical elements.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a stereoscopic camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the light modulator of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the light modulator forming a left side and a right side unit.
  • FIG. 4 A is a diagram showing a case where the unit separation and corresponding parallax is small.
  • FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a case where the unit separation and corresponding parallax is large.
  • FIG. 5 A is a diagram showing a case where the unit separation and corresponding parallax is small and the aperture is maximized resulting in overlapping units.
  • FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a case where the unit separation and corresponding parallax is large and the aperture is maximized resulting in overlapping units.
  • FIG. 6 A is a diagram showing a case where there are three patterns forming distinct units.
  • FIG. 6 A is a diagram showing a case where there are three patterns forming distinct units as distinguished by their polarization state.
  • FIG. 7 A is a diagram showing a case where the third unit is comprised of smaller areas each having the polarization properties of units one and units two.
  • FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a case where the third unit is comprised of smaller areas each having the polarization properties of units one and units two and where unit three is comprised of a plurality of patterns.
  • FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a standard aperture with minimal use of an iris.
  • FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a standard aperture with large use of an iris with the lens stopped down.
  • FIG. 8C is a diagram showing the case where the three units from FIG. 6 are limited in extent by use of an iris.
  • FIG. 8D is a diagram showing the case where the three units from FIG. 6 are further limited in extent by use of an iris.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the case of how both the light controlling function and polarizing function can be incorporated within the light modulator.
  • FIG. 10A is a diagram showing both light control and polarizing function for the units with the parallax shown in FIG. 5A.
  • FIG. 1 OB is a diagram showing both light control and polarizing function for the units with the parallax shown in FIG. 5B.
  • FIG. IOC is a diagram showing both light control and polarizing function for the units with the parallax shown in FIG. 5A. In this case the equivalent left and right apertures are stopped down.
  • FIG. 10D is a diagram showing both light control and polarizing function for the units with the parallax shown in FIG. 5B. In this case the equivalent left and right apertures are stopped down.
  • the present invention concerns a camera for stereo imaging comprising at least a lens unit 2, a polarizing means to divide light between left and right views 3, a means to vary the light for each left and right view, a means to separate light into different polarizing states 4, light acquisition devices 5, and a computing device 6.
  • the computing device controls the components mentioned and provides coordinated operation between them to produce imagery with the desired stereographic requirements.
  • each permits interaxial adjustment and light control permitting production of stereo imagery with the desired depth and illumination affects.
  • subapertures are formed by the use of polarization with subapertures being permitted to overlap simultaneously or within a fraction of the time over which right and left eye images are obtained.
  • the light from each of these apertures is separated based on polarization and directed to one or more light collecting devices so as to produce corresponding left and right images.
  • These embodiments have a plurality of configurations but have common attributes:
  • a system produces stereographic images of an object using a monocular objective or lens unit that generates different perspectives, including those of interaxial distances less than the diameter of the lens, such a system comprising: o A single lens system with simultaneous image capture of left and right perspectives.
  • o Light modulating means for simultaneously creating multiple sub-apertures of varying size and properties.
  • o Single lens system with light modulating means where sub-aperture regions, as identified by their optical properties, overlap creating left and right eye perspectives simultaneously.
  • o Single lens or groups optimized for the creation of sub-apertures of maximum separation, specifically lens geometries and ratios that maximize horizontal aspect of pupils.
  • modulating and light capturing means thereby controlling stereo effect while minimizing unwanted stereo or motion artifacts.
  • light modulating and controlling means are advantageously located in the optical train at one or multiple points, most probably at or near apertures, pupils or conjugates, comprising or consisting of:
  • an ability is provided to simultaneously separate states, for example employing:
  • a fourth stage that may be placed near the sensor or sensors to further
  • the states modulated by the stages described in number 2 above may be divided into different units of differing shapes within the area of the aperture or pupil. Specifically it is advantageous where:
  • the second stage forms three units of differing or partially differing polarization states so that unit one has light of state one, unit two has light of state two, and unit three has light of state three.
  • units one and three correspond to a left view and units two and three correspond to a right view.
  • the third stage directs light from unit one and unit three to one sensor and directs light from unit two and unit three to another sensor or separate portion of the first sensor.
  • the fourth stage balances the optical properties of units 1, unit 2, and unit 3 to reduce any color distortion, non-wanted polarization variation, or intensity variation introduced by any other stages to the three states.
  • a fifth stage may be placed before, after, or be incorporated within any of the other
  • This fifth stage partially or totally blocks light such that the spatial extent of units one, two, and three can be defined and limited as needed. In this way, the fifth stage acts as a partial iris for one or several of the individual units.
  • An advantageous aspect is means for altering the properties of the polarization states defining the units, for example to accommodate manufacturing tolerances from the relative alignment of the stages and to minimize polarization cross-talk and maximize stereo effect.
  • stages 1, 2, and 5 may be accommodated into one
  • a stereoscopic camera comprises:
  • a third lens, prism, or beam splitter located subsequent to the second lens group that creates two optical paths simultaneously directing light of differing polarizations to sensors or different portions of one sensor based on their polarization sensitivity
  • a filter or filters to adjust optical properties within each optical path o A sensor or detector on each optical path that measures or records light
  • the detectors such as light or color variations across or between each image, based on knowledge of the operating mode of the light modulator.
  • the polarizing means 3 is located near the diaphragm within the lens that is used to adjust the light for each view.
  • the polarizing means is comprised of a combination of polarizing filters, waveplates, and liquid crystal devices.
  • the polarizing means can describe a plurality of patterns, including ones distinct and interleaved, which have different polarizing states. These polarizing states or mixtures thereof are used to define the light from the left and right views.
  • the polarizing means can also act as the method of varying the light for each view. Still further a liquid or mechanical shutter may be used to vary the light for each view.
  • a polarizing separating means 4 situated between the lens, polarizing means, and the light acquisition devices, separates the polarized light from the left and right views into different optical paths to form separate images.
  • optical filters 7 are located between the polarizing separating means and the light acquisition device to adjust optical properties, including but not limited to polarization and color, to provide a higher quality image to the light acquisition devices.
  • the light acquisition devices are portions of one or more electronic detectors or sensors.
  • the computing device varies the pattern produced by the polarizing means to produce the desired stereo and parallax effect. The computing device adjusts the polarizing means to account for lens parameters such as f stop and zoom magnification to produce the desired stereo effect.
  • the computing device controls operation of the electronic detectors to ensure simultaneous image acquisition so as minimize motion artifacts.
  • the computing device having secured simultaneous light capture with a left and right view perspective, adjusts the image parameters as needed to produce stereo image pairs with attendant information. These images, with attendant information, are then produced with one of several formats known to those with knowledge of the field.
  • FIG. 1 shows the schematic details of a camera for acquiring stereo images according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the camera consists of a lens unit 2, within which lies a polarizing light modulator 3, together with a beam splitter 4, optical filters 7, solid state image detectors 5, and computing electronics 6.
  • the lens unit 2 consists of multiple optical elements.
  • the lens elements are described in terms of two lens groups with the modulator situated between them. There can in fact, especially in the case of zoom lenses, be many lens groups. To this effect, describing the lens elements as two groups shall not be determined to be limiting to two groups but should be representative of grouping of lens elements.
  • the light modulator 3 is located at an aperture, pupil, or near the normal location of a diaphragm, between the lens elements.
  • the light modulator first stage 8 filters light for one polarization state. Although it is most preferable for this first stage to be situated near the aperture, it may be situated at a position earlier in the optical path.
  • the light modulator second stage in this embodiment a liquid crystal device 9, alters the polarization state of the light into one or more additional states of different patterns. Alteration of polarization state in this way is common in a multitude of devices such as ones that change the configuration of nematic crystals as well as those that use other techniques. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
  • the polarizing liquid crystal device forms one unit 10A on the left most of the aperture and a second unit 10B on the right side of the aperture.
  • Light passing through the left unit is given polarization of one state while light passing through the right unit is given polarization of another state.
  • At the optical image plane light can therefore be distinguished as coming from the respective units by selecting for the light's polarization state.
  • Imaging light from the left unit forms a left eye view and imaging light from the right unit forms a right eye view of an object.
  • a polarizing beam splitter or other similar device light can be directed to areas of one or more sensors based on polarization state thereby permitting simultaneous acquisition of left and right eye imagery.
  • the amount of separation of two views of an object determines the parallax and magnitude of the stereo effect. It is therefore preferable to be able to vary this separation based on the desired need.
  • the separation is achieved by varying the distance between the centers of the first unit on the left from the second unit on the right. Adjustment of the separation distance controls stereo parameters, especially generation of depth perception, so as to produce a pleasurable viewing experience.
  • a liquid crystal device that is comprised of a matrix structure, any pattern may be achieved and therefore the units may be separated to the limit of the lens aperture.
  • FIG. 4A shows a configuration where the parallax is small producing less stereo effect where in FIG. 4B the stereo effect is larger and closer to the limit of the lens entrance pupil or limiting aperture 11.
  • FIGS. 5 A and 5B show configurations with similar parallaxes to that of FIGS. 4 A and FIG. 4B but with increased size for each unit. For practical purposes, this overlap can be considered as the formation of a third unit.
  • the aperture is divided into three units.
  • the first unit 13A corresponds to the left most of the aperture, the second unit 13B to the right most, and the third unit 13C to the region common to both left and right parts.
  • the modulator is situated at or near an aperture, pupil, or conjugate thereof, rays passing through the third unit may form either left or right eye perspectives when viewed in the image plane. Consequently, in the image plane, light passing through units one 13A and unit three 13C form a left eye image and light passing through units two 13B and unit three 13C form a right eye image.
  • the liquid crystal modulator delineates the three units with three different polarizations states.
  • unit one 13A has a polarization that is linear
  • unit two 13B also a linear polarization but one oriented orthogonally at 90 degrees to that of unit one
  • unit three 13C has a linear polarization state at 45 degrees to unit one.
  • unit three has a polarization that is between that of unit one and two. It is well known that such a polarization can be considered as a vector sum of the orthogonal polarization states corresponding to those used to delineate units one and units two.
  • light from the polarization state of unit one is directed to one sensor by using a polarizing beam splitter.
  • Light of the orthogonal polarization state from unit two is directed to another sensor by the same beam splitter.
  • light from unit three behaves as being comprised of light from each orthogonal state
  • light from unit 3 is split equally with some light going to each sensor. In this way, one sensor acquires the light from units one and three forming the left eye image while the other sensor acquires the light from units two and three forming the right eye image.
  • unit three may be divided further into much smaller units of varying polarization states.
  • unit three may be divided into much smaller units 14A each corresponding to the polarization states of unit one or unit two. When considered together based on polarization state, these smaller units behave comparably to that of a contiguous larger unit.
  • unit three has the polarization properties of both units one and unit two albeit varying between the two states on small distance scales within the extent of unit three itself.
  • units may be formed as with the first embodiment, and polarized light separated prior to being acquired at the light sensing devices as with the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 7A shows units one, two and three defined in this way using only two polarization states. It is understood that unit three may be divided into smaller areas of a multitude of different shapes and sizes.
  • the polarization of unit 3 may be changed within the time period needed to form a left and right image.
  • the light acquisition device or devices may be limited in how fast they may be operated.
  • a light modulating means such as a liquid crystal device may be capable of operating at much higher speed. Accordingly, the light may be modulated many times within one operation period of the light acquisition device or sensor. Therefore, for one instance unit 3 may be formed and defined using the polarizing state of unit 1 while in the next instance unit 3 is defined using the polarizing state of unit 2. During these different instances, unit 1 and unit 2 may retain their same state and delineation while unit 3 effectively alternates between the two states.
  • the state of unit 3 may be changed many times within the total period.
  • the overlap defined by unit 3 therefore exists, for all practical purposes, simultaneously within the integration period.
  • the delineation of the units may be changed within the time period needed to form a left and right image.
  • the light acquisition device or devices may be limited in how fast they may be operated.
  • a light modulating means such as a liquid crystal device may be capable of operating at much higher speed. Accordingly, the light may be modulated many times within one operation period of the light acquisition device or sensor.
  • unit 1 and unit 3 may be formed and defined using one polarizing state.
  • unit 2 and unit 3 may be formed using another polarizing state.
  • the units may be switched many times within the total period thereby effectively forming images at the same time.
  • each instance of forming unit 1 and unit 3 and then forming unit 2 and 3 is a small fraction of the integration time required to form the left and right images prior to the next image capture. Multiple instances can therefore occur within one integration period.
  • By interleaving views at high frequency within one integration period one can minimize motion artifacts compared to capturing alternating left and right eye views in different integration periods. This approach minimizes the need to operate the detectors at high frequencies where often there is a degradation of performance.
  • unit three may be expanded to fill the majority if not the entirety of the aperture or pupil.
  • unit three may be divided into much smaller units 14B, each with an orthogonal polarization state of differing patterns. This division may take a plurality of patterns one of which is shown in FIG. 7B. In this way, each part of the aperture or pupil is coded to have differing polarization states. As described later, light from each of these polarization states is captured separately by a light acquisition device or devices. Using the a priori knowledge of the form of the polarization pattern permits the use of coded aperture techniques familiar to those in the field.
  • differing view perspectives may be generated in the image plane so as to simulate separation of the subapertures similar to those described in the previous embodiments.
  • the stereo effect such as perception of depth, can be altered so as to provide a pleasurable viewing experience.
  • FIGS. 8 A and 8B show the use of a diaphragm 15 in a standard lens where FIG. 8B most strongly diminishes the light through the system by changing the effective aperture size and corresponding f/#.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B show the use of a diaphragm 15 in a standard lens where FIG. 8B most strongly diminishes the light through the system by changing the effective aperture size and corresponding f/#.
  • FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the light modulator achieves both light adjustment control in addition to parallax control.
  • the first stage 16 performs the function much like a standard liquid crystal shutter that blocks light throughput in certain areas and permits transmission of light in other areas where the light is output as polarized light. Consequently, in this embodiment, this first stage 16 behaves like the first stage 8 of the embodiments already described with the added functionality of light adjustment control.
  • the light control is of sufficient magnitude that the modulator also performs as the shutter for the system thereby reducing the overall complexity of the system.
  • Subsequent stages 17 of the light modulator adjust the polarization to define units one, two, and three as described already using a liquid crystal device.
  • FIG. 5 showed the configurations providing different parallaxes and different stereo effect.
  • FIGS. 10A-D show the units providing the same parallax but with different aperture sizes. Therefore the same stereo affect can be achieved while
  • the depth of field may be held constant and the parallax adjusted. This ability is advantageous in providing maximum control of the stereo and photographic aspects of any images that are acquired.
  • the separation between the left eye and right eye regions, and the corresponding delineation of the units may be altered to accommodate a zoom function where the magnification changes at the pupil.
  • the computing device alters the separation of the left and right eye regions to achieve the desired stereo effect and alters their separation and extent so as to maintain the same effect across varying optical magnifications.
  • item 4 is a device to separate polarization states.
  • the light paths are separated by 90 degrees. This should not be considered to be limiting as the light paths may be separated by varying angles.
  • item 4 is a polarizing beam splitter where polarization of a first state is transmitted and one of another is reflected.
  • the beam splitter may also be used in the configuration where the first state is reflected and the second state is transmitted.
  • a prism, a birefringent optic, or another polarizing separating device may be used to provide the same or similar function.
  • the beam splitter is positioned so as to direct polarized light to one or another of two light sensors capable of acquiring images.
  • the beam splitter is aligned to the orientations of the polarization states as defined by the liquid crystal device. Any relative misalignment, such as that caused by mechanical positioning error, can be corrected by changing the orientation of the polarizing states formed by the liquid crystal device.
  • item 4 separates polarization states as before but redirects the light paths so as to be incident on different sections of the same sensor. This is advantageous as this configuration eliminates the need for multiple detectors and associated electronics thereby simplifying the design and fabrication of the system.
  • Optical systems using polarization can sometimes suffer from color aberrations or polarization cross talk.
  • color aberrations may arise from the liquid crystal device or the polarizing separator.
  • the polarizing separator may not separate the polarization states perfectly leading to cross talk between the optical paths.
  • additional optical elements 7 A and 7B, situated between the polarizing separator and the light collecting means 5A and 5B, can ameliorate these conditions.
  • items 7A and 7B are filters positioned near the light acquisition devices that permit transmission of light polarized to a particular state. Filter 7A permits transmission of one polarization state while filter 7B permits transmission of polarized light of an opposite state.
  • filters may also include a color adjustment capability.
  • items 7A and 7B may be situated near or be an integral part of the polarizing separating device or alternatively the light acquisition devices or device.
  • the light acquisition devices 5A and 5B are electronic sensors comprised of a multitude of sections each sensitive to light. Such devices are commonly used and may be of varying configurations.
  • 5A and 5B are differing areas of the same device.
  • the sensor of the left eye can form an image at the same time as does the sensor for the right eye perspective.
  • the computing device controls the operation of the sensors such that the left and right eye images are captured within the same detection period. Conventional stereo systems using two cameras can suffer from a time lag where the sensor detecting the left eye image is not operating contemporaneously with the sensor detecting the right eye image.
  • the present invention avoids time delays thereby facilitating simultaneous image acquisition.
  • the light paths for the two polarization states may be separated to a small degree only thereby facilitating image acquisition by using two areas of just one sensor.
  • the computing device is comprised in this embodiment of a set of electronics.
  • the electronics ensure the coordinated operation of the light modulator and the sensors to produce the desired stereo effect.
  • the electronics control the pattern of the units formed by the liquid crystal so as to provide differing parallaxes and iris sizes as FIG. 10.
  • left eye and right eye stereo effect is produced from perspectives aligned horizontally to each other.
  • the electronics can control the orientation of the light modulator units so as to maintain the generation of parallax and differing perspectives in the horizontal plane even if the camera system experiences substantial roll or is being used in the so called portrait mode. This is easily done by determining the angle of the horizontal plane using an accelerometer or other such device and controlling the location of the units and irises so their relative positions remain parallel to that horizontal plane.
  • the electronics can also adjust the delineation of the units accommodating the magnification of the lens, the projected aperture size, the desired iris or stop, and the desired degree of parallax. These parameters are adjusted as needed across the entire operational range of the camera system.
  • the operator role is simplified as changes in optical performance or camera orientation that would produce unwanted changes in the stereo effect can be automatically compensated for by the computing device without operator intervention.
  • the combined knowledge of the liquid crystal device configuration and lens unit state permits the operator to manipulate the sensor images according to either the predicted or measured optical performance of the system so as to produce a superior stereo effect.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
  • Stereoscopic And Panoramic Photography (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un système d'imagerie qui sert à produire des images stéréoscopiques d'un objet grâce à l'acquisition simultanée de ce qui est vu par l'œil gauche et par l'œil droit à l'aide d'un bloc de lentilles (2). En particulier, une caméra (1) comprend : un bloc de lentilles (2) formant l'image ; un modulateur optique polarisant (3) ; un moyen de séparation de la polarisation (4) ; des dispositifs d'acquisition de lumière (5) destinés à recevoir des images de l'objet ; et un dispositif de calcul (6) pouvant assurer un fonctionnement coordonné de manière à produire des images stéréo simultanées par l'intermédiaire des éléments optiques.
PCT/US2011/041560 2010-06-28 2011-06-23 Systèmes d'imagerie stéréoscopique Ceased WO2012009119A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US35905510P 2010-06-28 2010-06-28
US61/359,055 2010-06-28

Publications (2)

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WO2012009119A2 true WO2012009119A2 (fr) 2012-01-19
WO2012009119A3 WO2012009119A3 (fr) 2012-04-12

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2543688C2 (ru) * 2012-02-01 2015-03-10 Корпорация "САМСУНГ ЭЛЕКТРОНИКС Ко., Лтд." Камера и оптическая система для получения 3d изображений (варианты)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004537933A (ja) * 2001-07-27 2004-12-16 コーニンクレッカ　フィリップス　エレクトロニクス　エヌ　ヴィ 看取者追跡システムを備える自動立体画像表示システム
KR100556830B1 (ko) * 2003-12-12 2006-03-10 한국전자통신연구원 스테레오스코픽 입체영상 디스플레이를 위한 3차원 그래픽모델렌더링 장치 및 그 방법
KR100909274B1 (ko) * 2007-08-07 2009-07-27 (주)비노시스 입체 영상 투사 시스템 및 입체 영상 투사용 장치

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2543688C2 (ru) * 2012-02-01 2015-03-10 Корпорация "САМСУНГ ЭЛЕКТРОНИКС Ко., Лтд." Камера и оптическая система для получения 3d изображений (варианты)

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