Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount, an imaging element, and a controller. The controller produces left-eye image data and right-eye image data such that the top and bottom of a pair of images reproduced from left-eye image data and right-eye image data substantially coincide with the top and bottom of the subject, when the interchangeable lens unit is configured to form an optical image that is rotated with respect to the subject on the light receiving face.

Abstract: A camera including a camera lens, acquisition circuitry receiving images via the camera lens, for acquiring a first field of view when the camera lens is in a first orientation and for acquiring a second field of view when the camera lens is in a second orientation, and a viewfinder displaying the second field of view when the camera lens is in the second orientation and displaying at least a portion of the first field of view at least partially composited with the second field of view.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining a three-dimensional image. A first multi-view image may be generated using patterned light of infrared light, and a second multi-view image may be generated using non-patterned light of visible light. A first depth image may be obtained from the first multi-view image, and a second depth image may be obtained from the second multi-view image. Then, stereo matching may be performed on the first depth image and the second depth image to generate a final depth image.

Abstract: On the basis of an image taken by a right image taking unit and/or an image taken by a left image taking unit, an imaging parameter common to the right and left image taking units is calculated. The calculated imaging parameter is set in the right and left image taking units.

Abstract: A system and method for marking a stereoscopic film with colors are provided. The system and method provides for marking a left image with a mark and a right image with a mark having complementary colors, wherein upon viewing, the marks are not visible under certain conditions. The system and method provide for acquiring a stereoscopic image, the stereoscopic image including a first image and a second image, applying a first mark to the first image in a predetermined location, the first mark having a first color, and applying a second mark to the second image in substantially the same predetermined location as in the first image, the second mark having a second color that is different than the first color of the first mark, wherein when viewed in three-dimensional mode, the first mark and the second mark combine into a single mark of one color.

Abstract: Stereo photographs and panoramic photographs can be taken separately without enabling cameras to rotate relative to a casing in which the cameras are placed. A camera device capable of selectively photographing panoramic images and stereo images includes a casing (1D) fixed with a photographic lens (11D), and a casing (1U) that is fixed with a photographic lens (11U) and that moves relative to the casing (1D) while facing the casing (1D); wherein in cases in which the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are disposed in open, mutually spaced apart positions by relative movement of the case (1U), the optical axes of the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are placed in positions capable of photographing stereo images; and in cases in which the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are disposed in closed, mutually proximal positions by relative movement of the case (1U), the optical axes of the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are placed in positions capable of photographing panoramic images.

Abstract: A compound-eye camera comprises: a camera body substantially shaped like a rectangular solid having a front side and a back side larger than other sides and including a display device on the back side; and substantially L-shaped first and second lens barrels, each storing a refractive optical system including two reflective optical elements for refracting a photographing optical axis twice, the lens barrels guiding subject images incident on a pair of right and left objective lenses to image sensors. In the camera, the substantially L-shaped first and second lens barrels are each disposed along two adjacent inner surfaces of the camera body. Thereby, a compound-eye camera which has excellent portability and enables the installation of a large display device is achieved.

Abstract: The camera system of the present invention includes a plurality of cameras each including an imaging unit and an image processing unit. If configured to operate in a mode that is for cooperation with other cameras, a first camera included in the camera system causes the image processing unit thereof to receive images from other cameras, and generate synthesized image by synthesizing the received images and an image captured by the imaging unit thereof. The first camera transmits the generated synthesized image to a second camera included in the camera system. The second camera causes, if configured to operate in the mode that is for cooperation with other cameras, the image processing unit thereof to perform part or whole of encoding of the received synthesized image.

Abstract: An optical element scanning device (10) includes a base plate (200) and one or more linear actuators (210, 220) operably connected to the base plate. An armature (110) may be pivotably connected to the one or more linear actuators, and an optical element (100) may be operably connected to the armature.

Abstract: Digital Surface Model (DSM) texturing and modeling of various objects on the earth's surface are provided for implementation in a mapping application. One or more image capture devices having wide-angle lenses can be placed in various configurations to obtain nadir and oblique photography. Such configurations include a single lens, single sensor; single lens, multiple sensor; multiple lens, multiple sensor; and multiple lens, multiple sensor and a reflective surface. Positions, distances and areas can be measured from the imagery. Also provided is a continuous morph between aerial panorama and ground images.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor, a lens, an adjusting mechanism, and a controller. The image sensor is configured for detecting incident light to generate a corresponding captured image. The lens is configured for guiding light of a scene toward the image sensor. The adjusting mechanism is configured for adjusting a relative position relationship between the image sensor and the lens when the image capture apparatus is capturing the scene. The controller is configured for controlling the image sensor to generate a plurality of captured images of the scene in response to different relative position relationships between the image sensor and the lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for photographing an experimental object or animal. The apparatus comprises: a two-dimensional image photographing device which includes a light source, a first optical filter wheel, a first motor, a beam splitter, a second motor, a first window, a second window, an optical zoom module, a second optical filter wheel, a fourth motor, a photographing means and a first enclosure; a three-dimensional image photographing device which includes a laser scanner, a test tube, a third motor, a test tube mounting stand and a second enclosure; and a control section for controlling the operations of the first motor, the second motor, the optical zoom module, the photographing means, the third motor and the fourth motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile camera optical lens system which assures a wide view angle by dividing a view angle into two or more view angles, and simultaneously achieves the thinness of the mobile camera optical lens system by providing separate off-axis lens systems respectively corresponding to the split view angles.

Abstract: The invention presents a single lens auto focus system of stereo image generation and a method thereof. The stereo three-dimensional (3D) image capturing method of a single lens auto focus camera, includes the steps of a) taking plural multi-focus images; b) estimating the plural multi-focus images to obtain a depth map and an all-in-focus image; c) mixing the depth map with plural background depth maps to obtain a mixed depth map; d) obtaining respectively a left image for left eye of user and a right image for right eye of user by means of depth image based rendering (DIBR); and e) outputting the left image and the right image, thereby displaying a stereo image onto a 3D display.

Abstract: This invention provides a stereoscopic-vision image processing apparatus, a stereoscopic-vision image providing method, and an image display method that are capable of managing specification of display unit on which a stereoscopic-vision image is desired to be displayed as accessory information (assumed display information). The assumed display information includes a type and a display size of the display unit on which a stereoscopic-vision image is desired to be displayed. This allows an appropriate stereoscopic-vision image to be obtained by specifying a type or a display size of the display unit that is desired to be displayed with them being combined with the stereoscopic-vision image and scaling the stereoscopic-vision image up or down, in display of a stereoscopic image, in accordance with the type or the display size of the display unit.

Abstract: An image shooting and display apparatus includes: a plurality of image pickup portions. An image pickup controller switches image pickup portions to be used in accordance with the image shooting mode. It also switches the image shooting mode in accordance with the image pickup portions to be actuated in accordance with the usage condition of the apparatus. A mode switching controller switches shooting mode and display mode, and controls image pickup portions suitable for each mode by way of the image pickup controller and also controls an image display portion.

Abstract: An optical element scanning device (10) includes a base plate (200) and one or more linear actuators (210, 220) operably connected to the base plate. An armature (110) may be pivotably connected to the one or more linear actuators, and an optical element (100) may be operably connected to the armature.

Abstract: A matching adjustment between left and right screens is easily and accurately performed in a digital stereo camera and/or a digital stereo video camera at or after the time of photographing. A stereo viewfinder 3 of a digital stereo camera 1 comprises a pair of left and right liquid crystal displays and eyepiece lenses 10. Aspect ratios of left and right image display regions of the liquid crystal displays is made narrower than aspect ratios of image capture regions of image capture devices and horizontal scrolling is performed symmetrically. Images on the image capture devices are horizontally scrolled, while finder images are viewed in a stereoscopic manner with both eyes, so that perspective of a stereoscopic image changes and an optimally scrolled image data can be photographed. Scroll adjustment can be performed on image data after being photographed, and stereo photographs giving an optimal stereoscopic feeling can be printed from edited image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for photographing an experimental object or animal. The apparatus comprises: a two-dimensional image photographing device which includes a light source, a first optical filter wheel, a first motor, a beam splitter, a second motor, a first window, a second window, an optical zoom module, a second optical filter wheel, a fourth motor, a photographing means and a first enclosure; a three-dimensional image photographing device which includes a laser scanner, a test tube, a third motor, a test tube mounting stand and a second enclosure; and a control section for controlling the operations of the first motor, the second motor, the optical zoom module, the photographing means, the third motor and the fourth motor.

Abstract: A photographing assist device for achieving stereoscopic photographing without the provision of a dedicated camera or a plurality of identical cameras. The photographing assist device comprises: a rotor made of a circular member having the shape of a ring; a camera fixing part for mounting a camera; and a support for supporting the rotor rotatably. A camera is placed on and fixed to the camera fixing part. When the rotor is rotated, the camera also makes a circular movement on the plane of rotation. Continuous shooting is performed during the rotation, whereby images shot from a plurality of points of view are obtained. A stereoscopic image or an interpolated image is obtained subsequently through image processing.

Abstract: In this stereo optical module, a constituent member is arranged in at least one of a circuit arrangement space which exists substantially behind a front lens unit and above a primary deflecting mirror and a secondary deflecting mirror and a circuit arrangement space which exists substantially behind a front lens unit and below a primary deflecting mirror and a secondary deflecting mirror.

Abstract: A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images is provided. The method includes generating a stereo pair of images in digital form using at least one image recording device configured to produce two digital images producing a stereo pair. The method further includes offering the user an ability to provide the stereo pair of images to a display facilitator, the display facilitator comprising an ability to elect display from at least one from a group comprising a service bureau, a device configured to print the stereoscopic image, and a device configured to display the stereoscopic image. The user has an ability to choose a display facilitator for receiving the stereoscopic image and further has an ability to view at least one stereoscopic image resulting from the generating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for enabling even a person having no expert knowledge to adjust the direction of an optical axis easily with high precision. In a three-dimensional image processing apparatus having plural image capturing apparatuses, optical center of an image from an image capturing apparatus is stored for each of the image capturing apparatuses. A mark indicative of the optical center is superimposed on an image obtained from the image capturing apparatus. By referring to the mark for each of the image capturing apparatuses, the orientation of each of the image capturing apparatuses is adjusted so that all of the marks overlay on the same point on an object.

Abstract: A structure for attaching a stereoscopic camera to a vehicle, by which a plurality of cameras are attached to a body frame of the vehicle in order to stereoscopically capture images surrounding the vehicle; and the same structure includes a lateral stay for coupling the plurality of cameras with each other; and brackets for fixing the lateral stay or the plurality of cameras on the body frame, which are provided at a plurality of points, spaced from each other, of the lateral stay, or at the plurality of cameras fixed on the lateral stay; wherein the rigidity of at least a part of the brackets is lower than the bending rigidity of the lateral stay.

Abstract: The invention presents a single lens auto focus system of stereo image generation and a method thereof. The stereo three-dimensional (3D) image capturing method of a single lens auto focus camera, includes the steps of a) taking plural multi-focus images; b) estimating the plural multi-focus images to obtain a depth map and an all-in-focus image; c) mixing the depth map with plural background depth maps to obtain a mixed depth map; d) obtaining respectively a left image for left eye of user and a right image for right eye of user by means of depth image based rendering (DIBR); and e) outputting the left image and the right image, thereby displaying a stereo image onto a 3D display.

Abstract: An image acquiring unit acquires a two-dimensional image from a digital camera and a stereoscopic image from a stereo image storage, and sends those images to a pixel replacing unit. The pixel replacing unit replaces pixels, among the two-dimensional image, corresponding to an object such as a pattern depicted in the stereoscopic image, by pixels of the object. An image providing unit transmits a thus generated completed image to the user. Part of the two-dimensional image is displayed stereoscopically by a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A camera including a camera lens, acquisition circuitry receiving images via the camera lens, for acquiring a first field of view when the camera lens is in a first orientation and for acquiring a second field of view when the camera lens is in a second orientation, and a viewfinder displaying the second field of view when the camera lens is in the second orientation and displaying at least a portion of the first field of view at least partially composited with the second field of view.

Abstract: A data structure of a stereo image file recorded on a recording medium which is readable by a computer to be applied to an image processing apparatus includes first monocular image data; second monocular image data having parallax with respect to the first monocular image data; and stereo data containing information regarding the data structure of the stereo image file, the stereo data including (i) information indicating whether or not the image file is a stereo image file, and (ii) information regarding arrangement of monocular image data items included in the image file.

Abstract: An adapter for a three-dimensional moving image photographing device includes a lens unit and a half-reflecting mirror. The lens unit comprises entrance and exit lens parts, each including release lenses disposed in the middle of the lens unit. The entrance and exit lens parts are ranged symmetrically to each other, The lens unit has an entrance pupil point formed outside the entrance lens part. The half-reflecting mirror is disposed on a light axis of a photographing lens between a first total reflecting minor and the lens unit while being inclined at a prescribed angle relative to the light axis for reflecting a moving image having been introduced along a second light axis and reflected by a second total reflecting minor, and transmitting a moving image having been introduced along a third light axis and reflected by a third total reflecting mirror and the first total reflecting mirror.

Abstract: A lens array structure comprises two birefringent lens arrays arranged in series, both being capable of operating to direct incident light of one polarisation into a respective directional distribution and to have substantially no effect on incident light of a polarisation perpendicular to said one polarisation. The lens arrays are relatively oriented such that incident light of two perpendicular polarisation components are directed into a directional distribution by a respective one of the birefringent lens arrays and not affected by other one of the birefringent lens arrays. Thus control of the polarisation allows switching between the effects of the two lens arrays. To allow switching into a third mode in which neither of the lens arrays has effect, one of the lens arrays may be active. The lens structure may be employed in a display apparatus to provide a switchable directional display.

Abstract: Deriving a three-dimensional panorama from a plurality of images of a scene generated by a range imaging camera of the type that produces ambiguities in range information includes the steps of: (a) acquiring a plurality of adjacent images of the scene, wherein there is an overlap region between the adjacent images and at least some of the adjacent images are range images; (b) providing offset data for the range images in order to recover corrected relative scene spatial information and provide a corrected range image, and (c) deriving a three-dimensional panorama from the corrected range image. In order to provide offset data, a relative range difference is detected between adjacent range images as a constant offset between the adjacent images; and the constant offset is applied to at least one of adjacent range images to correct for ambiguities in the relative ranges of the range images.

Abstract: The digital camera being capable of recording stereoscopic first and second still images includes an imaging device that captures the first and second still images in this order, a display unit that displays a moving image captured by the imaging device to allow framing an image to be taken. The display unit superimpose a framing assisting pattern on the moving image to facilitate the framing of the image to be taken. A grid pattern may be utilized as the framing assisting pattern. After the first still image is captured, the display unit displays the first still image, with the framing assisting pattern superimposed thereon, besides the moving image after said first still image is captured.

Abstract: A photographing lens unit, a photographing apparatus, and a photographing system are capable of always reproducing good stereoscopic images. Information regarding the focal length of a photographing optical system, a base line length, which is the interval between the incident optical axes of a first photographing optical axis and a second photographing optical axis for left eye and right eye, respectively, and information regarding the angle of convergence, which is the angle formed by the incident optical axes of the first photographing optical axis and the second photographing optical axis, are transmitted from a controller of the photographing lens unit to a camera main unit in the form of digital values.

Abstract: A pair of CMOS image sensors is provided. One of the pair of CMOS image sensors is assigned as a master CMOS image sensor and the other is assigned as a slave CMOS image sensor. The slave CMOS image sensor is synchronized to the master CMOS image sensor during image data acquisition. In one embodiment, the master CMOS image sensor and the slave CMOS image sensor are connected to receive a control signal, which assigns the master CMOS image sensor as master and the slave CMOS image sensor as slave. In another embodiment, the master CMOS image sensor and slave CMOS image sensor are hardwired to assign the master and slave. In yet another embodiment, the data signals from the master CMOS image sensor and slave CMOS image sensor are interleaved.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a stereo image measuring device capable of carrying out high-speed and highly reliable three-dimensional measurement for a stereo image, easily correcting any omitted measurement, measurement errors or the like, and achieving a much higher speed, efficiency and reliability for measurement as a whole. A survey instrument measures a number of control points on site. A camera is, for example a digital camera, a film camera or the like. A control point search unit executes correlation between a control point measured beforehand by the instrument survey and an image. A search area setting unit sets a search area to be used for image correlation processing based on the control points correlated by the control point search unit, and sets respective data blocks, i.e., a reference data block and a search data block. An arithmetic operation unit executes orientation calculation, and image correlation processing (stereo matching) for the search area set by the search area setting unit.

Abstract: A stereo digital camera which generates a three-dimensional image or stereograph having one file structure, and records the three-dimensional image on a recording medium includes a stereo adapter having optical axes corresponding to parallax, an imaging lens for transferring an object image via the stereo adapter, and a single CCD pickup unit having monocular regions on which the monocular images of the object image are projected by the imaging lens. Two monocular region images from the monocular regions form one multocular stereo image, and are compressed as one image data. This image data is appended with header information which contains an item indicating that this image data is a stereo image, an item corresponding to the number of monocular images which form the stereo image, and an item associated with addresses of the first and second monocular images, and is stored in a recording medium as one file.

Abstract: A set of enhanced apparatuses and a computer integrated processes are provided for creating large scale 3D integral photography images. A large number of mini projectors in a grid on top of each other and beside each other, are exposed individually with a computer calculated reverse (pseudoscopic) perspective image. The curved photo layer inside the projectors obtains sharp high resolution images through the achromatic behavior of the lens system. A guided back light system directs the light from the back through the diaphragm apertures.

Abstract: The digital 3D/360° camera system is an omnidirectional stereoscopic device for capturing image data that may be used to create a 3-dimensional model for presenting a 3D image, a 3D movie, or 3D animation. The device uses multiple digital cameras, arranged with overlapping fields of view, to capture image data covering an entire 360° scene. The data collected by one, or several, digital 3D/360° camera systems can be used to create a 3D model of a 360° scene by using triangulation of the image data within the overlapping fields of view.

Abstract: Stereoscopic imaging apparatus and method capable of simultaneously imaging the stereoscopic images while an object is viewed from different points so as to accurately measure the distance of the object. The stereoscopic imaging apparatus includes: an optical image forming unit having a single optical axis, which image-forms the object; a light receiving unit in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged; a light passing portion; an imaging unit which simultaneously images both a first image that image-forms the object after passing through the first opening and a second image that image-forms the object after passing through the second opening, on the light receiving unit; and a distance calculating unit which calculates a distance between the optical image forming unit and the object.

Abstract: In a multi-eye camera head unit (10), a panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) and three-dimensional image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (112) are exchanged in correspondence with the image sensing mode. The panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) includes a pair of optical elements (111R, 111L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces. The three-dimensional image sensing camera head unit (112) includes a pair of optical elements (112R, 112L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stereo camera 22 for photographing a pair of left and right stereo pictures 1L and 1R in the first frame and the third frame of a continuous film 21, photographing the next pair of left and right stereo pictures 2L and 2R in the second frame and the fourth frame thereof, and repeating similar photographing, wherein the perforation positions of the first frame to the fourth frame are arranged so as to be symmetrical about the center in the longitudinal direction of the first frame to the fourth frame as the center of symmetry for performing photographing.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image pickup system for obtaining parallactic images of an object, the stereoscopic image pickup system includes a pair of, first and second, reflecting members each having a reflecting function, a pair of, first and second, amount-of-light control members arranged to respectively vary amounts of transmission of light fluxes coming from the first and second reflecting members alternately in a time-series manner, an optical member arranged to superpose an optical axis of a light flux having passed through the first reflecting member and the first amount-of-light control member and an optical axis of a light flux having passed through the second reflecting member and the second amount-of-light control member on one and the same optical axis, an image sensor for converting a light flux coming from the optical member into an electrical signal, and a controller for causing, on the basis of information on a distance to the object, an image taking-in area of the image sensor to differ between a first

Abstract: A three-dimensional photographing apparatus includes a photographing unit configured to photograph an object from a plurality of viewpoints and a projecting unit configured to project a pattern on the object in photographing. The projecting unit including an optical system having a projection view angle. The projection view angle of the optical system falls within a range where the photographing unit photographs the object and is set so as to project the pattern on an overlapped area which is formed by overlapping photographing spaces capable of photographing the object from the viewpoints.

Abstract: Systems and techniques relating to creating motion pictures are described. Included as part of the system are cameras incorporating two taking lenses, one of which images onto film through a shutter and the other of which images onto a digital sensor.

Abstract: Recent advances in surface techniques have lead to the development of extremely small (sub-micron) scale features. These techniques allow the formation of polymer micro-lenses as well as variable focus liquid lenses. The present invention primarily concerns the use of small scale lenses for the fabrication of novel displays which exhibit three-dimensional (3D) effects. Both still images and video images (or other motion images) can be generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stereo image photographing system capable of easily obtaining a stable, highly reliable and accurate stereo image when three-dimensional measurement is carried out by a general camera. A photographing unit includes a camera and an omni-directional prism. By collimating the prism on the photographing unit, a measuring unit measures position data thereof (measured value). A photographing position calculating unit calculates a proper photographing position based on a photographing condition set by a condition setting unit. To realize coincidence or rough coincidence between the data of the position (measured value) of the photographing unit measured by the measuring unit and the data of the photographing position calculated by the photographing position calculating unit, a photographing control unit allows a movement control unit and a driving unit to move the photographing unit, and outputs a timing signal for photographing to the photographing unit and the measuring unit.

Abstract: The digital camera being capable of recording stereoscopic first and second still images includes an imaging device that captures the first and second still images in this order, a display unit that displays a moving image captured by the imaging device to allow framing an image to be taken. The display unit superimpose a framing assisting pattern on the moving image to facilitate the framing of the image to be taken. A grid pattern may be utilized as the framing assisting pattern. After the first still image is captured, the display unit displays the first still image, with the framing assisting pattern superimposed thereon, besides the moving image after said first still image is captured.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 provides left and right eye images to a conventional camera lens 7 such that the images are recorded by the camera 3 as head-to-head images. The apparatus 1 includes left and right plane mirrors 11, 12 that direct light rays from the left and right images onto respective faces of a triangular prism 9, the triangular prism directing the light rays to the camera lens 7. Alternatively, the apparatus may be incorporated within a camera lens, being located between the front and rear lens group of the camera lens. The plane mirrors 11, 12 can be moved along their image axes, effectively adjusting the interocular distance of the apparatus. The angle which the plane mirrors 11, 12 subtend to each other and to the triangular prism 9 may also be adjusted, thus adjusting the convergence of angle of view of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a multi-eye camera head unit (10), a panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) and three-dimensional image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (112) are exchanged in correspondence with the image sensing mode. The panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) includes a pair of optical elements (111R, 111L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces. The three-dimensional image sensing camera head unit (112) includes a pair of optical elements (112R, 112L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces.

Abstract: A 2D/3D image conversion system includes target phase value calculating means for calculating a target phase value per parallax calculation region based on a dynamic range of a preset target phase value and depth information per given unit area generated by depth information generating means; real phase value calculating means which calculates a current real phase value per parallax calculation region in a manner to progressively approximate a real phase value to a target phase value of a parallax calculation region with a corresponding previous real phase value and then determines a current real phase value per given unit area based on the current real phase value per parallax calculation region thus obtained; and phase control means for producing a first image signal and a second image signal from a signal residing in each given unit area of the 2D input image, the first and second image signals having a horizontal phase difference therebetween based on the current real phase value corresponding to the give