Abstract: An apparatus for creating three-dimensional images is disclosed. The device has at least four mirrors, arranged in an inner set and an outer set. An enclosure, preferably cylindrical in shape, houses the mirrors and alignment apparatus and can be placed in three different positions. The camera takes two-dimensional photographs or operates in two modes of three-dimensional photography: forward looking and backward looking. This device is preferably attached to a digital camera. The device can also be used when the digital camera is attached to a hand held personal computing device, for example a Handspring™ Visor™ computer made by Handspring, Inc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are six mirrors, including four inner mirrors and one set of outer mirrors.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating three-dimensional images is disclosed. The device has at least four mirrors, arranged in an inner set and an outer set. An enclosure, preferably cylindrical in shape, houses the mirrors and alignment apparatus and can be placed in three different positions. The camera takes two-dimensional photographs or operates in two modes of three-dimensional photography: forward looking and backward looking. This device is preferably attached to a digital camera. The device can also be used when the digital camera is attached to a hand held personal computing device, for example a Handspring™ Visor™ computer made by Handspring, Inc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are six mirrors, including four inner mirrors and one set of outer mirrors.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a pair of images for use in stereo photography or photogrammetry, and adjusting the overlap of the images by automatically adjusting the convergence of a pair of image gathering devices and by placing an adaptor having a set of mirrors located in front of a camera lens. The outer two mirrors face generally outward along the optical axis of the lens. The centers of the outer two mirrors are spaced apart by an appropriate interocular distance. The convergence of the two outer mirrors is adjustable by swiveling them simultaneously and equally about their centerlines with a ganging mechanism. A focusing sensor is used to provide a distance signal, which is then used to adjust the convergence of the mirrors in response to the distance of the subject, so as to maximize the overlap between the left and right images. In an alternate embodiment, the pair of images are generated by a pair of imaging sensors mounted in place of the outer mirrors.

Abstract: A method of photogrammetry to determine the position of an object in three dimensions using an apparatus for creating a pair of images, and adjusting the overlap of the images by automatically adjusting the convergence of a pair of image gathering means. An adaptor having a set of mirrors is located in front of a camera lens. The outer two mirrors face generally outward along the optical axis of the lens. The centers of the outer two mirrors are spaced apart by an appropriate interocular distance. The convergence of the two outer mirrors is adjustable by swiveling them simultaneously and equally about their centerlines with a ganging mechanism. The apparatus is calibrated by creating a plurality of calibration maps for different distances from the apparatus, each map being related to a given angle of convergence of the mirrors. Then, the apparatus is aimed at a subject, converging the mirrors for maximum overlap.

Abstract: The invention comprises an adapter having a set of four mirrors in two pairs located in front of a camera lens. The outer two mirrors face generally outward along the optical axis of the lens and the inner two mirrors face generally inward into the lens. The centers of the outer two mirrors are spaced apart by an appropriate interocular distance. The two inside mirrors are together large enough to cover the complete viewing area of the lens, each taking exactly half of the lens viewing area. The two outside mirrors are bigger then the inside pair and large enough to cover the viewing area of the inside pair to avoid viewing area reduction. The convergence of the two outer mirrors is adjustable by swiveling them simultaneously and equally about their centerlines with a ganging mechanism. The two center mirrors may be fixed, or could be adjustable by being swiveled so that one side of each remains in tight contact with the other along the optical axis of the camera lens, and each makes a 45.degree.