Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a lens having a single imaging path operable to direct light captured within a field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens. The apparatus also includes a polarizer located proximate the aperture plane, the polarizer including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first polarization state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second polarization state through a second portion of the single imaging path, the first and second portions of the single imaging path providing respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A stereoscopic imager comprises a lens having a front lens assembly, a rear lens assembly, and two sampling lenses. The sampling lenses are disposed on opposite sides of the optical axis of the lens, between the front and rear lens assemblies, and proximate an aperture plane of the lens. The stereoscopic imager can comprise a first aperture and a second aperture, which apertures can be variable apertures. The first and second apertures are disposed within the aperture plane of the lens and substantially in line with the first and second sampling lenses. The sampling lenses can be abaxial with the apertures. The lens can form a double Gauss lens for suppressing optical aberration and coupling to a small imaging sensor. The two sampling lenses allow the imager to form on the sensor two images with differing perspectives of an object in the field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a lens having a single imaging path operable to direct light captured within a field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens. The apparatus also includes a polarizer located proximate the aperture plane, the polarizer including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first polarization state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second polarization state through a second portion of the single imaging path, the first and second portions of the single imaging path providing respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involves directing light captured within the field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens, receiving the captured light at a spatial discriminator located proximate the aperture plane, the discriminator including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first optical state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second optical state through a second portion of the single imaging path. The first and second portions of the single imaging path provide respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens for forming respective first and second images at an image sensor disposed at an image plane of the lens. The first and second images together being operable to represent three dimensional spatial attributes of the objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stereo image pairs comprises a set of perspective apertures within a perspective aperture plate, separated within a stereoscopic horizon by an inter-aperture distance. An offset aperture is disposed inside an illuminator of the apparatus. The offset aperture is positioned to form a cone of illumination that is mirror symmetrical with respect to the two perspective apertures. The perspective apertures are adjustable both in size and in their position within the aperture plate in order to position them with respect to a cone of light produced at the perspective aperture plate. The offset aperture is similarly adjustable in size and position. The arrangement ensures that light illuminating an object viewed using the apparatus has a narrow cone of direction and angle of incidence, which ameliorates negative effects that occur in stereoscopic systems with objective lens systems having large numerical apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three dimensional image information using a single imaging path having an associated field of view. Two images are selectively received through respective portions of the single imaging path, each portion having a perspective viewpoint within the field of view. The two images together are operable to represent three dimensional spatial attributes of objects within the field of view. To create a change in the representation of the three dimensional spatial attributes, an extent of the two portions of the imaging path are varied to cause the perspective viewpoints to change location. While varying the extent of the portions, compensating for changes in transmission allows an image intensity associated with each of the two images to be maintained at a generally uniform image intensity level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The method involves directing light captured within the field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens, receiving the captured light at a spatial discriminator located proximate the aperture plane, the discriminator including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first optical state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second optical state through a second portion of the single imaging path. The first and second portions of the single imaging path provide respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens for forming respective first and second images at an image sensor disposed at an image plane of the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three dimensional image information using a single imaging path having an associated field of view is disclosed. The method involves selectively receiving first and second images through respective first and second portions of the single imaging path, the first portion having a first perspective viewpoint within the field of view and the second portion having a second perspective viewpoint within the field of view. The first and second images together are operable to represent three dimensional spatial attributes of objects within the field of view. The method also involves varying an extent of the first and second portions of the imaging path to cause the first and second perspective viewpoints to change location while receiving the first and second images, the change in perspective viewpoint location providing a corresponding change in the representation of the three dimensional spatial attributes.

Abstract: A stereoscopic viewing system provides stereoscopic viewing using a two dimensional lens system and without having to have two cameras. The system may be used over a wide range of frequencies, in fact all frequencies that can be used for producing or reproducing an image. The viewing system has an opaque leaf positioned between the two dimensional lens system and a camera in a single image path, the opaque leaf is movable laterally in the single image path from a left position to a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera. A switching device moves the opaque leaf between the two positions and retains the leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective.

Abstract: A stereoscopic viewing system provides stereoscopic viewing using a two dimensional lens system and without having to have two cameras. The system may be used over a wide range of frequencies, in fact all frequencies that can be used for producing or reproducing an image. The viewing system has an opaque leaf positioned between the two dimensional lens system and a camera in a single image path, the opaque leaf is movable laterally in the single image path from a left position to a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera. A switching device moves the opaque leaf between the two positions and retains the leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective.

Abstract: A stereophonic system is included in an instrument for minimally invasive surgery which permits a surgeon to hear spatial sounds from within a body wall. The instrument comprises a cylindrical member with an internal end for positioning inside the body wall and an external end to remain outside the body wall. There are two audio channels provided on opposing sides of the cylindrical member extending longitudinally from acoustic openings at the internal end to the external end, acoustical diaphragms protect the openings at the internal end, and a microphone is connected to each of the two audio channels at the exterior end of the cylindrical member, each microphone producing an audio signal from each of the two audio channels. A stereophonic audio amplifier amplifies the signal from each microphone and a stereophonic acoustical system produces stereophonic sound.