Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is configured to obtain polarization information based on a plurality of images having different polarization states obtained by changing a retardation provided to light from an object. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element configured to obtain the plurality of images, and a controller configured to change the retardation and to set an image pickup condition of the image pickup apparatus. The controller sets the image pickup condition while the retardation is changed to a reference value that is from ?90 degrees to +90 degrees inclusive.

Abstract: A camera system is configured to capture, via a plurality of cameras, 360 degree image information of a local area, at least a portion of which is in stereo. The camera system determines respective exposure settings for the plurality of cameras. A minimum shutter speed and a maximum shutter speed are determined from the determined exposure settings. A set of test exposure settings is determined using the determined minimum shutter speed and maximum shutter speed. A set of test images is captured using the plurality of cameras at each test exposure setting in the set of test exposure settings. Each set of test images includes images from each of the plurality of cameras that are captured using a same respective test exposure setting. A global exposure setting is selected based on the captured sets of test images. The selected global exposure setting is applied to the plurality of cameras.

Abstract: An image processing technique that enables accurate detection of a flicker component even when applied to an image pickup device capable of changing a driving method on a region basis within a frame. A flicker detection section detects a flicker component of an image pixel signal read out from the image pickup device having a pixel region for detecting a phase difference. When the driving method is changed to one for performing phase difference detection, the flicker detection section detects a flicker component such that the period of the flicker component in a region used for phase difference detection within the frame coincides with a period of the flicker component in a region not used for phase difference detection.

Abstract: The present invention is capable of spontaneously providing a status notification to an external device in an appropriate manner. To achieve this aim, the external device, upon establishing communication with a communication apparatus, makes a status notification request to the communication apparatus, the status notification request being a request for a response that, when a change occurs in an internal status of the communication apparatus, indicates the change. Also, upon making a request to serve as a remote camera to the communication apparatus via a user interface, the external device makes a status notification request to the communication apparatus, regardless of whether or not a response has been made to the first request.

Abstract: A sample observation apparatus includes: an optical element configured to reflect light transmitted through a sample; a moving optical system configured to move in a direction along an optical axis to cause the light from the optical element to be image-formed on an image pickup surface of the image pickup device; and driving unit configured to cause the whole moving optical system to move along the optical axis. The optical element and the moving optical system form a telecentric optical system, and are configured to adjust a focus position by causing the moving optical system to move by the driving unit and configured so that, at the time of causing the moving optical system to move in the direction along the optical axis, an angle of view is constant.

Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing unit acquires a signal in a first acquisition mode or a second acquisition mode for each pixel of an image sensor. In the first acquisition mode, an image signal obtained by adding focus detection signals of a plurality of photoelectric conversion units of the pixel is acquired. In the second acquisition mode, the focus detection signals are acquired in addition to the image signal. The image capturing alternately captures a recording image and a focus detection image having a smaller number of pixels than the recording image, applies all pixels to the first acquisition mode when capturing the recording image, and applies at least a part of the pixels to the second acquisition mode when capturing the focus detection image.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for focusing an imaging device on a liquid sample flowing through a field of view of the imaging device. Objects are segmented in the captured frames and used to account for the fact that the sample is flowing. Object velocities are calculated and used in selecting an appropriate focus value. The calculation of a focus measure takes account of the number of objects in captured frames in order to ensure a consistent calculation of the focus measure.

Abstract: A camera auto-focus apparatus includes a lens scan control circuit, a lens position compensation circuit, and a lens position decision circuit. During an auto-focus procedure, the lens scan control circuit controls movement of a lens according to a plurality of lens positions, and obtains a plurality of focus values corresponding to the lens positions respectively. The lens position compensation circuit determines a position compensation value according to the movement of the lens. The lens position decision circuit determines a focused lens position according to the position compensation value, the lens positions and the focus values.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a display configured to display a captured image and a representative icon, wherein the representative icon indicates a range of a focus area of the displayed image and the range encompasses a center of focus point located at an initial position within the displayed image, and a processor configured to adjust the range of the focus area of the displayed image according to a size of the representative icon.

Abstract: In one example, digital image frames are accessed, each of the digital image frames having an associated control value for an automatic image capture processing function. A measure of information content change is determined for a current digital image frame relative to at least one previous digital image frame. A measure of information content reliability with respect to the automatic image capture processing function is determined for the current digital image frame. The control value associated with the current digital image frame is corrected based on the determined measure of information content change and the determined measure of information content reliability. A final control value for the automatic image capture processing function is output based on corrected control values for one or more digital image frames.

Abstract: A spherical content capture system captures spherical video content. A spherical video sharing platform enables users to share the captured spherical content and enables users to access spherical content shared by other users. In one embodiment, captured metadata or video/audio processing is used to identify content relevant to a particular user based on time and location information. The platform can then generate an output video from one or more shared spherical content files relevant to the user. The output video may include a non-spherical reduced field of view such as those commonly associated with conventional camera systems. Particularly, relevant sub-frames having a reduced field of view may be extracted from each frame of spherical video to generate an output video that tracks a particular individual or object of interest.

Abstract: A bicycle image capturing device is provided that reduces annoying operations for changing an operation state. The bicycle image capturing device includes a controller. The controller includes a reception unit and an electronic control unit. The reception unit is configured to obtain information related to a component of a bicycle. The bicycle component is operable in at least a first state and a second state that differs from the first state. The electronic control unit is configured to control a first image capturing unit based on the information obtained by the reception unit.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and method for photographing an object. An apparatus for photographing an object using top and bottom buttons includes: a head part including a camera; a connection part coupled to the head part and extended in a length direction thereof, and having a first button for manipulating the camera on an extension line in the length direction from a formation position of the head part and a second button for manipulating the camera formed on a surface opposite to the first button; and a body part including a power source means coupled to the connection part and supplying power to the camera, and a display means displaying a state of the camera or a power state.

Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus includes: a driving control unit that drives an image stabilization unit to optically correct image blur of an object image caused by a shake of an apparatus, the image stabilization unit moving the object image on a screen of an image sensor; and a focus control unit that performs control to drive a focusing lens in coordination with an operation of the image stabilization unit, the focusing lens being used to perform focus adjustment in an imaging optical system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is able to shoot high-quality images while improving image stabilization performance. An optical device which corrects for image blurring is moved in a direction different from an optical axis. Focusing is controlled by calculating a shape of a contrast using AF evaluation values at respective positions of a focus lens, which moves in the direction of the optical axis, at predetermined intervals and using a position of the focus lens at which the contrast is at its peak as a position at which a bundle of rays comes to a focus on a light-incident plane of the image pickup device. During the focusing control, positions of the focus lens obtained when the AF evaluation values were obtained or the obtained AF evaluation values are corrected according to detected positions of the optical device in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide devices, systems and methods for produce scanning, wherein the produce scanning devices comprise a light source, a produce stage, and a detector array positioned on the opposing side of the produce stage to the light source, wherein the light source and the detector array form a scanning assembly, and the transmitted light from the light source can reach the detector array. In some embodiments, the light source is a collimated light source, and only the directly transmitted light may reach the detector array. In some embodiments, a collimating filter is positioned between the produce stage and the detector array.

Abstract: A camera system is configured to capture 360 degree image information of a local area, at least a portion of which is in stereo. The camera system includes a plurality of peripheral cameras, a plurality of axis cameras, a first rigid plate, and a second rigid plate, each aligned along an alignment axis. The peripheral cameras are arranged in a ring configuration that allows objects in the local area past a threshold distance to be within the fields of view of at least two peripheral cameras. The first and second rigid plates secure to a top and a bottom surface of the ring of peripheral cameras, respectively. At least one axis camera is arranged along the alignment axis and is coupled perpendicularly to a surface of the first rigid plate.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method thereof are provided for processing stored images to reconstruct a high-resolution image. The electronic device includes an image sensor configured to acquire an image through a plurality of pixels including a first pixel set and a second pixel set; and a processor configured to acquire at least one first image through the first pixel set; acquire at least one second image through the second pixel set; and generate at least one third image according to a selected mode for generating the at least one third image, by using the at least one first image and the at least one second image.

Abstract: An image signal corresponding to infrared light is separated from an image signal corresponding to visible light, the visible light including an infrared light signal, even when imaging is performed while performing the infrared light irradiation. An exposure control unit alternately repeats a first frame in which an exposure time is set to a predetermined first exposure time and a second frame in which the exposure time is set to a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time. An infrared light irradiation control unit performs irradiation of infrared light in a predetermined infrared light irradiation period which is equal to or less than an aggregate period of the first frame and the second frame. An image signal acquisition unit acquires a first image signal which is the image signal in the first frame and a second image signal which is the image signal in the second frame.

Abstract: A multi-spectral imaging (MSI) device can include an imaging plane and a diffractive optic. The imaging plane can include at least two groups of pixels an array of pixels for sensing at least two spectral bands. The at least two spectral bands can include a first spectral band and a second spectral band. The diffractive optic can be configured for diffracting an electromagnetic wave into the at least two spectral bands and focusing each spectral band component of the electromagnetic wave onto the group of pixels for the spectral band to generate an image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a polarization removing element layer including a plurality of polarization removing elements, each of the plurality of polarization removing elements being configured to polarize an incident light to thereby obtain light having a polarization axis in a predetermined direction and to transmit the polarized light; a polarizer layer provided in front of the polarization removing element layer, the polarizer layer being configured to twist polarization axes of light having a plurality of polarization axes by predetermined angles, respectively, and to transmit the light; an inclination detecting device configured to detect inclination of the incident light to an optical axis; a controller configured to control and drive the polarizer layer such that the polarizer layer twists the polarization axis of light depending on the inclination detected by the inclination detecting device and transmits the light; and an image pickup device configured to detect the light.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus for correcting blinking defect noise included in image data generated by an image sensor, the image sensor including pixels arranged two-dimensionally and read-out circuits configured to read out a pixel value. The image processing apparatus is configured to: acquire noise information that associates the pixel value with positional information of the read-out circuits or positional information of each of the pixels, and with feature data related to blinking defect noise attributed to the read-out circuits; determine whether the blinking defect noise occurs on a pixel of interest based on the noise information; calculate candidate values indicating a correction amount for correcting the blinking defect noise based on the noise information and a pixel value of the pixel of interest if the blinking defect noise occurs; and correct the pixel value of the pixel of interest based on the candidate values.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array unit including an active pixel area including active pixels, a first dark area including first dark pixels, and a second dark area including second dark pixels, an offset extractor configured to extract a final dark offset value, and a corrector configured to correct pixel data values of the active pixels based on the final dark offset value. The offset extractor extracts a per-column dark offset value, a global dark offset value, a per-row average, and a per-row noise value, selects one of the extracted per-column dark offset value and global dark offset value, and extracts the final dark offset value from the per-row noise value and either the per-column dark offset value or the global dark offset value.

Abstract: An image sensor comprising a pixel portion that is constituted by a plurality of pixels, and includes a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein each of the pixels included in the first pixel group and the second pixel group includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; and a plurality of transfer gates that respectively correspond to the photoelectric conversion portions, and have transfer gate electrodes covering same partial regions in the photoelectric conversion portions, and an average position of barycenters of respective light receivable regions of the photoelectric conversion portions included in each pixel of the first pixel group and an average position of barycenters of respective light receivable regions of the photoelectric conversion portions included in each pixel of the second pixel group are at positions different from each other in the pixels.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a pixel information output method of an image sensor. The image sensor includes a photosensitive unit array including a plurality of photosensitive units, a filter cell array including a plurality of filter cells, and a micro-lens array including a plurality of micro-lenses. The filter cell array is located between the photosensitive unit array and the micro-lens array. Each micro-lens covers a filter cell and a photosensitive unit. Each photosensitive unit includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels. The method includes: determining an output mode according to a mode selection instruction; controlling exposure of the photosensitive unit array and reading outputs of the photosensitive unit array, pixel information of the plurality of photosensitive pixels of a same photosensitive unit being combined to be output when selecting a first output mode. The present disclosure also discloses a phase focusing method, an image sensor, an imaging device, and a terminal.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a digital unit cell comprising a photodiode, an integration capacitor, a comparator configured to compare a voltage across the integration capacitor with a threshold voltage and to generate a control signal at a first level each time the voltage across the integration capacitor is greater than the threshold voltage, a charge subtraction circuit configured to receive the control signal at the first level and to discharge accumulated charge on the integration capacitor each time the control signal at the first level is received, at least one analog counter configured to receive the control signal at the first level from the comparator and to decrease a count voltage by a fixed amount each time the control signal at the first level is received from the comparator, and a counter readout circuit configured to provide the count voltage to an image processing circuit.

Abstract: A dual-column-parallel image CCD sensor utilizes a dual-column-parallel readout circuit including two pairs of cross-connected transfer gates to alternately transfer pixel data (charges) from a pair of adjacent pixel columns to a shared output circuit at high speed with low noise. Charges transferred along the two adjacent pixel columns at a line clock rate are alternately passed by the transfer gates to a summing gate that is operated at twice the line clock rate to pass the image charges to the shared output circuit. A symmetrical Y-shaped diffusion is utilized in one embodiment to merge the image charges from the two pixel columns. A method of driving the dual-column-parallel CCD sensor with line clock synchronization is also described. A method of inspecting a sample using the dual-column-parallel CCD sensor is also described.

Abstract: This technology relates a unit pixel and an operating method thereof and a CMOS image sensor using the same. The unit pixel may include a photo sensitive device; a reset transistor; a selection transistor including a gate terminal, a first terminal and a second terminal, suitable for operating in response to a selection control signal applied to the gate terminal and outputting a voltage applied to the first terminal to a first terminal of the reset transistor through the second terminal; and a drive transistor including a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the selection transistor, a second terminal and a gate terminal, suitable for generating an electrical signal corresponding to charges accumulated in a floating diffusion node coupled to the gate terminal, and outputting the electrical signal as a pixel signal through the second terminal.

Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a matrix shape and respectively connected to switching devices, a plurality of gate lines formed in a first direction and connected to the switching devices; a plurality of data lines, wherein N data lines are formed in each second-direction column of the matrix shape, wherein N is greater than 1; and a read-out circuit connected to the plurality of data lines and configured to read out photocurrents from the plurality of photodiodes and convert the photocurrents into X-ray image data, wherein each of switching devices included in each second-direction column of the matrix shape is connected to one of the N data lines.

Abstract: A computational sensing array includes an array of sensing elements. In each sensing element, a first signal is generated from a transducer. A second signal is produced by a collection unit in response to receiving the first signal. The second signal may be modified, in a conditioning unit. A sensing element preprocessing unit generates a word representing the value of the modified second signal, and may produce an indication of change of the first signal. A current value of the word may be stored in a state holding element local to the sensing element, and a previous value of the word may be retained in a further state holding element local to the sensing element.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns. The array of pixels may operate in a global shutter mode. Each pixel in the array of pixels may have a floating diffusion node for storing charge and may include an active reset circuit that acts as an inverting amplifier and that resets the floating diffusion node to a predetermined reference voltage, which eliminates the need for correlated double sampling readout. A sampling circuit may be coupled to the active reset circuit. The sampling circuit may sample and store signals that correspond to the amount of charge stored at the floating diffusion node. The sampling circuit may pass stored signals to a column sensing line through an amplifier. The amplifier may include a source follower transistor that provides proportional amplification to the stored signals and may include an active reset circuit for resetting the sampling circuit.

Abstract: A discrete-type imaging device includes a camera head and a camera control unit, and video shot by the camera head is transmitted to the camera control unit via a plurality of transmission lines. A temperature sensor measures a temperature of the camera head. A high-temperature control unit determines whether the temperature measured exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A signal processing unit reduces a number of lines used in the plurality of transmission lines when the temperature measured exceeds the predetermined threshold value and transmits video data accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated LED package for a client device. The integrated LED package includes a flash LED chip, an IR LED chip, and an optional reflective element. The IR LED chip includes an IR LED that emits a cone of IR light, for example, to send commands to another client device such as a TV, to control the TV. The reflective element modifies the cone of IR light such that a TV positioned in front of the client device is likely to receive IR light emitted from the client device. The integrated LED package includes a common anode for both the flash LED and the IR LED. Thus, the integrated LED package may reduce its overall size in comparison to a LED package that does not include a common anode, e.g., the LED package includes a separate anode each for the flash LED and the IR LED.

Abstract: A media system for generating a user profile by analyzing force input to a remote controller and providing a personalized service according to the generated user profile and a method for providing the personalized service in the same are disclosed. A computer processing device (server) in the media system comprises an information collection unit configured to collect information about a force input applied to a remote controller during a predetermined period of time and a profiling unit configured to generate at least one user profile according to the collected information. Here, the force input means an input applied to the remote controller with higher pressure or wider area than pressure or an area of a normal input.

Abstract: A signal receiving end of a digital television includes: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), converting an input signal from an analog format to a digital format, the input signal including a target signal and an interference signal; a digital gain control circuit, coupled to the ADC, adjusting an amplitude of the target signal according to a gain; a detecting module, coupled to the digital gain control circuit, detecting a variance in the gain to generate a detection value; and a control circuit, coupled to the digital gain control circuit, determining a gain setting parameter according to the detection value. Wherein, the digital gain control circuit further updates the gain according to the gain setting parameter.

Abstract: A display device (2) includes a processor (13) that outputs drawing data and a timing controller (11) that outputs the drawing data input from the processor according to horizontal synchronization and vertical synchronization. When a still image region where drawing data has not been updated compared with a previous frame and a moving image region where drawing data has been updated compared with a previous frame are included in one frame, the processor transmits data update information, which is for specifying the position of the moving image region or a line including the moving image region, to the timing controller temporally earlier than drawing data of the line including the moving image region. The timing controller performs processing for lowering the frame rate of the still image region or processing for thinning out some of image lines of the still image region based on the data update information.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus generates a reduced image by reducing an image, generates a first cutout image by cutting out a part of the image before the reduction, performs processing for image recording involving writing into a memory on the reduced image and performs recording processing for recording the processed image, presents a first display by outputting an image based on the reduced image to a display unit, presents an enlarged display larger than the first display by outputting an image based on the first cutout image to the display unit during the recording processing, and does not perform specific processing involving reading or the writing of data from or into the memory at least when the enlarged display is ongoing during the recording processing.

Abstract: System, method, and computer product embodiments for proving an orientation adjustment for casting visual content on a display device are described. A computing device selects an orientation adjustment to be used in transcoding a video having a frame and assigned an orientation. The computing device requests a transcoder within the computing device to transcode the frame based on the orientation adjustment to generate a transcoded frame. The transcoded frame is converted into a format comparable to a reference frame representing the frame that is corrected transcoded to the assigned orientation. Then, the computing device compares the converted frame with the reference frame to determine that the frame is transcoded correctly to the assigned orientation. If the frame is transcoded correctly, the computing device uses the selected orientation adjustment when transcoding visual content for casting or streaming on a display device in an orientation matching that of the visual content.

Abstract: An electronic device displays an image during a communication between two people. The image represents one of the people to the communication. The electronic device determines a location where to place the image and displays the image such that the image appears to exist at the location.

Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a laser light source, a light modulator, a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, and circuitry. The light modulator generates an image based on light from the laser light source. The first sensor measures a first temperature in a vicinity of an air inlet of a housing of the image display apparatus. The second sensor measures a second temperature associated with the laser light source. The third sensor measures a third temperature associated with the light modulator. The circuitry is configured to control output of the laser light source based on at least one of the first, second, or third temperatures.

Abstract: A projection system including a first projector and a second projector project images side by side, wherein the first projector includes a first projection section that projects a first image and a first control section that causes the first projection section to project an identification image containing identification information, and the second projector includes a second projection section that projects a second image, an imaging section that captures an image of a range including the projection range of the second projection section to produce a captured image, and a second control section that causes the imaging section to capture an image of the identification image projected by the first projector, acquires the identification information on the first projector based on the captured identification image, and determines the position of the first image relative to the second image based on the position of the identification image in the captured image.

Abstract: A discharge lamp driving device includes a discharge lamp driving unit configured to supply a driving current to a discharge lamp, and a control unit configured to control the discharge lamp driving unit. The discharge lamp driving device is configured to provide a first hybrid period and a second hybrid period each alternately including a first AC period in which an AC current is supplied and a first DC period in which a DC current with a first polarity is supplied. The control unit, in the first hybrid period, is configured to change a ratio of length of the first DC period to length of the first AC period to be increased, and in the second hybrid period, is configured to change a ratio of the length of the first AC period to the length of the first DC period to be increased.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an illumination light intensity calculating unit that determines, from a brightness value based on a pixel value of each pixel forming an original image, an illumination light intensity image having as a pixel value an illumination light component of the original image, using at least one smoothed image having the brightness value that is smoothed using at least a smoothing degree, and a light source color calculating unit that determines an illumination light source color as a light source color of illumination light in accordance with the original image and the illumination light intensity image.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes first and second camera modules disposed at the vehicle so as to have respective first and second fields of view exterior of the vehicle. The first camera module includes a first lens and a first imager, and is operable to capture image data. The second camera module includes a second lens and a second imager, and is operable to capture image data. The first camera module is powered by a first power supply line and the second camera module is powered by a second power supply line. The first camera module includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the first camera module and the second camera module. The second camera module comprises a second image processor operable to process image data captured by the first camera module and the second camera module.

Abstract: The disclosure features three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging systems and methods that include two image capture devices configured to obtain images of a scene, at least one display screen, and an electronic processor configured to: receive one or more images of the scene from the capture devices, where each of the one or more images includes a lateral dimension and a height; warp the one or more images along their respective lateral dimensions to at least partially correct for disparity distortions associated with displaying the one or more images on the at least one display screen; correct the one or more images by scaling the respective heights of the images along the lateral dimensions of the images so that the height of each image is the same along the images lateral dimension; and display the warped and corrected one or more images on the at least one display screen.

Abstract: A canvas generation system generates a canvas view of a scene based on a set of original camera views depicting the scene, for example to recreate a scene in virtual reality. Canvas views can be generated based on a set of synthetic views generated from a set of original camera views. Synthetic views can be generated, for example, by shifting and blending relevant original camera views based on an optical flow across multiple original camera views. An optical flow can be generated using an iterative method which individually optimizes the optical flow vector for each pixel of a camera view and propagates changes in the optical flow to neighboring optical flow vectors.

Abstract: Provided is a data processing apparatus for calculating confidence coefficient data to indicate a confidence of pixel values of a second image data. The apparatus acquires similarity between a pixel value of a first pixel of the first image data corresponding to a target pixel of the confidence coefficient data, and each pixel value of a plurality of second pixels around the first pixel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for characterizing panoramic content, such as by a wide field of view and large image size. In one implementation, a panoramic image may be mapped to a cube or any other projection e.g icosahedron or octahedron. The disclosure exploits content continuity between facets, such as in the case of encoding/decoding cube-projected images. One facet may be encoded/decoded independently from other facets to obtain a seed facet. One or more transformed versions of the seed facet may be obtained; e.g., one corresponding to a 90° counterclockwise rotation, another to a 90° clockwise rotation, and one to an 180° rotation. Transformed versions may be used to form an augmented image. The remaining facets of the cube may be encoded using transformed versions within the augmented image.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) communication device includes a 3D stereoscopic camera for capturing video and photos in 3D. The device also includes a 3D display, which enables the display of video and photos in 3D that have been captured by a local user's communication device or that have been received from a remote 3D communication device. The 3D communication device may be configured as a handheld standalone device or may alternatively be configured as a modular device, a case, or a dock that can be interfaced with a portable computing device, such as a smart phone, which lacks the capability to capture and view 3D video/photo content. As such, the 3D communication device enables 3D chat or communication between a local user and one or more remote users of the 3D communication device or any other computing device that is configured with suitable communication or chat software.