Abstract: An immersive scanning camera provides for a high speed imager to capture a scene of interest on a pixel by pixel basis. Distance data is collected for each pixel. This distance data is representative of the distance from the immersive camera of the object depicted by the pixel data.

Abstract: A video image rotating apparatus includes a rear projection screen rotatably disposed in a generally horizontal plane, thus allowing only a single mirror to be angularly positioned over the screen to project video images to viewers. An optical system is positioned below the screen and vertically aligned therewith for projecting video images onto the screen. Preferably, the video images are mechanically rotated by rotating a portion of the optical system at a rate of rotation that is one-half that of the screen so that all viewers surrounding the video image rotating apparatus will see the same picture substantially simultaneously and continuously. Alternatively, the video images produced by the optical system may be rotated by an electronic image rotation system that electronically rotates the images produced in synchronization with rotation of the screen.

Abstract: A camera for automatically triggering a plurality of exposures during a pan based on a measure of camera displacement. During a pan, the camera regularly acquires images to compare a recently acquired image to a reference image. If the recently acquired image is optimally overlapped with the reference image, an exposure is triggered. In a digital camera, the images may be acquired with the native imager. In a film-based camera, or as an alternative embodiment for the digital camera, a sensor may be used to measure displacement. A series of images comprising a pan may be stored in the camera, or alternatively, each subsequent image may be stitched to a previous image to create a single panoramic image.

Abstract: An image pickup unit for changing an orientation of an image pickup field by constructing a common portion as a unit. The image pickup unit preferably has an image pickup medium, an optical system through which an image of an object is formed, a reflecting member which is disposed at the position nearer the side of the object than that of the optical system, a reflecting member driver for driving the reflecting member, an interface for enabling communication with an apparatus main body which (i) has therein the image pickup unit and (ii) generates a signal to control an operation of the image pickup unit, and a microcomputer which (i) transmits information on the side of the image pickup unit to the apparatus main body and (ii) controls the reflecting member driver on the basis of the signal received from the apparatus main body. Preferably, the reflecting member driver drives the reflecting member, thereby changing the orientation of the image pickup field of the image pickup medium.

Abstract: A virtual PTZ camera is described which forms a virtual image using multiple cameras whose fields of view overlap. Images from the cameras are merged by transforming to a common surface and property-blending overlapping regions to smooth transitions due to differences in image formation of common portions of a scene. To achieve high speed, the images may be merged to a common planar surface or set of surfaces so that transforms can be linear. Image information alone may be used to calculate the transforms from common feature points located in the images so that there is no need for three-dimensional geometric information about the cameras.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to new and improved methods and apparatus for displaying volumetric 3D images with colors and for barrier-free interaction with the 3D images. A raw 3D dataset is first processed into a viewable data with a geometry description in the form of a collection of scattered points, curves and surfaces, and a corresponding color description. One of the four color combination methods, exact, spatial, temporal, or spatio-temporal, is the used to process the viewable data into three data subsets, each of a collection of points and of a different color frequency. A set of separate image patterns, each pattern of a different color frequency, is then displayed on a color display system according to the content of the three data subsets. In the final step, the set of separate image patterns is recombined and displayed on a volumetric display device to form color volumetric 3D images.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows a number of 3D volumetric display or output configurations, such as dome, cubical and cylindrical volumetric displays, to interact with a number of different input configurations, such as a three-dimensional position sensing system having a volume sensing field, a planar position sensing system having a digitizing tablet, and a non-planar position sensing system having a sensing grid formed on a dome. The user interacts via the input configurations, such as by moving a digitizing stylus on the sensing grid formed on the dome enclosure surface. This interaction affects the content of the volumetric display by mapping positions and corresponding vectors of the stylus to a moving cursor within the 3D display space of the volumetric display that is offset from a tip of the stylus along the vector.

Abstract: A camera which has a plurality of subsystems which simultaneously capture a plurality of single view images which together form a panorama. An identification of the particular camera that produced a set of images is recorded in a file along with the images produced by the camera. The characteristics of each particular camera are also recorded either in the camera or in a separate file. The program used to seam a set of single view image then has available information concerning the camera that produced the images and the parameters of that particular camera. Using the available information the seaming program can compensate for the characteristics of the particular image capture device that produced a particular set of images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system (3) for the rotation of images taken by a film camera (2) about the optical axis, comprising a controller device for the rotation of images with an adjusting motor (8) and a position sensor (9), for recording the rotation angle of the image-rotating optical system (3). In addition to the rotation or tipping of the image about two axes, the possibility of displacing the optical system (3) in at least one axial direction is provided.

Abstract: An imaging system for producing autostereoscopic television images allowing viewers in a large viewing area to view 3-D images by sending separate left and right-hand images to the left and right eyes respectively, when a viewer looks at a small region of a 3-D display. In one embodiment, a projection system projects left and right-hand images to a small moveable mirror, which then reflects both images separately through a lenslet array, and then to a cylindrical lens panel. A means for imparting motion to the moveable mirror is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises an image-data collection station (1) having a platform (2) which is rotatable about an azimuthal axis. Several image sensors (3) are mounted on and rotate with the platform (2). A static monitoring station (7) includes a computerized sensor control system (10) for selectably and independently turning the sensors (3) ON and OFF during the rotation of the platform (2). Station (7) additionally monitors the data output from the sensors (3) and delivers a visible output at a VDU (8).

Abstract: The invention concerns a video interfacing arrangement for connecting at least one display device to at least one video source composed of a module including a dedicated and programmed digital processing unit adapted to decode and descramble video flow according to a preloaded decoding or descrambling program, in order to display, in real time or delayed in time, to store, to record and/or to send over a telecommunication network, and on at least one screen interface, at least one storage or recording interface, a local or wide area network connecting interface and a user communication and controlling interface, the interfaces being linked to and driven by the processing unit and preferably mounted in or on the module. The invention also concerns a distribution system and a method for transferring encoded video programs and sequences over a wide area network.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus uses a plurality of cameras point in a plurality of discrete azimuth directions so as to realize a walkthrough space. The apparatus stores, in video tapes, data frames of images generated by sequentially sensing an environment and time codes TC that respectively specify the data frames; acquires location information LOC associated with the image sensing location of each data frame, and stores the location information together with acquisition time information indicating an acquisition time TIM of the location information in a disk HD; and stores a pair of time code of the data frame and acquisition time information corresponding to the location information acquired at the time of generation of the data frame in the HD.

Abstract: A camera system for generating panoramic images is described. The camera uses sensors to determine the orientation of the camera as each image is recorded. The orientation information is recorded in memory. A processor reconstructs a single panoramic image from the recorded images using the recorded orientation information.

Abstract: The panoramic camera according to the invention has a housing having first and second sections, coaxial with a rotation axis. The second section can be driven in rotation about the axis with respect to the first section by a motor connected to a gear. A lens is mounted on the second section of the housing and is both perpendicular and radial to the axis. A linear CCD array is placed at the focal point of the lens in order to capture the images transmitted by the lens. An analog-to-digital converter is connected to the CCD array to convert the analog signal generated by the CCD array into digital information. The digital information is stored on a hard disk drive, and includes data corresponding to the azimuth of the camera. Finally, a micro-computer controls the rotation of the housing, sends a control signal to the analog-to-digital converter to digitize the image and sends a control signal to the hard disk drive to save the digital information generated by the converter.

Abstract: A composite image may be produced from a plurality of images. Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a process for producing a composite image includes the following steps. A current image is selected from the plurality of images. The current image has an offset. A portion is extracted from the current image. The portion of the current image is then transferred onto a storage medium that stores the composite image, to a position corresponding to the offset.

Abstract: A novel display system for observing virtual and real images. The display system includes a light redirection surface or reflective surface (e.g, mirrored surface) to display, for example, a virtual image. The system also has a light emitting surface, or LES, which includes first and second sides directly opposite from each other. The LES emits light to form the virtual image at an apparent distance behind the reflective surface. An observing region is also included on the second side of the LES for observing the image through the LES.

Abstract: A video see through AR system capable of obtaining correct depth information with respect to each pixel representing a two-dimensional image is disclosed so that a portion of imagery which should appear in the background of a final picture may be properly hidden behind imagery which should appear in the foreground of the final picture. A photographing device is provided for obtaining a two-dimensional image of a real object field disposed in conjugate relationship with an observer's eyes. Also provided is a device for measuring distances with respect to each pixel to the real object to be measured. The measured distance is compared with the distance to virtual imagery with respect to each pixel and the pixel which represents the imagery disposed closer to the observer is selected for the formation of combined imagery, which is displayed on the screen of a display device.

Abstract: An image rotating apparatus presents a projected video image upon a rear projection screen that is rotated extremely rapidly about a vertical axis which exactly bisects the picture in the vertical plane. The rotational rate is such that an entire audience, regardless of their position about the apparatus, can view the projected video image simultaneously. The video image rotating apparatus utilizes light valve technology to create red, green and blue images from an analog composite video signal, and a Phillips prism that aligns the images produced by the light valves for projection through an optical system. The image produced by the light valves is rotated, either mechanically or electronically, in synchronization with rotation of the projection screen.

Abstract: A process and system for displaying large (more than 1 million voxels) volumetric 3D images gives substantially higher resolution than is achievable with prior art techniques. The process and system utilize a sequence of helical slices of a 3D data set to generate a series of 2D images on a reflective surface of a light modulator. The series of 2D images generated on the light modulator are projected into a volumetric 3D-space display using an illumination light source and projection optics. Voxels in 3D space are illuminated for each 2D projected image, each voxel being located at its corresponding spatial location such that the 3D image thus generated can be viewed from any angle in a walkaround fish-tank manner without utilizing any viewing aids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording images at a scene in a panoramic manner enabling subsequent reproduction at remote display devices, and particularly enabling selection of a particular viewing angle at each display device without interfering with selection of viewing angles at other display devices. A stationary camera is operated at the scene being recorded, with a rapidly rotating mirror directing optical images successively from a three hundred sixty degree pattern about the axis of the lens of the stationary camera. Rotational speed is selected such that images are captured at frequencies assuring that reproduction of the images will yield continuous, smooth moving images from one selected viewing angle. The optical images are directed into the camera and then rendered into digital form and entered into memory.

Abstract: A panoramic television surveillance system includes an image-sensing station having an imaging sensor with a line-format field of view mounted on a platform rotatable about an azimuthal scan-rotational axis. The imaging sensor collects a "live" television-like panoramic synoptic surveillance image of the full panoramic wide-angle field. The image data is delivered by an image-data-delivery line, which incorporates a rotary-joint data link, to an image-monitoring station. The image-monitoring station includes an image-data-processor, display-buffer-storage, and a synoptic panoramic wide-angle array of visual monitor displays to permit continuous synoptic evaluation of the full panoramic scene, up to 360.degree. wide, at an observer-personnel position. Alternatively, the image-monitoring station includes the image-data processor and an image-data recorder for continuous recording of the image data for off-line evaluation.

Abstract: A multiple position camera apparatus and method for a three-dimensional computer controlled telepresence camera system useful in surrogate travel type applications. In one embodiment, it enables a telepresence application provider to form multi-view application specific stored image sequences from up to six orthogonally positioned cameras. It furthermore enables a telepresence user to subsequently retrieve for remote viewing particular subsets of the available image sequences and/or groups of sequences via a monitoring and display system. A viewing procedure provides the user with the ability to proceed spatially and/or contiguously along any camera to camera direction. It further uses a wire cage to enable the definition and setting of the field of view of each camera.

Abstract: A panoramic vision apparatus having a simple structure is provided which produces an image from which the viewer feels a natural stretch. A shooter and a display are each provided with a prism. The shooting range is changed by a rotation of the prism of the shooter and the projection position is changed by changing the direction of the projected light by a rotation of the prism of the display. The shooter outputs a direction signal representative of the direction of the prism of the shooter in synchronism with a video signal. The display sets the direction of the prism thereof in accordance with the direction represented by the signal to project an image.

Abstract: One or more time delay and integration camera assemblies (A) are mounted in a housing (100) which is rotated by a motor (40, 106) relative to a vertical axis. A tachometer or encoder (44) produces signals whose frequency or voltage varies in accordance with an angular velocity of the camera assemblies about the vertical axis. A clock generator (46) converts the angular velocity signals into clocking signals for controlling movement of vertical lines of data values (20) along an array (14) of light sensitive elements to a shift register (22). In one embodiment, the clock generator includes a divider (82) which converts the angular velocity signal into a voltage, a comparator (84) which compares the first voltage with a second voltage, and a voltage controlled oscillator (88) which oscillates to generate the clocking signal. A second divider (88) defines a feedback loop between the output of the voltage controlled oscillator and the comparator for generating the second voltage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus by which a panorama image is produced with a high degree of accuracy from an image signal wherein an image signal produced by a CCD imaging element is recorded onto a video tape by way of a camera signal processing circuit, a recording signal processing circuit, a recording/reproduction amplifier and so forth. Meanwhile, a microcomputer calculates of a motion vector of an image from the output of a motion vector detector to which the image signal from the CCD imaging element is inputted, and controls a video subcode processor so that motion vector information may be recorded onto the video tape. The motion vector information is reproduced from the video tape together with the image signal, and a plurality of images are formed from the thus reproduced image signal and joined together in accordance with the motion vector information to produce a panorama image.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus by which a panorama image is produced with a high degree of accuracy from an image signal are disclosed. An image signal produced by a CCD imaging element is recorded onto a video tape by way of a camera signal processing circuit, a recording signal processing circuit, a recording/reproduction amplifier and so forth. Meanwhile, a microcomputer calculates of a motion vector of an image from the output of a motion vector detector to which the image signal from the CCD imaging element is inputted, and controls a video subcode processor so that motion vector information may be recorded onto the video tape. The motion vector information is reproduced from the video tape together with the image signal, and a plurality of images are formed from the thus reproduced image signal and joined together in accordance with the motion vector information to produce a panorama image.