Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for viewing and displaying 3D imagery. In one implementation, a method of displaying 3D imagery comprises receiving layout data comprising data representing a first camera, the first camera being non-editable; generating a first pair of a left camera and a right camera from the layout data based on the first camera, wherein the left camera and the right camera are editable; retrieving, from an external memory, streaming geometry data corresponding to the layout data; and generating the 3D imagery using the first pair of the left camera and the right camera and the streaming geometry data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a 3-dimensional display that includes at least one eyepiece having first and second eyepiece sockets, having a first display contained in said first eyepiece socket associated with a first eye, two eye cameras mounted such that a first eye camera tracks eye reference points of said first eye and a second eye camera tracks reference points of a second eye, a processor for providing overall control of said at least one eyepiece; a second display; and a main processor; signals are transmitted between said main processor and said at least one eyepiece, wherein said two eye cameras track said reference points, said eyepiece transceiver transmits said reference points to said main processor via said main transceiver, said main processor generates image data based on said reference points and transmits said image data to said displays to produce a 3-dimensional image.

Abstract: A system and the like capable of stably displaying image information according to an object shot by infrared cameras by offsetting disadvantages of two-dimensional image processing and three-dimensional image processing. According to an image information processing system 100 of the present invention, a weighting factor calculation unit 140 calculates a first weighting factor C1 (0?C1?1) and a second weighting factor C2 (=1?C1), on the basis of a measured value of a variable according to a distance between infrared cameras 210 and an object.

Abstract: A vehicle environment recognition apparatus includes stereo-image taking means for outputting a reference image of the surroundings of a subject vehicle, stereo matching means for correlating a parallax with each pixel block in the reference image by stereo matching, preceding-vehicle detecting means for detecting a preceding vehicle from the reference image on the basis of the parallax or the like, and smear determining means for searching a pixel column vertically extending in the reference image for brightnesses of pixels, the pixel column including a pixel block having a parallax less than or equal to a long-distance parallax threshold value corresponding to the long distance including infinity, and determining that a smear occurs when a ratio of the number of pixels having brightnesses more than or equal to a predetermined brightness to the total number of pixels in the pixel column is more than or equal to a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: An object detecting system includes stereo-image taking means for outputting a reference image and a comparative image, stereo matching means for performing stereo matching, object detecting means for detecting an object in the reference image, estimated-region setting means for setting estimated regions of the object in the current frame in the reference image and the comparative image, on the basis of a distance of the object in the reference image in the previous frame, and determination means for correlating information about the object detected in the estimated region of the reference image or information that the object is not detected with information that noise is included, when an absolute value of a difference between average luminances of the estimated regions is more than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A compound eye photographing apparatus, including a plurality of photographing units for photographing a subject at a plurality of photographing positions to obtain images of the subject, a subject detection unit for detecting a predetermined subject from the images obtained by the photographing units, and a photographing control unit for causing a particular one of the plurality of photographing units to perform photographing, determining whether or not the predetermined subject is included in the image obtained by the particular photographing unit, and causing another photographing unit other than the particular photographing unit to start photographing only when the determination is positive.

Abstract: An immersive audio-visual system (and a method) for creating an enhanced interactive and immersive audio-visual environment is disclosed. The immersive audio-visual environment enables participants to enjoy true interactive, immersive audio-visual reality experience in a variety of applications. The immersive audio-visual system comprises an immersive video system, an immersive audio system and an immersive audio-visual production system. The video system creates immersive stereoscopic videos that mix live videos, computer generated graphic images and human interactions with the system. The immersive audio system creates immersive sounds with each sound resource positioned correct with respect to the position of an associated participant in a video scene. The immersive audio-video production system produces an enhanced immersive audio and videos based on the generated immersive stereoscopic videos and immersive sounds.

Abstract: An object detecting system includes stereo-image taking means for taking images of an object and outputting the images as a reference image and a comparative image, stereo matching means for calculating parallaxes by stereo matching, and determination means for setting regions of objects in the reference image on the basis of the parallaxes grouped by grouping means, and performing stereo matching again for an area on the left side of a comparative pixel block specified on an epipolar line in the comparative image corresponding to a reference pixel block in a left end portion of each region. When a comparative pixel block that is different from the specified comparative pixel block and provides the local minimum SAD value less than or equal to a threshold value is detected, the determination means determines that the object in the region is mismatched.

Abstract: A telepresence server is for connection to a telecommunications network for providing access to a reality engine for a plurality of passive users. The reality engine can be controlled by an active user or a professional director through the network or by a local professional director. Active/passive mode displays can be used by the passive users in a passive mode and an active/passive mode display can be used by the active user in an active mode.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the vergence of images from a plurality of cameras, the system having: an first camera; a second camera disposed at some distance from that first camera; a focus adjustment whereby the focus of the first camera can be adjusted by a user; the focus adjustment being configured with a range finder whereby the distance from the first camera to a target is ascertained; a look up chart wherein divergence distance of images generated from the first camera from images of the second camera are provided for pre-calculated ranges; a processor whereby said images generated by the first camera are superimposed on the images generated by the second camera by the divergence distance determined from the lookup.

Abstract: A plurality of cameras are adapted to utilize Ethernet network protocol for the physical layer and UDP/IP for the network and transport layers permitting multiple compressed signals representing different degrees of image resolution, compression type of compressed bit rate to be simultaneously transmitted. These multiple video streams may be combined into one composite stream for network transmission or may be maintained as separate and distinct video or still frame streams throughout the network. The digitizer, compressor and network interface can be integral to a camera or can be a separate unit. Video or images networked in this manner may be selective viewed on an operator console or may be received by a network server for storage, analysis and subsequent retrieval.

Abstract: A method for generating stereoscopic images with retinal rivalry effects. The method includes retrieving primary eye images and alternate eye images from memory. These images are filmed from horizontally offset cameras but include the same content. The method continues with processing the alternate eye images to introduce retinal rivalry such as by including a set of frames that have differing content from a corresponding set of frames from the primary eye images. The differing content, for example, may include an object rendered for the alternate eye that was not rendered in the primary eye images. The method may further include editing the primary eye images by inserting a transition and then editing the alternate eye images to perform the transition (e.g., a dissolve or cut) at a temporally offset transition point such as several frames later to introduce frames that differ in content from one eye stream to the other.

Abstract: A file generation apparatus comprises three-dimensional data acquisition means for obtaining a three-dimensional data set comprising distance data representing a three-dimensional shape of a subject, data conversion means for generating a converted three-dimensional data set by arranging the distance data according to distance, and generation means for identifying the distance data at a boundary in the case where the converted three-dimensional data set is divided at predetermined distance intervals and for generating a three-dimensional data file storing the converted three-dimensional data set and storage location information representing a storage location of the identified distance data in the file.

Abstract: A powerful, scaleable, and reconfigurable image processing system and method of processing data therein is described. This general purpose, reconfigurable engine with toroidal topology, distributed memory, and wide bandwidth I/O are capable of solving real applications at real-time speeds. The reconfigurable image processing system can be optimized to efficiently perform specialized computations, such as real-time video and audio processing. This reconfigurable image processing system provides high performance via high computational density, high memory bandwidth, and high I/O bandwidth. Generally, the reconfigurable image processing system and its control structure include a homogeneous array of 16 field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and 16 static random access memories (SRAM) arranged in a partial torus configuration. The reconfigurable image processing system also includes a PCI bus interface chip, a clock control chip, and a datapath chip. It can be implemented in a single board.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for three-dimensional (3-D) image acquisition can include: (i) first and second lenses configured to receive light from a scene; (ii) first, second, third, and fourth sensors; (iii) a first beam splitter arranged proximate to the first lens, where the first beam splitter can provide a first split beam to the first sensor, and a second split beam to the second sensor; and (iv) a second beam splitter arranged proximate to the second lens, where the second beam splitter can provide a third split beam to the third sensor, and a fourth and split beam to the fourth sensor. For example, the sensors can include charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or CMOS sensors.

Abstract: A standard camera (12) picks up a standard image Ib, and a reference camera (14) picks up a reference image Ir. A flat area IIf is extracted from the standard image Ib and the reference image Ir. An edge image is created by extracting the edges and feature points from the standard image Ib and then a corrected edge image (62) is created by removing the flat area IIf. Object detection processing is carried out on the edges and feature points of the corrected edge image (62) with reference to the reference image Ir.

Abstract: Techniques for creating 3-D movies allow improved control over camera positioning parameters and editing of depth in post-process to provide for a smoother variation in the viewer's convergence distance and a more pleasant viewing experience. A director can define reference parameters related to a desired viewing experience, and camera positioning parameters are derived therefrom. A depth script specifying piecewise continuous variations in reference parameters can be applied in post-process to generate 3-D shots, scenes, or movies. These techniques can be applied in both computer-generated and live-action 3-D movies.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, a cutout image generation unit for cutting out a specified area in a pickup image taken by the image pickup unit to generate a cutout image enlarged at a specified magnification, an image display unit for displaying one or both of the pickup image taken by the image pickup unit and the cutout image generated by the cutout image generation unit, a display image control unit for controlling a method of displaying an image the image display unit displays, a manual focus operation unit for the user to control through manual operation the focus position of the image pickup unit, and a manual zoom operation unit for the user to control the zoom magnification of the image pickup unit.

Abstract: A photographic method of a stereoscopic image or an omnidirectional image has hidden potential of creating innovative video systems and video services that have never existed before. A photo assistant tool includes: a rotator formed by a ring-shaped circular member; a first imaging section and a second imaging section provided on an upper face of the rotator; and a support base. The first imaging section and the second imaging section take a pair of parallax images. At the same time, by continuous shots taken by the first imaging section and the second imaging section while the rotator is being rotated about a center as a center of rotation, omnidirectional parallax images are obtained. Furthermore, by continuous shots taken by the first imaging section and the second imaging section while the rotator is being continuously rotated, a motion picture made up of omnidirectional parallax images as frames is taken.

Abstract: Passive methods for three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene by means of image data are generally based on the determination of spatial correspondences between a number of images of the scene recorded from various directions and distances. A method and a device are disclosed which provide a high reliability in the solution of the correspondence problem in conjunction with a low computational outlay. Image areas for determining the correspondences are determined within a plurality of images forming at least two image sequences. In preferred embodiments, a parameterized function h(u,v,t) is matched to each of the image areas in a space R(uvgt) defined by pixel position (u, v), image value g and time t. The parameters of the parameterized functions are used to form a similarity measure between the image areas.

Abstract: A monitoring system according to the present invention has a plurality of cameras respectively monitoring a monitor area and having a changeable imaging magnification, monitoring section detecting an object to be monitored in the monitor area, and control section selecting at least one camera capable of obtaining an enlarged image to contribute to identification of the object to be monitored as camera for enlargement from the plural cameras when the object to be monitored is detected and selecting at least one camera other than the camera for enlargement as camera for wide area from the plural monitoring camera. The camera for wide area is set to a first imaging magnification to obtain a wide area image of the monitor area and the camera for enlargement is set to a second imaging magnification larger than the first imaging magnification to obtain an enlarged image of the detected object to be monitored.

Abstract: A scanning camera with a rotating drum has one or more sensors characterized by a non-radial optical axis. With two sensors on opposite sides of the drum and facing in substantially the same direction, stereoscopic recording of a panorama is accomplished as the drum rotates. Rapid rotation of the scanning camera produces panoramic motion picture recording, with the final frame speed dependent on the sensitivity and speed of the sensor, the resolution desired, and the capabilities of the recording device. The preferred embodiment employs rotating fisheye lenses for a substantially fill-sphere field of view. Streamlining of the lens elements on the drum surface is described for quiet operation of the camera, even at high rotation speeds. The rapid rotation of the drum characteristic of motion picture frame rates can improve both the stability and portability of the camera.

Abstract: By rotating a second camera (4) by a hinge (5) by 180 degrees so as to obtain an opening state, the second camera 4 faces a surface side. As a result, a first camera (3) and the second camera (4) are aligned horizontally, and use the same direction as a photographing range. When the second camera (4) is rotated, a system controller determines that a state is in a stereoscopic vision photographing mode. When a camera shutter is operated by a user, both the first camera (3) and the second camera (4) are allowed to perform a photographing process, and obtained two image data are stored in a memory after being attached to information indicating that the image is for the right eye and the image is for the left eye, and etc. Then, the two image data are transmitted by an e-mail function to a terminal of a communicating partner.

Abstract: An endoscope device including an insertion part including an observation optical system and a measuring optical system, wherein the endoscope device is provided with a characteristic value comparing circuit 85 which compares previous characteristic values and current characteristic value to identify previous characteristic values corresponding to the current characteristic values, corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the characteristic value comparing circuit 85, are stored in a storage circuit C2 together with various information. According to the invention, for inspection turbine blades of jet engines, automation (labor-saving) of the inspection process by reducing the number of the inspection steps is realized and the difficulty in the inspection of analysis areas is eliminated.

Abstract: A stereo image device includes a first pick-up module for capturing a first image, a second pick-up module for capturing a second image, a controlling unit for dividing the first image into first segments, and the second image into second segments, and choosing odd segments of the first segments as first sub-units, and even segments of the second segments as second sub-units, and combining the first sub-units and the second sub-units in alternate fashion to form a combination image, a display screen for displaying the combination image; and a lens plate covering the display screen, the lens plate including a plane surface facing the display screen, and a lenticular surface opposite the plane surface; the lens plate having a plurality of parallel cylindrical convex lenses on the lenticular surface. A stereo image is formed by seen the combination image through the lens plate.

Abstract: A system and method to support the driving of a motor vehicle comprising in particular a system capable of capturing images, wherein the system for capturing images comprises a stereoscopic image capturing system having at least a first camera and a second camera, with the first camera presenting a field of vision) greater than the field of vision of the second camera, and with the stereoscopic system thereby conferring a degree of multifunctionality to the device supporting the driving of the vehicle.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method generate a three dimensional representation of a scene which includes a plurality of objects disposed on a plane. The three dimensional representation is generated from one or more video images of the scene, which include the objects on the plane produced from a view of the scene by a video camera. The method comprises processing the captured video images so as to extract one or more image features from each object, comparing the one or more image features with sample image features from a predetermined set of possible example objects which the video images may contain, and identifying the objects from the comparison of the image features with the stored image features of the possible example objects. The method also includes generating object path data, which includes object identification data for each object which identifies the respective object; and provides a position of the object on the plane in the video images with respect to time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for learning a model for the appearance of an object while tracking the position of the object in three dimensions. Under embodiments of the present invention, this is achieved by combining a particle filtering technique for tracking the object's position with an expectation-maximization technique for learning the appearance of the object. Two stereo cameras are used to generate data for the learning and tracking.

Abstract: Information for each of a right eye and a left eye obtained by a pair of cameras, which is provided on a three-dimensional image information obtaining apparatus, is displayed on a three-dimensional image display apparatus. An optical axis of each of the cameras is disposed so as to intersect each other on a horizontal surface or on a surface inclined with respect to the horizontal surface. Based on a detection result of a distance sensor for detecting a distance between each of the cameras and a subject, an image capturing position of each of the cameras is adjusted such that the intersection point of the optical axes of the cameras is on the subject. The image information for the right eye and the left eye obtained by the three-dimensional image information obtaining apparatus is printed on a recording sheet by a three-dimensional image printer. Hence, it is possible to positively obtain a three-dimensional image in line with a stereoscopic image recognized by a user's eyes.

Abstract: To prevent information required for reproducing of a 3D/multi-viewpoint image being lost even in a case in which editing or the like of the 3D/multi-viewpoint image is performed using a device or application software that does not support 3D/multi-viewpoint images, a compound-eye digital camera can switch between a multi-viewpoint image taking mode that images a subject image viewed from a plurality of viewpoints and a single viewpoint image taking mode that takes a subject image viewed from a single viewpoint. When taking an image in the multi-viewpoint image taking mode, the compound-eye digital camera sets a protect flag for multi-viewpoint images acquired with an image pickup device and records the multi-viewpoint images. As a result, the taken multi-viewpoint images are protected, and erasure or editing of the images cannot be performed without permission.

Abstract: A system for visually combining patient image data from transillumination and/or tomographic imaging methods and/or object image data with video images includes an image display device having an auto-stereoscopic monitor, at least one camera and a computer-assisted navigation system. The navigation system is operable to detect spatial positions of a part of the patient's body via a first tracking device attached to the body, and spatial positions of said image display device and/or said at least one camera via a second tracking device attached to the image display device or the camera, wherein the image display device and the at least one camera are assigned to each other and are formed as a portable unit.

Abstract: A robotic vision and vision control system includes a stereoscopic camera mounted on a robot and a remote three-dimensional display system that provides the operator of the robot with a good sense of depth or distance for more precisely maneuvering the robot. The stereoscopic display system can further include an eye-tracking system that monitors the operator's eyes to determine the direction in which the operator's eyes are looking and points the camera in that direction.

Abstract: The present invention realizes picture recording in simple configuration such that a user can easily and intuitively identify a minified picture of a multi-view picture from among minified pictures of pictures being taken. A 3-dimensional thumbnail picture is created by performing 3-dimensional CG processing on a multi-view picture thumbnail picture, and a thumbnail picture is created from a normal picture and recorded in association with a primary picture. The 3-dimensional CG thumbnail picture X is given a stereoscopic effect as a result of the 3-dimensional CG graphic processing so that the difference from a normal 2-dimensional thumbnail Y is clear at a glance. Consequently, a viewer can readily recognize the picture X as a minified picture of a multi-view picture without using a special apparatus to realize a graphical approach.

Abstract: An unit (317, 318) acquires identification information from a camera (101R) (left camera 101L). The unit (303, 312) checks a connection state based on the identification information, and determines the subsequent operation. A unit (305) transmits position and orientation information of the camera (101R) to an apparatus (206). A unit (308) outputs a composite image of a virtual space image generated based on the position and orientation information and a captured image input by a unit (302) to an HMD (100). A unit (313) calculates the position and orientation of the camera (101L) using position and orientation relationship information and the position and orientation information. An unit (316) outputs a composite image of a virtual space image generated based on the position and orientation of the camera (101L), and a captured image input by a unit (311) to the HMD (100).

Abstract: A viewing system and method for producing at least one image for being perceived as three-dimensional, including at least one of: a provision for compensating the center-of-interest of the at least one image in such a manner as to reduce convergence-accommodation conflict; a provision for configuring the viewing system such that crosstalk produced by a stereo display is perceived as foreground and background blur instead of ghosting; and a provision for viewing the at least one image via automicrostereopsis.

Abstract: A stereoscopic camera includes first and second image pickup units, having respectively first and second optical axes, for photographing an object to form two image frames. Two angle adjusters make angle adjustment of the optical axes. An object detector detects a human face as a principal object in the two image frames. An arithmetic processor obtains a shift amount of the face between two image frames, and determines an axial correction angle according to the shift amount for the angle adjustment in consideration of the face. A checker checks whether the angle adjustment should be made for both optical axes or for one thereof. A controller operates at least one of the two angle adjusters according to the axial correction angle and in response to information from the checker, for positioning the face equally between the two image frames optically by adjusting the first and/or second optical axis.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving the image quality. The method comprises steps of producing image correcting information to decrease errors in the image to be produced by a camera module (109, 111, 112) by comparing the image taken by said camera module (109, 111, 112, 113) with a test image, storing the image correcting information produced and identifying information related to said image correcting information in the memory of an electronic peripheral device (104, 106), receiving the image produced by said camera module (109, 111, 112, 113) and a second piece of identifying information related to said image in the electronic peripheral device (104, 106), comparing said identifying information with said second piece of identifying information in said peripheral device, and performing an image improvement operation on said image in said peripheral device in response to the comparison carried out.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining tomographic images with human vision. The systems preferably include a first assembly located proximal to an object to be imaged and a second assembly remote from the target. The first assembly is preferably able to collect a tomographic image from a target object and superimpose that tomographic image onto a direct view of the target object. The first assembly also includes components that allow the transmission of the tomographic image to the remote assembly. At the remote location, a highly trained expert may interact with the captured image by placing electronic markers on the image via an electronic interface. The captured image plus electronic marker are then preferably transmitted back to the local site via a second transmitter-receiver. The local user may use the electronic marker to guide his actions during the appropriate task.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional chart, a parameter acquiring method and an information processing device that are used for carrying out camera calibration in a wide range with high precision. For this reason, a plurality of unit graphic forms the sizes of which are coded by using different cross-ratios are placed on side faces of a three-dimensional chart. The cross-ratios of unit graphic forms are calculated from a picked-up image of the three-dimensional chart, and by collating these with actual values, the position and orientation of the image-pickup point are determined. The shifting average of the heights of the unit graphic forms is made approximately proportional to the distance from the apex so that it is possible to reduce the limitation of image-pickup distances. A movable camera is attached to a subject-use camera, and upon picking up an image of the subject, an image of the three-dimensional chart is also picked up simultaneously.

Abstract: A stereoscopic video image pick-up and display system having a stereoscopic video image pick-up device including two video image pick-ups for outputting video information from the pick-ups; a stereoscopic video image display device for displaying different video images; and a medium for transmitting the video image information from the stereoscopic video image pick-up device to the stereoscopic video image display device. The stereoscopic video image pick-up device includes a cross-point measuring device for measuring CP information on the cross-point (CP) of optical axes of pick-ups and outputs information including the CP information and video image information to the medium. The stereoscopic video image display device includes an offset presetting device for offsetting and displaying different video images based upon the video image information, the cross-point information and information on the size of the image which is displayed by the stereoscopic video image display device.

Abstract: A compound camera system for generating an enhanced virtual image having a large depth-of-field. The compound camera system comprises a plurality of component cameras for generating image data of an object and a data processor for generating the enhanced virtual image from the image data. The data processor generates the enhanced virtual image by generating a first component virtual image at a first depth plane, generating a second component virtual image at a second depth plane, and inserting first selected pixels from the first component virtual image into enhanced the virtual image and inserting second selected pixels from the second component virtual image into the enhanced virtual image.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to capture a portion of an omniscopic or omni-stereo image using one or more image capture media. The media may be located substantially perpendicular to a converging ray originating at a viewpoint on an inter-ocular circle and having a convergence angle between zero and ninety degrees from a parallel viewpoint baseline position that includes a non-converging ray originating at the viewpoint. The media may also be located so as to be substantially perpendicular to a non-converging ray originating at a first viewpoint at a first endpoint of a diameter defining an inter-ocular circle, wherein the origin of the non-converging ray gravitates toward the center of the inter-ocular circle as spherical imagery is acquired.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing the recordings of two video cameras which are operated in parallel for the three-dimensional representation of an image sequence includes fading a light signal into the image area of the two cameras and simultaneously recording the light signal by both cameras. Playback of the recordings are synchronized using the recorded signals. The two video cameras may be two digitally recording video recorders.

Abstract: A system produces three dimensional pictures of a selected viewable face of at least one object. The system includes at least one high speed digital camera positioned to receive light traveling along a path generally parallel to the viewable face of the object; a plurality of mirrors each positioned at a different location to receive light traveling away from the viewable face of the object and to reflect the light along the path toward the camera; and, a plurality of shutters each operatively associated with a different one of the mirrors to open in a selected sequence to permit light from the object to pass through the shutter to be reflected off the shutter's operatively associated mirror along the path toward the camera to produce an image in the camera.

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: A total perimeter view auto security monitoring system which includes a pair of fixed viewing lenses at each corner of a vehicle, a central digital camera receiving optical data from all corners of the vehicle, a multiplexer to separate the data channels in real time, and a hard disc drive for recording the data.

Abstract: A system for augmenting 2D image data to produce 3D imagery is disclosed comprising a primary camera for gathering the 2D image data and a pair of left and right auxiliary cameras associated with the primary camera, capable of gathering 3D information relative to the 2D image data from the primary camera. A storage device for storing the 3D information is provided, as well as optional security control module connected to the storage device for managed access to the 3D information and an image processor capable of rendering 3D imagery from the 2D image data and 3D information. The system may be used to produce 3D imagery of a complete field of view of an event of interest.

Abstract: An image management method which creates and records two or more real images and two or more thumbnail images from two or more images by viewpoints photographed by two or more image pickup devices corresponding to the viewpoints, wherein the real images include a stereoscopic image including the images by viewpoints, a common image range cut from the images by viewpoints and a whole image synthesized from the images by viewpoints, and the thumbnail images include two or more thumbnail images y each viewpoint corresponding to each of images by viewpoints, a 3D thumbnail image corresponding to the stereoscopic image, and a whole thumbnail image corresponding to the whole image.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle by using two cameras, the obstacle being on a reference plane in a field of view common to the two cameras, the method inputting a first image and a second image from the two cameras, respectively, transforming the first image to a transformed image, obtaining a degree of similarity D indicating a similarity between an image in a processing region established in the second image and an image in a corresponding processing region established in the first image, obtaining a degree of similarity P indicating a similarity between an image in the processing region established in the second image and an image in a corresponding processing region established in the transformed image, detecting the obstacle based on of the degree of similarity D and the degree of similarity P on a reference plane region, obtaining a difference K between the degree of similarity D and the degree of similarity P both obtained as being on the reference plane region, judging that the obstacle is at a pos

Abstract: A three-dimensional image pickup apparatus, a three-dimensional display apparatus and a three-dimensional image pickup and display apparatus are disclosed by which high-definition three-dimensional display from a plurality of eye points of different directions can be achieved by a simple apparatus configuration. The incoming directions and the intensities of a plurality of lights incoming from different directions to a light reception section are coordinated with each other for individual pixels to form video signals. A light emission section emits lights based on a coordinated relationship between the outgoing directions and the intensities of lights to be emitted therefrom for the individual pixels. The light incoming directions and the light outgoing directions are time-divisionally selected by means of light path selection elements, and a plurality of pixels are formed to pick up and display images having a parallax.