Abstract: Camera field of view visualizers differentially illuminate objects visible within and without a camera lens focal area, and also supporting surfaces located outside of but relative to the focal area wherein objects located thereon are visible within the focal area, relative to different supporting surfaces that are also located outside of the focal area but relative to the focal area wherein objects located thereon are not visible within the focal area. At an end of an illumination time period an amount or type of illumination that is visible within image information acquired from objects illuminated thereby within the focal area is reduced or revised for an image data acquisition time period so that it is not visible within image information acquired by an image data receiving means, and image information is captured via the image data receiving means from objects that are located within the focal area.

Abstract: A system mounted in a vehicle for classifying light sources. The system includes a lens and a spatial image sensor. The lens is adapted to provide an image of a light source on the spatial image sensor. A diffraction grating is disposed between the lens and the light source. The diffraction grating is adapted for providing a spectrum. A processor is configured for classifying the light source as belonging to a class selected from a plurality of classes of light sources expected to be found in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the spectrum is used for the classifying of the light source. Both the image and the spectrum may be used for classifying the light source or the spectrum is used for classifying the light source and the image is used for another driver assistance application.

Abstract: In a computerized film (digital camera action) production system, a virtual director module takes responsibility for creating sets, and enabling cinematography by creating a synthetic parallax matching of a “set” image to what would have existed before a camera in real motion about the physical location represented. This overcomes failures typical of “green screen” technology in dealing with such conditions as shallow depth of field and low light. Computer generated, synthetic sets from a 3D animator may be projected behind real actors during or after filming. Sythetic sets are seen through a virtual camera as photo-realistic because they are skinned with textures, and structured geometrically, to match reality represented by actual still photography of a physical environment, such as buildings, walls, streets, landscapes, props, and the like.

Abstract: In a computerized film (digital camera action) production system, a virtual director module takes responsibility for creating sets, and enabling cinematography by creating a synthetic parallax matching of a “set” image to what would have existed before a camera in real motion about the physical location represented. This overcomes failures typical of “green screen” technology in dealing with such conditions as shallow depth of field and low light. Computer generated, synthetic sets from a 3D animator may be projected behind real actors during or after filming. Sythetic sets are seen through a virtual camera as photo-realistic because they are skinned with textures, and structured geometrically, to match reality represented by actual still photography of a physical environment, such as buildings, walls, streets, landscapes, props, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for removing background lighting variations from an image. The method includes capturing at least one first image including a first background and a subject wherein the at least one first image includes at least one background lighting variation, creating a virtual background model of the first background, creating a virtual background image that is substantially similar to the first background, and generating an output comprising at least one first image with at least one background lighting variation removed therefrom.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stereographic camera system including a first camera and a second camera including respective first and second lenses. A zoom mechanism may synchronously set focal lengths of the first and second lenses to a selected focal length of a plurality of predetermined focal lengths.

Abstract: A system and method for marking a stereoscopic film with colors are provided. The system and method provides for marking a left image with a mark and a right image with a mark having complementary colors, wherein upon viewing, the marks are not visible under certain conditions. The system and method provide for acquiring a stereoscopic image, the stereoscopic image including a first image and a second image, applying a first mark to the first image in a predetermined location, the first mark having a first color, and applying a second mark to the second image in substantially the same predetermined location as in the first image, the second mark having a second color that is different than the first color of the first mark, wherein when viewed in three-dimensional mode, the first mark and the second mark combine into a single mark of one color.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first image pick-up unit, a projecting unit that projects imaging light, an optical unit that transmits part of light entering from a first image pick-up direction and guides the part of the light to the first image pick-up unit while reflecting part of the imaging light projected from the projecting unit and outputting the reflected light in the first image pick-up direction, and reflects part of light entering from a second image pick-up direction and guides the part of the light to the first image pick-up unit while transmitting part of the imaging light projected from the projecting unit and outputting the part of the imaging light in the second image pick-up direction, and an attenuating unit that is movably placed between two positions.

Abstract: A method according to preparing an integral image from an interwoven image is provided. The interwoven image is prepared by interweaving at least two source images which have been divided into cells which themselves have been divided into image elements. By interweaving the image elements within each cell and forming an array of cells, an integral image is formed when the array of cells is viewed through a viewing screen. 3-dimensional, moving or motion, and images which are combinations thereof are formed with the present device. The method can be used in electronic display devices as well as on non-electronic services to form integral images. A 3-dimensional image formed by the present device will generally have a portion which appears to project above the surface of an overlaying viewing screen. A quality control method for the manufacture of three-dimensional integral image devices and for the selection of viewing screens is also provided herein.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a photographic image sequence showing an apparent movement of a camera in an x-axis direction, with respect to a filmed object, without actual movement of the camera along the x-axis.

Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display, which produces a three dimensional illusion when viewed on a conventional display with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined by a through-hole in an opaque card, a plurality of interleaved leaf elements, or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for background generation and chroma replacement for use with video and digital imaging that includes motion pictures, television, commercial and portrait photography. The present invention comprises a projection device that generates and projects a background image where the projection device further comprises a front projecting device and a retroreflective screen. The front projection device couples to a camera and comprises a projector with a removeable filter coupled to a beamsplitter enclosure. The beamsplitter enclosure comprises a beamsplitter with a quick connect coupling. A sizing ring couples the quick connect coupling to the camera lens. The removable filter in the projector may comprise a solid colored filter or a photographic image.

Abstract: The device permits swing, shift, tilt and rise-and-fall movements between a lens and a motion-picture camera to manipulate focal relations and image shapes. Preferably the device rests on rails (called "iris rods") of a balance plate or base--secured under the camera--or some other track, similarly mounted. If so, the device has a first intermediary element preferably mounted to slide fore-and-aft on the track relative to the camera; and other intermediary elements mounted in a sequence preferably from the first element for translation and rotation relative to that element--ending in a lens-board mount for mounting a lens. Also in balance-plate mounting the device preferably includes a bellows whose front end joins the lens-board mount and whose rear end holds an adapter to engage the camera lens port. Preferably the device has a yoke (preferably flat and rearward-extending) for, e.g.

Abstract: A dimensional transformation apparatus and related method for creating visual effects for use in live and prerecorded entertainment. The system engages an elastic projection screen with a three-dimensional object that corresponds to visual effects to be projected. By application of vacuum between the screen and the object, the screen is conformed in skintight relation to the features of the three dimensional object. An actuator, which includes a pneumatic piston, motivates the three-dimensional object to selectively engage and disengage the projection screen, and may be sequenced with projected animation corresponding to the three-dimensional object so as to create multi-dimensional special effects. A control mechanism, including a computer and timing system, digitally controls and sequences projection, dimensional transformation of the screen and background lighting and sound effects.

Abstract: A front projection composite photography system using a pair of perpendicular reflex screens combines two projected background scenes with a staged scene in a single camera shot for a versatile range of special effects. Complementary mattes are used outside the projectors and camera for either soft or hard edged merging into overall projected background scenes. A camera-projector housing cabinet includes all elements compactly except for stage reflex screens which are externally located in a small studio room. A lens permits use of a small secondary reflex screen used with a larger primary screen behind a movable stage setup. The camera, two projectors and respective associated three half mirrored transparent beam splitters provide registration adjustments for registration of all composite picture portions for immediate observation through the camera viewfinder so the film will be properly aligned and so that a complex composite picture may be produced with a single camera take.

Abstract: The element of the laser framefinder comprise a laser beam generator, a shutter for pulsing a beam of laser light, a laser beam scanner, coupling elements joining a laser beam generator with a laser beam scanner, elements for manipulating a scanning device to produce a laser light pattern, a camera including elements for coupling a scanning device to a camera body, projecting device for aligning a laser light pattern with an optical axis of a camera, a device for optically transmitting a laser light pattern from the scanner to one projecting device, elements creating optical transparency to laser light in a substantially planar ground glass element used as the focusing element of a reflex viewing system, a feedback network utilizing a sensing element to couple laser beam pulsation with a positioning of an optical element of a scanning device, a feedback network utilizing a sensing device to couple a laser beam pulsation with a positioning of a projecting apparatus.

Abstract: A process for producing a traveling matte by first converting a first picture including a foreground and a background image to an electronic form into computer memory. Then, converting a second background picture to electronic form and storing it into computer memory. The computer is then used to subtract one stored picture from the other to arrive at a difference image. The shade of the difference image is then changed to a uniform black color, thereby creating an electronic male matte having only black and white regions, which is stored in the computer memory. The computer is then used to change all black regions of the male matte to white regions and all white regions of the male matte to black regions, thereby creating a female matte, which is stored in computer memory. Finally, the stored male and female mattes are converted from electronic form to a photographic material, such as film.

Abstract: A reverse blue screen process for travelling matte cinematography, which comprises the formation of travelling mattes by pre-coating models or other foreground subjects utilized in composite cinematography with one or more phosphor materials which are invisible upon exposure to visible light, but which emit light of predetermined wavelengths upon excitation by ultraviolet light, and exposing the models through appropriate filters to produce mattes of the predetermined portions of the models coated with the phosphorescing materials, by thus reversing the conventional blue screen process for travelling matte cinematography and exposing an illuminating foreground subject against an opaque background rather than an opaque foreground subject against an illuminated background, it is possible for the first time to successfully matte finely detailed models or other foreground subjects displaying specular reflectance in a single film process.

Abstract: An automated camera control drives a video or motion picture camera along multiple independent axes of movement to position the camera for recording an image of a field of view, typically focused upon a model or artwork in special effects motion picture photography. Key position coordinates are manually defined for specific frames of film in a film transport. The automated system generates axial coordinates at each intermediate frame and drives the camera to the intermediate positions thereby defined, as well as the several key positions defined manually. The camera is mounted upon a carriage and a model can also be mounted in relation to the camera and moved in coordinated fashion along a multiplicity of axes. The system accepts manual additions of specified key positions and position data, and the key position information can be edited or deleted.

Abstract: A special effects device for use in motion pictures, television, and the like having an outer, middle and inner frame. The middle frame is mounted in the outer frame for translational movement relative thereto and the inner frame is mounted in the middle frame for translational movement relative to the middle frame. Motor means are provided to impart translational movements to the middle and inner frames. An object is supported within the inner frame and by co-ordinating the movements of the inner and middle frames, the object is put into motion. The outer frame may also be moved to give the object movement in the direction perpendicular to the movement of the middle and inner frames.