3D image data publishing method and 3D image production system

• US 20030030636A1
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamaoka, Toshihide
• Application Number:
  US10/255,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030636A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0007 Image acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00827 Arrangements for reading an image from an unusual original, e.g. 3-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2627 for providing spin image effect, 3D stop motion effect or temporal freeze effect 2D image animation in general G06T13/80

Abstract

A 3D image data publishing method using a computer network, including the steps of providing 3D image photographing means to an image photographing site, causing the image photographing site to acquire image data by photographing an object using the provided 3D image photographing means and transmit the image data to a 3D image data production site, and causing the 3D image data production site to produce 3D image data on the basis of the received image data and publish the 3D image data on the computer network, wherein at least the image photographing site and 3D image data production site are separated.

Claims

1. A 3D image data publishing method using a computer network, comprising the steps of:

providing 3D image photographing means to an image photographing site;

causing the image photographing site to acquire image data by photographing an object using the provided 3D image photographing means and transmit the image data to a 3D image data production site; and

causing the 3D image data production site to produce 3D image data on the basis of the received image data and publish the 3D image data on the computer network,

wherein at least the image photographing site and 3D image data production site are separated.

2. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein providing the 3D image photographing means includes freely lending, rental, lease, or sales for pay of the 3D image photographing means, or recommending appropriate 3D image photographing means to make a client obtain the 3D image photographing means by himself.

3. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein the 3D image photographing means includes a camera system for photographing a panoramic image, and the 3D image data is produced on the basis of a panoramic image photographed by the camera system.

4. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein the 3D image photographing means includes a camera system for photographing an object image, and the 3D image data is produced on the basis of an object image photographed by the camera system.

5. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein the 3D image photographing means is a digital camera system.

6. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 5, wherein the digital camera system includes a digital camera for photographing an object, and setting means for setting the digital camera to a specific photographing condition.

7. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 5, wherein the digital camera system has an arrangement in which a plurality of digital cameras are arranged along a periphery of a circular base at a predetermined angle and predetermined interval in order to photograph a panoramic image.

8. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 5, wherein the digital camera system has an arrangement in which a plurality of photographing modules are arranged on a substantially spherical base at a predetermined angle and predetermined interval in order to photograph a panoramic image.

9. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 5, wherein the digital camera system has an arrangement in which a plurality of photographing modules are arranged at positions of vertices of a regular polyhedron at a predetermined angle and predetermined interval in order to photograph a panoramic image.

10. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 8, wherein the photographing module has a CMOS sensor as a photographing element.

11. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 9, wherein the photographing module has a CMOS sensor as a photographing element.

12. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 5, wherein the digital camera system has an arrangement in which a plurality of digital cameras are arranged on a doughnut-shaped camera rack at a predetermined angle and predetermined interval in order to photograph an object image.

13. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 5, wherein the digital camera system has an arrangement in which a plurality of photographing modules are arranged on an inner wall of a substantially spherical camera dome at a predetermined angle and predetermined interval in order to photograph an object image.

14. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein the object is a real estate.

15. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein the image photographing site is a merchandise shop.

16. A 3D image data publishing method according to claim 1, wherein 3D image data in an appropriate format is transmitted in correspondence with an information device which is connected to the computer network to receive and display the 3D image data.

17. A 3D image production system for producing 3D image data from a plurality of photographed image data, wherein photographing data is added to each image data.

23. A 3D image production system according to claim 17, wherein a direction sensor is added to a camera to add photographing direction data to photographed image data.

18. A 3D image production system, wherein a panoramic image photographing apparatus having a plurality of photographing modules arranged on a substantially spherical base is installed to face down to produce 3D image data viewed from an upper side.

19. A 3D image production system, wherein a panoramic image photographing apparatus having a plurality of photographing modules arranged on a substantially spherical base is mounted on a moving car to photograph a peripheral image.

24. A 3D image production system according to claim 19, wherein a direction sensor is added to a camera to add photographing direction data to photographed image data.

20. A 3D image production system, wherein a plurality of digital cameras are arranged around an object, and the object is photographed by operating shutters of the plurality of cameras in synchronism with a change of the object or an apparatus which changes the object.

25. A 3D image production system according to claim 20, wherein a direction sensor is added to a camera to add photographing direction data to photographed image data.

21. A 3D image production system which has a plurality of digital cameras arranged around an object to photograph an object image, wherein image data containing no subject is compared with image data containing the object, and images other than the object are removed.

26. A 3D image production system according to claim 21, wherein a direction sensor is added to a camera to add photographing direction data to photographed image data.

22. A 3D image production system which has a plurality of digital cameras arranged around a piece of merchandise to photograph an object image, wherein merchandise management data is added to image data of the merchandise.