Three dimensional images

• US 20040136571A1
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Hewitson, Peter, Winscom, Christopher J., Evans, Gareth B., Wells, Leslie R., Loveridge, Jennifer C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

A method and system of capturing a three dimensional image of an object or scene and using the information obtained to produce a physical representation of the object or scene. The physical representation may be dynamic, for moving objects, or permanent.

Claims

1. A method for capturing a three dimensional image of an object or scene and using information obtained therefrom to produce a physical representation of the scene, the physical representation having a surface in which one characteristic of the surface represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface in two dimensions.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is captured and information obtained from at least two two dimensional optical images.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is captured using a pair of cameras providing a stereo pair of images.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the images are captured using a single two dimensional image sensor which is moved in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging lens.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depth information is derived from the displacement of image features in one image relative to the corresponding features in the at least one other image captured substantially simultaneously.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the surface representing the distance of the object or scene from the point of image capture is the height of the surface above a reference plane.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the surface representing the distance of the object or scene from the point of image capture is a physical stimulus at each point of the surface.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the physical stimulus is temperature, the difference in temperature representing difference in distance.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the physical stimulus is vibration, the difference in amplitude representing difference in distance.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the physical stimulus is vibration, the difference in frequency representing difference in distance.

11. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the physical stimulus is current flow, the difference in current flow representing difference in distance.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the surface representing the depth information is a non linear function of the distance of the object or scene from the point of image capture.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the gradient of the non linear function decreases to zero with increasing distance of the object or scene from the point of image capture.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is refreshed at a frequency rate sufficient to be capable of monitoring the object or scene in real time.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the refresh frequency is at least once per second.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surface is formed of an array of pin members.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein vertical displacement of the pin members represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein vibration of the pin members represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface, or additional information regarding the image, the frequency and/or amplitude of the vibrations changing according to that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

19. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein current flowing through the pin members represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface, or additional information regarding the image, the current flow changing according to that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

20. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the temperature of each pin member represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface, or additional information regarding the image, the temperature changing according to that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

21. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the top of the pin members support a surface element, the surface element being able to tilt with respect to the pin member to conform to an average direction of the surface adjacent the surface element.

22. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the displacement of the pin members is controlled by a piezoelectric element.

23. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the displacement of the pin members is controlled by an electro magnetic actuator.

24. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the displacement of the pin members is controlled by the temperature of a solid, liquid or gaseous element.

25. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the movement of the controlling means is amplified to produce a larger movement of the pin members.

26. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the movement of the controlling means is amplified to produce a larger movement of the pin members.

27. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the movement of the controlling means is amplified to produce a larger movement of the pin members.

28. A system comprising means for capturing a three dimensional image of an object or scene, means for obtaining information therefrom and means for producing a physical representation of the scene using the obtained information, the physical representation having a surface in which one characteristic of the surface represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface in two dimensions.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the means for capturing the three dimensional image and means for obtaining information therefrom comprises at least two two-dimensional optical images.

30. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the means for capturing the three dimensional image comprises a pair of cameras providing a stereo pair of images.

31. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the means for capturing the three dimensional image comprises a single two dimensional image sensor which is moved in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging lens.

32. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the characteristic of the surface representing the distance from the point of image capture is the height of the surface above a reference plane.

33. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the characteristic of the surface representing the distance of the object or scene from the point of image capture is a physical stimulus at each point of the surface.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the physical stimulus is temperature, the difference in temperature representing difference in distance.

35. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the physical stimulus is vibration, the difference in amplitude representing difference in distance.

36. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the physical stimulus is vibration, the difference in frequency representing difference in distance.

37. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the physical stimulus is current flow, the difference in current flow representing difference in distance.

38. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the image is refreshed at a frequency rate sufficient to be capable of monitoring the object or scene in real time.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the refresh frequency is at least once per second.

40. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the surface comprises an array of pin members.

41. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein vertical displacement of the pin members represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

42. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein vibration of the pin members represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface, or additional information regarding the image, the frequency and/or amplitude of the vibrations changing according to that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

43. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein current flowing through the pin members represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface, or additional information regarding the image, the current flow changing according to that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

44. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein the temperature of each pin member represents the distance from the point of image capture of that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface, or additional information regarding the image, the temperature changing according to that point of the scene corresponding to the position on the surface.

45. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein a surface element is located at the top of and supported by each pin member, the surface element being tiltable to conform to an average direction of the surface adjacent the surface element.

46. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein a piezoelectric element controls the displacement of each pin member.

47. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein an electro magnetic actuator controls the displacement of each pin member.

48. A system as claimed in claim 40 wherein the temperature of a solid, liquid or gaseous element controls the displacement of each pin member.

49. A system as claimed in claim 46 wherein the movement of the controlling means is amplified.

50. A system as claimed in claim 47 wherein the movement of the controlling means is amplified.

51. A system as claimed in claim 48 wherein the movement of the controlling means is amplified.

52. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the surface produced is a permanent surface.

53. A system as claimed in claim 52 wherein the surface is generated by the deposition of a series of layers.

54. A system as claimed in claim 53 wherein the layers are formed by the ink jet deposition of a polymeric material.

55. A system as claimed in claim 53 wherein the layers are formed by the ink jet deposition of a wax material.

56. A system as claimed in claim 52 wherein a temporary surface is produced as a former for the production of the permanent surface.

57. A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein the temporary surface is formed by an array of pin members, the pin members having the features of any of claims 35 to 47.

58. A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein the temporary surface is covered by a flexible membrane.

59. A system as claimed in claim 56 wherein the permanent surface is formed of a thermoplastics sheet material, deformed by contact with the temporary surface.

60. A system as claimed in claim 52 wherein the permanent surface is decorated to modify the appearance and/or texture thereof.

61. A system as claimed in claim 60 wherein the texture is modified to represent a characteristic of the original object or scene.

62. A system as claimed in claim 60 wherein a projection of the original scene or object is formed on the surface to provide a visual three dimensional image.