STEREOSCOPIC THREE DIMENSIONAL VISUALIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20080278571A1
• Filed: 05/12/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Art H. Hardy, Assad F. Mora, Kitchener Clark Wilson
• Original Assignee: Art H. Hardy, Assad F. Mora, Kitchener Clark Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Kitchener Clark, Mora, Assad F., Hardy, Art H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,619,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/282 for generating image signals corresponding to three or more geometrical viewpoints, e.g. multi-view systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/349 Multi-view displays for displaying three or more geometrical viewpoints without viewer tracking for viewing without the aid of special glasses using fly-eye lenses H04N13/307
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stereoscopic three dimensional visualization system, and particularly to a stereoscopic three dimensional visualization system for microdentistry, microsurgery, or industrial applications. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of cameras configured to provide a first stereoscopic image to a dentist or other professional and a second stereoscopic image to an assistant that has approximately the same focal point, but that is rotated by a predetermined angle from the first stereoscopic image. In one exemplary embodiment three cameras are utilized to create the stereoscopic images.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic visualization system for medical, dental, and industrial applications comprising:

a first, common camera;

a second camera, said second camera and said first, common camera defining a first axis; and

a third camera, said third camera and said first, common camera defining a second axis, said first axis separated from the second axis by a perspective angle;

wherein said first, common camera cooperates with the second camera to create a first stereoscopic image pair and cooperates with the third camera to create a second stereoscopic image pair.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said perspective angle is substantially equal to ninety degrees.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first display system, said first display system having a first monitor connected to said first, common camera and a second monitor connected to said second camera, wherein said display system produces a first stereoscopic image pair.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a second display system, said second display system having a first monitor connected to said first, common camera and a second monitor connected to said third camera, wherein said display system produces a second stereoscopic image pair.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said first display system has a substantially landscape orientation and said second display system has a substantially portrait orientation.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said cameras further comprises a zoom function, wherein the power provided to each of said cameras is adjusted to provide continuous synchronous tracking of said zoom function of each of said cameras.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said cameras further comprises a zoom function, said zoom function of each of said cameras configured to operate at a substantially similar speed relative to each other, whereby, when said zoom function is activated, said zoom function of each of said cameras is altered by a substantially equal amount.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller connected to an input device, said controller electronically connected to each of said cameras, wherein input received by said controller from said input device results in corresponding alteration of a function of at least one of said cameras.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing having a handle, wherein each of said cameras is positioned substantially entirely within said housing, said handle having a switch positioned thereon, said switch connected to a controller, whereby actuation of said switch results in the alteration of at least one function of at least one of said cameras.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a camera baseplate having a thickness, said camera baseplate having a plurality of surfaces configured to receive said cameras thereon, said thickness of said camera baseplate decreasing in an outward direction along each of said plurality of surfaces.

11. A stereoscopic visualization system for medical, dental, and industrial applications comprising:

a first, common camera;

a second camera, said second camera and said first, common camera cooperating to form a first stereoscopic image;

a third camera, said third camera and said first, common camera cooperating to form a second stereoscopic image;

an input device; and

a controller electronically connected to each of said cameras and said input device, wherein input received by said controller from said input device results in said controller altering a function of at least one of said cameras.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a first display system, said first display system having a first monitor connected to said first, common camera and a second monitor connected to said second camera, wherein said display system produces a first stereoscopic image pair.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a second display system, said second display system having a first monitor connected to said first, common camera and a second monitor connected to said third camera, wherein said display system produces a second stereoscopic image pair.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said first display system has a substantially landscape orientation and said second display system has a substantially portrait orientation.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a housing having a handle, wherein each of said cameras is positioned substantially entirely within said housing, said handle having a switch positioned thereon, said switch connected to said controller, whereby actuation of said switch results in said controller correspondingly altering a function of the system.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said input device comprises a foot switch.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein each of said cameras further comprises a zoom function having a maximum zoom range, said controller programmed to limit said zoom function of each of said cameras to a restricted zoom range that is less than the maximum zoom range.

18. A method of creating a stereoscopic visualization system for medical, dental, and industrial applications, comprising:

providing three cameras having a lens pack and an imager;

aligning the imager with the lens pack to align the center of the imager with the center of the lens pack;

positioning each of the three cameras to have a substantially similar focal point; and

securing each of the three cameras in position.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, before the aligning step, the step of positioning each of the three cameras on a camera baseplate.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

connecting each of the three cameras to a controller; and

altering the function of at least one of the three cameras using the controller.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein one of the three cameras comprises a common, camera, the method further comprising the step of connecting the common, camera and one of the remaining two cameras to a first display system to create a first stereoscopic image pair.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of connecting the common, camera and the other of the remaining two cameras to a second display system to create a second stereoscopic image pair.