Integrated 2D/3D Camera with Fixed Imaging Parameters

• US 20120195583A1
• Filed: 04/11/2012
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Cameron
• Original Assignee: James Cameron
• Inventors: Pace, Vincent, Campbell, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,879,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/326
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/08 by simultaneous recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/25 using two or more image sensors with different characteristics other than in their location or field of view, e.g. having different resolutions or colour pickup characteristics; using image signals from one sensor to control the characteristics of another sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

There is disclosed an integrated 2D/3D camera system which may include a 2D camera and a 3D camera affixed to the 2D camera. An inter-camera convergence angle between the 2D camera and the 3D camera may be preset. At least some imaging parameters of one of the 2D camera and the 3D camera may be preset. Imaging parameters of the other of the 2D camera and the 3D camera may be remotely controllable.

Claims

1. An integrated 2D/3D camera system, comprising:

a 2D camera; and

a 3D camera affixed to the 2D camera, wherein

an inter-camera convergence angle between the 2D camera and the 3D camera is preset,

at least some imaging parameters of one of the 2D camera and the 3D camera are preset, and

imaging parameters of the other of the 2D camera and the 3D camera are remotely controllable.

2. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 1, wherein at least some imaging parameters of the 3D camera are preset and imaging parameters of the 2D camera are remotely controllable.

3. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 2, wherein the preset imaging parameters of the 3D camera include one or more of a 3D focus distance, a 3D focal length, an interocular distance, and a stereo convergence angle.

4. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 2, wherein the preset imaging parameters of the 3D camera include all of the 3D focus distance, the 3D focal length, the interocular distance, and the stereo convergence angle.

5. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 2, wherein the remotely controllable imaging parameters of the 2D camera include one or more of a 2D focus distance, a 2D focal length, and a 2D lens aperture.

6. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 2, wherein a 3D lens aperture is remotely controllable.

7. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 1, wherein

at least some imaging parameters of the 2D camera are preset and imaging parameters of the 3D camera are remotely controllable.

8. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 7, wherein the preset imaging parameters of the 2D camera include a 2D focus distance and a 2D focal length.

9. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 7, wherein the remotely controllable imaging parameters of the 3D camera include one or more of a 3D focus distance, a 3D focal length, a 3D aperture, an interocular distance, and a stereo convergence angle.

10. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 7 wherein the remotely controllable imaging parameters of the 3D camera include all of the 3D focus distance, the 3D focal length, the 3D aperture, the interocular distance, and the stereo convergence angle.

11. The integrated 2D/3D camera system of claim 7, wherein a 2D lens aperture is remotely controllable.

12. A method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera including a 2D camera affixed to a 3D camera, the method comprising:

mounting the integrated 2D/3D camera on a highly mobile platform;

presetting an inter-camera convergence angle;

presetting imaging parameters of one of the 2D camera and the 3D camera, the preset imaging parameters defining, at least in part, a quality imaging volume;

positioning the integrated 2D/3D camera using the highly mobile platform such that the quality imaging volume encompasses a subject of interest; and

remotely controlling imaging parameters of the other of the 2D camera and the 3D camera.

13. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 12, further comprising repeating the positioning and remotely controlling to capture an event.

14. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 12, wherein

presetting imaging parameters comprises presetting at least some imaging parameters of the 3D camera, and

remotely controlling comprises remotely controlling imaging parameters of the 2D camera.

15. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 14, wherein presetting imaging parameters of the 3D camera comprises presetting one or more of a 3D focus distance, a 3D focal length, an interocular distance, and a convergence angle.

16. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 14, wherein presetting imaging parameters of the 3D camera comprises presetting all of the 3D focus distance, the 3D focal length, the interocular distance, and the convergence angle.

17. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 14, wherein remotely controlling imaging parameters of the 2D camera comprises remotely controlling one or more of a 2D focus distance, a 2D focal length, and a 2D lens aperture.

18. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 14, further comprising remotely controlling a 3D lens aperture.

19. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 12, wherein

presetting imaging parameters comprises presetting at least some imaging parameters of the 2D camera, and

remotely controlling comprises remotely controlling imaging parameters of the 3D camera.

20. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 19, wherein presetting imaging parameters of the 2D camera comprises presetting a 2D focus distance and a 2D focal length.

21. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 19, wherein remotely controlling imaging parameters of the 3D camera comprises remotely controlling one or more of a 3D focus distance, a 3D focal length, a 3D aperture, an interocular distance, and a convergence angle.

22. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 19, wherein remotely controlling imaging parameters of the 3D camera comprises remotely controlling all of the 3D focus distance, the 3D focal length, the 3D aperture, the interocular distance, and the convergence angle.

23. The method for operating an integrated 2D/3D camera of claim 19, further comprising remotely controlling a 2D lens aperture.