Three dimensional television camera system based on a spatial depth signal and receiver system therefor
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional television camera system comprising:
- a TV camera for viewing a scene, said TV camera viewing the scene in accordance with its internally generated vertical and horizontal raster scan voltage signals to output a TV video signal; and
means generating a video depth signal, said means operably connected to said TV camera to receive said TV camera internally generated vertical and horizontal raster scan voltage signals, said means including;
a laser projector proximate said TV camera;
a left and right sensor, spaced apart, situated on opposite sides of said laser projector, each said sensor having an output; and
a comparison circuit operably connected to said left and right sensor, said comparison circuit receiving said output from each said sensor and outputting said video depth signal whereby said three-dimensional television camera system outputs said video depth signal and a TV camera video signal for processing by a TV receiver system for three dimensional television viewing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional television camera system based on a spatial depth signal and receiver system therefor is disclosed wherein a video depth signal is generated in spatial synchronization with the raster scan of a TV camera viewing a scene. The video depth signal is generated by taking the ratio of the outputs of a pair of spaced apart sensors receiving a reflected laser beam of a laser projector situated between the sensors. The laser projector, sensors, and TV camera are in close proximity to each other. A portion of the energy receiving photocell of each sensor is blocked by a parallax barrier so that a proportion of the reflected laser beam energy is detected and that receipt of energy is angle dependent. By such construction, the depth difference of two points proximate each other is sensed. A continuous video depth signal is outputted in synchrony with the TV camera video signal to the receiver system. The described receiver system employs two TV cathode ray tubes to be viewed stereoscopically, i.e., one for each eye. On CRT operates as in a convention television receiver receiving the TV camera video signal and the other CRT receives the same video signal except the horizontal sweep component is modified by the video depth signal. By such instrumentality, a scene is viewed in three dimensions much like the sell known stereoscope.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional television camera system comprising:
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a TV camera for viewing a scene, said TV camera viewing the scene in accordance with its internally generated vertical and horizontal raster scan voltage signals to output a TV video signal; and means generating a video depth signal, said means operably connected to said TV camera to receive said TV camera internally generated vertical and horizontal raster scan voltage signals, said means including; a laser projector proximate said TV camera; a left and right sensor, spaced apart, situated on opposite sides of said laser projector, each said sensor having an output; and a comparison circuit operably connected to said left and right sensor, said comparison circuit receiving said output from each said sensor and outputting said video depth signal whereby said three-dimensional television camera system outputs said video depth signal and a TV camera video signal for processing by a TV receiver system for three dimensional television viewing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A three-dimensional television receiver system for viewing a scene in three dimensions comprising:
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a first means to receive a TV video signal from a TV camera viewing the scene, said first means processing the received TV video signal, said first means including; an input circuit, said input circuit receiving the TV video signal from the TV camera, said input circuit outputting a vertical and horizontal synchronization signal; a first horizontal scan generator connected to said input circuit to receive said horizontal synchronization signal, said first horizontal scan generator outputting a first horizontal scan voltage signal; and a vertical scan generator connected to said input circuit to receive said vertical synchronization signal, said vertical scan generator outputting a vertical scan voltage signal; a second means operably connected to said first means to receive the processed TV video signal, said second means additionally receiving a video depth signal, said video depth signal in synchronization with the processed TV video signal received, said second means operably modifying said processed TV video signal in accordance with said video depth signal so received; said second means including a second horizontal scan generator, said second horizontal scan generator receiving said video depth signal in synchrony with the TV video signal, said second horizontal scan generator also connected to said first horizontal scan generator to receive said first horizontal scan voltage signal, said second horizontal scan generator modifying said first horizontal scan voltage signal in accordance with said video depth signal to output a second horizontal scan voltage signal; a cathode ray tube display operably connected to said first means to receive the processed TV video signal, said cathode ray tube display also operably connected to said second means to receive said modified processed TV video signals, said cathode ray tube display presenting the scene which when viewed stereoscopically by an observer, takes on aspects of three dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. In combination, a three-dimensional television camera and receiver system for viewing a scene in three dimensions comprising:
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a TV camera for viewing a scene, said TV camera viewing the scene in accordance with its internally generated vertical and horizontal raster scan voltage signals to output a TV video signal; a first means generating a video depth signal, said first means operably connected to said TV camera to receive said TV camera internally generated vertical and horizontal raster scan voltage signals, said first means including; a laser projector proximate said TV cameras; a left and right sensor, spaced apart, situated on opposite sides of said laser projector, each said sensor having an output; and a comparison circuit operably connected to said left and right sensor, said comparison circuit receiving said output from each said sensor and outputting said video depth signal; a second means operably connected to said TV camera for receiving said TV video signal, said second means processing the received TV video signal; a third means operably connected to said second means to receive said processed TV video signal, said third means also operably connected to said first means comparison circuit to receive said video depth signal, said third means modifying said processed TV video signal with said video depth signal; and a cathode ray tube display operably connected to said second means to receive said processed TV video signal, said cathode ray tube display also operably connected to said third means to receive said modified processed TV video signals, said cathode ray tube display presenting the scene which when viewed stereoscopically by an observer, takes on aspects of three dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification