Apparatus and method for recording on separate film frames right and left picture-taking positions of single-lens camera for stereoscopic photography

• US 5,809,355 A
• Filed: 01/10/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Lungershausen, Arnold W., Schrock, Anthony W.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, HOWARD BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/781,676
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 396/315, 396/319, 396/320, 396/329, 396/335
• US Class Current: 396/319
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/02 by sequential recording

Abstract

Respective image representations of a scene in front of a camera are recorded on a recording medium, such as a filmstrip, when the camera is at two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene, in order to obtain a matched pair of right-eye and left-eye pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene. Respective indications are recorded on the recording medium, distinguishable from the image representations, that the image representations were recorded with the camera at the two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene. Thus, the matched pair of pictures can be kept in the right order for stereoscopic right-eye and left-eye viewing.

Claims

1. A camera comprising means for recording respective image representations of a scene on a recording medium when said camera is at two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene in order to obtain a pair of matched pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene, is characterized by:

means for recording respective indications on the recording medium, distinguishable from the image representations, that the image representations were recorded with said camera at the two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene, only when said camera is at the two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene.

2. Stereoscopic apparatus comprising a support which has two pre-set locations for locating a camera selectively in two separated viewpoints with respect to a scene in front of the camera to permit the camera to record respective image representations of the scene on a recording medium when the camera is at the two separated viewpoints in order to obtain matched pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene, is characterized by:

means for enabling recording means in the camera only when the camera is at either one of the two pre-set locations on said support to permit the recording means to record respective indications on the recording medium, distinct from the image representations, that the image representations were recorded with the camera at the two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene.

3. A camera comprising a single taking lens for sequentially exposing respective images of a scene on a pair of substantially adjacent film frames when said camera is in a right picture-taking position and a left picture-taking position in order to obtain a pair of matched pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene, is characterized by:

means for successively recording respective indications on the adjacent film frames that those film frames were exposed with said camera in the right and left picture-taking positions only when the camera is in the right and left picture-taking positions.

4. Stereoscopic apparatus comprising a camera which has a single taking lens for sequentially exposing respective images of a scene on a pair of substantially adjacent film frames when said camera is in a right picture-taking position and a left picture-taking position in order to obtain a pair of matched pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene, and a support for said camera which has two pre-set locations for locating the camera selectively in the right and left picture-taking positions, is characterized by:

means for successively recording respective indications on the adjacent film frames that those film frames were exposed with said camera in the right and left picture-taking positions only when the camera is at either one of the two pre-set locations on said support.

5. Stereoscopic apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said recording means is to be connected to a battery in order to record the respective indications on the adjacent film frames, and contact means is provided for connecting the battery and said recording means only when said camera is at either one of the two pre-set locations on said support.

6. Stereoscopic apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said contact means includes respective fixed electrical contacts on said support at separate locations corresponding to the two pre-set locations on the support and another electrical contact movable with said camera to touch either one of said fixed contacts when the camera is moved to either one of the two pre-set locations.

7. Stereoscopic apparatus comprising a support which has two pre-set locations for locating a camera selectively in a right picture-taking position and a left picture taking position in front of a scene to permit the camera to sequentially expose respective images of the scene on a pair of substantially adjacent film frames when the camera is in either one of the pre-set locations in order to obtain matched pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene, is characterized by:

means for enabling recording means in the camera only when the camera is at either one of the pre-set locations on said support to permit the recording means to successively record respective indications on the adjacent film frames that those film frames were exposed with the camera in the right and left picture-taking positions.

8. Stereoscopic apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said support is adapted to hold a battery and said enabling means includes contact means for connecting the battery and the recording means when the camera is at either one of the two pre-set locations on the support.

9. Stereoscopic apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said contact means includes respective electrical contacts on said support at separate locations corresponding to the two pre-set locations on the support.