Three-dimensional image-capturing device and adapter for three-dimensional image-capturing

• US 6,819,869 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Pentax Corporation (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Seo, Shuzo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACKMAN, ROCHELLE ANN J
• Application Number:
  US10/268,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20030072569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 396/331, 396/324, 396/199, 396/333, 396/544, 396/351, 355/7, 352/57, 352/65, 359/462, 359/477, 348/42, 348/54
• US Class Current: 396/331
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/10 having single camera with stereoscopic-base-defining system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/211 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/254 in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/261 with monoscopic-to-stereoscopic image conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

A three-dimensional image-capturing device using a pattern projection method is provided. The device is comprised of a camera and an adapter mounted on the lens barrel of the camera. The first-half area of the camera'"'"'s CCD captures a pattern image in the invisible range. The second-half area of the CCD captures a texture image in the visible range. The adapter bifurcates the light path of the camera into first and second light paths. A first filter cuts off visible light rays and is disposed in the first light path. A second filter cuts off invisible light rays and is disposed in the second light path. The first and second light paths lead light to the first and second-half areas, respectively. A pattern and texture image are captured simultaneously while a predetermined pattern in the invisible range is projected onto a subject from a pattern projection device of the adapter.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional image-capturing device using a pattern projection method, comprising:

a first image capturer that captures a pattern image produced by light in a first range;

a second image capturer that captures a texture image produced by light in a second range which is different from said first range;

a first optical element that selectively cuts off light in said second range and that is disposed in a first light path through which light rays received by said first image capturer pass;

a second optical element that selectively cuts off light in said first range and that is disposed in a second light path through which light rays received by said second image capturer pass;

a pattern projector that projects a predetermined pattern onto a subject using light in said first range; and

an optical-system adjuster that adjusts an intersection of a first principal ray from a center of said pattern image and a second principal ray from a center of said texture image to intersect on the subject;

wherein said pattern image and said texture image can be simultaneously captured while said predetermined pattern is projected onto the subject by said pattern projector.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said three-dimensional image-capturing device comprises a single photographing optical system and the light path of said photographing optical system is divided into said first light path and said second light path.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a single imaging device that comprises said first image capturer and said second image capturer.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said first principal ray and said second principal ray are symmetric with respect to a predetermined plane that includes an optical axis of said photographing optical system.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said pattern projector is arranged so that a center line of the pencil rays formed by said pattern projector coincides with said second principal ray.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a first fixed mirror and a second fixed mirror that are respectively arranged at predetermined angles with respect to said optical axis; and

a first rotatable mirror and a second rotatable mirror that are arranged so as to respectively face said first and second fixed mirrors;

wherein said photographing optical system is bifurcated by said first and second fixed mirrors and said intersection of said first and second principal rays on said subject is adjusted by controlling said angles of said first and second rotatable mirrors.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said second fixed mirror comprises a dichroic mirror that transmits light in said first range and reflects light in said second range, and light from said pattern projector is irradiated through said second fixed mirror, and said center line coincides with said second principal ray which is reflected by said second fixed mirror.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first range comprises an invisible range and said second range comprises a visible range.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said first range comprises the infrared range.

10. A three-dimensional image-capturing device using a pattern projection method, comprising:

a camera and a pattern projection adapter configured to be mounted on said camera;

said camera comprising;

a first image capturer that captures a pattern image produced by light in a first range; and

a second image capturer that captures a texture image produced by light in a second range which is different from said first range;

said pattern projection adapter comprising;

a first optical element that selectively cuts off light in said second range and that is disposed in a first light path through which light rays received by said first image capturer pass;

a second optical element that selectively cuts off light in said first range and that is disposed in a second light path through which light rays received by said second image capturer pass;

a pattern projector that projects a predetermined pattern onto a subject using light in said first range; and

an optical-system adjuster that adjusts an intersection of a first principal ray from a center of said pattern image and a second principal ray from a center of said texture image to intersect on the subject;

wherein said pattern image and said texture image can be simultaneously captured while said predetermined pattern is projected onto the subject by said pattern projector.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein said three-dimensional image-capturing device comprises a single photographing optical system and the light path of said photographing optical system is divided into said first light path and said second light path.

13. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a single imaging device that comprises said first image capturer and said second image capturer.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein said first principal ray and said second principal ray are symmetric with respect to a predetermined plane that includes an optical axis of said photographing optical system.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said pattern projector is arranged so that a center line of the pencil rays formed by said pattern projector coincides with said second principal ray.

16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising:

a first fixed mirror and a second fixed mirror that are respectively arranged at predetermined angles with respect to said optical axis; and

a first rotatable mirror and a second rotatable mirror that are arranged so as to respectively face said first and second fixed mirrors;

wherein said photographing optical system is bifurcated by said first and second fixed mirrors and said intersection of said first and second principal rays on said subject is adjusted by controlling said angles of said first and second rotatable mirrors.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said second fixed mirror comprises a dichroic mirror that transmits light in said first range and reflects light in said second range, light from said pattern projector is irradiated through said second fixed mirror, and said center line coincides with said second principal ray which is reflected by said second fixed mirror.

18. The device according to claim 10, wherein said first range comprises an invisible range and said second range comprises a visible range.

11. A pattern projection adapter configured to be mounted on a camera, the camera including a first image capturer that captures a pattern image produced by light in a first range and a second image capturer that captures a texture image produced by light in a second range which is different from said first range, said pattern projection adapter comprising:

a first optical element that selectively cuts off light in said second range and that is disposed in a first light path through which light rays received by the first image-capturer pass;

a second optical element that selectively cuts off light in said first range and that is disposed in a second light path through which light rays received by the second image capturer pass;

a pattern projector that projects a predetermined pattern onto a subject using light in said first range; and

an optical-system adjuster that adjusts an intersection of a first principal ray from a center of said pattern image and a second principal ray from a center of said texture image to intersect on the subject;

wherein said pattern image and said texture image can be simultaneously captured while said predetermined pattern is projected onto the subject by said pattern projector.