Multi-dimensional imaging system and method

• US 8,599,297 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2012
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 54 Essential Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Cedar Crest Partners, Inc.
• Inventors: Mowry, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe, Aung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HSU, AMY R
• Application Number:
  US13/464,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20120268639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 348/333.1, 348739-744
• US Class Current: 348/333.01
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/40 giving the observer of a single two-dimensional [2D] image a perception of depth
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/52 the 3D volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D planes, e.g. depth sampling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/22 Double cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/08 by simultaneous recording
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/10 having single camera with stereoscopic-base-defining system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/31 Projection devices for colour picture display , e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

Disclosed is a camera to provide images for use in multi-dimensional imaging. In an embodiment, the camera includes an image gathering lens operable to obtain a lens image of a visual, a plurality of optic modules operable to provide distinct focusing options for the lens image, a relaying module operable to relay at least part of the lens image to the plurality of optic modules and a plurality of capture devices operable to capture a plurality of distinct versions of the lens image from the plurality of optic modules relayed from the relaying module. In another embodiment, a multi-dimensional imaging system is provided that includes a camera, such as described above, and further includes a computing device operable to receive and display the plurality of distinct versions, and a data management module operable to receive data related to the distinct versions and to display the distinct versions on separate displays.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a projection device, comprising;

a first projection module configured to project a first image captured at a first focal length on a first surface;

a second projection module configured to project a second image captured at a second focal length different from the first focal length on a second surface, wherein the first and second images are captured from relayed light from a lens, and the second surface is farther away from the projection device than the first surface; and

a data management module configured to resize the second image based upon a difference in distance between the first surface and second surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data management module is further configured to adjust the distance between the first surface and the second surface based upon at least one of the first focal length or the second focal length.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first surface is configured to allow the second image to be projected through the first surface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first surface is selectively transparent based upon at least one of the first image or the second image.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first projection module is configured to project the first image on a front of the first surface and the second projection module is configured to project the second image on a rear of the second surface.

6. A method, comprising:

projecting, via a first projection module, a first image captured at a first focal length on a first surface;

projecting, via a second projection module, a second image captured at a second focal length different from the first focal length on a second surface, wherein the first and second images are captured from relayed light from a lens, and the second surface is farther away from the projection device than the first surface; and

resizing, via a processor, the second image based upon a difference in distance between the first surface and the second surface.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising adjusting, via the processor, the distance between the first surface and second surface based upon at least one of the first focal length or the second focal length.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein projecting the second image comprises projecting the second image through the first surface.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising making, via the processor, the first surface selectively transparent based upon at least one of the first image or the second image.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein projecting the first image comprises projecting the first image on a front of the first surface and wherein projecting the second image comprises projecting the second image on a rear of the second surface.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution, cause at least one device to perform operations, comprising:

projecting a first image captured at a first focal length on a first surface;

projecting a second image captured at a second focal length different from the first focal length on a second surface, wherein the first and second images are captured from relayed light from a lens, and the first surface is closer to the projection device than the second surface; and

resizing the second image based upon a difference in distance between the first surface and the second surface.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, the operations further comprising adjusting the distance between the first surface and second surface based upon at least one of the first focal length or the second focal length.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the projecting the second image comprises projecting the second image through the first surface.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, the operations further comprising making the first surface selectively transparent based upon at least one of the first image or the second image.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the projecting the first image comprises projecting the first image on a front of the first surface and wherein the projecting the second image comprises projecting the second image on a rear of the second surface.

16. A system, comprising:

means for projecting a first image captured at a first focal length on a first surface;

means for projecting a second image captured at a second focal length different from the first focal length on a second surface, wherein the first and second images are captured from relayed light from a lens, and the second surface is further away from the projection device than the first surface; and

means for resizing the second image based upon a difference in distance between the first surface and the second surface.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for changing the distance between the first surface and second surface based upon at least one of the first focal length or the second focal length.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for projecting the second image comprises means for projecting the second image through the first surface.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for making the first surface selectively transparent based upon at least one of the first image or the second image.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the projecting the first image comprises projecting the first image on a front of the first surface and wherein the projecting the second image comprises projecting the second image on a rear of the second surface.