The present invention relates generally to stereoscopic 3D camera systems.
There are various types of stereoscopic 3D camera rigs, and the methods of configuring them vary for different designs, and 3D shooting philosophies.
There are beam-splitter types, which allows the inter-ocular distance to be varied from zero to its maximum travel range. For close-up stereography, this type provides the only possible way to shoot.
There are side-by-side camera types, which have their minimum inter-ocular distance limited by the size of the cameras or their lenses. This configuration does not allow close-up shooting because of this limitation.
This invention mainly pertains to the beam-splitter types, but has some application to side-by-side camera types.
This invention has various parts, each of which provide enhancements to a new and improved stereoscopic 3D camera rig.
The enhancements to the stereoscopic 3D camera rig are summarized as follows:
a) Trapezoidal Beam-splitter Mirror.
To reduce the weight and size of a beam-splitter type 3D camera rig, the beam-splitter mirror needs to be only large enough to accommodate the optical paths to the imager (CCD, CMOS of film). A typical 3d rig with a 50/50 beam-splitter mirror, at 45 degrees to the optical centers, is shown in
It is not necessary for the beam-splitter mirror to be rectangular, as is the case with other 3D rigs. In fact, by ray-tracing the optical paths from each camera, they are bound by a pyramid shape, therefore a 45 degree intersection into this pyramid by the beam-splitter mirror creates a trapezoidal shape, as shown in
b) Beam-splitter Mirror Facing Downwards
To reduce dust collection on the surface of the mirror, and to reduce the effect of ambient light reflecting into the view of Camera 2 of
c) Upside-down Compatible 3D Camera Rig
The whole 3D rig can be flipped upside-down in some cases. Camera 2 of
d) Optical Wedge for Vertical Field-of-view Refraction Compensation
The beam-splitter mirror consists of a “through-the-glass” surface, transmitting 50% of light passing through, and a “reflected surface” reflecting 50% of light impinging upon it.
The optical path through the beam-splitter's “through-the-glass” surface can undergo a varying vertical shift across the surface of the glass due to varying refraction across the vertical field of view of the camera, and this distortion is magnified by the thickness of the glass used by the beam-splitter.
To compensate for this distortion, an optical wedge is placed between the through-the-glass camera, and the beam-splitter mirror. This optical wedge, would “stretch” the light path towards the top, to compensate for the “compression” of the light path towards the top of the beam-splitter mirror.
e) Single Inter-Ocular Motor, with Dual Rack-and-pinion Gear System.
A single motor drives the inter-ocular movement of the 3D camera rig, on a rack-and-pinion gear. This ensures both cameras move together and apart at the same symmetrical velocity. The relative velocity is doubled by this opposing motion, thereby allowing faster inter-ocular movement.
f) Dual Convergence Motors on Worm Gears.
High-resolution motion control of two convergence motors is required for the best 3D stereography. A geared motor driving an additional worm gear provides the best gear ratio, while providing the best electro-optical encoded positional feedback resolution. Also, this symmetrical parallax movement of both cameras provides the use of a symmetrical trapezoidal beam-splitter mirror.
g) Convergence Rotation Under First-nodal Point.
It is required for minimum optical distortion during a convergence (parallax) movement that the center of rotation of this movement is directly aligned with the first-nodal point, or exit pupil nodal point of the lens. This can be accomplished mechanically by providing a pivot point for the convergence which coincides with the first-nodal point. This can also be accomplished electronically by motor control of the convergence an inter-ocular motors, such that the rotational point is a calculated vector offset for each of these motors.
h) Electronics Control Mounted Under Mirror.
The placement of the electronics, such as the motion control system, is important to the design of the 3D rig. It needs to be as close to the motors as possible for two reasons. Firstly to reduce the length of wiring on the rig, which reduces weight and wiring clutter, and secondly there are relatively high currents going to motors, which requires shorter cabling to reduce the inherent resistance of the wire and minimizes power dissipation to the cable. For this reason, an ideal mounting position of the electronics is required. Underneath the beam-splitter mirror, between the cameras, and under the widest vertical field of view of the cameras was found to be the optimal position for the electronics.
i) Unique Ergonomic Design.
By designing the 3D camera platform around a central curved “rib”, instead of two metal plates joined together in an “L” shaped assembly, the camera platform can be made more ergonomic and used for “hand-held” photographic work. This has the added advantage of bringing the center of gravity closer to the camera bodies.
This application claims priority to provisional application entitled, TWO CAMERA STEREOSCOPIC CAMERA PLATFORM, filed Jul. 14, 2005, having a Ser. No. 60/698,961, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60698961 | Jul 2005 | US |