Patent ID: 9479743
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: H04N

Claim Text:
1. A method of imaging comprising; receiving an optical image from two viewing angles within a single lens; converting the optical image into two orthogonally polarized images, each of the orthogonally polarized images corresponding to a different one of the two viewing angles; distinguishably detecting the two orthogonally polarized images in a single frame, using a detector and a polarizing filter comprising alternating segments of a first type of polarization and a second type of polarization orthogonal to the first type of polarization; movably positioning a phase retardation plate between the lens and the detector to selectively restore 2D image detection; and decoding the two orthogonally polarized images in the single frame into two video signals corresponding to the two viewing angles using a general image processor to form a 3D image when the phase retardation plate is moved out of position between the lens filter and the image detector, wherein the decoding comprises determining for each pixel of the detector which of the two types of polarization apply and constructing two separates images from the received optical image and decoding a single video signal to form a 2D image when the phase retardation plate is moved into position between the lens and the image detector.