A lens, an apparatus, and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to receive a plurality of left-eye rays through a first plurality of separating facets of a lens at an image-acquisition plane, and to receive a plurality of right-eye rays through a second plurality of separating facets of the lens at the image-acquisition plane. Data acquired from the image plane may be used to construct a stereoscopic image, including a moving, panoramic stereoscopic images. Lenses, image-capture devices, and projectors may be implemented that operate using three or more viewpoints.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate generally to image processing, including apparatus, systems, and methods used to record and project multi-dimensional images.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Cylindrical panoramas may be constructed using a single rotating camera. As the camera is rotated, images may be captured at defined increments until the desired panoramic field of view has been traversed. Vertical strips may then be extracted from the center of each image, and the strips can be placed next to one another to form a single uninterrupted cylindrical panoramic image.

This process can be extended to create cylindrical stereoscopic (e.g., three-dimensional) panoramic images. For example, two cameras can be mounted, one next to the other, separated by a defined distance. The cameras may then be rotated in unison about a point halfway between them. Each camera can be used to create a separate cylindrical panorama using concatenated vertical image slices, as described above. When the two resulting panoramas are viewed together, one by an observer's left eye and the other by the observer's right eye, a stereoscopic effect is achieved. However, while the rotating two-camera model may be useful for creating still stereoscopic images, the system described does not lend itself to efficiently providing a moving stereoscopic panoramic image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that the quality of the stereoscopic effect created using two cameras may be governed by the distance separating the centers of the camera lenses. When the lenses are separated by an amount approximating the average human inter-ocular distance (i.e., about 6.4 centimeters, or the average distance between the pupils of the left and right eyes), the stereoscopic effect may accurately mimic human vision. If the cameras are placed closer together, the three-dimensional depth of the captured scene may diminish. If they are placed farther apart, the three-dimensional depth may increase. Thus, many stereoscopic camera systems use a camera or lens separation of about 6.4 centimeters.

As a part of creating the components of a new apparatus and system for stereoscopic imaging, one may consider the previously-described, rotating two-camera model, abstracting a small vertical image strip from each panorama to a single ray, terminating at the center of each camera's image-acquisition plane. When two cameras are rotated about a common center point, these rays rotate along a path that is tangential to a circle having a diameter equivalent to the distance separating the two cameras. As noted previously, the diameter of the central circular path may govern the perceived inter-ocular distance of the resulting cylindrical stereoscopic panorama. In order to design a camera system capable of capturing a moving cylindrical stereoscopic image (e.g., video) in real time, it may be convenient to construct an apparatus to capture all of these rays at substantially the same time. However, since it is not convenient to arrange several cameras around a 6.4-cm-diameter circle, a mechanism that allows a video camera (or other image-capture device) of arbitrary size to capture alternating left- and right-eye rays from outside of the center inter-ocular circle may be needed.

To simplify the resulting apparatus, the cylindrical field of view may be divided into smaller pieces, each covered by an individual image-capture device. To capture the left-eye rays and right-eye rays for each device, a lens and an apparatus may be constructed to interlace them. Conceptually, this interlacing is a simple horizontal alternation of left-eye rays and right-eye rays. This effect can be achieved using a lens specifically designed to refract left- and right-eye rays in an unusual way.

This lens may be designed to encompass the entire surface area of a cylinder surrounding a multi-camera assembly. However, the radial symmetry of a multi-camera assembly helps simplify the lens-design process. Instead of using a single unified cylindrical lens to refract the incoming light rays, the cylindrical surface can be separated into several identical portions, or segments. The area of the cylindrical surface corresponding to a single video camera can thus be isolated, and the isolated lens segment can be designed in relation to its corresponding video camera. The resulting combination of a lens segment and video camera can then be replicated to comprise the remaining area of the cylindrical image-acquisition assembly.

Thus, each lens or lens segment may be designed to refract various incoming light rays, corresponding to the left- and right-eye viewing rays, into its respective video camera. Since the left- and right-eye rays pass through the cylindrical lens surface in a non-symmetrical way, a uniform lens surface may not properly accomplish such refraction.

FIG. 1is a top view of a lens100refracting right-eye rays102according to various embodiments, andFIG. 2is a top view of a lens200refracting left-eye rays202according to various embodiments. It can be seen that a faceted lens100,200has an outer surface104,204(i.e., the faceted surface) designed to refract right-eye rays102and left-eye rays202onto the image-acquisition plane106,206of a video camera110,210, or other image-capture device. Using the faceted lens surface104,204, individual vertical lens facets112,212are used to refract individual vertical spans of eye rays114,214into individual vertical lines of pixels included in the video camera's110,210captured image-acquisition plane106,206.

FIG. 3is a top view of a lens300and apparatus316according to various embodiments of the invention. In this case, the individual lens facets312for left- and right-eye rays are alternated along the outer surface304of the lens300in order to capture both left-eye rays and right-eye rays at substantially the same time. The rays can be refracted onto the image-acquisition plane306of the video camera310, or other image-capture device.

The use of an interlaced, faceted lens300allows the video camera310(or other image-capture device) to capture a sequence of vertically interlaced images. Since this vertical interlacing pattern remains constant throughout the entire video sequence, the left- and right-eye imagery can be isolated and separated in real time. The uniformly radial, tangential nature of the captured left- and right-eye rays allows several of these lens-camera apparatus to be placed next to one another to extend the cylindrical field of view of the overall device. Thus, it is the combination apparatus316, comprising the lens300and the video camera310, or other image-capture device, that may be replicated a number of times to provide a panoramic, stereoscopic image-capture system. For the purposes of this document, the term “panoramic” means an image, either monoscopic or stereoscopic, having a field of view of from about 60 degrees up to about 360 degrees.

FIG. 4is a top view of an apparatus416according to various embodiments. In this illustration, the apparatus416, which may be similar to or identical to the apparatus316, is shown, along with the relevant inter-ocular distance D. The apparatus416may include a lens400having a plurality of interleaved separating facets412including a first separating facet422to refract left-eye rays424and a second separating facet426to refract right-eye rays428. The apparatus416may also include an image-acquisition plane406(perhaps as part of an image-capture device430, such as a frame-grabber, digital video camera, or some other device) to receive a refracted left-eye ray432from the first separating facet422, and to receive a refracted right-eye ray434from the second separating facet426.

FIG. 5is a top view of an apparatus516and a system536according to various embodiments. The apparatus516may include a first lens538and a first image-acquisition plane540as shown inFIG. 4with respect to apparatus416. The apparatus516may also include a second lens542and image-acquisition plane544. The first lens538and first image-acquisition plane540may be similar to or identical to the lens400and image-acquisition plane406shown inFIG. 4. The second lens542and second image-acquisition plane544may also be similar to or identical to the lens400and image-acquisition plane406shown inFIG. 4, such that the second lens542may have a second plurality of interleaved separating facets (not shown inFIG. 5) including a third separating facet to refract left-eye rays and a fourth separating facet to refract right-eye rays. The second image-acquisition plane544may be used to receive a second refracted left-eye ray from the third separating facet, and to receive a second refracted right-eye ray from the fourth separating facet, as described with respect to the apparatus416depicted inFIG. 4.

The first lens538may have a first inner radius546defining a portion548of a cylindrical section550, and the second lens542may have a second inner radius552located approximately on a cylinder554defined by the portion548of the cylindrical section550. Thus, the lenses400,500may include an inner radius546defining a portion548of a cylindrical section550, as well as an outer radius551along which are approximately located a plurality of separating facets512. The plurality of facets512may include a plurality of left-eye-ray-separating facets interleaved with a plurality of right-eye-ray-separating facets (seeFIG. 4, elements412,422, and426). Ultimately, an entire 360-degree cylindrical field of view can be achieved.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a system636according to various embodiments. Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that a system536,636may include a plurality of lenses500,600. The lenses500,600may be similar to or identical to the lens400shown inFIG. 4, having a plurality of interleaved facets412,512. The system536,636may also include a plurality of image-acquisition planes506(not shown inFIG. 6) to receive refracted left-eye rays from first separating facets in the lenses500,600, and to receive refracted right-eye rays from second separating facets in the lenses500,600. The system536,636may include a memory556(not shown inFIG. 6) to receive image data558(not shown inFIG. 6) from the plurality of image-acquisition planes506.

The image data558may include information to construct a stereoscopic image, including a panoramic stereoscopic image. The image data558may include a separated left-eye image and a separated right-eye image. The system536,636may also include a processor560coupled to the memory556to join the separated left-eye image and the separated right-eye image (e.g., see elements770,772ofFIG. 7). As noted previously, when several apparatus416(seeFIG. 4) are placed next to each other, in a manner similar to or identical to that shown inFIG. 5with respect to apparatus516, the resulting extracted left- and right-eye imagery can also be placed next to each other in real time to create uniform, seamless left- and right-eye panoramic imagery (see elements774,776ofFIG. 7). This process will now be examined in more detail.

FIGS. 7A-7Eillustrate portions of a stereoscopic-panorama-creation process according to various embodiments. This process permits real-time capture of 360-degree, cylindrical stereoscopic video imagery. InFIG. 7A, a single apparatus716, including a lens700(similar to or identical to the lens400shown inFIG. 4) and an image-capture device730(similar to or identical to the image-capture device430ofFIG. 4), is shown being used to capture an image of various objects762.FIG. 7Bdepicts an approximation of an interlaced image764captured by the image-capture device730via the faceted lens700(e.g., constructed from a plurality of captured left-eye rays and a plurality of captured right-eye rays).FIG. 7Cshows de-interlaced left- and right-eye-image strips766,768constructed from the interlaced image764.FIG. 7Dshows concatenated left- and right-image sections770,772, or separated left- and right-eye images, constructed from the de-interlaced left- and right-eye-image strips766,768, respectively. Finally,FIG. 7Eshows left- and right-eye panoramic images774,776, respectively, obtained by joining together a number of left- and right-image sections obtained from adjoining apparatus716, including left- and right-image sections770,772, arranged in a manner similar to or identical to that of the apparatus516inFIG. 5. When the left panoramic image774is viewed by the left eye, and the right panoramic image776is viewed by the right eye, a stereoscopic, panoramic (e.g., up to 360 degree) view of the objects762can be re-created.

FIG. 8illustrates several fields of view relating to a lens800according to various embodiments. Lens800may be similar to or identical to the lens400shown inFIG. 4. A faceted lens800that performs the refraction to achieve the desired stereoscopic effect can be described mathematically based on certain specified physical values. These values include the inter-ocular distance (D) that provides the desired stereoscopic effect, the index of refraction (n) of the material to be used to create the faceted lens, the distance from the center of eye point rotation to the image-capture device (rc), the effective horizontal field of view of the image-capture device (fovc), and the effective horizontal field of view of the apparatus's faceted lens section (fovl). The distance D may be a selected inter-ocular distance, which can be any desired distance, but which is most useful when selected to be approximately 4 centimeters to approximately 8 centimeters.

The subsequent mathematical process assumes an x-y coordinate system, having an origin O at the center of eye point rotation. All angular measurements are in degrees. The radius (rl) of the external faceted lens surface874corresponds to the distance at which the field of view of the image-capture device (fovc) overlaps the field of view of the faceted lens section (fovl), and can be calculated as follows:

Once the radius of the lens800has been determined, individual facet properties can be calculated. These facet properties can be calculated on a ray-by-ray basis, allowing for the design of a lens with any number of facets. For the purpose of this document, it may be assumed that an optimal image is attained using a single facet for each vertical pixel line acquired by the image-capture device830.

FIG. 9is a top view of lens-surface-point ray angles relating to a lens900according to various embodiments. Lens900may be similar to or identical to the lens400shown inFIG. 4. The lens-facet properties corresponding to a particular point on the lens surface974are dependent on the location of that point (Pi) and the angle of the ray976from the image-capture device930to that point (Θc). The apparatus916(which may be similar to or identical to the apparatus416shown inFIG. 4) can be designed such that the lens-surface area corresponding to the field of view of the image-capture device (fovc) matches the lens-surface area corresponding to the field of view of the faceted lens section (fovl) (seeFIG. 8). As a result, a ray978from the center of eye point rotation O may intersect the lens surface at the same point (Pi). The angle (Θl) of that ray978can be calculated as follows:

FIG. 10is a top view of eye-ray angles relating to a lens1000according to various embodiments. Lens1000may be similar to or identical to lens400shown inFIG. 4. The lens facet residing at the lens-surface-intersection point (Pi) should preferably be oriented to capture either one of the desired left-eye rays1080or right-eye rays1082, tangential to the circular path of eye rotation1084(having a diameter approximately equal to the inter-ocular distance D) and passing through the lens-surface-intersection point (Pi). By designating point Pmas the midpoint between the lens-surface-intersection point Piand the center of rotation O, and radius rmas the radius of the circle defined by a diameter substantially equal to the distance from the center of rotation and the point Pi, the points of tangency (Pt1and Pt2) can be calculated via the following process:

FIG. 11is a top view of lens-facet-orientation angles relating to a lens1100according to various embodiments.FIG. 12is a top view of additional lens-facet-orientation angles relating to a lens1200according to various embodiments. Lenses1100,1200may be similar to or identical to the lens400shown inFIG. 4. Referring now toFIGS. 10,11, and12, it can be seen that the two calculated points of tangency (Pt1and Pt2), when viewed in conjunction with the lens-surface-intersection point (Pi), may correspond to the desired left-eye ray (PLE) and right-eye ray (PRE) that pass through the lens surface at that point.
PRE=(PREx,PREy)=Pt1
PLE=(PLEx,PLEy)=Pt2
The angle formed between each eye ray and the x-axis (ΘREand ΘLE, respectively) is useful in calculating the refraction properties of the current lens surface facet for each eye ray. These angles can be calculated as follows:

Once the eye-ray angles (ΘREand ΘLE) have been calculated, the final facet properties may be calculated for the current lens position, taking into account the index of refraction n. The current facet may be chosen to perform refraction that will capture either the left-eye ray (ΘLE) or the right-eye ray (ΘRE). In order to perform the desired refraction, the lens facet must be oriented such that the incoming eye ray (ΘREor ΘLE) is refracted to match the current camera ray (Θc). The lens-facet orientation (ΘRSor ΘLS) can be calculated as follows:

Thus, in some embodiments, a lens400,500,600,700,800,900,1000,1100,1200may include an outer radius rlhaving a separating facet, such that rlis approximately equal to

rc*tan(fovc2)cos(fovl2)*tan(fovc2)-sin(fovl2),
wherein rccomprises a distance from a center of rotation to an image-acquisition plane, fovccomprises an effective horizontal field of view for the image-acquisition plane, and fovlcomprises an effective horizontal field of view spanned by the lens (see especiallyFIG. 8).

In some embodiments, a lens400,500,600,700,800,900,1000,1100,1200may include one or more separating facets having a facet orientation selected from one of ΘRSapproximately equal to

90⁢°-Θc-arctan(sin⁡(Δ⁢⁢ΘR)n-cos⁡(ΔΘR)),
wherein ΔΘRis approximately equal to an image-capture-device ray angle minus a selected eye ray angle, and ΘLSapproximately equal to

90⁢°-Θc-arctan⁡(sin⁡(Δ⁢⁢ΘL)n-cos⁡(ΔΘL)),
wherein ΔΘLis approximately equal to an image-capture-device ray angle minus another selected eye ray angle. Further, it has been shown that any number of image-acquisition planes may be located at a radial distance rcfrom an origin point located at a center of a selected inter-ocular distance (e.g., an inter-ocular distance of approximately 4 cm to 8 cm). It has also been shown that an outer radius of the lens rlmay correspond to a distance at which a field of view of the associated image-acquisition plane overlaps a field of view of the lens.

Many other embodiments may be realized. While the figures so far have shown lenses and devices using lenses that allow a single image-capture device to capture imagery from two distinct, separate viewpoints (e.g., left eye and right eye), the disclosed embodiments are not to be so limited. In fact, the formulas shown can be used to construct lenses, image-capture devices, and projectors that operate using three or more viewpoints.

For example,FIG. 13is a top view of a multi-viewpoint lens1300according to various embodiments. The lens1300may be similar to or identical to lens400shown inFIG. 4. The lens facet residing at the lens-surface-intersection point (Pi) should preferably be oriented to capture one of the desired left-eye rays1380, one of the right-eye rays1382, and/or an additional eye ray1386(e.g., a third viewpoint) tangential to a first circular path of eye rotation1384(having a diameter approximately equal to the inter-ocular distance D1) or to a second circular path of eye rotation1388(having a diameter approximately equal to the inter-ocular distance D2) and passing through the lens-surface-intersection point (Pi). Thus, any number of additional viewpoints may be accommodated by altering the inter-ocular distance (e.g., selecting D2instead of D1), forming a new circular path of eye rotation (e.g., having a center of rotation at O2instead of O1), and finding a new point of tangency (e.g., Pt3instead of Pt1) on the circular path.

By designating point Pmas the midpoint between the lens-surface-intersection point Piand the center of rotation O1(or O2), and radius rmas the radius of the circle defined by a diameter substantially equal to the distance from the center of rotation and the point Pi, the points of tangency (Pt1, Pt2, or Pt3, Pt2) can be calculated by the same process as shown forFIG. 10. Facets for each of the viewpoints Pt1, Pt2, and Pt3can be formed in the surface1374of the lens as described with respect toFIGS. 1-3and10-12, perhaps in an interleaved fashion.

Thus, many variations of the lens1300may be realized. For example, the lens1300may include a plurality of separating facets, such as left-eye separating facets, right-eye separating facets, and one or more additional eye-ray-separating facets (perhaps corresponding to multiple additional viewpoints).

An example of using the formulas shown above for such a multi-faceted lens include a lens1300having a first separating facet with a facet orientation of ΘRS(approximately equal to

90⁢°-Θc-arctan⁡(sin⁡(Δ⁢⁢ΘR)n-cos⁡(ΔΘR))),
where ΔΘRis approximately equal to the image-capture-device ray angle minus a selected first eye ray angle, a second separating facet with a facet orientation of ΘLS(approximately equal to

90⁢°-Θc-arctan⁡(sin⁡(Δ⁢⁢ΘL)n-cos⁡(ΔΘL))),
where ΔΘlis approximately equal to the image-capture-device ray angle minus a second selected eye ray angle, and a third separating facet having a facet orientation of ΘTS(approximately equal to

90⁢°-Θc-arctan⁡(sin⁡(Δ⁢⁢ΘT)n-cos⁡(ΔΘT))),
where ΔΘTis approximately equal to the image-capture-device ray angle minus a third selected eye ray angle.

The lens1300may form a portion of a multi-viewpoint image-capture device, or a multi-image projection system. Thus, other embodiments may be realized. For example,FIG. 14is a top view of a multi-viewpoint image-capture apparatus1416according to various embodiments. Thus, a lens1400can be provided that enables a single device to capture two or more distinct images simultaneously. For example, a single image-capture device, equipped with a lens similar to that described inFIGS. 4,10, or13, can be placed in a room to capture a first image near a first wall, a second near another wall, and a third in between the first and second walls.

Such an image-capture device is shown inFIG. 14. In this illustration, the apparatus1416, which may be similar to the apparatus416, is shown along with the relevant inter-ocular distance D. The apparatus1416may include a lens1400having a plurality of interleaved separating facets1412including a first separating facet1422to refract left-eye rays1424and a second separating facet1426to refract right-eye rays1428. Thus, the left-eye rays may be grouped as rays received from a first image, and the right-eye rays may be grouped as rays received from a second image. The apparatus1416may also include an image-acquisition plane1406(perhaps as part of an image-capture device1430, such as a frame-grabber, digital video camera, or some other device) to receive a refracted left-eye ray1432from the first separating facet1422, and to receive a refracted right-eye ray1434from the second separating facet1426. Additional separating facets (not shown for purposes of clarity) can be included in the lens1400, as described with respect to the lens1300inFIG. 13, and additional eye rays associated with other viewpoints (e.g., the third viewpoint associated with the point of tangency Pt3inFIG. 13) may be acquired at the image-acquisition plane1406according to the location of the various facets on the lens1400, and the pixels on the plane1406.

Thus, many variations of the apparatus1416may be realized. For example, the apparatus1416may include a lens having a first plurality of interleaved separating facets including a first separating facet to refract left-eye rays and a second separating facet to refract right-eye rays, and an image-acquisition plane to receive a first refracted left-eye ray from the first separating facet, and to receive a first refracted right-eye ray from the second separating facet.

The lens may include one or more additional eye-ray-separating facets interleaved with the first separating facet and the second separating facet. In this case, the first separating facet may correspond to a first viewpoint, the second separating facet may correspond to a second viewpoint, and one of the additional eye-ray-separating facets may correspond to a third viewpoint.

As noted previously, the image-acquisition plane may be located at a radial distance rcfrom a first origin point located at the center of a first inter-ocular distance. Additional separating facets included in the lens may correspond to a second inter-ocular distance and be interleaved with the first and second separating facets. Thus, the image-acquisition plane may be used to receive additional refracted eye rays from the additional separating facets.

Yet other embodiments may be realized. For example,FIG. 15is a top view of a multiple-image projection system1516according to various embodiments. Much of the prior discussion has focused on the use of lenses and image-capture devices capable of capturing imagery from two or more viewpoints (e.g., Pt1, Pt2, and Pt3inFIG. 13, andFIG. 14). This concept can be reversed and applied to the projection of images. Thus, a lens can be provided that enables a single projector to display two or more distinct video presentations simultaneously. For example, a single projector, equipped with a lens similar to that described inFIGS. 4,10,13, or14could be pointed at the corner of a room and display a first video scene on one wall, a second on another wall, and a third on a wall adjacent the first and second walls. Of course, this assumes the video presentations would be interlaced prior to projection according to the interlacing technique chosen for the projector lens (e.g., horizontal or vertical interlacing of facets).

Such a projector is shown inFIG. 15. In this illustration, apparatus1516may include a lens1500having a plurality of interleaved separating facets1512including a first separating facet1522to refract left-eye rays1524and a second separating facet1526to refract right-eye rays1528. Thus, the left-eye rays may be grouped to form a first projected image I1, and the right-eye rays may be grouped to form a second projected image I2.

The apparatus1516may also include an image-projection plane1506(perhaps as part of an image-projection device1530, such as a digital video projector, or some similar device) to transmit a refracted left-eye ray1532to the first separating facet1522, and to transmit a refracted right-eye ray1534to the second separating facet1526. Additional separating facets (not shown for purposes of clarity) can be included in the lens1500, as described with respect to the lens1300inFIG. 13, and additional eye rays associated with a third viewpoint (e.g., Pt3inFIG. 13).

The image-projection plane1506may be located at a radial distance rcfrom an origin point located at a center of a first inter-ocular distance (e.g., D1in FIG.13), which may comprise a distance of approximately 4 centimeters to approximately 8 centimeters. The lens1500may include one or more additional eye-ray-separating facets (not shown for clarity, but perhaps interleaved with the first separating facet1522and the second separating facet1526), wherein the first separating facet corresponds to a first viewpoint, wherein the second separating facet corresponds to a second viewpoint, and wherein the additional eye-ray-separating facet corresponds to a third viewpoint and a second inter-ocular distance (e.g., D2inFIG. 13).

It should also be understood that the lens, apparatus, and systems of various embodiments can be used in applications other than panoramic cameras, and thus, various embodiments are not to be so limited. The illustrations of the lens100,200,300,400,500,538,542,600,700,800,900,1000,1100,1200,1300,1400,1500, apparatus316,416,516,716,1416,1516and system536,636are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.

Applications that may include the novel lens, apparatus, and systems of various embodiments include frame grabbers, cameras, binoculars, telescopes, and microscopes. Such lenses, apparatus, and systems may further be included as sub-components within a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), workstations, video players, video games, vehicles, and others.

Still further embodiments may be realized. For example,FIGS. 16A and 16Bare flow charts illustrating several methods according to various embodiments. Some of the methods to be described may be derived from the process illustrated inFIG. 7. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, a method1611may (optionally) begin at block1615with receiving a plurality of left-eye rays through one of a first plurality of separating facets of a lens at an image-acquisition plane, and receiving a plurality of right-eye rays through one of a second plurality of separating facets of the lens at the image-acquisition plane. The first plurality of separating facets may be interleaved with the second plurality of separating facets, as shown inFIG. 4.

The method1611may continue with acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated left-eye image, and acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated right-eye image at block1619. The method1611may further include joining the separated left-eye image to provide a joined left-eye image, and joining the separated right-eye image to provide a joined right-eye image at block1627, as well as combining the joined left-eye image and the joined right-eye image to provide a stereoscopic image at block1627. The method may also include combining the joined left-eye image and the joined right-eye image to provide a 360 degree (or some lesser amount of degrees), panoramic stereoscopic image at block1631. As noted previously, an outer radius of the lens may correspond to a distance at which a field of view of the image-acquisition plane overlaps a field of view of the lens.

The method1611may also include repeatedly acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated left-eye image, repeatedly acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated right-eye image, and processing the separated left-eye image and the separated right-eye image to provide a moving stereoscopic image at block1623. The method1611may further include repeatedly acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated left-eye image, repeatedly acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated right-eye image, and processing the separated left-eye image and the separated right-eye image to provide a moving 360 degree (or some lesser number of degrees), panoramic stereoscopic image at block1623.

Still further embodiments may be realized. For example, a method of projecting multiple images is illustrated inFIG. 16B. Thus, a method1641may include projecting a plurality of left-eye rays through one of a first plurality of separating facets of a lens from an image-projection plane at block1645. The method1641may also include projecting a plurality of right-eye rays through one of a second plurality of separating facets of the lens from the image-projection plane at block1649. The first plurality of separating facets may be interleaved with the second plurality of separating facets, and the plurality of left-eye rays may comprise a portion of a separated left-eye image, while the plurality of right-eye rays may comprise a portion of a separated right-eye image. As described previously with respect to an image-capture plane, the outer radius of the lens may correspond to a distance at which the field of view of the image-projection plane overlaps the field of view of the lens.

It should be noted that the methods described herein do not have to be executed in the order described, or in any particular order. Moreover, various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, iterative, serial, or parallel fashion. For the purposes of this document, the terms “information” and “data” may be used interchangeably. Information, including parameters, commands, operands, and other data, can be sent and received in the form of one or more carrier waves.

Upon reading and comprehending the content of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the manner in which a software program can be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute the functions defined in the software program. One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand the various programming languages that may be employed to create one or more software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java, Smalltalk, or C++. Alternatively, the programs can be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using any of a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application-program interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment, including Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML). Thus, other embodiments may be realized.

FIG. 17is a block diagram of an article1785according to various embodiments, such as a computer, a memory system, a magnetic or optical disk, some other storage device, and/or any type of electronic device or system. The article1785may comprise a processor1787coupled to a machine-accessible medium such as a memory1789(e.g., a memory including an electrical, optical, or electromagnetic conductor) having associated information1791(e.g., computer-program instructions or other data), which when accessed, results in a machine (e.g., the processor1787) performing such actions as receiving a plurality of left-eye rays through one of a first plurality of separating facets of a lens at an image-acquisition plane, and receiving a plurality of right-eye rays through one of a second plurality of separating facets of the lens at the image-acquisition plane.

Other actions may include acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated left-eye image, and acquiring data from the image-acquisition plane to construct a separated right-eye image. Further activity may include joining the separated left-eye image to provide a joined left-eye image, and joining the separated right-eye image to provide a joined right-eye image, as well as combining the joined left-eye image and the joined right-eye image to provide a stereoscopic image.

Still further activities may include projecting a plurality of left-eye rays through one of a first plurality of separating facets of a lens from an image-projection plane, and projecting a plurality of right-eye rays through one of a second plurality of separating facets of the lens from the image-projection plane. As noted previously, the plurality of left-eye rays may comprise a portion of a separated left-eye image, and the plurality of right-eye rays may comprise a portion of a separated right-eye image.

Implementing the lenses, apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may provide a mechanism for re-creating panoramic (up to 360 degrees), stereoscopic images in real time. In many cases, a single lens may be used in place of multiple lenses. Such a mechanism may improve the quality of imaging in three dimensions at reduced cost and increased efficiency.