METHOD AND INTEGRATED OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR PICKUP, COPY AND TRIDIMENSIONAL REPRODUCTION OF STILL AND MOVING IMAGES

Abstract: Integrated method for pickup, copy and tridimensional reproduction of still and moving images, wherein (a) the pickup of still or moving tridimensional images is effected via traditional cameras which shot as many bidimensional images as there are cameras; n cameras are distributed in groups or supergroups, with a semitransparent sheet interleaved between every two groups of horizontal cameras which have their optical axes perpendicular between each other, and forming and angle of 45° with the groups, the optical axes of one camera being so situated that its projection remains in the medial point between optical axes of two adjacent cameras of the other conjugates goups; by means of a totally black sheet, the undesired rays are suppressed; (b) to copy the n images which have been picked up, the latter are grouped per trios, copying the left and right images in a specularly reversed condition in relation with the central image, each trio being situated at a distinct height of projection; (c) the projection is carried out by using n/3 projecting lenses and ajusting said lenses so that the central image of the film is reproduced directly on the transparent screen of reproduction or by a frontal reflection of a reflecting mirror situated in front of the lenses; the side images are projected through reflections in systems of side mirrors; and each of the n/3 projecting lenses is situated out of phase in height with respect to adjacent lenses.

Description: Field of the invention The present application relates to a method and to an optical system which are integrated and in which three-dimensional static or moving pictures are taken, the films coming from the different cameras are copied onto a single film of modest length, and this film is reproduced, furnishing new three-dimensional or moving pictures. The invention encompasses cinematographic systems, static signs, slides and video, including television, principally for domestic use, in shop windows, conference rooms and other similar places for exhibition. The Applicant is the holder of the Spanish Patent of Invention with Publication No. 2,000,293 (Application Number 8 603 612), of the Spanish Patent of Invention with Publication Number 20 135 69 (Application Number 8 902 155), and of the Spanish Patent Application being processed 8 900 722 filed on 28 February 1989. Likewise, the Applicant has filed the Patent Applications PCT/ES 90/00013 and ES 90/00014, both being processed, as well as other applications corresponding to the Spanish ones, in various countries and at the European Patent Office. In these patents and patent applications there are described and claimed various aspects of optical systems for achieving three-dimensional reproductions, based on the angular differentiation of pictures. Specifically, in the Spanish Patent Publication 20 135 69 as well as in the Application PCT ES 90/00013, there is described an improved screen capable of being used in the optical systems in question, and also a process for manufacturing said improved screen. Background of the invention Systems based on the angular differentiation of pictures require the taking of a large number of pictures from different places and the projecting of the same number of pictures from different locations. From the literature which deals with the taking of three-dimensional pictures, it is known that the maximum separation between the optical centres of the taking lenses for the reproduction to appear continuous is a function of the distance between the nearest object and the furthest object (depth of field) as well as of the distance between these objects with respect to the picture-taking device. In order to apply these theoretical results in practice, in many cases of the prior art a separation is achieved between the optical centres of the taking lenses which is less than the breadth of common, marketed or conventional cameras. If the picture to be taken were to remain motionless, then it would be possible to do the taking with a conventional camera situated in a different place at each instant. However, if the picture were moving, this system would be inappropriate. As far as the Applicant knows, there exist on the market very few cameras which can fulfil the conditions required here for taking pictures. Those which are known have several lenses of small diameter and a likewise reduced negative format. These cameras are generally designed for their use in photography, and are used for reproducing static pictures in most cases such as photographs on paper. A very small number of pictures, usually four, is used, which is entirely insufficient for systems based on the angular differentiation of pictures, and for this reason cannot be used in the present case. Because of this lack of suitable cameras for taking three-dimensional pictures, it is necessary to take a large number of two-dimensional pictures, each one with a conventional camera; correspondingly, the same large number of projectors or projection lenses would be needed to reproduce the pictures taken three-dimensionally. In the United States Patent 1,883,290 of Ives, there are described three systems of reproduction by projection which are appropriate for static or moving pictures. Of these three systems, that of back-projection is suitable only for systems based on the scalar differentiation of pictures, and therefore cannot be considered in the present case. On the other hand, the other two systems, both of which are front-projection systems, can be employed for the angular differentiation of pictures. In the first of these systems as many projectors and films are used as there are pictures. The second system employs a single film in only one projector with as many lenses as pictures taken, the latter being mutually separated by the same distance as would occur if individual projectors were involved. The disadvantage of both systems arises from the large volume occupied by the reproduction part of the system, as well as from the enormous length of the film and of the projector or projectors when the number of pictures is high. Summary of the invention In view of the above, and in his desire to obtain maximum efficiency from his optical systems for three-dimensional reproduction, those which are dealt with profusely in the applications and patents mentioned earlier at the beginning of this document, the Applicant has developed a method and an optical system, which are integrated, for taking, copying and reproducing three-dimensional pictures. As has already been explained, present optical systems for three-dimensional pictures are based on the angular differentiation of these pictures. Systems based on the angular differentiation of pictures have to employ a large number of taken two-dimensional pictures and the same number of reproduced pictures. For taking a large number of pictures it is advisable to direct the optical axes of the n taking lenses (cameras) towards the point which later, during reproduction, will be situated on the screen. (The number n of lenses or cameras can take several values, always multiples of 3, the value 15 being preferred.) This will avoid the lateral cameras excluding the main motif of the scene from the field. Since each picture is taken with a different lens, which also belongs to a different camera, the focusing of all the optical axes onto the same point is very easily achieved by inclining each camera by the necessary angle in the horizontal plane. This focusing can be done automatically at each moment, controlled using a mechanical system of appropriately synchronised bellows. On the other hand, since the distance between the optical centres of the lenses of the cameras must, in many cases, be less than the breadth of the latter, a tricky problem arises which has to be resolved using special devices and processes. The Applicant has succeeded in solving these taking problems using a method and a corresponding optical system in such a way that the cameras operate as if their optical centres were situated at a lesser mutual distance than that permitted by the breadth of the cameras, if the latter were situated immediately next to one another. The first step of the overall method of the present invention, comprises recording static or motion pictures by using a predetermined number n, n being a multiple of 3, preferably 15, of conventional cameras (C1, C2, ..., Cn) employing a negative film, a slide film or a video tape for recording two-dimensional pictures with each of these cameras (C1, C2, ..., Cn) by: arranging the cameras (Ci) in two groups (C2, C4, ..., C14; C1, C3, ..., C15) in such a way that all cameras of each group are substantially arranged along a horizontal line, the optical axes of the cameras of each group being separated by a distance D at least equal to the width of each of the cameras; positioning the two groups of cameras so that their optical axes are mutually perpendicular, placing a semi-transparent plate (L1-L1′) at an angle of 45° with respect to the axes of the cameras of the two groups so that the cameras of one group facing one surface of the plate observe the object in transmission, whereas the cameras of the other group facing the other surface of the plate observe said object in reflection; positioning a black, light absorbing plate (LN₁) at an angle of 45° with respect to said semi-transparent plate so that that undesired light transmitted by said semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in reflection and that undesired light reflected by the semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in transmission is suppressed; and arranging the two groups of cameras in such a way that the optical axis of each camera of each of the groups as seen from the object in reflection or transmission by said semi-transparent plate appears half-way between the optical axes of two adjacent cameras (Ci-1, Ci+1) of the other group, whereby an effective line of interleaved cameras (C1,C2 ..., C15) is optically formed in which the resulting effective distance (D/2) between the optical axes of adjacent cameras (Ci Ci+1) is reduced to one half of the distance (D) between the axes of adjacent cameras (Ci, Ci+2) in each of the groups. As a second step, the overall method comprises transferring the n conjugated pictures taken by the cameras (Ci) corresponding to a same instant of imaging the object onto a single image carrier constituted by a negative film, a slide film or a video tape, said transferring step including (i) grouping the pictures into a number n/3 of picture triplets (T₁, T₂, T₃, ...) in such a way that those pictures taken by the cameras arranged on the left third portion of said effective combined line of cameras are arranged as the left side of each picture triplet, those pictures taken by the cameras arranged on the right third portion of said effective combined line of cameras are arranged as the right side of each picture triplet and those pictures taken by the cameras arranged in the central third portion of said effective combined line of cameras are arranged as the middle of each picture triplet, and specularly inverting both the right and left pictures with respect to the central picture of each picture triplet; (ii) arranging the picture triplets at a predetermined transverse distance (H) and at a predetermined longitudinal distance (K R ) from one another; and (iii) copying the so arranged picture triplets either directly onto the single image carrier which is used for subsequent projection, or indirectly via a screen from which another camera takes a combined image of the picture triplets; The third step of the method consists of projecting the picture triplets recorded on said single image carrier onto a projection screen (PA) by means of a projector using a number n/3 of projection lenses (OP₁, OP₂, OP₃, ...) wherein the projection lenses are adjusted in such a way that the central pictures (6 ... 10) of the picture triplets on said single image carrier are projected either directly onto the projection screen or via reflection by a reflecting mirror (RF) positioned in front of the projection lenses, and the left and right lateral pictures of the picture triplets (1 ... 5; 11 ... 15) are respectively projected via an additional left lateral reflection mirror (RI) and via an additional right lateral reflection mirror (RD); and wherein each one of the projection lenses (OP₁, OP₂, ...) is positioned with respect to the adjacent projection lenses at a vertical and at a horizontal distance corresponding to the transverse distances (H) and to the longitudinal distance (K R ) between adjacent picture triplets (T₁, T₂ T₃, ...) on the single image carrier. An additional embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention comprises the arrangement of cameras in two further groups (C3, C7, C11, C15 and C4, C8, C12) arranged with a second semi-transparent plate (L2-L2′) and a second black plate (LN₂) as in the first two groups (C1, C5, C9, C13 and C2, C6, C10, C14) and wherein the first two groups of cameras form a first supergroup (A) and the further two groups form a second supergroup (B), the main optical axis resulting from reflection or transmission on the first semi-transparent plate (L1-L1′) of the first supergroup (A) is positioned at a right angle with respect to the main optical axis resulting from reflection or transmission on the second semi-transparent plate (L2-L2′), a third semi-transparent plate (L3-L3′) is positioned at 45° with respect to the two main optical axes from the two supergroups (A, B) and a third black plate (LN₃) is positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to the third semi-transparent plate (L3-L3′) so as to suppress unwanted light reflected by the third semi-transparent plate to the first and second supergroup (A, B) respectively, whereby the distance between optical axes of the adjacent cameras (Ci, Ci+1) results in (D/4) the fourth part of the distance (D) between adjacent cameras of the same group. According to another embodiment, the method provides for arranging n cameras in 2 m groups in which each one of them comprises at least one camera, each two groups being arranged in accordance with the above mentioned arrangement by means of a semi-transparent plate and an opaque one to form a super group, each pair of super groups being arranged in accordance with the above mentioned arrangement, by means of an additional semitransparent plate and opaque plate to form super groups of order 2, each pair of super groups of order 2 will regroup following the same procedure as described above, forming super groups of order 3 and continuing in this manner until a single super group containis all the cameras. Thereby the distance between optical axes of the adjacent cameras, Ci, Ci+1 results in (D/2 m ) the 2 m -th part of the distance (D) between adjacent cameras of the same group. With this combined method a very simple and convenient reproduction is achieved of the three-dimensional pictures on a small- to intermediate-sized screen, the projector occupying a third part of the space which it would occupy if the n pictures were projected using n projection lenses situated one next to the other with the relevant height offset. If the projecting is done in a cinema, this projection artifice would become unnecessary. Corresponding optical arrangements, which will be detailed below, have been developed in order to embody this overall method. An optical system for recording, copying and reproducing three-dimensionally static or motion pictures according to the above described, comprises: a predetermined number n, n being a multiple of 3, preferably 15, of conventional cameras (C1, C2, ..., Cn) arranged in two groups on a platform provided with guide rails; the cameras (Ci) in each group (C1, C3, C5, ...; C2, C4, C6, ...) being arranged along a horizontal line so that their optical axes being separated by a distance (D) at least equal to the width of each of the cameras; positioning the two groups of cameras so that the optical axes of the cameras of one camera group being mutually perpendicular with respect to the cameras of the other group; a semi-transparent plate (L1-L1′) being interposed at an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axes of the cameras of the two groups so that the cameras of one group facing one surface of the plate observe the object in transmission, whereas the cameras of the other group facing the other surface of the plate observe said object in reflection; an black, light absorbing plate (LN₁) being positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to said semi-transparent plate so that that undesired light transmitted by said semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in reflection and that undesired light reflected by the semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in transmission is suppressed; each camera of each group (Ci, i = 1 to n) being arranged in such a way that its optical axis as seen from the object in reflection or transmission, by said semi-transparent plate appears half-way between the optical axes of the corresponding cameras (Ci-1, Ci+1) of the other group, whereby the resulting effective distance between the optical axes of adjacent cameras in both groups is reduced to one half of the distance (D) between the axes of the cameras of one group; and an adjusting means for adjusting and mutually matching the angles and distances for focusing of the cameras with respect to the object to be photographed. The arrangement for copying image carriers consists of n copying projectors arranged in a number n/3 of triplets positioned at the same transverse location wherein each one of these projectors projects directly or indirectly the corresponding picture from each one of the recording cameras onto a single image carrier in such a way that the left and right pictures of each resulting picture triplet are disposed specularly inverted with respect to the central element of each picture triplet; The arrangement for three-dimensional projection of pictures consist of a projector having a number n/3 of real projection lenses (OP₁, ... OP₅) arranged for projecting the film comprising the picture triplets (T₁ ... T₅), facing a system of mirrors composed of a front mirror (RF) and two lateral reflecting mirrors (RD, RI) thereby in effect providing in total three groups of n effective projection lenses consisting of a right group (OPV(D)) of n/3 virtual projection lenses, a left group (OPV(I)) of n/3 virtual projection lenses and the group (OPR) of n/3 real projection lenses, said group of real projection lenses being in a central position between the right and the left virtual groups, the real projection lenses (OP₁ ... OP₅) being longitudinally and transversely displaced by distances corresponding to the longitudinal offset (K R ) and transverse offset (H) of the picture triplets on the film; and a transparent screen (PA) disposed above the projection lenses (OP₁ ... OP₅) facing the front mirror (RF). In accordance with an additional feature of the optical system according to the invention further cameras are arranged in two further groups thus giving four groups in total (C1, C5, C9, C13; C2, C6, C10, C14; C3, C7, C11, C15; C4, C8, C12), the first two groups forming a first supergroup (A) and the further two groups arranged as the first two groups with a second semi-transparent plate (L2-L2′) and a second black plate (LN₂) forming a second supergroup (B), the two supergroups being arranged such that the resulting optical axes of the two supergroups (A, B) are mutually perpendicular; a third semi-transparent plate (L3-L3′) and a third black plate (LN₃), the sizes of said third plates being adapted to the combination of the cameras in the supergroups (A, B), are interposed at an angle of 45° between the two supergroups (A, B) in such a way that the optical axes of the individual recording cameras remain interlocked between the optical axes of every two adjacent cameras of the opposing group, this interlocking relationship being repeated accordingly for the cameras of the opposing supergroups (A, B), whereby the distance between optical axes of the adjacent cameras (Ci,Ci+1) results in (D/4) the fourth part of the distance (D) between adjacent cameras of the same group. According to another embodiment, the method provides for arranging n cameras in 2 m groups in which each one of them comprises at least one camera, each two groups are arranged in accordance with the above mentioned arrangement by means of one semitransparent plate and one opaque one to form a super group, each pair of super groups having, in accordance with the above mentioned arrangement, by means of an additional semitransparent plate and an opaque plate to form super groups of order 2, each pair of super groups of order 2 to be regrouped following the same procedure as described above forming super groups of order 3 and continuing in this way until a single super group contains all the cameras. Thereby the distance beween optical axes of the adjacent cameras Ci Ci+1 results in D/2 m the 2 m -th part of the distance (D) between adjacent cameras of the same group. The optical system according to the invention, further comprises a system of stepping motors and a microprocessor arranged for regulating and synchronising of the recording cameras. Also, the optical system comprises a mechanical system of bellows arranged for regulating and synchronising of the recording cameras. The invention will be described below with the aid of the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents diagrammatically the taking of pictures by a group of cameras via a semitransparent plate; Figure 2 represents diagrammatically the taking of pictures by a group of cameras by reflection in the semitransparent plate; Figure 3 represents diagrammatically the taking with the combination of two camera groups with an interposed semitransparent plate; Figure 4 represents an arrangement of taking cameras distributed in four groups, with the appropriate number of interposed semitransparent plates; Figure 5 represents how the picture trios copied according to the invention remain longitudinally distributed on a film; Figure 6 represents a partial optical diagram of the projecting performed with five projection lenses, according to the invention; Figure 7 represents diagrammatically in elevation the arrangement of the parts of the projector system of the present invention; and Figure 8 represents in diagrammatic perspective view a small-sized projection device according to the invention. Solely for the purposes of explanation it will be understood that n is equal to fifteen, or, what amounts to the same thing, fifteen cameras or taking lenses and five projection lenses are used. Figure 1 represents in a diagrammatic manner how the cameras would be seen in background via a semitransparent plate. In this diagram it has been assumed that there are seven cameras disposed one next to the other in a line facing a elongated semitransparent plate positioned in a longitudinal direction forming 45° with the axes of the cameras. In the left-hand part of the figure it is observed how the taking cameras C2, C4, C6, C8, C10, C12 and C14 would be projected in the plane of the picture; the distance between optical axes of the taking cameras is D. In Figure 2 is represented in the right-hand part in side view one camera of the eight placed in file and which are situated facing a semitransparent plate positioned in a longitudinal direction forming 45° with the axes of the cameras. In the left-hand part of the figure is represented how the cameras C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, C11, C13 and C15 would be observed in reflection; likewise, the distance between optical axes of the taking cameras is D. In Figure 3 is represented the taking arrangement in accordance with the invention, with two camera groups represented on the right in side elevation view, each group being positioned in file in a horizontal line and having a semitransparent plate inserted between them which forms 45° with the respective optical axes. On the left of this Figure 3 is represented how the two camera groups would be observed in combination, some in background and others in reflection. With this, the distance between optical axes of two adjacent taking cameras remains D/2. It is clearly demonstrated with the three Figures 1 to 3, and in particular with this Figure 3, that with the artifice developed by the present invention the cameras can be successfully brought optically closer to one another by a distance less than the breadth of each one of them. As represented in Figure 4, in order to be able to bring the cameras even closer optically, these cameras have been subdivided into four groups, distributed in two supergroups each composed of two camera groups with mutually perpendicular optical axes and an interposed plate, L1-L1′ or L2-L2′, combined with a corresponding black plate LN1 or LN2, which absorbs the undesired rays. Thus, the supergroup A is composed of the group of cameras C1, C5, C9, C13 disposed in horizontal file facing the transparent surface of the plate L1-L1′, and is forming 45° with the optical axes of the cameras in question; the four cameras C2, C6, C10, C14 are disposed in horizontal file facing the other, reflecting, surface of the plate L1-L1′. Perpendicular relative to this subgroup A of cameras is disposed the subgroup B of cameras which consists of a horizontal group of cameras C3, C7, C11 and C15 disposed facing the reflecting surface of a plate L2-L2′, placed at 45° with respect to the optical axes of these latter cameras; the black plate LN2 is situated at 45° next to the transparent surface of this plate. The cameras C4, C8, C12 are situated facing the transparent surface of the plate L2-L2′ and disposed in a horizontal line. With the purpose of succeeding in the optical distance in the picture plane of the cameras remaining reduced to D/4, each one of the supergroups A and B is regarded as being simple camera groups, these supergroups being disposed with mutually perpendicular optical axes; a plate L3,L3′ is inserted between them, and, forming 45° with the transparent surface of this plate L3-L3′, there is located the black plate LN3. In this figure is represented as an optical diagram the distribution of the central and extreme rays from the optical centres of the taking cameras. With this artifice, the distance between optical axes of the cameras situated in each horizontal group is successfully divided by 4. It is clear that, by repeating this arrangement, this distance could be divided consecutively by 2. In Figure 5 is diagrammatically represented how fifteen pictures are combined, coming from the taking cameras C1 to C15, distributed in five picture trios which have been reproduced by projecting the lateral pictures 1-5 and 11-15 in an inverted position with respect to the central pictures 6 to 10. This inversion has been represented in the figure by inverting the picture reference numbers. Also represented in this figure is how the five projection lenses OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4 and OP5 are arranged, as well as the longitudinal distribution on a film of the five picture trios with optical axes mutually offset by the distance K R which is the distance existing between adjacent projection lenses, whereas there is a height distance H between each trio of pictures of the film. This height distance is the same as that which the adjacent projection lenses maintain between themselves in height. In Figure 6 is represented in a partial optical diagram the distribution of the various rays projected from the projection lenses OP1, OP3 and OP4, in order to represent each one of the three possible situations of projection devices, that is to say OP1 representing how the extreme lenses are projected; OP4 representing how the intermediate lenses are projected and OP3 representing how the central lens is projected. Facing these projection lenses are situated the three reflectors, front RF and lateral, right RD and left RI. These reflectors project the fifteen pictures 1 to 15 onto the screen PA, fitting the pictures 1-15 taken into one third of the overall distance. With this arrangement, with only five projection lenses the same optical result is achieved as if there were fifteen projection lenses; the real ones OPR corresponding to pictures 6-10; and the virtual ones OPV(D) corresponding to pictures 1 to 5, and OPV(I) corresponding to the left pictures 11-15. With Figure 7 is represented in sectional side view the arrangement of the lenses OP, of the front reflector RF and of the screen PA. It is observed that the transparent screen PA is situated, in the longitudinal direction, in line with the longitudinal arrangement of the lenses OP1 to OP5. Finally, in Figure 8 is represented a small- or medium-sized projecting device with the arrangement of the various parts. In this figure is represented as an optical diagram the path of the rays coming from the projection lens OP1 which the pictures 1′, 10′ and 11′ project, via the reflectors RI, RF and RD, onto the transparent screen PA. The preceding explanations should be considered as only a preferred illustrative embodiment. Nevertheless, different values of n (always multiples of 3) could be imagined. The taking, copying and projecting relationships would vary accordingly, in a proportional way, therefore further explanations are omitted. Likewise, other devices equivalent to those explained here could be imagined provided that they fall within the following claims.

Claims: Method of recording, copying and reproducing three-dimensionally static or motion pictures comprising the following operations: (a) recording static or motion pictures by using a predetermined number n, n being a multiple of 3, preferably 15, of conventional cameras (C1, C2, ..., Cn) employing a negative film, a slide film or a video tape for recording two-dimensional pictures with each of these cameras (C1, C2, ..., Cn) by: arranging the cameras (Ci) in two groups (C2, C4, ..., C14; C1, C3, ..., C15) in such a way that all cameras of each group are substantially arranged along a horizontal line, the optical axes of the cameras of each group being separated by a distance D at least equal to the width of each of the cameras; positioning the two groups of cameras so that their optical axes are mutually perpendicular, placing a semi-transparent plate (L1-L1′) at an angle of 45° with respect to the axes of the cameras of the two groups so that the cameras of one group facing one surface of the plate observe the object in transmission, whereas the cameras of the other group facing the other surface of the plate observe said object in reflection; positioning a black, light absorbing plate (LN₁) at an angle of 45° with respect to said semi-transparent plate so that that undesired light transmitted by said semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in reflection and that undesired light reflected by the semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in transmission is suppressed; and arranging the two groups of cameras in such a way that the optical axis of each camera of each of the groups as seen from the object in reflection or transmission by said semi-transparent plate appears half-way between the optical axes of two adjacent cameras (Ci-1, Ci+1) of the other group, whereby an effective line of interleaved cameras (C1, C2, ..., C15) is optically formed in which the resulting effective distance (D/2) between the optical axes of adjacent cameras (Ci, Ci+1) is reduced to one halt of the distance (D) between the axes of adjacent cameras (Ci, Ci+2) in each of the groups; (b) transferring the n conjugated pictures taken by the cameras (Ci) corresponding to a same instant of imaging the object onto a single image carrier constituted by a negative film, a slide film or a video tape, said transferring step comprising (i) grouping the pictures into a number n/3 of picture triplets (T₁, T₂, T₃, ...) in such a way that those pictures taken by the cameras arranged on the left third portion of said effective combined line of cameras are arranged as the left side of each picture triplet, those pictures taken by the cameras arranged on the right third portion of said effective combined line of cameras are arranged as the right side of each picture triplet and those pictures taken by the cameras arranged in the central third portion of said effective combined line of cameras are arranged as the middle of each picture triplet, and specularly inverting both the right and left pictures with respect to the central picture of each picture triplet; (ii) arranging the picture triplets at a predetermined transverse distance (H) and at a predetermined longitudinal distance (K R ) from one another; and (iii) copying the so arranged picture triplets either directly onto the single image carrier which is used for subsequent projection, or indirectly via a screen from which another camera takes a combined image of the picture triplets; (c) projecting the picture triplets recorded on said single image carrier onto a projection screen (PA) by means of a projector using a number n/3 of projection lenses (OP₁, OP₂, OP₃, ...) wherein the projection lenses are adjusted in such a way that the central pictures (6 ... 10) of the picture triplets on said single image carrier are projected either directly onto the projection screen or via reflection by a reflecting mirror (RF) positioned in front of the projection lenses, and the left and right lateral pictures of the picture triplets (1 ... 5; 11 ... 15) are respectively projected via an additional left lateral reflection mirror (RI) and via an additional right lateral reflection mirror (RD); and wherein each one of the projection lenses (OP₁, OP₂, ...) is positioned with respect to the adjacent projection lenses at a vertical and at a horizontal distance corresponding to the transverse distances (H) and to the longitudinal distance (K R ) between adjacent picture triplets (T₁, T₂, T₃, ...) on the single image carrier. Method according to claim 1 wherein further cameras are arranged in two further groups (C3, C7, C11, C15 and C4, C8, C12) arranged with a second semi-transparent plate (L2-L2′) and a second black plate (LN₂) as in the first two groups (C1, C5, C9, C13 and C2, C6, C10, C14) and wherein the first two groups of cameras form a first supergroup (A) and the further two groups form a second supergroup (B), the main optical axis resulting from reflection or transmission on the first semi-transparent plate (L1-L1′) of the first supergroup (A) is positioned at a right angle with respect to the main optical axis resulting from reflection or transmission on the second semi-transparent plate (L2-L2′), a third semi-transparent plate (L3-L3′) is positioned at 45° with respect to the two main optical axes from the two supergroups (A, B) and a third black plate (LN₃) is positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to the third semi-transparent plate (L3-L3′) so as to suppress unwanted light reflected by the third semi-transparent plate to the first and second supergroup (A, B) respectively. Method according to claims 1 and 2, wherein n cameras are arranged in 2 m groups, m being an integer in which each one of them comprises at least one camera, each two groups being arranged in accordance with the arrangement of claim 2 by means of a semi-transparent plate and a black one to form a supergroup, each pair of supergroups being arranged in accordance with the arrangement of claim 2, by means of an additional semitransparent plate and black plate to form supergroups of order 2, each pair of supergroups of order 2 will regroup following the method as described in claim 2, forming supergroups of order 3 and continuing in this manner until a single supergroup containis all the cameras, whereby the distance between optical axes of the adjacent cameras, (Ci, Ci+1) results in D/2 m , the 2 m -th part of the distance D between adjacent cameras of the same group. Optical system for recording, copying and reproducing three-dimensionally static or motion pictures according to the method of claim 1, comprising: (a) a predetermined number n, n being a multiple of 3, preferably 15, of conventional cameras (C1, C2, ..., Cn) arranged in two groups on a platform provided with guide rails; the cameras (Ci) in each group (C1, C3, C5, ...; C2, C4, C6, ...) being arranged along a horizontal line so that their optical axes being separated by a distance (D) at least equal to the width of each of the cameras; positioning the two groups of cameras so that the optical axes of the cameras of one camera group being mutually perpendicular with respect to the cameras of the other group; a semi-transparent plate (L1-L1′) being interposed at an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axes of the cameras of the two groups so that the cameras of one group facing one surface of the plate observe the object in transmission, whereas the cameras of the other group facing the other surface of the plate observe said object in reflection; a black, light absorbing plate (LN₁) being positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to said semi-transparent plate so that that undesired light transmitted by said semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in reflection and that undesired light reflected by the semi-transparent plate to those cameras viewing the object in transmission is suppressed; each camera of each group (Ci, i = 1 to n) being arranged in such a way that its optical axis as seen from the object in reflection or transmission, by said semi-transparent plate appears half-way between the optical axes of the corresponding cameras (Ci-1, Ci+1) of the other group, whereby the resulting effective distance between the optical axes of adjacent cameras in both groups is reduced to one half of the distance (D) between the axes of the cameras of one group; and an adjusting means for adjusting and mutually matching the angles and distances for focusing of the cameras with respect to the object to be photographed; (b) an arrangement for copying image carriers consisting of n copying projectors arranged in a number n/3 of triplets positioned at the same transverse location wherein each one of these projectors projects directly or indirectly the corresponding picture from each one of the recording cameras onto a single image carrier in such a way that the left and right pictures of each resulting picture triplet are disposed specularly inverted with respect to the central element of each picture triplet; (c) a projector having a number n/3 of real projection lenses (OP₁, ... OP₅) arranged for projecting the film comprising the picture triplets (T₁ ... T₅), facing a system of mirrors composed of a front mirror (RF) and two lateral reflecting mirrors (RD, RI) thereby in effect providing in total three groups of n effective projection lenses consisting of a right group (OPV(D)) of n/3 virtual projection lenses, a left group (OPV(I)) of n/3 virtual projection lenses and the group (OPR) of n/3 real projection lenses, said group of real projection lenses being in a central position between the right and the left virtual groups, the real projection lenses (OP₁ ... OP₅) being longitudinally and transversely displaced by distances corresponding to the longitudinal offset (K R ) and transverse offset (H) of the picture triplets on the film; and a transparent screen (PA) disposed above the projection lenses (OP₁ ... OP₅) facing the front mirror (RF). Optical system according to claim 4, wherein further cameras are arranged in two further groups thus giving four groups in total (C1, C5, C9, C13; C2, C6, C10, C14; C3, C7, C11, C15; C4, C8, C12), the first two groups forming a first supergroup (A) and the further two groups arranged as the first two groups with a second semi-transparent plate (L2-L2′) and a second black plate (LN₂) forming a second supergroup (B), the two supergroups being arranged such that the resulting optical axes of the two supergroups (A, B) are mutually perpendicular; a third semi-transparent plate (L3-L3′) and a third black plate (LN₃), the sizes of said third plates being adapted to the combination of the cameras in the supergroups (A, B), are interposed at an angle of 45° between the two supergroups (A, B) in such a way that the optical axes of the individual recording cameras remain interlocked between the optical axes of every two adjacent cameras of the opposing group, this interlocking relationship being repeated accordingly for the cameras of the opposing supergroups (A, B). Optical system according to claims 4 and 5, wherein n cameras are arranged in 2 m groups, m being an integer, in which each one of them comprises at least one camera, each two groups being arranged in accordance with the arrangement of claim 5 by means of a semi-transparent plate and a black one to form a supergroup, each pair of supergroups being arranged in accordance with the arrangement of claim 5, by means of an additional semitransparent plate and black plate to form supergroups of order 2, each pair of supergroups of order 2 will regroup following the same procedure as described above, forming super groups of order 3 and continuing in this manner until a single supergroup contains all the cameras, whereby the distance between optical axes of the adjacent cameras, (Ci, Ci+1) results in D/2 m , the 2 m -th part of the distance D between adjacent cameras of the same group. Optical system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a system of stepping motors and a microprocessor arranged for regulating and synchronising of the recording cameras. Optical system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a mechanical system of bellows arranged for regulating and synchronising of the recording cameras.

Inventors: DOMINGUEZ MONTES JUAN, DOMINGUEZ MONTES, JUAN
Applicants: DOMINGUEZ MONTES JUAN, DOMINGUEZ MONTES, JUAN
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G03B35
IPC codes: G03B35, H04N13