SINGLE LENS STEREOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM

Abstract: A single lens imaging system provides stereoscopic viewing without having to have two cameras and using only a single image path. The imaging system may be used over a wide range of frequencies, in fact all frequencies that can be used for producing or reproducing an image. The imaging system has an opaque leaf positioned at a location in an image path between an object and a camera, the opaque leaf is movable laterally in the image path from a left position to a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera. A switching device moves the opaque leaf between the two positions and retains the leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective. A synchronizing system alternates the left image perspective and the right image perspective from the imaging system with a stereoscopic viewing device so that a viewer sees only the left image perspective with one eye and only the right image perspective with the other eye.

Description: SINGLE LENS STEREOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM The present invention relates to stereoscopic viewing of an image from a single lens imaging system such as a camera. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high speed switching device for producing stereoscopic images from a single image path. Simple imaging systems used today are generally two dimensional. A camera has a single image path, or optical path and produces a two dimensional image. The term "camera" used throughout the specification means any type of single lens imaging system including a single imaging sensor which can produce or reproduce a picture of an object. Such cameras can operate in a wide frequency range extending from sonic frequencies to radio frequencies. Examples of such imaging systems include, but are not limited to, video cameras, film cameras, ultrasound systems and radio antennas. Stereoscopic optical systems that produce three dimensional views are known. A majority of these systems include two separate cameras that provide separate side by side images and a method of blanking out alternate images from a left and right camera so the viewer sees the alternate images with a left eye followed by a right eye. These systems include active eyewear wherein shuttering occurs at the eyewear itself for viewing a monitor, or passive eyewear where the shuttering occurs at the monitor. In the case of video images, the monitor is frequently a standard 120 Hz monitor, therefore the emitter signals are synchronized to shutter alternate left and right lenses of the eyewear quickly at 120 Hz, the same speed as the monitor. One use to which three dimensional imaging is now being used is minimal access surgery. In the known systems today dual lenses are provided in an endoscope with left and right cameras to provide left and right images for viewing. A description of existing systems are disclosed in a publication entitled "Three Dimensional Endoscopic Imaging for Minimal Access Surgery" by Mitchell et al, published October 1993, J.R. Coll. Surg. Edinb. Other types of stereoscopic optical systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,761,066 to Carter which utilizes a beam splitter. With regard to the viewers, an example of a liquid crystal stereoscopic viewer is disclosed by Roese in U.S. Patent 4,021,846. The concept of utilizing a passive eyewear includes lenses with colored filters therein. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,712,199 to Songer. The present invention avoids the necessity of requiring two separate imaging systems and needs only a single image path between an image and a camera. This permits utilizing existing two dimensional endoscopes, microscopes, telescopes and the like. It also permits use of video and film cameras with common optical lenses and other energy focusing devices to be incorporated. In the case of a conventional motion picture film camera or video camera, a fixed lens, a zoom lens, a fixed focal length lens or a zoom adaptor lens may all be incorporated in the present system which provides stereoscopic viewing. A switching device is the key to the present invention which has an opaque leaf positioned in the image path between the object and the camera. This opaque leaf is moved laterally at high speed in the image path from a left position to a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the complete image path to the camera. The left image perspective and right image perspective provide the stereoscopic viewing and a synchronizer is provided to synchronize with, for example, a vertical retrace in a video system, or a film gate mechanism for advancing a frame exposure in a film camera. The synchronizer provides a signal to the stereoscopic viewing system such that the left image perspective is visible to one eye, generally the left eye, and the right image perspective is visible to the other eye of a viewer. In this way a three dimensional or stereoscopic image is achieved. Because the two perspectives see the complete image path, there is no need to refocus or change the optics between perspectives. The complete image path is seen from both perspectives. In the case of utilizing a video camera, a signal from the camera indicating the frame exposure advancing cycle is used to synchronize the stereoscopic viewing system. The signal from a video camera may be transmitted by telecommunications to different viewers. Alternatively, the signal may be recorded on a VCR, compact disc, or other similar recording means for future viewing and, again, the indication of frame change from the VCR or projector in the case of a film, may be used to synchronize the stereoscopic viewing arrangement to blank out alternately a left lens and a right lens of the eyewear. The system may also be used for transmission signals, either through cable, satellite or radio media. The receiving viewer must have a stereoscopic viewing arrangement that is synchronized with the received transmission signals. The present invention provides a single lens imaging system for producing stereoscopic viewing of an object utilizing a camera comprising: a switching device having an opaque leaf positioned in an image path between the object and the camera, the opaque leaf movable laterally in the image path from a left position to a right position, to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera, the left image perspective and the right image perspective required for stereoscopic viewing; means for moving the opaque leaf between the left position and the right position, and retain the opaque leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective; stereoscopic viewing means to view the left image perspective from the camera with one eye of a viewer and to view the right image perspective from the camera with the other eye of a viewer, and synchronization means to synchronize the means for moving the opaque leaf and control the stereoscopic viewing means so that the viewer sees only the left image perspective with the one eye and only the right image perspective with the other eye. The present invention also provides a method of stereoscopic viewing an object with a single lens imaging system comprising the steps of: placing an opaque leaf at a location in an image path between the object and a camera; moving the opaque leaf laterally in the image path between a left position and a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera, the left image perspective and the right image perspective required for stereoscopic viewing; retaining the opaque leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective, and synchronizing, alternate left image perspective and right image perspective from the camera with stereoscopic viewing means so that a viewer sees only the left image perspective with one eye and only the right image perspective with the other eye. In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the components of the stereoscopic viewing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the switching device including an opaque leaf for laterally moving in an image path between a camera and an object. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are schematic views showing circular image paths with different sizes of left and right blocking to provide left and right perspectives. In the past it has been necessary to provide two separate optical paths or image paths to provide a stereoscopic view or a three dimensional view. However, we have now found that by using a single image path and moving an optical leaf between a left position and a right position at a location in the image path, we obtain left and right image perspectives of the image path. A single imaging sensor has one exit pupil but the left and right image perspectives are far enough apart to provide three dimensional or stereoscopic viewing. Referring to Figure 1, a camera 10 has a lens 12 and an optical path 14 to an object 16 illustrated here as a tree. A high speed switching device 18 according to the present invention is shown with an optical leaf 30 positioned at a location on the image path 14 that is at an optimal position to blank off the image path at that location and provide left and right image perspectives of the object for the full image path. Thus, the image seen by the camera is the same but from different perspectives. The details of the switching device 10 will be disclosed hereafter. The camera 10, which in this drawing is a video camera, provides a signal to a video monitor 20. An electronic synchronizer 22 synchronizes the movement of the high speed switching device 18 with the frame movement of the camera, which in a video camera is the commencement of the vertical retrace, and then provides a signal to a stereoscopic viewing arrangement, in this case illustrated as liquid crystal glasses 24, so that the left and right eye of a viewer are synchronized to view the left and right image perspectives formed by movement of the high speed switch 18 at the location in the optical path 14. Details of the high speed switch 18 are illustrated in Figure 2 wherein an opaque leaf 30 moves laterally in the optical path 14 between end stops 32. The optical leaf 30 blanks off a portion of the complete optical path 14 and when moved from a left position to a right position provides a left image perspective and a right image perspective. The opaque leaf 30 is supported on the end of an arm 34 which at the other end has an iron armature 36. A fulcrum or bearing 38 is positioned on the arm 34. In the optimized case the relative lengths of the arm portions between the opaque leaf 30 and the bearing 38 and between the iron armature 36 and the bearing 38 are chosen so that it represents the center of the mass forming the opaque leaf 30, arm 34 and iron armature 36. This provides a balance for the arm to accelerate, stop and be free of motion in the time period between adjacent video or film image frames. In the video embodiment the time period between adjacent frames is approximately 0.5 milliseconds and in the motion picture embodiment this time is the gate mechanism advancement time, generally slightly more than 0.5 milliseconds. The bearing 38 is a low friction bearing allowing the arm 34 to move only in the one plane that is perpendicular to the image path 14. No other motions are allowed as they cause aberrations or distortion in the image. The iron armature 36 is moved by two electromagnets 40 each having dampers 42 to assist in stopping the armature 36 and hence the opaque leaf 30 quickly and without any vibration. The opaque leaf 30 is shown being trapezoidal in shape and in a preferred embodiment the side face of the trapezoidal shape extends across the diameter or center line of the image path 14 when in either the left position or the right position up against end stops 32. The opaque leaf 30 moves in a short space of time and then remains motionless for a relatively long period when the image exposure is made in both the left position and the right position. For a video camera, this exposure time is 16.7 milliseconds or 33.3 milliseconds at the frame rate. The ratio of 0.5 milliseconds to 16.7 milliseconds defines a 3% duty cycle, or at the frame rate a 1.5% duty cycle. The switching action has to occur in this short period and the opaque leaf 30 has to remain stationary without any movement for the exposure time. Motion of the opaque leaf 30 during the exposure time degrades the image quality. In the embodiment shown the opaque leaf 30 transverses perpendicularly across one-half of the image path 14 from end stop 32 to end stop 32 during the frame advancing time period. Many different types of materials may be used for the opaque leaf. The defining parameter is that the leaf material is opaque in the wave length of interest. For example, in the light frequencies the leaf must be opaque to light. The switch functions over a broad range of spectrum from sonic through infrared light, ultraviolet and up to high radio frequencies. In fact any frequency that is capable of having a camera produce or reproduce an image. The switching device 18 is placed at a location in the image path 14 typically at or near to the camera lens. In this way the opaque leaf 30 defines a constraining plane within the image path. In the case of a radio frequency, the camera is an antenna, and in the case of a sonic system, the camera would be a directional microphone, or a horn to receive an ultrasonic beam. In all cases, the opaque leaf 30 divides the image path into a left perspective and a right perspective such that these two perspectives can be viewed by the left and right eyes of a viewer to provide a stereoscopic or three dimensional image. The left image perspective and the right image perspective are seen by alternating frames of the camera 10 and then as shown in Figure 1, a signal passes to a video monitor 20 where the left image perspective and the right image perspective are alternately shown from frame to frame. An electronic synchronization circuit 22, shown in Figure 1, receives a signal from the camera 10 which represents the time between adjacent frames or, in the case of a motion picture, the time that the gate mechanism advances the film from frame to frame, and a signal from the electronic synchronization circuit 22 is passed to the electromagnets 40 of the switching device 18, first the left image perspective and then the right image perspective, to ensure that there is synchronization between the camera 10 and the switching device 18. The electromagnet 40 is activated to move the opaque leaf 30 during the half millisecond that the video or film frame changes and then ensure that the opaque leaf 30 remains motionless during the exposure time of that frame, be it video or film. As shown in Figure 1, the electronic synchronization circuit 22 also provides a signal to the two lenses in liquid crystal shutter glasses 24 similar to the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,021,846 to Roese. The different lenses change state from transparent to opaque and it is the electronic synchronization circuit 22 which ensures that the left image perspective of the image path is seen by the left eye with the right lens opaque, and the right image perspective of the image path seen by the right eye with the left lens opaque. The lenses switch from being transparent to opaque at the same speed and in synchronization with the movement of the opaque leaf and thus in synchronization with the frame movement of the camera 10. Thus the alternating image perspectives on the monitor 20 are arranged to be seen by a viewer left eye seeing only the left image perspective frames and right eye only the right image perspective frames. There are many other mechanisms available to differentiate at a viewers eye between the left image perspective and the right image perspective, and the present invention is not limited to any one type of stereoscopic viewing device. The location of the end stops 32 shown in Figure 2 may be relocated if one requires greater or less movement of the opaque leaf 30 across the image path 14. Figure 3a illustrates a circular cross-section image path 14 at that location with a left block 50 and a right block 52 to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective. The trapezoidal shape of the opaque leaf 30 divides the image path 14 at a vertical diameter 54, thus the two blocks 50,52 have the same cross-sectional areas, each a semi circle. This creates the joining edge of the left block 50 and the right block 52 during the cycling action. The amount of stereopsis is varied within the image path 14 by changing the movement of the opaque leaf 30 between the end stops 32. Figure 3b represents less movement of the opaque leaf, the left block 50 overlaps the right block 52 and has an overlap portion 56. Figure 3c represents more movement of the opaque leaf and the left block 50 and right block 52 do not even join, leaving a gap 58. A greater stereopsis is obtained with overlap as shown in Figure 3b but there is less light for viewing. The best light situation occurs with a gap between the blocks 50,52 as shown in Figure 3c, but there is less stereopsis. A preferred embodiment of optical viewing is the arrangement shown in Figure 3a which best balances light and stereopsis. In the embodiment described herein, it has been indicated that the left image perspective is seen by the left eye of a viewer and the right image perspective is seen by the right eye of the viewer. This arrangement may depend partly upon the location of the opaque leaf of the switching device in the optical path. In certain situations, the perspectives may be physically or electronically switched, so the viewer sees with the left eye when the optical leaf is blocking a right portion of the image path, and vice versa. The arrangement is made to obtain the desired degree of stereopsis and to obtain the maximum available light without any refocussing. Whereas the opaque leaf 30 has been shown as been trapezoidal, in other embodiments this shape may be varied. For instance, the opaque leaf 30 may be such that two separate circular image perspectives are formed spaced apart. Whereas the image path 14 is shown as being circular, in other embodiments this could be rectangular or almost any shape which is viewed by a camera. In an optical embodiment, the image path 14 or optical path can be scaled larger or smaller as can the switching device 18. Maximum energy transmission is provided for stereoscopic imaging through the single lens system since only one-half the image path 14 is blocked during each cycle as compared to any technique that places energy absorbing devices in series with the active half of a transmission path. The opaque leaf 30 blocks a portion of the image path 14 leaving the remainder of the image path open for an image perspective. No additional devices that absorb energy or distort the properties of the energy source are needed, and there is no change necessary for focusing the right or left image perspectives. The air gaps that are in position between the iron armature 36 and the electromagnets 40 provide fast release of the armature 36 from residual magnetic fields stored in the electromagnets 40 for the next cycle. Electronic waveform control on the magnetic fields reduce these residual fields further. The electronic waveform to the electromagnets 40 of the switch mechanism are formed to create high acceleration required during the frame advancing cycle. The waveform then reduces to hold the armature 36 and hence the opaque leaf 30 in place and stationary during the exposure period. Just before the end of the exposure period, the waveform releases and a slight reverse polarization occurs to the electromagnet 40 to overcome residual permanent magnetic effects in the magnet itself. The cycle repeats itself with the opposite electromagnet 40. Other changes_may be made to the embodiments shown herein without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims: The embodiments of the present invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A single lens imaging system for producing stereoscopic viewing of an object utilizing a camera comprising: a switching device having an opaque leaf positioned at a location in an image path between the object and the camera, the opaque leaf movable laterally in the image path from a left position to a right position, to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera, the left image perspective and the right image perspective required for stereoscopic viewing; means for moving the opaque leaf between the left position and the right position, and retain the opaque leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective; stereoscopic viewing means to view the left image perspective from the camera with one eye of a viewer and to view the right image perspective from the camera with the other eye of the viewer, and synchronization means to synchronize the means for moving the opaque leaf and control the stereoscopic viewing means so that the viewer sees only the left image perspective with the one eye and only the right image perspective with the other eye. 2. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the means for moving the opaque leaf in the switching device comprises two opposing electromagnets on both sides of an iron armature movable between the electromagnets, the iron armature being connected by an arm to the opaque leaf, the arm having a bearing between the armature and the opaque leaf, the electromagnets moving the armature from side to side such that the optical leaf moves from the left position to the right position. 3. The single lens imaging system according to claim 2 wherein the opaque leaf is trapezoidal in shape. 4. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the left image perspective and the right image perspective represent one-half the cross-sectional area of the image path blanked at the location of the opaque leaf. 5. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the left image perspective and the right image perspective represent a cross-sectional area greater than one-half the cross-sectional area of the image path blanked at the location of the opaque leaf. 6. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the left image perspective and the right image perspective represent a cross-sectional area less than one-half the cross-sectional area of the image path blanked at the location of the opaque leaf. 7. The single lens imaging system according to claim 2 including damping means associated with the electromagnets to ensure fast stopping of the armature with the opaque leaf in the left position and the right position. 8. . The single lens imaging system according to claim 2 including end stops adjacent the optical leaf to provide positive stops for the left position and the right position. 9. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the means for moving the opaque leaf between the left position and the right position completes the movement within 0.5 milliseconds and wherein the opaque leaf is retained stationary in each position for a time representing exposure of a frame for the camera. 10. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the opaque leaf is made of a material that is opaque to the wave length detected by the camera. 11. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the camera is a video camera and wherein the synchronization means synchronizes the switching device with a vertical retrace in the video representing a frame change. 12. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the camera is a film camera and wherein the synchronization means synchronizes the switching device with gate advance for a film in the film camera representing a frame change. 13. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 including a lens positioned in the image path to focus the image path such that the location of the optical leaf is at an optimal position. 14. The single lens imaging system according to claim 13 wherein the lens is selected from the group consisting of a fixed type, zoom type, fixed focal length. 15. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the image is associated with an endoscope. 16. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the image is associated with a microscope. 17. The single lens imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the image is associated with a telescope. 18. A method of stereoscopic viewing an object with a single lens imaging system, comprising the steps of: placing an opaque leaf at a location in an image path between the object and a camera; moving the opaque leaf laterally in the image path between a left position and a right position to provide a left image perspective and a right image perspective of the image path to the camera, the left image perspective and the right image perspective required for stereoscopic viewing; retaining the opaque leaf stationary in each position for a sufficient time for the camera to view each image perspective, and synchronizing alternate left image perspective and right image perspective from the camera with stereoscopic viewing means so that a viewer sees only the left image perspective with one eye and only the right image perspective with the other eye. 19. The method of stereoscopic viewing according to claim 18 wherein the camera is a video camera and wherein movement of the opaque leaf is synchronized with a vertical retrace representing a frame change in the video camera. 20. The method of stereoscopic viewing according to claim 18 wherein the camera is a film camera and wherein movement of the opaque leaf is synchronized with a gate advance for a film in the film camera representing a frame change. 21. The method of stereoscopic viewing according to claim 18 wherein the opaque leaf is moved laterally in the image path from being stationary in either the left position or the right position to being stationary in the other position within 0.5 milliseconds. 22. The method of stereoscopic viewing according to claim 19 wherein the stereoscopic viewing means comprises active eyewear with a left lens and right lens that becomes opaque, and wherein the eyewear is synchronized with the movement of the opaque leaf so that one eye sees the left image perspective and the other eye sees the right image perspective.

Inventors: GREENING ANTHONY B, MITCHELL THOMAS N, GREENING, ANTHONY, B., MITCHELL, THOMAS, N.
Applicants: INT TELEPRESENCE CORP, INTERNATIONAL TELEPRESENCE CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G02B27
IPC codes: A61B1, G02B27, H04N13