Patent Publication Number: US-2011069880-A1

Title: Three-dimensional photographic system and a method for creating and publishing 3d digital images of an object

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to photographic systems and methods, specifically to the photographic systems and methods for creating rotatable 3D digital images. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There are known many inventions related to photographic systems and a lot of methods for taking pictures at different angles to form a three-dimensional digital object as a combination thereof. 
     In a common way a camera is positioned at different angles using a stand and/or other holding and positioning means like railing, moving frames etc. 
     German utility model DE202005014072U describes a moving frame assembly having a camera mounting plate, which rotates horizontally about an axis on a carriage running along a rail and moving past the fixed object to be photographed. Rail, carriage and mounting can also be moved along in a direction at right angles to the rail. Comprehensive provisions are made for camera tilt, swing and rise and fall. Adjustments are automated using stepper motors. A computer provides for manual and automatic control of relative positioning, direction and image taking. 
     The shortcoming of such solution lies in relatively large dimensions of the rail assembly when taking pictures at a constant distance from the object to be photographed. Said system requires at least three actuators, such as stepper motors or hydraulic means thus the control of such-a-system becomes relatively complicated so the cost of the entire system increases. The system is most suitable for taking pictures from a great variety of horizontal angles but not vertical angles. 
     American patent US2006147188 published on Jul. 6, 2006 describes a photographic shelf, which is highly controllable, adjustable and portable. A loading turntable of the shelf for loading a photographic subject has the functions of horizontal rotation for different angles and vertical angles&#39; switches while cooperating with a hand rod screwing a digital camera. 
     The shortcoming of this particular invention lies in manual control of the whole assembly. Though the process is not automated it takes very long to shoot hundreds or sometimes even thousands of times and requires a lot of human assistance. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Technical Solution 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional photographic system, which is automatically controlled by a computer using actuators, such as stepper motors or the like. Also a computer system is arranged comprising the controlling computer, main server and client computers wherein controlling computer is arranged to control the photographic system by operating said actuators and to put acquired pictures together forming an integral three-dimensional digital object which could be rotated by means of computer input devices and displayed on a display. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
       
    
    
     
       Description of Drawings 
       FIG.  1 —photographic system comprising a hanger ( 11 ) in a perspective view; 
       FIG.  2 —photographic system comprising a support ( 9 ) in a perspective view; 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     This invention might be implemented by using an electromechanical assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 . This is the preferred embodiment of the invention though it should not be considered as limiting. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. 
     According to this invention the electromechanical assembly comprises at least:
         a base member ( 6 ),   a lower frame member ( 4 ), which rotates about an imaginary vertical axis with respect to said base member ( 6 ),   an upper frame member ( 7 ), which rotates about an imaginary horizontal axis,   a camera ( 8 ) arranged at one end of said upper frame member ( 7 ),   a backcloth member ( 2 ) arranged at the other end of the upper frame member ( 7 ), opposite to the said camera ( 8 ),   an upper actuator ( 3 ) which controls the upper frame member ( 7 ) through a gearwheel-type transmission, and   a lower actuator ( 5 ) which controls the lower frame member ( 4 ) through a gearwheel-type transmission.       

     The said actuators ( 3 ,  5 ) can be either of a stepper motor type or of a hydraulic type or of a pneumatic type or the like. 
     The object ( 1 ) to be photographed is placed approximately around the imaginary point of intersection of said imaginary axes. Said object ( 1 ) to be photographed can be either hanged on a hanger ( 11 ) or placed on a support ( 9 ), or stand or the like, wherein said support is fixedly arranged with respect to the said base member ( 6 ).
         Said backcloth member ( 2 ) preferably comprises at least one cut ( 10 ), which extends from the approximate center of the backcloth member ( 2 ) to the lateral side of it. The cut ( 10 ) is arranged to receive a shank of the hanger ( 11 ) or of the support ( 9 ) while rotating the upper frame member ( 7 ) in to a vertical position in order to take pictures of the object ( 1 ) directly from above or directly from below.       

     The process of taking pictures preferably consists of the following steps:
         placing the object ( 1 ) to be photographed on the said support ( 9 ) or hanging on the hanger ( 11 ),   setting the upper rotating frame member ( 7 ) to a starting position wherein the camera ( 8 ) is typically either in a position below the object ( 1 ) to be photographed or above it,   rotating the upper rotating frame member ( 7 ) gradually at a constant speed or rotating and positioning at predetermined angles,   taking pictures at predetermined time intervals when rotating the said upper frame member ( 7 ) at a constant speed together with the camera ( 8 ), and taking pictures whenever the frame stops in predetermined positions when rotating the said upper frame member ( 7 ) at predetermined angles,   rotating the lower frame member ( 4 ) at a predetermined angle which usually is not more than 10° and repeating steps 2, 3 and 4,   repeating steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 until the whole object ( 1 ) is photographed from all around or pictures of a desired part of the object are taken, e.g. the top and all sides of the object ( 1 ) or only the sides etc.       

     A reverse operation of the whole assembly is also possible. The implication is that the lower frame member ( 4 ) rotates at a constant speed or is rotated and positioned at predetermined angles all around and the upper frame member ( 7 ) remains oriented at the same horizontal angle. After a set of pictures is taken at the same horizontal angle, changing only the vertical angle of shooting, i.e. rotating only the lower frame member ( 4 ), the upper frame member is rotated just a bit in order to change the horizontal shooting angle at a predetermined amount. 
     Said shooting time intervals or predetermined angles of the rotation of the frames ( 4 ,  7 ) are to be chosen in respect of desired integrity and quality of the final 3D digital image of the object ( 1 ). The shorter the predetermined time intervals or the smaller predetermined rotation angles are the better quality and integrity of the final 3D digital image is achieved. 
     The stepper motors ( 3 ,  5 ) and the camera ( 8 ) are controlled by a computer device, which comprises at least a signal output means, program part and data input means, wherein said signal output means are arranged to send controlling signals, preferably in a form of electrical signals or electromagnetic waves, to the controllers of the stepping motors ( 3 ,  5 ) and to a controller of the camera ( 8 ) in order to drive said stepping motors ( 3 ,  5 ) in a desired manner and to operate said camera ( 8 ) according to a predetermined schedule. 
     Said program part is arranged to form the said predetermined schedule of camera operation which is strictly coherent to the movement of the upper rotating frame ( 7 ) and/or the lower rotating frame ( 4 ). The said program part is also suitable for arrangement of the acquired pictures in order to form an integral three-dimensional digital object, which could be rotated by means of computer input devices and displayed on a display. Methods and programs of forming such-a-picture are already in the market. 
     Said data input means are arranged to receive the picture data from the camera ( 8 ). Received picture files are stored in a storing medium and prepared for a further processing. 
     The controlling signal output means and the data input means can either be as separate connections and interfaces or combined into one standard interface such as USB, FireWire, LAN, Wireless LAN, COM or the like. 
     The method for creating a three-dimensional digital image further comprises storing of a finished 3D digital object in a server and creating a shortcut to the specific location of the file in the server. Said shortcut is delivered to a customer who can use it in a website, e.g. placing it like a hyperlink. The file containing the said 3D digital object can be also submitted to a customer as a downloadable file or in a physical medium. However the method of creating and providing a shortcut simplifies the whole delivery process and it is more effective and convenient in the customer perspective. 
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
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