Patent Abstract:
A stereoscopic single digital camera adapter in the form of a quick-snap, center sliding plate ( 1 ) and guide track adapter ( 3 ) with built-in leveling jacks ( 10 ), a horizontal level vial ( 16 ) and dead-end stops between 0 and 55 mm, which is similar to the average distance between the center of two human eyes. This pocket-sized universal adapter is for use with digital cameras to better facilitate, and quickly and easily capture very precise quality still pair of images of a scene or a subject by any person. The invention helps to capture a stereo pair of images, one that emulates a left eye view of the intended subject and another that emulates a right eye view of the same scene or subject. The two image pairs can then be downloaded into a computer and /or printed on paper through printing devices or viewed in any desired stereoscopic, anaglyph or interlaced viewing formats.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to stereoscopic photography and the capture of a matched pair of digitized photo images by use of any single lens digital camera and stores these images in two separate files, one to represent a right-eye view of the intended subject and another for a left-eye view. These two images can then be combined for viewing with various three-dimensional formats such as parallel, cross-eyed viewing, with hand-held viewers, anaglyph or liquid crystal shutter glasses, or lenticular sheet viewing or more particularly to a digital camera guiding track apparatus for accurately taking a stereo pair of digital images of a scene or a subject.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Typically, a stereoscopic camera comes with a built-in pair of left and right eye views of a subject and captures two images on a filmstrip for slide viewing. These cameras are old and do not offer the convenience, ease of use, and economy of digital cameras. Since no such stereoscopic digital cameras exist to date, it was important to create a new sliding mechanism that easily allows the capture of left and right digital images by a single lens digital camera.  
         [0005]     Although several patents of various apparatus have been designed to provide the ability to take a left and right eye view of a scene or a subject as suggested in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,355 issued Jan. 10, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,049, issued Aug. 30, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 2,791,950, issued May 1957; U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,443, issued April 1942; U.S. Pat. No. 1,371,439, issued Mar. 15, 1921; and U.S. Pat. No. No. 713,177, issued Nov. 11, 1902; an ordinary camera with only a single capture lens can be used to sequentially expose respective images of the same scene or subject on a pair of adjacent film frames when the camera is in right and left picture-taking positions. A suitable distance between the right and left photo-capture positions is chosen to obtain a matched pair of images that, when looked at together through an appropriate stereoscopic viewer, shows a stereoscopic three-dimensional image of the original scene or subject. All come with a tripod support for the camera and typically having two pre-set locations for locating the camera in the right and left photo-captures positions.  
         [0006]     In addition, other sliding plates are too slow to operate, and capture two left and right views of a subject with a single camera. This is especially hard to do when taking stereoscopic portrait photography with a single camera, because humans are less able to stand still for a long period of time until the user releases, then shifts, and then locks the camera from right to left requiring a new, better, and faster method.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention relates to a stereoscopic digital camera slide plate and track guide apparatus which allows for the precise positioning of just one single lens digital camera at each of two right/left locations to be selected from a list of pre set locations. Two individual digital photographic representations of a scene or a subject are then captured and stored on the digital camera-recording medium for further download to a computer or a suitable printer.  
         [0008]     Any macro, zoom or wide-angle lens can be used in the process. The stereoscopic digital camera apparatus mainly consists of a sliding plate with a built-in bolt to attach to the bottom of a digital camera and a matching track guide with the means to attach to a tripod, but can also be leveled without the use of a tripod with the built-in four supporting leveling jacks located at the four corners of the track guide. The track guide also has a built-in horizontal level to support the leveling process and produce precise stereoscopic pairs of digital photographs. This stereoscopic apparatus is designed to be ultra-compact, highly functional, and extremely easy to use.  
         [0009]     The quick-lock/quick-release thumb operated cylinder is a unique method to quickly lock the sliding plate and attached camera in a position to stop it from sliding in either direction while capturing a scene. This mechanism allows for the set positions to be freely selected by the user depending on the distance away from the intended subject or the type of lenses or zoom function being used.  
         [0010]     What is also unique about this invention is that the digital camera and the attached sliding plate can easily be placed starting at an angle to position the front side of the sliding plate under the locking cylinder on the guiding track, then snapped down onto the guiding track through the center. This mechanism allows both left and right ends to provide automatic stop points for the default left and right positions on the guiding track where both ends are closed, making it extremely fast to take repeated and accurate left and right photographs in a record time, which makes this invention the best stereoscopic single digital or SLR adapter ever created for human portrait photography, where the requirement to stay still is extremely minimized.  
         [0011]     Another embodiment of the invention does not require a threaded tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. This allows the invention to be used with disposable cameras or the very small digital cameras that do not have a tripod socket.  
         [0012]     Yet another embodiment of the present invention has the same function as the first embodiment, but is more lightweight and compact. It employs gears and swivels to control the distance between the left and right positions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows the sliding plate, ready to fit onto the guiding track.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows the sliding plate in the left default position on the guiding track before it is locked with the locking cylinder through a quick twist using the thumb and index with the help of the right.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows the sliding plate with the standard tripod-like bolt to attach to the bottom of the camera. The front of the sliding plate is shaped to easily fit under the locking cylinder on the guiding track.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  shows the sliding plate and the bolt.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  shows the bottom side of the sliding plate with one example of a bolt mechanism, here shown as a coin screw mechanism.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  shows the top of the sliding plate with the top of the bolt where the bottom of the camera is attached.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  shows how the various parts fit together on the guiding track.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  shows the stereoscopic universal digital camera adapter with a digital camera attached, and in the right position after already capturing a left photograph in the left position, and recording the digital image onto the digital camera.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  and the following figures show another embodiment of the invention, where in this figure the slim stereoscopic base plate is ready for use along with the sliding guide on the back ridge in the left image capture position on the left side of the distance scale.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  shows how the sliding guide is slid onto the back ridge, and attached to the stereoscopic base plate through the right end and into a right image capture position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation of the stereoscopic base plate and the sliding guide, and how the sliding guide fits around the back ridge.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation, the same as  FIG. 11 , except that it shows the components assembled.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the stereoscopic base plate and how the sliding guide is fitted on the back ridge.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a side elevation showing how a sample camera is placed on the stereoscopic apparatus.  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  illustrates how a user directs a camera towards the subject to be photographed.  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a diagram showing how a point can move from position “L” to position “R” around a center point “C” to travel a distance of 6.5 cm using a radius of 3.25 cm.  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of the swivel stereoscopic apparatus in the left position.  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is a rear elevation of the swivel stereoscopic apparatus in the left position attached to a sample tripod.  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  is a rear and side elevation of the apparatus.  FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the various parts that make up the swivel stereoscopic apparatus.  FIG. 21  is a plan view of the swivel stereoscopic adapter.  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is an exploded plan view of  FIG. 21 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a plan view of the adapter pointing out the 3.25 cm radius.  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is a stop-motion plan view of how the top plate rotates around the center of the bottom plate while maintaining a straightforward orientation.  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  shows the position of the swivel adapter after a full swivel from left to right and how the middle plate and top plates come to a stop in order to maintain a straight position.  
         [0036]      FIG. 26  shows how a mounted camera can be swiveled using the swivel stereoscopic apparatus to shift from a left-eye view to a right-eye view.  
         [0037]      FIG. 27  shows examples of two sample sizes of swivel adapters.  
         [0038]      FIG. 28  is a diagram showing how a smaller arc path creates a shorter distance between the left and right positions.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 29 and 30  show a swivel stereoscopic macro adapter that fits under the swivel adapter.  
         [0040]      FIG. 31  shows how the top member plate swivels from left to right to a total separation distance of 2 cm. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0000]     Table of Reference Numbers  
         [0041]     The following table of drawing reference numbers will aid in understanding the scope of the specification. 
     1  sliding plate      2  screw      3  guiding track      4  quick-lock cylinder      5  cylinder notch      6  fixed notch      7  cylinder notch      8  fixed notch      9  guide track corner      10  leveling jack      11  default left position mark      12  default right position mark      13  center back opening on guiding track      14  sliding plate back part      15  level vial socket      16  level vial      17  sliding plate front lip      18  left indents      19  right indents      20  locking cylinder back side      21  locking cylinder bottom front side      22  guide track left and right sides      31  sliding guide      32  back ridge      33  base plate      34  distance scale      35  rubber or cork mat      36  right end of base plate      37  left end of base plate      39  level vial      40  mechanism to mount tripod      50  bottom member plate      52  middle member plate      53  top member plate      54  fastening mechanism      55  level vial      56  tripod      57  middle plate screw      58  rotating threaded socket      59  middle plate opening      60  top member screw      61  threaded socket      62  threaded socket      63  extended bolt      64  male ridges      65  standard bolt      66  left back opening on middle member plate      67  right brake      68  right back opening      69  right brake on bottom plate      70  threaded tripod socket      71  left brake on bottom plate      72  left stop brake on top member plate      73  left level vial screw      74  right level vial screw      75  macro adapter      76  right bent end      77  left bent end      78  left macro adapter stop brake      79  right macro adapter stop brake      80  left stop brake area      81  right stop brake area      82  left top member plate stop brake      83  right top member plate stop brake    
 
       Embodiment 1  
       [0106]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , here is how the Stereoscopic Universal Digital Camera Adapter is best used:  
         [0107]     For use with a tripod, in  FIG. 1 , the user first attaches the guiding track  3  by use of the standard threaded socket  7  located at the bottom center of the guiding track in  FIG. 2 , then screws the standard bolt on the tripod into that threaded socket tightly, and then levels the tripod horizontally with the help of the level vial  16 . The level vial  16  is secured to the guide track  3  using a level vial socket  15 . The guiding track  3  preferably has a length, width, and height between 10 cm×4 cm×1.5 cm and 20 cm×5 cm×2.5 cm.  
         [0108]     For use without a tripod, the user places the guiding track  3  on the desired surface that provides the right proper spot and direction for capturing the photographs. With the use of the leveling jacks  10 , the user can then level the guiding track with the help of the level vial  16 . It is not recommended to use the level jacks  10  for highly inclined surfaces, where the leveling could be beyond the capability of the leveling jacks. Leveling jacks  10  are placed in each corner  9  of the guide track  3 .  
         [0109]     With the use of any digital camera that comes ready with a standard threaded socket at the bottom of the base of the camera, the sliding plate  1  by means of the standard attached screw  2  in the center of the plate, the plate  1  is first screwed to the bottom of the base of the camera where the threaded socket is located (camera not shown). Attach the camera to the snap-on center of the plate  14  pointing towards the back of the camera, and the lens to the front, with the screw tightened in a way that makes the back of the camera parallel with the length of the sliding plate  1 .  
         [0110]     Both the digital camera and the sliding plate  1  are brought over the center of the guiding track  3 . In order to place the sliding plate  1  with the attached camera on the guiding track  3 , the camera and the plate  1  are then tilted forward in order for the quarter cylindrical piece in the front of the sliding plate to snap in the allotted space just under the quick-lock cylinder  4  on the guiding track  3 . Then the digital camera and the sliding plate  1  are brought down from the back through the center for the guiding track where the back part of the sliding plate  14  fits into the center back opening on the guiding track  13 .  
         [0111]     At this point the sliding plate  1 , along with the attached digital camera, should be parallel with the guiding track  3 . Then by holding the camera, the user slides the digital camera by means of the sliding plate  1  all the way to the left until the digital camera comes to a stop and no longer can move further on the guiding track (this is the default pre-set left-view position) then the user captures a left-view image of the desired scene or subject, then quickly slides the digital camera all the way to the right until the digital camera comes to a stop and no longer can travel further to the right on the guiding track  3 . This is the default pre-set right-view position. He then captures a right view image of the scene or subject. A mark  11  on the guide track body  3  indicates the default left position. A corresponding mark  12  on the guide track body  3  indicates the default right position. The position of the camera on the apparatus sliding back and forth is shown more fully in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0112]     As a safety measure, if the user intends to move the camera and the stereoscopic adapter with or without the tripod from place to place so that the adapter and digital camera become tightly attached, e.g., to avoid having the digital camera fall, the user can then turn the quick-lock cylinder  4  down. He does this by placing his thumb on the cylinder notch  5  or  7  from the top and the side of the index finger of the same hand below the fixed notch  6  or  8  on the guiding track and twisting the thumb down and the index finger up to tightly secure and lock the digital camera on the track guide in a secure position. To release the digital camera and sliding plate from the track guide, a twist back in the opposite direction does the trick.  
         [0113]     After taking the left-view photograph, users may decide to move the camera a shorter distance than the 55 mm standard distance on the track. The 55 mm distance is significant because it is the average distance between the centers of two human eyes. Users may also decide to stop at any shorter distance to capture the right-view corresponding image. This is especially helpful when capturing photographs of a subject that is very close to the camera, e.g., less than 2-2.5 m (6-8 feet) away from the lens.  
         [0114]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the slide plate  1  assembly. The sliding plate front lip  17  is designed to easily fit under the locking cylinder  4 .  
         [0115]      FIG. 4  is another perspective of the slide plate  1  assembly of  FIG. 3 . The left back and front circular indents  18  are formed to make a snug fit with the level jack  10  casings on the left side of the guide track  3 . The right back and front circular indents  19  are formed to make a snug fit with the level jack  10  casings on the right side of the guide track  3 .  
         [0116]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the sliding plate  1  with one example of a bolt mechanism  2 . The mechanism shown is a coin screw mechanism.  FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the sliding plate  1  showing the top of the bolt  2 .  
         [0117]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing how the parts fit together. The locking cylinder  4  has a thinner back side  20  than the bottom front side  21  for the lock position, where it is thicker when twisted down against the front of the sliding plate  1 . An example of how the locking cylinder  4  might fit onto the guide track left and right sides  22  is shown. Other mechanisms that would work include a supporting brass rod and suitable tightening springs, for example.  
         [0118]     Users can then download the stereo pair of images onto a computer or printer and manipulate them with 3D stereo pair editing or mixing software, or a professional photo editor like PHOTOSHOP®, from Adobe, to create the desired stereoscopic or anaglyph viewing formats.  
       Embodiment 2  
       [0119]     The above embodiment of the invention requires a threaded socket on the camera to guide the camera on the slide bar in order to capture quality stereoscopic photographs. This creates a problem for for a good number of consumers who purchase disposable film cameras or use new small, digital cameras that do not come equipped with a threaded tripod socket. For these consumers, there is no simple, inexpensive apparatus that helps them capture quality stereo pair left and right images on the market. Therefore, we felt the need to solve this problem and create a version of this invention having a slim plate with a back ridge and side guide to allow any consumer to capture quality stereoscopic images without the need to physically attach a camera to any apparatus by use of a tripod threaded socket.  
         [0120]     This new stereoscopic apparatus allows for use on a flat surface and may be used with a tripod, but does not require one, as most novice or traveling camera users do not necessarily have access to a tripod. The back ridge could also include a horizontal level vial to make sure that the flat surface is leveled horizontally as the camera is pointed towards the scene to be photographed. In addition, with the compact slim nature of new digital and min- and micro-cameras as opposed to old, bulky SLR cameras, today&#39;s users expect such adapters to now be very compact and portable. Existing mechanisms found in a few shops or on the Internet are too cumbersome, bulky, and not simple enough for the novice consumer and all require the camera to have a threaded socket. Marketability demands and the growing sophistication of various free camera devices led to the creation of this embodiment of the invention, which is a very simplified and easy-to-use stereoscopic apparatus specifically targeted to novice, beginners, and users of all types of cameras.  
         [0121]     Any macro, zoom, or wide-angle lens can be used in the process. This stereoscopic camera apparatus mainly consists of a base plate with a skid-resistant rubber cork bottom to keep it from prematurely sliding on top of a flat surface, and attached is a sliding guide with the means to slide on the back ridge of the base plate to guide the freely placed camera to the proper position. This stereoscopic apparatus is designed to be ultra-compact, slim, highly functional, and extremely easy to use for still photography.  
         [0122]     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , the slim, stereoscopic base plate  33  is readied for use along with the sliding guide  31  slideably attached to the back ridge  32  in the left image capture position on the left side of the distance scale  34 . The position of the rubber or cork mat  35  on the base plate  33  is shown a dashed line in these views. The right end  36  of the base plate is where the sliding guide  31  is installed, and then slid all the way to the left, where it can go no further because the left end  37  of the base plate is closed, so the sliding guide  31  comes to a stop and does not fall out.  
         [0123]      FIG. 10  shows how the sliding guide  31  is slid onto the back ridge  32  attached to the stereoscopic base plate  33  through the right end  36  and into a right image capture position.  FIGS. 11 and 12  are side elevations of the stereoscopic base plate  33  and the sliding guide  31 , and how the sliding guide  31  fits around the back ridge  32 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  also shows how the thin rubber or cork mat  35  fits under the base plate  33 .  
         [0124]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the stereoscopic base plate  33  and the sliding guide  31 , and how the sliding guide fits around the back ridge  32 . The placement of the rubber or cork mat  35  is shown by a dotted line. A level vial  39  can optionally be attached to the base plate  33  at the back ridge  32  to help level the apparatus and camera. Another option is to provide a mechanism  40  to attach the apparatus to a tripod. The example shown in this figure is an internally threaded hole having a screw thread size matching the standard camera mount screw thread.  FIG. 14  is a side elevation showing how this embodiment is used with a camera installed.  
         [0125]      FIG. 15  is a plan view showing how a user directs a camera towards the subject to be photographed. The dotted lines show the first “L” position capturing a left eye view of the subject. Then the sliding guide  31  and the camera are slid together on the base plate  31  to the “R” position to capture a right eye view of the subject. It also shows how the camera is placed flat against the back ridge  32 , and from the side onto the sliding plate  31  to keep the camera in a straight linear position. The distance between the “L” and the “R” position is the average distance between two human eyes, which is acknowledged to be 65 mm or less. However, the user has the ability to experiment with different distances to obtain the best 3D effect.  
         [0126]     Referring to  FIGS. 9-15  altogether, more details of how the apparatus are now presented. For use on a flat, even surface, the user first attaches the sliding guide  31  to the base plate  33 , and then places any camera, e.g., SLR, APS, instant, point-and-shoot, disposable, PC camera, or any camera capable of capturing still images, on top of the base plate  33  with the back of the camera towards the back ridge  32 , with the front of the camera towards the subject to be photographed.  
         [0127]     Then, with the sliding guide  31  positioned all the way to the left, and the camera tightly held against the back ridge  32  from the back and against the sliding guide  31  from the left, and with the left hand holding the stereoscopic base plate  33  tightly to the flat surface, the user snaps a left view shot of the intended subject.  
         [0128]     After the shot is captured, the user then slides the camera and the sliding guide  31  to the right while maintaining a grip on the stereographic base plate  33  tightly onto the flat surface where the base plate  33  is placed to make sure that the camera travels n exactly a straight line. The distance to the right depends on the distance the camera lens is away from the intended object. If the lens is 3 m (10 feet) away or further, the user slides the guiding plate all the way to the far most right indicator on the scale  34 . For distances around 2.1 m (7 feet), the user uses the 7 feet indicator, which is also the default “R” right position, which is a distance of separation from left to right of about 65 mm. Then, the user snaps a right eye view of the intended subject.  
         [0129]     Depending on the camera being used, the user can either then develop the pictures and scan them, or download the stereo pair to a PC or printer to manipulate them with 3D stereo pair editing or mixing software, or a professional photo editor, to create the desired stereoscopic or anaglyph viewing formats.  
       Embodiment 3  
       [0130]     This embodiment, shown in  FIG. 16-31 , is for a more compact and lightweight adapter that uses gears and swivels to change between left and right positions.  FIG. 16  is a diagram showing how a point can move from position “L” to position “R” around a center point “C” to travel a distance of 6.5 cm using a radius of 3.25 cm. This is the semi-circular path used for this invention to move a camera from a left position to a right position instead of the straight-line path of the first two embodiments. When connecting a tripod at a center point “C”, then the point at “L” can rotate to the “R” position. To maintain the direction of point “L”, the point itself rotates 180 degrees in the opposite direction.  
         [0131]      FIG. 17  shows a plan view of the swivel stereoscopic apparatus in the left position. Item  50  is the bottom member plate. Item  52  is the middle member plate. Item  53  is the top member plate. Item  54  is the mechanism to turn and tighten the bolt and fasten the top member plate to the bottom of the cameral. Item  55  is the optional horizontal level vial.  
         [0132]      FIG. 18  is a rear elevation of the swivel stereoscopic apparatus in the left position attached to an optional tripod  56 .  FIG. 19  shows rear and side elevations of the swivel stereoscopic adapter.  
         [0133]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view showing the different parts of the apparatus. Item  50  is the bottom member plate. Item  52  is the middle member plate. Item  53  is the top member plate. Item  54  is the mechanism to turn and tighten the bolt and fasten the top member plate  32  to the bottom of the camera. Item  55  is the optional horizontal level vial.  
         [0134]     Item  57  is the screw that fits into the rotating threaded socket  58  that fits into the center of the middle plate through the opening  59  to connect the middle plate  52  to the bottom plate  50 . Item  60  is the screw that bolts on the threaded socket  61  through the opening on the middle plate and that also encompasses the bolt that passes through the screw-on aid  54 . It also screws on the top member plate  53  through the threaded socket  62 .  
         [0135]     Item  63  is the extended bolt that connects the middle plate  52 , the top plate  53 , and the bottom of the camera. Item  64  indicates the male ridges that pressure snap to the screw rotating aid  54 . Item  65  is the standard bolt end that screws onto the top plate first, then to the bottom of the camera.  
         [0136]     Item  66  is the left back opening on the middle member plate that serves to stop the top plate via the right brake  67  in place, and keep it pointing straight towards the subject or scene with the aid of the user holding the camera and pushing it slightly to the right. Item  68  is the right back opening that stops the idle plate from rotating beyond the semicircular arc on the right and by way of the right brake on the bottom plate  69 .  
         [0137]     Item  70  is the threaded socket that fits onto a tripod or monopod bolt. Item  71  is the left brake on the bottom plate that stops the middle plate  52  from rotating beyond the semicircular arc on the left. Item  52  is the left stop brake on the top member plate  53  that is stopped when the middle plate is swiveled toward the right onto the opening on the middle member plate. Items  73  and  74  are the left and right screws that hold the level vial  55  in place on the top member plate  53 .  
         [0138]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of the swivel stereoscopic adapter.  
         [0139]      FIG. 22  is an exploded plan view of  FIG. 21 .  
         [0140]      FIG. 23  is a plan view of the adapter pointing out the 3.25 cm radius.  
         [0141]      FIG. 24  is a stop-motion plan view of how the top plate rotates around the center of the bottom plate while maintaining a straightforward orientation while being moved by the user.  
         [0142]      FIG. 25  shows the position of the swivel adapter after a fill swivel from left to right and how the middle plate and top plates come to a stop in order to maintain a straight position.  
         [0143]      FIG. 26  shows how a mounted camera can be swiveled using the swivel stereoscopic apparatus to shift from a left-eye view to a right-eye view.  
         [0144]      FIG. 27  shows examples of two sample sizes of swivel adapters, one with a radius of 3.25 cm, and allows a diameter of 6.5 cm, the average distance between two human eyes. The second has a radius of 10 cm, which allows for capturing photos of the greatest stereoscopic depth from far away distances. It makes the left and right distance separation 20 cm. It can be appreciated that middle member plates can be shorted or elongated to create the desired length.  
         [0145]      FIG. 28  is a diagram showing how a smaller arc path creates a shorter distance between the left and right positions. In this case, it is a 2 cm space between the left and right point positions.  
         [0146]      FIGS. 29 and 30  show a swivel stereoscopic macro adapter that fits under the swivel adapter. It is tightly positioned between the bottom member plate and the tripod screw.  FIG. 30  shows the swivel plate fitted over the macro adapter  75 . Items  76  and  77  are the right and left bent ends that extend upwards to hold the bottom member plate. Items  78  and  79  are the left and right stop brakes on the macro adapter that restrict the movement of the middle plate to the left and right in order to maintain a smaller arc travel path. Items  80  and  81  indicate the areas where the left and right stop brakes  82  and  83  on the top member plate  53  respectively come to a complete stop.  
         [0147]      FIG. 31  shows how the top member plate swivels from left to right to a total separation distance of 2 cm. This is beneficial for taking pictures from a distance of 30 cm to 90 cm from the subject to be photographed.  
         [0148]     In operation, the user first attaches the bottom plate  50  to a monopod, tripod  56 , or a mini-tripod bolt, and is tightened. The user then, by use of the screw aid bolt  54  of the top plate  53 , screws to the bottom of the camera where the threaded socket exits, and secured it tightly in a fashion where the level vial  55  is placed parallel to the backside of the camera. When this is done, the camera is attached to the swivel stereoscopic apparatus, which is in turn attached to the tripod. Using the level vial  55 , and the tripod  56 , the camera can be precisely leveled horizontally by adjusting the tripod.  
         [0149]     The user then swivels the camera to the left position, for example, by holding the camera and twisting it to the back and left in the semicircular path. When it comes to a stop, swivel the camera towards the inside as it turns 180 degrees in the opposite rotation direction to come to a straight line left stop position. As the apparatus, tripod, and camera lens are pointed towards the scene to be photographed, the user captures a left-eye view shot, as in  FIG. 25 .  
         [0150]     Then the user swivels the camera to the right position by holding the camera and twisting it to the back and left in a semicircular motion. When it comes to a stop, the user swivels the camera towards the inside to come to a straight line right stop position, and he then captures a right-eye vie shot. Of course, the user can choose the take the left shot before the right, or visa versa.  
         [0151]     If the user wishes to capture close-up shots, it is best to use the macro adapter as shown in  FIG. 29 . The macro adapter is placed between the bottom plate and the tripod. Then the same steps as above are repeated, except that the swivel makes a smaller arc.  
         [0152]     Users can then process, scan, or download the stereo pair of images onto a computer or printer and manipulate them with 3D stereoscopic editing or mixing software, or a professional photo editor, to create the desired stereoscopic or anaglyph viewing formats.  
         [0153]     While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6