System and method for spherical stereoscopic photographing

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel imaging system for obtaining full stereoscopic spherical images of the visual environment surrounding a viewer, 360 degrees both horizontally and vertically. Displaying the images obtained by the present system, by means suitable for stereoscopic displaying, gives the viewers the ability to look everywhere around them, as well as up and down, while having stereoscopic depth perception of the displayed images. The system according to the present invention comprises an array of cameras, wherein the lenses of said cameras are situated on a curved surface, pointing out from common centers of said curved surface. The captured images of said system are arranged and processed to create sets of stereoscopic image pairs, wherein one image of each pair is designated for the observer's right eye and the second image for his left eye, thus creating a three dimensional perception.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This invention is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 416,533 filed May 27, 2003, titled “System and method for spherical stereoscopic photographing”; which is a U.S. National Stage Application under U.S.C. 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT / IL01 / 01093, which has an international filing date of Nov. 28, 2001; and which claims priority from Israel Patent Application No. IL 139995, filed Nov. 29, 2000; each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to stereoscopic photographing system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a photographing system and method for generating stereoscopic images of a full sphere surrounding a viewer 360 degrees both horizontally and vertically, or of a continuous part thereof, comprising a spherical array of lenses having non-parallel optical axes.[0004]2. Disc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a novel imaging system for obtaining full stereoscopic spherical images of the visual environment surrounding a viewer. The system includes a three-dimensional array of cameras placed on a spherical surface, with each camera positioned to capture a portion of the visual environment. The cameras are arranged in a way that the fields of vision of adjacent cameras overlap, allowing for a seamless view of the entire visual environment. The image information captured by each camera is separately recorded and processed to enhance image quality. The invention also includes a marking system for identifying the boundaries of the captured images and a method for creating a stereoscopic image pair for viewing by a viewer. The technical effects of the invention include the ability to capture and display full stereoscopic spherical images, providing a unique and immersive viewing experience for the viewer."

Problems solved by technology

However, the panoramic or spherical images obtained by using said techniques are not stereoscopic, nor do they give to the viewer a perception of depth.

However, imaging systems for virtual reality, which are based on real images and not on computer generated (or other synthetically made) images, are still far from achieving images of a satisfactory quality.

This is due mainly to the difficulties in obtaining real images that are full spherical as well as stereoscopic.

Images