DE20303397U1 - System for video recording and three dimensional playback of images onto a plasma display screen - Google Patents

Abstract

A video camera [3] is mounted on a hinged guide rail located above a plasma screen[2]. The camera is moved by a motor on a controlled curved path to monitor an object in a room. This provides variable aspect data that ius used to create a three dimensional display image.

Description

o.Z.: GM SweepCamO2O3

Jena, 27 February 2003

4D Vision GmbH

Carl-Pulfrich-Strasse 1

07745 Jena

Arrangement for recording and three-dimensional reproduction ⁵ of spatial objects

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Arrangement for recording and three-dimensional reproduction of spatial

Objects

The invention relates to arrangements for recording and three-dimensional reproduction of spatial objects.

The state of the art to be consulted in this regard includes, among others, the document DE 69126792 T2. Its teaching describes the recording of several views of an object using a camera which is moved along a predetermined path. The path is specified using a rail. A disparity control system is typically provided here, which determines the degree of movement of the scene of successive images and adjusts the movement along the scanning path as a function of the determined degree of movement in order to make oscillation in the image less noticeable. The disparity control system is disadvantageously very complex. In another embodiment, a single camera is moved in a defined manner.

DE 69428543T2 discloses an autostereoscopic imaging device with a recording system. The latter comprises an objective and a diaphragm. Typically, the diaphragm is placed in at least two positions relative to the optical axis of the objective in order to obtain different parallax images of the object to be recorded and reproduced.

US 5,857,119 describes a camera frame with an object turntable and a camera holder for rotating the camera in an arc around the object, as well as a stepper motor for gradually adjusting the camera position. The stepper motor ensures a predetermined rotation of the camera around the object. The document in question specifically mentions various designs for balancing the weight of the camera.

From DE 10011241, the recording of multiple views using a single camera is known. The object to be recorded rotates. Typically, the recordings are made acentrically in order to obtain depth information about the individual object points.

DE 19961428 discloses the recording of a moving object with several cameras at the same time. After recording with several cameras, the spatially offset recordings thus obtained are put together as a film. The creation of a temporally offset film for a two-channel stereo display is also provided.

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US 4,941,041 describes a Pulfrich system with a turntable in which one or more cameras are arranged together with the object on the turntable. The object is recorded against the moving background.

WO 98/17970 describes the recording of multiple views of a rotating object and the determination of the 3D shape of the object from the obtained data.

DE 19913853 teaches how to record a (rotating) object with a single camera from different camera positions and how to save and combine the views. It is essential to save the coordinates of the recording positions for the individual views in order to ensure sufficient further processing of the views obtained, for example for 3D representation.

DE 19816353 discloses a movable camera which takes pictures of an object from different positions, whereby the recorded images are always saved together with the coordinates of the recording position. The playback can therefore take place from a desired perspective (i.e. from a desired viewing direction). The document in question also describes a version in which the camera is stationary and the object is moved, e.g. rotated. Here too, saving the recording coordinates is essential.

The disadvantage of the latter two arrangements is the need to store and process the recording coordinates of each individual view. This makes the arrangements more complex and therefore more expensive.

Given this state of the art, the object of the invention is to create an arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset which can be implemented using simple means.

This task is solved by an arrangement comprising:

- an electronic computing device, a 3D monitor and a video camera with an associated holding device for moving the video camera,

- the holding device has at least one mechanical drive device for moving the video camera,

- said mechanical drive device is designed to move the video camera on a defined curve, which may also at least partially correspond to a straight line,

- the video camera records images at a frame rate b _r [in frames per second],

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- the video camera reads the images A _k (k=l...n) resulting from its movement in conjunction with its frame rate b _r , which correspond to several views of the scene or object to be recorded, into the electronic computing device via an electronic interface without taking into account the coordinates of the respective relative recording positions of the views,

- the electronic computing device comprises an image buffer in which the respective &eegr; (with n>=2) read images A _k (k=l...n) are stored,

- the computing device comprises means for dividing the images A _k (k=l...n), which are each stored in said image buffer, into the same grid with rows j and columns i,

- the computing device comprises means which serve to combine the &eegr; images in rows and columns in order to generate a single combination image with image elements cty, which preferably correspond to color subpixels, wherein the assignment of partial information from the images A _k (k=l...n) to image elements OCy of the positions i,j is determined according to the function

k = i - Cy ■ j - &eegr; · IntegerPart

, with

- i is the index of a picture element ccy in a row of the raster,

- j is the index of an image element oty in a column of the raster,

k is the consecutive number of the image A _k (k=l...n) from which the partial information

which is to be reproduced on a specific picture element cty,

Cy a selectable coefficient matrix for combining or mixing the

various partial information on the grid originating from the images A _k (k=l...n) and

- IntegerPart of a function to generate the largest integer that does not exceed the argument in square brackets,

and where

- the computing device further contains an electronic interface which reads out the respective combination image on the 3D monitor so that a spatially perceptible image is displayed on the 3D monitor.

Preferably, the electronic computing device consists of a PC, which preferably contains a live capture card.

The holding device further comprises at least one rider and a rail, wherein the video camera is fixed to said rider - for example by means of screws or clamps. The rider is movably mounted on said rail, while said rail essentially has the shape of said defined curve.

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In an advantageous embodiment, the said rail is deformable, for example made of deformable metal, so that it can have different shapes of the said defined curve at different times. This property is advantageous if the recording directions of the views to be recorded by the video camera are to be specifically influenced.

Furthermore, the mechanical drive device belonging to the holding device comprises at least one motor which is either attached directly to the rider and moves it by exerting force on the rail or which is rigidly connected to the rail and moves the rider via a rigid or flexible mechanical connection, for example via a gear rod or a toothed belt.

In contrast, the holding device can also comprise at least one strut on which the video camera is rigidly or movably mounted. In this case, the mechanical drive device would comprise at least one motor which moves said strut along a defined curve. Other movement devices are conceivable, such as replacing the motor with a force field.

In most cases, the defined curve on which the video camera is moved is straight, circular, parabolic or hyperbolic. However, other curve shapes that can be approximated by polynomials are also conceivable.

Furthermore, the video camera is moved from a starting point to an end point and optionally back to the starting point to record different views on the defined curve. The electronic computing device contains means for storing and varying the parameters for the starting and end points on the defined curve and optionally for the time-dependent instantaneous speed v _r (t) of the video camera.

In this context, the computing device preferably also has means for interacting with a user, for example a keyboard, a mouse or a button. The computing device preferably comprises means for passing on a start signal to said mechanical drive device, wherein the start signal is given after an interaction by the user by means of said means for interaction in order to trigger the camera movement.

Advantageously, the means for transmitting a start signal is an electrical or electronic interface to the engine or - if available - to its separate control electronics.

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A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the video camera comprises means for varying the frame rate b _r .

For special applications, the structural unit consisting of a video camera and associated holding device is designed as an electronic data source which reads out a multitude of images in a frame rate b _r to the computing device in chronological succession, whereby the images correspond approximately to horizontally successive or slightly rotated views of an object or a scene.

It is also conceivable that the computer saves the recorded images on a storage medium, such as a hard disk, for later use. For example, the recorded views can also be used to create a 3D print, e.g. on a lenticular basis.

The computing device advantageously comprises means for shifting the individual images A _k (k=l..n) which are stored in said image buffer by a predetermined distance a [in pixels] in their horizontal axis, whereby the shift for the view A _k is essentially a*k and whereby a preferably assumes values between -30 and +30. In this way, the depth position of the image which can be spatially perceived on the 3D monitor is influenced. A detailed description of this procedure is given in the applicant's DE 10046768.
Furthermore, the computing device comprises means which are designed to select a number n' of images with 2<n'<n from the individual images A _k (k=l..n) which are stored in said image buffer, to delete the non-selected images from the image buffer, to arrange the selected images consecutively in the image buffer and to set the original number n of images in said image buffer to n=n'.

The function mentioned at the beginning for combining the &eegr; images in rows and columns is known in the prior art and allows the generation of 3D combination images which are suitable for aid-free spatial representation on 3D monitors with wavelength filter arrays. The functionality of such 3D monitors is described, for example, in DE 10003326 C2 and other documents of the applicant.

The 3D monitors for the arrangements according to the invention can also be designed using lenticulars or a barrier screen, although this list naturally makes no claim to completeness but merely reflects exemplary designs.

The image combination can also take place with other features, e.g. the mixing of the partial image information of at least two different views for display on one image element of the SD monitor.

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For special applications, it is sometimes advantageous if the 3D monitor also has means for reversibly switching between a 2D and a 3D mode, wherein the means preferably ensure switching between the 2D and the 3D mode only on certain partial areas of the image surface of the 3D monitor.

An example of such a switchable 2D-3D monitor is described in the applicant's DE 10053868 C2.

On the other hand, it is also possible for the 3D monitor to be designed with means for generating a stereoscopic impression, which require a visual aid - for example, polarization filter glasses. Such arrangements and underlying methods are sufficiently known in the state of the art and do not require any further explanation here.

Finally, the video camera can be designed to be adjustable in its inclination.

The object of the invention is also achieved by an arrangement comprising:

- an electronic computing device, a 3D monitor and two video cameras, each with an associated holding device for moving the respective video camera,

- each of the holding devices has at least one mechanical drive device for moving the video camera,

- each of said mechanical drive devices is designed to move the respective video camera along a defined curve, which may also at least partially correspond to a straight line,

- both video cameras record images at a frame rate of b _r) or b _r2 [in frames per second],

- both video cameras read the images resulting from their movement in conjunction with their frame rate b _r i or b^, which correspond to several views of the scene or object to be recorded, into the electronic computing device via an electronic interface without taking into account the coordinates of the respective relative recording positions of the views,

- the electronic computing device comprises an image buffer in which the respective &eegr; (with n>=2) read images A _k (k=l...n) are stored,

- the computing device comprises means for dividing the images Ak (k=l...n), which are each stored in said image buffer, into the same grid with rows j and columns i,

- the computing device further comprises means for combining the &eegr; images in rows and columns to form a single combination image with image elements Oy, which preferably correspond to color subpixels

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correspond to, whereby the assignment of partial information from the images A _k (k=l...n) to image elements cty of positions i,j is determined according to the function

'i-Cy-j-l

k = i - Cy · j - &eegr; ■ IntegerPart\

, with

- i is the index of a picture element Oy in a line of the raster,

- j is the index of an image element Oy in a column of the raster,

- k is the consecutive number of the image A _k (k=l...n) from which the partial information
which is to be reproduced on a specific image element oty,

- Cjj a selectable coefficient matrix for combining or mixing the
various partial information on the grid originating from the images A _k (k=l...n) and

- IntegerPart of a function to generate the largest integer that does not exceed the argument in square brackets,

and where

- the computing device further contains an electronic interface which reads out the respective combination image on the 3D monitor so that a spatially perceptible image is displayed on the 3D monitor.

The electronic computing device can again be a PC, which preferably contains a live capture card.

Other advantageous embodiments described above can easily be transferred to the last-mentioned variant of the invention by a person skilled in the art. For very special applications, the invention can also be designed with more than two video cameras.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing Fig. 1. An exemplary arrangement according to the invention, schematically sketched in Fig. 1, comprises:

- an electronic computing device 1, a 3D monitor 2 and a video camera 3 with an associated holding device for moving the video camera 3,

- the holding device has at least one mechanical drive device for moving the video camera 3,

- said mechanical drive device is designed to move the video camera 3 on a defined curve, which may also at least partially correspond to a straight line,

- the video camera records 3 images at a frame rate b _r [in frames per second],

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- the video camera 3 reads the images A _k (k=l...n) resulting from its movement in interaction with its frame rate b _r , which correspond to several views of the scene or object to be recorded, without taking into account the coordinates of the respective relative recording positions of the views, into the electronic computing device 1 via an electronic interface,

- the electronic computing device 1 comprises an image buffer in which the respective &eegr; (with n>=2) read images A _k (k=l...n) are stored,

- the computing device 1 comprises means for dividing the images A _k (k=l...n), which are each stored in said image buffer, into the same grid with rows j and columns i,

- the computing device 1 comprises means which serve to combine the &eegr; images in rows and columns in order to generate a single combination image with image elements ccy, which preferably correspond to color subpixels, wherein the assignment of partial information from the images A _k (k=l...n) to image elements oCy of the positions i,j is determined according to the function

-i-Cjj- j-n- IntegerPart

, with

i the index of a picture element Oy in a row of the raster,

- j is the index of a picture element oCy in a column of the raster,

- k is the consecutive number of the image A _k (k=l...n) from which the partial information
which is to be reproduced on a specific picture element OCy,

Cjj a selectable coefficient matrix for combining or mixing the

various partial information on the grid originating from the images A _k (k=l...n) and

- IntegerPart of a function to generate the largest integer that does not exceed the argument in square brackets,

and where

- the computing device 1 further contains an electronic interface which reads out the respective combination image on the 3D monitor 2, so that a spatially perceptible image is displayed on the 3D monitor 2.

The electronic computing device 1 consists, for example, of a PC which contains a live capture card.

Furthermore, the holding device for the video camera 3 comprises at least one rider and a rail, whereby the video camera 3 is fixed to said rider - for example by means of screws. The rider is movably mounted on said rail, while said rail essentially has the shape of said defined curve - here a straight line. In addition, the holding device comprises

4D-Vision GmbH ,* .* *&iacgr; YY Y * YY, % Jena, August 19, 2003 CE: GM SweepCamO2O3 *

The mechanical drive device included in the system comprises a motor which is rigidly connected to the rail and moves the rider via a flexible mechanical connection, for example a toothed belt.

Furthermore, the video camera 3 is moved from a starting point to an end point and optionally back to the starting point to record different views on the defined curve. The electronic computing device 1 contains means for storing and varying the parameters for the starting and end points on the defined curve and optionally for the time-dependent instantaneous speed v _r (t) of the video camera 3.

In this context, the computing device 1 preferably also has means for interaction with a user, for example a keyboard, a mouse or a button. The computing device 1 preferably comprises means for passing on a start signal to said mechanical drive device, wherein the start signal is given after an interaction by the user by means of said means for interaction in order to trigger the camera movement.

Optionally, a corresponding control signal is sent to the motor or its control electronics via the means for transmitting a start signal from the electronic computing device 1 during the movement of the video camera 3 in order to ensure the instantaneous speed v _r (t) of the video camera 3 desired at a given time t. In this context, the start or end point of the camera movement can also be influenced - depending on the parameters stored in the means for storing and varying the parameters for the starting and end points on the defined curve and depending on the parameters for the time-dependent instantaneous speed v _r (t) of the video camera 3.

The computing device 1 advantageously comprises means for shifting the individual images A _k (k=l..n) which are stored in said image buffer by a predetermined distance a [in pixels] in their horizontal axis, whereby the shift for the view A _k is essentially a*k and whereby a preferably assumes values between -30 and +30. In this way, the depth position of the image which can be spatially perceived on the 3D monitor is influenced. A detailed description of this procedure is given in the applicant's DE 10046768.
Furthermore, the computing device 1 comprises means which are designed to select a number n' of images with 2<n'<n from the individual images A _k (k=l..n) which are stored in said image buffer, to delete the non-selected images from the image buffer, to arrange the selected images consecutively in the image buffer and to set the original number n of images in said image buffer to n=n'.

The function mentioned above for combining the &eegr; images in rows and columns is known in the state of the art and allows the generation of 3D combination images, which can be used for tool-free

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Jena, 19 August 2003

spatial representation on 3D monitors with wavelength filter arrays. The functionality of such 3D monitors is described, for example, in DE 10003326 C2 and other documents of the applicant.

In the embodiment in question, a 3D plasma display based on a Pioneer PDP 503 MXE provided with a suitable wavelength filter array (see also the above-mentioned DE 10003326 C2) is provided as 3D monitor 2.

The invention offers various advantages over the prior art. In particular, real-time 3D recording and playback is achieved without the need to first laboriously buffer and expand the recording positions of one or more video cameras. By being able to regulate the instantaneous speed v _r (t) of the video camera in conjunction with the controlled frame rate b _r of the video camera, different parallaxes can be generated between the individual recorded views of the object in question, which can influence the depth of the 3D impression. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented using simple means.

Claims (21)

1. Arrangement comprising: - an electronic computing device, a 3D monitor and a video camera with an associated holding device for moving the video camera, wherein - the holding device has at least one mechanical drive device for moving the video camera, - said mechanical drive device is designed to move the video camera on a defined curve, which may also at least partially correspond to a straight line, - the video camera records images at a frame rate b, [in frames per second], - the video camera reads the images A _k (k = 1. . .n) resulting from its movement in conjunction with its frame rate b _r , which correspond to several views of the scene or object to be recorded, into the electronic computing device via an electronic interface without taking into account the coordinates of the respective relative recording positions of the views, - the electronic computing device comprises an image buffer in which the n (with n >= 2) read images A _k (k = 1. . .n) are stored, - the computing device comprises means for dividing the images A _k (k = 1. . . n), which are each stored in said image buffer, into the same grid with rows j and columns i, the computing device comprises means which serve to combine the n images in rows and columns in order to generate a single combination image with image elements α _ij , which preferably correspond to color subpixels, wherein the assignment of partial information from the images A _k (k = 1. . . n) to image elements α _ij of the positions i, j is determined according to the function


- i is the index of a picture element α _ij in a row of the raster, - j is the index of a picture element α _ij in a column of the raster, - k is the consecutive number of the image A _k (k = 1. . .n) from which the partial information originates that is to be reproduced on a specific picture element α _ij , - c _ij a selectable coefficient matrix for combining or mixing the various partial information on the grid from the images A _k (k = 1. . .n) and - IntegerPart of a function to generate the largest integer that does not exceed the argument in square brackets, and where - the computing device further contains an electronic interface which reads out the respective combination image on the 3D monitor so that a spatially perceptible image is displayed on the 3D monitor. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic computing device is a PC, which preferably contains a live capture card. 3. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device comprises at least one rider and a rail, the video camera being fixed to said rider - for example by means of screws or clamps - the rider being movably mounted on said rail and said rail having substantially the shape of said defined curve. 4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that said rail is deformable, for example made of deformable metal, whereby it can have different shapes of said defined curve at different times. 5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the mechanical drive device belonging to the holding device comprises at least one motor which is either attached directly to the rider and moves it by exerting force on the rail or which is rigidly connected to the rail and moves the rider via a rigid or flexible mechanical connection, for example a gear rod or a toothed belt. 6. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding device comprises at least one strut on which the video camera is rigidly or movably mounted, and that the mechanical drive device comprises at least one motor which moves said strut on a defined curve. 7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the defined curve on which the video camera is moved is straight, circular, parabolic or hyperbolic. 8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the video camera is moved on the defined curve from a starting point to an end point and optionally back to the starting point. 9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the electronic computing device contains means for storing and varying the parameters for the starting and end points on the defined curve and optionally for the time-dependent instantaneous speed v _r (t) of the video camera. 10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the computing device has means for interaction with a user, for example a keyboard, a mouse or a button, and that the computing device comprises means for passing on a start signal to said mechanical drive device, the start signal being given after an interaction of the user by means of said means for interaction in order to trigger the camera movement. 11. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for transmitting a start signal is an electrical or electronic interface to the engine or - if present - to its separate control electronics. 12. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the video camera comprises means for varying the frame rate b _r . 13. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structural unit consisting of video camera and associated holding device is designed as an electronic data source which reads out a multitude of images in temporal succession at a frame rate b _r to the computing device, the images corresponding approximately to horizontally successive or slightly rotated views of an object or a scene. 14. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computing device comprises means for shifting the individual images A _k (k = 1...n) which are stored in said image buffer by a predetermined distance a [in pixels] in their horizontal axis, wherein the shift for the view A _k is essentially ak and wherein a preferably assumes values between -30 and +30. 15. Arrangement according to one of claims 14, characterized in that the computing device comprises means which are designed to select a number n' of images with 2 ≤ n' ≤ n from the individual images A _k (k = 1...n) which are stored in said image buffer, to delete the non-selected images from the image buffer, to arrange the selected images consecutively in the image buffer and to set the original number n of images in said image buffer to n = n'. 16. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 3D monitor is equipped with a wavelength filter array, a lenticular or a barrier screen to achieve a glasses-free spatial impression. 17. Arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that the 3D monitor further comprises means for reversible switching between a 2D and a 3D mode, wherein the means preferably ensure switching between the 2D and the 3D mode only on certain partial areas of the image area of the 3D monitor. 18. Arrangement according to one of claims 1-16, characterized in that the 3D monitor is designed with means for generating a stereoscopic impression, which require a visual aid - for example polarization filter glasses. 19. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the video camera is designed to be adjustable in its inclination. 20. Arrangement comprising: - an electronic computing device, a 3D monitor and two video cameras, each with an associated holding device for moving the respective video camera, whereby - each of the holding devices has at least one mechanical drive device for moving the video camera, - each of said mechanical drive devices is designed to move the respective video camera along a defined curve, which may also at least partially correspond to a straight line, - both video cameras record images at a frame rate of b _r1 or b _r2 [in frames per second], - both video cameras read the images resulting from their movement in conjunction with their frame rate b _r1 or b _r2 , which correspond to several views of the scene or object to be recorded, into the electronic computing device via an electronic interface without taking into account the coordinates of the respective relative recording positions of the views, - the electronic computing device comprises an image buffer in which the n (with n> = 2) read images A _k (k = 1. . .n) are stored, - the computing device comprises means for dividing the images A _k (k = 1. . .n), which are each stored in said image buffer, into the same grid with rows j and columns i, - the computing device further comprises means which serve to combine the n images in rows and columns in order to generate a single combination image with image elements α _ij , which preferably correspond to color subpixels, wherein the assignment of partial information from the images A _k (k = 1...n) to image elements α _ij of the positions i, j is determined according to the function


- i is the index of a picture element c% in a row of the raster, - j is the index of a picture element α _ij in a column of the raster, k is the consecutive number of the image A _k (k = 1. . .n) from which the partial information originates that is to be reproduced on a specific picture element α _ij , - c _ij a selectable coefficient matrix for combining or mixing the various partial information on the grid from the images A _k (k = 1. . .n) and - IntegerPart of a function to generate the largest integer that does not exceed the argument in square brackets, and where - the computing device further contains an electronic interface which reads out the respective combination image on the 3D monitor so that a spatially perceptible image is displayed on the 3D monitor. 21. Arrangement according to claim 20, characterized in that the electronic computing device is a software-controlled PC, which preferably contains a live capture card.