Single-lens multiple aperture camera for 3D photographic/video applications

Claim 2

A 3D camera for acquiring and recording a plurality of 2D images of a single scene at different viewing angles without relocating said camera, said camera comprising: a taking lens; aperture controlling means for partitioning the aperture of said lens into a plurality of horizontally spaced sections for permitting light rays to transmit through each of said aperture sections to provide a 2D image at a different viewing angle; a plurality of mirror sets mounted behind said taking lens in registry with a plurality of said aperture sections for directing light rays transmitted through respective aperture sections to provide a plurality of 2D images taking at different viewing angles; image recording means for recording 2D images taken by said taking lens; and a shutter for controlling transmission of light rays through said sections of said lens aperture.

Claim 3

The 3D camera according to claim 1 wherein said aperture controlling means comprises a fixedly mounted opaque plate having a plurality of horizontally spaced openings positioned in registry with said sections of said lens aperture respectively.

Claim 4

The 3D camera according to claim 1 wherein said image recording means comprises photographic film.

Claim 5

The 3D camera according to claim 1 wherein said image recording means comprises an electronic imaging device.

Claim 6

The 3D camera according to claim 4 further comprising image storing means for storing images conveyed from said electronic imaging device.

Claim 7

The 3D camera according to claim 2 wherein the spacing between said openings are adjustable for parallax control.

Claim 8

A 3D camera for acquiring and recording a piurality of 2D images of a single scene at different viewing angles without relocating said camera, said camera comprising: a taking lens with the aperture of said lens being partitioned into a plurality of horizontally aligned sections through which light rays are transmitted to provide a plurality of 2D images at different viewing angles; image recording means for recording 2D images formed by said taking lens; a fixedly mounted window plate having an opening positioned in registry with a plurality of said sections of said lens aperture; a rotary disk having a plurality of openings; means for rotating said rotary disk to position one of said disk openings in registry with one of said sections of said lens aperture at a time so as to select said sections one at a time and to thereby eliminate unselected sections of said lens aperture from being used to provide images; and a shutter for controlling transmission of light rays through said sections of said lens aperture.

Claim 9

A 3D camera for acquiring and recording a piurality of 2D images of a single scene at different viewing angles without relocating said camera, said camera comprising: a taking lens with the aperture of said lens being partitioned into a plurality of horizontally aligned sections through which light rays are transmitted to provide a plurality of 2D images at different viewing angles; image recording means for recording 2D images formed by said taking lens; a fixedly mounted window plate having an opening positioned in registry with a plurality of said sections of said lens aperture; a rotary disk having a plurality of openings; means for rotating said rotary disk to position one of said disk openings in registry with one of said sections of said lens aperture at a time so as to select said sections one at a time and to thereby eliminate unselected sections of said lens aperture from being used to provide images; and a shutter for controlling transmission of light rays through said sections of said lens aperture.