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October 2, 2009: CEATEC Japan 2009, which opens next Tuesday will see a demonstration by Sony of a prototype model of a new 3D camera technology capable of recording smooth 3D images of fast-moving subjects at 240fps (frames per second).
This technology combines a newly developed optical system for single lens 3D camera which captures the left and right images simultaneously, together with existing high frame rate (HFR) recording technology. According to a press release from Sony Europe:
In existing half mirror 3D camera systems with separate lenses for the left and right eyes, the parallax range is adjustable, enabling the depth of the 3D images to be modified . However, when operating the zoom and focus functions of such systems, the sensitivity of the human eye, in particular to differences in the size and rotational movement of dual images, as well as any vertical misalignment or difference in image quality has meant that complex technology has been required to ensure that each camera lens is closely coordinated, and there are no discrepancies in the optical axis, image size, and focus. The introduction of a single lens system resolves any issues that may occur as a result of having different optical characteristics for each eye.
Furthermore, by using mirrors in place of shutters, incoming light can now be simultaneously separated into left and right images and recorded as it reaches the parallel light area (the area where diverging light from the point of focus on the subject matter becomes parallel) of the relay lens. The separated left and right images are then processed and recorded with the respective left and right image sensors. As there is no difference in time between when the left and right eye images are captured, it is possible for natural and smooth 3D images to be captured, even of scenes involving rapid movement.
Sony-3D-camera
A structural diagram showing the components in Sony’s new 3D camera. (Source: Sony.)
The combination of Sony’s new single lens 3D system and its 240fps high frame rate technology has realized a single lens 3D camera system, based on universal properties of the human eye, which enables natural and smooth 3D images. The system works by capturing left and right images simultaneously to deliver natural and smooth 3D images with no accommodation-convergence conflict. This eliminates the need for lens synchronization, ensuring easily accurate control of 3D zoom and focus functions. It also eliminates the necessity for polarising glasses. Viewers will be able to see natural 2D images because the disparity of the images for left and right eyes are within the range that human eyes can recognize as a blur.
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