Apparatus for obtaining images for use in displaying a three-dimensional

A support apparatus for first and second imaging devices used to obtain images for displaying a three-dimensional illusion of a subject volume having foreground and background portions as viewed from a first point along an optical axis line extending from said first point and directed toward said volume by an observer having binocular vision originating at left and right points of origin centered around said first point, said first and second imaging devices having respective first and second optical axes, said first and second optical axes having respective first and second actual points of origin from which images may be obtained in the direction of said optical axes, said support apparatus comprising:

• a first bracket for holding said first imaging device;
• a second bracket for holding said second imaging device;
• optical means for altering the path of said first optical axis to form a corresponding first effective optical axis having a first effective point of origin;
• and
• positioning means
• (i) for locating said first bracket in a first position wherein said first effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located in a first plane which includes said first point and which is normal to said optical axis line whereby said first plane includes said left and right points of origin, and wherein said first effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located a selected distance above a first line connecting said left and right points of origin and said first effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located along a second line lying in said first plane, which second line is normal to and bisects said first line and intersects said optical axis line,
• (ii) for angling said first bracket to result in effective rotation of said first effective optical axis about a first effective rotational axis which is parallel to said first line and passes through said first effective optical axis of said first imaging device to cause said first effective optical axis of said first imaging device at said first position to converge with said optical axis line at a convergence point in a second plane parallel to said first plane, said second plane including the foreground portion of said subject volume within the field of view of said imaging devices which is closest to said first plane,
• (iii) for locating said second bracket in a second position wherein said second point of origin of said second imaging device is located in said first plane and wherein said second point of origin of said second imaging device is located in said first plane and wherein said second point of origin of said second imaging device is located along said second line said selected distance below said first line, and
• (iv) for angling said second bracket to result in rotation of said second optical axis about a second rotational axis which is parallel to said first line and passes through said second optical axis of said second imaging device to cause said second optical axis of said second imaging device at said second position to converge with said first effective optical axis and said optical axis line at said convergence point in said second plane.

A support apparatus for first and second imaging devices used to obtain images for displaying a three-dimensional illusion of a subject volume having foreground and background portions as viewed from a first point alone an optical axis line extending from said first point and directed toward said volume by an observer having binocular vision originating at left and right points of origin centered around said first point, each of said imaging device having a respective optical axis and an effective point of origin from which images may be obtained in the directions of said optical axes, said support apparatus comprising:

• a first bracket for holding said first imaging device;
• a second bracket for holding said second imaging device;
• and
• positioning means
• (i) for locating said first bracket in a first position wherein said effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located in a first plane which includes said first point and which is normal to said optical axis line whereby said first plane includes said left and right points of origin, and wherein said effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located a selected distance above a first line connecting said left and right points of origin and said effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located along a second line lying in said first plane which second line is normal to and bisects said first line and intersects said optical axis line,
• (ii) for locating said second bracket in a second position wherein said effective point of origin of said second imaging device is located in said first plane and wherein said effective point of origin of said second imaging device is located along said second line said selected distance below said first line,
• (iii) for rotating said first bracket about a first rotation line which is parallel to said first line and which passes through said optical axis of said first imaging device to direct said optical axis of said first imaging device while said first bracket is in said first position to converge with said optical axis line at a convergence point in a second plane parallel to said first plane, which second plane includes the foreground portion of said subject volume within the field of view of said imaging devices which is closest to said first plane, and
• (iv) for rotating said second bracket about a second rotation line which is parallel to said first line and which passes through said optical axis of said second imaging device, to direct said optical axis of said second imaging device while said second bracket is in said second position to converge with said optical axis line at said convergence point in said second plane.

A support apparatus for first and second imaging devices used to obtain images for displaying a three-dimensional illusion of a subject volume having foreground and background portions as viewed from a first point along an optical axis line extending from said first point and directed toward said volume by an observer having binocular vision originating at left and right points of origin centered around said first point, said first and second imaging devices having respective first and second optical axes, said first and second optical axes having respective first and second actual points of origin from which images may be obtained in the directions of said optical axes, said support apparatus comprising:

• a first bracket for holding said first imaging device;
• a second bracket for holding said second imaging device;
• optical means for altering the paths of said first and second optical axes of said imaging devices to form respective corresponding first and second effective optical axes having first and second effective points of origin;
• and
• positioning means
• (i) for locating said first bracket in a first position wherein said first effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located in a first plane which includes said first point and which is normal to said optical axis line whereby said first plane includes said left and right points of origin, and wherein said first effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located a selected distance above a first line connecting said left and right points of origin and said first effective point of origin of said first imaging device is located along a second line lying in said first plane which second line is normal to and bisects said first line and intersects said optical axis line,
• (ii) for angling said first bracket to result in effective rotation of said first effective optical axis about a first effective rotational axis which is parallel to said first line and passes through said first effective optical axis of said first imaging device to cause said first effective optical axis of said first imaging device at said first position to converge with said optical axis line at a convergence point in a second plane parallel to said first plane, said second plane including the foreground portion of said subject volume within the field of view of said imaging devices which is closest to said first plane,
• (iii) for locating said second bracket in a second position wherein said second effective point of origin of said second imaging device is located in said first plane and wherein said second effective point of origin of said second imaging device is located along said second line said selected distance below said first line, and
• (iv) for angling said second bracket to result in effective rotation of said second effective optical axis about a second effective rotational axis which is parallel to said first line and passes through said second effective optical axis of said second imaging device to cause said second effective optical axis of said second imaging device at said second position to converge with said first effective optical axis and said optical axis line at said convergence point in said second plane.