It is an object to improve usability at the time of photographing or reproducing in an imaging apparatus including a plurality of imaging units. In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus including a plurality of imaging units includes a setting unit that sets a plurality of photographing modes which are settable in advance, a unit that controls a plurality of imaging units in accordance with a set photographing mode, and a manipulation unit. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus with excellent usability capable of controlling a plurality of imaging units independently or simultaneously such that imaging is performed with a simple manipulation when a desired photographing mode is selected by a user.

In one embodiment, a method for a stereo endoscope includes receiving electromagnetic radiation through an inner protective window; focusing the electromagnetic radiation with a left optical component toward a left pixel array of a stereo image sensor along an optical axis of the left optical component parallel with but offset from a center axis of the left pixel array; and focusing the electromagnetic radiation with a right optical component toward a right pixel array of the stereo image sensor along an optical axis of the right optical component parallel with but offset from a center axis of the right pixel array. The left pixel array and the right pixel array are offset from the center optical axis of the stereo endoscope to provide stereo image convergence.

In one embodiment, a method for a stereo endoscope includes receiving electromagnetic radiation through an inner protective window; focusing the electromagnetic radiation with a left optical component toward a left pixel array of a stereo image sensor along an optical axis of the left optical component parallel with but offset from a center axis of the left pixel array; and focusing the electromagnetic radiation with a right optical component toward a right pixel array of the stereo image sensor along an optical axis of the right optical component parallel with but offset from a center axis of the right pixel array. The left pixel array and the right pixel array are offset from the center optical axis of the stereo endoscope to provide stereo image convergence.

A motion detection section 30 detects the posture of an HMD worn on the head of a user. A status determination section 32 determines a user's gaze direction and a binocular inclination angle in accordance with the detected posture of the HMD. The binocular inclination angle is the angle between a horizontal plane and a line connecting the left and right eyes of the user. An image identification section 34 determines two images for use in the generation of left- and right-eye parallax images from a plurality of viewpoint images stored in an image storage device 16 in accordance with the user's gaze direction and the binocular inclination angle. An image generation section 36 generates left- and right-eye parallax images from the two identified images. An image supply section 38 supplies the generated parallax images to the HMD.

A motion detection section 30 detects the posture of an HMD worn on the head of a user. A status determination section 32 determines a user's gaze direction and a binocular inclination angle in accordance with the detected posture of the HMD. The binocular inclination angle is the angle between a horizontal plane and a line connecting the left and right eyes of the user. An image identification section 34 determines two images for use in the generation of left- and right-eye parallax images from a plurality of viewpoint images stored in an image storage device 16 in accordance with the user's gaze direction and the binocular inclination angle. An image generation section 36 generates left- and right-eye parallax images from the two identified images. An image supply section 38 supplies the generated parallax images to the HMD.

Detecting material properties such reflectivity, true color and other properties of surfaces in a real world environment is described in various examples using a single hand-held device. For example, the detected material properties are calculated using a photometric stereo system which exploits known relationships between lighting conditions, surface normals, true color and image intensity. In examples, a user moves around in an environment capturing color images of surfaces in the scene from different orientations under known lighting conditions. In various examples, surfaces normals of patches of surfaces are calculated using the captured data to enable fine detail such as human hair, netting, textured surfaces to be modeled. In examples, the modeled data is used to render images depicting the scene with realism or to superimpose virtual graphics on the real world in a realistic manner.

Detecting material properties such reflectivity, true color and other properties of surfaces in a real world environment is described in various examples using a single hand-held device. For example, the detected material properties are calculated using a photometric stereo system which exploits known relationships between lighting conditions, surface normals, true color and image intensity. In examples, a user moves around in an environment capturing color images of surfaces in the scene from different orientations under known lighting conditions. In various examples, surfaces normals of patches of surfaces are calculated using the captured data to enable fine detail such as human hair, netting, textured surfaces to be modeled. In examples, the modeled data is used to render images depicting the scene with realism or to superimpose virtual graphics on the real world in a realistic manner.

A three-dimensional (3D) sensing apparatus together with a projector subassembly is provided. The 3D sensing apparatus includes two cameras, which may be configured to capture ultraviolet and/or near-infrared light. The 3D sensing apparatus may also contain an optical filter and one or more computing processors that signal a simultaneous capture using the two cameras and processing the captured images into depth. The projector subassembly of the 3D sensing apparatus includes a laser diode, one or optical elements, and a photodiode that are useable to enable 3D capture.

A method for encoding images includes decoding a first encoded image to obtain a first decoded image, where the first decoded image includes a first decoded portion corresponding to a first encoded portion of the first encoded image and a second decoded portion corresponding to a second encoded portion of the first encoded image; decoding a second encoded image to obtain a second decoded image; combining the first decoded image and the second decoded image to obtain a single decoded image; and encoding the single decoded image to obtain a single encoded image that includes a third and a fourth encoded portions. Encoding the single decoded image includes obtaining the third encoded portion of the single encoded image by copying the first encoded portion of the first encoded image; and obtaining the fourth encoded portion of the single encoded image by encoding the second decoded portion using an encoder.

A method for fabricating a wildlife reproduction includes placing a reference device relative to a wildlife subject. The reference device pertains to scale and chromaticity coordinates to provide an accurate size and color reference for fabricating the wildlife reproduction of the wildlife subject. The wildlife subject is photographed in combination with the reference device at one or more predefined locations to produce two dimensional photographic image data. The two dimensional image data is converted to a three dimensional image file using photogrammetry. A value of the principal dimension of the wildlife subject is determined using the reference device. Dimensions of at least one other feature of the wildlife subject are calculated from the principal dimension to modify a three-dimensional image file of a selected wildlife subject to correspond to the wildlife subject. A three dimensional wildlife reproduction is fabricated from the modified three-dimensional image file of the selected wildlife subject.