A polarized image acquisition section 20 acquires a plurality of polarized images having different polarization directions. The polarized images show, for example, an input indicator for a user interface as a recognition target object. A normal line calculation section 30 calculates normal lines for individual pixels of the recognition target object in accordance with the polarized images acquired by the polarized image acquisition section 20. The normal lines represent information based on the three-dimensional shape of the recognition target object. A recognition section 40 recognizes the object by using the normal lines calculated by the normal line calculation section 30, determines, for example, the type, position, and posture of the input indicator, and outputs the result of determination as input information on the user interface. The object can be recognized easily and with high accuracy.

A polarized image acquisition section 20 acquires a plurality of polarized images having different polarization directions. The polarized images show, for example, an input indicator for a user interface as a recognition target object. A normal line calculation section 30 calculates normal lines for individual pixels of the recognition target object in accordance with the polarized images acquired by the polarized image acquisition section 20. The normal lines represent information based on the three-dimensional shape of the recognition target object. A recognition section 40 recognizes the object by using the normal lines calculated by the normal line calculation section 30, determines, for example, the type, position, and posture of the input indicator, and outputs the result of determination as input information on the user interface. The object can be recognized easily and with high accuracy.

An adapter system for displaying and recording stereoscopic images from a single lens optic device and methods of producing stereoscopic images using such an adapter are provided herein. The adapter system utilizes an active stereoscopic shutter mounted along the optical path of the single lens optic device, such as, for example, a microscope or an endoscope, to provide a stereoscopic image to a video or still camera mounted along the same optical path.

An adapter system for displaying and recording stereoscopic images from a single lens optic device and methods of producing stereoscopic images using such an adapter are provided herein. The adapter system utilizes an active stereoscopic shutter mounted along the optical path of the single lens optic device, such as, for example, a microscope or an endoscope, to provide a stereoscopic image to a video or still camera mounted along the same optical path.

An inventive device includes a multi-aperture imaging device comprising an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, each optical channel including an optic for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor arrangement, a beam deflection means for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, and a focusing means for setting a focal position of the multi-aperture imaging device. The device further comprises a control means configured to control the focusing means and to receive image information from the image sensor; the control means being configured to control the multi-aperture imaging device into a sequence of focal positions so as to capture a corresponding sequence of image information of the total field of view and to produce, from the sequence of image information, a depth map for the captured total field of view.

An inventive device includes a multi-aperture imaging device comprising an image sensor; an array of adjacently arranged optical channels, each optical channel including an optic for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view onto an image sensor area of the image sensor arrangement, a beam deflection means for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, and a focusing means for setting a focal position of the multi-aperture imaging device. The device further comprises a control means configured to control the focusing means and to receive image information from the image sensor; the control means being configured to control the multi-aperture imaging device into a sequence of focal positions so as to capture a corresponding sequence of image information of the total field of view and to produce, from the sequence of image information, a depth map for the captured total field of view.

A double-camera imaging device includes a base bracket and two camera units. The base bracket comprises a base plate, each camera unit comprises a printed circuit board, and the two camera units are fixed on the base plate and spaced apart each other via the printed circuit boards fixed on the base plate. The base bracket is configured to protect the two camera units from external force attack.

Disclosed is a photo assistant device detachably affixing to a photo device. The photo assistant device includes in a housing, a first reflector, a second reflector, an intermediate reflecting module, and a switch device. By means of the switch device, light incident into the photo assistant device from the outside can reach the lens of the photo device either via the first reflector and then the intermediate reflecting module or via the second reflector and then the intermediate reflecting module. As a result, the photo device with only one lens can take pictures as if being in different horizontal positions, without being actually moved horizontally.

Disclosed is a photo assistant device detachably affixing to a photo device. The photo assistant device includes in a housing, a first reflector, a second reflector, an intermediate reflecting module, and a switch device. By means of the switch device, light incident into the photo assistant device from the outside can reach the lens of the photo device either via the first reflector and then the intermediate reflecting module or via the second reflector and then the intermediate reflecting module. As a result, the photo device with only one lens can take pictures as if being in different horizontal positions, without being actually moved horizontally.

A double-camera imaging device includes a base bracket and two camera units. The base bracket comprises a base plate, each camera unit comprises a printed circuit board, and the two camera units are fixed on the base plate and spaced apart each other via the printed circuit boards fixed on the base plate. The base bracket is configured to protect the two camera units from external force attack.