Constant horizon 3D imaging system and related method

US10477190B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc. · US
• KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Heni · Tuttlingen, DE
• Markus Kupferschmid · Emmingen-Liptingen, DE
• Daniel Ulmschneider · Tuttlingen, DE
• Lawrence Natusch · Tuttlingen, DE
• George E. Duckett, III · Castaic, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 2, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04N13/239
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An imaging system includes an imaging scope, a controller, a camera, and a processor. The imaging scope is selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to a horizon plane. The imaging scope has at least three optical channels, each including a respective objective that captures light. The objectives are positioned such that respective viewing direction axes of the optical channels extend at least substantially parallel to one another. The controller activates a pair of optical channels that is at least as parallel relative to the horizon plane as any other pair of optical channels. The camera generates a first image representative of light captured by a first optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels, and a second image representative of light captured by a second optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels. The processor generates a 3D image using the first and second images.