We’re used to seeing in 3D.
Computer imaging has taken a
while to catch up. Several developments
are coming together,
from multicore processors to
high-resolution cameras to fast
refresh displays, to make 3D
imaging happen.
3D imaging likes parallelism.
This opens up opportunities for
using graphics processing units
(GPUs) that are readily available
(see “What Will You Do With 1
TFLOPS Of Double-Precision Power?”
at www.electronicdesign.com, ED
Online 19324). Multicore CPUs can also
improve 3D performance.
3D IMAGING
Image recognition is becoming increasingly
important for the robotic assembly
line. Most of today’s imaging systems use
a 2D approach to simplify the problem.
Nuvation’s demo of a robot that could
play air hockey at the 2008 Freescale
Technology Forum used images from a
camera mounted above the table for a 2D
view to control the robotic arm defending
its goal. It also used an 8-bit Freescale
Flexis AC microcontroller to take it easy
on human players and a 32-bit version
when it raised its game.
Moving to 3D takes significantly more
processing power. It often helps to have a
pair of cameras to do the job. Of course,
this increases the amount of information
and the complexity of the analysis.
Some 3D advances are showing up
through novel uses of other technology.
ViaLUX’s Z-Snapper 3D camera takes
advantage of Texas Instruments’ DLP
technology, using TI’s digital micromirror
device (DMD).
The Z-Snapper generates 3D
surface contour data in real time.
It uses a technique based on
fringe projection methodology
combined with phase measuring
algorithms. A series of patterns is
projected on the target using an
LED-based DMD system. This
approach allowed ViaLUX to
create a battery-powered solution.
Prior approaches used an
ultra-high-performance (UHP)
arc lamp.
3D PLAYBACK
DLPs are being used in 3D playback as
well. Samsung’s 120-MHz Series 7 LCD
and DLP displays ship with built-in 3D
support that uses LCD shutter glasses to
alternately present images to the viewer’s
left and right eye.
This technique has been around for
a while, usually with CRT displays with
a high refresh rate. Now, Viewsonic’s
22-in. VX2265wm can hit the target with
a 1680-by-1050 resolution and 120-Hz
refresh rate (see the figure). Viewsonic
demonstrated it at NVision 08 using
NVidia’s GeForce 3D Stereo technology.