1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to techniques for capturing visual information, and relates more particularly to a system and method for utilizing a topology detector to capture visual information.
2. Description of the Background Art
Implementing effective methods for capturing visual information is a significant consideration for designers and manufacturers of contemporary electronic devices. However, effectively capturing visual information by utilizing electronic devices may create substantial challenges for system designers. For example, enhanced demands for increased device functionality and performance may require more system processing power and require additional hardware resources. An increase in processing or hardware requirements may also result in a corresponding detrimental economic impact due to increased production costs and operational inefficiencies.
Furthermore, enhanced device capability to perform various advanced operations may provide additional benefits to a system user, but may also place increased demands on the control and management of various device components. For example, an enhanced electronic device that effectively captures, processes, and displays digital image data may benefit from an efficient implementation because of the large amount and complexity of the digital data involved.
In certain applications, three-dimensional visual information is being generated and utilized by system users of contemporary electronic devices. Such three-dimensional visual images are typically created by utilizing the laws of perspective to create a more realistic visual image of a given object or scene. For example, the three-dimensional images may be effectively utilized in environments where the target objects are in motion to thereby produce a more realistic visual effect.
Due to growing demands on system resources and substantially increasing data magnitudes, it is apparent that developing new techniques for capturing visual information is a matter of concern for related electronic technologies. Therefore, for all the foregoing reasons, developing effective systems for capturing visual information remains a significant consideration for designers, manufacturers, and users of contemporary electronic devices.
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for utilizing a topology detector to capture topology information that relates to simultaneously captured visual information. Initially, in one embodiment, a system user preferably utilizes a viewfinder device to position and adjust a camera device for capturing image data that corresponds to a selected target object.
The system user then may preferably activate the topology detector using any effective technique. In one embodiment, the system user may activate the topology detector by partially depressing a shutter activation mechanism mounted to the external surface of the camera device. In certain other embodiments, the camera device may alternately be automatically positioned and the topology detector may be automatically activated through the use of appropriate electronic and mechanical means.
Next, a transmitter module from the topology detector preferably propagates a detection pulse towards the selected target object. The propagated detection pulse may comprise any appropriate type of energy transmission or waveform. For example, the foregoing detection pulse may include infrared energy, radio-frequency or microwave energy, and various types of sound or light energy.
Next, a sensor array from the topology detector preferably detects a plurality of localized wave segments from detection pulse as the localized wave segments are reflected back from the target object along respective scan paths towards the topology detector. The topology detector may responsively then generate individual contour values that each correspond to a respective reflected wave segment and scan path.
A detection manager may then preferably access the individual contour values generated by the topology detector to responsively generate corresponding topology values that accurately define the shape of the particular target object. Finally, a central processing unit in the camera device, in response to instructions from the detection manager, may preferably store the generated topology values into a memory device for subsequent utilization by any interested entity, such as a three-dimensional simulation software program. The present invention thus provides an improved system and method for utilizing a topology detector to capture visual information.