3D Technologies for Cameras
Value Proposition
Large segments of the digital camera market have reached saturation, and camera makers need to devise significant new features to stimulate growth. 3D technology is an excellent candidate to drive sales of new cameras. 3D displays such as HDTVs, monitors, and Digital Picture Frames (DPFs) will be shipping at an increasing rate, but there is currently very limited 3D content available for consumers to enjoy. The basic premise of 3DMedia's technology is to solve the problem of 3D content generation by enabling digital camera makers to quickly introduce 3D-enabled models with no development costs utilizing existing camera platforms. 3DMedia's software solution can run on current camera platforms, allowing consumers to use familiar camera technology to easily capture images and videos that can subsequently be used to create 3D content for viewing on 3D-capable displays.
3DMedia is also developing the technology to create 3D display products, including 3D DPFs and 3D Media Players for viewing 3D content on HDTVs. Our technology will also be available for PC platforms. 3DMedia's value proposition to camera makers is to supply the necessary technology to create a 3D ecosystem with the company's brand name products (3D cameras and displays). 3DMedia believes this technology will be one of the key enablers for the proliferation and adoption of 3D content in the consumer market.
3D Technology
All of 3DMedia's proprietary technologies are in its 3D creation and capture software. The 3D creation technology creates 3D content from 2D content captured with 3D-enabled cameras. The 3D capture technology assists users in taking better quality stereoscopic pictures for input to 3DMedia's creation technology. These two software products operate independently. The 3D capture technology can be used in digital cameras, and the 3D creation software can be used in 3D display devices or run on PCs.
The 3D capture software will assist the user in positioning the camera to optimize the quality of the resulting 3D pictures. The following very simple procedure is used to capture 3D content.
- Set the camera into 3D stereo mode
- Take the first picture
- The camera displays directions for positioning the camera for the second picture
- Move the camera to the new position and align the guide lines in the viewfinder
- The camera automatically takes the second picture when it is aligned properly
3DMedia is also developing 3D display platforms which include our creation software. These include an autostereoscopic DPF (no special glasses needed) and a 3D Media Player for 3Dcapable HDTVs. Both platforms include Wi-Fi capability for wireless access to the web with links to 3D pictures, videos, and other 3D content. These designs can be licensed to create 3D display products. A third platform is a PC with a 3D monitor.
Although it is possible to purchase a two-lens 3D camera today, the majority of pictures taken by consumers in the next several years will still be in 2D. Therefore such cameras do not synchronize well with consumer trends. For the same cost, consumers can purchase a higher quality 2D camera and still have the ability to easily capture 3D content using our technology. Our software-based solution allows camera makers to create new 3D-enabled cameras without modifying the hardware platform, thus minimizing development costs.
Engaging with 3DMedia
There are several options for engaging with 3DMedia in the camera market. 3DMedia can migrate its 3D capture software to the camera platform, create the user interface, and perform system validation. Alternately, 3DMedia can provide the object code for the 3D capture software to the camera manufacturer and provide support for migration, user interface creation, and system validation. The 3D creation software that runs on PCs can also be licensed and bundled with the 3D-enabled camera. 3DMedia can also license the design of its 3D display products to other divisions of the company to create a 3D product ecosystem under the company brand name. The 3D display platforms use silicon-proven devices and productionquality software infrastructure which allows for quick time to market with minimal risks and potentially higher profit margins. Our team is experienced in consumer products and manufacturing processes, and has a successful record of taking designs from specification to final product.