Apparatus and method for generating a three-dimensional image using a collaborative photography group

Abstract

A communication network comprising a collaborative photography group including a plurality of cameras having synchronized photographing times, is provided. The plurality of cameras may share location information, direction angle information, and image information generated by photographing an object, and generate a three-dimensional (3D) image of the object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collaborative operation method of a camera, the method comprising:
 forming a collaborative photography group through a communication network with at least one another camera;   receiving a photographing request through the communication network in response to a pushing of a shutter button of a single camera included in the collaborative photography group; and   photographing an object in response to the received photographing request.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forming comprises forming the collaborative photography group by sharing an authentication key with the at least one another camera. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication network comprises a network of a cellular communication system, an ad hoc network, and a wireless local area network (WLAN). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the photographing comprises photographing the object simultaneously when the photographing request is received or at a time corresponding to the photographing request. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the photographing comprises photographing the object at a photographing time synchronized with cameras included in the collaborative photography group. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 synchronizing times of cameras included in the collaborative photography group to enable the cameras to photograph the object at the same time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 collecting image information generated by cameras included in the collaborative photography group, and processing the image information.   
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a program for instructing a computer to perform the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A collaborative operation method using a plurality of independent cameras having a communication function, the method comprising:
 synchronizing each of the plurality of cameras through the communication function; and   photographing the same object using the synchronized plurality of cameras.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the photographing comprises simultaneously photographing the same object using the plurality of cameras. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 transmitting images of the object photographed by the plurality of cameras, through the communication function.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 transmitting location information of the plurality of cameras and direction angle information of the plurality of cameras with respect to the object.   
     
     
         13 . A method of obtaining a collaborative photography image using a plurality of independent cameras having a communication function, the method comprising:
 synchronizing each of the plurality of cameras through the communication function; and   controlling the synchronized plurality of cameras to photograph the same object.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the controlling comprises controlling the plurality of cameras to simultaneously photograph the same object. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 receiving images of the object photographed by the plurality of cameras, through the communication function.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 generating a three-dimensional (3D) image using the received images.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 receiving location information of the plurality of cameras and direction angle information of the plurality of cameras with respect to the object.