The present invention provides a method and apparatus for capturing an image
of a persons head, or other object, positioned in front of a camera and accurately
scaling the head based on the distance of the head from the camera. A sonar system
is used determine the distance of the object to the camera. The sonar system can
include a first sonar device which is operated to measure the distance of the object
to a predetermined point and a second sonar device which is used to measure the
distance of the camera to the predetermined point. A calculation of the distance
from the object to the camera is based upon the sonar measurements. The image created
by the camera can be scaled according to the distance of the object to the camera
as determined with the sonar. An image created by the camera can be displayed on
a screen of a computer associated with the imaging system. Software on the computer
can transpose an image of an eyeglass frame over the image of a face, wherein the
image of the face was captured by the camera. Measurements relating to proper sizing
of an eyeglass or other corrective lens can be performed on the computer screen.
Other observations and image manipulations can also be made including skin tone,
facial features, head shape and size, application of cosmetics, proposed surgery,
and many other uses.
