By Paul Hayes

OSAKA, JAPAN: Sharp has unveiled another string in the ever expanding 3D bow, with the announcement that it has developed a three-dimensional camera system for mobile phones and other portable devices.

As 3D continues it march into the consumer appliance world, Sharp is billing its new device as the world’s first mobile camera which is capable of capturing high definition 3D video images in 720p.

“Embedding this camera module in mobile devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones and smart phones will contribute to the development of a wide range of new, innovative communication tools,” said the company.

The mobile 3D camera module incorporates functions including colour synchronising processing to adjust colour and brightness, timing synchronising processing for timing and video signals and optical axis control processing to correct positioning.

Sharp said it will begin shipping samples internationally in July, with mass production to begin before the end of the year.