Patent
1983-11-30
1985-11-12
Mathews, A. A.
354 86, 354115, G03B 3500
Patent
active
045524424
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in producing autostereoscopic images.
Two main different kinds of method are known for producing autostereoscopic pictures. They are known respectively as "direct" and "indirect" methods. Both involve the use of a lenticular screen arranged in front of a photographic emulsion. After processing a substantially three dimensional reproduction of the original object field is obtained which can be viewed as such without the need for viewing means such as coloured filters, cross-polaroids or other similar aids. Such reproductions are known as autostereoscopic pictures.
The "direct" and "indirect" methods are both widely known, but both suffer from disadvantages. A description of both methods can be found, for example, in U.K. Pat. No. 1,528,362 (Dimensional Development Corporation) which is incorporated herein by reference.
These methods aim to re-create a three dimensional image of the original object field when viewed by an observer. For a completely stationary observer, only two superimposed two dimensional views would be needed, corresponding to the observer's two eye views. In practice, however, depth is perceived to some extent by head movements to change the perspective.
In the "indirect" method, a number of two dimensional views of an object field are taken and processed and an autostereoscopic picture is composed by projecting these images through a lenticular screen having cylindrical lenticules onto photographic emulsion. To be cost effective, the number of views taken is limited and the quality of autostereoscopic pictures produced is correspondingly relatively poor. Better quality pictures can be produced at greater expense by taking a large number of two dimensional views. Careful alignment to ensure proper registration of the two-dimensional views is necessary in the composing step, for which carefully designed apparatus with fine tolerance must be used. Two stage processing is involved and because of this, the "indirect" method is not always suitable for the consumer market, particularly where rapid or instant processing is required.
The "direct" method is carried out in a single camera. In one such method, a lenticular screen in front of the film, which again has cylindrical lenticules, is moved through the width of one lenticule relative to the film during exposure of the film and simultaneously the single camera lens is moved through a proportional distance. The film is processed to produce an autostereoscopic picture. The apparatus required is bulky and expensive because precision movement is involved. This method has not, up to now, been a practical proposition for anything but a very specialist market.
In both of the above prior art methods, a stereoscopic effect is obtained in one direction, for example horizontally, but there is no effect vertically. The lenticular screens used in the production of the pictures and for subsequent viewing have cylindrical lenticules running vertically thus giving a stereoscopic effect horizontally. On pictures produced by the "direct" method very precise registration of the lenticular screen with the interdigitated lineiform images is necessary. Other drawbacks of the two methods are mentioned in U.K. Pat. No. 1,528,362.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production of autostereoscopic images which has, at least in preferred embodiments, considerable advantages over prior art methods. For example, apparatus according to the invention can provide pictures developed by "rapid" processing techniques. The apparatus may be relatively simple, cheap to make and yet pictures of acceptable quality may be obtained by straightforward processing. In certain embodiments, pictures having a stereoscopic effect in both vertical and horizontal directions may be produced.
The invention is concerned generally with a method and apparatus for use in producing autostereoscopic images. The apparatus comprises imaging means which are arranged to capture rays from a number or range of perspe
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"One Step Holocoder", by A. W. Lohmann, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 10, No. 10, Mar. 1968.
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