Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Image superposition by optical means – Operator body-mounted heads-up display
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-06
2003-02-11
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Image superposition by optical means
Operator body-mounted heads-up display
C345S007000, C345S009000, C348S051000, C348S053000, C349S011000, C349S013000, C349S015000, C463S031000, C463S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06518939
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image observation apparatus, and more particularly, improvement of an image observation apparatus such that it can be easily performed for a small scale apparatus to create three-dimensional (hereinafter, 3D) images and process images of games and so on.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 44
among drawings incorporated in this application shows an example of work flows for creating motion pictures with using 3D images. First, object data (basic data) is created at process P
1
, and at the next process P
2
, an animation work, that is, a motion picture creation work is performed. Subsequently, at process P
3
, a final rendering work, i.e., a complete motion picture creation work is performed. Motion picture data created at process P
3
is recorded on a recording medium or media at process P
4
as a recording work. These works are common in this field.
For example, when 3D images are created, the works in the above-mentioned object data creation process (process P
1
are shown in FIG.
49
. The works contain providing two image-sensing apparatus (camera L and camera R) in line, taking an image of a subject with each camera, and recording a pair of image L and image R in respective recording apparatus (video deck L and video deck R). Then, this recorded pair of images becomes animation data of a live-action having a binocular parallax.
On the other hand, for example, as the works in the object data creation process, two works are performed. The first work of them is to create a pair of images, one image to be played back for a left eye and the other to be done for a right eye, every frame by a computer and the like respectively (so-called computer graphics (CG)). This produced pair of images is made to be animation data, and the next work is to create a final animation on the basis of this data. Further, the pair of animation images having a binocular parallax is recorded on separate recording apparatuses respectively.
With further elaborating, for example, as a procedure for producing 3D images in the CG, first, in an object data producing process P
1
shown in
FIG. 44
, the image data regarding the fundamental skelton of the object is produced in rough polygons, that is, a small number of polygons. In addition, simple color data is also set.
Next, animation data regarding the image data produced in the above-mentioned process P
1
, is produced in the animation work performed in the process P
2
. In this work, popular application software for edition of animation and the like are used. After completion of this edition of the animation, the final rendering work is performed in the next process P
3
.
In the process P
3
, the final rendering work is performed every screen frame. Thus, with forming a minute shape with a plenty of polygons, setting of proper color data such as texture mapping is performed.
The image data completed in this manner is recorded in the recording work in the process P
4
. That is, the image data is outputted from a computer for edition to a recording apparatus such as a video deck conforming to a common standard, for example, VHS or &bgr;-cam, the image data which is recorded on a recording medium such as a video recording tape by the recording apparatus.
In addition, when a 3D image is produced with using live-action data, its procedure is as follows.
First, it is performed to sense the images of an object. With using two video camera recorders (VCRs) and the like, an image for a right eye that should be played back to only the right eye (hereinafter called an R image) and an image for a left eye that should be played back to only the left eye (hereinafter called an L image) are sensed respectively at the same time.
These images sensed in this manner are played back to left and right eyes respectively with synchronizing the R image and L image with each other. Further, by confirming 3D effects such as an offset quantity (described later), it is checked whether proper 3D images could be sensed. Thus, this confirms whether proper 3D image-sensing was performed. Then, until the recorded images become proper ones, after revising, for example, a sensing position of the VCR, the distance between the VCR and object, and the like, the processes of image-sensing and playback check are repeated. Although these processes are the work corresponding to the process P
2
shown in
FIG. 44
, it is possible to produce a 3D image in only the above-mentioned processes of the image-sensing and playback check in case of live-action data.
Here, 3D images using a binocular parallax will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 45-48
among drawings incorporated in this application.
An image for a left eye, referred to as code L in
FIG. 45
, and an image for a right eye, referred to as code R are images of object data taken or created by supposing the case that a single object, shown as a round object in
FIG. 46
is observed by observer's left and right eyes respectively.
If the image for a left eye, L and the image for a right eye, R are played back independently to observer's left and right eyes and are displayed on display means such as an LCD, observer's left and right eyes, as shown in
FIG. 46
look at a virtual image screen of display means (LCD etc.) in a playback apparatus. However, in this time, object data on the virtual image screen of the display means, that is, two object data of the image for the left eye, L and the image for the right eye, R can be observed as a single object by being recognized as an identical object (this phenomenon is called “fusion”).
In addition, in order to enable an object to be observed as if it protruded in this side, i.e., to enable the object to be observed three-dimensionally, a pair of images L and R of object data are taken or created, the pair of images being composed of an image for the left eye, L and an image for the right eye, R, as shown in FIG.
47
. In this case, positions of the two object data composed of the image for the left eye, L and the image for the right eye, R are mutually reversed on a virtual image screen of display means (LCD etc.) as shown in FIG.
48
. Owing to this, the object image being recognized as an identical object by observer's eyes is observed as if the object protruded in this side by an offset quantity shown in FIG.
48
.
Furthermore, heretofore, taking or creating object data during above-mentioned works for creating 3D images is composed of the following works. The first work is to provide two independent cameras, that is, a camera to take an image for the left eye, L and another camera to take an image for the right eye, R as shown in
FIG. 49
, in line to a subject. The second work is to record a pair of images (an image for the left eye, L and an image for the right eye, R) taken with respective cameras L and R, in two independent recording apparatuses, that is, a video deck L for recording the image for the left eye, L and a video deck R for recording the image for the right eye, R. These images are recorded on separate recording media, which are used as basic data (animation data having a binocular parallax).
Moreover, reference codes La and Ra shown in
FIG. 49
show angles of view of image pickup optical systems for cameras L and R, i.e., ranges where images can be taken, and the angle of view of the camera L, La and the angle of view of the camera R, Ra are set to become approximately equal and to overlap each other. In addition, by providing this overlapped part, 3D sense to a subject included in this range can be obtained.
Furthermore, conventionally, confirmation of 3D images of the object data (basic data) taken or created, and recorded as described above is performed as follows.
Thus, as shown in
FIG. 50
, for example, the above-mentioned confirmation of the 3D images at the time of creating the images is performed by playing the image for the left eye, L and the image for the right eye, R simultaneously back with two individual video decks L and R keeping synchronizati
Lewis David L.
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Shalwala Bipin
LandOfFree
Image observation apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image observation apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image observation apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3176331