Optical: systems and elements – Stereoscopic – Having record with lenticular surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2002-11-19
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Stereoscopic
Having record with lenticular surface
C345S419000, C348S059000, C352S048000, C382S285000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06483644
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for producing integral images. An integral image having a multiple axis, or viewing angle, three-dimensional image of a scene with forward and backward depth is prepared by interweaving a plurality of views of a scene in a specific pattern which is viewed through a screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various methods have been proposed for the formation of integral images. Traditionally the integral image has been formed using photographic techniques and a fly's-eye lens. A fly's-eye lens is a sheet of optically clear substrate with an array of semi-spherical lenses on one or both sides of the sheet that uses refraction to focus light. A photographic material is placed behind the fly's-eye lens and exposed. When the film is developed an array of images is formed corresponding to the fly's-eye lenslets. Each element of the image array represents a portion of the photographed scene from each lenslet's perspective.
Viewing the image array through the fly's-eye lens presents the observer with an integrated image of the scene wherein each lenslet provides image detail from differing perspectives as the observer's viewing angle changes. The eyes are separated by the interocular distance giving a slightly different angle of view to each eye for a stereoscopic effect.
A proposed method by Rodger de Montebello (U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,453) uses elaborate procedures to form the fly's-eye lens materials for an integral imaging camera and reproducing orthoscopic integral images as described. The primary difficulty being the dimensional precision required to manufacture the various components used to form and view the image.
An alternate method of integral photography proposed by Vilums (U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,735) uses an array of Fresnel zone plates. A Fresnel zone plate is “a flat bull's-eye image made of concentric, alternating clear and opaque rings” that diffracts light to a focus. The array of Fresnel zone plates is substituted for the fly's-eye lens. This method is particularly suited for imaging with non-visible light, such as X-rays.
Symmetrically distributed apertures on a plane has also been proposed as a substitute for the fly's eye and Fresnel zone plate screening methods. Seegar (U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,324) describes utilizing an “aperture-raster plate” to both generate and view the resultant three-dimensional image. Similarly, Takezaki U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,095 discloses a “non-transmittable or opaque surface having a plurality of transmission points “referred to as” incident ports” used in the generation and viewing of the three-dimensional image.
Additional reference is made to Gibas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,377) describes a three-dimensional imaging and display system. Using an acquisition device, image and distance information is captured from a plurality of points of view and output as a non-standard image consisting of image and distance data for each pixel captured from the points of view. The display device processes the non-standard image into a plurality of display images with a display panel having a fly's eye lens to produce a three dimensional image. Gibas's method requires a special image capture device to obtain the image and distance data used to construct the non-standard image as well as a special device to display the non-standard image as a three-dimensional image. The method is calculatively intensive requiring special image processing hardware to capture and display the three-dimensional image. As in the other prior art references the perceived depth does not project in front of the display. The output is limited to a dedicated display device thereby inhibiting its acceptance in the market place.
Most of the prior art above creates or generates the original three-dimensional image as a single exposure through a refractive or defractive screening means upon a light recording medium. This original “master” image is a result of incident light reflected from an object or scene through said screening means onto the recording medium. Unfortunately, several technical problems are presented to those who create integral images by these methods. All of these techniques result in an original integral image that is pseudoscopic i.e. the depth information is inverted from that of the original object or scene. A secondary procedure is required to create a true working stereoscopic image. This usually involves exposing through the original integral image, in precise alignment with a screening means, onto a second light recording medium. The photographic duplication process adds costs and reduces quality. Elaborate steps are also taken to minimize interstitial falloff or overlap of exposure. Additionally, all objects created in this manner will appear to recede into or be behind the surface of the screen i.e. no objects will appear to “float” in front of the screen. Fresnel zone plates and fly's eye lens materials are not readily available and the difficulty and cost of manufacturing of these materials make these techniques impractical for mass production.
A method according to integral imaging is needed that provides for the printing, projecting, displaying and broadcasting of integral images using existing digital imaging equipment and screening materials, wherein at least a portion of the image projects above the surface of an associated lens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward methods and an apparatus for producing integral images hereafter known as Tru3™ images. In one embodiment of the invention, the method involves the use of multiple views captured from predetermined vantage points along a Cartesian coordinate grid. Elements from each perspective view are manipulated and incorporated into a single interwoven image according to a specified pattern. A viewing screen is placed in alignment between the observer and the interwoven image creating a Tru3D™ image. The combined unit of image and screen can then be illuminated from behind. The viewing screen then presents a discreet perspective view that corresponds to the observer's angle of view. As the viewer has two eyes separated by an interocular distance the illusion of three dimensions is perceived. The interwoven images could also involve an object in motion, in which case an animated three dimensional effect is observable by changing the viewing angle.
The number of views interwoven and the resolution of the Tru3D™ image is affected by the geometry of the viewing screen used as well as the space between the screen and image. Viewing screens consist of evenly spaced dots, as in an half-tone screen. In one embodiment, the viewing screen is a fly's-eye lens, zone plate array or a compound lenticular lens. A novel method of aligning the image and screen is described. Methods for producing static and dynamic Tru3D™ images are disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4128324 (1978-12-01), Seeger
patent: 4732453 (1988-03-01), Montebello et al.
patent: 4772094 (1988-09-01), Sheiman
patent: 4878735 (1989-11-01), Vilums
patent: RE35029 (1995-08-01), Sandor et al.
patent: 5581402 (1996-12-01), Taylor
patent: 5675377 (1997-10-01), Gibas
patent: 5678095 (1997-10-01), Takezaki
patent: 5680171 (1997-10-01), Lo et al.
patent: 6046848 (2000-04-01), Gulick
patent: 6055013 (2000-04-01), Woodgate et al.
patent: 6091482 (2000-07-01), Carter et al.
patent: 6229562 (2001-05-01), Kremen
Brosh Scott
Gottfried Phil
Fineman Lee A.
Schultz George R.
Spyrou Cassandra
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