Optical: systems and elements – Stereoscopic – With right and left channel discriminator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-16
2001-02-13
Chang, Audrey (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Stereoscopic
With right and left channel discriminator
C359S462000, C359S466000, C359S469000, C359S472000, C348S051000, C348S056000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188518
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in producing three-dimensional imagery.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Up until this time, three-dimensional imagery has essentially been produced with means that present different aspects of objects to each eye and usually with filtered, polarised or oscillating imagery that can be observed through filtered, polarised and/or oscillating viewers or spectacles. Lenticular arrays, static or dynamic double vision strips and viewing slots arrangements also attempt a similar effect without the use of such viewers or spectacles.
The term “three-dimensional imagery” is an expression that has been in common use for many years. Since its first use, the meaning of the term has been extended to encompass a wide variety of depth enhancement imagery, as well as imagery that actually contains three visual dimensions. Within the range of relevant methodologies, equipment and effects, there can be said to be two broad and general categories.
One of these categories involves imagery containing a single angle of view of an object. The other applies to images that simultaneously comprise two or more angles of view of essentially the same object.
Methods and apparatus that enable the presentation of two or more different angles of view of substantially the same objects simultaneously, are also referred to as three-dimensional. Usually, these arrangements present two spaced angles of view, acquired at distances of 2¼-2½ inches apart with a common centre, by the use of methods and means that isolate left views to left eyes and right views to right eyes. Left and right view separated systems include spectacles, viewers and visors ranging in sophistication from (as indicated hereinbefore) simple filtered or polarised spectacles to liquid crystal visors synchronised to screen signals. Other techniques for keeping left and right angles of view visible only to the corresponding eye include view differentiating lenses—particularly lenticular arrays and separated static right and left image strip arrangements.
In addition, holograms produce three-dimensional imagery containing multiple angles of view. Further, there are many combinations of these various systems.
However, despite the abundance of methods and techniques for enhancing image depth and producing imagery containing three visual dimensions, all have very limited application and have had limited commercial and practical success. In particular, none of the known systems are suitable for adaptation to most imaging systems in general use, such as for example cinemas, video and computer display units, television screens and the wide variety of monitors used in every day life for functions ranging from medical investigations, to entertainment, to military surveillance.
It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a method and means for displaying three-dimensional imagery which goes some way towards overcoming or minimising problems and shortcomings associated with methods and means known up until this time.
Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.
In the broadest form of the method aspect the present invention comprises:
a method of producing three-dimensional imagery including displaying on a screen surface, imagery containing two or more spaced-apart angles of view about a common centre, and which angles of view have been segmented and separated; said separated and segmented angles of view being viewed through sections of a grid, of a size and shape corresponding substantially to the dimensions of said segments of imagery; said grid being placed at a distance from said screen where segments of imagery acquired left of a common image centre are seen through sections of said grid substantially by the left eye of a viewer, while segments of imagery acquired right of the common image centre are seen through grid sections substantially by the right eye of a viewer; the relationship of left and right segments of imagery, relative to said grid sections being maintained when said imagery is displayed on said screen, by oscillation of said grid sections in synchronisation with the display of said segments of imagery at a speed which produces the appearance of a coherent, complete, three-dimensional imagery.
According to a further method aspect of this invention there is provided a method of producing three-dimensional imagery including displaying on a screen surface, imagery containing two or more spaced-apart angles of view about a common centre, and which angles of view have been segmented and separated; said separated and segmented angles of view being viewed through sections of a grid, of a size and shape corresponding substantially to the dimensions of said segments of imagery; said grid being placed at a distance from said screen where segments of imagery acquired left of a common image centre are seen through sections of said grid substantially by the left eye of a viewer, while segments of imagery acquired right of the common image centre are seen through grid sections substantially by the right eye of a viewer; the relationship of left and right segments of imagery, relative to said grid sections being maintained when said imagery is displayed on said screen, by oscillation of said grid sections in synchronisation with the display of said segments of imagery at a speed which produces the appearance of a coherent, complete, three-dimensional imagery; and wherein said grid sections become substantially invisible to the eye as a transparent window between said eyes of a viewer and said screen.
In another form of the method aspect the present invention comprises:
a method of producing three dimensional imagery comprising the steps of:
a) displaying on a screen imagery formed by two or more spaced apart angles of view about a common centre,
b) placing a segmented grid formed by a series of alternate spaced apart slats and openings in front of the screen between an observer and the screen such that the observer initially observes the image on the screen as separated and segmented, wherein the grid is of a size and shape which corresponds substantially to the size of the image segments, seen by the observer,
c) setting the grid at a pre-determined distance from the screen such that
alternate segments of imagery acquired left of a common image centre are seen through openings of said grid substantially by the left eye of an observer while alternate segments of imagery acquired right of the common image centre are seen through openings of the grid substantially by the right eye of an observer such that part of the whole image on the screen is seen by the right and left eyes of the observer at a first position of the grid;
d) oscillating the grid relative to the image on the screen at a predetermined
frequency such that the grid moves from said first position momentarily to a second position thence back to the first position whereupon when the grid is momentarily in said second position during said oscillation, the left eye of the observer sees that part of the image left of the common centre which was blocked from view to the left eye at the first position of the grid by said alternate slats and the right eye of the observer sees that part of the image right of the common centre which was blocked from view to the right eye at the first position of the grid by said alternate slats,
such that by virtue of the oscillation of the grid at said predetermined frequency, the grid is rendered invisible and the observer sees a whole coherent three dimensional image by alternately observing a part of the available image thence the remaining part of the available image on the screen.
According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided an arrangement for producing three-dimensional imagery, including means for displaying on a screen surface imagery containing two or more spaced apart adjacent angles of view about a common centre and which angles of view have been segmented and separated
Abelman ,Frayne & Schwab
Chang Audrey
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