Optics: image projectors – Composite projected image – Multicolor picture
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-26
2001-09-04
Metjahic, Safet (Department: 2858)
Optics: image projectors
Composite projected image
Multicolor picture
C359S451000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283598
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 172722/1998 filed on Jun. 19, 1998, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for displaying an image, and in particular the invention concerns itself with the art of virtual reality or computer visualization which includes projecting an image on a screen, the shape of which is optional, and presenting the object on the screen so as to afford an interactive environment to the observer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, notable progress has been made in the field of a system for producing virtual reality. Various types of head-mounted displays (HMDs) have been proposed and manufactured as one of the new apparatuses for presenting visual information in a virtual space. Each of the HMDs includes a display apparatus arranged around the observer's head.
Another new apparatus of the kind indicated above is of a projection type and is constructed so as to allow an image to appear on a flat rectangular screen by means of a projector. A system of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,702. This type of apparatus designed to enable a plurality of observers to view an image simultaneously makes it possible to view a proper image from more places.
It has been the purpose of either of the aforesaid prior art apparatuses to present a virtual “space” per se. It is contemplated, however, that they will be found even more advantageous when used in doing some work in the virtual space. For this purpose, the presentation of a virtual “object” appears even more important than the presentation of the virtual “space” per se.
In order to make the virtual object true to nature, it is necessary for the observer to exert an influence on the image in an interactive manner. Input means heretofore used for this purpose have taken the form of input devices separated from screens. These input devices have the disadvantage that, because of a discord between the position of the image presented and the position in which manual input procedures are carried out, the aforesaid input devices fail to let the observer feel as if he or she were manipulating the virtual object presented on the screen.
An attempt has been made to obtain the measurement values representing the position of a hand or hands of a person putting on an HMD and manipulating a visually presented object. The aim of this measurement is to allow the position of the hand or hands to agree with the position of the object. Even in this case, the observer cannot obtain the sense of holding the object with a tactile sensation.
According to still another prior proposal made to cope with the aforesaid problem, measurement values representing the position and attitude of an object presented on a display screen are obtained with a view to manipulating the object. A small-sized cathode ray tube or liquid crystal display is used as an apparatus of the kind indicated above. It is found that the flat display screen makes it difficult to attain a happy blending of visual and tactile sensation, which are of importance to the space recognition of human beings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with eliminating the aforesaid difficulty. As such, the primary object of the invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for displaying an image in such a manner as to present a virtual object to an observer.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 1
, the invention consists in the provision of a method which includes the step of arranging a pair of projectors
14
L and
14
R for projecting an image. These projectors
14
L and
14
R are disposed in optically conjugate relationship with the observer's eyes respectively. The method further includes the steps of projecting from the projectors
14
L and
14
R an image HG of an object to be viewed by the observer BS, and allowing the image HG to appear on a screen
11
, the shape of which corresponds to that of the object.
Preferably, the shape of the screen
11
is the same as, or approximate to, the shape of the object. A flat or curved surface and a closed-curved surface such as a spherical surface or an oval are merely representative of any of a large number of shapes which can be taken by the screen
11
.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3200702 (1965-08-01), Giordano
patent: 5908300 (1999-06-01), Walker et al.
Proposal for the Object Oriented Display: The Design and Implementation of the MEDIA3, ICAT '97, by Naoki Kawakami, Masahiko Inami, Taro Maeda, and Susumu Tachi, published Dec. 3, 1997.
Inami Masahiko
Kawakami Naoki
Maeda Taro
Tachi Susumu
Yanagida Yasuyuki
Leroux E P
Metjahic Safet
Minolta Co. , Ltd.
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood
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