Optical system capable of creating the three-dimensional...

Details Optical system capable of creating the three-dimensional... Optical system capable of creating the three-dimensional...

1999-10-07

2001-11-13

Dowling, William (Department: 2851)

Optics: image projectors

Reflector

Plural

C353S008000, C359S471000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315416

ABSTRACT:

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an optical system with which the three-dimensional image of a genuine object is created in space, which image is observed in its normal position, i.e. without a specular inversion.
The object of the invention is providing a very simple optical system which nevertheless allows an image to be shown in its normal position, i.e. with properly reproduced signs, the three-dimensional image being observed by merely using a concave mirror, a plane mirror and the very object, all properly positioned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several optical systems are known to allow a three-dimensional image created based on an object to be seen, some of which systems are straightforward but nevertheless have the drawback that the images reproduced have their signs specularly inverted from left to right and are therefore almost illegible, all of which requires that the objects be labelled with specularly inverted characters and words and phrases be written from right to left in order to allow them to be properly read on observing the three-dimensional image.
There are also more complex optical systems which comprise a greater number of elements or more sophisticated elements, such as semi-transparent and/or polarised sheets, which may, depending on their position, generate unwanted simultaneous images of the object, of the observers themselves or of elements existing in their surroundings.
In conclusion, creating a three-dimensional image in space is achieved either with inverted signs or based on more complex systems which may generate other images along with the image of the object.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The system subject hereof has been devised to fully solve the aforesaid drawbacks based upon a simple and effective solution, for it overcomes the disadvantages of the simple devices or systems in which the signs are shown inverted and also overcomes the sophisticated and complex systems mentioned in the second place, providing an image in its normal position and with properly reproduced signs, based upon a structurally simple solution.
More specifically, the inventive system relies on the arrangement of two mirrors, namely a concave and a plane mirror, such that the optical axis of the concave or convergent mirror and on which its focus is contained delimits two areas, to wit an upper area where the concave or convergent mirror is precisely located, and a bottom area in which the plane mirror is located, such that the former's focus is located on the optical axis, between both mirrors, the mirrors having a reflecting surface facing their common inner area.
With this arrangement, the object for which a three-dimensional image is sought will be placed inverted, facing the reflecting surface of the plane mirror and below the optical axis of the concave or convergent mirror, thereby a three-dimensional image to be obtained on the opposite area, i.e. above the optical axis and outside the area common to both mirrors, which is the logically area where the observer is located. The three-dimensional image obtained is reproduced in its normal position and with perfectly legible signs.
As used herein, the term object should be taken to have not only its vernacular meaning, i.e. any genuine object, but also the meaning it has for optical professionals, i.e. any diffusing surface from which photons are let off, namely for instance a cathode-ray tube screen, a surface of whatever shape onto which cinematographic or TV images are projected, etc.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3675554 (1972-07-01), Bonnet
patent: 4840455 (1989-06-01), Kempf
patent: 5499067 (1996-03-01), Shibazaki
patent: 5886818 (1999-03-01), Summer et al.
patent: 5944403 (1999-08-01), Krause

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