Optical: systems and elements – Single channel simultaneously to or from plural channels – By surface composed of lenticular elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-22
2001-02-06
Mack, Ricky (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Single channel simultaneously to or from plural channels
By surface composed of lenticular elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185042
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to the field of lenticular imaging, and in particular to the creation of depth imagery (vertically orientated lenticular screens) and images with motion (horizontally orientated lenticular screens). More specifically, to a process for improving the clarity of view of elements forming the images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The history of lenticular imaging dates back to the early 1900's when Gabrielle Lipmann developed a process of integral photography, that when combined with a fisheye lens, offered a three-dimensional image to an observer. In 1925, J. S. Curwen patented a device (U.S. Pat. No. 1,475,430) involving two distinct images which changed from one to another, dependent upon the viewing angle presented to an observer.
While technology has advanced, the principal process remains similar. A lenticular image is comprised of a sequence of images that are interlaced to form a singular image where each individual image (or frame) is viewable at a different angle to the viewer when viewed through a lenticular lens sheet. These various images are termed views.
The current method of displaying an image, or portion thereof, which does not appear to change across a number of views; or throughout a depth or motion sequence, or a portion thereof, is accomplished by means of fixing the constant image to a constant coordinate location relative to the image area of each frame within the sequence from which the lenticular image is to be created. Fixing the image information in a constant location has always been assumed to provide the clearest and sharpest view of a stationary image
The conventional method, described above, displays the shortcomings of a lenticular imaging system, exhibiting a cutoff of detail where lenticule spacing exists, and a condensing of image information resulting in decreased clarity and legibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a unique method forms a lenticular image having either a viewable depth or a motion effect. The image is comprised of at least two frames of similar image source content where one or more images are sequentially displaced perpendicular to the lenticular direction; whereby the final image translation occurs at different portions of the source image.
Specifically there is provided a method for forming a lenticular image having viewable depth or motion effects, comprising the steps of:
a) interlacing at least two frames of similar image content with at least one frame sequentially displaced perpendicular to the lenticules; and
b) positioning a sheet of lenticular lenses so as to view the image content of the interlaced frames of similar image content.
Additionally, there is provided a system for forming a lenticular viewing card having viewable depth or motion images, comprising:
means for receiving and processing an original image in digital form;
means for sampling and shifting the processed original image from said receiving means into at least two frames of images shifted from each other by being sampled at different points;
means for slicing and interlacing the at least two frames of images into a merged image; and
means for writing the merged image whereby the positioning of a lenticular lens sheet into viewing position of the written merged image permits a sequential viewing of the at least two frames of images in the merged image as a function of a user's viewing angle.
These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has the following advantages:
The method produces a directional shift of an image (or portion thereof) between each section of a sequence or produces images of different pixel content. The process produces a sharper image of text or continuous tone or half tone color gray scale or binary objects to the viewer, creating increased legibility and clarity. Without the utilization of this method, a lenticular image may exhibit severe artifacts and a general lack of definition (i.e. fine detail).
The method renders control over both legibility (defined as ease of reading characters) and clarity (defined as overall image quality and the ability to see smooth edges specifically) of lenticular images and is a direct result of applying a shift or change in control to any individual element or in tandem with any or all other components (imagery, graphics, text, or other).
The method may eliminate the hidden image areas between the lenticules of the lenticular screen upon lamination of the lenticular screen to an image support layer.
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Lomb Kathryn Boddie
Morton Roger Roy Adams
Teger Carl D.
Eastman Kodak Company
Mack Ricky
Noval William F.
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