Optics: image projectors – Relief illusion
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-26
2004-07-27
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Optics: image projectors
Relief illusion
C359S479000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06767099
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying an object in space, in particular, the invention relates to a projection system for simulating an object suspended in a viewable volume of space.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is an increasing demand for products which enhance the visual experience of the observer. One particular category of these products is appealing because of their ability to make an observer accept as true that which the observer intuitively knows is not possible. For example, in one instance, these products may be designed to simulate on object suspended in free-space. In fact, what the observer sees is a virtual image of the object.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,284 to Ellings et al., is an example of one such device found in the prior art which simulates a suspended object. The Ellings patent discloses using mirrors in its arrangement. In particular, Ellings discloses a pair of concave mirrors placed opposite one another. An object to be projected, such as a coin or piece of jewelry is placed on a concaved surface of one of the mirrors. A real image of the object is then projected through a small opening in the surface of the opposite mirror. In this way, the object is made to appear three-dimensional and suspended in free-space.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,118 to Mizuno is another prior art system utilizing a mirrored device to simulate an object suspended in free-space. The Mizuno arrangement uses a concave mirror positioned opposite a television monitor. The television monitor displays a two-dimensional flat image which is projected on a transparent surface above the Mizuno projection device.
The Ellings and Mizuno systems are typical of prior art projection devices which are used to project images in free space. However, these devices are relatively simplistic. In other variations, the prior art systems may be more complex. For example, some prior art projection systems may require lenses, prisms, projectors, additional mirrors or the like for image projection.
One such sophisticated prior art system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,743 to Rickert. The Rickert system uses a projection optic to focus an image of an object on a special screen. In one embodiment, the screen is a concave screen such as on a projection T.V. The screen concentrates the light forming the image. The image is focused on the surface of the screen and is brightest at the radius of the screen at the angle of projection.
Thus, as can be seen the prior art provides numerous devices for projecting images simulating objects suspended in free space. However, the images produced by the prior art systems are typically not the most effective simulation of the object. One reason is that, in general, the prior art systems do not take into consideration the means by which the viewers eye/brain system processes visual images. A more effective image projection system should make use of the manner in which the eye/brain system processes three-dimensional objects. These processes or perceptual cues impress upon the observer that the image he sees is actually located where it appears to be.
One method for using visual or perceptual cues to enhance a viewers experience is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,818 to Summer et al., which proposes using perceptual cues embedded within a video data stream. The Summer invention is limited, however, in that it uses flat, two-dimensional perceptual cues, which are not a true representation of actual three-dimensional perceptual cues to which the eye/brain system responds. The two-dimensional cues described in Summer are inherently limited in their effectiveness.
Simulation of an object suspended in space is most effective where the viewer is made to think that the image he sees is cast in three-dimensions and at a specific location in space. Three-dimensional images are those that give the perception that a solid form exists where one does not. Effectively, the eye/brain system uses its experience with perceptual cues to correlate certain visual and environmental references to corroborate the existence of a three-dimensional object. To understand how the brain perceives three-dimensional objects and their physical locations, it must first be understood how perceptual cues work to create a credible visual image.
In brief, the human brain determines whether the image is real by relating the images to the actual environment. That is, the brain makes use of environmental references to perceive an object in three-dimensions. Perceptual cues are patterns, physical objects, and experiential data that the eye/brain recognizes which aid the eye in determining particular characteristics about the image being processed. They may include perceptions about the object's size, position, and/or color relative to the environment in which the object is viewed.
Initially, an observer's eyes settle on a fixation point representing the distance at which corresponding retinal points within the eye are stimulated. A horopter is an imaginary plane in space drawn through that fixation point. Images in an observer's right and left eye received from objects near the horopter are fixed by the eye/brain system into single objects at the same depth plane. It is through the various properties of visual perception that environmental references relative to the horpoter, encourage a credible 3 dimensional impression in the mind.
For example, the property of visual perception known as optical occlusion focuses on the generally opaque nature of matter. In particular, through experience the human eye/brain system expects that where objects are in the same line of sight, objects nearer the observer will hide objects more distant from the observer. The eye/brain system will receive environmental visual cues such as which object is occluded relative to the other. The eye/brain system then determines that the occluded object is farther in distance from the observer than an object which in not occluded.
Another property of visual perception, which encourages three-dimensional impression on the eye/brain system, is stereopsis. Stereopsis makes use of the observer's biocular vision. In real life, each eye gets a slightly different view of the world when pointed at the same object. This is called stereoptic viewing. Through stereoptic viewing the eye/brain system perceives objects from two different vantage points. The brain, therefore, receives information about the viewing depth of the object from the distinct vantage points by triangulating the depth information to calculate a measurable distance of the object from the observer. More particularly, when the brain tells both eyes to focus on object, if the object is, for example, within approximately 10 feet, the eyes triangulate on the objects position and converge on the object at the point of triangulation. The closer the object, the greater the angle of convergence.
In yet another property of visual perception by which environmental cues promote three-dimensional impression, the eye/brain system makes use of its visual, historical, experience to interpret object. In general, a typical observer develops certain conceptions of object size relative to the environment in which it is viewed. The eye/brain system compares objects of known size in order to estimate their relative locations. The brain, based on previous experience, compares the observed object to the known size of that object and/or objects in the surrounding environment. Aware of the differences between the known size and the observed size, the brain then calculates a viewing distance that corresponds to the differences in object size.
In still another property of visual perception promoting three-dimensional impression on the eye/brain system, an object in motion at different distances from an observer appears to move at different speeds. Thus, as an object in motion moves toward an observer, the object appears to be picking up speed although the object's speed is constant. This motion parallax exists because the images of the a
Perkins Richard
Yamron Gary T.
Adams Russell
Sever Andrew
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