Optical: systems and elements – Stereoscopic
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-14
2004-01-13
Chang, Andrey (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Stereoscopic
C359S464000, C348S053000, C345S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06678091
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to a system and method to synchronize one or more shutters with a sequence of images.
More particularly, the instant invention relates to a system and method to synchronize one or more shutters on user-worn headgear with a sequence of images shown on a display by initially synchronizing the shutter(s) with the sequence of images using an initial synchronization signal generated externally to the headgear and by maintaining synchronization of the shutter(s) with the sequence of images using an ongoing synchronization signal generated independently by the headgear.
2. Description of the Related Art
Stereoscopic 3-D viewing systems for video games, computer graphics, movies, and the like are well known. In summary, they operate by showing a sequence of interlaced right-eye images and left-eye images on a display, by closing a right-eye shutter to block a viewer's view of the display when a left-eye image is shown, and by closing a left-eye shutter to block the viewer's view of the display when a right-eye image is show.
More particularly, as seen in the prior art system of
FIG. 1
, Control Unit
101
(which may be computer, a video game, or a movie projector) includes Image Generator
103
, which provides a sequence of images to Display
105
. The sequence of images is composed of a sequence of interlaced right-eye images and left-eye images. Synchronizing Circuit
107
, which controls the timing of the images generated by Image Generator
103
, also provides an Ongoing Synchronization Signal
109
a
to Infrared Transmitter
111
through Connection
112
. The Ongoing Synchronization Signal
109
a
, which is transmitted in infrared form as Ongoing Synchronization Signal
109
b
to Infrared Detector
113
of 3-D Glasses
115
, is used by Control Circuit
117
of 3-D Glasses
115
to synchronize the Right-eye Shutter
119
a
and the Left-eye shutter
119
b
of 3-D Glasses
115
with the right-eye and left-eye images shown on the display.
FIG. 2
shows another prior art system which is similar to the system shown in
FIG. 1
but uses a hard-wired connection to carry the Ongoing Synchronization Signal to the 3-D Glasses. More particularly, it is seen in this
FIG. 2
that Control Unit
201
(which may be computer, a video game, or a movie projector) includes Image Generator
203
, which provides a sequence of images to Display
205
. The sequence of images is composed of a sequence of interlaced right-eye images and left-eye images. Synchronizing Circuit
207
, which controls the timing of the images generated by Image Generator
203
, also provides an Ongoing Synchronization Signal
209
to 3-D Glasses
213
through hard-wired link
211
. The Ongoing Synchronization Signal
209
is used by Control Circuit
215
of 3-D Glasses
213
to synchronize the Right-eye Shutter
217
a
and Left-eye Shutter
217
b
of 3-D Glasses
213
with the right-eye and left-eye images shown on the display.
Such prior art systems suffer a number of disadvantages. With regard to the system of
FIG. 1
, which employs the wireless delivery of the Ongoing Synchronization Signal, the use of a wireless transmitter such as an infrared transmitter increases the cost of the system. With regard to the system of
FIG. 2
, which employs the hard-wired delivery of the Ongoing Synchronization Signal, the wire connecting the 3-D Glasses to the Control Unit restricts movement and is clearly inconvenient to the viewer.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method to synchronize one or more shutters on user-worn headgear with a sequence of images shown on a display by initially synchronizing the shutter(s) with the sequence of images using an initial synchronization signal generated externally to the headgear and by maintaining synchronization of the shutter(s) with the sequence of images using an ongoing synchronization signal generated independently by the headgear. The initial synchronization signal generated externally to the headgear may be transmitted to the headgear through a hard-wired link which may be broken after the transmission of the initial synchronization signal. Alternatively, the initial synchronization signal generated externally to the headgear may be transmitted (preferably as visible light) to the headgear from the display upon which the sequence of images is shown.
Thus, the system and method of the instant invention eliminate the need for a continuous hard-wired connection to transmit an ongoing synchronization signal to the headgear. The system and method of the instant invention also eliminate the need to use a dedicated wireless transmitter to transmit an ongoing synchronization signal to the headgear.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5245319 (1993-09-01), Kilian
patent: 5796373 (1998-08-01), Yen
patent: 5818399 (1998-10-01), Omori et al.
patent: 5821989 (1998-10-01), Lazzaro et al.
Chang Andrey
Tropper Matthew B.
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