Three dimensional optical viewing system

Optical: systems and elements – Relief illusion

Patent

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Details

359479, 359 32, 348 42, 345 9, G02B 2722

Patent

active

055899803

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical viewing system that produces a simulated three dimensional image which can be viewed by individuals.
2. Prior Art
Humans have binocular vision for perceiving three dimensional scenes, that is, scenes having depth as well as height and width. A single viewing apparatus such as a single human eye, can perceive scenes only to dimensionally. The perception of depth in a three dimensional space is due to the difference in the angle or relative position of features of the scene at different distances from the viewer, in views taken from to spaced points of view, also known as parallax.
It is known to simulate a three dimensional image using dual two dimensional media. Two images of the same scene are prepared, each being a two-dimensional view of the three dimensional scene, but the two being taken from laterally spaced positions. When viewing one image with one eye and the other image with the other eye, the viewer perceives the image to have depth, in the same manner that the user's eyes perceive depth in actual three dimensional scenes.
An individual can view such a specially processed or configured dual two dimensional image through special eyeglasses. For example, the dual images can be superimposed on one two dimensional viewing area and separated using light polarization. One of the dual two-dimensional images is presented in light polarized at one angle, and the other i presented in light polarized 90.degree. out of phase with the first. The observer views the superimposed images through eyeglasses which have lenses polarized in a complementary manner to separate the dual images such that one is presented to each eye. Each lens transmits one form of polarized light and inhibits passage of the other form of polarized light. The eyes of the viewer essentially receive images of the three dimensionally scene from different perspectives, and the brain interprets the dual two dimensional images as one scene having depth.
Various optical systems for producing three dimensional images in this manner are known, such as systems using lenticular lenses and films, and other stereoscopic systems which include lenses or prisms for transmitting the two images separately, one to each eye. Normally, stereoscopic scenes are static. However, moving pictures can also be accomplished. The two images can be projected from a single two dimensional projection, and separated by use of complementary colors, polarization or distinct diffracted light paths. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,836--Craig, dual two dimensional images taken from slightly different perspectives are displayed side by side on one CRT, and are recombined for viewing using prisms which diffract the light from the lateral sides of the CRT so that each eye views one side of the CRT only. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,966--Phillips et al, two images at distinct polarization angles are projected on one view screen and are viewed through polarized glasses. See also, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,487,490; 4,552,443; and 3,695,878.
A somewhat different form of three dimensional image can be provided by producing two or more two-dimensional images or image layers which are projected to appear at different distances from the observer, and are viewed through one another with both eyes. Each layer shows only those elements of the three dimensional scene which are at equal distance from the viewer of the scene, each image layer then being projected such that the features in the nearer levels appear to be placed closer to the observer and in front of the features of one or more layers in a more remote level. In a simplest form, a two dimensional image showing only items in a foreground scene (being otherwise transparent) is presented in front of a two dimensional image of a background scene, the apparent spacing of the foreground and the background layers providing the image with depth. More complex forms can have a plurality of layers.
The latter, layered form of display has a number of imp

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