With Alternating Polarization Patents (Class 348/57)
  • Patent number: 7187420
    Abstract: An image display system comprises a first liquid crystal projector which projects a counterclockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light beam to form an image containing specific visual information on a screen and a second liquid crystal projector which projects a clockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light beam to form a white image on the same screen. When viewed with the naked eye, a combination of the two images projected on the screen appears totally white. A viewer wearing a dedicated viewing device equipped with an optical filter which allows counterclockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light to pass through can selectively see the image projected by the first liquid crystal projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Jun Koyama, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 7164529
    Abstract: A polarizing eyeglass device is disclosed which achieves improvement in compatibility and also in convenience in use when it is used to view an image displayed on an image display screen of a stereoscopic image display apparatus. The polarizing eyeglass device includes a polarized light separation means for separating particular polarized light. The polarized light separation means includes a first viewing region to be used for viewing with one of the left and right eyes and a second viewing region to be used for viewing with the other eye. A first polarization direction changing means is adhered to a first face of the polarized light separation means in the first viewing region. A second polarization direction changing is adhered to a second face opposite to the first face of the polarized light separation means in the second viewing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Sekizawa, Seiji Sato
  • Patent number: 7148895
    Abstract: The present inventions provide a system and a method for facilitating various visual analyses of individual players and team data that is most appropriate for the purpose, while also allowing analyzed data and results to be saved. A time-series data processing device according to the present inventions includes an image-pick up unit for image-picking up a specific object, a data processing unit for generating a data list indicating, in time series, a temporal transition of a position and a state of the object image-picked up by the image-picking unit, with respect to a time, an animating unit for animating the transition of the position and the state of the object in accordance with the data list, and a display unit for displaying at least one of the data list generated by the data processing unit and the image animated by the animating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Scale Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Konishi, Masaki Usui, Tatsuya Okahara
  • Patent number: 7123213
    Abstract: In a structure in which six active matrix regions 103 to 108 are integrated on one glass substrate, horizontal scanning control circuits 101 and 102 are commonly disposed for the respective active matrix regions 103 to 105 and 106 to 108. Then, the horizontal scanning control circuits 101 and 102 are operated at different timings, and images formed by the active matrix regions 103 to 105 and 106 to 108 are synthesized and projected. With this operation, the horizontal scanning frequency required for one horizontal scanning control circuit can be made half of the horizontal scanning frequency of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Jun Koyama, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 7077524
    Abstract: A color projection display device may include SLMs or other panels. One embodiment includes a device for displaying a color image including first and second sequences of temporally-integrateable primary color image components, the device also includes first (209) ans second (206) SLM panels (604, 606), first and second driving circuitry, and first through fourth polarizing beam splitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Genoa Color Technologies LTD
    Inventor: Shmuel Roth
  • Patent number: 6996267
    Abstract: A visual image system is constructed as including: a three-dimensional visual image reproducer for transmitting a three-dimensional video signal; a parallax quantity detecting section for detecting a parallax quantity in the three-dimensional video signal from the three-dimensional visual image reproducer; a fatigue measure estimating section for estimating the degree of fatigue based on the detected parallax quantity and outputting an image switching signal correspondingly to a fatigue measure estimating quantity; a 3D/2D image switching section for providing an output by switching between three-dimensional and two-dimensional images based on the image switching signal; and an image display section for displaying a three-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image. The visual image system thereby fulfills the capability of suitably controlling the degree of three-dimensionality of stereoscopic images by inferring from the inputted video signal the degree of effects likely to be produced on the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 6985168
    Abstract: An intelligent system and process for producing and displaying stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either real or synthetic 3-D objects, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing thereof. The system comprises a subsystem for acquiring parameters specifying the viewing process of a viewer positioned relative to a display surface associated with a stereoscopic display subsystem. A computer-based subsystem is provided for producing stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, using the acquired parameters. The stereoscopically-multiplexed images are on the display surface, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, by the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Swift, Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 6975345
    Abstract: A polarizing modulator for use in an electronic stereoscopic display system having a sequentially scanning display includes a plurality of liquid crystal segments arranged contiguously in a direction of the sequential scan. The liquid crystal material used in each segment has its phase shift tuned to eliminate the perception of a visible line between segments. In a preferred embodiment, the phase shift is tuned by applying a bias voltage to the liquid crystal in its low state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: StereoGraphics Corporation
    Inventors: Lenny Lipton, Jeffrey James Hanlon
  • Patent number: 6833952
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus 20 is employed in combination with an image transmission section 10. A case 1 includes a half-mirror 3, a visual field lens 4 and polarizers 22L, 22R therein, and an observation port 23 with a hood is defined in the case 1. A band 25 to be worn on a viewer's head is disposed in the exterior of the case 1. Both of the polarizers 22L and 22R are so designed as to display the stereoscopic images for the right and left eyes on the basis of data transmitted from the image transmission section 10, respectively, and the image lights are guided to the viewer's eyes through the half-mirror 3 and the visual field lens 4. The stereoscopic display apparatus 20 is of the head mount type that guides the images for the right and left eyes projected onto one display screen which is formed of the half-mirror 3 to the right and left eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Scalar Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6831678
    Abstract: A video display for displaying a large image to an observer, comprising a screen for displaying patterns, the screen being formed of a plurality of separate areas each capable of receiving a segment of a pattern the segments collectively forming a complete frame of a pattern; projection means for projecting a segment of a pattern to each separate area of the screen in sequence; means for receiving each segment of a pattern and forming a complete frame; and means for illuminating the screen with collimated light to display a large area display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Holographic Imaging LLC
    Inventor: Adrian R Travis
  • Patent number: 6796657
    Abstract: A projection type display apparatus including an illumination optical system for emitting a light flux, a decomposition optical system for decomposing the light flux into color lights of red, green and blue, liquid crystal light valves for the colors for receiving the decomposed color lights, a synthesis optical system for synthesizing the image lights of the colors from the liquid crystal light valves, and a projection optical system for projecting the synthesized image lights to a screen. A filter is disposed at one of positions opposing to each other across the center of the light flux between the white light source and the decomposition optical system and attenuates or cuts off light of a wavelength region different from that of light which passes the other of the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Shinoda, Kenji Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6791599
    Abstract: An infrared ray receiving module receives an infrared signal (transmitted by an image display device) generated on the basis of a signal representing switching between right and left eye images. An input signal type automatic judging unit and a field frequency detecting and L/R distinguishing unit acquire data relating to shutter timing of a left eye liquid crystal and a right eye liquid crystal in liquid crystal shutter glasses from the received infrared signal. An operation field frequency determining unit generates decision data relating to shutter timing to be fed to the liquid crystal shutter glasses on the basis of predetermined conditions from the data relating to shutter timing newly obtained in succession, and holds the generated decision data. A liquid crystal driving pulse generating unit can cause the liquid crystal shutter glasses to perform a shutter operation using the held decision data when no decision data is generated because the predetermined conditions are not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Okada, Yukio Mori, Haruhiko Murata
  • Publication number: 20040145655
    Abstract: To provide a stereoscopic video image display apparatus in which right and left-eye video images are processed and displayed by a same signal processing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Seijiro Tomita
  • Patent number: 6703988
    Abstract: A display system or monitor arrangement for stereoscopic displaying of images includes a pair of displays for providing respective left eye and right eye images and arranged in perpendicular intersecting planes, a beam splitter for combining the images from the displays in a common light path, and a means to discriminate between respective images to present the respective left and right eye images to the eyes of a viewer for viewing. Image discriminating functions may be obtained using plane polarized light characteristics and/or circular polarized light characteristics. A package arrangement retains the display a system components for storage or use; and a cubical mount structure may provide alignment and positioning of respective parts of the display system. Display methods for displaying stereoscopic images in a common light path are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Fergason
  • Publication number: 20040008251
    Abstract: The present invention enables liquid crystal display devices, note-book personal computers, or the like to display stereoscopic images by installing an image splitting means and comprises a display panel displaying images taken from a plurality of viewpoints, image splitting means installed to the display panel removably and including an image splitting panel which splits image light from the display panel into stereo pairs of images. The image splitting means comprises an installing means for installing the image splitting means to the display panel removably and an adjusting means for positioning spatially the image splitting means and the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ken Mashitani, Goro Hamagishi, Takahisa Andou, Satoshi Takemoto, Masahiro Higashino, Nobutake Kawamori
  • Patent number: 6650306
    Abstract: A device for displaying images only to an authorized user includes a display device configured to display the images. The display device includes a backlight for generating incident light of mixed polarization, a first polarization rotator, and a first polarizer disposed between the backlight and the first polarization rotator. An optical shutter device is configured to view the displayed images. The optical shutter device includes a second polarization rotator and a second polarizer. The first and second polarization rotators are synchronously rotated while displaying the images so that the image are only perceived by the authorized user viewing the display device through the optical shutter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Yerazunis, Darren L. Leigh
  • Patent number: 6624935
    Abstract: An imaging system for producing a stereoscopic image of an object is provided. The imaging system includes a camera for receiving an image of the object, a single-axis optical system disposed between the object and the camera, and an image blocking element disposed between the object and the camera. The image blocking element is activatable to alternately produce a left image and a right image, and is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system such that the image blocking element is capable of being centered on the aperture (i.e., the entrance pupil, exit pupil, or aperture stop) of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Karl Store Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Weissman, David Chatenever, Thomas J. Anhalt, Daniel Mattsson-Boze
  • Patent number: 6614927
    Abstract: A visual image system is constructed as including: a three-dimensional visual image reproducer for transmitting a three-dimensional video signal; a parallax quantity detecting section for detecting a parallax quantity in the three-dimensional video signal from the three-dimensional visual image reproducer; a fatigue measure estimating section for estimating the degree of fatigue based on the detected parallax quantity and outputting an image switching signal correspondingly to a fatigue measure estimating quantity; a 3D/2D image switching section for providing an output by switching between three-dimensional and two-dimensional images based on the image switching signal; and an image display section for displaying a three-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image. The visual image system thereby fulfills the capability of suitably controlling the degree of three-dimensionality of stereoscopic images by inferring from the inputted video signal the degree of effects likely to be produced on the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 6593959
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus for displaying a three dimensional image on a screen of a display panel comprises a three dimensional video signal processor for converting an analog three dimensional video signal to a digital three dimensional video signal, and a micropolarizer attached to the display panel. The micropolarizer is composed of a plurality of first polarizing regions having a first polarizing direction and a plurality of second polarizing regions having a second polarizing direction perpendicular to the first polarizing direction. The first and second polarizing regions are alternately arranged with each other in the form of a matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Sik Kim, Jun-Ho Sung
  • Patent number: 6590605
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display includes an image forming device and a substrate having alternating strips, where strips having a first optical property are separated by strips having a different optical property. This substrate may be composed of alternating strips of polarization film separated by clear, nonpolarizing strips. Alternately, this substrate may be composed of first alternating strips that retard a component of linearly polarized light by one-half wavelength, separated by second alternating strips that retard a component of linearly polarized light by one wavelength. A removable, separate polarizing substrate may be removably placed in front of the substrate containing the alternating strips. When the removable polarizing substrate is placed in front of the strips in a certain orientation, autostereoscopic imaging is viewed by the observer, and when this polarizing substrate is removed, 2D imaging is viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Dimension Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse B. Eichenlaub
  • Patent number: 6510002
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for generating a three-dimensional display from a conventional television screen or computer monitor, and in particular to an adapter that may be placed in front of a television screen or computer monitor to enable three-dimensional images to be perceived by a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventor: Peter Wai Ming Tsang
  • Patent number: 6449005
    Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 6449003
    Abstract: A method and circuit for converting the image format of three-dimensional electronic images produced with line polarization wherein, given that television pictures are transmitted with different line resolution and displayed on devices whose line resolution does not coincide with the line resolution of the transmitted images, lines are not only respectively inserted or skipped, but also transposed with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Mayer, Klaus Lockmann
  • Patent number: 6437915
    Abstract: A parallax barrier includes a polarization modifying layer having aperture regions, for supplying light of a second polarization when receiving light of a first polarization, separated by barrier regions, for supplying light of a third polarization different from the second polarization when receiving light of the first polarization, and a polarizer selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode. At least one of the aperture regions and the barrier regions alters the polarization of light passing therethrough. The polarizer passes light of the second polarization and blocks light of the third polarization in the first mode and passes light of the third polarization in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Richard Robert Moseley, Graham John Woodgate, Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Jonathan Harrold, David Ezra
  • Patent number: 6377230
    Abstract: In a structure in which six active matrix regions 103 to 108 are integrated on one glass substrate, horizontal scanning control circuits 101 and 102 are commonly disposed the respective active matrix regions 103 to 105 and 106 to 108. Then, the horizontal scanning control circuits 101 and 102 are operated at different timings, and images formed by the active matrix regions 103 to 105 and 106 to 108 are synthesized and projected. With this operation, the horizontal scanning frequency required for one horizontal scanning control circuit can be made half of the horizontal scanning frequency of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Jun Koyama, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 6351280
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display system is capable of tracking one or more users within a viewing zone and presenting complementary stereoimages to each of the viewer's (or viewers') eyes. Polarization is used to segregate the images that are to be directed to different spatial regions. The two images are interdigitated within a single display—that is, each band of image points from the first image alternates with a band of image points from the second image on the display. The bands of the first image are polarized in a first mode and the bands of the second image are polarized in a second mode orthogonal to the first, e.g., through use of a liquid-crystal display (LCD) in which alternating, contiguous bands of pixels correspond to bands of one or the other image, and a “patterned polarizer” also organized into bands and aligned with the pixel bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Stephen A. Benton
  • Patent number: 6252624
    Abstract: A three-dimensional display is provided with a display device alternatively displaying an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye in division of the images at predetermined time periods. A liquid crystal shutter disposed in front of the display device is operated in synchronization with image switching of the display device, and the image transmitted through the liquid crystal shutter is observed as a three-dimensional image through polarized glasses of which polarizing directions differ in the right and left from each other. The liquid crystal cell which serves as a liquid crystal shutter has a structure of a ferroelectric liquid crystal held between two sheets of resin film substrates and the ferroelectric liquid crystal contains more than 10 wt % of ferroelectric liquid crystal polymer so that it can respond to a large size display device and a high speed motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Yuasa, Kento Okoshi, Hirofumi Kondo, Hironobu Ichige, Takeki Kofuji
  • Patent number: 6252707
    Abstract: Systems for three-dimensional viewing and projection aimed at full-color flat-screen binocular stereoscopic viewing without the use of eyeglasses for the viewer. Light emanating from a display or projected thereat presenting a left image and a right image is directed only to the appropriate left or right eye of at least one viewer using various combinations of light polarizing layers and layers of light rotating means or color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: 3ality, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kleinberger, Ilan Kleinberger
  • Patent number: 6239908
    Abstract: Temporally interlaced first and second sequential pluralities of image frames are displayed and alternately directed along respected first and second optical paths to distinct viewing locations, for example the left and right eyes of a viewer, wherein the image frames of one of the sequential pluralities represent mirror images of the object being imaged. In one aspect, both sets of sequential pluralities of image frames are simultaneously distributed to both optical paths and first and second shutters are controlled in synchronism with the image display so as to display the respective sequential pluralities of image frames only at the corresponding viewing locations. In another aspect, respective first and second sequential pluralities of image frames are switched between the first and second optical paths by synchronously switching the polarization state of the image display and by a polarizing beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Shawn L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6222672
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the invention includes: a matrix of light modulating elements including first and second elements for respectively transmitting first and second image components; a polarizing element having a first polarization axis for linearly polarizing light from the first and second elements; a first optical retardation element incorporating at least one first retarder having first and second regions respectively having a first optic axis at a first orientation and a second option axis at a second orientation to the first polarization axis; and a detecting element having first and second detecting parts, each detecting part including respective second optical retardation element incorporating at least one second retarder and an analyzing element having a second polarization axis intended to be disposed at a defined orientation relative to the first polarization axis, at least one second retarder of the first detecting part having an optic axis which is intended to be disposed substantially
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michael John Towler, Harry Garth Walton, Elizabeth Jane Acosta
  • Patent number: 6211927
    Abstract: A display unit which allows image lights utilizing circularly polarized light to be transmitted to an observer without degrading its polarization characteristics by an optical system such as lenses and screen is provided. The display unit which allows an image to be observed from the back of the screen on the opposite side from a light source by forming the image on the surface of the screen via the light source comprises a first liquid crystal panel for displaying images; a second liquid crystal panel for displaying images disposed so as to adjoin to the first liquid crystal panel; means for projecting linearly polarized image lights output respectively from the first and second liquid crystal panels on the surface of the screen simultaneously so that their polarization directions differ from each other; and means provided in the screen for transforming the projected linearly polarized lights into circularly polarized lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Jun Koyama
  • Patent number: 6111598
    Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Peveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 6094216
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus and method performs and includes, respectively, steps of dividing each of a plurality of parallax images supplied from a parallax image source having parallax image information into stripe pixels, displaying, on a display, a single stripe image by arranging and synthesizing some of the stripe pixels in a predetermined order, displaying a slit pattern consisting of a light-transmission portion and a light-shielding portion arranged at a predetermined pitch on a spatial light modulation element arranged at a predetermined position on the front or rear side of the display, inputting light transmitted through the stripe pixels, corresponding to the right and left eyes of an observer, of the stripe image to the right and left eyes of the observer via the spatial light modulation element and synchronously displaying the stripe pattern and the slit pattern in units of pixels or scan lines on corresponding scan lines of the display and the spatial light modulation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naosato Taniguchi, Hiroaki Hoshi, Saburo Sugawara, Toshiyuki Sudo, Hideki Morishima, Kazutaka Inoguchi
  • Patent number: 6075555
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for image enhancement in which an autostereoscopic image, comprising a different perspective view of an object field for each eye of an observer is, typically provided. The optical cross-talk, which is often a feature of autostereoscopic images, is suppressed when images are displayed, by preconditioning of the image intended for each eye. Supplementary image data is produced by mixing the different perspective image data and this is applied to the primary data. By inversion of a cross-talk matrix, two or more different perspective channels can be preconditioned to cancel the effects of such cross-talk, providing clear images for each eye without the unwanted interference from other views. The viewer's location with respect to the display device can be used to modify the characteristics of both the display and the level of cross-talk correction. A camera or endoscope for providing stereoscopic images can also suffer from optical cross-talk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Graham S. B. Street
  • Patent number: 6046849
    Abstract: A parallax barrier includes a polarisation modifying layer having aperture regions, for supplying light of a second polarisation when receiving light of a first polarisation, separated by barrier regions, for supplying light of a third polarisation different from the second polarisation when receiving light of the first polarisation, and a polariser selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode. At least one of the aperture regions and the barrier regions alters the polarisation of light passing therethrough. The polariser passes light of the second polarisation and blocks light of the third polarisation in the first mode and passes light of the third polarisation in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Richard Robert Moseley, Graham John Woodgate, Adrian Marc Simon Jacobs, Jonathan Harrold, David Ezra
  • Patent number: 6038071
    Abstract: An arrangement which can produce a stereoscopic image simply and cheaply. An optical unit views an object and a stereoscopic image is provided onto a recording device or a display device by differentially polarizing the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Deutshce Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Chikazawa
  • Patent number: 6016159
    Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 6011580
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus including a liquid crystal display of light transmission type for displaying right-eye and left-eye target images, a pair of CRTs for displaying illuminating graphic patterns for illuminating the display from the back surface, and a Fresnel lens 11 arranged before the CRTs to show the viewer given displayed portions on the display screens of these CRTs in an enlarged scale. A first graphic pattern polarized in the X direction is displayed at a first position, which corresponds to the right eye of the viewer, on the display screen of the first CRT. A second graphic pattern polarized in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction is displayed at a second position, which corresponds to the left eye of the viewer, on the second CRT. The display screen of the liquid crystal display is illuminated from the behind by the light from the first and second graphic patterns displayed on the CRTs, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiko Hattori, Shigeru Omori, Kunimasa Katayama, Sadayuki Sakuma
  • Patent number: 5982538
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image projector has a light valve controlled by two image signals. The light valve produces a polarized raster image in which some rasters are modulated by the first image signal and other rasters by the second image signal. A polarization switch changes the polarization of rasters modulated by the second image signal, thereby creating a stereoscopic image, which is projected through a projection lens onto a screen, and viewed through polarizing eyeglasses. A color stereoscopic image is obtained by using three light valves and three polarization switches, one for each of the three primary colors, and combining their images for projection through a single projection lens. The projection lens is preferably a telecentric zoom lens consisting of three lens groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Shikama, Daisuke Umeno
  • Patent number: 5903304
    Abstract: In a process for generating a stereoscopic video picture by using partial images for the left eye and the right eye of an observer, which partial images emit light with different polarization states oriented orthogonally relative to one another, wherein the observer perceives the stereoscopic video picture through spectacles with eyepieces which filter the respective polarization state of the light. At least one light source is used for generating every partial image. This light source emits a substantially parallel, polarized light bundle which can be controlled with respect to intensity and whose polarization state is identical to one of the two orthogonal polarization states or can be converted into this polarization state with low loss and is raster-scanned on a screen to generate at least one partial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: LDT GmbH & Co. Laser-Display Technologie KG
    Inventor: Christhard Deter
  • Patent number: 5900972
    Abstract: Stereoscopic effects can be created by binocular parallax. Known stereoscopic display systems show pseudoscopic effects in outer areas of the image viewing position and the viewing position is fixed. To avoid such pseudoscopic effects and/or to change the viewing position stereoscopic displays using parallax barriers with variable pitch length, moving barriers parallel to the display plane, and a polarizing device forming polarized light together with polarizing prisms are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson multimedia S.A.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Chikazawa
  • Patent number: 5875055
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display method using a display, a phase shift member and a polarization optical element, two different types of vertically elongated stripe-shaped polarization plates having orthogonal optical axes, includes the steps of displaying, on the display, a single stripe image which is synthesized in such a manner that right and left parallax images from a parallax image source are divided into stripe pixels, and the stripe pixels of the right and left parallax images are arranged in a predetermined order, and controlling a direction of polarization of light transmitted through the phase shift member by controlling the electrical signal to be applied to the phase shift member in synchronism with the display operation of the stripe image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Morishima, Jun Tokumitsu, Hiroaki Hoshi, Naosato Taniguchi, Toshiyuki Sudo, Kazutaka Inoguchi
  • Patent number: 5872590
    Abstract: A position of an observer in a stereoscopic observing region is detected by a position detecting unit. A right-eye image and a left-eye image which are seen from the detecting position are formed by an image forming unit and displayed on a display. By setting an aperture position of a projection optical system, the right-eye image is projected to the right-eye position of the observer and the left-eye image is projected to the left-eye position, thereby allowing a stereoscopic image to be observed. Further, an aperture is set so as to project the right-eye image or left-eye image to a position different from the detecting position of the observer, thereby allowing a same image to be seen to both eyes of another observer and allowing a two-dimensional image to be observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Aritake, Manabu Ishimoto, Junji Tomita, Satoshi Maeda, Takahiro Matsuda, Satoshi Iwata, Masato Nakashima
  • Patent number: 5861908
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus is provided with processing units capable of reducing the number of signal processors and the number of adjustments of a delay time between reversal and non-reversal of video-signal polarity in each of two signal paths in an arrangement in which two liquid-crystal displays (LCDS) are provided in a head-mounted display worn by an observer and each of the two displays is used to display video information viewed by the observer. The signal processing apparatus includes first and second signal sources (1 and 2) each of which generates a video signal, reversing unit 7 for reversing the polarity of one of the two video signals, first selector selectively supplying one of the video signals to the reversing unit, first and second display units (3 and 4) for converting the video signals to respective ones of optical signals, and second selector for selectively supplying a video signal whose polarity is or is not reversed by the reversing unit to the first and second display units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Tonosaki, Yasuyuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5835264
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and arrangement for generating stereoscopic images of an object. The method includes the steps of illuminating an object with an illuminating beam; masking the illuminating beam to generate a first component beam to illuminate the object at a first angle and provide a first image of the object to a first viewing eye; again masking the illuminating beam to generate a second component beam to illuminate the object at a second angle and to provide a second image of the object to a second viewing eye; and, alternately repeating the last two steps at a frequency above the flicker frequency of the human eye. In the arrangement of the invention, a beam generating device alternately generates first and second illuminating beam components which illuminate the object via illuminating optics at respectively different angles to produce respective images of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Tandler, Gudrun Nordt, Reed Werlich, Karl-Heinz Geier, Johannes Knoblich, Gunter Schoppe
  • Patent number: 5825541
    Abstract: In synchronism with a vertical synchronizing signal of a display for temporarily alternatively displaying a right eye picture and a left eye picture cooperative with each other to provide binocular parallax information, a shifter is controlled to shift a first parallax barrier by half a pitch of stripe regions thereof to effect a switching between a state in which every other stripe region is transparent and the remaining stripe regions are all shading and a reversed state thereof so that the right eye picture and the left eye picture are independently observable by a right eye and a left eye of an observer, respectively, through the first parallax barrier and a second parallax barrier composed of a plurality of stripe regions of which every other one is transparent while the remaining ones are all shading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Imai
  • Patent number: 5822117
    Abstract: Systems for three-dimensional viewing aimed at full-color flat-screen binocular stereoscopic viewing without the use of eyeglasses for the viewer. According to the invention, light emanating from a display presenting a left image and a right image is directed only to the appropriate left or right eyes of at least one viewer using various combinations of light polarizing layers and layers of light rotating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Paul Kleinberger, Ilan D. Kleinberger
  • Patent number: 5760827
    Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: 5745164
    Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing wherein pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
  • Patent number: RE38933
    Abstract: A method and circuit for converting the image format of three-dimensional electronic images produced with line polarization wherein, given that television pictures are transmitted with different line resolution and displayed on devices whose line resolution does not coincide with the line resolution of the transmitted images, lines are not only respectively inserted or skipped, but also transposed with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computer GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Mayer, Klaus Lockmann