Depth Illusion Patents (Class 352/86)
  • Patent number: 11536959
    Abstract: An image display apparatus (100) according to the present invention includes a display unit and a projection unit. The display unit includes a curved first screen (43) and a curved second screen (44), the first screen extending along a predetermined axis (1), the curved screen having transparency and being disposed on a front side of the first screen (43) with a gap interposed therebetween. The projection unit includes an emitter (11) that emits light for displaying a first image from a region on the predetermined axis (1) and a second image superimposed on the first image, projects the first image onto the first screen (43), and projects the second image onto the second screen (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoya Yano, Tomoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10356396
    Abstract: Art exhibition device and a video picture exhibition method which are capable of providing renditions by a spatial image and a projected image, in combination are provided. The exhibition device includes a display portion configured to image-form a spatial image; and a projector configured to project a video picture onto an object. The video picture exhibit ion method using the exhibition device provides a video picture related to the spatial image projected from the projector disposed in a position hang over the display portion toward an upper surface of the display portion. The display portion is configured to image-form a video picture displayed on a display surface of a display disposed in an attitude inclined under a micromirror array through the micromirror array disposed in light-transmissive fashion as a spatial two-dimensional video picture standing up obliquely in a spatial position lying over the micromirror array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriyuki Juni
  • Patent number: 10288982
    Abstract: A mobile studio for producing video and audio content includes a vehicle having a body mounted on a chassis. The body includes a studio chamber enclosure formed by a floor, a ceiling, spaced opposite outer side walls and spaced outer front and rear walls, and the floor includes a stage area. The mobile studio further includes at least one LED lighting assembly located in the studio chamber enclosure that is suitable for providing sufficient illumination for image capture such that a captured image is suitable for projection as a Pepper's Ghost image, at least one camera to capture an image of a subject on the stage area and generate the captured image, and a communications device to transmit the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Musion IP Limited
    Inventor: Ian O'Connell
  • Patent number: 10063817
    Abstract: Large format display systems are described that are reconfigurable between an open configuration designed for performing maintenance on the system and a closed configuration designed for normal operations of the display system. In the closed configuration, the display screen is intentionally subjected to a substantial amount of tensile force to advantageously stabilize the display screen. That substantial tensile force is generated by a sturdy stationary frame that the display screen is anchored against in the closed configuration. When the display system is reconfigured to the open configuration, the display system is no longer anchored against the stationary frame. The process of reconfiguring the display system from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes relieving most of the tensile force applied to the display screen using adjustable tensioning mechanisms of the display systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Prysm, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot C. Fairchild, David E. Weldon
  • Patent number: 9927627
    Abstract: A layered glass assembly for optical light beam projection with three-dimensional depth perception for a vehicle includes: a display surface glass having a first refractive index and being configured to refract a first section of a light beam at a first interface; a first transition structure configured to refract a second section of the light beam at a second interface; a filler structure having a second refractive index and being configured to refract a third section of the light beam at a third interface; a second transition structure configured to refract a fourth section of the light beam at a fourth interface; and a front glass having a third refractive index and being configured to project the refracted light beam so as to generate the three-dimensional depth perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Andrei Pasca
  • Patent number: 9661297
    Abstract: A pictures positioning system and method for positioning pictures on display elements of a binocular displaying device is described. The binocular displaying device comprises a right and a left display element to be placed in front of corresponding eyes of a wearer, and to display right and left pictures. The binocular displaying device comprises a measurement means. The method comprises a providing step during which at least one wearer related parameter is provided, the providing step including a measurement operation. The measurement operation may be performed by using the measurement means embedded in the binocular displaying device. The method includes a display positioning determination step during which a right display positioning of the right picture on the right display element is determined and a left display positioning of the left picture on the left display element is determined. The display positioning determination step is performed based on at least one wearer related parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Générale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Denis Rousseau, Vincent Roptin
  • Patent number: 9367869
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable product, and method for a display device are provided. An intelligent personal assistant is displayed to provide information to a user, for example, in a public space. Movement of the image shown as the intelligent personal assistant may be suppressed or restricted at various parts of the person's body, such as below a chin or above the eyebrow. In addition, the database may be provided that stores queries and replies to the queries so as to respond to the user's questions. The system could also notify personnel or staff if additional assistance is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Dean Stark
  • Patent number: 9264630
    Abstract: A primary exposure and an effects exposure of a scene are captured via a digital imaging sensor. During at least the effects exposure, the scene is caused to shift in a predetermined pattern relative to the digital imaging sensor via an image stabilizing device. The effects exposure and the primary exposure are combined to form a digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Jaakko Kakkori, Tuomas Punta
  • Publication number: 20150055096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a theater parameter management apparatus including: a parameter creation unit for creating parameters showing a structure of a theater based on input information; a database for storing the parameters created by the parameter creation unit; and a data processing unit for performing a data processing using the parameters stored in the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hwan Chul KIM, Su Ryeon KANG, Ji Hyung KANG
  • Patent number: 8922621
    Abstract: A method of storing 3D image data in a recording medium includes: loading, in a predetermined file type field, image type information indicating either one of a single stereoscopic image or a compound image including a monoscopic image and a stereoscopic image; loading, in a predetermined image configuration information container field, scene descriptor information indicating temporal and spatial relations between a plurality of media objects included in the three-dimensional image, object configuration information indicating attributes of each media object of said plurality of media objects and a configuration relation between encoded streams of the plurality of media objects, configuration information of the encoded streams; loading in an image data container field media data of an image to be stored; and loading, in a meta container field, metadata including information for playing the 3D image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., University-Industry Cooperation Group of Kyunghee University
    Inventors: Do-Young Joung, Tae-Sung Park, Yun-Je Oh, Jae-Yeon Song, Seo-Young Hwang, Doug-Young Suh, Gwang-Hoon Park, Kyu-Heon Kim, Yoon-Jin Lee, Jang-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8711203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in a graphics system for creating a graphics stream allowing to form a three-dimensional graphics data, the graphics stream consisting of segments. The graphics stream is divided into at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprises two-dimensional graphics data and the second segment comprises a depth map for the two-dimensional graphics data. The graphics stream can be decoded by a decoder to form two data sequences to be output separately to a display device for rendering a three-dimensional subtitle or graphics image for a three-dimensional video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Philip Steven Newton, Hong Li, Darwin He
  • Patent number: 8698876
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may include an apparatus that captures 3D images having a lens barrel. The lens barrel may include a lens disposed at the first end of the lens barrel, an image capture element at the second end of the lens barrel, and a pair of refracting lenses positioned along the optical axis of the lens barrel. The first and second refracting lenses may be mounted to a first set and second set of positioning elements. The image capture element may capture images continuously at a predetermined frame rate, and the first and second set of positioning elements may continuously change the position of the first and second refracting lenses among a series of predetermined correlated positions based on the predetermined frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Berger
  • Patent number: 8675044
    Abstract: An image playback method includes starting an image display module, detecting glasses data in a predetermined range, comparing the detected glasses data with a set of data to generate a first comparison result, and the image display module playing a 3D image or a 2D image according to the first comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Ju Yu, Shih-Lin Chiu, Wen-Chin Wu
  • Patent number: 8511828
    Abstract: A multimedia presentation system a projector to project images toward an audience. A plurality of nozzles are partially submerged in a body of water at locations between the projector and the audience. The plurality of nozzles are located at different distances from the projector. Each of the plurality of nozzles is arranged to produce a fan like water mist onto which the projector projects images. A controller is coupled to the projector and the plurality of nozzles. The controller causes the projector to project images and at least one of the plurality of nozzles to produce a water mist in a synchronized sequence such that the images appear at different distances from the projector at different times. The controller may further control the orientation of each nozzle to vary the distance by inclining the plane of the water mist relative to the surface of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Wet Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Fuller, James Doyle
  • Patent number: 8459801
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to display a highly reproducible three-dimensional image in response to changes in the viewer's position and to easily realize the miniaturization of the system. The three-dimensional image projector includes a projection image forming disc in which a hologram recording medium is formed along a disc-shaped glass substrate, and which projects image light having directivity by causing the image light to fall incident on the hologram recording medium, and a rotational drive unit for rotationally driving the projection image forming disc along a surface of the glass substrate with the center point on the surface as a rotation center. The projection image forming disc is preliminarily recorded with a hologram by causing two laser beams as reference light and object light to simultaneously fall incident on the hologram recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Holymine Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyoshi Horimai
  • Patent number: 8416288
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus configured to reproduce video data and additional data for displaying a sub-image, includes a first generator, an arrangement control module, a second generator, and a display control module. The first generator estimates depths of pixels in an image frame of the video data, and generates first left-eye image data and first right-eye image data which correspond to the image frame and have a parallax based on the depths. The arrangement control module sets a depth at which the sub-image is to be displayed, based on a foremost depth of the depths. The second generator generates second left-eye image data and second right-eye image data which correspond to the additional data and have a parallax based on the set depth of the sub-image. The display control module displays an image frame generated by using the generated image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8269900
    Abstract: A mobile studio for producing video and audio content includes a vehicle having a body mounted on a chassis. The body includes a studio chamber enclosure formed by a floor, a ceiling, spaced opposite outer side walls and spaced outer front and rear walls, and the floor includes a stage area. The mobile studio further includes at least one LED lighting assembly located in the studio chamber enclosure that is suitable for providing sufficient illumination for image capture such that a captured image is suitable for projection as a Pepper's Ghost image, at least one camera to capture an image of a subject on the stage area and generate the captured image, and a communications device to transmit the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Musion IP Limited
    Inventor: Ian O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8256904
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for providing image projection and entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Thomas Frasier LaDuke, Steven T. Kosakura, R. Christopher Biggs
  • Patent number: 8042948
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for providing image projection and entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Powell, Sam Ingraldi
  • Patent number: 7802887
    Abstract: A wiremap projector apparatus for projecting moving three-dimensional images within a three-dimensional viewing space. The wiremap projector apparatus includes an array of wires disposed within a three-dimensional viewing space defined between a first and second sheet. A digital projector is positioned with respect to said array of wires such that the projector projects multiple lighted pixel lines onto the array of wires to display a moving three-dimensional image within the three-dimensional viewing space. A position control actuator includes an actuating force means for moving the one or more wires, and a position controller generates and sends a position control signal to the position control actuator. The position controller generates the position control signal from image data processed by the projector to project multiple lighted pixel lines onto the array of wires to display a moving three-dimensional image within the three-dimensional viewing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100118126
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display device and method using a directional light field is provided. The 3D display device may construct a light field using a direction light generated by a high speed projector and at least one rotating optical device to thereby display a more natural 3D image in a wide region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju Yong Park, Dong Kyung Nam, Du-Sik Park, Gee Young Sung, Yun-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 6834960
    Abstract: This device for taking spherical pictures of a scene comprising a support (1, 2) provided with securement means (3) for a picture taking apparatus. This support can be on the one hand relatively rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (12) relative to the photographed scene and on the other hand the securement means (3) being movable in rotation relative to a substantially horizontal axis. Moreover, it is provided with means (1) permitting suspending it above the scene to be photographed. This suspended device can also comprise a support (1, 2) provided with securement means (17) for several photographic devices, these devices being adapted to be all oriented toward a point on the scene to be photographed and the support (1, 2) being adapted to be relatively rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (12) relative to the scene to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Dbjay
  • Patent number: 6823080
    Abstract: A three-dimensional information processing apparatus for obtaining three-dimensional information from an object having a three-dimensional shape, and performing predetermined information processing, comprises: a camera for sensing images of the object from a plurality of coordinate positions using an image sensing system having one or a plurality of optical systems. A plurality of depth information are extracted from image sensing related information sensed by the camera at the plurality of coordinate positions, and the plurality of extracted depth information are converted and unified into depth information expressed by a unified coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Iijima, Shigeki Okauchi, Masakazu Matsugu, Masayoshi Sekine, Kotaro Yano, Sunao Kurahashi, Tatsushi Katayama, Katsuhiko Mori, Motohiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6727971
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recording and projecting images on curved screens in a manner that imparts to an audience a sense of immersion in the projected scene. The screen is usually a segment of a spherical dome, with a large portion of the segment located below the horizontal viewing line of an audience. During recording of the images, the camera lens longitudinal axis is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation. During projection, the projector lens longitudinal axis is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation, and the image is positioned on the screen by horizontal and/or vertical movement of the projector lens relative to the film. The image is projected to appear to the viewer to be in substantially the same position as it was to the camera lens during recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter A. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6714173
    Abstract: A screen display apparatus is capable of visually presenting to a viewer E a secondary image 30 (virtual image and/or a real image) as an “inclined” a primary image (subject) 10, and is vertically inclined with respect to said viewer at a position, which is different from a position of said primary image 10. This is realized through an action of a lens 20. With the “inclination, the viewer E views the secondary image 30 with a three-dimensional feeling. The “inclination” is effective when the upper part of the secondary image 30 is located farther from the viewer E than the lower part thereof, and when its angle &thgr; is within a range of 3° to 40°. Further, a screen display apparatus, a plurality of secondary images 30 (in the figures, virtual images 31 and 32) on a primary image 10 as a subject are formed by a microlens array 20 including convex microlenses 221 and concave microlenses 223.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Shinoura
  • Patent number: 6445814
    Abstract: A three-dimensional information processing apparatus for obtaining three-dimensional information from an object having a three-dimensional shape, and performing predetermined information processing, comprises: a camera for sensing images of the object from a plurality of coordinate positions using an image sensing system having one or a plurality of optical systems. A plurality of depth information are extracted from image sensing related information sensed by the camera at the plurality of coordinate positions, and the plurality of extracted depth information are converted and unified into depth information expressed by a unified coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Iijima, Shigeki Okauchi, Masakazu Matsugu, Masayoshi Sekine, Kotaro Yano, Sunao Kurahashi, Tatsushi Katayama, Katsuhiko Mori, Motohiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6323971
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a composite display that includes at least one static three dimensional holographic image, and dynamic and/or static two dimensional images. An object hologram includes a three-dimensional object image. A silhouette hologram includes a silhouette image of the object, and can include a diffusion screen. The object hologram overlays the silhouette hologram with the object image substantially aligned with the silhouette image. Static and/or dynamic images can be projected on the diffusion screen or alternative background, forming a composite image that includes dynamic and/or static two-dimensional imagery combined with the static three-dimensional object image. The silhouette image thus provides a background for viewing the object image and occludes the two-dimensional imagery from the view of the object image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Zebra Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Klug
  • Patent number: 6313865
    Abstract: A panoptic camera system that can be used to capture all the light from a hemisphere viewing angle is disclosed. The panoptic camera comprises a main reflecting mirror that reflects light from an entire hemisphere onto an image capture mechanism. The main reflecting mirror consists of a paraboloid shape with a dimple on an apex. The surface area around the dimple allows the main reflector to capture light from behind an image capture mechanism or a second reflector. When two panoptic camera systems that capture the light from an entire hemisphere are placed back to back, a camera system that “sees” light from all directions is created. A stereo vision panoramic camera system is also disclosed. The stereo vision panoramic camera system comprises two panoramic camera systems that are separated by a known distance. The two panoramic camera systems are each placed in a “blind spot” of the other panoramic camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Be Here Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Driscoll, Jr., Willard Curtis Lomax, Howard Morrow
  • Patent number: 6198524
    Abstract: A system for creating the perception of visual depth in scenery comprising lateral movements. A polarizing projection filter 21 controls the plane of polarization of projected light. The plane of polarization is changed by changing the orientation of the polarizing projection filter. An observer wears special viewing glasses 22 with polarizing filters when viewing scenery illuminated by the polarizing projection filter. The plane of polarization of the polarizing viewing filter for the right eye 23 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise from horizontal. The plane of polarization of the polarizing viewing filter for the left eye 24 is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise from horizontal. When the polarizing projection filter is rotated clockwise from horizontal the scenery appears brighter to an observer's right eye than to the observer's left eye. Objects moving laterally 42 from right to left from the observer's perspective appear closer to the observer 43.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Evergreen Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Alan George Osgood
  • Patent number: 6144440
    Abstract: The current invention discloses methods for using laterally moving objects and laterally moving backgrounds in colored live scenes to create the perception of depth when scenes are viewed with viewer glasses having lens or filters of two different colors. The invention also discloses methods for using laterally moving objects and laterally moving backgrounds in colored imagery to create the perception of depth when the imagery is viewed with viewer glasses having lens or filters of two different colors. In a further aspect, the invention discloses colored imagery comprising laterally moving objects and laterally moving backgrounds to create the perception of depth when the imagery is viewed with viewer glasses having lens or filters of two different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Evergreen Innovations
    Inventor: Alan George Osgood
  • Patent number: 5991551
    Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display, which produces a three dimensional illusion when viewed on a conventional display with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined by a through-hole in an opaque card, a plurality of interleaved leaf elements, or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Vision III Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Aron Bacs, Jr., Christopher A. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 5963303
    Abstract: An improved method of making stereoscopic pictures comprising photographing a scene with a camera spaced from the scene, moving the camera generally parallel to the scene while producing a plurality of pictures of the scene each taken at a different position relative to the scene, and separating the pictures into stereo pairs for viewing. In performing the method, the photographing and moving steps can be performed and the separating step can be done as soon as the pictures are available for viewing to produce the stereo pairs. Alternatively, the photographing and moving steps can be done at one time and the separating step can be done at subsequent times to produce the stereo pairs of the invention thereby allowing stereo pairs to be produced from existing motion pictures, videotapes and still photographs. The method can be used utilizing conventional photographic and viewing equipment in all existing mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Dann M. Allen
  • Patent number: 5886771
    Abstract: A system for creating the perception of visual depth in two dimensional single image displays. A polarizing projection filter 1c provides means to control the plane of polarization of projected imagery. The plane of polarization is changed by changing the orientation of the polarizing projection filter. An observer wears special viewing glasses 2 with polarizing filters when viewing imagery polarized by the polarizing projection filter. The plane of polarization of the polarizing viewing filter for the right eye 3 is oriented 30 degrees clockwise from horizontal. The plane of polarization of the polarizing viewing filter for the left eye 4 is oriented 30 degrees counterclockwise from horizontal. When the polarizing projection filter has an angular offset of approximately 45 degrees clockwise from horizontal the projected imagery appears approximately 20 times brighter to an observer's right eye than to the observer's left eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Evergreen Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alan George Osgood
  • Patent number: 5883695
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing stereoscopic images for motion picture or TV using a single sensor or camera and a single lens. In carrying out the method of the invention, the camera lens is caused to rotate about an axis defined by the optical path of the incoming image rays. The apex of the cone is defined by the object being rendered. The base of the cone is defined by the image sensor portion of the camera and its circular path remains unchanged during an image rendering session. The lens of the camera, on the other hand, travels in a smaller circular path and the circumference of the path of travel of the lens is increased or decreased depending on the distance from the image to the lens and can change during the image rendering session. Apparatus comprises a frame which is driven by an electro mechanical drive mechanism for moving a camera support body through a conical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Eddie Paul
  • Patent number: 5751397
    Abstract: A method for creating the perception of visual depth in two dimensional displays. A filter or lens of one color (for example red) covers the left eye of a viewer and a lens of another color (for example green) covers the right eye. Objects moving in either lateral direction can be made to appear closer to or farther away from the viewer depending upon the color of the objects and surrounds. Objects that appear brighter to the left eye appear closer to the viewer when they are moving from left to right. These left eye bright objects appear farther away from the viewer when they are moving from right to left. The effect is reversed for objects that appear brighter to the right eye. Objects that appear brighter to the right eye appear closer to the viewer when they are moving from right to left. These right eye bright objects appear farther away from the viewer when they are moving from left to right. The colors of the areas surrounding moving objects can produce or contribute to the depth effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Alan G. Osgood
  • Patent number: 5727242
    Abstract: A 3D camera for acquiring and recording a plurality of 2D images at different viewing angles without relocating the camera wherein a large-aperture taking lens is used for image forming and an aperture controlling means is used to select the section of the lens' aperture through which light rays are transmitted to form a 2D image at one viewing angle at a time. The 3D camera can also have a mirror assembly to direct light rays traversing different sections of the lens' aperture to form 2D images on different image planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Image Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Kwok Wah Lo, Kenneth Quochuy Lao
  • Patent number: 5678089
    Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display, which produces a three dimensional illusion when viewed on a conventional display with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined by a through-hole in an opaque card, a plurality of interleaved leaf elements, or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Vision III Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Aron Bacs, Jr., Christopher A. Mayhew, Leo M. Fernekes, Richard A. Buchroeder, Stefan J. Rublowsky
  • Patent number: 5585967
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for display of a three dimensional virtual image is provided. The present invention allows one or more objects, real images and virtual images to be displayed at one or more of an arbitrary number of depth levels along a viewer's line of sight. The present invention uses a plurality of beam splitters organized as an optical labyrinth to combine a images with the proper perspective and parallax to result in a three dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventor: Marshall M. Monroe
  • Patent number: 5484553
    Abstract: An aqueous, storable wetting agent which is low-foaming in application and contains a nonionic surfactant selected from the group of the partially end group blocked alkoxylated fatty alcohols is described, which contains(a) 10 to 80% by weight of a nonionic surfactant of the general formula ##STR1## in which R is an aliphatic radical of at least 8 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -to C.sub.8 alkyl, a cycloaliphatic radical of at least 5 carbons atoms, phenyl(lower)alkyl or styryl, "alkylene" is an alkylene radical of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and p is a number from 2 to 24 and(b) 1 to 10% by weight of a hydrotropic agent.The novel wetting agent is used in the treatment of textiles, in particular in the pre-treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Guth, Albert Stehlin
  • Patent number: 5469295
    Abstract: A system and method of collecting and displaying images of isolated persons or objects in three dimensions; whereby isolated images of persons or objects (106) are collected on film or video by digitally removing the background and replacing it with black or collecting the image against a black background (107); and the isolated image (106) is projected with polarized light on to a partially reflective and transparent sheet polarizing screen (104) of an orthogonal polarization sense to that of the projected light. The screen stops and reflects the image (105), but the screen is partially-transparent to light polarized parallel to its polarization sense making a real three dimensional physical object (103B) behind the screen visible from a position in front of the screen. The isolated image (105) on the screen (104) in the presence of real physical three dimensional objects (103A) and (103B) appears to be three dimensional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Douglas Burke
  • Patent number: 5420626
    Abstract: An apparatus for optimization of a simulated three-dimensional effect for film or video when constancy of the effect is desired. The apparatus comprises at least one arcuate support rail. A trolley is affixed movably to the support rail. A remotely controlled variable speed motor is affixed to the trolley for moving the trolley along the support rail. A camera mounting is affixed to the trolley and movable horizontally and vertically with respect to the trolley so that a camera is moved at a constant angular velocity relative to a scene to be filmed or recorded. The angular velocity is defined as linear circumferential speed at a specific and constant radius from the scene, the angular velocity being between 25 degrees per second and 65 degrees per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventors: John Lawrence, Linda S. Lukens
  • Patent number: 5282029
    Abstract: Apparatus for optimization of a simulated three-dimensional effect for film or video includes at least one arcuate support rail and a trolley carrying a remotely controlled variable speed motor for moving the trolley along the rail. A camera mounting attached to the trolley is moveable horizontally and vertically with respect to the trolley and permits camera movement at a desired constant angular velocity at a specific and constant radius from the scene being recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventors: John Lawrence, Linda S. Lukens
  • Patent number: 5193015
    Abstract: A screen for use in a front projection system includes a section capable of reflecting light of certain, predetermined wavelengths more than light of other wavelengths. The screen appears black or dark gray when viewed in broadband light. The screen provides for enhanced contrast between incident projected and ambient light. A projector for use with the screen has a light source capable of emitting the predetermined wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Ian A. Shanks
  • Patent number: 5159362
    Abstract: A dimensional transformation apparatus and related method for creating visual effects for use in live and prerecorded entertainment. The system engages an elastic projection screen with a three-dimensional object that corresponds to visual effects to be projected. By application of vacuum between the screen and the object, the screen is conformed in skintight relation to the features of the three dimensional object. An actuator, which includes a pneumatic piston, motivates the three-dimensional object to selectively engage and disengage the projection screen, and may be sequenced with projected animation corresponding to the three-dimensional object so as to create multi-dimensional special effects. A control mechanism, including a computer and timing system, digitally controls and sequences projection, dimensional transformation of the screen and background lighting and sound effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventors: Marshall M. Monroe, William G. Adamson
  • Patent number: 5101268
    Abstract: The positions of the visual points of images picked up by first and second cameras are controlled by producing a first model of a picked up plane of the image of an object in a three-dimensional coordinate system based on coordinates of the image pickup elements of the first camera and an image pickup angle of the first camera relative to an image of the object picked up, producing a second model of a picked up plane of the image of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate system based on coordinates of the image pickup elements of the second camera and an image pickup angle of the second camera relative to an image of the object picked up, mapping image data output from the first camera onto the first model, mapping image data output from the second camera onto the second model, mathematically rotating and moving the first and second models onto which image data are mapped within an angle .alpha. formed by the first and second cameras in the three-dimensional coordinate system by angles .beta. and (.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Ohba
  • Patent number: 5026152
    Abstract: An enhanced cinema system for use with a movie screen using a fog-like gas released from a plurality of retractable shafts having slits. The plurality of shafts may spin to generate a fog effect with the fog-like gas escaping from the slits. A movie projector may project a movie onto the movie screen, and signals may cause a laser beam of light to interact with the movie and fog-like gas in front of the movie screen. Programmable lighting panels may be mounted on the side walls of the movie theater and in response to a lighting signal from the movie projector, activate lights in the programmable lighting panels during a movie. The enhanced cinema system may further include a remote location coupled to the enhanced cinemas, for distributing programs through a communications channel or other medium, for having a globally controlled system for various movies and effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Steven D. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 5024521
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic presentation system (10) that allows a perceived three-dimensional volumetric image (26) to be viewed without any viewing implements. The system (10), in its preferred embodiment, consists of an enhanced film strip (12) having first and second photographic frames (14), (18) where each frame consists of a two-dimensional optical image (16), (20) further having a conventional image (16a), (20a) and a matted image (16b), (20b). The film strip is back projected onto two stationary screens (30), (32) that are juxtaposed in planar separation and where each screen operates in either a translucent mode or a clear mode. A timing and synchronizing circuit (40) in combination with a pair of light responding circuits (48), (49) selects and controls the operational modes of the screens (30), (32) and synchronizes the screen operational modes with the respective alternating projection of the two-dimensional optical images (16), (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventors: Larry Zuchowski, Clyde I. Tichenor, Irwin Ginsburgh
  • Patent number: 4997270
    Abstract: Projected image misalignment in a 3-D motion picture projector is corrected by shifting one of the projection lenses in accordance with a predetermined program during presentation of the motion picture. In one embodiment, manually initiated control signals for adjusting the lens shift are recorded in a memory and can be subsequently retrieved for automatically controlling lens shift. In another embodiment, lens shift is controlled by reading predetermined witness marks on the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Imax Systems Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Shaw
  • Patent number: 4963015
    Abstract: A method of recording an image of a scene onto cinematographic color film comprises forming a number of successive partial images through a single lens system onto each single frame of the film, the successive partial images being recorded in light of different characteristics, for example different colors. The film is projected using a conventional projector, and when viewed through appropriate filters, gives a stereo scopic effect. To get an optimum effect, the sequence in which the images are recorded should be appropriate to the predominant direction of horizontal movement in the scene. Accordingly in one form of the invention, each image is divided into a number of areas, each area in successive images being recorded in light of different characteristics, and each image having different areas recorded in light of different characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Aspex Limited
    Inventor: William Ling
  • Patent number: 4941041
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that simplifies and makes practical the utilization of the Pulfrich illusion for converting 2-D live television and videotapes into 3-D with or without using shaded lenses, by using a turntable large enough to hold both the cameras and the subjects, on which the scenes are shot with precise motion against the stationary background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Keith E. Kenyon