Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing viewing distance for a stereogram system. In a stereogram, an image is held in close juxtaposition with a lenticular screen. In the invention, a data store is used to store optimum pitch values for specified viewing distances. An interdigitation program then acts on the table values and creates a mapping of interdigitated views for each viewing distance. The user can then select or specify a desired viewing distance, and the optimum mapping of views is automatically chosen for display.

Abstract: A video code is embedded into the active video area of a stereo subfield. The video code is detected using an electronic circuit and used to maintain synchrony of the selection device with perspective images. Preferably, the video code is a predetermined sequence of colors.

Abstract: A dual mode autostereoscopic lens sheet. The lens sheet has at least one refractive region and at least one non-refractive region. When the lens sheet is held in intimate juxtaposition with a display, stereoscopic content may be viewed in the refractive region while planar content may be simultaneously viewed in the non-refractive region. In a preferred embodiment, the non-refractive region forms a vertical column on one end of the lens sheet and the refractive region forms a vertical column on the other end of the lens sheet. Advantageously, the refractive region defines a picture area having an aspect ratio of approximately 1.3:1.

Abstract: A stereoscopic media player is implemented by a software application loaded onto a PC having a DVD player and a video monitor interconnected therewith. The software application includes program instructions for mapping stereoscopic images stored in a side-by-side format on the DVD into an above-and-below format for display on the monitor.

Abstract: A neutralizing sheet for an autostereoscopic image viewing system. The image viewing system includes a lenticular sheet covering a display screen. The neutralizing sheet including a pliable portion and is movable between a first position and a second position. The pliable portion has a refractive index similar to the lenticular sheet. When pressed into the lenticular sheet to define the first position, the pliable portion deforms to assume the shape of the lenticular sheet. Thus, refraction through the lenticular sheet is neutralized and viewing of planar images is enabled. In the second position, the neutralizing sheet is separated from the lenticular sheet and viewing of stereoscopic images is enabled.

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.

Abstract: A parallax panoramagram has increased depth and sharpness when a sharpness filter is applied after interdigitation of multiple image portions. An optical path of wave train (204) (on-axis) and wave train (205) (off-axis) intersect a single lenticle (201). The lenticle has a focal length (208) and the on-axis (204) and off-axis (205) wave trains correspond to different stripes. These wave trains (204 and 205) comme to focus at points (206 and 207) respectively. The surface (202) has a cylindrical curvature, and bracket (203) denotes the width of the lenticle (201). Each eye of the observer sees its own perspective view when looking at a lenticular stereogram.

Abstract: A lenticular stereogram has an improved viewing zone for a specific viewing distance when an image print (207) having an optimum image column width is utilized. The optimum image column width is determined by observing a series of two color prints having variable image column widths mounted under a lenticular screen (206) through an imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A pair of stereoscopic eyewear includes an element for integral assembly with the eyewear including a conductive circuit trace. The conductive pattern provides electrical contact between a contact area of the frame (which is hardwired to an electrical cable) and the contact pads of the liquid crystal shutter pair. Preferably, a conductive elastomer is used to facilitate the electrical contact to the shutters and the frame. Additionally, each wire of the cable is terminated with a fixed electrical contact adapted to securely mate with a slot in the frame that correspond to the contact area. A lens assembly attaches to the frame to rigidly hold the frame, the shutters and the conductive trace in intimate juxtapostion.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing multiple intermediate view images from a pair of planostereoscopic source images. The source images have different perspective views which are spaced apart in a horizontal plane. Control points are defined at corresponding locations in the source images, and each control point includes position and color information. Intermediate images are created as transformations of the source images by “morphing” from one source image to the other using position and color information from each of the corresponding locations. In a panoramagram embodiment, the intermediate images and the source images are then interdigitated to create a single output image with a continuum of views ranging from one source image to the other source image.

Abstract: An electronic stereoscope displays field-sequential stereoscopic images on a display screen at a predetermined field rate. The images are viewed through left and right electro-optical shutters driven out of phase with each other and synchronously with the field rate. Left and right lenses are also provided in correspondence with the left and right shutters to accommodate and converge the user's eyes on the display screen.

Abstract: A polarel panel includes a sheet polarizer in intimate juxtaposition with a layer made up of regions of isotropic material interspersed with regions of liquid crystal material. In one embodiment, optical activity of the liquid crystal material rotates the electric vector of incoming linearly polarized light through 90.degree. in selected areas. In another embodiment, birefringence causes rotation of the electric vector of incoming linearly polarized light through 90.degree. in selected areas.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display system unambiguously tags the perspective view for left and right video fields by encoding at least one of the video fields with a unique code, then detecting the code in order to drive shuttered eyewear in synchrony therewith.

Abstract: Wireless active eyewear includes a frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A gasket and shutter assembly and a circuit board are held between the front and rear portions of the frame. The non-conductive gasket has electro-optical shutters integrally formed therewith and includes conductive plugs extending therefrom which electrically contact each of the electro-optical shutters and the circuit board. The frame includes temple arms hingedly attached thereto and an on/off switch which is actuated by opening and closing the temple arms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for time multiplexing and demultiplexing two channels of picture information within a standard video channel. The method is specifically designed for field sequential stereoscopic display applications, but may be used for non-stereoscopic applications where conservation of bandwidth is required. The technique is superior to prior art commercially available stereoplexing approaches, and increases vertical resolution while decreasing stair-stepping of diagonal lines. The demultiplexing display controller of the invention can be manufactured at a low cost because its design takes advantage of commercially available integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing color shift resulting from the stereoscopic display of two polarized images by a pair of polarizing projectors each having a polarizing filter, or increasing the transmission of light which comprises the stereoscopic display, by placing a specially aligned retarder in the optical path between each polarizing projector and the corresponding polarizing filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for time multiplexing and demultiplexing two channels of picture information within a standard video channel. The method is specifically designed for field sequential stereoscopic display applications, but may be used for non-stereoscopic applications where conservation of bandwidth is required. The technique is superior to prior art commercially available stereoplexing approaches, and increases vertical resolution while decreasing stair-stepping of diagonal lines. The demultiplexing display controller of the invention can be manufactured at a low cost because its design takes advantage of commercially available integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method for overcoming optical artifacts which are an intrinsic part of the performance of twisted nematic liquid crystal shutter devices. When power is shut off from a conventional shutter device of this type, the device exhibits a brief periodic flickering called "bounce". When the power is turned on, the device exhibits a similar flickering effect, known as "stumble." When a pair of such devices are used as lenses in a stereoscopic selection apparatus, these artifacts, which contribute nothing to the device's performance, are obtrusive and disturbing to the user. By carefully controlling the voltage to each shutter in accordance with the invention while turning the shutter on or off, these artifacts are eliminated or substantially reduced.

Abstract: A high dynamic range electro-optical shutter for stereoscopic and other applications, and a method for increasing the dynamic range of an electro-optical shutter system. The shutter of the invention is derived from an existing electro-optical shutter by adjusting the tilt angle of the plane of the shutter's surface in the optical path of the apparatus in which it is employed. The invention is based upon the finding that light rays transversing an electro-optical shutter which are not perpendicularly to the plane in which a surface of the shutter lies, can have a significantly higher dynamic range than axial rays. In accordance with the invention, the angle at which the shutter is mounted in an apparatus is adjusted to produce a dynamic range which is high enough for the intended application. By mapping the pattern of spatial distribution of dynamic range, it is possible to design and produce shutters which are low in manufacturing cost, yet have performance which equals that of more costly shutters.

Abstract: A still or moving image electronic stereoscopic video camera for image capture and playback, with image sensors having variable effective position to avoid inherent geometric distortions which would otherwise cause undesirable vertical parallax. Horizontal shifting of the effective image sensor position is used to correctly converge the image without the introduction of distortion, and optionally also to control recentration of zoom optics, and to achieve interdigitated lenticular stereoscopic displays. In some embodiments, simple mechanical elements are provided for physically moving the imaging sensor.