Abstract: A system for and method of remotely capturing 3 dimensional information optimized for 3 dimensional printing and printing a replica or avatar to be delivered to a customer, the method comprising a 3D image capture step consisting of capturing an image of a static object from a minimally sufficient rotationally displaced set of perspectives around the object, using the cloud to create, process, and print a replica or avatar of the object and delivering the rendered replica or avatar to a customer.

Abstract: A method of making a lenticular image product comprising: providing a plurality of frames oriented for viewing in a pre-selected direction; rotating each of said frames to a pre-selected angle relative to said pre-selected direction; digitizing each of said frames to create image elements parallel to said pre-selected direction generating a digital lenticular image by multiplexing said image elements of each of said frames; producing a viewable lenticular image from said digital lenticular image by scanning said multiplexed image elements on a recording element; associating said viewable lenticular image or a representation thereof with a lenticular lens element having an array of lenticules with parallel lenticule axis, said image elements being parallel with said lenticular axis; and creating a viewable lenticular image product by rotating said lenticular lens element so that said lenticule axis are at said preselected angle and said lenticular image is oriented in said preselected direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for aligning a lenticular image printed on a substrate with a lenticular lens sheet. The method comprises; fixing at least one set of differently colored alignment lines onto the substrate for projection through the lenticular lens sheet, positioning the lens sheet over the substrate, viewing at least one set of differently colored alignment lines as projected through the lens sheet, and adjusting the position of the lens sheet relative to the substrate according to a characteristic of the projected image.

Abstract: A system which captures multiple planar images of a scene taken from different perspectives and decomposes each of the captured those images into multiresolution images for storage in a distributable storage medium, such as an optical disk. The images on the storage medium are linked through a directory structure. During retrieval the user is allowed to browse various resolution images for selection purposes. After selection of the image, designation of the media type and designation of desired output resolution, the system reconstructs the images. The reconstructed images are converted into a depth image by interleaving slices of the images and then the depth image is output. Conversion into a depth image may require the creation of intermediate perspective views using interpolation.

Abstract: Several different methods alone or in combination can be used to reduce image jump or stutter. The image plane on which the original image is taken can be mechanically or electronically rotated about a point of rotation in the scene. The number of original images which are viewed could be increased by interpolation. The subtended viewing angle of the viewpoints can be reduced and viewpoints within the subtended viewing angle can be increased by interpolation. Reduced subtended viewing angle images can be created for each eye. The depth of focus of the images can be changed by identifying the images that jump and blurring the images outside the area of interest. The original images can be processed to move the image plane further back from the objects in the scene. Some of the images ordinarily existing between the right and left eye perspectives can be eliminated. The objects in the background of the scene being photographed can be identified and shifted forward in the scene.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus and lens sheet manufacturing process which utilize the method, of evaluating the quality of a lenticular lens sheet having a front side carrying a plurality of elongated parallel lens elements, and a back side. The method includes:(a) illuminating the sheet from one of the sides with a light source so that the light passes through the sheet and is then reflected from a reflector behind the other side to pass back through the sheet; and(b) comparing an observed feature of a pattern of the reflected light which has passed back through the sheet with a corresponding reference feature to provide an indication of the lenticular lens sheet quality.

Abstract: A printer device for lenticular photographic images easily transforms electronic image files into photographic hard copy. The printer device includes a cathode ray tube screen and a projection lens. A filter wheel may be used for inserting optical filters into the optical path of the projection lens. A lenticular photographic print assemblage is aligned and affixed at the focal plane of the projection lens. The lens and the image on the cathode ray tube screen are then moved in differential amounts in the direction parallel to the plane of the aligning and affixing process, and normal to the axis of the lenticules on the lenticular photographic print assemblage.

Abstract: A system and method in which a size of a pixel used to print lenticular depth images is changed to remove overlap in the slow scan print direction. A space adjustment of the space between scan lines can also be performed to remove pixel overlap. The pixel can also be elongated in the fast scan direction reducing fast scan resolution. An elongated pixel can be combined with skip space adjustment to remove pixel overlap. Printing the image lines in the fast scan or dot movement direction improves image quality. The print resolution in the fast scan direction can be reduced by increasing the printing rate compared to the data rate of the supplied image data, thereby cloning pixels in the fast scan direction, while maintaining a normal slow scan speed to normally print lines. Combinations of the above approaches to directional printing, removing slow scan pixel overlap and reducing file size can be accomplished.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing lenticular pictures includes imposing lines of information in the form of segmented images of a scene onto a light sensitive material. Alternate segments or lines are provided from different perspective views of the same scene to be printed. The light sensitive material has a transparent lenticular material attached thereto. The light sensitive material is exposed, from the side opposite the lenticular material, by light from an illuminated image. The exposure may be effected by optical projection or by contact printing or by CRT image projection or other device. A reference grid, having a pitch slightly different from the pitch of the lenticular material, is positioned on the lenticular material and is effective to cause a Moire pattern to become visible when the lenticular material is moved relative to the light sensitive material.

Abstract: A CRT display system includes a CRT with a lenticular material placed upon the outward face of the CRT. The system further includes a sensing device in the field of view of the CRT and control circuitry connected between the sensing device and the CRT. The control circuitry is responsive to signals received from the sensing device to control the synchronization and formation of a composite of strips of visual input from four different perspective views of a scene to be presented on the CRT through the lenticular material such that a viewer perceives depth in the composite scene displayed on the CRT.

Abstract: A frame that includes a depth image lenticular photograph as the frame surrounding a planar print or object of interest to the viewer. The frame can be a reflection print or a backlit transparency of a real object or a graphical creation.

Abstract: An improved stereoscopic picture, comprising:(a) a lenticular faceplate material having a predetermined number of lenticules, the lenticules having a given pitch and a given subtended primary angle; and(b) a photographic receiver mounted on the lenticular faceplate material and on which are recorded sets of right and left perspective views of a first pair of stereoscopic pictures, the lenticular faceplate material and the photographic receiver being aligned so that each set on the photographic receiver corresponds to an associated given lenticule of the lenticular faceplate material, the width of the sets of right and left perspective views being less than the pitch of the lenticules.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of creating depth images with different depth image scenes being projected at different viewer orientations. At each of the orientations a different perspective series is provided to the viewer. To provide the different depth scenes at the different orientations, different depth content image slices of different depth content scenes are interleaved behind lenticules of a lenticular faceplate. The interleaving of different depth content scenes on an imaging substrate is accomplished by writing to a print file depth images of the different depth content scenes in successive positions prior to driving the printer with the print file contents to record on the substrate. The substrate is then attached to the lenticular faceplate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which provides alignment lines adjacent to a lenticular image. The alignment lines are projected through a lenticular overlay and used to align the overlay to the image. The alignment apparatus uses a light sensor and a computer to detect either changes in brightness or changes in a Moire pattern of the lines to effect rotational alignment and to detect either centeredness of the lines or brightness changes in the lines to effect translational alignment as the overlay is rotationally or translationally moved with respect to the print by the computer. An increase in brightness indicates motion toward either rotational or translational alignment. A constant brightness along the lines indicates rotational alignment while a peak in brightness indicates translational alignment.

Abstract: An integral, autostereoscopic three-dimensional image suitable for lenticular display is generated from a plurality of image perspectives by interpolating additional images from hypothetical perspectives, as follows. Initially, actual image signals are generated from a plurality of actual images obtained from a plurality of actual image perspectives. The additional images are obtained by operating upon the actual image signals and forming interpolated image signals from hypothetical image perspectives. Finally, an integral three-dimensional image is generated from the combination of images obtained from the actual image perspectives and the hypothetical image perspectives, and is suitably displayed. According to one suitable display, the integral image may be exposed upon a photosensitive sheet that is attached to a lenticular faceplate for subsequent viewing.

Abstract: A system and method that determines a number of scan lines for each image of a view using a resolution of the recording media, a pitch of the lenticules and a number of views needed to minimize angular transitions between views. The viewing range is also increased by allowing the primary visual field to be offset with respect to the projection field of the lenticules such that the image lines can be positioned under lenticules adjacent to the lenticule projecting the image lines as the distance from a central viewing position increases.

Abstract: A concave Fresnel mirror, suitable for use in image display systems. With proper orientation of the facet slopes of the Fresnel mirror, the angular field presentation to the eye will represent a constant magnification for all points in the object space at the nominal eye position determined from the intended application of the invention. This invention provides a numerical means to determine the facet slopes of off-axis Fresnel reflectors using commonly available spreadsheet software which is then easily transformed into numerical control data for cutting the desired configuration.

Abstract: An image display system is designed to provide a magnified presentation of the object for direct visual viewing with emphasis on low distortion and high apparent brightness. The image display system comprises two optical components: a concave Fresnel mirror surface and a second planar mirror surface, each coated with highly reflective material. Because there are two reflections in the optical path between the eye and the object, the presentation will be erect and right reading. The use of metallic coating will assure a high gain transfer of optical radiation from the object to the eye.

Abstract: An optical tape for use decoratively includes a back portion of a first color, a serrated front portion made of a clear plastic. The serrations include alternating wide and narrow grooves such that a side of a wide groove adjoins a side of a narrow groove at an angle of substantially 90.degree.. The sides of each narrow groove have a second color. When the tape is viewed from a distant point, only the first color of the back portion is seen, but when viewed from up-close, substantially only the second color of the narrow grooves is seen.