More Than Two Display Devices Patents (Class 348/52)
  • Publication number: 20100194865
    Abstract: To provide an image of a scene having three-dimensional characteristics, without the use of special glasses, a special camera employing an electrically controllable LCD lens which may be changed as to focal length by varying an applied voltage is used to record a plurality of images of the scene at each of a plurality of closely spaced focal lengths. All of the recorded images are simultaneously displayed on a device employing a stack of transparent LCD screens with one image being provided to each screen in the same order as the focal lengths used during the recording step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Tunable Optix Corporation
    Inventor: Al Kusada
  • Patent number: 7736004
    Abstract: A three-dimensional display device includes a plurality of projection portions to project a plurality of images, respectively, a plurality of wedge-shaped light guide plates corresponding to the plurality of projection portions, respectively, to emit the plurality of images, respectively, and a plurality of directional diffuser screen corresponding to the plurality of wedge-shaped light guide plates, respectively, to diffuse or transmit the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-Ki Hong, Byung-Joo Lee, Sung-Min Jung, Jun-Un Park
  • Patent number: 7724211
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for controlling stereo glasses shutters. In use, a right eye shutter of stereo glasses is controlled to switch between a closed orientation and an open orientation. Further, a left eye shutter of the stereo glasses is controlled to switch between the closed orientation and the open orientation. To this end, the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter of the stereo glasses may be controlled such that the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter simultaneously remain in the closed orientation for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Gerrit A. Slavenburg, Thomas F. Fox, David Robert Cook
  • Patent number: 7705934
    Abstract: The present invention prevents a displayed three-dimensional stereoscopic image from being darkened in a three-dimensional display device of a DFD type. The present invention provides a three-dimensional display device in which at least one of a plurality of display panels is formed of a display panel having pixels each of which includes color filters having the higher transmissivity than color filters (basic color filters) which express colors of an image or transparent windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nagatoshi Kurahashi, Takayuki Ota, Shimon Itakura, Ryutato Oke
  • Patent number: 7706677
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal device, capable of implementing large screen and displaying stereoscopic images, includes: a first case and a second case; a first and a second display part mounted on the first case and the second case, respectively; lens modules mounted in front of the first and second display parts for producing virtual images for images of the first and second display parts; and a rotation member for rotating the first case and the second case on the same rotation axis. The mobile communication terminal device further includes: a first case and a second case; a rotation member for rotating the first case and the second case on the same rotation axis; and a viewfinder unit mounted on one side of at least one of the first case and the second case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Woo-jong Cho, Won-jin Sunu, Sang-on Choi, Woo-jong Lee
  • Publication number: 20100079584
    Abstract: A two dimensional/three dimensional (2D/3D) switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus and method to selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image using two displays and a convertible lens. When outputting the 2D image, the 2D/3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus may control a first display to output a white image/white light, control a second display to output an image, and control an electrical diffuser lens of the convertible lens to be switched off and the white image to be diffused so as to operate as a backlight. When outputting the 3D image, the 2D/3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus may control the first display to output an image, control the second display to be switched off to be in a transparent state, control the electrical diffuser lens of the convertible lens to be switched on to be in the transparent state, and control the lenticular lens to output the 3D image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gee Young SUNG, Yun-Tae KIM, Du-Sik PARK, Dong Kyung NAM, Ju Yong PARK
  • Publication number: 20100066818
    Abstract: In a three-dimensional video image projecting device and projecting method for projecting on a screen, by means of video image projectors, a three-dimensional video image which can be three-dimensionally viewed through three-dimensional glasses having a first polarizing filter and a second polarizing filter arranged thereon, the screen is obtained as a cylindrical body, with an inner circumferential face being a screen face, a plurality of video image projectors are disposed to be opposed to the screen face, and the video image projectors produce a continuous, three-dimensional video image in a circumferential direction, by projecting, from the video image projectors, three-dimensional video images, each of which has an angle of 30 degrees in a circumferential direction of the screen face, arranged horizontally along the circumferential direction of the screen face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SYSTEM PRO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunio GOTO
  • Patent number: 7677732
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display apparatus. The stereoscopic image display apparatus includes a first projection element group, a second projection element group, and a reflecting optical system. The first projection element group includes a plurality of first projection elements operable to project first light fluxes in a first direction. The second projection element group includes a plurality of second projection elements operable to project second light fluxes in a second direction which is different from the first direction and in which the second light fluxes are directed to the first light fluxes. The reflecting optical system is operable to reflect the second light fluxes toward the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Moro, Toshitaka Kawashima, Ryota Odake, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7619585
    Abstract: A method of displaying an image with variable perceived depth using a display (1) including one or more at least partially transparent, substantially parallel imaging screens (3) located in front of, and overlapping with, a rear imaging screen (4), characterized in that a physical image is formed on two or more imaging screens (3,4), each image being of substantially identical configuration and being sized and aligned such that like portions of each image are coterminous to a viewer observing the display, wherein at least two of said coterminous images are displayed with different luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Puredepth Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Paul Bell, Gabriel Damon Engel, Mark John Searle
  • Patent number: 7607779
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display device includes: a first display section emitting right-eye images composed of first-screen right-eye images and second-screen right-eye images; a second display section emitting left-eye images composed of first-screen left-eye images and second-screen left-eye images; a first reflecting section reflecting the first-screen right-eye images and the first-screen left-eye images; a second reflecting section reflecting the second-screen right-eye images and the second-screen left-eye images; a first screen onto which the first-screen right-eye images and the first-screen left-eye images, and on which parallax images are formed; a second screen onto which the second-screen right-eye images and the second-screen left-eye images, and on which parallax images are formed; and a parallax image selection section having a right-eye transmission section and a left-eye transmission section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomio Sonehara
  • Patent number: 7609330
    Abstract: A parallax barrier liquid crystal panel for a stereoscopic display device, including a first substrate including an active region and a non-active region, a second substrate facing the first substrate, first, second, and third lines in the non-active region, at least one barrier electrode in the active region and connected to the first line, at least one pair of first and second transmission electrodes disposed adjacent to the barrier electrode and connected to the second and third lines, respectively, a common electrode on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 7532173
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a highly functioned and highly value-added display device and mobile terminal. It is another object to provide a display device and mobile terminal characterized by including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and a first display screen over one surface of a substrate having a translucency, a second display screen over the opposite surface of the one surface of the substrate, each of the plurality of pixels having a light emitting element for emitting light toward the first display screen and the second display screen, and a first polarizer over one surface of the substrate and a second polarizer over the opposite surface of the one surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yasuyuki Arai, Yasuko Watanabe, Aya Anzai, Hiromichi Godo, Junichiro Sakata, Kaoru Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7489337
    Abstract: A method for making uniform the colorimetric rendering of a display surface including several adjacent display screens (10a, 10b), comprising for each pair of adjacent screens (10a, 10b) steps of: periodically sampling (21) by a calculation device (5) image data in two corresponding screen (10a, 10b) areas (13a, 13b) in the pair of adjacent screens, analyzing (22, 23, 24) by the calculation device (5) image data sampled in each period to determine a difference in calorimetric rendering between the two screen areas, determining by a correction device (6) connected to the calculation device a process to be applied to the video stream to one of the two video systems controlling the two screens in the pair of adjacent screens, by applying a predetermined correction law to the difference in calorimetric rendering, and applying (26) by the correction device the process to said video system, in order to make the calorimetric rendering of the display surface uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Chartoleaux KG Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: François Houmeau, Olivier Gachignard, Alain Leyreloup
  • Patent number: 7477205
    Abstract: A computer system including a processor, a display, and a graphics unit coupled between the processor and the display, in which the processor is configured to perform multi-display operations which generate multiple frames of display data for simultaneous display, and a graphics unit for use in such a system. Typically, the graphics unit includes graphics memory that includes at least two frame buffers, and the processor operates as if it were independently asserting multiple streams of display data to multiple frame buffers for driving multiple displays independently. Another aspect of the invention is a system that displays data from a frame buffer on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Abraham B. de Waal, Walter E. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7400306
    Abstract: A flat panel display device for dual-panel display that comprises an array of pixels formed in rows and columns, a first sub-array of the array of pixels for image display in a first direction, a second sub-array of the array of pixels for image display in a second direction, at least one scan driver for sequentially scanning the array of pixels row by row, and a plurality of multiplexers, connectable to receive a control signal having a first state and a second state, for connecting the first sub-array of pixels to the at least one scan driver in response to the first state of the control signal, and connecting the second sub-array of pixels to the at least one scan driver in response to the second state of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Shuo-Hsiu Hu
  • Patent number: 7355563
    Abstract: A display apparatus (1) for generating a stereoscopic image by superimposing a plurality of images at a predetermined interval from each other on the view line of the viewer, the apparatus comprising: a first display unit (11) having a plurality of emission areas (11-1) for emitting a light, disposed in a discrete manner in a plane of a display screen and a plurality of transmission areas (11-2) for transmitting a light, disposed in a discrete manner in the plane of the display screen except for areas occupied by said plurality of emission areas; and a second display unit (12) disposed behind the first display unit as seen from the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Hata, Takashi Chuman, Yoshihiko Uchida, Hideo Satoh, Atsushi Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7347556
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for generating stereo images includes a front display adapted to project a polarized first image along a viewing axis, a back display adapted to project a polarized second image along the viewing axis and through the front display, and a controller coupled to at least the front display and adapted to oscillate image projection between the front display and back display. The system in this embodiment further includes a first lens portion and a second lens portion, the first lens portion being polarized to the same state as the front display and the second lens portion being polarized to the same state as the back display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David J. Kasik, Gary D. Bernard
  • Patent number: 7280151
    Abstract: A video camera is disclosed which can make photographing without any compulsion. A rotary grip is provided on a side face of a camera body so as to be rotatable relative to the camera body, the camera body having an image pickup device, a camera lens and a circuit board of various circuits. A hand strap is attached to the rotary grip. For carrying the video camera, the fingers other than the thumb of one hand are inserted between the rotary grip and the hand strap so that the tips thereof are caught on a peripheral surface of the rotary grip. A liquid crystal display monitor and an operating unit are integral with the peripheral surface of the rotary grip, and when the rotary grip is rotated relative to the camera body unit, the hand strap, as well as the liquid crystal display monitor and the operating unit, also rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kojima, Yuichiro Kota, Minoru Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7215362
    Abstract: The method for automatically calibrating a multi-projector system with at least two projectors, a digital camera and a control unit for controlling the projectors and the camera is performed according to the following steps: production, capture and image-filtering of strip patterns, finding the largest projection surface possible, and calculation of warp fields and image-warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Klose
  • Patent number: 7196677
    Abstract: There are provided: a display surface (20) (mixed picture display part) for assigning a plurality of pieces of video information, respectively, to a plurality of a first divided area (S-I), a second divided area (S-II) and a third divided area (S-III), so as to display the plurality of the pieces of the video information on the display surface (20); a first picture separating mechanism disposed on the display surface (20) corresponding to the first divided area (S-I) of the plurality of the divided areas (S-I, S-II, S-III), and defining a predetermined polarizing direction; a second picture separating mechanism disposed on the display surface (20) corresponding to the second divided area (S-II) and the third divided area (S-III) of the plurality of the divided areas (S-I, S-II, S-III), and defining a predetermined polarizing direction different from the polarizing direction of the first picture separating mechanism; mirrors (optical means) (31, 32) disposed rightward and leftward relative to the display surfa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Sato, Hidehiko Sekizawa
  • Patent number: 7193585
    Abstract: An image observation system includes a pair of image observation devices each having i) an image pickup device, ii) an image pickup optical system for directing light rays from an outside world to the image pickup device, iii) a display device for displaying an outside world image obtained by the image pickup system, and iv) a display optical system for directing light from the display device to an observing eye. The optical axis of the image pickup system and the optical axis of the display system are disposed coaxially, wherein the optical axes of the image pickup systems of the pair of image observation devices define a point of intersection, and wherein a focal plane being at a position conjugate with a surface of the image pickup device with respect to the image pickup optical system is disposed at a side of the intersection point of the optical axes of the image pickup systems, which side faces an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinari Takagi
  • Patent number: 7173649
    Abstract: The video airship is a lighter-than-air airship, preferably spherical, including a video display disposed with substantially all of the craft's outer surface, a nearly invisible computerized electric propulsion-control system, speakers, microphones, video cameras, communications systems, and extendible landing gear. A power generation system contained within the airship's interior supplies the energy for it's display, propulsion, flight control and other onboard devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas D. Shannon
  • Patent number: 7165841
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes at least two linear image display devices which respectively display linear images in response to image signals. The two linear image display devices are periodically moved by a mechanical scan mechanism along a plurality of locus planes substantially parallel to each other. The mechanical scan mechanism may have a configuration which belt-drives the at least two linear image display devices fixed to a belt, or a configuration which rotationally drives the at least two linear image display devices provided on a disc. The stereoscopic image display apparatus can display a bright and extremely clear stereoscopic image without using a complicated optical system and a light transmissible display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Satoh, Takashi Chuman, Yoshihiko Uchida, Atsushi Yoshizawa, Takuya Hata
  • Patent number: 7165842
    Abstract: An improved autostereoscopic display apparatus (10) forms left and right virtual images for pupil imaging by forming, through a beamsplitter (16), a real intermediate image near the focal surface of a curved mirror (24). A circular polarizer (90) is disposed at a position between viewing pupils (14l, 14r) and the beamsplitter (16), minimizing glare due to stray light reflection from the curved mirror surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Cobb, Mark E. Bridges, Allan M. Waugh, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7136415
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for multiplexing a multi-view three-dimensional moving picture according to a user's request is disclosed. The apparatus multiplexes a multi-view three-dimensional moving pictures by receiving moving pictures and information inputted from multi-view cameras and generating multi-view encoded streams corresponding to received moving pictures and information, receiving back channel information of the user, selecting necessary multi-view encoded streams according to the back channel information and multiplexing the selected multi-view encoded streams by a frame or a field having same time information. The present invention can effectively process the multi-view three-dimensional moving picture according to the display mode and system environment requested from the user by simplifying a synchronization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kug Jin Yun, Suk-Hee Cho, Yun Jung Choi, Jin Hwan Lee, Young Kwon Hahm, Chieteuk Ahn
  • Patent number: 7046270
    Abstract: A stereoscopic video image is observed by displaying to left and right display devices arranged in front of the left and right eyes of an observer, left and right images formed on an image pick-up device by using a stereoscopic optical system. Then, a read address of image data stored in a memory is changed by operating a display position adjusting pick or the like, thereby simply variably adjusting the display positions of the left and right images. As a consequence, it is possible to respond to the case in which a parallax of the observer is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masanao Murata, Shingo Kato
  • Patent number: 7006125
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes a new and inexpensive method for stereoscopic demultiplexing from a single computer data source. The invention provides a means to switch the routing of left and right image data, if necessary. Additionally the invention provides for an internal swap of the green data signal between the two channels permitting the device to be used with polarized output projection systems in which the green light output is polarized orthogonally to the red and blue light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Vrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam W. Divelbiss, David C. Swift
  • 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: 6903735
    Abstract: A multiview image synthesizing apparatus using a depth map of a stereo camera includes a multiview image synthesizing unit for converting an image signal input from first and second cameras to a digital signal and outputting a value of a depth map at a position of a virtual camera located at an arbitrary position between the first and second cameras, a multiview image re-projection unit for calculating a mapping pixel index of a multiview re-projection image for the virtual camera set by a user, by receiving the digital signal transmitted from the multiview image synthesizing unit, and outputting the calculated mapping pixel index, and a pixel selection unit for selecting a predetermined pixel to display an overlapping pixel of the digital signal input through the multiview image synthesizing unit, by using an output signal output from the multiview image re-projection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Pohang University of Science and Technology Foundation
    Inventors: Hong Jeong, Yuns Oh
  • Patent number: 6867750
    Abstract: The value of a stereo vision parameter for an immediately preceding frame is subtracted from the value of the stereo vision parameter for a current frame to obtain a differential value d. If d<?? (lower limit value), the differential value d is set to ??, and if d>? (upper limit value), the differential value d is set to ?. If the differential value d is within the range of ?? to ?, it is left as it is without being changed. The thus set differential value d is added to the value of the stereo vision parameter for the immediately preceding frame, and the resulting value is set as the stereo vision parameter for the current frame. By thus setting the stereo vision parameter, a limit is imposed upon abrupt change of the stereo vision parameter for the current frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Noro
  • Patent number: 6853357
    Abstract: There are provided an image display apparatus and an image display method, which are capable of clearly indicating to an observer subtle differences between two images of the same subject obtained at different times, without the need for complex image processing, and a storage medium storing a program for implementing the image display method. Two images of the same subject obtained at different times are inputted. A stereo display device displays the two inputted images in a manner enabling an observer to fuse the two inputted images together for stereoscopic viewing. A control means controls the stereo display device to display the two inputted images such that the two images are projected separately into the left and right eyes of the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Inoue, Shigeru Sanada
  • Patent number: 6752498
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic image display apparatus (10) that adapts to sensed feedback data about an observer (12) in order to conform its operation to adapt to the position and intraocular dimensions of the observer. The apparatus (10) uses ball lens projection optics to provide wide field-of-view pupil imaging, providing separate left- and right-eye images to the left and right eye pupils (14l,14r) of the observer (12), respectively. The apparatus (10) compensates for positional variables such as variable interocular distance and variable observer distance from projection optics. At least one observer feedback sensor (52) is disposed to provide feedback data about the observer (12). The feedback data can be used by a control logic processor (50) that, based on the data, adjusts left- and right viewing pupil forming apparatus (36l,36r). The control logic processor (50), based on sensed feedback data, may also vary image content or provide other stimuli such as smell, movement, and sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward Covannon, John A. Agostinelli, Joshua M. Cobb, Michael E. Miller, David Kessler
  • Patent number: 6753847
    Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows a number of 3D volumetric display or output configurations, such as dome, cubical and cylindrical volumetric displays, to interact with a number of different input configurations, such as a three-dimensional position sensing system having a volume sensing field, a planar position sensing system having a digitizing tablet, and a non-planar position sensing system having a sensing grid formed on a dome. The user interacts via the input configurations, such as by moving a digitizing stylus on the sensing grid formed on the dome enclosure surface. This interaction affects the content of the volumetric display by mapping positions and corresponding vectors of the stylus to a moving cursor within the 3D display space of the volumetric display that is offset from a tip of the stylus along the vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Paul Kurtenbach, George William Fitzmaurice, Ravin Balakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20040046864
    Abstract: A method and system generates 3D video images from point samples obtained from primary video data in a 3D coordinate system. Each point sample contains 3D coordinates in a 3D coordinate system, as well as colour and/or intensity information. On subsequently rendering, the point samples are modified continuously according to an updating of the 3D primary video data. The point samples are arranged in a hierarchic data structure in a manner such that each point sample is an end point, or leaf node, in a hierarchical tree, wherein the branch points in the hierarchy tree are average values of the nodes lower in the hierarchy of the tree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Gross, Edouard Lamboray, Stephan Wurmlin
  • 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: 20030222978
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying an image, comprises receiving means for receiving data comprising the location of a first object and for receiving data comprising the location of a second object, display means for displaying first and second images, and directing means for directing the first image towards the location of the first object and for directing the second image towards the location of the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Graham G. Thomason
  • Patent number: 6625667
    Abstract: An encoder receives a video input that includes initial video data and encodes the initial video data as encoded video data, such that the encoded video data comprises fewer bytes than the initial video data. The encoded video data is transmitted through a computer network to a decoder that receives the encoded video data and reconstructs an image representative of the video input for viewing on a display. A sensor senses at least one of viewer information representative of at least one of a location and movement of a viewer, and display information identifying the display. Viewer data representative of the at least one of the viewer information and the display information is transmitted to the encoder to modify the method of encoding the initial video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Alan Westerman
  • Publication number: 20030169332
    Abstract: In order to provide a dual-surface lens sheet in which a color shift is reduced and positions of unit lenses on a front surface and a back surface are easily aligned even if the unit lenses are disposed in fine pitch when used for a rear projection screen which is used for a display device using a plurality of projector as light sources, a half-column-cylindrical-convex-lens is used in a lens sheet having lens sections on front surface and a back surface such that pitch ratio for disposing the unit lenses on the front surface and the back surface is in a range of 1:2 to 1:30 and disposition directions of the lens sections are uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ebina, Takashi Abe, Masaru Miyashita, Susumu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030164875
    Abstract: A method and system of passively acquiring three-dimensional data concerning an object relies on comparison of changes in dimensions of the background object relative to changes in dimensions of a foreground pattern or patterns as the effective optical path length between the foreground patterns and a corresponding receiver or receivers is varied. The system and method of the invention may utilize a mirror having a pattern formed thereon that reflects a different set of wavelengths than the remaining surface of the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20030133007
    Abstract: A right and left camera for picking up images, an image combining circuit for generating a 3-D image by combining right and left images, a 3-D image display for displaying the 3-D image output from the image combining circuit, a display memory for use in displaying the right and left images on the 3-D image monitor, and a recording memory for use in recording the right and left images are shared and double buffer memories are used to perform write and read operations concurrently in alternating manner, allowing the right and left images to be combined and displayed as a 3-D image on the 3-D image display at a high data rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: KATSUMI IIJIMA, KATSUHIKO MORI, TAKEO SAKIMURA
  • Publication number: 20030112329
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying an image, comprises receiving means for receiving data comprising the location of a first object and for receiving data comprising the location of a second object, display means for displaying first and second images, and directing means for directing the first image towards the location of the first object and for directing the second image towards the location of the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Graham G. Thomason
  • Publication number: 20030090565
    Abstract: An imaging system for producing autostereoscopic television images allowing viewers in a large viewing area to view 3-D images by sending separate left and right-hand images to the left and right eyes respectively, when a viewer looks at a small region of a 3-D display. In one embodiment, a projection system projects left and right-hand images to a small moveable mirror, which then reflects both images separately through a lenslet array, and then to a cylindrical lens panel. A means for imparting motion to the moveable mirror is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: William Lee Torgeson
  • Patent number: 6545650
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for three-dimensionally displaying an object, including (a) image-displaying devices which display images at an observer's eyes, (b) a beam scanner, (c) an area-identifier which detects a direction on which an observer turns at least one eye to thereby identify a display area at which the observer gazes, (d) a calculator which calculates, based on an image signal including parallax, a three-dimensional positional relation between the observer and an object to be observed, existing in the display area, (e) an image-position controller which controls positions of images so that the object is displayed in the display area at locations on lines connecting the object located at a three-dimensional position calculated by the calculator to centers of pupils of the observer, and (f) a convergence generator which generates a difference between first timing at which the beam scanner is driven and second timing at which images start being displayed in the image-displaying devices, in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Yamada, Toshihide Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 6545803
    Abstract: A virtual screen display apparatus includes a display arranged to generate display information and having an effective diagonal length DLC and an optical projecting element arranged to receive the display information from the display and to project and form an image, the optical projecting element having an effective F number which is defined by Fe=S1/PuD wherein S1 is a distance between the display and a principal point of the optical projecting element and PuD is a diameter of an exit pupil of the optical projecting element. A field optical element arranged to form an in-space image in a position of a virtual screen and to direct a divergent light flux from the virtual screen to a view region where the image is viewable to an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Sakuma, Makoto Obu, Akira Momose
  • Patent number: 6542297
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image displaying apparatus includes: a casing; a pair of plates engaged at both sides of the casing and having a guide hole having a certain curvature at upper and lower portions and a fixing hole formed near the guide hole; a pair of support frames engaged at both inner sides of the casing, each having a lower portion engaged at a bottom of the casing by a hinge shaft and an engaging groove formed on an inner surface for thereby fixing a half mirror, said support frames being rotatable along the guide hole in upward and downward directions; and a varying means engaged at upper portions of the support frames for fixing the support frames at a certain angle, whereby it is possible to selectively use the apparatus as a 2D image displaying apparatus and a 3D image displaying apparatus by moving the half mirror upwardly or downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hyun Lee, Sang-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 6481849
    Abstract: An autostereo projection system uses multiple projectors to form an essentially seamless and extended field of view. Each projector is registered to a CRT display. Shutter elements in each projector create multiple pupils for each CRT display. Each CRT display is driven with different images for each shutter pupil. Seamlessness is promoted by the use of a tunable optical diffuser as part of a common lenticular viewing, lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: .Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Martin, Joseph L. Mclaughlin
  • Patent number: 6480174
    Abstract: An eyeglass-mount display (EMD) device includes a frame, a display pod, and a personalized module removably coupled to the frame. The frame has a cross-bracket and a pair of ear pieces each coupled to an end of the cross-bracket. The display pod is mounted to the cross-bracket and includes an electronic image generator for generating an image and optics for creating a virtual image. The personalized module includes preset fitting adjustments specific to a particular user. The module may also include corrective optical lenses. The removable personalized module enables multiple users to share the same EMD frame and display pod without making numerous fitting adjustments upon donning the EMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Optimize Incorporated
    Inventors: Rick James Kaufmann, Raymond T. Hebert, James W. Pfeiffer, Gary E. Hart, Loren D. Stirling, Barry Wingate, Roland J. Montalbo, Peter K. S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20020163573
    Abstract: An imaging system for creating a three dimensional image of an object. The imaging system includes a housing and three sets of light sources mounted to the housing. The light sources are selectively illuminated for projecting light on the object. A camera is spaced from the housing for capturing projected light reflecting from the object. A lens and a diffuser are mounted to the housing and are spaced from the light sources for focusing and blurring the projected light to define an image projected upon the object. A controller is connected to the light sources for sequentially illuminating the light sources to produce at least three different images on the object. The controller is also connected to the camera for controlling the camera to capture the different images for creating the three dimensional image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Leonard H. Bieman, Gary Rutledge
  • Patent number: 6304286
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus such that when an viewing point position of an observer is moved, a stereoscopic image similar to that observed at the moved position is obtained. A plurality of images according to a plurality of viewing point positions are generated from right/left image generating apparatuses. One of the plurality of images selected by a switching device is supplied to an image display apparatus. An observer observes a stereoscopic image by a liquid crystal driving apparatus, liquid crystal polarizing plates, and polarizing spectacles. Infrared rays from infrared light emitting devices are partially obstructed by the observer and are received by infrared photosensitive devices. A position detection processing circuit judges the image according to an viewing point position of the observer from detection signals, thereby switching the switching device to the right/left image generating apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shirai, Takayuki Yoshioka, Noriyasu Kato, Tomohiko Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6222508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a visual display including a high resolution miniature display compatible with VLSI technology and an optical system such as an optical magnifier used to enlarge the images display on the miniature display to be visible to the naked eye. The miniature display includes a VLSI backplane having an array of display elements monolithically formed with its driving circuit on a single crystalline semiconductor. Signal processing circuit or a microprocessor used to process image signals for the display may also be formed monolithically with the array and its driving circuit. The array may be designed using a silicon software compiler program to have randomly displaced elements or super-pixels for reducing image aliasing. The array may also be designed to have display elements positioned and scaled to compensate for the optical distortion introduced by the magnifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Phillip Alvelda, Thomas F. Knight, Jr.