Stereoscopic Imaging Or Three Dimensional Imaging Patents (Class 359/458)
  • Patent number: 11849104
    Abstract: A device and method for video rendering. The device includes a memory and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from a source device, video data including multiple reference viewpoints, determine a target image plane corresponding to a target viewpoint, determine, within the target image plane, one or more target image regions, and determine, for each target image region, a proxy image region larger than the corresponding target image region. The electronic processor is configured to determine, for each target image region, a plurality of reference pixels that fit within the corresponding proxy image region, project, for each target image region, the plurality of reference pixels that fit within the corresponding proxy image region to the target image region, producing a rendered target region from each target image region, and composite one or more of the rendered target regions to create video rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Haricharan Lakshman, Wenhui Jia, Jasper Chao, Shwetha Ram, Domagoj Baricevic, Ajit Ninan
  • Patent number: 10871384
    Abstract: Absolute, non-juxtaposed position encoders (i.e., position-determining systems) for up to six degrees-of-freedom are described. Each of these apparatus includes a display, an observation device, display circuitry, and logic circuitry. The display includes a plurality of pixels. In addition, the observation device is capable of observing light emitted from a region of the display. The display circuitry is able to cause one or more emissive patterns to be displayed on the display. The logic circuitry is able to determine a position of the observation device relative to the display at least in part from the light observed by the observation device. The observation device is capable of being moved in relation to the display, or vice versa. Aspects of the invention are suitable for use in a diverse set of applications such as: autonomously-piloted vehicles, multi-axis robotic arms, three-dimensional (3D) printers, computer-numerical-control (CNC) machine tools, and cranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas P. Moyer
  • Patent number: 10422993
    Abstract: An image display device includes a transparent plate which may be disposed in an inclined manner with respect to a display section of a portable terminal provided with the display section. A display displayed on the display section may be reflected on the transparent plate. A space behind the transparent plate may be viewed through the transparent plate and, at the same time, an image on the display section of the portable terminal may also be viewed while being reflected on the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: BANDAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyuma Mihara
  • Patent number: 9891441
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stereoscopic display device, comprising: a display panel and a lens grating, wherein further comprising: a waveform lens disposed between said display panel and said lens grating; the wave crest of said waveform lens corresponds to the black matrix area of said display panel, the wave trough of said waveform lens corresponds to the pixel area of said display panel. In the solution of the present invention, by employing the waveform lens disposed in front of the display panel, the crosstalk between images can be decreased and the stereoscopic image display effect can be improved while the luminance of the display panel does not become darken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heecheol Kim, Chunfang Zhang, Yan Wei, Chao Xu
  • Patent number: 9188709
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical multiplexing apparatus and a projector that keep an optical system small, and easily adjust a number of light source units. The optical multiplexing apparatus has: a light source section that uses light source units to emit collimated beams; a first lens portion that converges the collimated beams which enter at different incident angles from each other to define converging positions; and a second lens portion that has focal points that correspond to the converging positions, respectively, wherein the first and second lens portions form an optical reduction system, and an optical axis of the second lens portion, which is directed to the corresponding focal point to one of the converging positions, extends along another optical axis of the second lens position, which is directed to the corresponding focal point to another of the converging positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Itoh, Tetsuro Mizushima
  • Patent number: 9110364
    Abstract: A directive projection screen is configured to present images projected from a remote projector in three dimensions (3D) to a viewer. The screen includes a plurality of passive optical elements arranged on a structural substrate. The optical elements are configured to receive incident light projected from the projector and reflect the light such that first portions of the image are directed in a first direction to be viewed by a first eye of the viewer and second portions of the image are directed in a second direction to be viewed by a second eye of the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Christopher David Coley, Eric Gifford Marason
  • Patent number: 9007691
    Abstract: An object is to provide an image display sheet capable of realizing a smooth pseudo moving image and observing the image with reduced in discomfort. A configuration is provided in which a lenticular sheet composed of an arrangement of a plurality of cylindrical lenses 1a and an image forming layer 3 are laminated, and the image display sheet is formed capable of observing an image formed on the image forming layer 3 from the convex shape side of the cylindrical lenses 1a of the lenticular sheet, as a virtual image with movement, or movement and deformation. The image forming layer 3 is formed repeatedly with a plurality of images 3 for displaying virtual images in association with the cylindrical lenses 1a so as to correspond to the cylindrical lenses 1a, respectively, one-on-one, and difference between an arrangement pitch length A of the cylindrical lenses 1a and a pitch length B of the repeatedly formed images 3a formed on the image forming layer 3 is in a range of 0% to 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Grapac Japan Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Yumoto, Kazushi Omori
  • Patent number: 8982459
    Abstract: A directive projection screen is configured to present images projected from a remote projector in three dimensions (3D) to a viewer. The screen includes a plurality of passive optical elements arranged on a structural substrate. The optical elements are configured to receive incident light projected from the projector and reflect the light such that first portions of the image are directed in a first direction to be viewed by a first eye of the viewer and second portions of the image are directed in a second direction to be viewed by a second eye of the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Coley, Eric G. Marason
  • Patent number: 8976231
    Abstract: A device for measuring three dimensional shape includes a first irradiation unit, a first grating control unit, a second irradiation unit, a second grating control unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. After performance of a first imaging operation as imaging processing of a single operation among a multiplicity of imaging operations performed by irradiation of said first light pattern of multiply varied phases, a second imaging operation is performed as imaging processing of a single operation among a multiplicity of imaging operations performed by irradiation of said second light pattern of multiply varied phases. After completion of the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation, shifting or switching operation of the first grating and the second grating is performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 8939585
    Abstract: A stereo display system including a plurality of projection apparatuses and a screen module is provided. The projection apparatuses project a plurality of image beams. The screen module is disposed in front of the projection apparatuses, wherein the image beams are transmitted toward the screen module. The screen module includes a light diffusion layer and a beam splitting layer. The light diffusion layer has at least one diffusion direction, and the light diffusion layer diffuses the image beams with a diffusion angle. The light diffusion layer is disposed between the beam splitting layer and the projection apparatuses, wherein each of the image beams is divided into a plurality of sub image beams by the beam splitting layer. The sub image beams of each image beam transmit with different angles, such that the image beams form a plurality of stereo image viewing zones after passing through the screen module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang-Ying Chen, Chao-Hsu Tsai, Chang-Shuo Wu
  • Patent number: 8878780
    Abstract: A display apparatus including an image generator, a projection lens set, a depth detecting module detecting the position of user, and a control unit is provided, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the image generator, the projection lens set and the depth detecting module. An image displayed by the image generator is projected through the projection lens set and generates a floating real image between the projection lens set and the user. Each beam forming the floating real image has a light-cone angle ?. The image generator and the projection lens adjust the position of the floating real image according to the position of user. The size of the floating real image is L, the distance between two eyes of the user is W, the distance between the user and the floating real image is D, and the light-cone angle ? satisfies the formula of ? ? tan - 1 ? ( L + W D ) .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Jen Chan, Golden Tiao, Chang-Ying Chen, Chy-Lin Wang, Kun-Lung Tseng, Shang-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 8842114
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting a depth of displayed objects within a region of a display. In use, a display that displays one or more objects three-dimensionally is identified. Additionally, a region within the display is determined. Further, a depth of objects displayed within the region is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Patent number: 8766882
    Abstract: In an apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image, sub-pixels having color components are arranged in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction in a matrix form, in a display section for displaying a flat image, and a light ray control element is disposed so as to be opposed to the display section. In the light ray control element, linear optical openings extending in a vertical direction are arranged in the lateral direction. A sum of opening area lengths of opening areas of a plurality of sub-pixels adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction is varied in a single row, and the sum thereof in a plurality of rows becomes constant. Further, an arrangement of the sub-pixels is a color arrangement of a mosaic arrangement or a lateral stripe arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Rieko Fukushima, Yuzo Hirayama, Kazuki Taira, Tatsuo Saishu
  • Patent number: 8755115
    Abstract: A 3D image projection system has a display screen having an array of pixels, an array of pixel pyramids associated with the array of pixels, and a projector configured to project light onto the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Youngshik Yoon
  • Patent number: 8746889
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display configured to display a three dimensional (3D) image of a scene. The autostereoscopic display uses a single projector to project a plurality of projected images into a mirror arrangement fixedly positioned in the projection field of the single projector to reflect the plurality of projected images onto the holographic diffuser from distinct directions such that a 3D image is perceived by a person viewing the holographic diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Leong, Frederick F. Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 8740387
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display apparatus is provided and includes a first lenticular lens array, a second lenticular lens array, an optical diffuser layer, an image projector module and a switch unit. The optical diffuser layer is disposed between the first lenticular lens array and the second lenticular lens array. Multiple image beams generated by the image projector module are projected to a plurality of observing regions on an observing plane through the first lenticular lens array, the optical diffuser layer and the second lenticular lens array. The switch unit rotates the second lenticular lens array in accordance with the autostereoscopic display apparatus operates situated at a three-dimensional (3D) display mode or a two-dimensional (2D) display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 8659830
    Abstract: Optical films used for 3D autostereoscopic displays include lenses on one surface of the optical film that are registered to prisms on the opposing surface of the optical film. The lenses may be a-cylindrical lenses or cylindrical, and the rotation of the lenses can vary with position on the surface of the optical film. The prisms may be contiguous or non-contiguous. The prisms of the optical film can have a pitch that is different from a pitch of the lenses, or the prism pitch can be substantially the same as the pitch of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, Michael J. Sykora
  • Patent number: 8648773
    Abstract: A light ray controller has a circular frustum shape and is fitted in a circular hole of a top board such that its large diameter bottom opening faces upward. The light ray controller transmits a light ray while diffusing the light ray in a ridgeline direction and transmits the light ray straightforward without diffusing the light ray in a circumferential direction. A rotation module is provided under the table. One or more scanning projectors are provided on a circumference around an axis of the light ray controller on the rotation base of the rotation module. One or more scanning projectors are rotated by the rotation module. The controller controls one or more scanning projectors being rotated based on three-dimensional shape data stored in a storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yoshida, Sumio Yano, Hiroshi Ando
  • Patent number: 8646917
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating or creating an autostereoscopic or three-dimensional (3D) display. The apparatus has a foreground display assembly including a display element such as a transparent projection screen film and a projector projecting a first set of two-dimensional (2D) content onto a rear surface viewable by a viewer via a front surface. The apparatus includes a background display assembly including a display element displaying a second set of 2D content. The apparatus includes an intermediate display assembly including a display element, such as an optical shutter window, positioned between the foreground display element and the background display element. This assembly includes a projector projecting a third set of 2D content on the front or rear surface of the optical shutter window. The first, second, and third sets of 2D content are concurrently visible and the use of three spaced apart display planes creates a 3D illusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Reichow, Daniel M. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8644592
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a fluid discharge in an underwater environment, the method including: collecting data relating to an underwater area through at least two acoustic sensors; filtering and processing the data collected to identify the presence of the discharged fluid and the underwater area involved; forming a single stereoscopic image by combining the plurality of single three-dimensional images; and estimating the position of the fluid discharge on the basis of the stereoscopic image thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Eliana De Marchi, Paolo Ferrara, Roberto Ferrario, Roberto Finotello
  • Patent number: 8547422
    Abstract: A display apparatus for projecting images towards eyes of at least one viewer selectively when said eyes are spaced horizontally within a viewing field, said apparatus comprising: transmitting means for transmitting light; image generation means for generating different images, the image generation means being capable of generating image parts in a plurality of different vertical image areas; and light configuration means for configuring said transmitted light to provide a plurality of sets of vertical light configurations, the different configurations in each set being selectable to provide different emergent light characteristics for a vertical image area which is common to each configuration in a set and which is different for each set, whereby said different images are projected by said apparatus to coincide with one or more eyes selected from the eyes of each of the one or more viewers, and not one or more other eyes of the viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Philip Surman
  • Patent number: 8520020
    Abstract: Stereoscopic color management of images with plural views. Image data for each view is defined in a component input device color space. Image data in the component input device color spaces is converted to a nominal source color space using plural input transforms each corresponding to one of the plural views. A rendering transform is used to convert image data for each view in the nominal source color space to a nominal destination color space. The nominal source color space, nominal destination color space and rendering transform are the same for all views. The image data for each view in the nominal destination color space is ultimately converted to a component output device color space associated with a stereoscopic output device respective of the view using a respective output transform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Siu-Kei Tin
  • 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: 8474980
    Abstract: A projection autostereoscopic display including an image projector and a stereo screen is provided. The image projector projects an image. The image includes multiple viewing-zone images. The stereo screen receives the image and reflects the image to an observing direction. The stereo screen includes a linear polarizer layer, for receiving and polarizing the image. A first microretarder layer is disposed behind the linear polarizer layer. A second microretarder layer is disposed behind the first microretarder layer by a distance. A reflection-type polarization-reserved diffuser layer is disposed behind the second microretarder layer for reflecting and diffusing the image into various directions while maintaining the polarization state of the image. A switching layer is switched between a transparent state which maintains the polarization state of the image and an opaque state which changes the polarization states of the image to a non-polarization state, to switch between 2D and 3D display modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Liang Hsu, Chao-Hsu Tsai, Chang-Ying Chen, Jinn-Cherng Yang
  • Patent number: 8451535
    Abstract: A display apparatus that may generate a high density light field image is provided. The display apparatus may identify an eye position of a user and set a virtual viewing window around the eye of the user. The display apparatus may generate a directional light corresponding to the viewing window and generate a high density light field image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Kyung Nam, Ju Yong Park, Kyu Young Hwang, In Woo Ha
  • Patent number: 8446534
    Abstract: A multidimensional display apparatus includes a main display screen divided into at least three display areas including a first centre display area and at least two surrounded display areas, at least two reflective elements, and at least three display surfaces. The reflective elements are arranged above and inclined with respect to the second display areas, and a reflection surface of each of the reflective elements faces the corresponding second display area. One of the display surfaces is above the first display area, and the other two are corresponding to the second display areas, facing the reflection surfaces of the reflective elements. The contents displayed on the first display area is viewable on the display surface above, and the contents displayed on the second display areas are reflected by the corresponding reflection surfaces of the reflective elements and viewable on the other two display surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Han-Che Wang, Bo-Ching Lin, Hui Yin
  • Patent number: 8434871
    Abstract: Projection screens for projection of binocular stereoscopic images include a metallic projection surface that includes a plurality of depressions configured to produce left and right viewable light fluxes in response to received left and right modulated light fluxes. The metallic projection surface can be formed by beadblasting, and multiple panels can be secured together by welding or other process. Projection surfaces can also be formed by molding or otherwise forming a conductive surface on a dielectric or other substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Thomas M. Bartol, Paul O. Dunn, Jr., Terrence J. Sejnowski, Dejan Vucinic
  • Publication number: 20130057830
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display system including a plurality of image projection apparatuses and a screen module is provided. The image projection apparatuses are configured to respectively project a plurality of image beams, and the screen module is disposed on transmission paths of the image beams. The screen module includes an optical diffusion layer, a first image guiding plate, and a second image guiding plate. The first image guiding plate is disposed between the image projection apparatuses and the optical diffusion layer, and includes a plurality of first optical structures arranged in period. The optical diffusion layer is disposed between the first image guiding plate and the second image guiding plate. The second image guiding plate includes a plurality of second optical structures arranged in period. A screen module is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chao-Hsu Tsai, Chang-Shuo Wu, Chang-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 8310409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a display method that enable multiple users to view high resolution moving images from various viewing points of the users. A light-control screen 25 is rotated, and projectors 211 to 21N irradiate the screen 25 from various directions with light rays corresponding to image data captured from those directions. In this case, when the forward direction of the light-control screen 25 is aligned with the projecting direction of one of the projectors 21n, an image corresponding to light rays emitted from the projector 21n is displayed on the light-control screen 25. The present invention may be applied to a display apparatus for displaying images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Yuji Okumura, Tsugihiko Haga, Tetsuya Murakami, Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8284119
    Abstract: A method of removing a Moire pattern in a 3D image display apparatus using complete parallax. The method of removing a Moire pattern in a 3D image displaying system with an image display device having an image display panel and a unit for providing complete parallax, by intersecting the image display panel and the unit with each other at a predetermined angle. The unit is an intersection lenticular plate or a micro lens array plate located at a front or rear of the image display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-sik Kim, Jung-young Son, Chang-wan Hong, Tae-hong Jeong
  • Patent number: 8284235
    Abstract: A method for modifying images for display on a three dimensional display includes receiving a first image and a corresponding second image which together represent a three dimensional image when displayed on the three dimensional display. Based upon the first and second image, the method determines whether their content is expected to cause substantial discomfort to a viewer when displayed on the three dimensional display. At least one of the first and second images are modified based at least in part on a physical value related to the pixel pitch of the display, in such a manner to reduce the expected discomfort to the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Held, Chang Yuan, Scott J. Daly, Hao Pan
  • Patent number: 8274612
    Abstract: An LCD television includes an LCD panel including a plurality of LCD units with concave structure, three sides of the LCD unit also include liquid crystal molecule (LCM), all of the first side of the LCD unit constitutes a first LCM array and forms a first display interface, all of the second side of the LCD unit constitutes a second LCM array and forms a second display interface, all of the third side of the LCD unit constitutes a third LCM array and forms a third display interface. The LCD television also includes three signal conversion modules configured to convert three TV program signals into three control signals respectively, three driving modules are configured to drive the three LCM arrays according to the control signals and cause the first display interface, the second display interface, and the third display interface to display corresponding TV programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Wong, Xin Lu, Yu-Cui Zhou
  • Patent number: 8267520
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical imaging and specifically to methods and systems for generating observable real images. The method consists of steps in configuring an image source and optical components, and defining the position of an observer in such a way that a binocular observation leads to a perception of a three-dimensional object being located in front of a background, and/or “hanging in mid-air” in front of an apparatus designed in accordance with the present invention. Particular embodiments of the invention may include various apparatus for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Avatekh, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Nikitin
  • Patent number: 8240854
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device includes a reflection layer for reflecting at least a portion of incident light, a polarization conversion layer arranged over the reflection layer, and an array of lenticular elements arranged over at least a portion of the polarization conversion layer and including a birefringent material. Light having a first state of polarization is configured to pass through the lenticular element array without substantial lenticular element focusing, where the polarization state is transformed by the polarization conversion layer such that the reflected light has a second state of polarization. Light having the second polarization state passes through the lenticular element array with the lenticular element focusing to provide multiple views to different viewing locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Koninlijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn, Patrick Peter Elizabeth Meuwissen, Hans Zuidema, Willem Lubertus Ijzerman, Siebe Tjerk De Zwart, Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen
  • Patent number: 8217990
    Abstract: An apparatus for rendering a three-dimensional model from a plurality of eye points to present a three-dimensional picture, wherein the position of a virtual camera for rendering apexes of the three-dimensional model is controlled in accordance with the amount of protrusion of an object under rendering from a display plane to create and present a non-perspective projection picture as a picture at each eye point position. Also, for this control, a weighting parameter is incorporated in each part of the three dimensional model, such that the presentation of stereoscopic sense can be finely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Utsugi, Michio Oikawa, Takafumi Koike
  • Patent number: 8169699
    Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Petersen, Christopher Rich, Raymond Jacob Lewandowski, Gary D. Sharp, David Coleman
  • Patent number: 8159528
    Abstract: A visual display apparatus suitable for use with a viewing apparatus capable of providing stereoscopic view of an image from 360-degree directions around it, or a display apparatus capable of displaying an observation image that changes depending on what angle it is viewed at or who views it, is described. The visual display apparatus comprises a main optical system that is concentric and rotationally symmetric about a center axis and a plurality of subordinate optical systems of identical construction, which are juxtaposed on a circumference concentric about the center axis. A combined optical system comprising the main optical system and each subordinate optical system has an exit pupil positioned on a side of the main optical system that faces away from each subordinate optical system and on a side of the center axis that faces away from each subordinate optical system on an optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Togino Takayoshi
  • Patent number: 8100539
    Abstract: A system for photographing an object and generating a three-dimensional display of the object without the need for the observer to wear special glasses employs a camera having an electronically tunable liquid crystal lens in which the focal plane of the lens may be adjusted by controlling the voltage on the lens. An operator of the camera focuses the camera on the scene to be imaged and the camera records a series of images at closely spaced focal lengths by varying the voltage applied to the lens between the images. The digitally recorded images are then used to generate a display on a multilayer transparent display substrate with pixel addressing capabilities. Each of the recorded images at the differing focal lengths are displayed on one of the layers of the display screen, with the closest focal length recorded being displayed on the top screen, the one most proximate to the observer, and with successive images on other screens. A three-dimensional image is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Tunable Optix Corporation
    Inventors: Ling-Yuan Tseng, Cheng-Hsing Liao
  • Patent number: 8094927
    Abstract: A method is provided for customizing scene content, according to a user or a cluster of users, for a given stereoscopic display, including obtaining customization information about the user; obtaining a scene disparity map for a pair of given stereo images and/or a three-dimensional (3D) computer graphic model; and determining an aim disparity range for the user. The method of the present invention also generates a customized disparity map and/or rendering conditions for a three-dimensional (3D) computer graphic model correlating with the user's fusing capability of the given stereoscopic display; and renders or re-renders the stereo images for subsequent display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Elaine W. Jin, Michael E. Miller, Serguei Endrikhovski, Cathleen D. Cerosaletti
  • Patent number: 8087784
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying three-dimensional (3D) images are described. In particular, the systems can include a display block made from a transparent material with optical elements three-dimensionally disposed therein. Each optical element becomes luminous when illuminated by a light ray. The systems can also include a computing device configured to generate two-dimensional (2D) images formatted to create 3D images when projected on the display block, by a video projector coupled to the computing device. The video projector is configured to project the 2D images on the block to create the 3D images by causing a set of the passive optical elements to become luminous. Various other systems and methods are described for displaying 3D images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Shree K Nayar, Vijay Anand Nagarajan
  • Publication number: 20110317129
    Abstract: A projection autostereoscopic display including an image projector and a stereo screen is provided. The image projector projects an image. The image includes multiple viewing-zone images. The stereo screen receives the image and reflects the image to an observing direction. The stereo screen includes a linear polarizer layer, for receiving and polarizing the image. A first microretarder layer is disposed behind the linear polarizer layer. A second microretarder layer is disposed behind the first microretarder layer by a distance. A reflection-type polarization-reserved diffuser layer is disposed behind the second microretarder layer for reflecting and diffusing the image into various directions while maintaining the polarization state of the image. A switching layer is switched between a transparent state which maintains the polarization state of the image and an opaque state which changes the polarization states of the image to a non-polarization state, to switch between 2D and 3D display modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Wei-Liang Hsu, Chao-Hsu Tsai, Chang-Ying Chen, Jinn-Cherng Yang
  • Patent number: 8075138
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a true 3-D display, where each of a viewer's eyes not only sees a different scene, but the scene changes continuously as the viewer moves his/her head or change his/her position from one angular location to another angular location with respect to the display screen. In one embodiment, a system comprises a set of 2-D image projectors and a display screen. The 2-D image projectors are configured to project individual 2-D images substantially in focus on the display screen. The display screen then diffuses (or reflects) each pixel from each of the 2-D images into a small angular slice. This enables the viewer observing the display screen to see a different one of the 2-D images with each eye. Further, the image seen by each eye varies as the viewer moves his or her head with respect to the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Third Dimension IP LLC
    Inventor: Clarence E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8023185
    Abstract: A transmission type screen for stereoscopic images having a transmission layer includes an incident surface having a gloss surface, a transmission layer having a refractive index less than 1.55, a transmissivity more than 60%, and an imaging surface having surface particle sizes of 40 to 400 mesh that avoids a hot spot. The imaging surface is formed on the final surface through which images are transmitted, so that the components operate in an organic fashion with respect to each other. The polarization degree of stereoscopic images is maximized thereby increasing the three-dimensional effect and the transmissivity, and enables viewers to view images clearly several times better than with a conventional screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Hae-Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 7993016
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention involve novel display screens comprising light diffusion and retro-reflectivity. In embodiments, a retro-reflective light diffusion screen can be used to generate a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display by generating a plurality of viewing windows wherein each viewing window depicts a unique perspective image view. In embodiments, the retro-reflective light diffusion screen comprises a transparent medium layer between the retro-reflector surface and the light diffuser layer to help reduce ghost images. In embodiments, the retro-reflective light diffusion screen comprises a lenticular layer positioned such that the light diffuser layer is between the lenticular layer and the retro-reflective surface and is also positioned so that the light diffuser layer is at a focal plane of the lenticular layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Chunyu Gao, Jing Xiao
  • Publication number: 20110157330
    Abstract: Projection systems, including projectors and projection screens, that support the presentation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images for viewing are described, as well as methods for operating the same. In each of the example projection systems, a projection screen is used in conjunction with a light manipulator, such as a parallax barrier or a lenticular lens, that is disposed adjacent to (and may be integrated with) the projection screen to support the viewing of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 7959294
    Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method for displaying 3D images includes a screen and a screen illuminating system. The screen has diffusion characteristics for direction selectively forwarding light. The screen illuminating system includes modules for generating light beams incident on points of the screen. The apparatus is configured to impart an exit divergence to the exiting light beams being transmitted through or reflected from the screen. Each module provides one beam in one direction with a convergent section. The beams are focused on the screen where the convergence (?c) of an incident light beam is not greater than the exit divergence (?x) of an exiting light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Tibor Balogh
  • Patent number: 7957562
    Abstract: A vision system that forms a map of a scene proximate a platform, e.g., a vehicle, that determines the actual ground plane form the map, and that corrects the map for differences between the actual ground plane and an assumed ground plane. The vision system may remove the actual ground plane from the map to prevent false positives. The vision system can further identify and classify objects and, if appropriate, take evasive action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Peng Chang, David Hirvonen, Theodore Armand Camus
  • Patent number: 7874678
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic 3-D image is provided in a viewing zone without the need for 3-D glasses by use of one or more projectors that project two or more images having projected exit pupils separated horizontally by no more than an average human interocular spacing onto a 3-D forming screen (which is a lenticular or a raster barrier screen) with a substantially smooth and nominally white back projection surface and a front side with multiple individual vertical elements that project left and right images so that the 3-D forming screen retro-reflects projected light on the screen received from a light source back to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hines
  • Patent number: 7865261
    Abstract: A method for producing a dental prosthesis element wherein construction relating to the dental prosthesis element is recorded together with measurement data relating to the dental prosthesis element and is reproduced on a display, the measurement data having been recorded by a three-dimensional measurement device. A 3D data record of the tooth situation can be reproduced on the display instead of the construction data. A device for the partial manual treatment of the dental prosthesis element includes a three-dimensional measurement device, a display, and a computer unit for the correlation and comparison of two data records and for graphically presenting the data generated by the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7864419
    Abstract: An image scanning assembly comprising at least two optics wherein at least one of the optics is movable relative to the other. An embodiment may be used to scan images for a 3D display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ellis Amalgamated LLC
    Inventors: Oliver S. Cossairt, Michael Thomas, Rick K. Dorval