Abstract: A novel system and method for viewing optical images with enhanced apparent depth is disclosed. The present invention utilizes the combined effects of a polarizing layer and a magnifying layer to achieve the enhanced apparent depth of the images being viewed. In a preferred embodiment, a polarizing layer is used in combination with a Fresnel layer having concentric circles to enhance the apparent depth of the images being viewed.

Abstract: High-grade three-dimensional images can be observed without a bright image of an exit end of an image projector superposed on the three-dimensional images. In a method of reproducing three-dimensional images by a three-dimensional image-reproducing device provided with an image projector and a directional reflective screen for collecting light from the image projector toward a specific position in a horizontal direction and for diffusing the light in a vertical direction, the directional reflective screen and the image projector are positioned with respect to the observer observing the three-dimensional images such that the observer is outside a region traversed by a portion of light rays which enter the directional reflective screen from the image projector, then are reflected by a surface of the directional reflective screen incapable of contributing to the reproduction of the three-dimensional images, and form a mirror image or a conjugate image of the image projector.

Abstract: An auto-stereoscopic display device comprises a plane viewing screen, a plane cathode, and a plane permanent magnet. A two dimensional array of rows and columns of channels extends between opposite poles of the magnet for receiving electrons from the cathode. A phosphor layer is disposed between the screen and the magnet and having a plurality of pixels each corresponding to a different channel. Grid electrode means is disposed between the cathode and the magnet for selectively controlling flow of electrons from the cathode through each channel to the corresponding pixel in response to input video data. Deflection anode means is disposed on the side of the magnet remote from the cathode for sequentially deflecting, orthogonally to the columns, each electron beam to different parts of the corresponding pixel in response to an input video clock signal.

Abstract: A desktop based projector screen having an inner concave display surface upon which a video image or a series of images is projected with a sense of realism comparable with natural viewing of three-dimensional physical reality. The viewing surface combines three concave sections which are derived from solid figures including a dome, cylinder and a plane.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel displays an image, while a lens projects, as a virtual image, an image displayed by the liquid crystal panel. A control system controls either the liquid crystal panel or the lens so as to periodically effect a changing of the position of the virtual image, each changing occurring over a predetermined time period. The control can be accomplished by changing the position of the liquid crystal panel or of the lens along an optical axis at a speed of less than 0.1 mm/sec so as to avoid burdening the eye of the observer. The motion can be at a uniform speed through most of the range of the motion, while permitting a slowing down to a stop at each end of the range and then an acceleration to the uniform speed in the opposite direction. A rest period (i.e., a full stop for a period of time) can be provided at one or both ends of the motion range, either for each cycle of motion or after the occurrence of a plurality of such cycles.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display which enables plural persons to simultaneously observe stereoscopic images includes a color liquid crystal plate for displaying stereo-pairs composed of left and right eye perspectives in time-interlaced manner, a monochrome TV display disposed behind the color liquid crystal plate for displaying binary and inverted binary images of half face of each observer so as to be synchronized with the time-interlaced display of the color liquid crystal plate, and a large convex lens disposed between the color liquid crystal plate and the monochrome TV display so as to focus the observers' optical images on the screen of the monochrome TV display in geometrical agreement with the observers' face images displayed thereby. And an infrared TV camera is disposed so as to take observers' images by way of the large convex lens and input observers' face images to the monochrome TV display.

Abstract: Systems and method of displaying images of entire scenes in apparent three dimensions. A projector projects images with light onto a multi-layered composite transparent sheet polarizing screen. The dimensions of the screen whose optically active layers are determined by the intensity and the mixture of polarization states of the projected light. The images appear to be three dimensional. A bead layer of the screen contains beads on the order of a wavelength of visible light.

Abstract: A desktop-based stereoscopic projection display system affording high-resolution stereoscopic and peripheral viewing of three-dimensional color imagery over a field of view of at least 180.degree.. The projection volume required by each image projector of the display system is disposed substantially within the overall display volume of the display system, while maximizing the viewing volume within which the viewer is free to move during interactive stereoscopic viewing sessions. The display system utilizes high-resolution image projectors, keystoning correcting optics and projection-beam folding mirrors which are compactly mounted immediately above the upper volume-boundary surface of the overall display volume of the system, in order to permit the use of three-dimensional display structures having footprints and display volumes that are supportable upon desktops and in other viewing environments characterized by spatial restrictions.

Abstract: Observer tracking is provided in an autostereoscopic 3D display, for instance of the type including an LCD panel 2 behind a parallax barrier. An infrared sensor such as a position sensitive detector is provided on the LCD panel. The parallax barrier extends over the detector so as to form an image of the observer or of a reflective target worn by the observer on the detector. The parallax barrier is moved so as to keep the image at a constant position on the detector. The viewing zone thus track the observer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a picture synthesizing apparatus for cutting out the background from a picture depending on the move of the viewing point, and presents a picture synthesizing apparatus capable of synthesizing a picture by hidden surface processing, processing of reflection motion by contact, or the like, which is mutual interference of background and foreground, wherein a background picture corresponding to the viewing field is cut out by a background cut-out unit from a background picture in a wide range stored in a background picture store, the shape and position information of moving object of foreground is generated in a moving foreground object generating unit, the interference of depth information corresponding to background picture from a background depth store and foreground object information is calculated in a background and foreground synthesizing unit, and a picture is synthesized by hidden surface processing or processing of change of moving direction of foreground object by reflection,

Abstract: An active energy ray-curable composition comprising(A) 20 to 80 parts by weight of a compound represented by the following general formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or methyl, X and Y may be the same or different and represent methyl, chlorine, bromine or iodine, and t and u each independently represent an integer of 0-2,(B) 20 to 80 parts by weight of at least one compound having at least one acryloyl or methacryloyl group in the molecule, or (B-1) 10 to 90 parts by weight of at least one compound having at least two acryloyl or methacryloyl groups in the molecule and (B-2) 1 to 90 parts by weight of at least one monoacrylate or monomethacrylate compound having one acryloyl or methacryloyl group in the molecule, and(C) 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image display method, which includes the steps mainly characterized by allowing the observer to stereoscopically view the three-dimensional partial image by guiding a light beam coming from the three-dimensional partial image to a predetermined position via a partial parallax barrier, which is formed by light directivity controlling means, arranged to oppose the image displaying means, by alternately arranging stripe-shaped light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions on an area corresponding to the three-dimensional partial image; and controlling, using light amount adjusting means, the brightness levels of the partial images to be observed by the observer in correspondence with the view point numbers of the partial images.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus is so constructed that right-eye and left-eye images as parallax images and non-display portions are formed periodically and cyclically on a display device. When the viewer watches the apparatus at a correct position, he is capable of stereoscopic vision. When the head of the viewer is moved so that he sees the left-eye images through the right eye, he sees the non-display portions through the left eye. When the head of the viewer is moved so that he sees the right-eye images through the left eye, he sees the non-display portions through the right eye.

Abstract: An improved rear projection screen for projecting a three-dimensional head or face is designed to accurately match the apparent movement of a imaged person eyes to movements of an observer, thereby maintaining eye contact between the imaged person and the observer as the observer moves relative to the image. This unique effect called "visualactivity" enables either a recorded or a live image of a person to engage observers with eye contact in a natural and interpersonal way despite movement of the observers relative to the image. This effect is achieved by projecting an image onto the convex side of a rear projection screen that roughly has the shape of a human head and face but is configured with proportions that are different from the natural proportions of the imaged person's face. When viewed from the concave side, this combination produces a realistic human face that appears to turn to accurately track an observer's movements.

Abstract: A 3D video viewing system is disclosed, wherein a special lenticular layer is attached on a video monitor which displays at least one interleaved image composed from a plurality of 2D views of a scene. A method of determining the parameters for the lenticular layer is disclosed. In particular, the width of the lenticules on the lenticular layer is determined by many factors, including the thickness, the curvature and the refractive index of the monitor; the number of 2D views to be composed into an interleaved image for display; the normal viewing distance; and the overall viewing angle of the lenticular layer itself. A number of interleaving methods for composing a plurality of 2D views into a composite view are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus which allows an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image, and has a lenticular lens sheet constituted by arranging a plurality of lenticular lenses, and a display unit for sequentially arranging and displaying, on a rear surface portion of the lenticular lens sheet, bundles each including n stripe images which are obtained by dividing n parallax images from different view points into a plurality of stripe images, and bundling corresponding stripe images constituting the respective parallax images. When the deviation amount of the central position of each of the lenticular lenses and the central position of the bundle of stripe images is given by .gamma.

Abstract: The three-dimensional television set comprises a closed apparatus (12) with a 3D video signal input and/or arial input, and a laser source (22), a modulator (24) and a deflecting system (30) arranged in the closed apparatus (12), and a light emitting surface (40) at the front face of the closed apparatus (12), said deflecting system (30) providing deflection of laser beam produced by said laser source (22) into pixels (42) of said light emitting surface (40), and a further deflection to direct laser ray emitted from said pixels (42) to various directions (i.sub.1, i.sub.2 . . . i.sub.n) defining a three-dimensional field of view, under control of synchronizing signal corresponding to direction information of a 3D video signal.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display has first and second spatial light modulators. Images from the spatial light modulators are combined by a beam combiner before being presented to a viewing region. The relative positions of the first and second spatial light modulators are controlled such that pixels of the second spatial light modulator are interspersed with pixels of the first spatial light modulator. Such an arrangement allows an effective doubling of resolution when the spatial light modulators are operated so as to produce a two dimensional image instead of a three dimensional images.

Abstract: A dual-view imaging product, comprising:a) an integral lens sheet;b) at least two different integral images both aligned with the integral lens sheet, each having a normal viewing orientation, such that one is viewable in its normal orientation when the sheet is positioned horizontally with respect to the user's eyes, and the other is viewable in its normal orientation when the sheet is positioned vertically with respect to the user's eyes. The product allows simple and convenient viewing of a three-dimensional image as well as motion images on a single product.

Abstract: In a method of and system for acquiring and digitizing an object through a transparent wall the system for acquiring and digitizing sections of objects includes a plurality of sensors carried by a common cradle. The sensors include a laser source emitting a lamellar beam forming a laser plane and two cameras observing the object. The various laser planes are coplanar and form a single measurement laser plane. Devices are provided for calculating and synchronizing the observed images. The support for the object to be measured has a non-plane surface. A preliminary phase includes calibration of the measuring space and acquisition and digitization of the surfaces of the transparent wall. Applications include acquiring and digitizing the shape of the human foot or a rubber seal for automobile doors when subjected to compression loads.

Abstract: A number of items present in a substantially linear queue are counted by examining two images of a scene including the queue that are taken from vantage points offset relative to each other. Depth information for portions of the scene is obtained by correlating equal sized patches in the images at a predetermined number of offsets, since closer objects will require more of an offset to align one image relative to the other than objects further away from video cameras creating the two images. A match score is determined at each offset. The best offset and the number of offsets to achieve it are stored for each patch. A plot is then created for offsets versus the number of patches at each offset having the best match. Peaks in the plot indicate the number of objects in the queue.

Abstract: A spatially multiplexed display system including a first plurality of separate lens units each having one or more lenses that are held together to create a large array of lenses. There is a second plurality of sub-image units, each having one or more sub-images. The sub-images are placed proximate the lenses to create a spatially multiplexed image.

Abstract: A desktop-based stereoscopic projection display system affording high-resolution stereoscopic and peripheral viewing of three-dimensional color imagery over a field of view of at least 180.degree.. The projection volume required by each image projector of the display system is disposed substantially within the overall display volume of the display system, while maximizing the viewing volume within which the viewer is free to move during interactive stereoscopic viewing sessions. The display system utilizes high-resolution image projectors, keystoning correcting optics and projection-beam folding mirrors which are compactly mounted immediately above the upper volume-boundary surface of the overall display volume of the system, in order to permit the use of three-dimensional display structures having footprints and display volumes that are supportable upon desktops and in other viewing environments characterized by spatial restrictions.

Abstract: A device for forming and displaying stereoscopic images is provided with a non-planar upper substrate having a series of alternating raised and depressed regions, a non-planar lower substrate having a shape corresponding to the upper substrate, the upper and lower substrates being arranged to form a plurality of shaped cavities therebetween. A light control material is provided within the shaped cavities and has a light transmissive property which is controllable in response to an electrical potential applied thereto. Control means are provided for controlling the light transmissive property of the light control material to selectively direct light from a light source through the light control material and upper substrate at predetermined viewing angles to thereby form and displace stereoscopic images.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that produces an internegative 60 from a digitally processed image or images that are originally captured on film or digitally. The digital processing by a computer 58 allows digital operations to be performed such as filtering, image overlay and stereo image creation. The internegative 60 is reduction printed using an enlarger apparatus 70 and developed, thereby increasing the resolution of the printed image. A lenticular cover can be attached to a stereo picture produced in this way to mass produce a high angular resolution, three dimensional photograph 8. The internegative can also be enlarged allowing digital processing to be applied to poster and billboard type images.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical elements, particularly retro-reflecting, retro-imaging and optical transmission inversion elements to relay a true scale equal conjugate image of a scene. Hitherto, the image had a resolution limit set by the pitch and/or packing density of micro-optical elements to reflect or transmit ray bundles impinging on them, the number of elements within the viewing zone determining the lateral and hence depth resolution in any given direction. The object of the invention is to reduce the effect of micro-screen texture in a relatively inexpensive manner, that provides real-time systems and which can be used with fast moving objects. This objective is met by an optical element comprising a retro-reflecting or auto-collimating transmission screen (9) having one or more lenses (6,10) and an associated means (8,11) of displacing wavelengths to different degrees and whereby to spread a reflected or transmitted image into a spectral streak.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic viewing device with a flat picture screen and a pattern of cylindrical lens portions for producing three dimensional image perceptions without the need for additional optical accessories. The viewing device provides the largest possible freedom of movement of the viewer, whereby the reproduction quality is as uniform as possible and out of focus, cross-talk and other disadvantageous optical effect are greatly reduced. The procedures for making any necessary optical corrections are based on the plane parallel changeable positioning of a flat picture screen relative to an array of cylindrical lens portions. The array of cylindrical lens portions has an increasing thickness as well as a decreasing pitch width when moving from the middle to the vertical side edges. The pixel, or picture strip, size on the picture screen is a constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation of multi-dimensional images are provided. A plurality of image capture devices are arranged in a predetermined pattern about a target image. A lenticular device divides the target image into a plurality of separate and equally sized strip images with the device being located between the target image and the image capture devices. A screening device may be further located between the lenticular device and the image capture devices to create a composite image for storage and/or transmission over standard transmission and display equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of three dimensional images for direct viewing or for recording on a sensitized recording surface. The invention provides a method and apparatus for the direct production of integral parallax orthoscopic panoramagramic images, which objective is met by a process comprising directing at an object a means of gathering and focussing incoming radiation from the object of a wavelength to which said means is suited, positioning to either side of said gathering and focussing means a grouping means for producing a number of groups of individual waves, each group emanating from a part of said object, said grouping means generating an image in pseudoscopic form, and a means of encoding the pseudoscopic image as discrete parallactic information on a single plane, for subsequent viewing as an orthoscopic image.