Reflected Line Of Sight Patents (Class 359/471)
  • Patent number: 10684476
    Abstract: Multiple-reflector ultrawide field of view (UWFOV) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a head-wearable display device includes a frame, a narrow-beam light source fixed with respect to the frame, a UWFOV reflective surface fixed with respect to the frame, and a diverging reflective surface fixed with respect to the frame that is configured to receive light emitted from the narrow-beam light source and reflect the light toward the UWFOV reflective surface to spread the light completely across the UWFOV reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Smith, Randel A. Crowe, Gregory A. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10437053
    Abstract: A projection display device for a vehicle which allows visual recognition of a virtual image of a display image from a predetermined eye point, the device includes: a projection portion which projects light to be imaged as the display image on a display surface which is formed by a light reflection member in a windshield of a vehicle or in the vicinity of the windshield; an optical system which guides the light projected from the projection portion to the display surface; and an adjustment mechanism which adjusts the light before being introduced to the optical system so as to allow light derived from a curved image of which at least a part is curved to be introduced to the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takeyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10345605
    Abstract: A cloaking device includes an object-side, an image-side and a cloaked region between the object-side and the image-side. An object-side polyhedron with an entrance side and an exit side parallel to the entrance side is positioned on the object-side and an image-side polyhedron with an entrance side and an exit side parallel to the entrance side is positioned on the image-side. The entrance side of the object-side polyhedron is oriented relative to a reference optical axis extending between the object-side and the image-side at an acute angle ? and the exit side of the image-side polyhedron is oriented relative to the reference optical axis at an oblique angle equal to 180°??. Light from an object positioned on the object-side of the cloaking device is redirected around the cloaked region, without total internal reflection of the light within the object-side polyhedron or the image-side polyhedron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America
    Inventors: Kyu-Tae Lee, Chengang Ji, Songtao Wu, Debasish Banerjee
  • Patent number: 9769465
    Abstract: A head mounted display device includes a first flexible display to display a left-eye image, a second flexible display to display a right-eye image, a first optical system between the first flexible display and a left eye of a user, a second optical system between the second flexible display and a right eye of the user, and a housing including the first flexible display, the second flexible display, the first optical system, and the second optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Eun Seo, Jong Ho Chong
  • Patent number: 9514378
    Abstract: Three-dimensional imagers have conventionally been constrained by size, weight, and power (“SWaP”) limitations, readout circuitry bottlenecks, and the inability to image in sunlit environments. As described herein, an imager can illuminate a scene with spatially and temporally modulated light comprising a viewpoint-invariant pattern. The imager can detect diffuse reflections from the illuminated scene to produce a first image. The first image is background-corrected and compared with respect to a known reference image to produce a depth image. The imager can perform in sunlit environments and has improved SWaP and signal-to-noise (SNR) characteristics over existing technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nicholas Lloyd Armstrong-Crews, Bryce Jason Remesch
  • Patent number: 9469249
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a digital camera having a sensor (such as a charge coupled device), a first lens directing a first image onto a first region of the sensor, a second lens directing a second image onto a second region of the sensor, and a third lens directing a third image onto a third region of the sensor. A display screen displays to a driver of the vehicle the first image, and a processing unit performs stereoscopic image analysis on data originating from the second and third regions. A fourth lens may be used to direct a fourth image onto a fourth region of the sensor, and the processing unit performs calculations on data from the fourth region for the detection of movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Urs Christen, Heike Kleinschmidt
  • Patent number: 9398285
    Abstract: A method and device for producing and capturing three dimensional (“3D”) images by utilizing a matrix of reflex micro lens assemblies (“3DRML”) is provided. Each comprises a housing having a base structure, lateral walls surrounding the base structure, an open end defined by the walls, flex mirror assembly at the base structure and dual diode (or photodiodes (“PDs”) for capturing) projecting assembly. The projecting assembly has a parallax barrier extending from about the center of the mirror assembly and dividing it into two portions, and at least two light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) (or PD) affixed to the barrier away from the mirror assembly. LEDs project light to the mirror assembly (or PDs receive lights therefrom). Two lens assemblies at the open end correct and redirect the directions of light rays. PD (or LED), facing directly to the open end, may be added to capture (or produce) two dimensional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Andrew Campbell
  • Patent number: 9019603
    Abstract: A two-parallel-channel reflector (TPCR) with focal length and disparity control is provided. The TPCR is connected to an imaging device, so that an image of a scene is captured to generate a stereoscopic image. The TPCR has two parallel channels that allow the imaging device to generate a left side view image and a right side view image of the shot scene synchronously. Each parallel channel includes an outward reflecting unit and an inward reflecting unit, which are designed to ensure that light rays in the parallel channels are reflected in a collimated and parallel manner. During imaging, a position and an angle of the outward reflecting unit can be adjusted to fulfill the function of controlling the disparity and the focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Amchael Visual Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Fuhua Cheng
  • Patent number: 8937767
    Abstract: An auto-stereoscopic display and three-dimensional imaging double-sided mirror array being low-loss and nearly dispersion-less. The double-sided mirror array for auto-stereoscopic display and three-dimensional (3D) imaging comprises a display panel, a slab and an array. The display panel comprises multiple display pixels. The slab is in close contact with the display panel. The array comprises at least two vertical mirror strips, at least one vertical blinds and a spacing. Each vertical mirror strip is inserted into the slab. Each vertical blind is shorter than the vertical mirror strip and is inserted into the slab between two vertical mirror strips. The spacing is between the vertical mirror strip and the vertical blind and is chosen to match the width of the display pixels exactly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Yia-Chung Chang, Li-Chuan Tang
  • Patent number: 8899747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stereovision optometry apparatus comprising: a 3D display unit for displaying 3D image; a reference 2D display unit for displaying reference 2D image; an eyepiece in opposite side of the 2D display unit configured to view the images; a reflective mirror in opposite side of the 3D display unit configured to move toward and away from the 3D display unit; and a half mirror arranged between the 3D display and the reflective mirror and disposed at a point where propagation paths of the 2D image and the 3D image intersect; wherein the 2D image penetrates through the half mirror to reach the eyepiece; wherein the 3D image penetrates the half mirror to be reflected on the reflective mirror and then the reflected image is reflected on the half mirror to reach the eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Catholic Univ. Ind. Academic Cooperation Found.
    Inventor: Hang-Bong Kang
  • Patent number: 8746894
    Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying three-dimensional (3D) images using motion parallax are described. Images are projected onto a reflector with a rippled or faceted surface. The reflected images are viewed at a plurality of viewing locations and a different image is perceived according to the viewing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Robin A. Atkins
  • 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: 8684531
    Abstract: An image signal storing unit stores an image signal provided from the outside. An image processing unit appropriately processes the image signal stored in the image signal storing unit in accordance with the instruction from an adjusting unit. A projecting unit projects, onto a display area, light corresponding to an image created by the image processing unit. A display size determination unit computes the display size of the picture plane displayed on a screen based on an image captured by the camera provided adjacent to the projection-type video-image display device. The display size determination unit then determines whether or not the display size of the picture plane is equal to or larger than a predetermined upper-limit size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Vision3D Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Mashitani, Masutaka Inoue, Hideyuki Kanayama, Takashi Ikeda, Takahisa Ando, Kazuhiro Arai, Ryuhei Amano
  • Patent number: 8427746
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stereoscopic image display system and a method of controlling the same. An eye tracking module locates current 3D spatial positions of the viewer's eyes, and generates the information of both left and right eyes' current 3D spatial positions. A control module controls a display device that can alter the direction of the light outputted, and outputs images on the display device in time multiplex mode. The light containing the left eye image is outputted to the position of left eye instead of right eye at one time point, and the light containing the right eye image is outputted to the position of right eye instead of left eye at another time point, so that a stereoscopic image is perceived according to the parallax theory. The present invention enlarges the visual range of stereoscopic image and achieves a better stereoscopic image visual experience for viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Infovision Optoelectronics (Kunshan) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Bingyu Si
  • Publication number: 20130063817
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to display systems for viewing three-dimensional images. In one aspect, a viewing system that enables a viewer to perceive depth in a three-dimensional image includes a right-eye ocular system positioned in the line of sight of the viewer's right eye, and a left-eye ocular system positioned in the line of sight of the viewer's left eye. The right-eye ocular system and the left-eye ocular system are configured to display corresponding stereo right-eye and left-eye image pairs of the three-dimensional image at various distances from the viewer's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Charles M. Santori, Jingjing Li
  • Patent number: 8220929
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image display apparatus includes a light source and an optical system including a light modulation unit having pixels for generating a two-dimensional image by modulating light from the light source by the respective pixels and emitting a spatial frequency in the generated two-dimensional image along a diffraction angle corresponding to diffraction orders generated from the respective pixels, a Fourier transform image formation unit for performing Fourier transform on the spatial frequency in the two-dimensional image to generate Fourier transform images corresponding to the diffraction orders, a Fourier transform image selection unit for selecting a Fourier transform image corresponding to a desired diffraction order among the Fourier transform images, and a conjugate image formation unit for forming a conjugate image of the selected Fourier transform image, and further includes a semi-transmissive mirror for changing a light ray travelling direction emitted from the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Miyawaki, Kyohei Iwamoto, Yoshio Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110304911
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display system includes two displays and two beam splitters. A first display and a second display are for providing respective left eye and right eye images. A first beam splitter is inclined at 45 degree to the first display and a second beam splitter is inclined at 45 degree to the second display for directing the left eye and right eye images towards a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Ta-Ming CHI, John-Ching SHIEH
  • Publication number: 20110261452
    Abstract: A binocular kaleidoscope for the purpose of combining the field of repeating patterns associated with kaleidoscopes with stereopsis. A mirror chamber with an object window at the distal end and viewing lenses at the proximal end is utilized, which provides stereopsis covering the entire visual field of both the source material and its reflections. Real depth is provided in an embodiment utilizing physical material such as beads or liquids contained in one or more stacked transparent compartments as the source imagery. Virtual depth is provided in an embodiment utilizing stereoscopic video as the source imagery, in which case a mirrored divider bisects the mirror chamber. The video can be either be previously produced footage or generated in real time by software which can be interactively manipulated by the user in order to change programs or such parameters as color, motion and timing. A handheld device can be used to display the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Kory
  • Publication number: 20110228388
    Abstract: A binocular kaleidoscope for the purpose of combining the field of repeating patterns associated with kaleidoscopes with stereopsis. A mirror chamber with an object window at the distal end and viewing lenses at the proximal end is utilized, which provides stereopsis covering the entire visual field of both the source material and its reflections. Real depth is provided in an embodiment utilizing physical material such as beads or liquids contained in one or more stacked transparent compartments as the source imagery. Virtual depth is provided in an embodiment utilizing stereoscopic video as the source imagery, in which case a mirrored divider bisects the mirror chamber. The video can be either be previously produced footage or generated in real time by software which can be interactively manipulated by the user in order to change programs or such parameters as color, motion and timing. A handheld device can be used to display the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Kory
  • Patent number: 7777951
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power. The zoom lens performs zooming by moving each of the lens units. The first lens unit and the third lens unit are positioned closer to the object at a telephoto end than at a wide-angle end. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: 0.3<|m1/m2|<1.5 0.3<|m3/m2|<0.8 where m1, m2, and m3 are the amounts of movement of the first lens unit, the second lens unit, and the third lens unit, respectively, along an optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 7706068
    Abstract: The image three-dimensional recognition apparatus is an apparatus for making it possible for an observer to recognize a planar image as a three-dimensional image, and has a first mirror, a second mirror and a mirror fixing part. The mirrors have the mirror planes, respectively. The mirror fixing part fixes the mirrors, and has a base and two support members arranged on the base. The mirrors are fixed at a position sandwiched between the support members by attaching the side faces of the mirrors to the support members. The first mirror is located directly below the second mirror. The mirror plane of the second mirror is directed toward the planar image displayed in a screen of a display device, and is inclined obliquely downward. The mirror plane of the first mirror is directed toward the observer and is inclined obliquely upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Ito Takaaki
  • Patent number: 7651225
    Abstract: A three dimensional display apparatus includes a three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus, a reflecting device, a controller and a projecting device. The three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus reconstructs a target three dimensional shape. The reflecting device reflects projection light from above the three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus, to side faces of the three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus. The controller controls the three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus based on three dimensional shape information. The projecting device projects a surface image of the top face of the target three dimensional shape onto the top face of the three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus. The projecting device projects surface images of the side faces of the target three dimensional shape onto the side faces of the three dimensional shape reconstruction apparatus through the reflecting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100013910
    Abstract: Various embodiments of opto-electronic display modules for viewing real time, stored or computer generated images and video information in 3D or 2D are presented. The various 2D or 3D viewer embodiments of the present disclosure allow independent use of the imaging information in a way that is convenient to the user without affecting the other tasks that the user needs to perform. Multiple viewers of the present embodiment can be used concurrently by multiple users, where each viewer is fully maneuverable and controllable for and by each specific user. Additionally, the viewer of the present disclosure may communicate to various input devices as well as send user commands to such devices in an electrical, optical, or wireless transmission format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: VIVID MEDICAL
    Inventor: Mina Farr
  • Patent number: 7646540
    Abstract: An image display system provides a viewer with an experience of three-dimensional imagery by presenting a composite image made up of at least two separate images. The system includes at least first and second image sources, a beam combiner, and a “background-image-occluding element” which prevents background imagery from being seen through foreground image elements. The system presents the image from one of the image sources, containing background image information, at a distance from the viewer which is greater than the distance from the viewer to the other image presented from the other image source, which contains foreground image elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Gene Dolgoff
  • Publication number: 20090238546
    Abstract: A stereoscopic viewer includes a transverse rack; left and right sections comprising a fixed eyepiece, a turn plate, a pinion engaging teeth of the track and rotatably disposed on the turn plate, and an objective rotatably disposed on the pinion; and an adjustment screw engaging the teeth of the rack. A first beam of light coming from one of human eyes reaching and being reflected by the eyepiece of the left section, reaching and being reflected by the objective of the left section, and projects onto a left portion of a display. A second beam of light coming from the other one of the human eyes reaching and being reflected by the eyepiece of the right section, reaching and being reflected by the objective of the right section, and projects onto a right portion of the display. A 3-D image is given to the human eyes on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Lei Zhong
  • Patent number: 7568803
    Abstract: An aerial display system comprising inexpensive optical elements and a highly brightened LCD display or similar video image display types provides floating images in an expensive enclosure. In the aerial display system, either an anti-reflective acrylic plastic layer or a circular polarizer is disposed proximate and parallel to a beam splitter so that the focal point of the floating image is proximate to the plastic layer or polarizer. This image position yields both a wider filed of view and wider perceived field of view. The aerial projection system includes a plastic spherical mirror of low cost, which includes a plastic part of at least the following descriptions: mirror surface supported by wall structures of sufficient sphericity, of a plastic material formulation, having excellent optical grade finish, a reflective metal coating, and a protective overcoat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Vrachan, Curtis L. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20090153976
    Abstract: An image display system provides a viewer with an experience of three-dimensional imagery by presenting a composite image made up of at least two separate images. The system includes at least first and second image sources, a beam combiner, and a “background-image-occluding element” which prevents background imagery from being seen through foreground image elements. The system presents the image from one of the image sources, containing background image information, at a distance from the viewer which is greater than the distance from the viewer to the other image presented from the other image source, which contains foreground image elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Gene Dolgoff
  • Patent number: 7537345
    Abstract: A volumetric liquid crystal display for producing a three-dimensional image is disclosed. The volumetric liquid crystal display includes a volumetric image space having at least two layers of LCD sheeting wherein each layer of LCD sheeting is selectively energized to form image slices. At least one projection system projects at least one array of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths to intersect the energized layer of LCD sheeting illuminating image slices. Successive illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting provides the appearance of a three-dimensional image. Embodiments and methods of controlling and fabricating a three-dimensional image are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Hakki H. Refai, Erik Petrich, James J. Sluss, Jr., Monte P. Tull, Pramode Verma
  • Patent number: 7492523
    Abstract: An image display system provides a viewer with an experience of three dimensional images by presenting a composite image source. The system includes first and second image sources, a beamcombiner, a lens and a reflective element. The reflective elements reflects the image of the second image source to the beamcombiner. The first and second image sources, the beamcombiner, and the single lens present a foreground image and a background image, with the background image presented at a greater distance from the viewer than the foreground image. The viewer perceives the foreground image and the background image as part of a scene having depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Gene Dolgoff
  • Publication number: 20080316378
    Abstract: A hybrid multiplexed 3D display and a displaying method thereof. The hybrid multiplexed 3D display includes an image display, a light source and an image splitter. The image display generates a view image. The light source sequentially generates light of multiple colors transmitted through the image display. The image splitter disposed above or below the image display causes image data, which is generated after the light is transmitted through the image display, to emit toward two or more than two view directions. Thus, the image viewed by a user has at least two views to achieve a stereoscopic visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kuo-Chung Huang, Kuen Lee, Chao-Hsu Tsai
  • Patent number: 7277226
    Abstract: A 3D display may comprise a rotating optical diffuser screen; and a projector for projecting images through the rotating optical diffuser screen. The rotating optical diffuser screen may be structured to optically create an exit pupil, said exit pupil having a limited horizontal viewing angle for displaying 3D images in specific viewing zones as the rotating optical diffuser screen rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Actuality Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver S. Cossairt, Joshua Napoli
  • Patent number: 7226167
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a stereoscopic image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer (12) at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil (14r). A left image generation system (70l) forms a left curved intermediate image near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24). A right image generation system (70r) forms a right intermediate image near the focal surface of the curved mirror. A center of curvature of the curved mirror is placed substantially optically midway between the exit pupil and the left optical system (110l) the exit pupil of the right optical system (110r). A beamsplitter is disposed between the focal surface and the center of curvature of the curved mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Joshua M. Cobb
  • Patent number: 7168809
    Abstract: It is made possible to view a high-resolution clear stereoscopic image from any direction without taking the projection timing of two-dimensional images into consideration. First and second polygonal mirrors each including mirrors arranged in a ring form around a rotation axis of a screen are disposed. An electronic projector is disposed on an extended line of the rotation axis of the screen so as to be opposed to mirror surfaces of the polygonal mirrors. The electronic projector emits concentrically arranged first and second frame image groups each including frame images arranged in a ring form. The first and second frame image groups are reflected respectively by the first and second polygonal mirrors and projected onto the rotating screen. As the screen rotates, each of the first and second image groups is projected onto the screen and displayed in order from frame image to frame image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoshino, Rieko Otsuka, Youichi Horii, Yukinobu Maruyama
  • 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: 7061678
    Abstract: The present invention is a stereoscopic display device including a transmissive image reproducing element, two light sources, an optical apparatus to direct the light emitted by one light source towards the right eye and to direct the light emitted by the other light source towards the left eye, and control means for displaying alternately an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye on the image reproducing element, and for activating the source emitting light for the right eye only when the image for the right eye is displayed and for activating the source emitting light for the left eye only when the displayed image is for the left eye. The optical apparatus is a mirror apparatus providing either a converging beam or a parallel beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Chikazawa
  • Patent number: 7043335
    Abstract: A regression mirror reflects light from a light projector in a reflecting direction opposite an incident direction. A light receiver combined with the light projector in a unitary unit receives the reflected light from the regression mirror. A detecting unit including an optical sensing unit having the light projector, the light receiver and the reflecting member is disposed so that a wafer is disposed in a moving path along which an optical path of the optical sensing unit moves relative to the wafer. An information-acquiring unit acquires position information of the detecting unit relative to the wafer, an arithmetic unit calculates mapping information about an arrangement of the wafer based on the position information and light-reception information provided by the light receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yoshida, Hirohiko Goto
  • Patent number: 7023466
    Abstract: Three-dimensional display apparatus and methods are disclosed. The apparatus and methods generate three-dimensional images for an observer by providing components of the image in a series of frames to an image space. Providing the image components can include: scanning an image of a light shaping element over an image space wherein each of a plurality of zones of the light shaping element is projected to each of a plurality of zones of the image space; and, selectively illuminating portions of the light shaping element zones during each of several frames during the scan, wherein each light-shaping element zone scatters the illumination and at least a portion of the scattered illumination provides a component of the three-dimensional image in the image space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Actuality Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg E. Favalora, Joshua Napoli, Michael Halle
  • Patent number: 7016116
    Abstract: An image display system provides a viewer with an experience of three dimensional images by presenting a composite image source. The system includes first and second image sources, a beamcombiner, a lens and a reflective element. The reflective elements reflects the image of the second image source to the beamcombiner. The first and second image sources, the beamcombiner, and the single lens present a foreground image and a background image, with the background image presented at a greater distance from the viewer than the foreground image. The viewer perceives the foreground image and the background image as part of a scene having depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Eugene Dolgoff
  • Patent number: 6961150
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an edge detecting unit which identifies an area of given image data as a gradation sequence area and a character/line art area and which outputs edge information of the character/line art, a level converting unit which generates a strength modulation signal so as to emphasize an edge of the character/line art area, a laser driver which outputs a laser drive signal in order to form a picture dot larger than a standard size in response to the strength modulation signal. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to print an image with emphasizing an edge portion of a character/line art by a laser printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okuyama
  • Patent number: 6943955
    Abstract: The invention relates to stereoscopic display system having a single display (7). Right and left partial images are sequentially displayed on the display (7). For the viewing, two separate component beam paths (21, 22) for viewing only left partial images (21) and only right partial images (22) and a switchover device (5, 9) are provided. The switchover device (5, 9) couples in the data, which is shown on the display, from a common part of the viewing beam path alternately into the two separate component beam paths in synchronism with the display of the right and left partial images on the display. In one embodiment, the switchover device includes a polarization switch (5) and a polarization beam splitter (9). The polarization switch (5) is arranged either in the illuminating beam path or in the common part of the viewing beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Michael Kaschke, Ludwin Monz
  • Patent number: 6873460
    Abstract: A retractable screen system suitable for portable, hand held computing and communication units joins a number of optical sheets to form a rollable, extendible and retractable projection sheet. The resulting folded optical system provides a lightweight, portable unit. Telescoping arms allow the screen to be extended and stowed quickly and easily. High screen resolution is afforded by multiple mechanisms that scan concurrently. Beam indexing of the screen permits the precise alignment via feedback, and an embodiment fit for military, command and control applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: Herschel Clement Burstyn, Perry Niel Yocom, Leon Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6819488
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating three-dimensional images is disclosed. The device has at least four mirrors, arranged in an inner set and an outer set. An enclosure, preferably cylindrical in shape, houses the mirrors and alignment apparatus and can be placed in three different positions. The camera takes two-dimensional photographs or operates in two modes of three-dimensional photography: forward looking and backward looking. This device is preferably attached to a digital camera. The device can also be used when the digital camera is attached to a hand held personal computing device, for example a Handspring™ Visor™ computer made by Handspring, Inc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are six mirrors, including four inner mirrors and one set of outer mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Pieter O. Zanen
  • Patent number: 6804056
    Abstract: In a multi-eye camera head unit (10), a panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) and three-dimensional image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (112) are exchanged in correspondence with the image sensing mode. The panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) includes a pair of optical elements (111R, 111L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces. The three-dimensional image sensing camera head unit (112) includes a pair of optical elements (112R, 112L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro Yano, Keisuke Araki, Toshihiro Sunaga
  • Patent number: 6761459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems for displaying visual information in a variety of applications in order to reduce the projection area, the weight and the dimensions thereof. In one embodiment, the projection system for producing an external surface projection on a visualization screen comprises a flat and thin visualization screen for carrying out projection on both sides. Images can be watched on the left side and on the right side of this screen. From the surface of the screen and on the left and right sides thereof, projectors are provided for projecting images simultaneously on both sides of the screen. Light diffusers are provided on both sides of the screen. The projections are converted through the optics of the projectors so as to form reduced-divergence projection beams which are entirely captured by the light diffusers and which are diverted and diffused at wide angles of image observation ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Svyatoslav Ivanovich Arsenich
  • Patent number: 6755532
    Abstract: A monocentric image generation system (100) for forming a curved image (110) using a spherical mirror (92), a beamsplitter (102) and a ball lens assembly (30) and, optionally, a field lens (112). An image source (94) provides a source image through an aperture stop location (96) at the center of curvature Cs of the spherical mirror (92). The beamsplitter (102) provides the resulting intermediate image (90) so that it is concentric with the ball lens assembly (30) in order to form the curved image (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Joshua M. Cobb
  • Publication number: 20030169405
    Abstract: A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components provides stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically scanned by resonant actuation of a resonant fiber scanner (137) using a flexible optical waveguide and projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a ball lens assembly (30). To form each left and right intermediate image component, separate left and right image generation systems (70) each comprise a resonant fiber scanner (137) that itself comprises a resonant cantilever portion (139) of optical fiber (138) that directs a modulated beam onto a curved surface (40) for projection by a ball lens assembly (30). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John A. Agostinelli, Joshua M. Cobb
  • Patent number: 6590704
    Abstract: In a multi-eye camera head unit (10), a panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) and three-dimensional image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (112) are exchanged in correspondence with the image sensing mode. The panoramic image sensing exchangeable camera head unit (111) includes a pair of optical elements (111R, 111L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces. The three-dimensional image sensing camera head unit (112) includes a pair of optical elements (112R, 112L), which comprise offaxial optical systems each having a plurality of reflecting and refracting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro Yano, Keisuke Araki, Toshihiro Sunaga
  • Publication number: 20030086167
    Abstract: The invention provides a stereoscopic display to display a high-quality three-dimensional video which can be viewed without using polarizing glasses. A stereoscopic display according to the present invention includes an electronically-formed, multi-viewpoint light beam group and an image-forming device to reproduce a conjugate image of the multi-viewpoint light beams. The stereoscopic display further includes a cylindrical, or partially cylindrical parallax barrier and a rotating light-emitting array as a multi-viewpoint-light-beam forming device. In addition, the stereoscopic display further includes a polarizing element and a polarization separation device to increase the display contrast. The numerical aperture of the rearmost optical element is preferably increased in order to increase the viewing area, and a reflective optical element with a large aperture is used as the image-forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomio Sonehara
  • Patent number: 6554430
    Abstract: The invention features a volumetric display system including an optical relay, a motor, a support structure coupled to the motor, a projection screen disposed on the support structure, and a projection optic. During operation, the projection optic receives a light beam from the optical relay and projects the light beam onto the projection screen. Also, the motor rotates the support structure, the projection screen, and the projection optic about a rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Actuality Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick K. Dorval, Michael Thomas, Jane L. Bareau
  • Publication number: 20020063957
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image pair may be viewed through a plate having an appropriately-sized aperture. When the viewer's left and right eyes view the image pair through the aperture, a stereoscopic effect may result. In one embodiment, a stereoscopic video conference system may include stereoscopic cameras positioned between the viewer and the apertured plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Akira Kakizawa