CA1107101A - Stereoscopic image viewing apparatus - Google Patents
Stereoscopic image viewing apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1107101A CA1107101A CA306,428A CA306428A CA1107101A CA 1107101 A CA1107101 A CA 1107101A CA 306428 A CA306428 A CA 306428A CA 1107101 A CA1107101 A CA 1107101A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- polarization
- polarizing
- plane
- lens
- viewing apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
- H04N13/30—Image reproducers
- H04N13/332—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD]
- H04N13/334—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD] using spectral multiplexing
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
- Stereoscopic And Panoramic Photography (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus utilizes the Pulfrich effect or illusion to afford to the viewer a three-dimensional view of a two-dimensional or monocular image displayed on a screen and includes a polarizing plate for polarizing the light emanating from the displayed image and spectacles to be worn by the viewer, and at least one polar-izing lens arranged so that the plane of its polarization is different from the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate, while the other lens is either non-polarized or has a plane of polarization substantially aligned with the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate. An arrangement may be provided for rotating the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate, such as, in a Kerr-effect cell or the like, for selectively aligning the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate with one or the other of the polarizing lenses of the spectacles.
A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus utilizes the Pulfrich effect or illusion to afford to the viewer a three-dimensional view of a two-dimensional or monocular image displayed on a screen and includes a polarizing plate for polarizing the light emanating from the displayed image and spectacles to be worn by the viewer, and at least one polar-izing lens arranged so that the plane of its polarization is different from the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate, while the other lens is either non-polarized or has a plane of polarization substantially aligned with the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate. An arrangement may be provided for rotating the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate, such as, in a Kerr-effect cell or the like, for selectively aligning the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate with one or the other of the polarizing lenses of the spectacles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIO_ Field of the Invention The present invention relates to stereoscopic image viewing devices, and, in particular, is directed to stereo-scopic image viewlng devices which utilize the Pulfric~ effect.
Des ription of the Prior Art .
A variety of stereoscopic imag,e viewing devices have b~en proposed. In one such devi.ce, ~ime-division multiplexing : is utilized to produce the illusion of dep-th in an image presented on a video screen. In such device, video si~nals . .
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1~7 are time-division multiplexed on a field basis by a synchro-nized mul~iplexer. The video display device presents on the video screen images, corresponding ~o a sequence of odd-field signals, which are to be viewed with the left eye, alternating with images, corresponding to a sequence of even-field signals, which are to be viewed with the right eye. The images presented on the video screen correspond to a sequence of alternating left-eye and right-eye stereoscopic viewsj for example, as obtained by alternately operative left-and right-hand ca.meras.
The viewer must be provided with special g,oF,gles or spectacles which alternately, at the fieId frequency, block the viewing of the displayed image by the right eye. and the leEt eye in synchronism with the displayed video~ As is apparent, the time-division stereoscopic viewing apparatus requires complex goggles which must be electrically connected to the television receiver, and further requires substantial and complex multiplexing equipment. Further, left-and right-hand cameras, or a complex camera providing images from spaced points of view are required to produce the lmages displayed ~or the odd and even fields, :
respectively, : There has also been proposed a so called "stexeochrome"
viewing apparatus, in which a selectively colored image is viewed through prismatic spectacl.es. Because of the dispersion property of the prism material. in the spectacles, red light emanating from the displayed image is bent more by the prism than blue light.~Therefore, the red images can be made to appear to be nearer to the viewer than the blue images. Such a "skereoch~ome" s~stem has been used only in presenting animated .:
cartoons The "stereochrome'l system is extremely color sensitive, and therefore limited in subject matter. Because the color of the images must be carefully controlled, the cost of a "stereo-chrome" program is approximately double the production cost of a standard or two-dimensional program.
There has àlso been proposed to provide a stereoscopic viewing apparatus utilizing the Pulfric.~ effect to simulate a three-dimensional effect, particularly in respect to an image moving laterally across the viewing screen. In the previously proposed apparatus, a dark-filter lens is provided for use with one eye only which becomes dark-adapted with respect to the image presented on the viewing screen while the other eye remains adapted to the ambient brightness of the viewing screen and o~
the surrounding room. Wi~h such apparatus, a laterally moving image or portion thereof will appear to be displaced from the plane of the~viewing screen and thus will simulate a stereoscopic effect. .~.
However, in the above described prior art apparatus utiIizing the Pulfric~ effect, a dark filter lens is used with one eye onl.y to limit the light reaching such eye from the viewing screen and also from ambient sources so that there is a substaDtial dlfference between the amounts of light reaching the .:
right and left eyes, respectively. Thus, the pupils of the two eyes are dilated differently, which can result in eye`strain`or fat~ique~ especially to a viewer using the apparatus for an extended period of time. ~ ~;
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1107:101 OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF' THE IMVENTION
According].y, it is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic image vi-ewing apparatus which is free of the above described disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art.
More partlcularly, it is an object o~ the present invention to provide an improved apparatus utilizing the Pulfrich effect to afford an illusion of depth when viewing a two-dimen-sional image, for example, on a television screen.
A further object is to provide a stereoscopic image viewing apparatus which permits viewing for ex~ended periods of time withou~ inducing eye-st~rain or :Eatigue.
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a stereoscopic image viewing apparatus for viewing a monocular image presented on an image display screen comprises a polarizing plate for polarizing substantially in one plane the light emanating from the displayed image and polarizing spec~acles through which the polarized image is viewed. The polarizing spectacles have one of the lenses thereof with a plane of polarization different from the plane~of polarization o~ the polarizing plate, and the other lens with a plane of polarization substantially the same :
~ ~ ; as the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate.
,~ In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the planes of polarization of the irst and second polariz;ing lenses are inclined oppositely at substantially equal angles from the vertically polarized bac~ground or amblent light will be attenuated equally by~both~lenses.~
. ~ ~
~ 10 7 ~ ~ 1 The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a stereoscopic i~age viewing apparatus according to the present inve~tion; and - Fig 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing a portion of a stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
~=
As is known, time, delay in the transmission of an image from a dark-adapted eye to the visual cortex of the brain, t~at is, the Pulfrich e:Eect, can cause the brain to perceive a two-dimentsion~displày or monocular image as a three-dimensional i.mage. The Pulfrich effect is described in R.L. Gregory, Ey~
and Braln--~The~:Psychology of Seeing, World University Library, London, 2d~Ed. 1972, Chap, 6, and particularly pages 78 - 80, thereof.
i An embodiment o~ the present invention for use with an image display device 20 such as a conventional television receiver, a projector using a rear-view screen, or the like, is shown~m Flg~ The image display device 20 has a viewing screen 21 on which a two-dimensional display or monocular image is psesented for~viewing. ~In this specification, the term ~ 5 -:~07~
1.
"monocular image" is intended to mean an image developed from a single point of view, as distinguished from a stereoscopic display which includes images from two spaced points of view.
A polarizing plate 22 is positioned and dimensioned to extend the entire surface of screen 21. The plane of polarization of the polarizing plate 22 is represented of Fig. 1 by the i.nclined shading or cross-batch~ngs and is shown to be at an angle ~
relative to the vertical which is preferably approximately 45.
The apparatus is also shown to include polarizing spectacles 23 to be worn by a viewer while viewing the screen 21 so that the left eye 24L of the viewer sees screen 21 through a le~t lens 23L and the viewer's right eye 24~ sees the screen through a right lens 23R of the spectacles 23 The right lens 23R is made of polarizing matérial whose plane of polarization is inclined at an angel ~, to the right of the vertical so as to substantially coincide with the plane of polarization of polarizing plate 22. The left lens 23L is made of similar polarizing material whose plane of polarization is inclined to the left of the vertical b~ the angle ~2which is equal, but opposed to t~e angle ~.
Because of the relative alignment of the planes of polarization of plate 22 and right lens 23R, that lens 23R acts to transmit, with only relatlvely~smal~l alternation, light emanating from the viewing screen 21 and passing through the plate 22 to the right eye 24R, However, because the pl~-mes of polarization of plate 22 and left lens 23L are crossed or at substanti.al angles to each other, lens :
23L acts as a dark filter m respect to light passing through plate~22, and the image~seen by the viewer's left eye 24L will appear to be substantially~ darkened. ~n this example, the polarlzing spectacles 23 act as a darkening filter for the left eye 24L only, so that~a three-dimensional effect is given to ~ ; the two-dim~nsional imagè displayed on screen 21 by reason of the i ~ ~ Pulfrich effect.
~ - 6 -However, it will be seen that both lenses 23L, 23R
of polarizing spectacles 23 are substantially equally transparent in respect to ambient non-polarized and also in respect to polarized background light re~lected from the walls, floors, and furniture in the room in which the viewing takes place. Because the planes of polarization of 'left lens 23L and right lens 23R
of the spectacl.es 23 are inclined substantially at equal angles from the vertical, the background light reflected from floors, walls and furniture will be received by the viewer's lzft and right eyes 24L and 24R with substantially equal ln~ensity. The light ref'lected from floors tends to be polarized in the horizontal ' direction, while light reflected from walls tends to be polarized in the vertical direction. Therefore it is preerrecl that the planes of polarization of the left and right lenses 23L, 23R be inclined at approximately 45 from the vertical, so that approxi-mately the same amount of polarized background light reflected from the walls of floors will be transmitted to both the left and right eyes 24L, 24R. Because this polarized or reflected background light and also the non-polarized ambi.ent light is transmitted equally'to both the left and right eyes 24L, 24R, the pupils of the left and right eyes are equally dilated, and eye fatigue is substantially prevented.
Further, as t'he lenses 23L, 23R, have approximately the same transparency, and have their planes of po'l.arization inclined at the same angle from the vertical, a viewer can use the polarizing spectacles 23 as sunglasses.
However, it is not nece~ssary that the planes of polar-izatioD a polarizing lenses 23L, 23R be inclined at 45 for the apparatus to produce a three dimensional effect. It i.s :: : :
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sufficient -that the angle between the p'Lanes of polarization of the left and right lenses 23L, 23R be in the vicinity of 90.
It should be noted that, if the angle between the planes of polarization of the plate 22 and the left lens 23L is precisely equal to 90, the l.ens 23L would act as a substantially opaque filter. l'herefore, it is prefer'able to select an orientation between the polarization planes of the left lens 23L and the plate 22 at an angle somewhat different from 90, so that lens 23L a-ttenuates light`passing through plate 22 but does not block the light completely.
Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the presen-t invention in which elements corresponding to these described above with reference to Fig. 1 are iden-tified by the same reference characters, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. The apparatus of Fig. 2 differs subs-tantially from that sho~n on Fig. l onl~ in that the simple plate 22, having a fixed plane of polarization, is replaced by a polarizing d0vi.ce 122 whieh is operable to rotate its plane of polarization for selective alignment thereof with either the plane o polari-zation of the left elns 23L or t'he plane of polarization of the right lens 23R, This feature permits the le:Et and right lenses 23L, 23R to exchange'roles so t'hat, in one condition of device 122, lens 23L acts to transmit light passing through the polari-zlng device 122 while the right lens 23R acts as a dark filter and, in another condition of device 122, lenses 23L and 23R
respectively block and transmit the light passing through the . .
polarizing device. Preferably, ro~ation of the planes of polarlzation in device 122 is accomplished by a Kerr-effect cell 25 is made of an optically active material which rotates the plane of polarization of polarized light passing through it in :' response to a potential applied across opposed electrodes 25a, 25b of cell 25 from a control voltage source 26. The source 26 can supply the mentioned potential in response to a cue signal transmitted toge~her with a video signal in the case of a tele-vision display,or in response to a signal recorded on film in the case of a filmed presentation. The Kerr-effect cell 25 can be made of PL~T (polycrystalline lanthanum-modified lead ~.
zirconate titanate) or other known ferroelectric cer'amic materials.
With the embodiment of Fig. 2, the apparatus is not limited to presenting an image which, due to -the Pulfrich eE~ect, appears to be closer to the viewer only when the'image moves laterally in one direction and appears to be more distant. only when the image moves latera1ly in the opposite direction. With the embod1ment of Fig. 2, either the left lens 231 or the'right lens 23R can be s:elected to act as a dark filter, thereby maki.ng it possible to make the image appear to be closer to, or farther ~rom the viewer:as desired.
It should be noted that in the embodiment of Fig. l, it is possible to achieve~approx.imately the'same results as pre- ~
viously described if the spectacles 23 have only the'polarizing `
lens 23L for the le:Et eye 24L, and the lens 23R is either omitted or replaced by non-polari~ing glass or other transparent material.
In that case, the~oIar1zing plate 22 and the lens 23L act as a dark filter to achieve the three-dimensional simulatio~ by the Pulfrich effec't,~and yet the amount'of Iight reaching the left eye 24L is substaneia11y the''same'as the amount of light reaching the right eye 24R so that eye~fatigue is prevented.
l.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be unders-tood tha~ the invention is not limited to those precise e~bodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of ~he invention as defined in the appended claims.
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Des ription of the Prior Art .
A variety of stereoscopic imag,e viewing devices have b~en proposed. In one such devi.ce, ~ime-division multiplexing : is utilized to produce the illusion of dep-th in an image presented on a video screen. In such device, video si~nals . .
, ... ......
_ _ _ _ . _ .. . . . . .. . .... .. .. .. . . ... , .. ..... . . _ .. ... .. . ..... .. .. ......... .
.~ , ' .
.. .. ~. .... ... ... ... ... . . . . . .
' : ' ~ ' ` ' " ' ' ' ~
, : .:. .:: ' ' ': : ': , , ' : .
,:
- .- : , . . .
1~7 are time-division multiplexed on a field basis by a synchro-nized mul~iplexer. The video display device presents on the video screen images, corresponding ~o a sequence of odd-field signals, which are to be viewed with the left eye, alternating with images, corresponding to a sequence of even-field signals, which are to be viewed with the right eye. The images presented on the video screen correspond to a sequence of alternating left-eye and right-eye stereoscopic viewsj for example, as obtained by alternately operative left-and right-hand ca.meras.
The viewer must be provided with special g,oF,gles or spectacles which alternately, at the fieId frequency, block the viewing of the displayed image by the right eye. and the leEt eye in synchronism with the displayed video~ As is apparent, the time-division stereoscopic viewing apparatus requires complex goggles which must be electrically connected to the television receiver, and further requires substantial and complex multiplexing equipment. Further, left-and right-hand cameras, or a complex camera providing images from spaced points of view are required to produce the lmages displayed ~or the odd and even fields, :
respectively, : There has also been proposed a so called "stexeochrome"
viewing apparatus, in which a selectively colored image is viewed through prismatic spectacl.es. Because of the dispersion property of the prism material. in the spectacles, red light emanating from the displayed image is bent more by the prism than blue light.~Therefore, the red images can be made to appear to be nearer to the viewer than the blue images. Such a "skereoch~ome" s~stem has been used only in presenting animated .:
cartoons The "stereochrome'l system is extremely color sensitive, and therefore limited in subject matter. Because the color of the images must be carefully controlled, the cost of a "stereo-chrome" program is approximately double the production cost of a standard or two-dimensional program.
There has àlso been proposed to provide a stereoscopic viewing apparatus utilizing the Pulfric.~ effect to simulate a three-dimensional effect, particularly in respect to an image moving laterally across the viewing screen. In the previously proposed apparatus, a dark-filter lens is provided for use with one eye only which becomes dark-adapted with respect to the image presented on the viewing screen while the other eye remains adapted to the ambient brightness of the viewing screen and o~
the surrounding room. Wi~h such apparatus, a laterally moving image or portion thereof will appear to be displaced from the plane of the~viewing screen and thus will simulate a stereoscopic effect. .~.
However, in the above described prior art apparatus utiIizing the Pulfric~ effect, a dark filter lens is used with one eye onl.y to limit the light reaching such eye from the viewing screen and also from ambient sources so that there is a substaDtial dlfference between the amounts of light reaching the .:
right and left eyes, respectively. Thus, the pupils of the two eyes are dilated differently, which can result in eye`strain`or fat~ique~ especially to a viewer using the apparatus for an extended period of time. ~ ~;
: : .
~ 3 ~:
~:
1107:101 OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF' THE IMVENTION
According].y, it is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic image vi-ewing apparatus which is free of the above described disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art.
More partlcularly, it is an object o~ the present invention to provide an improved apparatus utilizing the Pulfrich effect to afford an illusion of depth when viewing a two-dimen-sional image, for example, on a television screen.
A further object is to provide a stereoscopic image viewing apparatus which permits viewing for ex~ended periods of time withou~ inducing eye-st~rain or :Eatigue.
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a stereoscopic image viewing apparatus for viewing a monocular image presented on an image display screen comprises a polarizing plate for polarizing substantially in one plane the light emanating from the displayed image and polarizing spec~acles through which the polarized image is viewed. The polarizing spectacles have one of the lenses thereof with a plane of polarization different from the plane~of polarization o~ the polarizing plate, and the other lens with a plane of polarization substantially the same :
~ ~ ; as the plane of polarization of the polarizing plate.
,~ In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the planes of polarization of the irst and second polariz;ing lenses are inclined oppositely at substantially equal angles from the vertically polarized bac~ground or amblent light will be attenuated equally by~both~lenses.~
. ~ ~
~ 10 7 ~ ~ 1 The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a stereoscopic i~age viewing apparatus according to the present inve~tion; and - Fig 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing a portion of a stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
~=
As is known, time, delay in the transmission of an image from a dark-adapted eye to the visual cortex of the brain, t~at is, the Pulfrich e:Eect, can cause the brain to perceive a two-dimentsion~displày or monocular image as a three-dimensional i.mage. The Pulfrich effect is described in R.L. Gregory, Ey~
and Braln--~The~:Psychology of Seeing, World University Library, London, 2d~Ed. 1972, Chap, 6, and particularly pages 78 - 80, thereof.
i An embodiment o~ the present invention for use with an image display device 20 such as a conventional television receiver, a projector using a rear-view screen, or the like, is shown~m Flg~ The image display device 20 has a viewing screen 21 on which a two-dimensional display or monocular image is psesented for~viewing. ~In this specification, the term ~ 5 -:~07~
1.
"monocular image" is intended to mean an image developed from a single point of view, as distinguished from a stereoscopic display which includes images from two spaced points of view.
A polarizing plate 22 is positioned and dimensioned to extend the entire surface of screen 21. The plane of polarization of the polarizing plate 22 is represented of Fig. 1 by the i.nclined shading or cross-batch~ngs and is shown to be at an angle ~
relative to the vertical which is preferably approximately 45.
The apparatus is also shown to include polarizing spectacles 23 to be worn by a viewer while viewing the screen 21 so that the left eye 24L of the viewer sees screen 21 through a le~t lens 23L and the viewer's right eye 24~ sees the screen through a right lens 23R of the spectacles 23 The right lens 23R is made of polarizing matérial whose plane of polarization is inclined at an angel ~, to the right of the vertical so as to substantially coincide with the plane of polarization of polarizing plate 22. The left lens 23L is made of similar polarizing material whose plane of polarization is inclined to the left of the vertical b~ the angle ~2which is equal, but opposed to t~e angle ~.
Because of the relative alignment of the planes of polarization of plate 22 and right lens 23R, that lens 23R acts to transmit, with only relatlvely~smal~l alternation, light emanating from the viewing screen 21 and passing through the plate 22 to the right eye 24R, However, because the pl~-mes of polarization of plate 22 and left lens 23L are crossed or at substanti.al angles to each other, lens :
23L acts as a dark filter m respect to light passing through plate~22, and the image~seen by the viewer's left eye 24L will appear to be substantially~ darkened. ~n this example, the polarlzing spectacles 23 act as a darkening filter for the left eye 24L only, so that~a three-dimensional effect is given to ~ ; the two-dim~nsional imagè displayed on screen 21 by reason of the i ~ ~ Pulfrich effect.
~ - 6 -However, it will be seen that both lenses 23L, 23R
of polarizing spectacles 23 are substantially equally transparent in respect to ambient non-polarized and also in respect to polarized background light re~lected from the walls, floors, and furniture in the room in which the viewing takes place. Because the planes of polarization of 'left lens 23L and right lens 23R
of the spectacl.es 23 are inclined substantially at equal angles from the vertical, the background light reflected from floors, walls and furniture will be received by the viewer's lzft and right eyes 24L and 24R with substantially equal ln~ensity. The light ref'lected from floors tends to be polarized in the horizontal ' direction, while light reflected from walls tends to be polarized in the vertical direction. Therefore it is preerrecl that the planes of polarization of the left and right lenses 23L, 23R be inclined at approximately 45 from the vertical, so that approxi-mately the same amount of polarized background light reflected from the walls of floors will be transmitted to both the left and right eyes 24L, 24R. Because this polarized or reflected background light and also the non-polarized ambi.ent light is transmitted equally'to both the left and right eyes 24L, 24R, the pupils of the left and right eyes are equally dilated, and eye fatigue is substantially prevented.
Further, as t'he lenses 23L, 23R, have approximately the same transparency, and have their planes of po'l.arization inclined at the same angle from the vertical, a viewer can use the polarizing spectacles 23 as sunglasses.
However, it is not nece~ssary that the planes of polar-izatioD a polarizing lenses 23L, 23R be inclined at 45 for the apparatus to produce a three dimensional effect. It i.s :: : :
- - - , ,, : .
~7~
!
sufficient -that the angle between the p'Lanes of polarization of the left and right lenses 23L, 23R be in the vicinity of 90.
It should be noted that, if the angle between the planes of polarization of the plate 22 and the left lens 23L is precisely equal to 90, the l.ens 23L would act as a substantially opaque filter. l'herefore, it is prefer'able to select an orientation between the polarization planes of the left lens 23L and the plate 22 at an angle somewhat different from 90, so that lens 23L a-ttenuates light`passing through plate 22 but does not block the light completely.
Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the presen-t invention in which elements corresponding to these described above with reference to Fig. 1 are iden-tified by the same reference characters, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. The apparatus of Fig. 2 differs subs-tantially from that sho~n on Fig. l onl~ in that the simple plate 22, having a fixed plane of polarization, is replaced by a polarizing d0vi.ce 122 whieh is operable to rotate its plane of polarization for selective alignment thereof with either the plane o polari-zation of the left elns 23L or t'he plane of polarization of the right lens 23R, This feature permits the le:Et and right lenses 23L, 23R to exchange'roles so t'hat, in one condition of device 122, lens 23L acts to transmit light passing through the polari-zlng device 122 while the right lens 23R acts as a dark filter and, in another condition of device 122, lenses 23L and 23R
respectively block and transmit the light passing through the . .
polarizing device. Preferably, ro~ation of the planes of polarlzation in device 122 is accomplished by a Kerr-effect cell 25 is made of an optically active material which rotates the plane of polarization of polarized light passing through it in :' response to a potential applied across opposed electrodes 25a, 25b of cell 25 from a control voltage source 26. The source 26 can supply the mentioned potential in response to a cue signal transmitted toge~her with a video signal in the case of a tele-vision display,or in response to a signal recorded on film in the case of a filmed presentation. The Kerr-effect cell 25 can be made of PL~T (polycrystalline lanthanum-modified lead ~.
zirconate titanate) or other known ferroelectric cer'amic materials.
With the embodiment of Fig. 2, the apparatus is not limited to presenting an image which, due to -the Pulfrich eE~ect, appears to be closer to the viewer only when the'image moves laterally in one direction and appears to be more distant. only when the image moves latera1ly in the opposite direction. With the embod1ment of Fig. 2, either the left lens 231 or the'right lens 23R can be s:elected to act as a dark filter, thereby maki.ng it possible to make the image appear to be closer to, or farther ~rom the viewer:as desired.
It should be noted that in the embodiment of Fig. l, it is possible to achieve~approx.imately the'same results as pre- ~
viously described if the spectacles 23 have only the'polarizing `
lens 23L for the le:Et eye 24L, and the lens 23R is either omitted or replaced by non-polari~ing glass or other transparent material.
In that case, the~oIar1zing plate 22 and the lens 23L act as a dark filter to achieve the three-dimensional simulatio~ by the Pulfrich effec't,~and yet the amount'of Iight reaching the left eye 24L is substaneia11y the''same'as the amount of light reaching the right eye 24R so that eye~fatigue is prevented.
l.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be unders-tood tha~ the invention is not limited to those precise e~bodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of ~he invention as defined in the appended claims.
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Claims (6)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus for viewing a two-dimensional monocular image displayed on an image display screen comprising:
polarizing means for polarizing substantially in one plane light emanating from said monocular displayed image; and spectacle means through which a viewer is to observe the polarized image including at least one polarizing lens in-terposed between a respective eye of the viewer and said pola-rizing means and having a plane of polarization different from the plane of polarization of said polarizing means.
polarizing means for polarizing substantially in one plane light emanating from said monocular displayed image; and spectacle means through which a viewer is to observe the polarized image including at least one polarizing lens in-terposed between a respective eye of the viewer and said pola-rizing means and having a plane of polarization different from the plane of polarization of said polarizing means.
2. A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to Claim 1, in which said spectacle means includes another polarizing lens interposed between the other eye of the viewer and said polarizing means and having a plane of polarization substantially the same as the plane of polarization of said polarizing means.
3. A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the angle between the respective planes of polarization of said one lens and said another lens is approximately 90°.
4. A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said polarizing means includes means for rotating the plane of polarization of said polarizing means to selectively align the plane of polarization of said polari-zing means with the plane of polarization of a selected one of said one and another polarizing lenses.
5, A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the planes of polarization of said one and another polarizing lenses are inclined oppositely by substan-tially equal angles from the vertical.
6. A stereoscopic image viewing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said polarizing means includes a polarizing plate substantially covering said image display screen.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP52078732A JPS6035050B2 (en) | 1977-07-01 | 1977-07-01 | Stereoscopic video viewing device |
| JP78732/77 | 1977-07-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1107101A true CA1107101A (en) | 1981-08-18 |
Family
ID=13670049
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA306,428A Expired CA1107101A (en) | 1977-07-01 | 1978-06-28 | Stereoscopic image viewing apparatus |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6035050B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU520175B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1107101A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2828910A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2396324A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2000605B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7807206A (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4431265A (en) * | 1980-12-31 | 1984-02-14 | Polaroid Corporation | Apparatus for viewing stereoscopic images |
| JPS604054A (en) * | 1983-06-23 | 1985-01-10 | 新日本製鐵株式会社 | Polypropylene coated steel pipe |
| US4836647A (en) * | 1988-02-09 | 1989-06-06 | Beard Terry D | Low differential 3-D viewer glasses and method with spectral transmission characteristics to control relative intensities |
| GB2269290A (en) * | 1992-07-18 | 1994-02-02 | Microsurgical Equipment Ltd | Three dimensional polarised viewing systems |
| DE102004036468A1 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2006-03-23 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Projection device and filter for this |
| DE102015015436A1 (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2017-06-08 | Stephanie Faustig | Electrically controllable optical element made of an optically isotropic liquid and process for its production based on liquid composites |
| DE102017000406A1 (en) | 2017-01-18 | 2018-07-19 | Stephanie Faustig | Electrically controllable optical element, in particular thin-layer cell and method for its production |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB616273A (en) * | 1944-11-17 | 1949-01-19 | Scophony Ltd | Improvements in production of stereoscopic images |
| US2674156A (en) * | 1950-04-12 | 1954-04-06 | American Optical Corp | Arrangement and method for viewing a pair of polarized images to eliminate ghosts |
| DE1096064B (en) * | 1956-04-03 | 1960-12-29 | Erwin Kaesemann | Process for the particularly stereoscopic supplementation of given image recordings by polarizing surface elements |
| GB1001581A (en) * | 1961-09-15 | 1965-08-18 | Polaroid Corp | Method and system for producing and viewing composite images |
-
1977
- 1977-07-01 JP JP52078732A patent/JPS6035050B2/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-06-28 CA CA306,428A patent/CA1107101A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-06-29 GB GB7828373A patent/GB2000605B/en not_active Expired
- 1978-06-30 FR FR7819711A patent/FR2396324A1/en active Granted
- 1978-06-30 AU AU37694/78A patent/AU520175B2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-06-30 DE DE19782828910 patent/DE2828910A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-07-03 NL NL7807206A patent/NL7807206A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2828910A1 (en) | 1979-01-18 |
| JPS6035050B2 (en) | 1985-08-12 |
| NL7807206A (en) | 1979-01-03 |
| GB2000605A (en) | 1979-01-10 |
| JPS5413358A (en) | 1979-01-31 |
| AU520175B2 (en) | 1982-01-21 |
| AU3769478A (en) | 1980-01-03 |
| GB2000605B (en) | 1982-01-27 |
| FR2396324B1 (en) | 1984-03-16 |
| FR2396324A1 (en) | 1979-01-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |