CA2361729C - 3d multimedia visualization system - Google Patents
3d multimedia visualization system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2361729C CA2361729C CA002361729A CA2361729A CA2361729C CA 2361729 C CA2361729 C CA 2361729C CA 002361729 A CA002361729 A CA 002361729A CA 2361729 A CA2361729 A CA 2361729A CA 2361729 C CA2361729 C CA 2361729C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stereoscopic images
- reflective surfaces
- images
- viewing
- stereo
- 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 - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B35/00—Stereoscopic photography
- G03B35/18—Stereoscopic photography by simultaneous viewing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
- G02B30/20—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes
- G02B30/34—Stereoscopes providing a stereoscopic pair of separated images corresponding to parallactically displaced views of the same object, e.g. 3D slide viewers
- G02B30/35—Stereoscopes providing a stereoscopic pair of separated images corresponding to parallactically displaced views of the same object, e.g. 3D slide viewers using reflective optical elements in the optical path between the images and the observer
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
- Stereoscopic And Panoramic Photography (AREA)
Abstract
3D Multimedia Visualization System relating to stereo photography, stereoscopy and three dimensional visualization. The system comprises four apparatuses and methods for producing, displaying and viewing still or moving stereoscopic images.
This system basically uses plurality of reflective surfaces with special arrangements to change the optical path of the two stereoscopic images differently. This new system works with only one camera of any type, the images are presented on any type of display screen or projected using only one projector of any type and can be viewed in real time by normal polarized or anaglyph eye glasses or using one of two new stereo viewing apparatuses.
This system eliminates the need for any additional processing of stereoscopic images, LC
shutters, alternation or synchronization, the system is based on an easy simple approach and the apparatuses are of very low manufacturing cost.
This system basically uses plurality of reflective surfaces with special arrangements to change the optical path of the two stereoscopic images differently. This new system works with only one camera of any type, the images are presented on any type of display screen or projected using only one projector of any type and can be viewed in real time by normal polarized or anaglyph eye glasses or using one of two new stereo viewing apparatuses.
This system eliminates the need for any additional processing of stereoscopic images, LC
shutters, alternation or synchronization, the system is based on an easy simple approach and the apparatuses are of very low manufacturing cost.
Description
SPECIFICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the fields of stereo photography, stereoscopy, virtual reality and three dimensional visualization. These are already well known old subjects and have many applications, they are becoming more important to designers, engineers and scientists due to the need for better realization of three dimensional images in industrial designs, architectural designs, fashion design, web and tv commercials, robotics, medical imaging and surgery, space science and pilots training, air surveying, simulation, 3d video games, 3d movies and many more applications. The basic idea behind the subject is that each of our eyes sees a slightly different perspective view of the same three dimensional objects which enables us to realize the third dimension (depth). Different methods are being used to create the same three dimensional visualization using two dimensional images.
Stereo photography or stereography is the production of two images of the same three dimensional view or computer generated model from two different points representing the left eye and the right eye. At the time of viewing the two images are separated in a way that each eye sees only it's image at the correct position relative to the other image to enable the three dimensional visualization (Stereoscopy). The new existing methods have many limitations, they don't give clear full color images, cause head ache and eye fatigue due to flickering images. The major limitation that prevents the applications from spreading widely is the high cost due to the need for special expensive equipments; two cameras, two projectors, special display screens and special sophisticated electrical and electronic devices for alternation and synchronization.
The old methods dealing with this subject were using simpler approach but stopped from developing since a long time. This new system can be considered as development and improvement of old methods to work with the existing technologies, it uses any type of ordinary available equipments and eliminates the need for two or special equipments at any stage, the new apparatuses are of very low manufacturing cost and don't require any high tech electrical or electronic parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the fields of stereo photography, stereoscopy, virtual reality and three dimensional visualization. These are already well known old subjects and have many applications, they are becoming more important to designers, engineers and scientists due to the need for better realization of three dimensional images in industrial designs, architectural designs, fashion design, web and tv commercials, robotics, medical imaging and surgery, space science and pilots training, air surveying, simulation, 3d video games, 3d movies and many more applications. The basic idea behind the subject is that each of our eyes sees a slightly different perspective view of the same three dimensional objects which enables us to realize the third dimension (depth). Different methods are being used to create the same three dimensional visualization using two dimensional images.
Stereo photography or stereography is the production of two images of the same three dimensional view or computer generated model from two different points representing the left eye and the right eye. At the time of viewing the two images are separated in a way that each eye sees only it's image at the correct position relative to the other image to enable the three dimensional visualization (Stereoscopy). The new existing methods have many limitations, they don't give clear full color images, cause head ache and eye fatigue due to flickering images. The major limitation that prevents the applications from spreading widely is the high cost due to the need for special expensive equipments; two cameras, two projectors, special display screens and special sophisticated electrical and electronic devices for alternation and synchronization.
The old methods dealing with this subject were using simpler approach but stopped from developing since a long time. This new system can be considered as development and improvement of old methods to work with the existing technologies, it uses any type of ordinary available equipments and eliminates the need for two or special equipments at any stage, the new apparatuses are of very low manufacturing cost and don't require any high tech electrical or electronic parts.
-2-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings form an essential part of this disclosure and are important for explaining the description and claims.
FIG. 1 : Vertical cross-sectional view of the stereo photography attachment.
35 FIG. 2 : Isometric view of the stereo photography attachment.
FIG. 3 : Horizontal cross-sectional view of the stereo photography attachment.
FIG. 4 : Vertical cross-sectional view of the stereo projection attachment.
FIG. 5 : Isometric view of the stereo projection attachment.
FIG. 6 : Back plan view of the dual stereo viewing apparatus for top and bottom arrangement.
40 FIG. 7 : Back plan view of the dual stereo viewing apparatus for side by side arrangement.
FIG.8 : Isometric view of the two parts (separated) of the dual stereo viewing apparatus.
FIG. 9 : Schematic view showing the arrangement of the reflective surfaces for the top and bottom arrangement.
FIG.10 : Schematic view showing the arrangement of the reflective surfaces for the side by side 45 arrangement.
FIG. l i : Schematic view describing the new method of changing the optical path of the stereoscopic images in the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
FIG. I2 : Vertical cross-sectional view of the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
FIG. I3 : Front plan view of the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
50 FIG.14 : Isometric view of the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
In the following description and claims some repeated words have the following meanings.
55 Image (images): Any still or moving visual information that can be seen by human eyes;
presented, recorded or saved in any form.
Camera: Any type of camera or camera paint or view point in a computer software that can be used to produce the said image (images).
Display: Any device, screen or surface for presenting the said image (images) to be seen by 60 human eyes.
The following drawings form an essential part of this disclosure and are important for explaining the description and claims.
FIG. 1 : Vertical cross-sectional view of the stereo photography attachment.
35 FIG. 2 : Isometric view of the stereo photography attachment.
FIG. 3 : Horizontal cross-sectional view of the stereo photography attachment.
FIG. 4 : Vertical cross-sectional view of the stereo projection attachment.
FIG. 5 : Isometric view of the stereo projection attachment.
FIG. 6 : Back plan view of the dual stereo viewing apparatus for top and bottom arrangement.
40 FIG. 7 : Back plan view of the dual stereo viewing apparatus for side by side arrangement.
FIG.8 : Isometric view of the two parts (separated) of the dual stereo viewing apparatus.
FIG. 9 : Schematic view showing the arrangement of the reflective surfaces for the top and bottom arrangement.
FIG.10 : Schematic view showing the arrangement of the reflective surfaces for the side by side 45 arrangement.
FIG. l i : Schematic view describing the new method of changing the optical path of the stereoscopic images in the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
FIG. I2 : Vertical cross-sectional view of the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
FIG. I3 : Front plan view of the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
50 FIG.14 : Isometric view of the single eye stereo viewing apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
In the following description and claims some repeated words have the following meanings.
55 Image (images): Any still or moving visual information that can be seen by human eyes;
presented, recorded or saved in any form.
Camera: Any type of camera or camera paint or view point in a computer software that can be used to produce the said image (images).
Display: Any device, screen or surface for presenting the said image (images) to be seen by 60 human eyes.
-3-(Paper printed visual information: book, magazine, newspaper or single photograph.
Cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), front or back projection screen, flat screen, said image (images) proj ected on any surface, computer monitor, television, home theater or movie theater).
65 Projector: Any type of front or back projector that can be used to present the said image on any type of screen or surface to be seen by human eyes.
(Movie theater (Cinema) projector, home theater projector, overhead projector, slides projector, projectors connected to computer or any video signal to project the visual information on any type of said display) 70 Reflective surface: Any type of optical reflective surface that can be used to change the position (optical path) of the said image (images).
(Mirrors, reflective sheets, plated reflective sheets or internal reflection in prisms) PRODUCTION
?5 There are various methods already known and used for producing stereoscopic images.
The known apparatuses similar to the new apparatus in this system are known as stereo attachment, beam sputter, stereo adapter or 3d video adapter.
The new apparatus (Stereo Photography Attachment) comprises plurality of reflective surfaces 1- 6 in a suitable casing preferably made of plastic or a light weight metal, the apparatus is 80 attached or mounted in front of any type of camera as close as possible to the lens.
The space in front of the lens 7 is divided at the center of the lens into two equal halves by a virtual plane 8 which contains the lens central axis or the camera shooting line (axis ). One half of the space is used to change the optical path of one stereoscopic image by four reflective 85 surfaces 1- 4 as shown in FIG. l, the other half is used to change the optical path of the other stereoscopic image by two reflective surfaces 5 & 6 as shown in FIG. 3. With this arrangement of reflective surfaces the optical paths are changed along two different perpendicular planes (paths), which gives full control of the vertical and horizontal positions of the two stereoscopic images in front of the camera. The shift distance (displacement) is made the same in the two 90 optical paths to maintain the same scale for the two stereoscopic images, this is done by accurately determining and using the correct distances between the reflective surfaces in the two optical paths at the design stage. FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the said apparatus.
The design and size of the apparatus depends on the size of the lens and the camera vertical and horizontal shooting angels B land e2. The apparatus is preferably designed for the wider angel 95 in both directions in order to shoot images in both landscape and pornait orientations, this is done by rotating the camera 90 degrees around the line of sight.
The two stereoscopic images corresponding to the left and right eyes, whether still or moving are instantly transferred to the camera., one on top ofthe other in the correct upright position and are combined in one image which is instantly ready for stereo viewing by one of the following 100 viewing apparatuses.
There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration for the successful production, displaying and viewing of stereoscopic images, such as the scale, the distance between the two lines of sight, known as the stereo base, the target point or the angle between the two lines of sight, the size and the relative position of the displayed images. To control the factors (variables) 105 at the time of photography, at least one reflective surface in the first optical path is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 9 FIG. I which is parallel to the lens 7 and perpendicular to the virtual plane 8 , this adjustment controls the relative horizontal position, the target point and the angle between the two lines of sight. In the other optical path at least one reflective surface is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 10 FIG.
3 which is parallel 110 to the lens 7 and the virtual plane 8 and perpendicular to the said axis 9, this adjustment controls the relative vertical position and the vertical shooting angle for different zooming.
The advantages of this new apparatus are:
-It is used with only one camera of any type, for both still or moving images.
115 -The stereoscopic images are instantly captured in the correct upright position as one image which is ready for viewing in real time -The captured stereoscopic images are one on top of the other (Top and Bottom Arrangement) which gives wider images that are preferable and more comfortable to the human eyes.
120 -The apparatus captures images in both landscape and portrait orientations -The proper color filters can be added in each optical path if the images are intended to be viewed by anaglyph (red & blue} eye glasses -The apparatus is of very low manufacturing cost, basically thin mirrors and plastic 125 This apparatus can be manufactured as a separate attachment or as part of the camera. Different designs or materials might be used according to the working conditions and the type of application. The adjustment mechanism and the adjusting pins (not shown in the drawings) may vary and can be made automatic with the camera zooming and focusing .
The stereoscopic images can also be generated by computer, there are many existing computer programs (software) capable of producing perspective views and stereoscopic images.
Once the three dimensional digital model is set up, the existing programs have the tools to control all the variables, the camera point (view point), the target point, the camera specifications 135 and the output format and specifications, there are also some programs that can automatically produce the pair of said stereoscopic images.
The existing methods work with the two images separately in order to be alternated and polarized differently using the full area of the screen for each image at a time, or using the odd scan lines for one and the even scan lines for the other. This is why additional hardware is 140 needed, liquid crystal shutters for the eyes or in front of the display screen, and special video cards and memory for alternation and synchronization to control the timing and frequency between the images and the shutters. With the additional hardware the final three dimensional images are not perfect due to the time limitations for displaying and refreshing different images on the same screen and for liquid crystals response time.
145 The new method in this 3d Multimedia Visualization System is the way in which the two stereoscopic images are displayed in real time or later, and the way in which the images are stored (saved). In said new method the two stereoscopic images in any stage of drafting or their final rendering outputs are displayed at the same time at different areas of the same display screen (real time), or recorded (saved) to be presented later as one unit in a single image, slide 150 or frame as part of an animation or as one digital video file in any format.
PROJECTION / DISPLAYING
Since the two stereoscopic images corresponding to the left and right eyes, which are produced using the above stereo photography attachment, or generated by computer (as described in the above method) are combined in one image, they can be printed or displayed 155 by all ordinary methods, however one factor might need adjustment at the time of projection on large screens. The horizontal distance on the screen between the projection of the same points behind the screen in the two stereoscopic images must not exceed the horizontal distance between the human eyes, which is between 60 to 70 mm and can be considered 65 mm. The new apparatus (Stereo Projection Attachment) controls this factor and has more uses. The said 160 apparatus works as the reverse of the stereo photography attachment. It comprises plurality of reflective surfaces in a suitable casing. It is attached or mounted in front of the projector's lens IS at the closest possible distance to the lens, or manufactured as part of the projector. FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the said apparatus.
165 The space in front of the projector lens is divided at the center into two equal halves by a virtual plane perpendicular to the lens. One half of the space is used as the optical path to project one half of the image, which is the stereoscopic image corresponding to one eye, by two reflective surfaces 11 and 12, the other half of the space is used to project the other half of the image corresponding to the other eye, by two re$edive surfaces 13 and 14, as shown in FIG. 4.
170 The shift distance (displacement) is made the same in the two optical paths to maintain the same scale for the two stereoscopic images. This is done by accurately determining and using the correct distances between the reflective surfaces in the two optical paths at the design stage.
With this arrangement of reflective surfaces, the optical paths are changed along two di$'erent perpendicular planes (paths), which gives full control of the vertical and horizontal positions of 175 the two stereoscopic images on the screen. One reflective surface in the first optical path is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 16 FIG. 4, which is parallel to the lens and perpendicular to the said virtual plane. One reflective surface in the other optical path is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 17 FIG. 5. The first adjustment controls the relative horizontal position of the two stereoscopic images and the horizontal distance between the same 1&0 points in the two images on the screen. The second adjustmait controls the relative vertical position of the two stereoscopic images on the screen. The two adjustments are also used to correct any mistakes that are made at the time of photography. The projected images whether still or moving can be re-photographed after the correction to be projected later without the apparatus or to be displayed by other means.
185 Another important use of this apparatus (Stereo Projection Attachment) is that it works with and simplifies the existing methods. The two adjustments allow the projection of the two stereoscopic images to coincide over each other on the screen at the correct position using only one projector. By adding the proper color filters in each optical path at the time of photography or at the time of projection, the stereoscopic images can be viewed using the anagiyph (red &
190 blue) eye glasses. The more preferable method is to add two polarizing filters, one in each optical path. The polarization is made in two different directions one perpendicular to the other.
When the two stereoscopic images are projected to coincide over each other on a silver or aluminum screen which preserves the polarization or back projected on a screen that preserve the polarization, the images can then be viewed using the known 3d polarized eye glasses. The 195 apparatus can also be used for the side by side arrangement of the stereoscopic images by rotating it 90 degrees around the lens axis.
The design and the size of the apparatus depends on the size of the projector's lens, the distance from the lens and the projection angle 83, in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
200 The advantages of this new apparatus are:
-It is used with only one projector of any type, for both still or moving images -It gives full control of the relative position in both horizontal and vertical directions which enables the projection of stereoscopic images on different sizes of screens and 205 the correction of photography mistakes -It is used for projecting images for viewing by anaglyph or polarized eye glasses or by the following single eye viewing glasses -It can be used for both (top and bottom) and (side by side) arrangements of the stereoscopic images 210 -The apparatus is of very low manufacturing cost _g_ VIEWING
This 3D Multimedia Visualization Syst~n also comprises new m~hods and apparatuses for viewing still or moving stereoscopic images. In addition to anaglyph and polarized eye glasses there are many apparatuses for viewing stereoscopic images known as stereo viewers.
215 Some of the apparatuses are simply two lenses or two prisms mounted at a fixed distance from the stereoscopic images. Another apparatus is the liquid crystal shutter glasses and the head mounted virtual reality glasses that comprises two small (LCD) screens. The new apparatuses in this system are similar to what is known as mirrors stereoscope.
220 The first new viewing apparatus (Dual Stereo Viewing Apparatus) or simply Dual Stereoscope, consists of two equal parts sliding relative to each other along an inclined combining plane surface 18. Each part comprises two reflective surfaces 19, 20 parallel to each other. Each part is working as a single periscope for one eye. By sliding the two parts relative to each other to one end of the controlled movement, the apparatus is used for both arranganents (top & bottom) FIG.
225 6 and (side by side) FIG. 7. An isometric view of the two parts (separated) is shown in FIG. 8 The two stereoscopic images (single image produced as described before in the production section) are presented on the same display at the same time, each taking a different area of the display. The optical path is shifted differently for each eye to make the two stereoscopic images 230 coincide over each other in front of the two eyes at the correct position to enable the three dimensional visualization.
FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the reflective surfaces for the top and bottom arrangement. The shift distance (d) is made equal to one half of one image height which is equal to one fourth of the intended display height, the two stereoscopic images are shifted vertically in opposite 23 S directions to coincide over each other at the required location in front of the viewer's eyes.
FIG. 10 shows the arrangement the reflective surfaces for the side by side arrangement. The shift distance (d) is made equal to one half of one image width which is equal to one fourth of the intended display width, the two stereoscopic images are shifted horizontally in opposite directions to coincide over each other at the required location in front of the viewer's eyes. This 240 arrangement of reflective surfaces is already used in the known mirrors stereoscope.
With this apparatus (Dual Stereoscope), the plane of the shifted stereoscopic images remains parallel to the display. The position and the viewing of the shifted images is not affected by changing the distance between the apparatus and the display.
The size of the said apparatus depends on the size of the stereoscopic images, the size can be 245 standardized or different sizes of the apparatus can be made for different sizes of the display.
Another method for viewing different sizes is to make reflective surfaces 19 adjustable to change the shift distance (d) according to the display size or to make either reflective surfaces 19 or 20 adjustable to rotate by a small angle around an axis parallel to the display screen as will be described in the second viewing apparatus. The Dual stereoscope is suitable for viewing from 250 small distances i.e. paper printed stereoscopic images, computer monitors or any relatively small display from relatively small distance. The said apparatus can be handheld, head mounted, put on as eye glasses, legs supported or fixed in front of the display depending on the type of application.
255 The advantages of this new apparatus are:
-It is used for both top and bottom and side by side arrangements -It is used for many applications such as printed materials, TV, or computer monitor -The images are viewed in the best quality that the display can offer -The images can be viewed from variable distances 260 -The apparatus is of very low manufacturing cost The second new viewing apparatus uses a new method for changing the optical path of the stereoscopic images as shown in FIG. 11. The optical path is changed by displacement {shift) and rotation. One of the two reflective surfaces 21, 22 is allowed to rotate (adjustable) around 265 an axis 27 FIG. 13 which is parallel to the plane of the stereoscopic images. By rotating one of the said reflective surfaces by an angle 84 from the parallel position, the original image 23 is changed to a new position 24. The apparatus that uses this method of displacement (change of optical path) is suitable for viewing relatively large stereoscopic images from far distances. The shift distance (D) is kept to minimum (20-40 mm) to reduce the size of the said apparatuses.
270 Since small angles of rotation make big displacements at far distances, this apparatus can be -lU-made in different designs and be used for various applications, it can be made for one or two eyes and can be used for both arrangements of the stereoscopic images. FIG.12 shows a cross sectional view of such apparatuses.
The new viewing apparatus (Single Eye Stereo Viewing Apparatus) or simply "3D
Single Eye 275 Glasses" comprises two reflective surfaces 21, 22, in a suitable casing and protective glass 26.
In this apparatus the position of the image is changed for only one eye, the other eye sees the image normally as shown in FIG. 13. By adjusting the angle of rotation ~4, the shifted / rotated image coincides over the image that is seen normally by the other eye. The two images don't coincide exactly over each other, the changed image is rotated by the angle 84 and at a distance 280 (D) behind the other image as shown in FIG. 11. Since the shift distance (D) and the angle 84 are relatively small, the human eyes and mind tend to combine the stereoscopic images and ignore such small variations. This ap~ratus can be used for both arrangements by rotating the part containing the two reflective surfaces 90 degrees around the line of sight.
Since the displacement of the stereoscopic images for a certain angle depends on the distance, 285 the axis of rotation of 84 must be parallel to the display to keep the edges of the two images parallel, this is required for viewers not directly facing the center of the display, this is done by allowing the two said reflective surfaces 21 & 22 to rotate (adjustable) as one unit around an axis 23 FIG. 12 which is perpendicular to the said axis 27. The adjusting pins 24 &
25 for both rotations (adjustments) are shown in FIG.12 and FIG. 13. This single eye stereo viewing 290 apparatus can be called (3D Single Eye Glasses). This apparatus can be head mounted or put on as eye glasses, it is suitable for viewing stereoscopic images on TV screens, home theaters, presentation rooms and movie theaters. FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of this new apparatus.
For movie theaters and presentation rooms with fixed seating the said apparatus is preadjusted and assigned to each seat.
The advantages of this apparatus are:
-It is used with many types of display screens without the need for alternating images -It is used for large groups of viewers from different positions -It gives full clear color images 300 -It is small, lightweight and has no health concerns -It can be used for both arrangements of the stereoscopic images -The apparatus is of low manufacturing cost After the proper displacement of the stereoscopic images, there are three images in ftont 305 of the viewer, the middle one is the required three dimensional image.
When the size (area) of the image is relatively small to the viewing distance or to the viewing apparatus the viewer will see the three images, which might cause confusion and make it hard for some viewers to concentrate on the middle image. Two methods can be used to filter (block) the unneeded images.
1- Polarization The two stereoscopic images are polarized at the same time on the same display screen differently in two perpendicular directions by fixing polarizing sheets or polarizing glass at the surface of the display screen at the area of each image, similar polarizing filters 315 in the same direction are added to the viewing apparatus in any position in the optical path and to the free eye glass 28, the polarizing filters work as normal 3d polarized glasses but only for blocking the unneeded images.
2- Optical Blocking 320 An adjustable diaphragm (adjustable in the direction of the displacement) is added in the optical path to limit the viewing opening to the size (area} of the middle three dimensional image.
For all apparatuses in this new system the casing can be made of plastic (PVC) or any suitable 325 material depending on the type of application and the working conditions.
The adjustment mechanism can vary according to the final design for each type of application.
Some applications have special requirements due to certain limitations, the design of photography, display and viewing apparatuses can be adjusted to satisfy such special requirements using the techniques and methods described in this disclosure.
Cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), front or back projection screen, flat screen, said image (images) proj ected on any surface, computer monitor, television, home theater or movie theater).
65 Projector: Any type of front or back projector that can be used to present the said image on any type of screen or surface to be seen by human eyes.
(Movie theater (Cinema) projector, home theater projector, overhead projector, slides projector, projectors connected to computer or any video signal to project the visual information on any type of said display) 70 Reflective surface: Any type of optical reflective surface that can be used to change the position (optical path) of the said image (images).
(Mirrors, reflective sheets, plated reflective sheets or internal reflection in prisms) PRODUCTION
?5 There are various methods already known and used for producing stereoscopic images.
The known apparatuses similar to the new apparatus in this system are known as stereo attachment, beam sputter, stereo adapter or 3d video adapter.
The new apparatus (Stereo Photography Attachment) comprises plurality of reflective surfaces 1- 6 in a suitable casing preferably made of plastic or a light weight metal, the apparatus is 80 attached or mounted in front of any type of camera as close as possible to the lens.
The space in front of the lens 7 is divided at the center of the lens into two equal halves by a virtual plane 8 which contains the lens central axis or the camera shooting line (axis ). One half of the space is used to change the optical path of one stereoscopic image by four reflective 85 surfaces 1- 4 as shown in FIG. l, the other half is used to change the optical path of the other stereoscopic image by two reflective surfaces 5 & 6 as shown in FIG. 3. With this arrangement of reflective surfaces the optical paths are changed along two different perpendicular planes (paths), which gives full control of the vertical and horizontal positions of the two stereoscopic images in front of the camera. The shift distance (displacement) is made the same in the two 90 optical paths to maintain the same scale for the two stereoscopic images, this is done by accurately determining and using the correct distances between the reflective surfaces in the two optical paths at the design stage. FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the said apparatus.
The design and size of the apparatus depends on the size of the lens and the camera vertical and horizontal shooting angels B land e2. The apparatus is preferably designed for the wider angel 95 in both directions in order to shoot images in both landscape and pornait orientations, this is done by rotating the camera 90 degrees around the line of sight.
The two stereoscopic images corresponding to the left and right eyes, whether still or moving are instantly transferred to the camera., one on top ofthe other in the correct upright position and are combined in one image which is instantly ready for stereo viewing by one of the following 100 viewing apparatuses.
There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration for the successful production, displaying and viewing of stereoscopic images, such as the scale, the distance between the two lines of sight, known as the stereo base, the target point or the angle between the two lines of sight, the size and the relative position of the displayed images. To control the factors (variables) 105 at the time of photography, at least one reflective surface in the first optical path is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 9 FIG. I which is parallel to the lens 7 and perpendicular to the virtual plane 8 , this adjustment controls the relative horizontal position, the target point and the angle between the two lines of sight. In the other optical path at least one reflective surface is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 10 FIG.
3 which is parallel 110 to the lens 7 and the virtual plane 8 and perpendicular to the said axis 9, this adjustment controls the relative vertical position and the vertical shooting angle for different zooming.
The advantages of this new apparatus are:
-It is used with only one camera of any type, for both still or moving images.
115 -The stereoscopic images are instantly captured in the correct upright position as one image which is ready for viewing in real time -The captured stereoscopic images are one on top of the other (Top and Bottom Arrangement) which gives wider images that are preferable and more comfortable to the human eyes.
120 -The apparatus captures images in both landscape and portrait orientations -The proper color filters can be added in each optical path if the images are intended to be viewed by anaglyph (red & blue} eye glasses -The apparatus is of very low manufacturing cost, basically thin mirrors and plastic 125 This apparatus can be manufactured as a separate attachment or as part of the camera. Different designs or materials might be used according to the working conditions and the type of application. The adjustment mechanism and the adjusting pins (not shown in the drawings) may vary and can be made automatic with the camera zooming and focusing .
The stereoscopic images can also be generated by computer, there are many existing computer programs (software) capable of producing perspective views and stereoscopic images.
Once the three dimensional digital model is set up, the existing programs have the tools to control all the variables, the camera point (view point), the target point, the camera specifications 135 and the output format and specifications, there are also some programs that can automatically produce the pair of said stereoscopic images.
The existing methods work with the two images separately in order to be alternated and polarized differently using the full area of the screen for each image at a time, or using the odd scan lines for one and the even scan lines for the other. This is why additional hardware is 140 needed, liquid crystal shutters for the eyes or in front of the display screen, and special video cards and memory for alternation and synchronization to control the timing and frequency between the images and the shutters. With the additional hardware the final three dimensional images are not perfect due to the time limitations for displaying and refreshing different images on the same screen and for liquid crystals response time.
145 The new method in this 3d Multimedia Visualization System is the way in which the two stereoscopic images are displayed in real time or later, and the way in which the images are stored (saved). In said new method the two stereoscopic images in any stage of drafting or their final rendering outputs are displayed at the same time at different areas of the same display screen (real time), or recorded (saved) to be presented later as one unit in a single image, slide 150 or frame as part of an animation or as one digital video file in any format.
PROJECTION / DISPLAYING
Since the two stereoscopic images corresponding to the left and right eyes, which are produced using the above stereo photography attachment, or generated by computer (as described in the above method) are combined in one image, they can be printed or displayed 155 by all ordinary methods, however one factor might need adjustment at the time of projection on large screens. The horizontal distance on the screen between the projection of the same points behind the screen in the two stereoscopic images must not exceed the horizontal distance between the human eyes, which is between 60 to 70 mm and can be considered 65 mm. The new apparatus (Stereo Projection Attachment) controls this factor and has more uses. The said 160 apparatus works as the reverse of the stereo photography attachment. It comprises plurality of reflective surfaces in a suitable casing. It is attached or mounted in front of the projector's lens IS at the closest possible distance to the lens, or manufactured as part of the projector. FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the said apparatus.
165 The space in front of the projector lens is divided at the center into two equal halves by a virtual plane perpendicular to the lens. One half of the space is used as the optical path to project one half of the image, which is the stereoscopic image corresponding to one eye, by two reflective surfaces 11 and 12, the other half of the space is used to project the other half of the image corresponding to the other eye, by two re$edive surfaces 13 and 14, as shown in FIG. 4.
170 The shift distance (displacement) is made the same in the two optical paths to maintain the same scale for the two stereoscopic images. This is done by accurately determining and using the correct distances between the reflective surfaces in the two optical paths at the design stage.
With this arrangement of reflective surfaces, the optical paths are changed along two di$'erent perpendicular planes (paths), which gives full control of the vertical and horizontal positions of 175 the two stereoscopic images on the screen. One reflective surface in the first optical path is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 16 FIG. 4, which is parallel to the lens and perpendicular to the said virtual plane. One reflective surface in the other optical path is made adjustable to rotate around an axis such as 17 FIG. 5. The first adjustment controls the relative horizontal position of the two stereoscopic images and the horizontal distance between the same 1&0 points in the two images on the screen. The second adjustmait controls the relative vertical position of the two stereoscopic images on the screen. The two adjustments are also used to correct any mistakes that are made at the time of photography. The projected images whether still or moving can be re-photographed after the correction to be projected later without the apparatus or to be displayed by other means.
185 Another important use of this apparatus (Stereo Projection Attachment) is that it works with and simplifies the existing methods. The two adjustments allow the projection of the two stereoscopic images to coincide over each other on the screen at the correct position using only one projector. By adding the proper color filters in each optical path at the time of photography or at the time of projection, the stereoscopic images can be viewed using the anagiyph (red &
190 blue) eye glasses. The more preferable method is to add two polarizing filters, one in each optical path. The polarization is made in two different directions one perpendicular to the other.
When the two stereoscopic images are projected to coincide over each other on a silver or aluminum screen which preserves the polarization or back projected on a screen that preserve the polarization, the images can then be viewed using the known 3d polarized eye glasses. The 195 apparatus can also be used for the side by side arrangement of the stereoscopic images by rotating it 90 degrees around the lens axis.
The design and the size of the apparatus depends on the size of the projector's lens, the distance from the lens and the projection angle 83, in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
200 The advantages of this new apparatus are:
-It is used with only one projector of any type, for both still or moving images -It gives full control of the relative position in both horizontal and vertical directions which enables the projection of stereoscopic images on different sizes of screens and 205 the correction of photography mistakes -It is used for projecting images for viewing by anaglyph or polarized eye glasses or by the following single eye viewing glasses -It can be used for both (top and bottom) and (side by side) arrangements of the stereoscopic images 210 -The apparatus is of very low manufacturing cost _g_ VIEWING
This 3D Multimedia Visualization Syst~n also comprises new m~hods and apparatuses for viewing still or moving stereoscopic images. In addition to anaglyph and polarized eye glasses there are many apparatuses for viewing stereoscopic images known as stereo viewers.
215 Some of the apparatuses are simply two lenses or two prisms mounted at a fixed distance from the stereoscopic images. Another apparatus is the liquid crystal shutter glasses and the head mounted virtual reality glasses that comprises two small (LCD) screens. The new apparatuses in this system are similar to what is known as mirrors stereoscope.
220 The first new viewing apparatus (Dual Stereo Viewing Apparatus) or simply Dual Stereoscope, consists of two equal parts sliding relative to each other along an inclined combining plane surface 18. Each part comprises two reflective surfaces 19, 20 parallel to each other. Each part is working as a single periscope for one eye. By sliding the two parts relative to each other to one end of the controlled movement, the apparatus is used for both arranganents (top & bottom) FIG.
225 6 and (side by side) FIG. 7. An isometric view of the two parts (separated) is shown in FIG. 8 The two stereoscopic images (single image produced as described before in the production section) are presented on the same display at the same time, each taking a different area of the display. The optical path is shifted differently for each eye to make the two stereoscopic images 230 coincide over each other in front of the two eyes at the correct position to enable the three dimensional visualization.
FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the reflective surfaces for the top and bottom arrangement. The shift distance (d) is made equal to one half of one image height which is equal to one fourth of the intended display height, the two stereoscopic images are shifted vertically in opposite 23 S directions to coincide over each other at the required location in front of the viewer's eyes.
FIG. 10 shows the arrangement the reflective surfaces for the side by side arrangement. The shift distance (d) is made equal to one half of one image width which is equal to one fourth of the intended display width, the two stereoscopic images are shifted horizontally in opposite directions to coincide over each other at the required location in front of the viewer's eyes. This 240 arrangement of reflective surfaces is already used in the known mirrors stereoscope.
With this apparatus (Dual Stereoscope), the plane of the shifted stereoscopic images remains parallel to the display. The position and the viewing of the shifted images is not affected by changing the distance between the apparatus and the display.
The size of the said apparatus depends on the size of the stereoscopic images, the size can be 245 standardized or different sizes of the apparatus can be made for different sizes of the display.
Another method for viewing different sizes is to make reflective surfaces 19 adjustable to change the shift distance (d) according to the display size or to make either reflective surfaces 19 or 20 adjustable to rotate by a small angle around an axis parallel to the display screen as will be described in the second viewing apparatus. The Dual stereoscope is suitable for viewing from 250 small distances i.e. paper printed stereoscopic images, computer monitors or any relatively small display from relatively small distance. The said apparatus can be handheld, head mounted, put on as eye glasses, legs supported or fixed in front of the display depending on the type of application.
255 The advantages of this new apparatus are:
-It is used for both top and bottom and side by side arrangements -It is used for many applications such as printed materials, TV, or computer monitor -The images are viewed in the best quality that the display can offer -The images can be viewed from variable distances 260 -The apparatus is of very low manufacturing cost The second new viewing apparatus uses a new method for changing the optical path of the stereoscopic images as shown in FIG. 11. The optical path is changed by displacement {shift) and rotation. One of the two reflective surfaces 21, 22 is allowed to rotate (adjustable) around 265 an axis 27 FIG. 13 which is parallel to the plane of the stereoscopic images. By rotating one of the said reflective surfaces by an angle 84 from the parallel position, the original image 23 is changed to a new position 24. The apparatus that uses this method of displacement (change of optical path) is suitable for viewing relatively large stereoscopic images from far distances. The shift distance (D) is kept to minimum (20-40 mm) to reduce the size of the said apparatuses.
270 Since small angles of rotation make big displacements at far distances, this apparatus can be -lU-made in different designs and be used for various applications, it can be made for one or two eyes and can be used for both arrangements of the stereoscopic images. FIG.12 shows a cross sectional view of such apparatuses.
The new viewing apparatus (Single Eye Stereo Viewing Apparatus) or simply "3D
Single Eye 275 Glasses" comprises two reflective surfaces 21, 22, in a suitable casing and protective glass 26.
In this apparatus the position of the image is changed for only one eye, the other eye sees the image normally as shown in FIG. 13. By adjusting the angle of rotation ~4, the shifted / rotated image coincides over the image that is seen normally by the other eye. The two images don't coincide exactly over each other, the changed image is rotated by the angle 84 and at a distance 280 (D) behind the other image as shown in FIG. 11. Since the shift distance (D) and the angle 84 are relatively small, the human eyes and mind tend to combine the stereoscopic images and ignore such small variations. This ap~ratus can be used for both arrangements by rotating the part containing the two reflective surfaces 90 degrees around the line of sight.
Since the displacement of the stereoscopic images for a certain angle depends on the distance, 285 the axis of rotation of 84 must be parallel to the display to keep the edges of the two images parallel, this is required for viewers not directly facing the center of the display, this is done by allowing the two said reflective surfaces 21 & 22 to rotate (adjustable) as one unit around an axis 23 FIG. 12 which is perpendicular to the said axis 27. The adjusting pins 24 &
25 for both rotations (adjustments) are shown in FIG.12 and FIG. 13. This single eye stereo viewing 290 apparatus can be called (3D Single Eye Glasses). This apparatus can be head mounted or put on as eye glasses, it is suitable for viewing stereoscopic images on TV screens, home theaters, presentation rooms and movie theaters. FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of this new apparatus.
For movie theaters and presentation rooms with fixed seating the said apparatus is preadjusted and assigned to each seat.
The advantages of this apparatus are:
-It is used with many types of display screens without the need for alternating images -It is used for large groups of viewers from different positions -It gives full clear color images 300 -It is small, lightweight and has no health concerns -It can be used for both arrangements of the stereoscopic images -The apparatus is of low manufacturing cost After the proper displacement of the stereoscopic images, there are three images in ftont 305 of the viewer, the middle one is the required three dimensional image.
When the size (area) of the image is relatively small to the viewing distance or to the viewing apparatus the viewer will see the three images, which might cause confusion and make it hard for some viewers to concentrate on the middle image. Two methods can be used to filter (block) the unneeded images.
1- Polarization The two stereoscopic images are polarized at the same time on the same display screen differently in two perpendicular directions by fixing polarizing sheets or polarizing glass at the surface of the display screen at the area of each image, similar polarizing filters 315 in the same direction are added to the viewing apparatus in any position in the optical path and to the free eye glass 28, the polarizing filters work as normal 3d polarized glasses but only for blocking the unneeded images.
2- Optical Blocking 320 An adjustable diaphragm (adjustable in the direction of the displacement) is added in the optical path to limit the viewing opening to the size (area} of the middle three dimensional image.
For all apparatuses in this new system the casing can be made of plastic (PVC) or any suitable 325 material depending on the type of application and the working conditions.
The adjustment mechanism can vary according to the final design for each type of application.
Some applications have special requirements due to certain limitations, the design of photography, display and viewing apparatuses can be adjusted to satisfy such special requirements using the techniques and methods described in this disclosure.
Claims (14)
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A stereo photography apparatus to be mounted in front of a lense of a camera for capturing two stereoscopic images corresponding to left and right eyes of a viewer, which comprises plurality of reflective surfaces and means for positioning the two stereoscopic images one on top of the other in correct upright position in front of the lense to be captured by the camera as one image, and means for adjusting positions of the two stereoscopic images relative to each other vertically and horizontally in front of the lens of the camera.
2. A stereo photography apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein optical paths of said two stereoscopic images are changed along two different perpendicular planes, and wherein optical path of one image of the two stereoscopic images is changed by four reflective surfaces and optical path of the other image is changed by two reflective surfaces.
3. A stereo photography apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said four reflective surfaces and said two reflective surfaces are spaced away from each other at distances that maintain equal shift distances in said optical paths of said two stereoscopic images to maintain same scale for both of the two stereoscopic images.
4. The stereo photography apparatus to be mounted in front of a lense of a camera recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of said four reflective surfaces is adjustable to rotate around an axis parallel to the lens of the camera, and wherein at least one of said two reflective surfaces is adjustable to rotate around another axis parallel to the lens of the camera.
5. A stereo photography apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said axis is perpendicular to said another axis.
6. A stereo photography apparatus as defined in one or any combination of claims 1-5, made as integral part of a camera of any type.
7. A stereo projection apparatus to be mounted between a lense of a projector and a screen for projecting two stereoscopic images corresponding to left and right eyes of a viewer, which comprises two reflective surfaces to project one image of the two stereoscopic images, another two reflective surfaces to project the other image, means for changing optical paths of the two stereoscopic images along two different perpendicular planes, and means for adjusting positions of the two stereoscopic images relative to each other horizontally and vertically on the screen.
8. A stereo projection apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said two reflective surfaces and said another two reflective surfaces are spaced away from each other at distances that maintain equal shift distances in said optical paths of said two stereoscopic images to maintain same scale for both of the two stereoscopic images on said screen.
9. A stereo projection apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein one of said two reflective surfaces is adjustable to rotate around an axis parallel to said lens of said projector to control horizontal position of said two stereoscopic images on said screen, and wherein one of said another two reflective surfaces is adjustable to rotate around another axis to control vertical position of the two stereoscopic images on the screen.
10. A stereo projection apparatus as defined in one or any combination of claims 7-9, made as integral part of a projector of any type.
11. An apparatus for viewing two stereoscopic images corresponding to left and right eyes of a viewer when presented as printed images or displayed at the same time at different areas of a display screen in top and bottom arrangement or side by side arrangement, said apparatus consists of two equal parts allowed to slide relative to each other along a combining plane surface to two positions, wherein each of the two equal parts comprises two reflective surfaces to shift the two stereoscopic images in opposite directions to make said two stereoscopic images coincide over each other in front of said viewer's eyes and wherein one of the said two positions is for viewing the two stereoscopic images in the top and bottom arrangement and the other position is for viewing the two stereoscopic images in the side by side arrangement.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein one reflective surface of said two reflective surfaces is adjustable to change shift distance of said two stereoscopic images or to rotate around an axis parallel to said display screen to enable viewing of different sizes of said two stereoscopic images.
13. An apparatus for viewing two stereoscopic images corresponding to left and right eyes of a viewer when presented as printed images or displayed at the same time at different areas of a display screen, said apparatus comprises two reflective surfaces and means for changing and adjusting position of the two stereoscopic images for only one eye of the viewer's eyes relative to position of the two stereoscopic images in front of the other eye to make the two stereoscopic images coincide over each other in front of the viewer's eyes.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein one of said two reflective surfaces is adjustable to rotate around an axis parallel to said display screen and the two reflective surfaces are adjustable to rotate as one unit around another axis perpendicular to said axis to enable viewing of different sizes of said two stereoscopic images by said viewer from different positions.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002361729A CA2361729C (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2001-10-25 | 3d multimedia visualization system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002361729A CA2361729C (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2001-10-25 | 3d multimedia visualization system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2361729A1 CA2361729A1 (en) | 2003-04-25 |
| CA2361729C true CA2361729C (en) | 2004-07-27 |
Family
ID=4170461
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002361729A Expired - Fee Related CA2361729C (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2001-10-25 | 3d multimedia visualization system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2361729C (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105842863A (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2016-08-10 | 广景视睿科技（深圳）有限公司 | Large-field of view near-to-eye display device and method |
| CN108972590A (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2018-12-11 | 苏州博众机器人有限公司 | A kind of robot head structure and robot |
-
2001
- 2001-10-25 CA CA002361729A patent/CA2361729C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2361729A1 (en) | 2003-04-25 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP4863527B2 (en) | Stereoscopic imaging device | |
| US8289380B2 (en) | Polarized stereoscopic display device and method | |
| RU2483469C2 (en) | Stereoscopic system for forming and displaying images | |
| US3959580A (en) | Directly viewable stereoscopic projection system | |
| US20080018732A1 (en) | 3D Display Method and Apparatus | |
| JP2009017207A (en) | Stereoscopic television system and stereoscopic television receiver | |
| JP4421673B2 (en) | 3D image display device | |
| US5225861A (en) | Apparatus for projection of three-dimensional images | |
| US20060018016A1 (en) | Device for viewing stereoscopic images on a display | |
| RU2397524C2 (en) | Camera for recording three-dimensional images | |
| US8189037B2 (en) | Various configurations of the viewing window based 3D display system | |
| US8717425B2 (en) | System for stereoscopically viewing motion pictures | |
| US8228373B2 (en) | 3-D camera rig with no-loss beamsplitter alternative | |
| CA2361729C (en) | 3d multimedia visualization system | |
| CN1598690A (en) | Screen division stereoscopic photography projection instrument | |
| JP4609001B2 (en) | Pointer device | |
| JP2003519445A (en) | 3D system | |
| US8581962B2 (en) | Techniques and apparatus for two camera, and two display media for producing 3-D imaging for television broadcast, motion picture, home movie and digital still pictures | |
| JPH1152292A (en) | Stereoscopic picture observation system | |
| CA2194630A1 (en) | Viewing system for electronic 3-d animation and 3-d viewing mirror | |
| JPH0435395A (en) | Stereoscopic monitor | |
| JP2001305478A (en) | Stereoscopic image projecting device and adapter | |
| JPH0397390A (en) | Solid display device | |
| US10104368B1 (en) | Three-dimensional viewing apparatus and video system | |
| WO2013061334A1 (en) | 3d stereoscopic imaging device with auto parallax |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |