EP0830631A1

EP0830631A1 - Method and system for forming and projecting relief images

Info

Publication number: EP0830631A1
Application number: EP97908309A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Loison
Original assignee: LOISON DANIEL PREMIUM MEDICAL; Loison Daniel
Current assignee: LOISON, DANIEL
Priority date: 1996-03-11
Filing date: 1997-03-05
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Also published as: WO1997034183A1; CA2251030A1

Abstract

A method and a system for forming and projecting images in a smaller space while fully reproducing relief. The system includes a lens assembly (Fig. 1 or Fig. 2) with an optical axis passing through an input lens (2), a spherical sight (3) and further lenses (5, 6), and the assembly is coupled to one of a number of recording devices (7, 7 bis, 8, 9, 10). The system further includes (11, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 or Fig. 6) a projection screen (12) on the back of a Fresnel lens (13) lying in the diametrical plane of a hollow transparent hemisphere (14) optionally provided with a one-way mirror (15 or 12, 13), and a hollow one-way mirror receiver (16) optionally provided with a transparent wall (17), or a receiver screen consisting of a see-through surface, or a screen (18, 20, 22) of a transparent solid hemispherical receiver (19 or 21, 23, 24). The resulting image may be photographed or recorded in the form of a transparency or cinematographic film, or formed on the light-sensitive target of a video camera for recording on magnetic tape or transmission via a television network. An observer located in front of one of the receivers sees a high-quality relief image.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FORMING AND PROJECTING RELIEF IMAGES.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for forming and projecting images giving relief. a) Various processes are already known which make it possible to produce images in relief and among these we can cite holography and stereoscopy. If these methods give good results, they nevertheless have the drawback of requiring, for their implementation, the use of relatively sophisticated equipment and which is consequently of a very high cost price. b) There is also known a process and a system for forming and projecting images giving a perception of the relief, and among these we can cite the Patent of invention, filing date: March 3, 1982, Publication no. : 2,522,832, National registration number: 82 03480; then the certificate of addition to this invention patent, filing date: March 4, 1983, Publication number: 2,542,103, National registration number: 83,03735; then the Patent of invention, filing date: January 9, 1984, Publication number: 2,557,983, National registration number: 84 00209; for which I am the inventor.

The present invention provides technical innovations and improvements, while aiming to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks a), by providing a method and a system for forming and projecting images of particularly simple design and at low cost, while providing excellent quality relief images.

To this end, this method of forming and projecting images restoring the relief is characterized in that, when taking a picture, a curved image of the space observed in and on the surface of a solid sphere is formed. in transparent material, this curved image is transformed into an intermediate planar image with circular outline, which is recorded on a photosensitive or magnetic medium or directly transmitted using one or the other of the forms of performances and presentations claimed and among, during the projection, the intermediate planar image with circular outline is projected directly onto a screen incorporated on the back of a Fresnel lens arranged in the plane diametral hemispherical of a transparent hollow receiver and of the same diameter as this one.

Or we project the intermediate planar image with a circular outline on the frosted surface of the diametrical planar surface of a semi-transparent solid sphere of optical glass constituting the receiver, so as to recreate in the receiver and on the hemispherical surface of that here, a relief image corresponding to the curved space observed.

More precisely and more explicitly, the invention is characterized by an optical system with reflections which can be adapted to the photographic camera, camera or television, making it possible to obtain the reduction and the reproduction of a space with the restitution of the relief.

Therefore it is a question of collecting the information of the subject or the space traversed by the light in both directions, that is to say that in a first situation, facing the input lens and on the surface from this, a virtual image is formed, the light rays having reversed signs, either a outward journey from 0 -> ∞ and a return journey from "'-> 0', this second information fixes the present or the subject, or shooting in the opposite direction, in fact the perspective view is doubled, the reality is therefore situated in the opposite direction and twice as close.

The image thus formed on the convex curve of the input lens is obviously distorted and must be straightened up to the plane, the curve matching the portion of space to be represented.

In the direction of the operator facing the subject, the object focus then being on the surface of the plano-convex or doublet entry lens, fig. 2, is focused on the diametral plane of a sphere or spherical diopter which can replace this, fig. 2, by its equivalent made in three parts, that is to say, a plano-convex lens adjoining a blade with two parallel faces and another plano-convex lens.

We are then in the second situation as for traditional photography, facing the subject while retaining the benefit of the first, we find the information of the outward journey of light rays, either in real space, the first, of ° o -> - 0, but it is not focused on the plane, or the frosted glass, or the emulsion photographic, like a real image obtained in a reverse space. Because according to the invention, the rays converge on the curve of this lens or spherical portion determining the angle of the space to be represented. From this point of view, the operator taking into account the first situation, while being in the second, that is to say facing this space, is therefore in the opposite direction.

The rays continue their paths in a path corresponding to the return, ie from 0 -) "'as indicated above, but that is to say, unlike the first situation of ° o -" 0. The sphere representing always proportionally the same real image of space, also reproduces the virtual image of it, by transparency and reflections on its two faces, one anterior, the other posterior, it is respectively inverted, inverted. It is an absolute which includes three dimensions, three directions. In this case, it is used here as a parallel and reducing space. The diametral plane of the sphere being the largest dimension of it, we have according to the opening angle of the system and in the extension of the light rays, focused 0 to ∞, that is to say, that we took another step back from another space, the second. We thus obtain on the operator's side, in a third space, a visualization of the posterior face of the sphere which appears to be in fact the anterior face of the space, with inside a real and virtual image combined at the level of the diametral plane, that is to say the focus. The view of space is reversed, but seems real, although still deformed in the sphere, it is seen from ∞ '- »0', that is to say from the diametral plane to the radius of the sphere . In this third space, the following lenses are used to straighten the image until it no longer has any deformations on the plane, or with respect to the diametral plane of the sphere, the output lens acting as a plane mirror transparent.

Thus, as indicated or specified in the definition of the invention, the image obtained is both real and virtual, it is in fact unequivocal, but the perspective view thereof being doubled due to the two paths light rays, such as the image that we would observe on a non-transparent plane mirror, we must therefore be located in an inverse space, reality being two times closer, that is to say it is inside a hemispherical receiver the diameter of the screen. It is therefore seen outside and this by reference to the diametral plane of the sphere or of the mirror representing space up to its radius. The virtual image is inverted and diametrically opposite to reality, and this with respect to the plane or just as with respect to the largest dimension of the diametral plane of a sphere or of the mirror according to the invention. Having, according to the method and the optical system, taken a step back from three spaces between four parallels, that is: oo -> 0 -> oo '->0', to find the perspective view of real space, the relief, l image of reality or the present and not the past, it is necessary to project the image obtained on the plane corresponding to the diametral plane of the sphere where the focus is located, that is to say that it must be seen by reverse and infinite back projection. The screen must be, for example, preferably white, translucent, incorporated or plated, like a thin film applied to the smooth part or the back of a Fresnel lens, positive, developing twice, fig. 3. We then approached first of all a space at the level of the projection plane, of 0 '- »∞'. Reality being twice as close, we therefore observe it in the opposite direction from oo - »0, and by way of example, in and on a hollow or full transparent hemispherical receiver, of the diameter of the screen. We find the information of the journeys, back and forth, light rays coming from infinity. All the space observed is seen with respect to the radius of the sphere, the return path is seen with reference to the reflection on the interior curve 0 or concave of the receiver hemisphere, fig. 3, while the reflection is outer 0 on the input lens of the objective. We thus keep the distance ratios, with a space in front and a space behind the subject, we obtain the relief on the convex surface <≈ of the hemispherical receiver which polarizes the image. The two eyes do not tire at all at the visualization of this one, although they do not each see the same respectively, because of the spatial offset caused by the convex curvature of the receiver which itself presents the relief of the half -sphere, with a view of the interior which is natural and is defined as a reduction of real space. We thus obtain the photographic or filmed depth of the space in three dimensions. The larger the hemispherical receptors, the more the results will be striking or optimized at a 1/1 ratio on the scale of reality. For television, receivers could be recessed to avoid spurious reflections. However, they could be presented, such as the space mirror or the "spheriscope" according to the invention, with a protruding hemispherical receptor comprising a back formed by a half-sphere and representing the curved space, such as a complete sphere .

The method according to the invention can be implemented concretely, that is to say by using real physical spheres and lenses, or even by electronic means for calculating the images formed. Successively making it possible to finally reconstruct an image in relief similar to that created on the half-sphere constituting the receiver. The subject of the invention is also a system for forming and projecting images giving the relief, characterized in that it comprises, for shooting, an objective comprising successively, on an optical axis, a first input lens , of substantially plano-convex shape or a doublet, then a solid optical sphere made of transparent material, or a spherical diopter made in three parts, and having a radius of curvature greater than that of the convex surface of the first input lens. This optical sphere being arranged near the exit face of the first entry lens, then a set of lenses equivalent to a divergent lens of opening substantially of the same order of magnitude as that of the optical sphere and arranged at the exit of the optical sphere, and, for projection, a preferably translucent white screen incorporated or plated on the back of a positive Fresnel lens corresponding to the focal point of the image focused in the material on the diametral plane of the sphere of the objective according to the invention and in terms of the image obtained from it, that is to say, using a shooting device, and among the different designs proposed: - the first, allowing the reduction and reproduction of space is a receiver made up of a hollow, transparent, embedded hemisphere, with a diameter equal to that of the Fresnel lens. The circular opening made for viewing the image in space is of a diameter less than the diametral plane of the screen, and this taking account of the perspective view of the sphere, the spectator being outside of it. In this case the observer can vary or modify his visual field according to its positioning or its displacement, that is to say with respect to the optical axis of the receiver, by referring to the circular plane located at the radius of the sphere. center 0, which is delimited by a specific two-way mirror, which improves the definition of the image and protects said receiver; and through which we can see the image in relief, and the space α>. Or also by deviating from the optical axis, one can then notice an effect of rotation of the image which seems to follow the gaze.

- The second, comprising a preferably translucent white screen, incorporated or plated on the smooth side of the Fresnel lens arranged in the diametral plane of the half-sphere of the hollow receiver, recessed, specifically shaped as a two-way mirror, to increase the definition of the image by favoring the return path of the light rays projected by the Fresnel lens towards the semi-reflecting surface, the receiver can be protected by a transparent plane glass, also placed parallel to the diametral plane of the hemisphere and substantially to the radius of it.

The third, comprising a translucent white screen preferably, incorporated or plated on the back of the Fresnel lens forming an integral part of the hemispherical receiver, is made up specifically, of a two-way mirror, but it is presented prominently, that is to say not totally recessed.

- The fourth, comprising for projection, either the frosted diametral planar surface of the full transparent transparent glass hemisphere constitutes the protruding or completely recessed receiver;

- The fifth, comprising for the projection a screen forming an integral part of the protruding hemispherical receiver or completely embedded, is made of transparent organic material; - The sixth, comprising a translucent screen, preferably white, is pressed against the diametrical flat surface of said full receivers;

- The seventh, comprising a frosted or preferably white, translucent screen, incorporated or pressed against the flat surface diametral of a hollow half-sphere made of transparent optical glass or transparent organic material, containing either a transparent liquid or a specific transparent substance, constitutes the recessed or protruding receptor; - The eighth is a full transparent half-sphere, called a magnifying glass for viewing the relief image obtained on photographic paper.

The image obtained by means of the objective of the optical system according to the invention can be taken in the form of a slide or be recorded in adequacy, such as for example, in the form of a cinematographic film shot in the direction of the existing technique according to the scrolling horizontal. It can also be formed on a photosensitive target of a video camera in order to be recorded on a magnetic tape or to be transmitted by a television network. On the reception side, in the case of an image recorded on a photosensitive support (slide or cinematographic film), a projector for slides or even ordinary films. In the case of a transmission by television or a recording on magnetic tape, the image reproduced on the screens listed and which all present a circular contour, is transformed into an image in relief when viewed through the optical receivers defined.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Plate 1/3 is a block diagram illustrating the principle of the process and the system for forming and projecting relief images according to the invention, (fig.l and 3).

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of an embodiment of the shooting objective of the system according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of a receiver used in conjunction with a slide or film projector. Plate 2/3 is an axial section view of the shooting objective of the system according to the invention, presenting two new possibilities or technical improvements (fig. 2), the first replacing the plano-convex input lens by a plano-convex doublet, the second characterized in that the sphere o

solid optic in transparent material, can be replaced by an equivalent spherical diopter, and manufactured in three parts.

The method and the system for forming and projecting images giving the relief according to the invention implement, on the shooting side, a lens 1 which comprises a first plano-convex input lens, or doublet 2 whose convex face 2a is turned outwards, towards the space whose virtual image is to be formed. Behind this first input lens 2 is arranged a sphere 3 or spherical diopter fig. 2, made of optical glass, made of transparent organic material or with a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the convex face 2a of the lens d entry 2 or doublet fig. 2. In fact the diameter of the optical sphere 3 is,. preferably substantially equal to the distance separating the optical centers of the two eyes and their rays, that is to say that it is close to 89 mm. The input lens 2, the axial position of which, relative to the optical sphere 3, can be adjusted, constitutes an image generator in this optical sphere 3 together with an input diaphragm for the objective. The distance separating the planar exit face of the entry lens 2 from the optical sphere 3 is relatively small, of the order of 1 to 9 mm.

The modification of the axial position of the input lens 2 relative to the optical sphere 3 makes it possible to vary the angle of field. The further this input lens 2 is moved away from the optical sphere 3, that is to say the more it is shifted to the left in the drawing, the more the field angle is reduced. On the contrary, the closer the input lens 2 is to the optical sphere 3, the more the angle of view is increased and the image formed is full and complete. The image of the portion of space in front of the objective is inverted compared to the observed space, it must correspond to the object focus of the input lens and be adjusted in order to obtain the image focus at infinity, that is to say on the diametral plane of the sphere, where the virtual and real image are combined, but it is reversed, on the anterior hemispherical surface of the optical sphere 3 according to the invention, c '' i.e. the right hemisphere on the drawing, this image being marked by a reinforced line, plate 3 / 3.fig.5. Behind the optical sphere 3 is arranged a set of lenses 4 which is equivalent to a single slightly divergent lens. The function of this set of lenses 4 is to straighten the optical path of the light beam emerging from the optical sphere 3 in order to record the space information in both directions.

In the nonlimiting embodiment shown in the drawing, this set of lenses consists of a first diverging lens 5 concave-plane associated with a second converging lens 6 plane-convex whose left convex face 6a has a radius of curvature more larger than that of the right concave outlet face 5a of the plano-concave lens 5. The plano-convex converging lens 6 can be axially adjustable by displacement in translation. The lens assembly 4 ensures a gradual straightening of the image first formed on the concave face 5a of the plano-concave lens

5, then on the planar exit face 6b of the plano-convex lens 6. The circular image which is formed on the planar exit face of the plano-convex lens 6b, appears to be displayed on the plane lying the other side of the mirror where the image information is projected according to the device used either on a photosensitive support to obtain the photograph 7, or on a photosensitive support to form a slide 7bis or an image of a cinematographic film 8. It can also be projected on the photosensitive target 9 of a video camera 10 for magnetic recording or direct transmission by a television system. On the side of the projection, the image provided by the objective 1 is projected, by means of a projection device 11, onto a screen incorporated or plated 12 on the back of a Fresnel lens 13; or on a frosted surface 18 of the diametral plane of a solid hemisphere in optical glass, or a screen 20 forming an integral part of the diametral plane of the hemisphere in transparent organic material, or a screen 22 pressed against the planar diametral surface d 'A receiver made up either of optical glass or of organic matter; either the screens 18, 20, 22, of a hollow receiver made up either of optical glass or of organic material and containing a transparent liquid or a specific transparent substance. More particularly, the image is projected onto the screen of the diametrical plane of the receiver according to each of the different designs mentioned above. The receivers are particularly and more precisely referenced: - the receiver 14 is constituted by a transparent hollow hemisphere, embedded, in optical glass or in organic material, having before a plane machined in a two-way mirror 15; - The receiver 16 is hollow, hemispherical, recessed and shaped specifically like a one-way mirror, with a transparent glass in front 17;

- The receiver 16 is hollow, hemispherical, protruding not embedded, is shaped specifically like a one-way mirror; - The receiver 19 is a full hemisphere made of transparent, embedded or protruding optical glass;

- The receiver 21 is a full hemisphere made of transparent, embedded or projecting organic material;

- The hollow receiver in transparent optical glass or in transparent organic material contains either a transparent liquid 23 or a transparent substance 24, it can be embedded or protruding;

- the full hemisphere in optical glass or in organic material, or hollow containing a transparent liquid or a specific transparent substance, having a small diameter is called magnifying glass for viewing the image in relief for the photograph whose prints have been made on paper.

According to the invention, it is possible to envisage observing, through a viewer, the image of small dimensions, such as a slide.

The projection device 11 can be a conventional projector or the like, used for the projection of slides or cinematographic films.

The observer who happens to be located in front of the hemispherical surface of the receptors (14) -15, (16) -17, (16), (19), (21),

(23,24), or in front of the magnifying glass, can see in the half-sphere and on the surface thereof, a relief image of excellent quality.

Claims

1.- A method of forming and projecting images restoring the integral visualization of the relief, characterized in that, during the shooting, the perspective of the targeted space is doubled by making prevail the ratio of situations which exists between the object focal point located on the surface of the input lens and the image focal point, real and virtual, focused and merged ad infinitum on the diametral plane of a solid sphere made of transparent material, forming a curved image on the "anterior side" "from this, we transform this curved image into an intermediate plane image with a circular contour, which is recorded on a photosensitive or magnetic medium or directly transmitted, and, during projection, we project the intermediate plane image with circular contour on the screen on the back of the Fresnel lens corresponding to the diametrical plane of the transparent hollow hemispherical receiver, or one-way, or with semi-reflecting surface, or on the screen ran from the diametrical flat surface of a full transparent half-sphere, constituting the receiver, so as to recreate in and on the hemispherical receiver, hollow or full, from the radius to the diameter of the sphere, a perspective view of distinct planes reproducing the natural relief in the curved space observed.

2.- A system for forming and projecting images making it possible to obtain a natural relief, characterized in that it comprises, for shooting, an objective (1) successively comprising, on an optical axis, a first lens inlet (2), of substantially plano-convex shape, which can be replaced by a doublet (2 fig. 2), then an optical sphere (3), made of transparent material, which can be replaced by a spherical diopter (3 fig. 2) equivalent, made in three parts, that is to say, a plano-convex lens adjoining a blade with two parallel faces and another plano-convex lens, having a radius of curvature greater than that of the convex surface of the first input lens (2), this optical sphere (3), or spherical diopter (3 fig. 2), being disposed near the planar outlet face of the first input lens (2), then a set of lenses (4) equivalent to a diverging aperture lens of substantially the same order of g hiker than that of the optical sphere (3) or of the spherical diopter (3 fig. 2) and arranged at the exit of this optical sphere, the exit lens (6b) acting as a transparent plane mirror preceding the specific devices according to the invention, either (7), (7bis), (8), (9) or (10), and for projection, comprising either a screen (12) preferably translucent white, incorporated or plated on the back of a Fresnel lens (13) arranged in the diametral plane of a transparent hollow hemisphere (14), or one-way (16), or on the surface semi-reflective, either the frosted surface (18) of the diametrical flat surface of the transparent full hemisphere constituting the receiver (19), or a screen (20) forming an integral part of the flat surface of the solid transparent container (21 ), or a screen pressed against the diametrical plane of said receivers (22).

3.- System according to claim 2, characterized in that for the visualization of the image in relief, there are first of all distinguished two types of hemispherical receivers, which are either transparent hollow, or hollow in two-way mirror, which occur under three different designs, and among, the first is a receiver of the first type, that is to say, consisting of a transparent hollow hemisphere, it is recessed (14), or projecting, of equal diameter to that of the screen or of the positive Fresnel lens developing twice (13), which composes it with or without mirror without specific two-dimensional plane (15) which improves the definition of the image and provides protection to the receiver, the second, for the second type, is a receiver made up of a hollow semi-sphere shaped mirror without specific two-way glass (16), embedded and of a diameter equal to that of the screen (12) of the positive Fresnel lens ( 13) which composes it, as well as a transparent plan glass rent which protects it (17), or the third of the second type is a suitable receiver to define the spatial offset of the image in the same way, it consists of a hollow half-sphere shaped specifically in a two-way mirror (16), projecting or not fully recessed, with a diameter equal to that of the screen (12) or of the positive Fresnel lens (13) which composes it, in the diametral plane from which the image obtained from the image is projected objective according to the invention.

4.- System according to claim 2 characterized in that for viewing the relief image, there is category of the hemispherical receptor formed by a semi-reflecting surface.

5.- System according to claim 2, characterized in that for the visualization of the image in relief, one distinguishes other forms of executions, that is the fourth belonging to a third type of receivers, the half-sphere is full , transparent, protruding or embedded (21), i.e. the sixth and seventh, the hemisphere is hollow transparent and contains a transparent liquid or a specific transparent substance (23), (24), in the diametral plane of which is projected the image obtained from the objective according to the invention, that is also the eighth design, the half-sphere is full, transparent, or hollow containing a transparent liquid or a specific transparent substance and not comprising a screen, it is d 'a small diameter, is said, magnifying glass for viewing the image in relief for the photograph whose prints were made on paper.

6.- System according to claim 2 characterized in that the optical sphere or the spherical diopter (3 fig.2) preferably has a diameter substantially equal to the distance separating the optical centers of the two eyes and their rays, c ' that is to say of the order of 89 millimeters.

7.- System according to any one of claims 2 and 6 characterized in that means are provided for varying the axial position of the first input lens (2) relative to the optical sphere (3).

8.- System according to any one of claims 2, 6 and 7 characterized in that the lens assembly (4) is constituted by a first diverging lens (5) concave plane associated with a second converging lens (6) plano-convex whose convex face (6a) has a radius of curvature greater than that of the concave exit face (5a) of the plano-concave lens (5) towards which it is turned.

9.- System according to claim 8 characterized in that the plano-convex converging lens (6) is axially adjustable by displacement in translation.

10.- Training and projection system according to any one of claims from 2 to 9 characterized in that the virtual image reversed with a curvature of the space inverted on the plane of the mirror to infinity, can be recorded, filmed or transmitted in a horizontal scrolling, or back-projected by time offset in addition to the spatial offset of the image creating a natural relief on the receiver, i.e. - say that of the auto-stereoscopic vision of the whole sphere considered.