NL2009067C2 - VIEWING DEVICE FOR VIEWING STEREOGRAPHIC IMAGES. - Google Patents

Description

VIEWING DEVICE FOR VIEWING STEREOGRAPHIC

PICTURES

The invention relates to a viewing device for viewing stereographic images, or 3D images.

3D images can - both figuratively and literally - add a dimension to the viewing experience. Although 3D images have therefore always appealed to the imagination 10, their popularity is increasing with current technological developments in that area. For example, screens (televisions and monitors) that can show 3D images are now for sale in price ranges that are accessible to many people. Other applications concern, for example, 15 portable game consoles, as well as 3D image recording equipment such as photo and video cameras.

Particularly due to the availability of this 3D image recording equipment, users will more often have 3D image material in the future. Although a user can use his 3D screen for viewing 3D images, for example, a television screen is not available and / or can be used everywhere. A screen is not always easy to carry, is vulnerable during possible transport, and requires electricity for which, for example, a mains connection is required in the case of a television.

The invention now has for its object to provide a viewing device of the above-described type, wherein the disadvantages mentioned do not occur, or at least to a lesser extent.

Said object has been achieved with the viewing device for viewing stereographic images, or 2 3D images, according to the invention, the viewing device comprising: - a lens part with a first side edge and one or more recesses arranged therein in which a lens for the left eye and a lens for the right eye; a middle part with a first side edge and a third side edge opposite the first side edge and running substantially parallel to the first side edge of the lens part; and - a support part with a first side edge that runs substantially parallel to the first side edge of the middle part, the support part being arranged around a pair of 3D images, comprising a first image intended for the left eye and a second intended for the right eye image, to wear and / or to support.

Such a device is portable and requires no electrical connection, while allowing a user to enjoy 3D images everywhere.

20 Possible applications are viewing, color and listening angles for children, presentation books for the business market (project developers, real estate agents, architects, representatives, etc.) and special editions for the tourist market. In addition, it can serve as a (personal) photo album.

Because the lens part, middle part and support part are separate parts connected to each other, the device is foldable. As a result, it can be collapsed like a book, and in the collapsed state can be easily stored and transported comfortably.

The chosen configuration of the connections between the lens part, middle part and support part ensures that virtually the same amount of light falls on both images that together form the 3D image, so that the viewing experience is optimal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the viewing device, a book is arranged on the central part, the folding edge of the pages of which is situated on the side facing the supporting part and is substantially parallel to the first side edge of the supporting part. In this way a plurality of images can be alternated, the support part serving to support a page to be viewed in a substantially standing position.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the book can be releasably arranged on the middle part. This makes the book easily interchangeable for another copy.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the support part comprises a rolled-up series of images arranged on one or more rollers.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, at least the support part and the lens part 20 are separate parts which can be coupled and disconnected via the middle part, wherein the middle part can be fixedly connected to the support part or the lens part.

It is thus conceivable that a support part with one or more rollers can be detachably attachable to the middle part. The support part can hereby be exchanged for another copy together with the series of images arranged on one or more rollers. It is also conceivable that the middle part and the support part together form one part that can be coupled and disconnected with the lens part.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, a second spacer part is arranged between the middle part and the support part, the second spacer part 4 being connected with a first side edge to the first side edge of the support part, and with a third side edge being connected to the first side edge of the middle part . The second spacer part provides some spacing, whereby a book of some thickness or a rolled-up series of images arranged on rolls can be used.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, a first distance part is arranged between the lens part and the middle part, wherein the first distance part 10 is connected with a first side edge to the third side edge of the middle part, and with a third side edge is connected to the first side edge of the lens part . The lens part thus also has sufficient distance to be collapsed.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the support part is provided with one or more light-transmitting recesses through which light can shine on the rear side of the images.

Both images are preferably sufficiently and uniformly exposed. Although this is possible with the aid of a single sufficiently large recess, it is also conceivable that recesses are used separately for both images.

These one or more light-transmitting recesses are arranged on the outside and transmit light up to the rear of the images, which in combination with at least partially light-transmitting images provides a surprising viewing effect.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the images are at least partially blank line drawings that can be colored by an end user.

When these images are colored with different colors for the left and right eye, and the viewer then views these images via the lenses arranged in the lens part, a surprising effect is created. As the 3D images are also formed, the brain will process the left image perceived by the left eye and the right image perceived by the right eye into a single 3D image, mixing of the colors occurring. The 3D effect is retained when the colors are mixed, which gives a particularly attractive effect.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the lens part comprises a recording part in which a filter which can be arranged before or after the one or both lenses can be accommodated. By using a color filter as a filter, the mixing effect can be influenced further.

It is also possible to use a polarization filter or an anaglyph lens pair to thereby achieve a stereo effect in an alternative manner, wherein a single image is sufficient if this image is made up of two superimposed images that are made using the polarization filters or the normally cyan / red anaglyph lens pair each can be filtered out for a specific eye.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, one or more spacers are provided between the lens part and the support part. With these spacers an optimum viewing distance between the lens part and the support part is guaranteed.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, connecting elements cooperating in the support part and the second spacer part are provided, at least one of these connecting elements being magnetic and the other connecting element being magnetically or magnetizable.

6

The connecting elements can be either two cooperating magnets, or for example a magnet in one part and a metal connecting element in the other part. The magnet will then attract the metal connecting element 5.

As a result, at least the side where the images are located is foldable, so that the images are temporarily accessible, for example for being colored in by a user.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, connecting elements cooperating in the lens part and the first distance part are provided, at least one of these connecting elements being magnetic and the other connecting element being magnetically or magnetizable. This makes the entire device fully foldable, so that the images are accessible without hindrance, for example for coloring.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, a lighting unit is provided on the inside of the lens part. The images can be provided with a fluorescent ink that is lightable when it is illuminated by the lighting unit arranged on the inside of the lens part, which provides a particularly surprising effect. A suitable lighting unit is an LED lamp.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the lens for the left eye and the lens for the right eye are slidably arranged in the one or more recesses. As a result, the positions of both lenses 30 can be adjusted such that it optimally connects to a user of the viewing device. The eye distance differs between people, and will be smaller in children than in adults.

7

Preferably, the lenses are slidable over a range that the center-to-center distance of the lenses is adjustable between 5.5 and 7.5 cm, and more preferably between 6 and 7 cm.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the lens for the left eye and the lens for the right eye are connected to each other via direction reversing means, said direction reversing means being adapted to cause the direction of movement of the lens for the left eye to be opposite to the direction of movement of the lens for the right eye. The direction reversing means have a gear ratio of 1: 1, and thereby ensure that the lenses move symmetrically in opposite directions when the lens spacing between the lenses is adjusted.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the direction reversal means comprise: - a first gear rack connected to the lens for the left eye; - a second gear rack connected to the lens for the right eye; and - at least one gear wheel provided between the racks.

In the following description, preferred embodiments of the present invention are further explained with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1: a perspective view of a viewing device according to a first preferred embodiment, which is in a folded-up storage condition;

Figure 2: a perspective view of the viewing device shown in figure 1, wherein it is in an unfolded active position;

Figure 3: a perspective view of a viewing device according to a second preferred embodiment; 8

Figure 4: a perspective view of a viewing device according to a third preferred embodiment, with spacers of a first type;

Figure 5: a perspective view of a viewing device according to a fourth preferred embodiment;

Figure 6: a perspective view of a viewing device according to a fifth preferred embodiment;

Figure 7: a side view of a viewing device with spacers of a second type; Figure 8: a side view of a viewing device with spacers of a third type;

Figure 9 is a side view of a viewing device with spacers of a fourth type;

Figure 10: a perspective view of a viewing device, wherein the lenses are slidably arranged in their respective recesses in the lens part; and

Figures 11-14: schematic representations of different embodiments of direction reversal means 20 for the slidable lenses.

The first embodiment of the viewing device 1 shown in figures 1 and 2 comprises a lens part 2, a middle part 36 and a support part 64. A first spacer part 22 is provided between the lens part 2 and the middle part 36, and a similar spacing is provided between the middle part 36 and the support member 64 provide a second spacer member 50. The spacer parts 22, 50 provide the option of receiving a book 49 on the middle part 36, the viewing device 1 remaining foldable to the position shown in Figure 1.

The book 49 comprises pages with associated image pairs of 78, 80. One or more 9 transparent insert covers can also be provided, in which a photo with an image pair of 78, 80 can be received.

Instead of a book 49, a ring-tape system can also be provided in which loose sheets can be accommodated.

By folding out the viewing device 1 shown in figure 1 to the folded-out active position shown in figure 2, the viewing device 1 is suitable for allowing a user to view 3D images with it. For this purpose, recesses 16 are provided in the lens part 10, in which a first lens 18 for looking through it with the left eye is provided, and a second lens 20 for looking through it with the right eye.

In the operative condition shown in Figure 2, the support part 64 is adapted to support and / or support a first image 78 intended for the left eye and a second image 80 intended for the right eye.

Incidentally, it is noted that the images 78, 80 can be integrated into a single image, wherein the use of, for example, polarized lenses 18, 20 with a deviating polarity between the two eyes can ensure that one and the same eye is used each time with the left eye and the right eye. of both images 78, 80 is observed.

Instead of distinguishing images 78, 80 with polarized lenses between both eyes, this is also possible with an anaglyph pair of lenses. Anaglyph lenses are colored lenses, for example with a cyan and a red lens.

When a user looks through the lenses 18, 20 included in the lens part 2 at the images 78, 80, these two images 78, 80 will be combined in the brain into a single image forming a 3D image.

The lens part 2 has an outer side 4 and an inner side 6, as well as a first side edge 8, a second side edge 10, a third side edge 12 and a fourth side edge 14.

The first side edge 8 of the lens part 2 is also the third side edge 32 of the first spacer part 22. These common side edges 8, 32 function as a pivot axis between the first spacer part 22 and the lens part 2.

The first spacer part 22 further comprises an outer side 24, an inner side 26, a first side edge 28, a second side edge 30 and a fourth side edge 34.

The first side edge 28 of the first spacer part 22 is also the third side edge 46 of the middle part 36. The third side edge 46 of the middle part 36 and the first side edge 28 of the first spacer part 22 together again form a pivot axis.

Through the side edges 8, 32, 28, 46, the lens part 2 can be opened and closed like a book cover.

Similarly, the support part 64 is pivotally mounted on the middle part 36 by means of the second spacer part 50.

The middle part has an outer side 38, an inner side 40, a first side edge 42, a second side edge 44, a third side edge 46 and a fourth side edge 48.

The second spacer part 50, which is located between the middle part 36 and the support part 64, comprises an outer side 52, an inner side 54, a first side edge 56, a second side edge 58, a third side edge 60 and a fourth side edge 62.

The support member 64 comprises an outer side 66, an inner side 68, a first side edge 70, a second side edge 72, a third side edge 74 and a fourth side edge 76.

11

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a book 49 is included on the inner side 40 of the middle part 36, the side around which the pages are bound on the side facing the supporting part 64, and running substantially parallel to the first side edge 70 of the support member 64. The support member 64 is adapted to support and / or support the pair of 3D images 78, 80.

In the second preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, instead of a book 49, two rollers 84, 86 are provided, wherein a series of images 78, 80 is arranged on the roll material. With the aid of a roller control 85 on the first roller, or a roller control 87 on the second roller, the user can place this rolled-up series of images 78, 80 in the image of the lenses 18, 20.

In the embodiment shown, the rolling material runs for the inner side 68 of support part 64, yet it is also conceivable that the rolling material moves between the outside 66 and the inner side 68 of a double-walled supporting part.

Furthermore, a recess 82 is provided in the support part 64 through which light can fall from the rear of the support part 64 to the images 78, 80.

The third preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4 supports the support member 64 for a rotary disk 116 rotatably arranged around a rotation axis 114. This rotary disk 116 has a ribbed edge 118 which a user can operate through a recess 120 in the edge 74 of the support member 64 for turning the turntable 116 around the axis of rotation 114. Thus, a selectable set of images 78, 80 can be placed behind the viewing window 83 in each case.

12

It is noted that the embodiment shown in Figure 4 may have a combined, ie overlapping, first and second image 78, 80 which are detected by the desired eye with the aid of polarization filters or anaglyph lenses, ie image 78 by the left eye and image 80 through the right eye.

A recess 82 arranged in the outside 66 of the support part 64 drops light from the rear onto the images 78, 80 located in the viewing window 83.

The third preferred embodiment of the viewing device 1 shown in Figure 4 comprises a spacer 104 in the form of a profile beam 106.

In the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5, the middle part 36, the support part 64 and the second spacer part 50 arranged between them form a book that can be coupled to a coupling part 100 which has a recess 102 for this purpose. On the inside 6 of the lens part 20, a lighting unit 88, such as an LED, is provided.

Images 78, 80 can be illuminated with this lighting unit 8.

In the preferred embodiments shown in figures 5 and 6, the figures are 78, 80 line drawings that are at least partially blank. As shown in Figure 6, the blank parts of these line drawings can be colored by an end user with the aid of a colored pencil 98, color marker or a pen. When the images 78, 80 are colored for the left and right eye, and the viewer then looks at these colored images 78, 80 through the lenses 18, 20, the surprising effect is that the brain mixes the colors.

13

This effect can be enhanced if desired by including a filter 94, 96 in the recording part 90 and / or recording part 92.

Figures 7 and 8 show spacers of the second and third type, respectively. In figure 7 a single cord 108 is arranged between the support part 64 and the lens part 2, while the preferred embodiment cords 110, 112 shown in figure 8 are arranged between the lens part 2 and the middle part 36, and the middle part 36 and the support part 64, respectively. .

Figure 9 shows a further preferred embodiment wherein connecting elements 126, 128 cooperating in the support part 64 and the second spacer part 50 are provided, at least one of these connecting elements 126, 128 being magnetic and the other connecting element 128, 126 being magnetically or magnetizable . Similarly, connecting elements 122, 124 cooperating in the lens part 2 and the first spacing part 22, at least one of these connecting elements 122, 124 being magnetic and the other connecting element 124, 122 being magnetically or magnetizable. The connecting elements 122, 124, 126, 128 can therefore all be magnets, yet it is also conceivable that one of the cooperating connecting elements is in each case a metal component that can be magnetized with the cooperating magnet.

This embodiment with magnets as connecting elements has the special advantage that the viewing device 1 can be fully opened, which is particularly advantageous when combined with a variant to be colored as shown, for example, in Figures 5 and 6. On the other hand, the magnets in the Fig. 9 shows a circle 14 enlarged representation of a rigid connection which sets the desired viewing distance between the support part 64 and the lens part 2.

According to a still further preferred embodiment, the lens 18 for the left eye and the lens 20 for the right eye are slidably arranged in the recesses 16 (Figure 10). As a result, the positions of both lenses 18, 20 can be adjusted such that it optimally connects to a user of the viewing device 1.

It is advantageous if the two lenses 18, 20 are positioned symmetrically in the viewing device 1, because they then have an optimum positioning for viewing the images 78, 80 which are likewise arranged symmetrically in the viewing device 1.

To this end, the viewing device 1 is preferably provided with direction reversing means 134 provided between the lens 18 for the left eye and the lens 20 for the right eye. These direction reversing means 134 are adapted to cause the direction of movement of the lens 18 for the left eye to be opposite to the direction of movement of the lens 20 for the right eye. The direction reversing means have a gear ratio of 1: 1, and thereby ensure that the lenses 18, 20 move symmetrically in opposite directions when the lens spacing between the lenses 18, 20 is adjusted.

Some different embodiments of the direction reversal means 134 are shown schematically in Figures 11-14. In all embodiments shown, the direction-reversing means 134 comprise a first gear rack 130 connected to the lens 18 for the left eye, a second gear rack 132 connected to the lens 20 for the right eye, and at least one gear wheel 136 provided between the racks 130, 132 .

15

In the embodiments of Figures 11 and 12, the first rack 130 is connected to the lens 18 via a connecting arm 131.

When, according to the embodiment of Fig. 11, the lens 18 for the left eye is shifted by means of the sliding button 142 of the operating means 140, the lens 20 for the right eye will be moved in the opposite direction via the gearwheel 36.

Figure 12 shows great similarity in Figure 10 to Figure 11, but differs from Figure 11 in that the operating means 140 comprise a rotary knob 144 mounted on the gear wheel 136.

It is otherwise noted that the principle shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is mirrorable, so that if desired the lens 20 for the right eye is connected via a connecting arm to a rack 132.

13 and 14 show two embodiments in which the direction reversal means 134 are provided with a further gear wheel 138.

In figure 13 the operating means 140 comprise a rotary knob 144 arranged on the gear wheel 138. If desired, this rotary knob 144 can also be provided on the gear wheel 136.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 14, an operating means 140 with a double-sided gear rack 146 is provided between the two gear wheels 136, 138, the operation being effected by sliding the operating means 140 with a sliding knob.

The embodiments described above, although showing preferred embodiments of the invention, are only intended to illustrate the present invention and not to limit the description of the invention in any way. In particular, it is noted that a person skilled in the art can combine technical measures of the various embodiments. For example, the embodiment with magnets shown in Figure 9 can be combined with the embodiments shown in Figures 1-6.

It is also noted that, although rectangular lenses are shown, the invention is also practicable with lenses that have a different shape, for example substantially round.

The rights described are defined by the following claims in the scope of which many modifications are conceivable.

Claims (18)

Viewing device (1) for viewing stereographic images, or 3D images, comprising: - a lens part (2) with a first side edge (8) and one or more recesses (16) arranged therein in which a lens (18) for the left eye and a lens (20) for the right eye; 10. a center portion (36) having a first side edge (42) and a third side edge (46) opposite the first side edge (42) and running substantially parallel to the first side edge (8) of the lens portion (2); and - a support part (64) with a first side edge (70) running substantially parallel to the first side edge (42) of the middle part (36), the support part being arranged around a pair of 3D images (78, 80), comprising a first image (78) intended for the left eye and a second image intended for the right eye (80) to be carried and / or supported. 2. Viewing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a book is arranged on the middle part (36), the folding edge of the pages of which is situated on the side facing the supporting part (64) and runs substantially parallel to the first side edge (70) of the support member (64). 3. Viewing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the book can be releasably mounted on the middle part (36). Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support part comprises a rolled-up series of images (78, 80) arranged on one or more rollers (84, 86). Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the support part (64) and the lens part (2) are separate parts that can be coupled and disconnected via the middle part (36), wherein the middle part can be fixedly connected to the support part or the lens part. 10 Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second spacer part (50) is arranged between the middle part (36) and the support part (64), the second spacer part (50) being connected to a first side edge 15 (56) the first side edge (70) of the support part (64), and with a third side edge (60) is connected to the first side edge (42) of the middle part (36). 7. Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first spacer part (22) is arranged between the lens part (2) and the middle part (36), the first spacer part (22) being connected to a first side edge (28) with the third side edge (46) of the middle part (36), and with a third side edge (32) is connected to the first side edge (8) of the lens part (2). 8. Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (64) is provided with one or more light-transmitting recesses (82) through which light can shine on the rear side of the images (78, 80). The viewing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the images (78, 80) are at least partially blank line drawings that can be colored by an end user. 5 Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lens part comprises a recording part (90) in which a filter which can be arranged before or after the one or both lenses (18, 20) can be accommodated. 10 The viewing device of claim 10, wherein the filter is a color filter. 12. Viewing device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein one or more spacers (104) are provided between the lens part (2) and the support part (64). 13. Viewing device as claimed in any of the claims 6-12, wherein connecting elements (126, 128) cooperating in the support part (64) and the second spacer part (50) are provided, at least one of these connecting elements (126, 128) being magnetically and the other connecting element (128, 126) is magnetically or magnetizable. 25 14. Viewing device as claimed in any of the claims 6-13, wherein connecting elements (122, 124) cooperating in the lens part (2) and the first distance part (22) are provided, at least one of these connecting elements (122, 124) being magnetically and the other connecting element (124, 122) is magnetically or magnetizable. Viewing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lighting unit (88) is provided on the inside (6) of the lens part (2). The viewing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lens (18) for the left eye and the lens (20) for the right eye are slidably arranged in the one or more recesses (16). 17. A viewing device according to claim 16, wherein the lens (18) for the left eye and the lens (20) for the right eye are connected to each other via direction reversing means (34), said direction reversing means being arranged to change the direction of movement of the lens ( 18) for the left eye to be opposite to the direction of movement of the lens (20) for the right eye. A viewing device according to claim 17, wherein the direction reversing means (34) comprise: - a first gear rack (130) connected to the lens (18) for the left eye 20; - a second gear rack (132) connected to the lens (20) for the right eye; and - at least one gear wheel provided between the racks (130, 132). 25