Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080226281 | Business system for three-dimensional snapshots - A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images is provided. The method includes generating a stereo pair of images in digital form using at least one image recording device configured to produce two digital images producing a stereo pair. The method further includes offering the user an ability to provide the stereo pair of images to a display facilitator, the display facilitator comprising an ability to elect display from at least one from a group comprising a service bureau, a device configured to print the stereoscopic image, and a device configured to display the stereoscopic image. The user has an ability to choose a display facilitator for receiving the stereoscopic image and further has an ability to view at least one stereoscopic image resulting from the generating. | 09-18-2008 |
20080239067 | Optical concatenation for field sequential stereoscpoic displays - A device used in projecting or transmitting stereoscopic images is provided. The device includes a multi-section light emitter, such as a “color wheel or a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light energy in multiple sections. Each section of light energy has an optical attribute associated therewith, such as color. Light energy projected in at least two sequential sections by the multi-section light emitter provides light energy having identical optical attributes, such as identical colors (red, green, or blue) but different perspective views associated with each sequential section, where the same optical attributes being employed in adjacent sections is referred to as “concatenation.” Different polarization attributes or polarization axis orientations may be employed within each section to facilitate stereoscopic image transmission and such concatenation in many cases reduces “judder” or other adverse visual effects. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239068 | Color and polarization timeplexed stereoscopic display apparatus - A device used in projecting stereoscopic images is provided. The device includes an illumination source configured to transmit light energy in multiple sections or segments, each section or segment having an optical attribute associated therewith, such as a color (red, green, blue). The illumination source may include light emitting diodes or light projected through a “color wheel,” and light energy is polarized by the illumination source. At least two adjacent sections of the have identical optical attributes, such as identical colors, and different perspective views associated therewith. Different polarization attributes or polarization axis orientations may be employed to facilitate stereoscopic image transmission using linear, circular, and achromatic circular polarization. Polarization and viewing of polarized light energy may be addressed by occlusion using eyewear. | 10-02-2008 |
20080273081 | Business system for two and three dimensional snapshots - A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images is provided. The method includes providing a two dimensional image representation to a service bureau configured to convert the two dimensional image representation into a stereoscopic image and transmitting the enhanced image from the service bureau to an entity for purposes of displaying the images in a user desired configuration, such as in a digital photo frame. Alternately, the present design includes receiving a two dimensional electronic image representation in electronic form together with conversion criteria, converting the two dimensional electronic image representation into a stereoscopic image based on the conversion criteria, and providing the stereoscopic image to a user for display. | 11-06-2008 |
20080303895 | Stereoplexing for video and film applications - A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data including a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images is provided. The primary application is for video applications, but film applications are also addressed. The method includes removing pixels from the stereoscopic image source data to form left images and right images and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed alone or in combination, and selected or predetermined regions or segments from uncompressed images may have more pixels removed or combined than other regions. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303896 | Stereoplexing for film and video applications - A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data into a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images, both the stereoscopic image source data and series of left images and series of right images conceptually defined to be within frames. The method includes compressing stereoscopic image source data at varying levels across the frame, thereby forming left images and right images, and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Alternately, single frames may contain two right images in a first two portions of each single frame and two left images in a second two portions of each single frame, wherein each set of right and left images may be processed differently. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed. | 12-11-2008 |
20080316303 | Display Device - An enhanced liquid crystal display design is provided having relatively fast response time particularly useful in high speed or highly intense applications, such as stereoscopic or autostereoscopic image display. The liquid crystal display device is configured to display stereoscopic images, and comprises an LCD panel and control electronics configured to drive the LCD panel to a desired stereoscopic display state. The control electronics are configured to employ transient phase switching and overdrive the LCD panel to a desired state to enable relatively rapid display of stereoscopic images. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316375 | ZScreen® modulator with wire grid polarizer for stereoscopic projection - A projection design configured for use with a projector having a projector lens is provided. The device includes at least one pi-cell or pi-cell electro-optical modulator in combination with a wire grid polarizer mounted proximate the pi-cell(s). The design may include a cleanup polarizer between the pi-cell(s) and the wire grid polarizer and optionally a protective window between the wire grid projector and projection lens. The device may be oriented at an angle substantially differing from the axis of the projector lens. The resultant device includes spacing for airflow and can offer improved performance, particularly in heating, over designs previously available. | 12-25-2008 |
20090128620 | Demultiplexing for stereoplexed film and video applications - A method for demultiplexing frames of compressed image data is provided. The image data includes a series of left compressed images and a series of right compressed images, the right compressed images and left compressed images compressed using a compression function. The method includes receiving the frames of compressed image data via a medium configured to transmit images in single frame format, and performing an expansion function on frames of compressed image data, the expansion function configured to select pixels from the series of left compressed images and series of right compressed images to produce replacement pixels to form a substantially decompressed set of stereo image pairs. Additionally, a system for receiving stereo pairs, multiplexing the stereo pairs for transmission across a medium including single frame formatting, and demultiplexing received data into altered stereo pairs is provided. | 05-21-2009 |
20090184890 | Enhanced zscreen modulator techniques - A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time. | 07-23-2009 |
20090246404 | Enhanced projection screen - An apparatus and method for producing a screen is provided. The method includes propelling a quantity of paint comprising metallic flakes, such as aluminum flakes, toward the screen. The method also includes applying at least one magnetic field in a vicinity of the screen, wherein applying the at least one magnetic field causes at least one metallic flake in the quantity of paint to be oriented relative to the screen in a substantially preferred orientation, thereby producing a screen exhibiting beneficial projection qualities, such as brightness. The magnetic field(s) applied may be unsymmetric in the time domain of, for example, an AC component of the magnetic field. | 10-01-2009 |
20100103249 | Stereoscopic image format with depth information - A multi-view distribution format is described for stereoscopic and autostereoscopic 3D displays. In general, it comprises multi-tile image compression with the inclusion of one or more depth maps. More specifically, it provides embodiments that utilize stereoscopic images with one or more depth maps typically in the form of a compressed grey scale image and, in some instances, incorporates depth information from a second view encoded differentially. | 04-29-2010 |
20100214396 | Dual ZScreen Projection - A system and method for projecting stereoscopic images using a multiple projector arrangement is provided. The design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left and right images and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left and right images. The first projector left image is transmitted by the first projector at substantially a same time as the second projector right image is transmitted by the second projector. Alternately, the design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left images alternating with first projector right images, and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left images alternating with second projector right images. A quasi-interlacing technique is also provided. | 08-26-2010 |
20110025832 | Ghost-compensation for improved stereoscopic projection - A method and system for reducing ghost images in plano-stereoscopic image transmissions is provided. The method comprises establishing a plurality of expected ghosting profiles associated with a plurality of predetermined regions on a screen, and compensating for leakage in each predetermined region of a projected left and right eye images by removing an amount of ghost images leaking from the projected left eye image into the projected right eye image and vice versa. The system comprises a processor configured to receive the quantity of ghost artifacts and compute ghost compensation quantities for left eye images and right eye images. The processor is further configured to remove an amount of actual image ghost artifacts leaking from a projected left eye image into a projected right eye image and vice versa. The processor is also configured to compute ghost compensation quantities for each of a plurality of zones, each zone corresponding to a region on a screen having an expected ghosting profile associated therewith. | 02-03-2011 |
20110085141 | System for the projection of stereoscopic motion pictures - A system for projecting stereoscopic images is provided. The system includes a light source configured to provide light energy to a length of film having frames each comprising two sideframes oriented off axis, or side-by-side, from a preferred viewing orientation, an image receiving lens configured to receive light energy transmitted through the length of film, and an optical arrangement configured to receive images as light energy from the image receiving lens. The optical arrangement may include an afocal extender and means for reorienting images to the preferred viewing orientation and registering images reoriented to the preferred viewing orientation to a screen. The means for reorienting and registering include a plurality of optical refractive elements. Polarization, such as linear polarization, may be employed. | 04-14-2011 |
20110096295 | Combining P and S rays for bright stereoscopic projection - A multiple path stereoscopic projection system is disclosed. The system comprises a polarizing splitting element configured to receive image light energy and split the image light energy received into a primary path and a secondary path, a reflector in the secondary path, and a polarization modulator or polarization modulator arrangement positioned in the primary path and configured to modulate the primary path of light energy. A polarization modulator may be included within the secondary path, a retarder may be used, and optional devices that may be successfully employed in the system include elements to substantially optically superimpose light energy transmission between paths and cleanup polarizers. The projection system can enhance the brightness of stereoscopic images perceived by a viewer. Static polarizer dual projection implementations free of polarization modulators are also provided. | 04-28-2011 |
20110155253 | Biodegradable eyewear for stereoscopic image viewing - A stereoscopic image receiving device is provided. The device includes a front frame piece configured to maintain two stereoscopic lenses, the front piece substantially constructed of biodegradable materials. The device further includes a pair of temple pieces, each temple piece connectable to the front frame piece at an end thereof, each temple piece substantially constructed of biodegradable materials. | 06-30-2011 |
20110210964 | Stereoscopic flat panel display with synchronized backlight, polarization control panel, and liquid crystal display - An enhanced liquid crystal display design is provided having relatively fast response time particularly useful in high speed or highly intense applications, such as stereoscopic or autostereoscopic image display. The liquid crystal display device is configured to display stereoscopic images, and comprises an LCD panel and control electronics configured to drive the LCD panel to a desired 10 stereoscopic display state. The control electronics are configured to employ transient phase switching and overdrive the LCD panel to a desired state to enable relatively rapid display of stereoscopic images. | 09-01-2011 |
20120249756 | Enhanced ZScreen modulator techniques - A method and system for use in conjunction with a push-pull liquid crystal modulator system for creating circularly polarized light of alternating handedness is provided. The method and system comprise a pair of surface mode liquid crystal cells and a driver electrically coupled to the cells. The driver is configured to move an electrical charge using a quenching pulse comprising a relatively brief voltage spike at a beginning of a waveform period. Multiple additional improvements are provided, including reducing the thickness of the LC gap (the distance between cell electrode plates), creating a charge connection or wiring connection to the cell electrodes, employing anti-reflection coating technology, thinner ITO and ITO index matched to the LC material, bonding all possible air to material surfaces, using superior glass, employing more efficient polarizers, and reducing projector blanking time. | 10-04-2012 |
20120320164 | STEREOSCOPIC CAMERA WITH POLARIZING APERTURES - A new technology using polarizing apertures for imaging both left and right perspective views onto a single sensor is presented. The polarizing apertures can be used to image each perspective view onto one or more sensors. Polarizing apertures within a single lens or within two lenses may be employed. The apertures' areas may be changed to control exposure and the design allows for interaxial separations to be varied to the reduced values required for stereoscopic cinematography. | 12-20-2012 |
20130088487 | AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY WITH PLANAR PASS-THROUGH - A method and system for presenting both autostereoscopic images and planar images in a single display is disclosed. The design comprises processing the planar images received in the form of planar image data. The processing comprises at least one from a group comprising selectively employing bleed-through processing to enhance the planar image data when viewed through a lens sheet comprising slanted lenticules, selectively introducing blurring into the planar image data, and selectively employing anti-alias processing to the planar image data. Certain super pixels may be computed that differ from standard pixels, and lenticules in the data sheet may be slanted at desired angles. The physical lenticules may cause bleed-through that may be processed. Resolution may be computed after processing, and the resolution implemented for display. Mode switching between planar and autostereoscopic imaging may be provided in the form of Metadata or visible flags. | 04-11-2013 |
20130294684 | Stereoscopic image format with depth information - A multi-view distribution format is described for stereoscopic and autostereoscopic 3D displays. In general, it comprises multi-tile image compression with the inclusion of one or more depth maps. More specifically, it provides embodiments that utilize stereoscopic images with one or more depth maps typically in the form of a compressed grey scale image and, in some instances, incorporates depth information from a second view encoded differentially. | 11-07-2013 |
20140022342 | Stereoplexing for film and video applications - A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data into a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images, both the stereoscopic image source data and series of left images and series of right images conceptually defined to be within frames. The method includes compressing stereoscopic image source data at varying levels across the frame, thereby forming left images and right images, and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Alternately, single frames may contain two right images in a first two portions of each single frame and two left images in a second two portions of each single frame, wherein each set of right and left images may be processed differently. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed. | 01-23-2014 |
20140104268 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY EDGE VIOLATIONS - A method and apparatus for creating a stereoscopic image. The design includes creating a depth map of an original image, such as a moving image, by assigning bright pixels to near regions and dark pixels to far regions such that distance is proportional to pixel brightness, altering an edge region of the depth map of the original image gradually toward zero parallax at an edge of the original image, forming an altered depth map, and combining the altered depth map with the original image to form the stereoscopic image. | 04-17-2014 |