Method and apparatus for utilizing representational images in analytical activities

• US 20030080962A1
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eliezer D. Sandler, Joel Nathan Bock, Ronald R. Erickson
• Original Assignee: Eliezer D. Sandler, Joel Nathan Bock, Ronald R. Erickson
• Inventors: Bock, Joel N., Sandler, Eliezer D., Erickson, Ronald R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,587,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for performing an analysis and other activities using one or more two- or three-dimensional representational images, presenting a two- or three-dimensional representational image containing analytical information to assist in the analytical process. One or more two- or three-dimensional representational images are created, e.g., using standard photography, holography or computer imaging, and are placed in a positioner for use by the analyst. The representational images are illuminated using a light source and the analyst utilizes the information released from the representational image to perform an analysis.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing data utilizing at least one representational image, comprising the steps of:

converting non-image data into at least one representational image;

capturing the at least one representational image in at least one repository of image data;

positioning the at least one repository of image data at a predetermined distance from a viewer;

illuminating the at least one repository of image data to release the at least one representational image therefrom; and

performing an analysis utilizing the released at least one representational image.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one repository of image data is a holographic medium.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-image data is Doppler radar data.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-image data is sonar data.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-image data is financial data.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-image data is geological data.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-image data is flight control information.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one repository of image data is a compound hologram.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the illuminating includes illuminating the at least one repository of image data from a first angle and from a second angle.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the illuminating includes positioning the at least one repository of image data in a first position for a first illumination and in a second position for a second illumination.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the analysis includes a first analysis performed from a first position and a second analysis performed from a second position.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the illuminating includes utilizing a light source having light of a first wavelength and a light of a second wavelength.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analysis is performed using the at least one representational image in combination with a second source of data.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the second source of data is a three-dimensional object.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the second source of data is a two-dimensional display.

16. An apparatus for analyzing non-image data utilizing at least one representational image, comprising:

a processor, the processor converting non-image data into at least one representational image;

a repository of image data, wherein the at least one representational image is transferred to at least one repository of image data;

an illumination device, the illumination device positioned at a predetermined distance from the at least one repository of image data and providing illumination to the at least one repository of image data for release of the at least one representational image; and

an analyzer, the analyzer positioned at a predetermined distance from the at least one repository of image data and performing an analysis using the released at least one representational image.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a display coupled to the processor, the at least one representational image presented on the display prior to transfer to the repository of image data.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the analyzer is a human analyst.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the analyzer is a microprocessor controlled analytical device.

20. A method for analyzing data utilizing at least one repository of image data, comprising the steps of:

combining a first set of data and a second set of data in at least one representational image;

capturing the at least one representational image in the at least one repository of image data;

positioning the at least one repository of image data at a predetermined distance from a viewer;

illuminating the at least one repository of image data to release information therefrom; and

performing an analysis utilizing the released information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first set of data is data of a first format and the second set of data is data of a second format.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first set of data is image data and the second set of data is non-image data.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one representational image is a two-dimensional image.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one representational image is a three-dimensional image.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one representational image is a holographic image.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the non-image data is converted into image data prior to combining the first set of data and the second set of data in the at least one representational image.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the image data is photographic information and the non-image data is Doppler radar data.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the photographic information is above ground features and the Doppler radar data is below ground features.

29. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first set of data and the second set of data are non-image data.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the non-image data is financial information.

31. The method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one repository of image data includes a plurality of representational images.

32. The method according to claim 20, wherein a first representational images contains at least one set of information and wherein a second representational image contains a subset of information corresponding to the at least one set of information.

33. The method according to claim 20, wherein there is one repository of image data.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the one repository of image data includes a plurality of representational images.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the repository of image data is a single compound hologram.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the plurality of representational images is created using magnification.

37. The method according to claim 20, wherein there are a plurality of repositories of image data.

38. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first set of data is pre-processed prior to combination with the second set of data in the at least one representational image.

39. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first set of data and the second set of data are pre-processed prior to being combined in the at least one representational image.

40. The method according to claim 20, wherein the analysis is performed using the released information in combination with a third set of data.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the third set of data is a three-dimensional object.

42. The method according to claim 40, wherein the third set of data is a two-dimensional display.

43. An apparatus for analyzing data utilizing at least one repository of data, comprising:

a processor, the processor combining a first set of data and a second set of data in at least one representational image;

the at least one repository of data, wherein the at least one representational image is transferred to the at least one repository of data;

an illumination device, the illumination device positioned at a predetermined distance from the at least one repository of data and providing illumination for the at least one repository of data; and

an analyzer, the analyzer positioned at predetermined distance from the at least one repository of data and performing an analysis using the at least one representational image.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising a display coupled to the processor, wherein the at least one representational image is presented on the display prior to transfer to the at least one repository of image data.

45. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the at least one repository of image data includes a lenticulated lens.

46. A method for analyzing data utilizing at least one repository of image data, comprising the steps of:

modifying a first set of data from a first format to a second format;

combining the first set of second format data with a second set of second format data;

capturing the combined data in the at least one repository of image data;

positioning the at least one repository of image data at a predetermined distance from a viewer;

illuminating the at least one repository of image data to release information therefrom; and

performing an analysis utilizing the released information.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein the capturing of the combined data in the at least one repository of image data includes converting the combined data into at least one representational image and transferring the at least one representational image to the at least one repository of image data.

48. The method according to claim 46, wherein the modifying includes enhancing the first set of data.

49. The method according to claim 46, wherein the combining includes processing the first set of second format data and the second set of second format data.

50. An apparatus for analyzing data utilizing at least one repository of image data, comprising:

a processor, the processor converting a first set of first format data into second format data and combining the first set of second format data with a second set of second format data;

the at least one repository of image data, wherein the combined data is transferred to the at least one repository of image data;

an illumination device, the illumination device positioned at a predetermined distance from the at least one repository of image data and providing illumination for the at least one repository of image data; and

an analyzer, the analyzer positioned at predetermined distance from the at least one repository of image data and performing an analysis using the combined data.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising a display coupled to the processor, wherein the combined data is presented on the display prior to transfer to the at least one repository of image data.