Method and apparatus for displaying images in combination with taking images

• US 20030193599A1
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ericsson AB (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Huber, Richard E., Drury, David Markham, Strait, John P., Campbell, Robert Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,196,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/333.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/225 using parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/31 using parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/144 camera and display on the same optical axis, e.g. optically multiplexing the camera and display for eye to eye contact

Abstract

An imaging apparatus. The apparatus includes a display means for displaying an image. The apparatus includes a camera means distributed throughout the display means to take images of objects in view of the display means. A screen. The screen includes a display for displaying an image. The screen includes a plurality of pinholes distributed in the display. The screen includes a plurality of sensors with at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors in alignment with and corresponding with one pinhole of the plurality of pinholes to receive light passing through the pinhole to image a ray of a specific size and a specific direction out from the display. A method for imaging.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

a display means for displaying an image; and

a camera means distributed throughout the display means to take images of objects in view of the display means.

2. A screen comprising:

a display for displaying an image;

a plurality of imaging means for forming an image distributed in the display; and

a plurality of sensors with at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors in alignment with and corresponding with one pinhole of the plurality of pinholes to receive light passing through the pinhole to image a ray of a specific size and a specific direction out from the display.

3. A screen as described in claim 2 wherein each imaging means is a pinhole.

4. A screen as described in claim 3 wherein the sensors are single pixel sensors.

5. A screen as described in claim 4 wherein the sensors are arranged to converge to a point.

6. A screen as described in claim 5 wherein the sensors are arranged to define an effective point of view behind the display.

7. A screen as described in claim 6 wherein there are multiple sensors in alignment with each pinhole to combine multiple rays of light behind each panel.

8. A screen as described in claim 7 wherein each sensor is about 0.2 mm from the respective pinhole.

9. A screen as described in claim 2 wherein each imaging means is a lens.

10. A screen as described in claim 4 including image processing means connected to each sensor for enhancing the image.

11. A screen as described in claim 10 wherein the image processing means compensates for diffraction artifacts and light fall off.

12. A screen as described in claim 11 wherein the image processing means is in contact with the display.

13. A method for imaging comprising the steps of:

applying a first image on a first portion of a screen;

receiving light from objects at a second portion of the screen, the second portion distributed in the first portion; and

forming a second image from the light from objects received at the second portion.

14. A method as described in claim 13 wherein the forming step includes the step of converging rays of the light to a desired point.

15. A method as described in claim 14 wherein the receiving step includes the step of receiving the light at the second portion having sensors distributed in the first portion.

16. A method as described in claim 15 wherein the receiving step includes the step of receiving rays of light at the sensors that pass through pinholes in the second portion.