Multi-dimensional images system for digital image input and output

• US 20040135780A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jerry C. Nims
• Original Assignee: Jerry C. Nims
• Inventors: Nims, Jerry C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/261 with monoscopic-to-stereoscopic image conversion

Abstract

A two-dimensional image is displayed and a grey level image is drawn on said two-dimensional image defining a depth map. A stereo image pair is generated based on the depth map and an anaglyph image of the stereo image pair is displayed. Edits of the depth map are displayed by anaglyph image. A plurality of projection frames are generated based on the depth map, and interlaced and printed for viewing through a micro optical media. Optionally, a layered image is extracted from the two-dimensional image and the plurality of projection frames have an alignment correction shift to center the apparent position of the image. A measured depth map is optionally input, and a stereo pair is optionally input, with a depth map calculated based on the pair. The user selectively modifies the calculated and measured depth map, and the extracted layers, using painted grey levels. A ray trace optionally modifies the interlacing for optimization to a particular media.

Claims

1. A method for converting a two-dimensional image to a three-dimensional image for display through a micro optical medium, comprising:

inputting to a digital computer a 2D file representing a two dimensional image;

displaying a two-dimensional image corresponding to said 2D file;

generating a depth map corresponding to said two-dimensional image;

receiving a user-entered depth command assigning a first depth value to a portion of said depth map corresponding to a first area;

assigning a second depth value to a portion of said depth map not corresponding to said first area;

generating a parallax image of said two-dimensional image shifting said first area with respect to an area of said two-dimensional image within said first area, said shifting based on said first depth value and said second depth value;

displaying an anaglyph image based on said two-dimensional image and said parallax image;

receiving a user-entered rendering command and, in response, generating a rasterized, interlaced image file including alternating strips of said two-dimensional image and said parallax image for printing on a micro optical media; and

printing said interlaced image file on said micro optical medium.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a user-entered outlining command identifying said first area of said two-dimensional image.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said receiving a user-entered outlining command includes receiving, via a graphical user interface, a trace command identifying an outer peripheral line of said first area.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said generating a parallax image of said two-dimensional image includes pre-shifting said first area in a direction opposite a direction of said shifting, such that when said image is viewed through said micro-optical medium it appears at a lateral position substantially co-located with its original position within said image.

5. A method for converting a two-dimensional image to a three-dimensional image for display through a micro optical medium, comprising:

inputting to a digital computer a 2D file representing a two dimensional image;

displaying a two-dimensional image corresponding to said 2D file;

generating a multi-layer information file having information defining a multi-layer image, said defining including establishing a number of layers and a parallax information establishing a distance between at least a first and a second of said layers;

receiving external commands associating a first area of said two-dimensional image to said first layer of a multi-layer image and associating a second area of said two-dimensional image to said second layer of said multi-layer image;

generating a first projection of said image of said multi-layered image representing a left eye view and a second projection of said multi-layer image representing a right eye view, said projection based on;

displaying an anaglyph image based on said first projection and second projection;

receiving external layer movement commands changing said distance between said first layer and said second layer;

displaying an updated anaglyph image based on said received layer movement commands;

generating at least a first frame and a second frame, said first frame representing a projection of said multiplayer image onto a first left eye image plane and said second frame representing a projection of said multiplayer image onto a first right eye image plane;

generating an interlaced file including alternating strips of said first frame and said second frame; and

printing said interlaced image file on said micro optical medium.