Business system for three-dimensional snapshots

• US 20080226281A1
• Filed: 03/13/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RealD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Real D
• Inventors: Lipton, Lenny
• Application Number:
  US11/717,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20080226281A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/324
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/23 using wavelength separation, e.g. using anaglyph techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/00 Stereoscopic photography

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images, comprising:

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; and

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;

wherein 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 said generating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display facilitator comprises software configured on a computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image recording device comprises a camera having two offset lenses.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the display facilitator electing to display from a device configured to display the stereoscopic image enables displaying the stereoscopic image in at least one display mode selected from a group comprising:

a two dimensional display;

display of an anaglyph;

a Micropol type display;

display using a SynthaGram type device; and

time multiplexed images shown on a display.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service bureau comprises a third party having an ability to print the stereoscopic image in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

two dimensional prints;

anaglyph prints;

stereoscope prints;

lenticular files; and

lenticular prints.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the display facilitator electing to display by printing the stereoscopic image enables printing the stereoscopic image in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

a two dimensional print;

an anaglyph print;

a stereoscope print; and

a print clearly viewable using a lenticular array.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one image recording device comprises multiple photographic devices capable of photographing an object from different perspectives simultaneously.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the display facilitator comprises a person electing from various display options.

9. A method of obtaining stereoscopic images and viewing the stereoscopic images in a desired format, comprising:

obtaining a stereo pair of images at an optical receiving device, said optical receiving device configured to convert images received into at least one digital representation of the stereo pair; and

using a display facilitator to direct distribution of the at least one digital representation of the stereo pair to at least one of;

a service bureau;

a device for configured to print the stereoscopic image; and

a device configured to display the stereoscopic image;

wherein the display facilitator directs the at least one digital representation of the stereo pair to an entity enabling a user to view the stereoscopic image in a desired format.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the display facilitator comprises software configured on a computing device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical receiving device comprises a camera having two offset lenses.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the display facilitator directing the stereoscopic image to a display enables displaying the stereoscopic image in at least one display mode selected from a group comprising:

a two dimensional display;

display of an anaglyph;

a Micropol type display;

display using a SynthaGram type device; and

time multiplexed images shown on a display.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the service bureau comprises a third party having an ability to print the stereoscopic image in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

two dimensional prints;

anaglyph prints;

stereoscope prints;

lenticular files; and

lenticular prints.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the display facilitator electing to display by printing the stereoscopic image enables printing the stereoscopic image in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

a two dimensional print;

an anaglyph print;

a stereoscope print; and

a print clearly viewable using a lenticular array.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one image recording device comprises multiple photographic devices capable of photographing an object from different perspectives simultaneously.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the display facilitator comprises a person electing from various display options.

17. A method for providing a stereoscopic image to a user in a desired format, comprising:

receiving a stereo image pair at a device and providing the stereo pair to a display facilitator as at least one digital representation of the stereo pair; and

facilitating display of the at least one digital representation of the stereo pair by directing distribution of the at least one digital representation of the stereo pair to at least one of;

a service bureau;

a device for configured to print the stereoscopic image; and

a device configured to display the stereoscopic image.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the display facilitator comprises software configured on a computing device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the optical receiving device comprises a camera having two offset lenses.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the service bureau comprises a third party having an ability to print the stereoscopic image.