Advance in Transmission and Display of Multi-Dimensional Images for Digital Monitors and Television Receivers using a virtual lens

• US 20100194861A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3-D Virtual Lens Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: 3-D Virtual Lens Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Hoppenstein, Reuben
• Application Number:
  US12/362,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194861A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/229 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes

Abstract

The present invention provides an advance in multi-dimensional displays for digital monitors and televisions. In general, the present invention provides image capture devices arranged at different angles about a target image, or in a straight line, to capture images at pre-designated angles. Each captured image is combined into a composite image using hardware such as a computer. The composite image and a virtual lens are then transmitted together to a display means to be viewed having stereoscopic characteristics.

Claims

1. A method for creating a multi-dimensional image comprising:

disposing a plurality of image capture devices around a target, each said plurality of image capture devices being located at different angles with respect to the target;

capturing images of the target using said plurality of image capture devices, wherein each said captured image being a total angled view of the target;

transmitting each said total angled view of the target to a computer; and

combining each said total angled view into a multi-dimensional image using compression technology.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the multi-dimensional image in a single frame;

transmitting the multi-dimensional image to a display;

displaying the multi-dimensional image on the display; and

selectively displaying a grid image on the display.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the grid image is transmitted along with the multi-dimensional image in the single frame.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the grid image is transmitted in accurate alignment with the multi-dimensional image in the single frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer includes software for creating the multi-dimensional image and the grid image.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the target can be viewed in three-dimension when said grid image is displayed on a virtual lens of the display.

22. The method of claim 6, wherein said software creates said grid image and an aperture depending on how many of said captured image devices are employed.

23. The method of claim 2, wherein said grid image is disposed on a side of the frame.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein each total angled view of the target is multiplexed into a single frame.

3. (canceled)

7. A method for creating and viewing a stereoscopic image:

capturing a plurality of images of a target, each said plurality of images being a different predetermined total angled view a target;

combining the plurality of images into a stereoscopic image using a computer; and

displaying the stereoscopic image on the display in conjunction with a grid.

8. A method for creating and viewing a stereoscopic image:

capturing a plurality of images of a target, each said plurality of images being a different predetermined total angled view taken of a target;

combining the plurality of images into a stereoscopic image using a computer;

transmitting the stereoscopic image in a single frame;

transmitting a grid to a display;

displaying the stereoscopic image on the display; and

selectively displaying the grid image on the display,

wherein a stereoscopic image can be viewed based on the selective display of the grid image.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of images are captured using at least one image capture device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one image capture device is a digital camera.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the grid image is compressed into a narrow band width.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the grid image is created based on the number of angle image capture devices that are disposed about the target, or amassed in a straight line before the target.

13. (canceled)

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the virtual grid image is transmitted along with the stereoscopic image in the single frame, said virtual grid image being positioned on an edge of the single frame.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the grid image is transmitted in accurate alignment with the multiplexed image to the single frame.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a single angled view of the stereoscopic image can be viewed in 2D when the virtual grid image is not displayed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said plurality of images is captured, compressed and multiplexed with no loss of information or resolution.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each said plurality of images is a two-dimensional image, when one of said plurality of images is viewed by a plurality of viewers on said display, each viewer would see the same said two-dimensional image.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the stereoscopic image can be viewed in 3D without the need for lenses or other optical devices.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the virtual grid image and the multiplexed image are transmitted simultaneously on a single frame and can be viewed on any size display screen.