ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING USING REFLECTION HOLOGRAPHIC OPTICAL ELEMENT FOR AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC 3-D VIEWING
First Claim
1. An endoscopic imaging apparatus comprising:
- a stereo endoscope for providing at least first and second video signals corresponding to first and second perspectives of an object;
a reflection holographic optical element that reconstructs rays of incident light to form at least first and second viewing zones corresponding to first and second azimuthal angles of incidence of the rays of light on the reflection holographic optical element;
a first projector for projecting an image corresponding to the first video signal at a first azimuthal angle and first altitudinal angle onto the reflection holographic optical element; and
a second projector for projecting an image corresponding to the second video signal at a second azimuthal angle and the first altitudinal angle onto the reflection holographic optical element such that the reflection holographic element redirects light from the first projector to a first viewing zone and light from the second projector to a second viewing zone so that a viewer positioned with one eye in the first viewing zone and the other eye in the second viewing zone may perceive a three-dimensional image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensionally perceived image from a stereo endoscope by at least one viewer include an autostereoscopic display having a left projector and a right projector that project corresponding left and right images received from corresponding left and right cameras of the stereo endoscope onto a reflective holographic optical element that redirects light from the left projector to a left viewing zone for a left eye and redirects light from the right projector to a right viewing zone for a right eye of a viewer to create a three-dimensionally perceived image without glasses or optical headgear.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An endoscopic imaging apparatus comprising:
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a stereo endoscope for providing at least first and second video signals corresponding to first and second perspectives of an object; a reflection holographic optical element that reconstructs rays of incident light to form at least first and second viewing zones corresponding to first and second azimuthal angles of incidence of the rays of light on the reflection holographic optical element; a first projector for projecting an image corresponding to the first video signal at a first azimuthal angle and first altitudinal angle onto the reflection holographic optical element; and a second projector for projecting an image corresponding to the second video signal at a second azimuthal angle and the first altitudinal angle onto the reflection holographic optical element such that the reflection holographic element redirects light from the first projector to a first viewing zone and light from the second projector to a second viewing zone so that a viewer positioned with one eye in the first viewing zone and the other eye in the second viewing zone may perceive a three-dimensional image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for creating a three-dimensional image of an object viewed through at least one endoscope, the method comprising:
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coaxially projecting first and second images from the at least one endoscope in opposite directions; redirecting rays of the first image from the at least one endoscope at a first azimuthal angle onto a reflective holographic element; redirecting rays of the second image from the at least one endoscope at a second azimuthal angle onto the reflective holographic element; and aligning the first and second images to co-illuminate the reflective holographic element such that principal rays from the first and second images substantially overlap, wherein the rays of the first image are reflected by the reflective holographic element to a first viewing zone and the rays of the second image are reflected to a second viewing zone by the reflective holographic element. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A system for generating a three-dimensionally perceived image by at least one observer, the system comprising:
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a stereo endoscope having left and right cameras; a reflection holographic optical element; and a boom fixed relative to the reflection holographic optical element and extending over and away from the reflection holographic optical element; a left projector and a right projector secured to the boom and disposed with output lenses generally coaxially aligned in opposite directions and projecting corresponding left and right images received from the left and right cameras of the stereo endoscope toward corresponding left and right mirrors positioned to align principal rays from the left and right projectors on the reflection holographic element, the holographic optical element redirecting light from the left projector to a left eye-box and redirecting light from the right projector to a right eye-box for viewing by left and right eyes of an observer to create a three-dimensionally perceived image without glasses or optical headgear. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification