APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING IMAGES FOR STEREOSCOPIC VIEWING

• US 20120026298A1
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Appcessories LLC
• Original Assignee: Appcessories LLC
• Inventors: Filo, Andrew S., Capper, David G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,908,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/49
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/10 having single camera with stereoscopic-base-defining system
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/18 by simultaneous viewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/207 using a single 2D image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for producing images for stereoscopic, three-dimensional viewing generated with existing mobile graphical devices, such as cameras, video recorders, PDAs, telephones, and other devices, such as the iPhone™. Two reflectors, which may be mirrors or prisms, are positioned to separate the field of view of a camera lens on the mobile graphical device into a direct field of view and an offset field of view and to record and display the separated fields in a two-paned format on the mobile graphical device. Eye lenses are used to separately view the split images. An integrated housing and cradle receive the mobile graphical device and are coupled to the reflectors and the eye lenses. An area of each pane may be provided to display control icons for three-dimensional viewing, and a control area may be provided out of view on a touch screen for user control.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interfacing with stereoscopic images on a mobile graphical device comprising:

a first memory for storing data defining a first image;

a second memory for storing data defining a second image that is an offset view relative to the first image;

a display on the mobile graphical device with a two-paned image wherein a first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory and a second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory;

a first eye lens and a second eye lens, the first eye lens being positioned for viewing only the first pane and the second eye lens being positioned for viewing only the second pane;

a touch screen on the display further comprising a first control icon area bordering the first pane and a second control icon area bordering corresponding sides of the second pane so that when viewed by an end user through the first eye lens and the second eye lens the first pane and the second pane appear as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area appear as a single set of three-dimensional icons and a user control area adjacent to the three-dimensional icons and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens that provide user control functions when touched by an end user.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 comprising a housing and a cradle configured to receive the mobile graphical device, wherein the cradle is coupled with the housing and wherein the housing is coupled to the first eye lens and the second eye lens, said housing comprising a plurality of user thumb or finger openings positioned where users can make screen selections for user control functions when touched by an end user at said touch screen on the display having the first control icon area bordering the first pane and the second control icon area bordering corresponding sides of the second pane.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile graphical device further comprises a camera lens having a field of view wherein the field of view is limited to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view, the apparatus further comprising:

a first reflector juxtaposed relative to the camera lens wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view, with the second portion of the field of view comprising the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the camera lens;

a second reflector juxtaposed relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

a sensor that receives light reflected into the first portion of the field of view and light reflected into the second portion of the field of view and that outputs data defining the received reflections;

said first memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view; and

said second memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory as a direct view of the first portion of the field of view and wherein said second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory as an offset view of the first portion of the field of view as reflected through the second portion of the field of view.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 3 further comprising a cradle configured to receive the mobile graphical device, the sensor, the first memory and the second memory wherein the cradle is coupled to the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 further comprising a housing coupled to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the camera lens, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens are positioned so that the first portion of the field of view and the second portion of the field of view simulate the view of a two-eyed human observer.

8. An apparatus for creating and viewing a split field of view for stereoscopic viewing comprising:

a cradle having a surface including an aperture exposing a field of view wherein the field of view is limited to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view;

a first reflector juxtaposed relative to the aperture wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view and wherein the second portion of the field of view comprises the first reflector with the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the aperture;

a second reflector juxtaposed relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

a first eye lens and a second eye lens coupled to the cradle; and

a fastener for securing a mobile graphical device to the cradle.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein the aperture, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens, and the second eye lens are positioned so that the first portion of the field of view and the second portion of the field of view simulate the view of a two-eyed human observer.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 8 further comprising a housing coupled to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens, and the second eye lens.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein the cradle is configured to receive a mobile graphical device so that a camera lens in the mobile graphical device is positioned within the aperture of the cradle and wherein the display on the mobile graphical device displays a two-paned image towards the first eye lens and the second eye lens with one pane being a direct view through the first portion of the field of view as seen through the first eye lens and the other pane being an offset view of the first portion of the field of view through the second portion of the field of view as seen through the second eye lens.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein the display is a touch screen and further comprising a first control icon area bordering the first pane and a second control icon area bordering corresponding sides of the second pane so that when viewed by an end user through the first eye lens and the second eye lens the first pane and the second pane appear as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area appear as a single set of three-dimensional icons and a user control area adjacent to the three-dimensional icons and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens that provide user control functions when touched by an end user.

13. An apparatus for creating and viewing a split field of view for stereoscopic viewing comprising:

a cradle having a surface including an aperture exposing a field of view wherein the field of view is limited to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view;

a first mirror juxtaposed relative to the aperture wherein the first mirror is outside of the first portion of the field of view and wherein the second portion of the field of view comprises the first mirror with the first mirror at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the aperture;

a second mirror juxtaposed relative to the first mirror wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second mirror then reflected off the first mirror and into the second portion of the field of view;

a first eye lens and a second eye lens coupled to the cradle; and

a fastener for securing a mobile graphical device to the cradle;

wherein the cradle is configured to receive a mobile graphical device so that a camera lens in the mobile graphical device is positioned within the aperture of the cradle;

wherein the display on the mobile graphical device displays a two-paned image towards the first eye lens and the second eye lens with one pane being a direct view through the first portion of the field of view as seen through the first eye lens and the other pane being an offset view through the second portion of the field of view as seen through the second eye lens.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein the aperture, the first mirror, the second mirror, the first eye lens, and the second eye lens are positioned so that the first portion of the field of view and the second portion of the field of view simulate the view of a two-eyed human observer.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 13 further comprising a housing coupled to the cradle, the first mirror, the second mirror, the first eye lens, and the second eye lens.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein the cradle is configured to receive a mobile graphical device so that a camera lens in the mobile graphical device is positioned within the aperture of the cradle and wherein the display on the mobile graphical device displays a two-paned image towards the first eye lens and the second eye lens with one pane being a direct view through the first portion of the field of view as seen through the first eye lens and the other pane being an offset view through the second portion of the field of view as seen through the second eye lens.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein the display is a touch screen and further comprising a first control icon area bordering the first pane and a second control icon area bordering corresponding sides of the second pane so that when viewed by an end user through the first eye lens and the second eye lens the first pane and the second pane appear as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area appear as a single set of three-dimensional icons and a user control area adjacent to the three-dimensional icons and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens that provide user control functions when touched by an end user.

18. A method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing comprising:

providing a mobile graphical device with a camera lens having a field of view;

limiting the field of view to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view;

juxtaposing a first reflector relative to the camera lens wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view and wherein the second portion of the field of view comprises the first reflector with the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the camera lens;

juxtaposing a second reflector relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

placing a sensor to receive light reflected into the first portion of the field of view and light reflected into the second portion of the field of view;

outputting data from the sensor defining the received reflections;

providing a first memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view; and

providing a second memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view.

19. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 18 further comprising:

providing a display on the mobile graphical device;

dividing the display into a two-paned image wherein a first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory as a direct view of the first portion of the field of view and a second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory as an offset view of the first portion of the field of view as reflected through the second portion of the field of view;

positioning a first eye lens and a second eye lens so that the first eye lens is positioned for viewing only the first pane and the second eye lens is positioned for viewing only the second pane;

configuring a cradle to receive the mobile graphical device, the sensor, the first memory and the second memory;

coupling the cradle to the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens; and

coupling a housing to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

20. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 19 further comprising:

providing a touch screen on the display;

defining a first control icon area on the touch screen bordering the first pane;

defining a second control icon area on the touch screen bordering corresponding sides of the second pane;

wherein an end user who looks through the first eye lens and the second eye lens will see the first pane and the second pane as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area as a single set of three-dimensional icons; and

defining a user control area on the touch screen and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens and providing user control functions inside the user control area.