Pulfrich illusion turntable

• US 4,941,041 A
• Filed: 04/11/1989
• Issued: 07/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith E. Kenyon
• Original Assignee: Keith E. Kenyon
• Inventors: Kenyon, Keith E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/336,052
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 358/88, 358/3, 358/89, 358/87, 352/86, 350/144
• US Class Current: 348/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/214 using spectral multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/221 using the relative movement between cameras and objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/334 using spectral multiplexing

Abstract

A method is disclosed that simplifies and makes practical the utilization of the Pulfrich illusion for converting 2-D live television and videotapes into 3-D with or without using shaded lenses, by using a turntable large enough to hold both the cameras and the subjects, on which the scenes are shot with precise motion against the stationary background.

Claims

1. The method of obtaining deep in-depth perception or 3-dimensional effects from 2-dimensional images which comprises the steps of producing proper lighting, color, and special angles for moving-picture-shooting devices, such as television cameras, videotaping cameras, and film cameras engaged in shooting such 3-D images by taking advantage of the Pulfrich illusion which is created by precise camera motion, obtained by mounting one or more cameras on top of and near the edge of a turntable, while the subect or subjects being televized or videotaped are placed at or near its center and enabling the turntable to rotate during shooting and in which a darkened lens shading one eye of the viewer at a time may be employed to enhance the 3-D effect.

2. The method according to claim 1 in which when the turntable turns clockwise, a lens shading the right eye is used, and when the turntable turns conterclockwise, a lens shading the left eye is used.

3. The method according to claim 1 in which the turntable is mounted in a fixed position on the floor or on the ground.

4. The method as in claim 1 in which in those instances when glasses are not desired to be advocated for use, but the deep in-depth perception is desired for some scenes, the turntable is turned off intermittantly for those scenes to be shot without turntable movement, then turned on again to get shots with the greater in-depth perception without having to move the cameras off the turntable.

5. The method according to claim 1 in which the center of the turntable with the subjects there is lighted more intensely than the background.

6. The method according to claim 1 in which a shaded lens covering the appropriate eye of the viewer is not used.

7. The method according to claim 1 in which the turntable is mounted on wheels.

8. The method according to claim 7 in which the turntable mounted on wheels is powered independently of the wheels.

9. The method according to claim 8 in which the wheels on one side can move indipendintly from the wheels on the other side, so by the wheels on one side going forward and the wheels on the other side going backward, rotory motion can occur, spinning the turntable by action of the wheels.

10. The method according to claim 1 in which stationary props are placed between the camera and the sugject that, as they are passed by the camera, temporarily, partially disrupt the view of the subject.

11. The method according to claim 10 in which such props are suspended from the ceiling.

12. The method according to claim 10 in which the props are secured from the surrounding background and looped over in front of the camera or cameras.

13. The method according to claim 12 in which the background is a fence-like structure from which objects are secured and looped over in front of the camera track.

14. The method according to claim 10 in which some are dual props, serving as background on one side of the turntable and, since part of it is looped over the camera track, serving as foreground on the other side when passing between subject and camera or cameras.

15. The method according to claim 14 in which the dual prop is a tree or large plant with overhanging branches.

16. The method according to claim 14 in which the dual prop is a large overhanging lamp.