Autostereoscopic viewing device for creating three-dimensional perception of images

• US 5,083,199 A
• Filed: 06/18/1990
• Issued: 01/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heinrich-Hertz-Institut Fuer Nachrichtentechnik Berlin GmbH
• Original Assignee: Heinrich-Hertz-Institut Fur Nachrichtentechnik Berlin
• Inventors: Borner, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US07/539,799
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 354/115, 350/128, 350/130, 350/131, 358/3, 358/88, 358/89, 358/91, 358/92
• US Class Current: 348/59
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0043 Inhomogeneous or irregular arrays, e.g. varying shape, size, height
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/005 arranged along a single direction only, e.g. lenticular sheets G02B3/0043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/30 involving parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/18 by simultaneous viewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• 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 13/305 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/31 using parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/597 specially adapted for multi-view video sequence encoding

Abstract

An autostereoscopic viewing device with a flat picture screen and a pattern of cylindrical lens portions for producing three dimensional image perceptions without the need for additional optical accessories. The viewing device provides the largest possible freedom of movement of the viewer, whereby the reproduction quality is as uniform as possible and out of focus, cross-talk and other disadvantageous optical effect are greatly reduced. The procedures for making any necessary optical corrections are based on the plane parallel changeable positioning of a flat picture screen relative to an array of cylindrical lens portions. The array of cylindrical lens portions has an increasing thickness as well as a decreasing pitch width when moving from the middle to the vertical side edges. The pixel, or picture strip, size on the picture screen is a constant.

Claims

1. Television apparatus for creating a three dimensional image of pictures from television images, said television apparatus comprising:

image screen means for displaying a plurality of visually distinct image segments containing three dimensional information on parallelly disposed elongated strips having substantially mutually parallel longitudinal axes;

lens means for being relatively positioned adjacent said image screen means, said lens means used for viewing said image segments therethrough;

said lens means defining an axis;

said axis of said lens means having a first end, a second end and a center;

said lens means comprising a plurality of lens segments for being in registration with said image segments, each said lens segment defining at least one curved surface;

said lens segments each having a longitudinal axis that is generally perpendicular to said axis of said lens means and generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of said elongated strips;

said lens segments each being juxtaposed adjacent to at least one other said lens segment;

said lens segments each defining a maximum thickness;

said maximum thickness of each said lens segment being measured in a direction that is generally orthogonal to both said axis of said lens means and said longitudinal axis of said lens segment; and

said maximum thickness of each consecutive lens segment from said center of said axis of said lens means of each said lens segment;

increasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said first end of said axis of said lens means; and

increasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said second end of said axis of said lens means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including lens positioning means for altering the relative position of said image screen means and said lens means.

3. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said lens positioning means alters the separation between said image screen means and said lens means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said lens positioning means alters the relative lateral positioning of said image screen means and said lens means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said lens positioning means includes power drive means for altering the relative position of said image screen means and said lens means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each said image segment comprises a plurality of red, green and blue light spots for creating a visual image, wherein the three primary colors alternate by horizontal lines and each individual color light spot is arranged column-like.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said alteration of said relative lateral positioning of said image screen means and said lens means effectuates a variable delay effect whereby the images of said image segments are displaced by a few units of the raster.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said lens segment each defining a maximum width;

said maximum width of each lens segment being measured in a direction that is generally parallel to said axis of said lens means and orthogonal to said longitudinal axis of said lens segment; and

said maximum width of each said lens segment;

decreasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said first end of said axis of said lens means; and

decreasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said second end of said axis of said lens means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

said image screen means comprise a flat picture screen surface for being disposed adjacent said lens means;

said elongated strips are interlaced;

said elongated strips have a constant width;

said lens means having a flat surface disposed adjacent said flat picture screen;

said flat picture screen and said surface of said lens means are parallel to one another; and

said lens segments being portions of circular cylinders.

10. Apparatus for creating a three dimensional image of pictures, said apparatus comprising:

image screen means for displaying a plurality of visually distinct image segments;

lens means for being relatively positioned adjacent said image screen means, said lens means for viewing said image segments therethrough;

said lens means defining an axis;

said axis of said lens means having a first end, a second end and a center;

said lens means comprising a plurality of lens segments for being in registration with said image segments;

said lens segments each having a longitudinal axis that is generally perpendicular to said axis of said lens means;

said lens segments each being juxtaposed adjacent to at least one other lens segment;

said lens segments each defining a maximum width;

said maximum width of each lens segment being measured in a direction that is generally parallel to said axis of said lens means and orthogonal to said longitudinal axis of said lens segment; and

said maximum width of each said lens segment;

decreasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said first end of said axis of said lens means; and

decreasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said second end of said axis of said lens means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each said lens segment defines at least one curved surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further including lens positioning means for altering the relative position of said image screen means and said lens means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said lens positioning means alters the separation between said image screen means and said lens means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said lens positioning means alters the relative lateral positioning of said image screen means and said lens means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said lens positioning means includes power drive means for altering the relative position of said image screen means and said lens means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each said image segment comprises a plurality of red, green and blue light spots for creating a visual image wherein the three primary colors alternate by horizontal likes and each individual color light spot is arranged column-like.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said alteration of said relative lateral positioning of said image screen means and said lens means effectuates a variable delay effect whereby the images of said image segments are displaced by a few units of the raster.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

said lens segments each defining a maximum thickness;

said maximum thickness of each lens segment being measured in a direction that is generally orthogonal to both said axis of said lens means and said longitudinal axis of said lens segment; and

said maximum thickness of each said lens segment;

increasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said first end of said axis of said lens means; and

increasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said second end of said axis of said lens means.

19. Apparatus for creating a three dimensional image of pictures, said apparatus comprising:

image screen means for displaying a plurality of visually distinct image segments;

lens means for being relatively positioned adjacent said image screen means, said lens means for viewing said image segments therethrough;

said lens means defining an axis;

said axis of said lens means having a first end, a second end and a center;

said lens means comprising a plurality of lens segments for being in registration with said image segments;

said lens segment each having a longitudinal axis that is generally perpendicular to said axis of said lens means;

said lens segments each being juxtaposed adjacent to at least one other lens segment;

said lens segments each defining a maximum thickness;

said maximum thickness of each said lens segment being measured in a direction that is generally orthogonal to both said axis of said lens means and said longitudinal axis of said lens segment;

said maximum thickness of each said lens segment;

increasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said first end of said axis of said lens means; and

increasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said second end of said axis of said lens means;

said lens means;

said lens segments each defining a maximum width;

said maximum width of each said lens segment being measured in a direction that is generally parallel to said axis of said lens means and orthogonal to said longitudinal axis of said lens segment; and

said maximum width of each said lens segment;

decreasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said first end of said axis of said lens means; and

decreasing in the direction from said center of said axis of said lens means to said second end of said axis of said lens means.