Visual display systems and a system for producing recordings for visualization thereon and methods therefor

• US 5,963,247 A
• Filed: 12/05/1996
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shmuel Banitt
• Original Assignee: Shmuel Banitt
• Inventors: Banitt, Shmuel
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, RICHARD J
• Application Number:
  US08/760,514
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 348/36, 348/38, 348/44, 348/121, 348/39, 348/42, 348/43, 348/51, 348/52, 348/123, 345/1, 345/6
• US Class Current: 348/121
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/34 Stereoscopes providing a stereoscopic pair of separated images corresponding to parallactically displaced views of the same object, e.g. 3D slide viewers
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for generating a composite, three-dimensional-like image sequences, by the assembly of two or more separate image sequences is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a main sequence of images; providing at least one secondary sequence of images, the contents of which are at least roughly related to the contents of the main sequence; selecting the positioned relationship of each of the secondary of images and main sequence of images; processing each of the secondary sequence of images so as to optimize its matching with the main sequence in the selected positioned relationship with it and displaying the main and secondary sequences of images at the same time and in substantially the same selected and positioned relationship.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a composite, three-dimensional-like image sequence, by the assembly of two or more separate image sequences, comprising:

a) providing a main sequence of non-computer generated, real-life images previously recorded by a recording device during a first recording time and comprising a first number of image frames;

b) providing at least one secondary sequence of non-computer generated, real-life images having contents which are logically related to the contents of said main sequence but are not in precise visual correlation with said main sequence;

c) selecting the positioned relationship of said at least one secondary sequence and said main sequence;

d) processing said at least one secondary sequence to form digitized picture information representing said at least one secondary sequence;

e) transforming said digitized picture information by computer image processing to form at least one modified secondary sequence of images in increased visual correlation with said main sequence;

said at least one modified secondary sequence comprising a second number of image frames, and said step of transforming including altering the number of said second number of image frames if said first number of image frames does not match said second number of image frames; and

f) displaying said main sequence and said at least one modified secondary sequence at the same time and in substantially the same positioned relationship as selected in step (c) so as to form a seemingly continuous, correlated visual transition between said main sequence and said at least one modified secondary sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second number of image frames is reduced if said first number of image frames does not match said second number of image frames.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said second number of image frames is increased if said first number of image frames does not match said second number of image frames.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transforming said digitized picture information includes scaling the sizes of images of said at least one modified secondary sequence so as to match the sizes of images of said main sequence.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transforming said digitized picture information includes matching the movement of images of said at least one modified secondary sequence with the movement of images of said main sequence caused by the motion of the recording device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transforming said digitized picture information includes matching the colors and shades of images of said at least one modified secondary sequence with the colors and shades of images of said main sequence.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one secondary sequence is formed at a second time different than said first recording time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said main sequence is recorded at a first location and said at least one secondary sequence is recorded at a location different than the first location.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the resolution of the images in said modified secondary sequence of images is lower than the resolution of the images in said main sequence.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising recording said at least one secondary sequence of images prior to providing said at least one secondary sequence of images, said recording comprising displaying said main sequence to a cameraperson for visual guidance during the recording of said at least one secondary sequence of images to enable approximate matching of the movement of images of said at least one secondary sequence of images with the movement of images of said main sequence caused by the motion of the recording device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the display on which said main sequence is viewed is positioned centrally with respect to one or more displays on which said modified secondary sequence of images are viewed.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the display on which said main sequence is viewed is positioned at an angle with the one or more displays on which said modified secondary sequence of images are viewed.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the displays on which said modified secondary sequence of images are viewed are positioned beside the display on which said main sequence is viewed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein additional displays on which said modified secondary sequence of images are viewed are positioned above and/or below the display in which the said main sequence is viewed.