Interactive 3-D viewing glasses

• US 6,115,177 A
• Filed: 04/06/1999
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway 2000, Inc. (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vossler, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, AUDREY Y
• Application Number:
  US09/286,977
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 359/465, 359/462, 359/464, 359/501, 349/13, 351/49
• US Class Current: 359/465
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/289 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/378 for tracking rotational head movements around an axis perpendicular to the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

An image viewing system to permit viewing of three-dimensional images, wherein users wear a pair of eyeglasses to view displayed images. The pair of eyeglasses include lenses having LCD polarizing filters and a LCD controlling unit configured to adjust the polarization of the lenses based upon the orientation of the glasses. A sensing unit, located on the glasses, monitors the orientation of the glasses and when the orientation is skewed from a default orientation, the sensing unit notifies the controlling unit of the new orientation. Upon receipt of the new orientation, the controlling unit then initiates a change in the polarization of the LCD filters. Adjustment of the polarization allows users of 3-D viewing glasses to freely adjust head position relative to the displayed images without compromising the integrity of the viewed image.

Claims

1. An apparatus for viewing an image comprising:

at least one polarizing filter;

a sensor configured to detect an orientation of said filter; and

a controller operably coupled to said sensor and said filter and configured to adjust polarization of said filter in response to said orientation detected by said sensor.

2. The apparatus as recited as in claim 1, wherein said controller is operably coupled to said filter to adjust polarization of said filter in response to said orientation detected by said sensor.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured to detect orientation of said filter in response to a gravitational force.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising eye-ware including said polarizing filter and said sensor.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said eyeware includes said controller.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source configured to provide power to said filter, said controller and said sensor.

7. An image viewing system comprising:

an image generator configured to project an image;

at least one polarizing filter configured to receive and filter an image;

a sensor configured to detect an orientation of said filter; and

a controller operably coupled to said sensor and said filter and configured to adjust polarization of said filter in response to said orientation detected by said sensor.

8. The image viewing system as recited in claim 7, wherein said controller is operably coupled to said filter to adjust polarization of said filter in response to said orientation detected by said sensor.

9. The image viewing system as recited in claim 7, wherein said sensor is configured to detect orientation of said filter in response to a gravitational force.

10. The image viewing system as recited in claim 7, further comprising eyeware including said polarizing filter and said sensor.

11. The image viewing system as recited in claim 10, wherein said eyeware includes said controller.

12. The image viewing system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a power source configured to provide power to said filter, said sensor and said controller.

13. A method for adjusting polarization of a polarizing filter, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a current orientation of the filter; and

adjusting the polarization of the filter in response to the current orientation of the filter.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said determining step is performed by a sensor configured to detect the current orientation of the filter in response to a gravitational force.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said adjusting step is performed by a controller configured to adjust polarization of the polarizing filter.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the current orientation of said filter to a default orientation; and

adjusting the polarization of the filter based upon the difference between the current orientation and the default orientation.

17. A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions for adjusting polarization of a polarizing filter, said program of instructions implementing the following method:

determining a current orientation of the filter; and

adjusting the polarization of the filter in response to the current orientation of the filter.

18. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein said determining step is performed by a sensor configured to detect the current orientation of the filter in response to a gravitational force.

19. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein said adjusting step is performed by a controller configured to adjust polarization of the polarizing filter.

20. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

comparing said current orientation to a default orientation; and

adjusting the polarization of the filter based upon the difference between the current orientation and the default orientation.