3D photographic printer using a video monitor for exposure

• US 6,226,093 B1
• Filed: 02/16/1996
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ND3D BV
• Original Assignee: SUSS MicroTec Precision Photomask, Inc. (Element Solutions Inc)
• Inventors: Lao, Kenneth Quochuy, Lo, Allen K. Wah
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Arthur G.
• Application Number:
  US08/602,663
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 395/117, 395/112, 395/101, 395/102, 395/109, 345/419, 353/7-8, 353/6, 359/22-23, 250/558, 342/180, 396/324, 396/330, 348/42, 348/51, 346/134, 346/139 C, 352/57, 352/60-62, 352/239, 355/22
• US Class Current: 358/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/14 Printing apparatus specially adapted for conversion between different types of record G03B42/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/24 using apertured or refractive resolving means on screens or between screen and eye
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1233 using a cathode-ray tube or an optical-fibre tube
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1295 using a particular photoreceptive medium
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 Architecture adapted for a particular function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/23 Reproducing arrangements

Abstract

A filmless photographic printer for making 3D and/or animation pictures on lenticular print material. A video monitor is used to sequentially display the 2D images which are projected onto lenticular print material by a projection lens at different projection angles. The projection lens and print material are moved to different positions relative to the video monitor screen. The projection lens is maintained in proper focus on the monitor screen and print material during printing. The 2D images for composing the 3D photographs can be captured by an electronic camera or generated by computer.

Claims

1. A filmless printing method for producing 3D and animation pictures from a plurality of 2D images on lenticular print material comprising a multiplicity of lenticules having parallel longitudinal axes, said method comprising the steps of:

a) storing said 2D images in a computer workstation;

b) electronically separating said 2D images into red, blue and green color component images;

c) electronically conveying said color component images to a video monitor having a screen for sequentially displaying said color component images on said screen;

d) projecting said displayed component images for exposing said component images onto lenticular print material through a projection lens which is properly focused on said screen and on said lenticular print material;

e) moving said projection lens and said lenticular print material to different positions in relation to said screen of said video monitor for exposing the color component images of each of said 2D images on said lenticular print material at a different projection angle while maintaining said projection lens in proper focus on said screen and said lenticular print material, said moving direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the lenticules of said lenticular print material.

2. The filmless method of claim 1 wherein said 2D images are captured by a least one electronic camera before being stored in said computer workstation.

3. The filmless method of claim 1 wherein said 2D images are generated by a computer before being stored in said computer workstation.

4. The filmless method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving said 2D images prior to storing said 2D images in said computer workstation.

5. The filmless method of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically locating the key subject image in each of said stored 2D images which are composed of a plurality of pixels and electronically shifting said stored 2D images so that the key subject image in each of said stored 2D images is located at the same pixel location before said 2D images are separated into color component images.

6. The filmless method of claim 1 wherein a corresponding color filter is positioned between said monitor screen and said lenticular print material for filtering each of said color components of said 2D images during exposure.

7. The filmless method of claim 1 wherein a common color filter is positioned between said monitor screen and said lenticular print material for filtering each of said color components of said 2D images during exposure.

8. The filmless method of claim 1 wherein said video monitor comprises a black-and-white monitor.

9. The filmless method of claim 1 wherein said video monitor comprises a color monitor.

10. The filmless method of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically processing said 2D images to correct the color and density thereof prior to separating said 2D images into color component images in Step (b).

11. The filmless method of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically editing and altering said 2D images prior to separating said 2D images into color component images in Step (b).

12. The filmless method of claim 2 wherein said electronic camera captures said 2D images of a scene in sequence, said electronic camera being moved along a track to change the viewing angle.

13. The filmless method of claim 2 wherein said electronic camera captures said 2D images of a scene in sequence, said scene being rotated in relation to said electronic camera to change the viewing angle.

14. A filmless photographic printer for producing 3D and animation pictures from a plurality of 2D images on lenticular print material comprising a multiplicity of lenticules having parallel longitudinal axes, said filmless printer comprising:

a) a video monitor having a screen for sequentially displaying said 2D images;

b) a projection lens for projecting said displayed 2D images each at a different projection angle onto said lenticular print material, said projection lens positioned to properly focus on said screen and said print material;

c) means for moving said projection lens and said lenticular print material to different positions in relation to said screen of said video monitor to change the projection angle while maintaining said projection lens in proper focus on said screen and said lenticular print material, said moving being carried out in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the lenticules of said lenticular print material.

15. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising a computer workstation for storing and processing said 2D images, conveying said 2D images to said video monitor for displaying and exposing, and controlling the moving means.

16. The filmless printer of claim 14 wherein said 2D images are captured by an electronic camera.

17. The filmless printer of claim 14 wherein said 2D images are generated by a computer.

18. The filmless printer of claim 14 wherein said 2D images are electronically processed in a computer.

19. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising a shutter for shielding said print material from unwanted exposure to light.

20. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising at least one color filter for filtering the projected 2D images during exposure.

21. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising a mirror positioned between said screen of said video monitor and said lenticular print material for folding the optical path of said 2D images.

22. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising:

d) a paper cassette for supplying said lenticular print material;

e) means for retrieving a desired length of said print material from said paper cassette;

f) means for holding said desired length of said print material in place during exposure.

23. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising a chemical processor for processing said print material after exposure is completed.

24. The filmless printer of claim 14 wherein each of said 2D images comprises three separate color component images in red, green and blue, to be sequentially displayed on the screen of said video monitor for exposure.

25. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising three separate color filters in red, green and blue, and means for positioning one of said filters to filter the projected 2D images during exposure.

26. The filmless printer of claim 14 wherein said monitor comprises a color monitor.

27. The filmless printer of claim 14 wherein said monitor comprises a black-and-white monitor.

28. The filmless printer of claim 14 further comprising means for receiving data from an electronic device selected from the group consisting of a modem, a computer workstation, an electronic camera, a tape drive, an ethernet controller, a disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, and an image scanner.