Systems and methods for providing images

• US 7,355,561 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Mark, Eric R., Vines, John M., Clarke, Jerry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick; Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US10/939,417
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/5, 345/418, 345/440, 345/619, 345/625, 345/634, 345/635, 345/501
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 25/00 Equipment specially adapted for cinemas cinematographic projection means G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing images are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the system for providing images includes a first image display device for displaying a first image at a first image plane and a second image display device for displaying a second image at a second image plane. The first image plane is in front of the second image plane relative to an audience. The system also includes a real-object tracking system for tracking the position and orientation of a real object positioned between the first image plane and the second image plane and a video sub-system coupled to the first and second image display devices and the real-object tracking system for synchronizing the first image with the second image and the first and second images with the position and orientation of the real object placed between the first and second image planes.

Claims

1. A system for providing images using a first screen and a second screen, the system comprising:

a first stereographic-image projection device for projecting a first polarized image on a first screen at a first distance from an observer;

a second stereographic-image projection device for projecting a second polarized image on a second screen at a second distance from an observer, wherein the second screen is substantially transparent such that the first image is viewable through the second screen;

a real-object tracking system for tracking the three-dimensional position and orientation of a real object placed between the first and second screens;

a video sub-system coupled to the first and second stereographic-image projection devices for synchronizing the first image with the second image, the video sub-system being further coupled with the real-object tracking system such that the first image and the second image are synchronized with the position and orientation of the real object placed between the first and second screens; and

an audio sub-system coupled to the video sub-system, the audio sub-system comprising;

a sonification system generating a virtual sound field synchronized with the first and second images;

a surround-sound speaker system for outputting at least a portion of the virtual sound field; and

a low-frequency sound transducer positioned to provide a physical vibration sensation for the audience.

2. A system for providing images, comprising:

a first image display device for displaying a first image at a first image plane;

a second image display device for displaying a second image at a second image plane, wherein the first image plane is in front of the second image plane relative to an audience;

a real-object tracking system for tracking the position and orientation of a real object positioned between the first image plane and the second image plane; and

a video sub-system coupled to the first and second image display devices and the real-object tracking system for synchronizing the first image with the second image and the first and second images with the position and orientation of the real object placed between the first and second image planes.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first image display device is a stereographic image projection device that projects a first polarized image.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a transparent, polarization preserving screen onto which to project the first polarized image.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the second image display device is a stereographic image projection device that projects a second polarized image.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an audio sub-system coupled to and synchronized with the video sub-system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the audio sub-system comprises:

a sonification system generating a virtual sound field synchronized with the first and second images; and

a surround-sound speaker system for outputting at least a portion of the virtual sound field.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the audio sub-system further comprises:

a low-frequency sound transducer positioned to provide a physical vibration sensation for the audience.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sonification system comprises:

logic configured to create a virtual sound field in at least one dimension, whereby the sound field is synchronized with at least one of the first and second images;

a probe for providing a location indication in the at least one dimension; and

logic configured to output an audio signal based upon the location provided by the probe relative to the virtual sound field.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the probe is a virtual probe integrated with the video sub-system.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the probe is a real probe capable of providing a location indication in three dimensions.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the sound system is a surround sound system that receives the audio signal output from the sonification system and projects the sound signal in an at least two-dimensional sound field.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the real-object tracking system is configured to track the three-dimensional position of a real object.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the real-object tracking system is further configured to track the roll, pitch, and yaw of the real object.

15. A method for providing images, comprising:

generating a first image to be viewed from a first distance by an observer;

generating a second image to be viewed from a second distance by the observer;

synchronizing the first image with the second image;

receiving information regarding a position and orientation of a real-object located at least partially between the first distance and the second distance from the observer; and

adjusting the first image and the second image as a function of the position and orientation of the real object.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second images are stereographically polarized images.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

generating a virtual sound field that is a function of at least one of the first and second images;

mapping a location of a probe relative to the first and second images to a location in the virtual sound field; and

outputting an audio signal that is a function of the location in the virtual sound field.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second images are generated such that they are to be projected onto first and second viewing screens, respectively.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the real object is positioned between the first and second viewing screens.