Method and apparatus for a depth seamed three-dimensional visual environment

• US 5,602,978 A
• Filed: 09/01/1993
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: N4D LLC
• Original Assignee: Carroll H. Lastinger
• Inventors: Lastinger, Carroll H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jankus, Almis R.
• Application Number:
  US08/115,893
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 395/119, 395/120, 395/125, 395/127, 395/133, 395/135, 395/138, 395/139, 395/152-154, 395/155, 395/161, 395/162, 358/230, 358/231, 354/112, 354/113, 354/293, 354/294
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects

Abstract

A method and apparatus described as a visual transporter device is provided comprising a plurality of screens arranged to establish a substantially encompassing visual environment having the capability of visually transporting an entire person or persons out of a room by visually removing the screens and visually locating the viewer within a dimensional visual representation of a "created" environment generated by computer, a dimensional visual representation of a "real" environment generated by video-format imaging and photographic processes, and a combination of a "created" computer generated visual environment coalesced with a "real" visual environment generated by video and photography. This visual transporter device visually removes the physical room and replaces it with a created and/or real visually dimensional environment having the ability to utilize a three-dimensional image-alignment algorithm to produce depth perceptible multi-dimensional imagery having no depth scope limitations (in other words an infinite horizon capability) and dimensional imagery intrusion into the enclosure viewing space occupied by the viewer, thereby producing intrusive and extrusive multi-dimensional, multi-planar visual imagery within a substantially encompassing visual environment.

Claims

1. A computer controlled method for achieving three-dimensional imagery having the appearance of being located between the viewer and a screen, comprising:

(a) providing an array of screens on which images are displayed for visual observation, said array of screens defining a multiple screen array;

(b) establishing a dual camera three-dimensional spatial template for computerized graphical presentation having a pair of perspective origination points and field of view limits from said perspective origination points and having a rear virtual wall located at a common convergence focal point for both perspective origination points and a forward virtual wall located between said perspective origination points and said common convergence focal point;

(c) generating by computer processing a plurality of three-dimensional images of objects within said spatial template;

(d) optically aligning said three-dimensional images in depth by computer processing of adjacent images with a three-dimensional optical alignment algorithm;

(e) displaying said optically aligned three-dimensional images on said array of screens; and

(f) achieving ocular separation of said three-dimensional images upon viewing of the same, permitting ocularly organized visual observation of respective images on said plurality of screens by each eye of a person viewing said images and thus providing the visual experience of physical presence of a three-dimensional object located between the viewer and said plurality of screens.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said array of screens are adjacent one another and are arranged to establish a substantially encompassing visual environment, said method including:

(a) said generating said three-dimensional images comprises generating adjacent three dimensional images; and

(b) seaming said adjacent three-dimensional images by processing of said adjacent images by said three-dimensional seaming algorithm, thus providing the viewer with the visual experience of being immersed in the viewing environment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of screens comprise computer screens, said method including:

(a) establishing said three dimensional spatial template by means of "x", "y" and "z" computer coordinates defining ocularly arranged spatial templates; and

(b) displaying on said array of screens ocularly arranged computer generated images established by said ocularly arranged three dimensional spatial templates.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said array of screens comprise video screens, said method including:

(a) establishing an aligned physical array of video cameras each oriented for viewing a subject and providing a video output image in reference thereto;

(b) processing said video output images for elimination of visual subject matter occurring exteriorly of said ocularly arranged spatial templates, thus establishing three dimensional video output images, except wherein said exterior visual subject matter falls outside said rear virtual wall of the forward projection zone thus producing rear projected visual imagery;

(c) aligning said three dimensional video output images of said aligned physical array of video cameras by computer processing of said three dimensional video output images by a three dimensional alignment algorithm; and

(d) displaying on said video screens said aligned three dimensional video images.

5. A method for achieving realistic appearing three dimensional imagery, comprising:

(a) providing screen means on which images are displayed for visual observation, said screen means establishing a viewing environment;

(b) establishing a dual camera three dimensional spatial template having a predetermined convergence perspective said dual camera three dimensional spatial template being defined by a pair of spaced perspective origination points and field of view limits therefrom to a rear virtual wall being defined at a common convergence focal point for said spaced perspective origination points;

(c) generating three dimensional images of objects within said dual camera three dimensional spatial template;

(d) optically aligning said three dimensional images by computer processing thereof with a three dimensional alignment algorithm;

(e) displaying said three dimensional images on said screen means; and

(f) achieving ocular separation of said images upon viewing of the same by right-eye, left-eye imaging, permitting ocularly organized visual observation of respective three dimensional images by each eye of a person viewing said images.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said screen means comprises a plurality of screens being adjacent one another and establishing a substantially encompassing visual environment, said method including:

(a) said generating said three dimensional images comprises generating adjacent three dimensional images; and

(b) aligning said adjacent three dimensional images by computer processing thereof with a three dimensional alignment algorithm, thus providing the viewer with the visual experience of being immersed in the viewing environment.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said screen means is at least one computer screen, said method including:

(a) establishing said three dimensional spatial template by means of "x", "y" and "z" computer coordinates defining ocularly arranged spatial templates; and

(b) displaying on said at least one computer screen ocularly arranged computer generated images established by said ocularly arranged three dimensional spatial templates.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said screen means comprises at least one video screen, said method including:

(a) establishing an aligned physical array of video cameras each oriented by an optimum convergence algorithm for viewing a subject and providing a video output image in reference thereto;

(b) establishing a forward projection zone in relation to said ocularly arranged spatial template;

(c) processing said video output images for elimination of visual subject matter occurring exteriorly of said ocularly arranged spatial template, thus establishing three dimensional video output images, except wherein said exterior visual subject matter falls outside the forward wall of the forward projection zone thus producing rear projected visual dimensional imagery;

(d) seaming said three dimensional video output images of said aligned physical array of video cameras; and

(e) displaying on said at least one video screen said seamed three dimensional video images.

9. A three-dimensional computer controlled imaging system enabling a viewer to have the visual perception of being immersed in an environment of three-dimensional imagery being displayed by a computer defined screen array, comprising:

(a) at least one computer defined screen on which computer processed images are displayed;

(b) a computer generated dual camera spatial template for acquiring and synthesizing visual subject matter into a multi-dimensional, multi-planar image said dual camera spatial template having a pair of perspective origination points and field of view limits from said perspective origination points and having a rear virtual wall located at a common convergence focal point for both perspective origination points;

(c) said dual cameral spatial template defining a forward projection zone for processing visual images to provide a visual appearance location between said computer defined screen and the viewer and thus providing the visual experience of the physical presence of three-dimensional objects located between the viewer and said screen array; and

(d) means for ocular separation to achieve left-eye and right-eye imaging.

10. The substantially encompassing visual environment of claim 9, wherein said means defining a dual camera spatial template comprises:

(a) two perspective origination points representing the location of the human eye in correlation with the dual camera spatial template;

(b) a common convergence focal point representing the direction of sight aiming point of the perspective origination points;

(c) a forward projection zone located between the perspective origination points and the common convergence focal point; and

(d) an optimum convergence perspective algorithm defining placement and relationships of said perspective origination points, common convergence focal point, and said forward projection zone.

11. The substantially encompassing visual environment of claim 9 wherein said screen means comprises:

a single screen device utilizing said dual camera spatial template and components thereof.

12. The three-dimensional computer controlled imaging system of claim 9 wherein said computer defined screen array comprises:

(a) a screen array incorporating a plurality of computer defined screens;

(b) a plurality of said dual camera spatial templates, for said computer defined screens; and

(c) a three-dimensional image alignment algorithm for computerized placement of said dual camera spatial templates for aligning visual subject matter for transition by said computer defined screen array.

13. The computer controlled three-dimensional imaging system of claim 12 wherein said three-dimensional image alignment algorithm incorporates automated linear depth measurements following computer defined placement of plural forward projection zones to accomplish depth alignment of visual subject matter when a plurality of said dual camera spatial templates are employed.

14. The computer controlled three-dimensional imaging system of claim 9 wherein said computer defined screen array comprises:

(a) a plurality of horizontally arranged computer defined screens arranged to substantially encompass the viewer; and

(b) a plurality of computer defined elevation screens arranged to substantially define a portion of a sphere and to receive three-dimensional images representing vertical positioning relative to said horizontally arranged computer defined screens.

15. The computer controlled three-dimensional imaging system of claim 14 wherein said elevation screens include:

(a) screens arranged above said horizontally arranged screens; and

(b) screens arranged below said horizontally arranged screens.

16. The computer controlled three-dimensional imaging system of claim 15 wherein:

said three-dimensional alignment algorithm accomplishes alignment in depth of images appearing on both said horizontally and vertically arranged computer defined screens.