Apparatus and method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing

• US 8,908,015 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Appcessories LLC
• Original Assignee: Appcessories LLC
• Inventors: Filo, Andrew S., Capper, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Tung
• Assistant Examiner(s): BECKER, JOSEPH W
• Application Number:
  US13/017,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20120026298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/49
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/10 having single camera with stereoscopic-base-defining system
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/18 by simultaneous viewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/207 using a single 2D image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for producing images for stereoscopic, three-dimensional viewing generated with existing mobile graphical devices, such as cameras, video recorders, PDAs, telephones, and other devices, such as the iPhone™. Two reflectors, which may be mirrors or prisms, are positioned to separate the field of view of a camera lens on the mobile graphical device into a direct field of view and an offset field of view and to record and display the separated fields in a two-paned format on the mobile graphical device. Eye lenses are used to separately view the split images. An integrated housing and cradle receive the mobile graphical device and are coupled to the reflectors and the eye lenses. An area of each pane may be provided to display control icons for three-dimensional viewing, and a control area may be provided out of view on a touch screen for user control.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interfacing with stereoscopic images on a mobile graphical device comprising:

a first memory for storing data defining a first image;

a second memory for storing data defining a second image that is an offset view relative to the first image;

a display on the mobile graphical device with a two-paned image wherein a first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory and a second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory;

a first eye lens and a second eye lens, the first eye lens being positioned for viewing only the first pane and the second eye lens being positioned for viewing only the second pane;

a touch screen on the display further comprising a first control icon area bordering the first pane and a second control icon area bordering corresponding sides of the second pane so that when viewed by an end user through the first eye lens and the second eye lens the first pane and the second pane appear as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area appear as a single set of three-dimensional icons and a user control area adjacent to the three-dimensional icons and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens that provide user control functions when touched by an end user;

wherein the mobile graphical device further comprises a camera lens having a field of view wherein the field of view is limited to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view, the apparatus further comprising;

a first reflector juxtaposed relative to the camera lens wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view, with the second portion of the field of view comprising the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the camera lens;

a second reflector juxtaposed relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

a sensor that receives light reflected into the first portion of the field of view and light reflected into the second portion of the field of view and that outputs data defining the received reflections;

said first memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view; and

said second memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view, said display with said two-paned image respectively showing the first pane with the image defined by the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view of said first memory, and the second pane adjacent to the first pane showing the image defined by the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view of said second memory for producing split, offset images for immediate stereoscopic viewing with the mobile graphical device.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory as a direct view of the first portion of the field of view and wherein said second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory as an offset view of the first portion of the field of view as reflected through the second portion of the field of view.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a cradle configured to receive the mobile graphical device, the sensor, the first memory and the second memory wherein the cradle is coupled to the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 further comprising a housing coupled to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the camera lens, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens are positioned so that the first portion of the field of view and the second portion of the field of view simulate the view of a two-eyed human observer.

6. A method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing comprising:

providing a mobile graphical device with a camera lens having a field of view;

limiting the field of view to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view;

juxtaposing a first reflector relative to the camera lens wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view and wherein the second portion of the field of view comprises the first reflector with the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the camera lens;

juxtaposing a second reflector relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

placing a sensor to receive light reflected into the first portion of the field of view and light reflected into the second portion of the field of view;

outputting data from the sensor defining the received reflections;

providing a first memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view; and

providing a second memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view, said sensor respectively receiving light reflected from the first portion of the field of view stored with said first memory, and receiving light reflected from the second portion of the field of view stored with said second memory for producing split, offset images for immediate stereoscopic viewing with the mobile graphical device.

7. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 6 further comprising:

providing a display on the mobile graphical device;

dividing the display into a two-paned image wherein a first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory as a direct view of the first portion of the field of view and a second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory as an offset view of the first portion of the field of view as reflected through the second portion of the field of view;

positioning a first eye lens and a second eye lens so that the first eye lens is positioned for viewing only the first pane and the second eye lens is positioned for viewing only the second pane;

configuring a cradle to receive the mobile graphical device, the sensor, the first memory and the second memory;

coupling the cradle to the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens; and

coupling a housing to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

8. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 7 further comprising:

providing a touch screen on the display;

defining a first control icon area on the touch screen bordering the first pane;

defining a second control icon area on the touch screen bordering corresponding sides of the second pane;

wherein an end user who looks through the first eye lens and the second eye lens will see the first pane and the second pane as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area as a single set of three-dimensional icons; and

defining a user control area on the touch screen and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens and providing user control functions inside the user control area.

9. A method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing comprising:

providing a mobile graphical device with a camera lens having a field of view;

limiting the field of view to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view;

juxtaposing a first reflector relative to the camera lens wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view and wherein the second portion of the field of view comprises the first reflector with the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the camera lens;

juxtaposing a second reflector relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

placing a sensor to receive light reflected into the first portion of the field of view and light reflected into the second portion of the field of view, said sensor respectively receiving light reflected from the first portion of the field of view of said first reflector, and receiving light reflected from the second portion of the field of view of said second reflector for producing split, offset images for immediate stereoscopic viewing with the mobile graphical device;

outputting data from the sensor defining the received reflections;

providing a first memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view; and

providing a second memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view;

providing a display on the mobile graphical device;

dividing the display into a two-paned image wherein a first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory as a direct view of the first portion of the field of view and a second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory as an offset view of the first portion of the field of view as reflected through the second portion of the field of view;

positioning a first eye lens and a second eye lens so that the first eye lens is positioned for viewing only the first pane and the second eye lens is positioned for viewing only the second pane;

configuring a cradle to receive the mobile graphical device, the sensor, the first memory and the second memory;

coupling the cradle to the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens; and

coupling a housing to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

10. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 9 comprising providing a solar control film to prevent degradation to the display of the mobile graphical device.

11. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 9 comprising providing llumar R50 solar control film on the display to prevent degradation to the display of the mobile graphical device.

12. The method for producing images for stereoscopic viewing recited in claim 9 further comprising:

providing a touch screen on the display;

defining a first control icon area on the touch screen bordering the first pane;

defining a second control icon area on the touch screen bordering corresponding sides of the second pane;

wherein an end user who looks through the first eye lens and the second eye lens will see the first pane and the second pane as a single three-dimensional image and the first control icon area and the second control icon area as a single set of three-dimensional icons; and

defining a user control area on the touch screen and outside the area viewable through the first eye lens and the second eye lens and providing user control functions inside the user control area.

13. An apparatus for interfacing with stereoscopic images on a mobile graphical device comprising:

a first memory for storing data defining a first image;

a second memory for storing data defining a second image that is an offset view relative to the first image;

a display on the mobile graphical device with a two-paned image wherein a first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory and a second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory;

a first eye lens and a second eye lens, the first eye lens being positioned for viewing only the first pane and the second eye lens being positioned for viewing only the second pane;

a camera lens having a field of view wherein the field of view is limited to a first portion of the field of view and a second portion of the field of view, comprising a first reflector juxtaposed relative to the camera lens wherein the first reflector is outside of the first portion of the field of view, with the second portion of the field of view comprising the first reflector at an angle to the plane crossing the circumference of the camera lens, and a second reflector juxtaposed relative to the first reflector wherein everything within the boundaries of the first portion of the field of view is reflected off the second reflector then reflected off the first reflector and into the second portion of the field of view;

a sensor that receives light reflected into the first portion of the field of view and light reflected into the second portion of the field of view and that outputs data defining the received reflections;

a cradle configured to receive the mobile graphical device, the sensor, the first memory and the second memory wherein the cradle is coupled to the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens;

said first memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view; and

said second memory for storing data defining the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view, said display with said two-paned image respectively showing the first pane with the image defined by the reflection received through the first portion of the field of view of said first memory, and the second pane adjacent to the first pane showing the image defined by the reflection received through the second portion of the field of view of said second memory for producing split, offset images for immediate stereoscopic viewing with the mobile graphical device.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13 comprising a solar control film on the display to prevent degradation to the display of the mobile graphical device.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 13 comprising llumar R50 solar control film on the display to prevent degradation to the display of the mobile graphical device.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein said first pane shows an image defined by the data in the first memory as a direct view of the first portion of the field of view and wherein said second pane adjacent to the first pane shows an image defined by the data in the second memory as an offset view of the first portion of the field of view as reflected through the second portion of the field of view.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 13 further comprising a housing coupled to the cradle, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein the camera lens, the first reflector, the second reflector, the first eye lens and the second eye lens are positioned so that the first portion of the field of view and the second portion of the field of view simulate the view of a two-eyed human observer.