US4582393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polarizing optical stereoscopic system and eyepiece using triangular prisms
Assignee: Bright and Morning Star Co
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Filing: 1984-05-04
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2004-05-04
Abstract
Abstract An optical stereoscopic system is disclosed that permits viewing of adjacent stereoscopic images and that is particularly suited for room viewing, permitting the observer to move about the room, and/or several or more observers to view the display from various positions about the room. The system comprises a pair of light-polarized stereoscopic images which are displayed in adjacent array, i.e., laterally or vertically side-by-side. Each observer is provided with eyepieces to view the display. The eyepieces are binocular and each eyepiece includes a polarized filter and a prism which deviates the line of sight for its respective eye a sufficient degree that both stereoscopic images are fused in the fovea of the eye. Preferred embodiments provide interchangeable prisms, particularly interchangeable Fresnel prisms to permit changing of the diopter of the viewing prisms in the eyepieces. Fresnel prisms are particularly preferred since they provide lightness and reduced bulk and their use in eyepieces provides a tolerance to surface scratches and defects, thus providing a tolerance for wear and abuse of plastic prisms. With the Fresnel prism, a very preferred embodiment includes a laminated polarizing filter and Fresnel prism, as a single unit.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Shieman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/20; G02B30/22; G02B30/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A stereoscopic viewing system comprising: (a) a pair of right and left stereoscopic images of a subject positioned in a side-by-side array; (b) light polarizing filters positioned in front of said images; and (c) an eyepiece worn by an observer having: (i) left and right frames with respective right and left light polarizing filters positioned in front of the observer's eyes corresponding to the filters in front of their respective images, and (ii) right and left prisms also positioned in front of the observer's eyes each of said prisms being a thin face prism having a flat side and a faceted face which has a plurality of straight parallel V-grooves to form therebetween a plurality of straight parallel triangular prisms having a diopter angle sufficient to diverge the line of sight from said eye sufficiently to merge its respective image on its fovea centralis; thereby creating a stereoscopic illusion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A stereoscopic viewing system comprising: (a) a pair of right and left stereoscopic images of a subject positioned in a side-by-side array; (b) light polarizing filters positioned in front of said images; and (c) an eyepiece worn by an observer having: (i) left and right frames with respective right and left light polarizing filters positioned in front of the observer's eyes corresponding to the filters in front of their respective images, and (ii) right and left prisms also positioned in front of the observer's eyes each of said prisms being a thin face prism having a flat side and a faceted face which has a plurality of straight parallel V-grooves to form therebetween a plurality of straight parallel triangular prisms having a diopter angle sufficient to diverge the line of sight from said eye sufficiently to merge its respective image on its fovea centralis; thereby creating a stereoscopic illusion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stereoscopic viewing system of claim 1 wherein said images are a televideo display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stereoscopic viewing system of claim 1 wherein the face angle of the triangular prisms is from 1 to about 45 degrees with the plane of the prism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stereoscopic viewing system of claim 1 wherein the prisms are spaced from 25 to about 500 prisms per inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stereoscopic viewing system of claim 1 wherein the prisms are spaced from 50 to about 200 prisms per inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stereoscopic viewing system of claim 1 wherein said frames provide an occular track to receive removeable subassemblies of filters and prisms, permitting the viewer to interchange said subassemblies to vary the diopter angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The stereoscopic viewing system of claim 6 wherein said subassemblies are laminated plates comprising a flat transparent plate; a faceted plate having a smooth side opposite one side of said flat plate; and a thin layer of light polarizing film received between and bonded to both said flat and faceted plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
An eyepiece to be worn by an observer to create the illusion of stereoscopic vision with right and left stereoscopic images which comprises: (a) eyepiece frames comprising left and right occular frames having channel tracks to receive removeable subassemblies of filters and prisms; and (b) right and left occulars subassemblies comprising a laminated assembly of a flat transparent plate; a faceted plate having a smooth side opposite one side of said flat plate and a plurality of straight parallel V-grooves on its faceted face to form therebetween a plurality of straight parallel triangular prisms; and a thin layer of light polarizing film received between and bonded to both said flat and faceted plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
An eyepiece to be worn by an observer to create the illusion of stereoscopic vision with right and left stereoscopic images which comprises: (a) eyepiece frames comprising left and right occular frames having channel tracks to receive removeable subassemblies of filters and prisms; and (b) right and left occulars subassemblies comprising a laminated assembly of a flat transparent plate; a faceted plate having a smooth side opposite one side of said flat plate and a plurality of straight parallel V-grooves on its faceted face to form therebetween a plurality of straight parallel triangular prisms; and a thin layer of light polarizing film received between and bonded to both said flat and faceted plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The eyepiece of claim 8 wherein the face angle of the triangular prisms is from 1 to about 45 degrees with the plane of the prism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The eyepiece of claim 8 wherein the prisms are spaced from 25 to about 500 prisms per inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The eyepiece of claim 8 wherein the subassemblies are placed in the eyepiece frames with the apex edges of said parallel prisms on the faceted face of the subassemblies medially oriented.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR540393A
Cited
FR655164A
Cited
GB480065A
Cited
DE1161128B
Cited
FR1430187A
Cited
FR2272414A2
Cited
US4400067A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |