Patent US5276478A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5276478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for optimizing depth images by adjusting print spacing
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1992-05-19
•
Granted: 1994-01-04
•
Expires: 2012-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for producing the image elements of a lenticular image. The lenticular image includes a plurality of composite images of the same scene where each composite image includes image lines. The image lines of one composite view are interleaved with the image lines forming the other composite images to create image line sets. The sets include one image line from each composite image. The sets of image lines are aligned with the lenticules of a lenticular overlay by adjusting the spacing between the image line sets, so that the sets are in optimum alignment or phase relationship with each lenticule of the lenticular overlay. The spacing between image lines and/or between scan lines and/or image line sets can be adjusted to correct phase errors. The scan lines are printed in a fast scan direction of a printer in alignment with the lenticules.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger A. Morton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:52
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/005; G02B30/00; G02B30/20; G02B30/26; G02B30/27; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; H04N1/00185; H04N1/00201; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/302; H04N13/305; H04N13/349; H04N13/398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image line sets where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) fixing the sets in a display media in alignment with lenticules of a lenticular overlay by continuously varying a spacing between the sets by scanning in a direction aligned with the lenticules; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the fixed image line sets.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image line sets where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) fixing the sets in a display media in alignment with lenticules of a lenticular overlay by continuously varying a spacing between the sets by scanning in a direction aligned with the lenticules; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the fixed image line sets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (b) includes creating the sets by modulated light spot scanning in parallel with long axes of the lenticules of the lenticular overlay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (b) includes fixing the sets at a lenticular pitch plus a variable phase relationship offset.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image line sets where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) fixing the sets in a display media in alignment with lenticules of a lenticular overlay by scanning in a direction aligned with the lenticules, including fixing the sets at a lenticular pitch plus a variable phase relationship offset by determining the phase relationship by ray tracing; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the fixed image line sets.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image line sets where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) fixing the sets in a display media in alignment with lenticules of a lenticular overlay by scanning in a direction aligned with the lenticules, including fixing the sets at a lenticular pitch plus a variable phase relationship offset by determining the phase relationship by ray tracing; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the fixed image line sets.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image line sets where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) fixing the sets in a display media in alignment with lenticules of a lenticular overlay by scanning in a direction aligned with the lenticules, including fixing the sets at a lenticular pitch plus a variable phase relationship offset by determining the phase relationship using test lines fixed in a depth image media; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the fixed image line sets.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image line sets where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) fixing the sets in a display media in alignment with lenticules of a lenticular overlay by scanning in a direction aligned with the lenticules, including fixing the sets at a lenticular pitch plus a variable phase relationship offset by determining the phase relationship using test lines fixed in a depth image media; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the fixed image line sets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (b) includes varying a spacing of the line images within one of the sets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 6, wherein step (b) includes varying a printer step spacing between image lines by rounding a noninteger step number up and down alternately.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the image lines comprise scan lines and step (b) includes varying a spacing of the scan lines of an image line to correct phase errors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the varying is a fraction of a scan line spacing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (b) includes varying a printer step spacing between image line sets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 10, wherein step (b) includes rounding a noninteger printer step number up and down alternately.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein image lines comprise scan lines and step (b) includes duplicating scan lines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said duplicating matches printer and lenticular pitches.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing the sets of image lines where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) continuously adjusting a phase relationship between the sets; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the phase adjusted sets.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing the sets of image lines where corresponding image lines in each of the sets corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) continuously adjusting a phase relationship between the sets; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the phase adjusted sets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the image lines each comprise a scan line and step (b) includes adjusting a center to center spacing of adjacent scan lines in adjacent image line sets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein each of the image lines comprises scan lines and step (b) includes adjusting a center to center spacing of the scan lines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein step (c) comprises: (c1) fixing the phase adjusted sets in a display media; and (c2) attaching a lenticular overlay to the display media.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein step (a) includes the step of orienting the image lines in a direction parallel to long axes of lenticules of the overlay.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein step (a) includes the step of orienting the image lines in a fast scan direction of a printing device.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image lines where each image line corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) continuously adjusting a spacing between the image lines; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the space adjusted image lines.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing image lines where each image line corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) continuously adjusting a spacing between the image lines; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the space adjusted image lines.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing scan lines where each scan line corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) continuously adjusting a spacing between the scan lines; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the space adjusted scan lines.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising the steps of: (a) producing scan lines where each scan line corresponds to a different depth image view; (b) continuously adjusting a spacing between the scan lines; and (c) projecting the depth image to a viewer using the space adjusted scan lines.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A depth image apparatus, comprising: a lenticular overlay including lenticules; an image media confronting said lenticular overlay, lenticular images in said media comprising image line sets, the sets being aligned with the lenticules in a continuously varying phase relationship.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A depth image apparatus, comprising: a lenticular overlay including lenticules; an image media confronting said lenticular overlay, lenticular images in said media comprising image line sets, the sets being aligned with the lenticules in a continuously varying phase relationship.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said image liens are spaced apart preventing overlap of image line edges.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the space varies correcting for a phase error.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein each of said image lines comprise scan lines and said scan lines have a space therebetween preventing overlap of scan line edges.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said image lines are fixed on the media in an axial direction of the lenticules and in a fast scan direction of a printer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
85 words
A depth image creation apparatus, comprising: capture means for capturing views of a scene; output means for fixing a depth image in a media; and processing means for producing the depth image from the captured views, said processing means comprising: means for producing line image sets where each line image in a set corresponds to a slice of a different captured view; and means for variably and continuously adjusting a phase relationship between the sets to align the sets with a depth image projection media.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
85 words
A depth image creation apparatus, comprising: capture means for capturing views of a scene; output means for fixing a depth image in a media; and processing means for producing the depth image from the captured views, said processing means comprising: means for producing line image sets where each line image in a set corresponds to a slice of a different captured view; and means for variably and continuously adjusting a phase relationship between the sets to align the sets with a depth image projection media.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein said projection media comprises a lenticular overlay including lenticules and said means for variably adjusting adjusts the phase relationship between the lenticules and the sets.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein said processing means includes means for correcting a phase error in the phase relationship.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising: (a) computing an unequal spacing of image line sets in alignment with a subsequently placed depth image media; (b) writing the image line sets onto an optically planar image recording media; and (c) attaching the depth image media to the planar image recording media.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising: (a) computing an unequal spacing of image line sets in alignment with a subsequently placed depth image media; (b) writing the image line sets onto an optically planar image recording media; and (c) attaching the depth image media to the planar image recording media.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 30, wherein step (a) includes adjusting the spacing to account for viewpoint range.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 30, wherein step (b) includes scanning a modulated light spot on the media in parallel with long axes of lenticules of a lenticular overlay depth image media.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising: (a) computing a spacing between image line sets in alignment with a subsequently placed depth image media; (b) writing the image line sets onto an optically planar image recording media by scanning a modulated light spot over the media in alignment with long axes of lenticules of the overlay; and (c) attaching the depth image media to the planar image recording media.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of producing a depth image, comprising: (a) computing a spacing between image line sets in alignment with a subsequently placed depth image media; (b) writing the image line sets onto an optically planar image recording media by scanning a modulated light spot over the media in alignment with long axes of lenticules of the overlay; and (c) attaching the depth image media to the planar image recording media.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4033059A
Cited
US3854670A
Cited
US4132468A
Cited
US4170415A
Cited
GB2092330A
Cited
US4417784A
Cited
US4711690A
Cited
US4845520A
Cited
US4499126A
Cited
US5015552A
Cited
US4708920A
Cited
US4894110A
Cited
US4766026A
Cited
US4765656A
Cited
US4935335A
Cited
US4920039A
Cited
US4847184A
Cited
US4983989A
Cited
US4890120A
Cited
US4968064A
Cited
US4970531A
Cited
US4773677A
Cited
US4855840A
Cited
US5023626A
Cited
US4928996A
Cited
US4911478A
Cited
US5012258A
Cited
US4983054A
Cited
US4869946B1
Cited
US4869946A
Cited
US4814826A
Cited
US4932385A
Cited
US4827282A
Cited
US5113213A
Cited
US4945407A
Cited
US4960336A
Cited
US5028950A
Cited
US4963885A
Cited
US4994822A
Cited
US4990930A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |