US5329310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling distortion of a projected image
Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc
•
Filing: 1992-06-30
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2012-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for displaying an image that is subject to multiple distortions substantially without distortion is provided. The image is recorded from a first viewpoint and subject to a first distortion and played back from a second viewpoint and subject to a second distortion. The display surface may also be distorted (e.g., curved). By mapping back through the projector to the screen and through the camera (at the viewpoint), the image is transformed so that it can be viewed from the viewpoint with little or no distortion.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon E. Liljegren
- 👤 William G. Redmann
- 👤 Scott F. Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N17/00; H04N17/04; G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/30; G09B9/32; G09B9/326; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/243; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3179; H04N9/3185; H04N9/3191; H04N9/3194; H04N13/296
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 156
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of displaying an image of a subject on a display surface having a display surface shape and a display surface position, for observation from a viewpoint having a viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a first field of view, said displayed image having a controlled amount of distortion, said method comprising the steps of: recording source image visual data for said image by transforming source visual data of said subject through a first distorting transformation process with respect to a recording point at which said subject subtends a second field of view which is at least partially contained within said first field of view at said recording point; transforming said recorded source image visual data through an intermediate transformation process to produce target image visual data; and playing back said target image visual data from a playback point having a playback point position at which said display surface subtends a third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said viewpoint a fourth field of view at least partially contained within said first field of view of said viewpoint, through a second distorting transformation process; wherein: said first and second distorting transformation processes, and said intermediate transformation process are selected so that said second and fourth fields of view are substantially identical, thereby causing said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of displaying an image of a subject on a display surface having a display surface shape and a display surface position, for observation from a viewpoint having a viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a first field of view, said displayed image having a controlled amount of distortion, said method comprising the steps of: recording source image visual data for said image by transforming source visual data of said subject through a first distorting transformation process with respect to a recording point at which said subject subtends a second field of view which is at least partially contained within said first field of view at said recording point; transforming said recorded source image visual data through an intermediate transformation process to produce target image visual data; and playing back said target image visual data from a playback point having a playback point position at which said display surface subtends a third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said viewpoint a fourth field of view at least partially contained within said first field of view of said viewpoint, through a second distorting transformation process; wherein: said first and second distorting transformation processes, and said intermediate transformation process are selected so that said second and fourth fields of view are substantially identical, thereby causing said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recording step comprises generating digital image visual data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recording step comprises capturing live image visual data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said live image visual data on a photographic medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said live image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said live image visual data in a video format.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said second field of view at said recording point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said playing back step comprises playing said recorded image visual data back on a nonplanar display surface, said nonplanar display surface contributing also to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said controlled amount of distortion is the absence of distortion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said intermediate transformation process is a digital transformation process; said method further comprising the step of: digitizing said source image visual data for use in said digital transformation process.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said digital transformation process comprises, for each target pixel of said target image visual data: determining first from said second distorting transformation process, said playback point position, said display surface position and said display surface shape, a location on said display surface onto which said target pixel would be projected; determining second from said first distorting transformation process, said viewpoint position, said display surface position and said display surface shape, a source pixel in said source image visual data which corresponds to said location on said display surface; and filling said target pixel with image data from said source pixel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 11 wherein: at least one of said first and second determining steps is performed for each target pixel in said target image visual data before said filling step is performed for any target pixel; results of at least one of said first and second determining steps for each target pixel are used to produce a table of correspondence between source and target pixels; and said filling step comprises, for each target pixel, looking up a corresponding source pixel in said table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said target image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said playing back step comprises projecting said target image visual data onto said display surface in a video format.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprising projecting said target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 14 wherein: said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said target image visual data photographically.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said playing back step comprises projecting said target image visual data onto said display surface photographically.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18 wherein: said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 18 wherein: said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said first field of view at said viewpoint.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said third field of view at said playback point.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said number of display surfaces is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said number of display surfaces is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said third field of view at said playback point.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said recording step comprises capturing said image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said second field of view at said recording point.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recording step comprises capturing said image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said second field of view at said recording point.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said first field of view at said viewpoint.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of display surfaces.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of display surfaces.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said third field of view at said playback point.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are all equal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are unequal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 35 wherein any two of said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are equal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
232 words
Apparatus for displaying an image of a subject on a display surface having a display surface shape and a display surface position, for observation from a viewpoint having a viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a first field of view, said displayed image having a controlled amount of distortion, said apparatus comprising: means for recording source image visual data for said image including means for transforming source visual data of said subject through a first distorting transformation process with respect to a recording point at which said subject subtends a second field of view which is at least partially contained within said first field of view at said recording point; intermediate transforming means for transforming said recorded source image visual data through an intermediate transformation process to produce target image visual data; and means for playing back said target image visual data from a playback point having a playback point position at which said display surface subtends a third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said viewpoint a fourth field of view at least partially contained within said first field of view at said viewpoint, through a second distorting transformation process; wherein: said first and second distorting transformation processes, and said intermediate transformation process are selected so that said second and fourth fields of view are substantially identical, thereby causing said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
232 words
Apparatus for displaying an image of a subject on a display surface having a display surface shape and a display surface position, for observation from a viewpoint having a viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a first field of view, said displayed image having a controlled amount of distortion, said apparatus comprising: means for recording source image visual data for said image including means for transforming source visual data of said subject through a first distorting transformation process with respect to a recording point at which said subject subtends a second field of view which is at least partially contained within said first field of view at said recording point; intermediate transforming means for transforming said recorded source image visual data through an intermediate transformation process to produce target image visual data; and means for playing back said target image visual data from a playback point having a playback point position at which said display surface subtends a third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said viewpoint a fourth field of view at least partially contained within said first field of view at said viewpoint, through a second distorting transformation process; wherein: said first and second distorting transformation processes, and said intermediate transformation process are selected so that said second and fourth fields of view are substantially identical, thereby causing said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said recording means comprises means for generating digital image visual data.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said recording means comprises means for capturing live image visual data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said capturing means captures said live image visual data on a photographic medium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said capturing means captures said live image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said capturing means captures said live image visual data in a video format.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said capturing means captures said image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said second field of view at said recording point.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said playing back means plays said recorded image visual data back on a nonplanar display surface, said nonplanar display surface contributing also to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said controlled amount of distortion is the absence of distortion.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein: said intermediate transforming means comprises digital transforming means; said apparatus further comprising: means for digitizing said source image visual data for use in said digital transforming means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said digital transforming means comprises, for each target pixel of said target image visual data: first determining means for determining from said second distorting transformation process, said playback point position, said display surface position and said display surface shape, a location on said display surface onto which said target pixel would be projected; second determining means for determining from said first distorting transformation process, said viewpoint position, said display surface position and said display surface shape, a source pixel in said source image visual data which corresponds to said location on said display surface; and means for filling said target pixel with image data from said source pixel.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 47 wherein: at least one of said first and second determining means operates on each target pixel in said target image visual data before said filling means operates for any target pixel; output of at least one of said first and second determining means for each target pixel is used to produce a table of correspondence between source and target pixels; and for each target pixel, said filling means look up a corresponding source pixel in said table.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said playing back means plays back said target image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said playing back means projects said target image visual data onto said display surface in a video format.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said playing back means plays back said target image visual data photographically.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said playing back means projects said target image visual data onto said display surface photographically.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said first field of view at said viewpoint.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said playing back means plays back said target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said third field of view at said playback point.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said number of display surfaces is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said number of display surfaces is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said playing back means plays back said target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said third field of view at said playback point.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 61 wherein said recording means captures said image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said second field of view at said recording point.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said recording means captures said image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said second field of view at said recording point.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said first field of view at said viewpoint.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of display surfaces.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of display surfaces.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said playing back means plays back said target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said third field of view at said playback point.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 69 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are all equal.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 69 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are unequal.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 71 wherein any two of said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are equal.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
280 words
A method of serially displaying a plurality of images of a subject on a display surface having for each image a respective display surface shape and a respective display surface position, for observation from a corresponding plurality of viewpoints, one for each of said plurality of images, each of said viewpoints having a respective viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a respective first field of view for its respective image, each of said displayed images having a controlled amount of distortion, said method comprising the steps of: serially recording source image visual data for each of said plurality of images with respect to a respective recording point at which said subject subtends at said respective viewpoint a respective second field of view which is at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective recording point; for each of said plurality of images, transforming said respective recorded image visual data through a respective intermediate transformation process to produce respective target image visual data; and serially playing back and respective target image visual data from respective playback points each having a respective playback point position at which said display surface subtends a respective third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said respective viewpoint a respective fourth field of view at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint, through a respective playback distorting transformation process; wherein: for each of said plurality of images, said respective intermediate transformation process, said respective playback distorting transformation process, and said respective first, second, third and fourth fields of view combine to contribute to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
280 words
A method of serially displaying a plurality of images of a subject on a display surface having for each image a respective display surface shape and a respective display surface position, for observation from a corresponding plurality of viewpoints, one for each of said plurality of images, each of said viewpoints having a respective viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a respective first field of view for its respective image, each of said displayed images having a controlled amount of distortion, said method comprising the steps of: serially recording source image visual data for each of said plurality of images with respect to a respective recording point at which said subject subtends at said respective viewpoint a respective second field of view which is at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective recording point; for each of said plurality of images, transforming said respective recorded image visual data through a respective intermediate transformation process to produce respective target image visual data; and serially playing back and respective target image visual data from respective playback points each having a respective playback point position at which said display surface subtends a respective third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said respective viewpoint a respective fourth field of view at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint, through a respective playback distorting transformation process; wherein: for each of said plurality of images, said respective intermediate transformation process, said respective playback distorting transformation process, and said respective first, second, third and fourth fields of view combine to contribute to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said series of respective playback points in said serial playing back step comprises a single playback point used for all said plurality of images.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said respective display surface shapes and positions comprise a single display surface shape and a single display surface position used for all of said plurality of images.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said controlled amount of distortion is the absence of distortion.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said playing back step comprises playing said target image visual data back on a nonplanar display surface, said nonplanar display surface contributing also to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said recording step comprises generating digital image visual data.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said recording step comprises capturing live image visual data.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 79 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said live image visual data on a photographic medium.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 79 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said live image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 81 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said live image visual data in a video format.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 79 wherein said capturing step comprises capturing said respective image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said respective recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said respective second field of view at said respective recording point.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 73 wherein: said respective intermediate transformation process is a respective digital transformation process; said method further comprising the step of: digitizing said source image visual data for use in said respective digital transformation process.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said serial recording step comprises transforming, for each respective one of said images, respective source visual data of said subject through a respective recording distorting transformation process, said respective recording distorting transformation process contributing also to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 85 wherein: said respective intermediate transformation process is a respective digital transformation process; said method further comprising the step of: digitizing said source image visual data for use in said respective digital transformation process.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 86 wherein said respective digital transformation process comprises, for each target pixel of said respective target image visual data: determining first from said respective playback distorting transformation process, said respective playback point position, said respective display surface position and said respective display surface shape, a location on said display surface onto which said target pixel would be projected; determining second from said respective recording distorting transformation process, said respective viewpoint position, said respective display surface position and said respective display surface shape, a source pixel in said respective source image visual data which corresponds to said location on said display surface; and filling said respective target pixel with image data from said source pixel.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 87 wherein: at least one of said first and second determining steps is performed for each respective target pixel in said respective target image visual data before said filling step is performed for any respective target pixel; results of at least one of said first and second determining steps for each respective target pixel are used to produce a table of correspondence between source and target pixels; and said filling step comprises, for each target pixel, looking up a respective corresponding source pixel in said table.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said respective target image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said playing back step comprises projecting said respective target image visual data onto said display surface in a video format.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 90 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said respective target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 90 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said respective target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said respective target image visual data photographically.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 93 wherein said playing back step comprises projecting said respective target image visual data onto said display surface photographically.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 94 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said respective target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 94 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting step comprises projecting said respective target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 73 wherein each said respective image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 97 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said respective target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said respective third field of view at said respective playback point.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 98 wherein said number of display surfaces is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 98 wherein said number of display surfaces is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said respective target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said respective third field of view at said respective playback point.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 101 wherein said recording step comprises capturing said respective image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said respective recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said respective second field of view at said respective recording point.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 102 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 102 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 73 wherein said recording step comprises capturing said respective image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said respective recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said respective second field of view at said respective recording point.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 105 wherein said respective image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 106 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of display surfaces.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 106 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of display surfaces.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 106 wherein said playing back step comprises playing back said respective target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said respective third field of view at said respective playback point.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 109 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are all equal.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 109 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are unequal.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 111 wherein any two of said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are equal.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
279 words
Apparatus for serially displaying a plurality of images of a subject on a display surface having for each image a respective display surface shape and a respective display surface position, for observation from a corresponding plurality of viewpoints, one for each of said plurality of images, each of said viewpoints having a respective viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a respective first field of view for its respective image, each of said displayed images having a controlled amount of distortion, said apparatus comprising: means for serially recording source image visual data for each of said plurality of images with respect to a respective recording point at which said subject subtends a respective second field of view which is at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective recording point; intermediate transforming means for transforming said respective recorded image visual data for each of said plurality of images through a respective intermediate transformation process to produce respective target image visual data; and means for serially playing back said respective target image visual data from respective playback points each having respective playback point position at which said display surface subtends a respective third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said respective viewpoint a respective fourth field of view at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint, through a respective playback distorting transformation process; wherein: for each of said plurality of images, said respective intermediate transformation process, said respective playback distorting transformation process, and said respective first, second, third and fourth fields of view combine to contribute to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
279 words
Apparatus for serially displaying a plurality of images of a subject on a display surface having for each image a respective display surface shape and a respective display surface position, for observation from a corresponding plurality of viewpoints, one for each of said plurality of images, each of said viewpoints having a respective viewpoint position at which said display surface subtends a respective first field of view for its respective image, each of said displayed images having a controlled amount of distortion, said apparatus comprising: means for serially recording source image visual data for each of said plurality of images with respect to a respective recording point at which said subject subtends a respective second field of view which is at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective recording point; intermediate transforming means for transforming said respective recorded image visual data for each of said plurality of images through a respective intermediate transformation process to produce respective target image visual data; and means for serially playing back said respective target image visual data from respective playback points each having respective playback point position at which said display surface subtends a respective third field of view and such that said subject image subtends at said respective viewpoint a respective fourth field of view at least partially contained within said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint, through a respective playback distorting transformation process; wherein: for each of said plurality of images, said respective intermediate transformation process, said respective playback distorting transformation process, and said respective first, second, third and fourth fields of view combine to contribute to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said serial playing back means plays back all of said plurality of images from a single playback point.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said respective display surface shapes and positions comprise a single display surface shape and single display surface position used for all of said plurality of images.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said controlled amount of distortion is the absence of distortion.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said playing back means plays said target image visual data back on a nonplanar display surface, said nonplanar display surface contributing also to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said recording means comprises means for generating digital image visual data.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said recording means comprises means for capturing live image visual data.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 119 wherein said capturing means captures said live image visual data on a photographic medium.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 119 wherein said capturing means captures said live image visual data on electronic form.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 121 wherein said capturing means captures said live image visual data in a video format.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 119 wherein said capturing means captures said respective image as a number of captured image segments, each of said respective captured image segments being captured from said respective recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said respective second field of view at said respective recording point.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein: said intermediate transforming means comprises digital transforming means; said apparatus further comprising: means for digitizing said source image visual data for use in said respective digital transforming means.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said serial recording means transforms, for each respective one of said images, respective source visual data of said subject through a respective recording distorting transformation process, said respective recording distorting transformation contributing also to said controlled amount of distortion.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 125 wherein: said intermediate transforming means comprises digital transforming means; said apparatus further comprising: means for digitizing said source image visual data for use in said respective digital transforming means.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus of claim 126 wherein said digital transforming means comprises, for each target pixel of said respective target image visual data: first determining means for determining from said respective playback distorting transformation process, said respective playback point position, said respective display surface position and said respective display surface shape, a location on said display surface onto which said target pixel would be projected; second determining means for determining from said respective recording distorting transformation process, said respective viewpoint position, said respective display surface position and said respective display surface shape, a source pixel in said respective source image visual data which corresponds to said location on said display surface; and means for filling said respective target pixel with image data from said source pixel.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 127 wherein: at least one of said first and second determining means operates on each respective target pixel in said respective target image visual data before said filling means operates on any respective target pixel; output of at least one of said first and second determining means for each respective target pixel is used to produce a table of correspondence between source and target pixels; and for each respective target pixel, said filling means looks up a respective corresponding source pixel in said table.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said playing back means plays back said respective target image visual data in electronic form.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 129 wherein said playing back means projects said respective target image visual data onto said display surface in a video format.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 130 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said respective target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 130 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said respective target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said playing back means plays back said respective target image visual data photographically.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 133 wherein said playing back means projects said respective target image visual data onto said display surface photographically.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 134 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said respective target image visual data onto said first side of said display surface.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 134 wherein: each said respective viewpoint is on a first side of said display surface; and said projecting means projects said respective target image visual data onto a second side of said display surface opposite said first side.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein each said respective image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 137 wherein said playing back means plays back said respective target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said respective third field of view at said respective playback point.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 138 wherein said number of display surfaces is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 138 wherein said number of display surfaces is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said playing back means plays back said respective target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said respective third field of view at said respective playback point.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 141 wherein said recording means captures said respective image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said respective recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said respective second field of view at said respective recording point.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 142 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of playback image segments.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 142 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of playback image segments.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 113 wherein said recording means captures said respective image as a number of captured image segments, each of said captured image segments being captured from said respective recording point, said captured image segments together subtending said respective second field of view at said respective recording point.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said respective image is displayed on a number of display surfaces which together subtend said respective first field of view at said respective viewpoint.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said number of captured image segments is equal to said number of display surfaces.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said number of captured image segments is different from said number of display surfaces.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said playing back means plays back said respective target image visual data as a number of playback image segments which together subtend said respective third field of view at said respective playback point.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 149 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are all equal.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 149 wherein said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are unequal.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 151 wherein any two of said number of captured image segments, said number of playback image segments, and said number of display surfaces are equal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |