Patent US5594843A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5594843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for creating three-dimensionality in a projected television image
Assignee: Depth Enhancement Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-13
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2013-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are described whereby a projected television image is divided into two horizontally displaced images, and an observer wears glasses to synthesize three-dimensionality from the 2-D image. Switching means are provided so that the components associated with creating the 3-D effect may be made operative or inoperative, either mechanically or electrically. One or more wedge prisms or holographic optical elements are mounted on a frame along with polarizing filters, and a lever is used to transfer these elements into and out of the beam of a projected television image. Alternatively, an electrically or acoustically activated spatial light modulator and liquid-crystal polarizers may be left in the path of the projected beam and made operative and inoperative by way of electrical signals. The invention may be used with both single-source and multi-source projected images, and may be used in conjunction with both frontal and rear projection.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. O'Neill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/332; H04N13/341; G; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/20; G02B30/22; G02B30/24; G02B30/40; H04N13/20; H04N13/261; H04N13/10; H04N13/106; H04N13/167; H04N13/189; H04N13/302; H04N13/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for imparting a sense of three-dimensionality to a projected television image comprising: a light-redirecting device which, when placed in the optical path of said projected image, is operative to separate said image into a first version of said image and a second version of said image, said first and second versions of said image being horizontally displaced relative to one another; the construction of said light-redirecting device in said optical path being such that said first and said second versions of said image exhibit substantially uniform brightness; a first filter operative to filter said first version; a second filter operative to filter said second version; switching means including a first position wherein said light-redirecting device and said filters are operative and a second position wherein said light-redirecting device and said filters are inoperative; and a pair of glasses which enable a wearer of said glasses to view said first version of said image with one eye and said second version with the other eye when said switching means is in said first position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for imparting a sense of three-dimensionality to a projected television image comprising: a light-redirecting device which, when placed in the optical path of said projected image, is operative to separate said image into a first version of said image and a second version of said image, said first and second versions of said image being horizontally displaced relative to one another; the construction of said light-redirecting device in said optical path being such that said first and said second versions of said image exhibit substantially uniform brightness; a first filter operative to filter said first version; a second filter operative to filter said second version; switching means including a first position wherein said light-redirecting device and said filters are operative and a second position wherein said light-redirecting device and said filters are inoperative; and a pair of glasses which enable a wearer of said glasses to view said first version of said image with one eye and said second version with the other eye when said switching means is in said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said light-redirecting device refracts a portion of said projected image in order to create a horizontally displaced version of said image, said filters being composed of polarizing material with their polarization axes at substantially right angles to one another, wherein said switching means physically translates said light-directing device and said filters into and out of said optical path of said projected image in accordance with said first and said second positions, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said light-redirecting device includes one or more wedge prisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said light-redirecting device is a holographic optical element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said light-redirecting device and said filters are made operative and inoperative through a remote-control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said projected television image is formed by converging the projections from a plurality of single-color image sources, the system including a light-redirecting device and filters disposed in the path of each of said projections, all of said light-redirecting devices and said filters being operative when said switching means is in said first position, and all of said light-redirecting devices and said filters being inoperative when said switching means is in said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said light-redirecting device includes compensation as a function the color wavelength in order to maintain convergence when said light-redirecting device is made operative.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein either of said first or second version of said image is said projected image.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
258 words
A system for creating the illusion of three-dimensionality in a projected television image, comprising: at least one wedge prism which, when positioned in a first portion of the path of said projected television image is operative to divide said image into two horizontally displaced versions of said image, the construction of said wedge prism being such that said horizontally displaced versions of said image exhibit substantially uniform brightness; a first polarizer configured for positioning in said first portion of said path of said projected image; a second polarizer configured for positioning in said path of said projected image not occupied by said wedge prism, the polarization of said first and said second polarizers being at right angles to each other; a pivotable mounting frame upon which said wedge prism and said polarizers are supported, said frame being adapted for permanent installation relative to the path of said projected television image, said installation providing a first position wherein said wedge prism and said polarizers are disposed in the path of said projected television image, and a second position, wherein said wedge prism and said polarizers are pivotably removed from said path of said projected image; a third polarizer disposed over one eye of the viewer of said displaced images; and a fourth polarizer disposed over the other eye of said viewer of said displaced images, the axes of polarization said first and said third polarizers being parallel, the axes of polarization of said second and said fourth polarizers being parallel, whereby an observer synthesizes three-dimensionality from the images presented.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
258 words
A system for creating the illusion of three-dimensionality in a projected television image, comprising: at least one wedge prism which, when positioned in a first portion of the path of said projected television image is operative to divide said image into two horizontally displaced versions of said image, the construction of said wedge prism being such that said horizontally displaced versions of said image exhibit substantially uniform brightness; a first polarizer configured for positioning in said first portion of said path of said projected image; a second polarizer configured for positioning in said path of said projected image not occupied by said wedge prism, the polarization of said first and said second polarizers being at right angles to each other; a pivotable mounting frame upon which said wedge prism and said polarizers are supported, said frame being adapted for permanent installation relative to the path of said projected television image, said installation providing a first position wherein said wedge prism and said polarizers are disposed in the path of said projected television image, and a second position, wherein said wedge prism and said polarizers are pivotably removed from said path of said projected image; a third polarizer disposed over one eye of the viewer of said displaced images; and a fourth polarizer disposed over the other eye of said viewer of said displaced images, the axes of polarization said first and said third polarizers being parallel, the axes of polarization of said second and said fourth polarizers being parallel, whereby an observer synthesizes three-dimensionality from the images presented.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 9 further including remote-control means enabling said user of said system to transfer said wedge prism and said polarizers into and out of said path of said projected image from a remote location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 9 including a plurality of wedge prisms and associated polarizers, each associated with different single-color projections which converge to form said horizontally displaced versions of said image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said light-redirecting device includes compensation as a function of the wavelength of said single-color projections in order to improve convergence.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said wedge prism is positioned across a central, horizontal portion with respect to the path of the projected image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the positioning of said wedge prisms is such that said horizontally displaced versions of said image exhibit uniform brightness.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 14 wherein each of said wedge prisms are positioned across a central, horizontal portion with respect to the path of their respective projected images.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
169 words
A system adapted for installation on a video projector which provides a viewer wearing glasses having oppositely polarized lenses a sense of three-dimensionality in the projected image, the system comprising: a light-redirecting element to separate said projected image into first and second versions of said image, the two versions being horizontally displaced with respect to one another upon projection, the construction of said light-redirecting element being such that said first and said second versions of said image exhibit substantially uniform brightness; a first polarizer matched to one of said polarized lenses for filtering said first version of said image; a second polarizer matched to the other of said polarized lenses for filtering said second version of said image; means for permanently mounting said light-redirecting element and said first and second polarizers on said video projector, including a first position wherein said light-redirecting element and said polarizers are disposed within the path of said projected image and a second position wherein said light-redirecting element and said polarizers are removed therefrom.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
169 words
A system adapted for installation on a video projector which provides a viewer wearing glasses having oppositely polarized lenses a sense of three-dimensionality in the projected image, the system comprising: a light-redirecting element to separate said projected image into first and second versions of said image, the two versions being horizontally displaced with respect to one another upon projection, the construction of said light-redirecting element being such that said first and said second versions of said image exhibit substantially uniform brightness; a first polarizer matched to one of said polarized lenses for filtering said first version of said image; a second polarizer matched to the other of said polarized lenses for filtering said second version of said image; means for permanently mounting said light-redirecting element and said first and second polarizers on said video projector, including a first position wherein said light-redirecting element and said polarizers are disposed within the path of said projected image and a second position wherein said light-redirecting element and said polarizers are removed therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said first and said second positions are remotely controlled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said projected image is a forward-projection image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said projected image is a rear-projection image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 16 including a plurality of light-redirecting elements and associated polarizers, each associated with different single-color projections which converge to form said horizontally displaced versions of said image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the light-redirecting device has a height less than the vertical dimension of said optical path and said device is disposed in a horizontal band across a central portion of said path so that said first and said second versions of said image exhibit uniform brightness.
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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) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |