US6283598B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for displaying an image
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-01-26
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Granted: 2001-09-04
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Expires: 2019-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A pair of projectors are arranged for projecting an image. These projectors are disposed in optically conjugate relationship with the observer's eyes respectively. An image of an object to be viewed by the observer is projected from the projectors and is allowed to appear on a screen, the shape of which corresponds to that of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiko Inami
- 👤 Naoki Kawakami
- 👤 Yasuyuki Yanagida
- 👤 Taro Maeda
- 👤 Susumu Tachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:41
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B35/00; G03B35/18; G03B35/20; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/50; G02B30/56; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/275; H04N13/279; H04N13/296; H04N13/30; H04N13/332; H04N13/344; H04N13/363; H04N13/366; H04N13/398; H04N13/286; H04N13/289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of displaying a three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: arranging at least two projectors for projecting said three-dimensional image, said at least two projectors being disposed in an optically conjugate relationship with an observer's eyes; producing by said at least two projectors said three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object to be viewed by said observer; and projecting said image on a three-dimensional screen, a shape of said screen being approximate to that of said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of displaying a three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: arranging at least two projectors for projecting said three-dimensional image, said at least two projectors being disposed in an optically conjugate relationship with an observer's eyes; producing by said at least two projectors said three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object to be viewed by said observer; and projecting said image on a three-dimensional screen, a shape of said screen being approximate to that of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of displaying an image as defined in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: detecting a change in visual point of said observer with respect to said screen; and changing said image in accordance with said detected change in visual point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of displaying an image as defined in claim 2 , wherein said step of detecting includes: detecting a position of said screen; and detecting a position of the observer's head.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image, comprising: at least two projectors arranged for projecting said three-dimensional image, said at least two projectors being disposed in an optically conjugate relationship with an observer's eyes; an image producing device for creating said image and for transmitting said image to said at least two projectors, said image being an image of a three-dimensional object to be viewed by said observer; and a three-dimensional screen on which said image can be formed, a shape of said screen being approximate to that of said object.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image, comprising: at least two projectors arranged for projecting said three-dimensional image, said at least two projectors being disposed in an optically conjugate relationship with an observer's eyes; an image producing device for creating said image and for transmitting said image to said at least two projectors, said image being an image of a three-dimensional object to be viewed by said observer; and a three-dimensional screen on which said image can be formed, a shape of said screen being approximate to that of said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 4 , further comprising: a detecting means for detecting a visual point of said observer viewing said screen; and an image editor incorporated in said image producing device for creating a three-dimensional image and for changing contents of said image in accordance with a change in the visual point of said observer viewing said screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 5 , wherein said detecting means includes: a screen position detector for detecting a position of said screen; and a head position detector for detecting a position of the observer's head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 4 , further comprising an optical member associated with said at least two projectors such that, when head-mounted, said optical member disposes each of said at least two projectors in an optically conjugate relationship with a respective eye of said observer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 4 , wherein said screen is a retroreflective screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 4 , wherein said screen is a three-dimensional body having a closed-curved surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 4 , wherein said screen is adapted for physical contact with said observer, said apparatus further including a device for developing a sense of force to be perceived by said observer in accordance with said object whose image is focused on said screen when said observer is in physical contact with said screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image as defined in claim 4 , wherein a quantity of said at least two projectors is two.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3200702A
Cited
US5908300A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-03-05 | 2005-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-03 | 2009-03-05 | 2009-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-03-05 | 2013-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |