GB2150311A

GB2150311A - Viewing system

Info

Publication number: GB2150311A
Application number: GB08330935A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Gordon Boddy
Original assignee: MIDLANDS VIDEO SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: MIDLANDS VIDEO SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1983-11-19
Filing date: 1983-11-19
Publication date: 1985-06-26
Also published as: GB2150311B; GB8330935D0

Abstract

A viewing system comprises image-forming means (eg. TV cameras 1, 4) which is adapted to form first and second images of an object (eg. on monitors 2, 5) respectively corresponding to a view of the object from a first and second position. The first image can be viewed by one eye (8) and the second image can be viewed by another eye (10). Focussing means (11, 12) is provided for forming a first virtual image corresponding to the first image, and forming a second virtual image corresponding to the second image, the first and second virtual images being coincident. First and second electron guns of a TV may receive signals from the first and second cameras respectively to simultaneously display both images on the screen, but in different colours. A 3-D effect is produced by viewing through appropriate filters (see Fig. 2, not shown) <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Viewing system This invention relates to a viewing system, and more particularly relates to a viewing system can provide three dimensional images.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is providing a viewing system comprising image-forming means adapted to form first and second images of an object, respectively corresponding to a view of the object from a first and second position, said first image can be viewed by one eye, and said image can be viewed by another eye, and focussing means forming a first virtual image corresponding to the first image, and for forming a second virtual image corresponding to the second image, said first and second virtual images being coincident.

Advantageously the focussing means comprises a first lens arranged, in use, between one eye and the first image, and a second lens arranged, in use, between the other eye and the second image.

Preferably the image-forming means includes two cameras, a first of which can view the object from the first position and a second of which can view the object from the second position.

Preferably also the image-forming means includes two monitors, a first of which can display the first image of the object, and the second of which can display the second image of the object.

Desirably the first and second monitors are pivotally connected so that they can move relative to one another about a pivotal axis.

It is preferable that one lens is arranged, in use, between the display formed by the first monitor and one eye, and the other lens is arranged, in use, between the display formed by the second monitor and the other eye. Desirably one lens is integral with the first monitor and the other lens is integral with the second monitor. the two monitors may form part of an integral unit.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a viewing system comprising a television receiver having a screen and at least two electron guns, a first of the electron guns corresponds to a first colour, and a second of the electron guns corresponds to a second colour, a first camera providing a first image of an object, and a second camera providing a second image of the object, said first and second cameras viewing the object from a different angle, wherein the first and second electron guns can receive a signal corresponding to the first and second images respectively, and can each provide an image on the screen corresponding to the first and second image respectively.

Advantageously the first electron gun can produce a green image on the screen and second electron gun can produce a red image on the screen.

Preferably the television receiver is a RGB (red/ green/blue) video monitor having a red input corresponding to the red electron gun, a green input corresponding to the green electron gun, and a blue input corresponding to the blue electron gun.

Preferably also, the first and second cameras are electrically connected to the green and red inputs respectively.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing an image on a screen of a television receiver, comprising sending a signal which corresponds to an object viewed by a first camera to a first electron gun of the receiver, sending a signal which corresponds to an object viewed by a second camera to a second electron gun, said first and second electron guns producing an image on the television screen corresponding to the signals received by the respective camera.

The viewing system of the present invention provides a three dimensional picture of any object under observation. This yields many advantages over prior viewing systems. The invention is particularly useful for closed circuit television applications. For example, it is known to use mechanical devices for performing operations at some distance from the operator of the device. It is common to provide a camera on the mechanical device which relays a picture to a screen provided in the vicinity of the operator. The image provided for the operator is two dimensional, and this causes severe problems in the manipulation of the device. By applying the present invention to such a device, a three dimensional view can be obtained, and this enables the efficiency of handling of the device to be increased substantially.The three dimensional image provided by the system may be either colour or monochrome.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure f is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of viewing system according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of viewing device according to the invention.

In Figure 1 a first camera 1 is connected to a monitor 2 by an electrical wire 3. Similarly a second camera 4 is connected to a second monitor 5 by an electrical wire 6.

The cameras 1 and 4 are precisely aligned so that they can view an object (not shown) from slightly different angles.

An image corresponding to the view of the object observed by the first camera 1 is formed on a screen (not shown) provided in the first monitor 2.

A second image corresponding to the view of the object observed by the second camera 4 is formed on a screen (not shown) in the second monitor 5.

The image from the screen of the first monitor 2 is reflected in a mirror 7 upon which it can be observed by a left eye 8. The image formed on the screen of the second monitor 5 is reflected on a mirror 9 on which it can be viewed by a right eye 10.

The monitor may be of the type sold by Sony having the number DXF-3. The size of this monitor is such that the provision of a three dimensional image would be difficult without the mirrors 7 and 9. However if a smaller monitor were available then it may be possible to dispense with the mirrors 7 and 9, and view the screens of each monitor directly.

Focussing means in the form of lenses 11 and 12 is arranged between the eyes 8 and 10 and the mirrors 7 and 9: a first lens 11 is arranged between the left eye 8 and the mirror 7; and a second lens 12 is arranged between the right eye 10 and the mirror 9.

In use, the cameras 1 and 4 view the object, and then transmit a signal corresponding to the view of the object along the wires 3 and 6 respectively.

The signals are decoded in the monitors 2 and 5, so that a first image (corresponding to a view of the object as observed by the first camera 1) is seen by the left eye 8 on the mirror 7, and a second image (corresponding a view of the object as observed by the second camera 4) is seen by the right eye 10 on the mirror 9. The monitors 2 and 5 and the mirrors 7 and 9 are arranged so that the right eye 10 is unable to perceive the first image and the left eye 8 is unable to perceive the second image.

The lenses 11 and 12 serve a dual purpose: firstly they alter the position at which the first and second images are focussed by the eye to a position A which is further from each eye 8 and 10 than the mirrors 7 and 9; secondly the lenses serve to enlarge the image seen by each eye 8 and 10.

Because both the first image and the second image are focussed at the point A, the two images overlap substantially entirely. This arrangement enables the brain to perceive an image of the object with the left and right eyes in precisely the same wsay as if the object was being directly observed.

Consequently the brain perceives a three dimensional representation of the object.

The first and second monitors 2 and 5 may be integrally formed, and are preferably able to pivot about an axis, so that the first and second images may be brought into alignment at the point A. This feature is desirable in order to allow for the variation in the distance between the left and right eyes of different people.

It is possible to dispense with the wires 3 and 6.

In this case the signals from the first and second cameras 1 and 4 may be transmitted to the monitors 2 and 5 respectively in the form of an electromagnetic waveform. Furthermore this position of the lenses 11 and 12 may be adjustable and additional lenses may be provided.

In Figure 2, a first camera 20 is connected to a green input 21 of an RGB video monitor 22 by a wire 23, and a second camera 24 is connected to a red input 25 of the video monitor 22 by a wire 26.

The cameras are precisely aligned so that they view an object (not shown) from a slightly different angle.

The green input 21 is connected to a green electron gun (not shown) of the video monitor 22, while the red input 25 is connected to a red electron gun (not shown) on the video monitor.

The electron guns form an image on a screen 27 of the video monitor 22: the green electron gun forms a green picture on the screen which ccrre- sponds to the view observed by the first camera 20; and the red electron gun simultaneously worms a red picture on the screen, corresponding to the view observed by the second camera 24.

The screen 27 can be observed by a left eye 28 and a right eye 29 of an observer. The observer wears spectacles 30 having a red filter 31 located between the screen 27 and the left eye 28, and having a green filter 32 located between the screen 27 and the right eye 29. Consequently the left eye sees only the green image formed on the screen, and the right eye sees only the red image.

The images perceived by each eye are displaced by an amount similar to the displacement which would occur if the eyes were actually viewing the object, and consequently the brain perceives the object in three dimensional form.

It is possible to dispense with the wires 23 and 26, as with the embodiments described for Figure 1. In this case the first camera 20 can transmit an electromagnetic signal which is received by the green electron gun, and the second camera 24 can transmit an electromagnetic signal which is received by the red electron gun.

Claims

1. A viewing system comprising image-forning means adapted to form first and second images of an object, respectively corresponding to a view of the object from a first and second position, and focussing means adapted to form a first virtual image corresponding to the first image, and adapted to form a second virtual image corresponding to the second image, said first and second virtual images being coincident.

2. A viewing system according to Claim 1 in which the focussing means comprises a first lens arranged, in use, between one eye and the first image, and a second lens arranged, in use, between another eye and the second image.

3. A viewing system according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the image-forming means includes two cameras, a first of which can view the object from the first position and a second of which can view the object from the second position.

4. A viewing system according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the image-forming means includes two monitors, a first of which can display the first image of the object, and the second of which can display the second image of the object.

5. A viewing system according to Claim 4 in which the first and second monitors are pivotally connected so that they can move relative to one another about a pivotal axis.

6. A viewing system according to Claim 4 or 5 in which the first lens is arranged, in use, between the display formed by the first monitor and one eye, and the second lens is arranged, in use, between the display formed by the second monitor and the other eye.

7. A viewing system according to Claim 4, 5 or 6 in which the first lens is integral with the first monitor and the second lens is integral with the second monitor.

8, A viewing system comprising a television receiver having a screen and at least two electron guns, the first of the electron guns corresponding to a first colour on the screen, and a second of the electron guns corresponding to a second colour on the screen, a first camera providing a first image of an object, and a second camera providing a second image of an object, said first and second cameras viewing the object from a different position, wherein the first and second electron guns can receive a signal corresponding to the first and second images respectively, and can each provide an image on the screen corresponding to the first and second image respectively.

9. A viewing system according to Claim 8 in which the first electron gun can produce a green image on the screen, and the second electron gun can produce a red image on the screen.

10. A viewing system according to Claim 8 in which the television receiver is a RGB video monitor having a red input corresponding to a red electron gun, a green input corresponding to a green electron gun, and a blue input corresponding to a blue electron gun.

11. A viewing system according to Claim 8, 9 or 10 in which the first and second cameras are electrically connected to the green and red inputs respectively.

12. A method of providing an image on a screen of a television receiver, comprising sending a signal which corresponds to an object viewed by a first camera to a first electron gun of the receiver, sending a signal which corresponds to the object viewed by a second camera to a second electron gun, said first and second electron guns producing an image on the television screen corresponding to the images received by the camera.

13. A viewing system substantially as herein descrireceiver substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of providing an image on the screen of a television receiver substantially as herein described with reference to and as showin in the accompanying drawings.