GB2155651A

GB2155651A - Stereo-visual simulator

Info

Publication number: GB2155651A
Application number: GB08406023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Colin Roy Nightingale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-03-07
Filing date: 1984-03-07
Publication date: 1985-09-25
Also published as: GB8406023D0

Abstract

The Stereo-Visual Simulator enables a single two-dimensional black and white or colour visual source i.e. Photographs, Graphics, Drawings, and Paintings, Projected Still or Moving Film, Television, and Computer Display, to be viewed as a simulated Three-Dimensional image, creating a simulated depth and simulated parallax. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Stereo-visual simulator This invention relates to a stereo-visual simulator.

Stereo (Three-Dimensional) Photography has in the past required twin lens cameras to create two photographs as seen by two eyes, these are viewed through a stereoscope, or coloured or polarised spectacles, creating to the viewer, depth, solidity, and parallax. Later methods have been multi-lens cameras producing a lenticular viewing surface requiring no aid to sight, and also no aid to sight is required for laser-beam methods where laser light interacts and produces a holographic three-dimensional image. In all cases more than one two-dimensional visual source must be used to create this effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a cabinet with a lens-screen in front for viewing with a two-dimensional visual source inverted or not inverted and illuminated if required, at the back or centre of the cabinet to give a viewer a simulated threedimensional image in front of, or behind, the screen.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 1 shows the cabinet in perspective.

2 shows the position of the screen-lens.

3 shows the position of the visual source.

4 shows one position of the light source for illumination, if required.

5 shows the light waves from the visual source to the lens-screen.

6 shows the maximum forward depth of the simulated three-dimensional image.

7 shows the area of depth from the maximum forward position to the lens-screen of the simulated three-dimensional image.

8 shows the approximate position of the viewer.

Referring to the drawings the cabinet measures approximately 30cm in width, 30cm in heighth, and 35cm to 38cm in length, 1.

At the front is fixed a 20cm focal-length Convex, Fresnel, or Oil-Filled Lens, 2 measuring approximately 28cm X 28cm. At the rear of the cabinet is placed a single inverted 2 Dimensional Photograph, 3 measuring approximately 18cm in width by 1 3cm in heighth, which gives a distance of approximately 35cm between the photograph and the lens. (This distance must be to create a correct focus to the viewer).

The Light source for the illumination of the photograph, 4 can be placed to one side, below, or above the photograph.

The Light waves, 5 after entering the lens from the photograph are inverted (therefore correcting the original inversion), to the viewer, 8 who is viewing from a short to moderate distance from the lens-screen and viewing the magnified photograph through the lens. The Viewer receives a simulated Three-Dimensional image projected in front of the lens. The planes of depth of the image appear at least as far forward as the photograph is from the lens, 6 and the area of depth is from that point to the lens and the front of the cabinet, 7.

The size of the Stereo-Visual Simulator is dependent on what is required-for example-A smaller lens requires a cabinet of less width and heighth. A shorter focal length lens requires a cabinet of less length.

However, a small Television Receiver, Projected Still, or Moving Film, can be used instead of a photograph. In this instance the cabinet needs to be of greater length, but if the same, or less length of the cabinet is required, then this can be diminished by using a shorter focal-length lens. (Distances between the visual source and the lens will vary size and focal-length of lens, also the visual source including a photograph will vary in size).

The Visual Display should use at least, the complete area of the lens-screen. When a Television Receiver, Projected still, or Moving Film is used then no additional illumination is required.

A detailed visual description of the Stereo Visual Simulator as described so far, is contained in the illustration (Fig. 1).

The Stereo-Visual Simulator can be used to create a simulated Three-Dimensional image BEHIND the lens-screen instead of in front as previously described. The cabinet measurements are the same-approximately 30cm in width, 30cm in heighth, but as the distance between the photograph and the lens is only 1 8cm, the length of the cabinet need be only 18cm to 20cm. Lens size and focal-length remain the same. The Photograph, or other visual source, is NOT inverted. If however, both methods are required in the Stereo Visual Simulator then the cabinet length will be the same as before-35cm to 38cm but with the photograph or other visual source to be movable from a distance of 18cm from the lens to 35cm from the lens. At the maximum distance the photograph or other visual source must be inverted.

A detailed visual description of the Stereo Visual Simulator for creating a simulated Three-Dimensional image BEHIND the lensscreen, is contained in the illustration (Fig. 2).

The technique required for photography, television, computer, and art, for any object or objects to be brought forward from the lensscreen must be COMPLETE, in other words-all four sides of the 2-dimensional object or objects must be seen and contained within the area of the lens-screen. However, if one side only of the 2-dimensional object or objects is not seen, and not contained within the area of the lens-screen, this will be brought partially forward. If only two or less sides of the 2 dimensional object or objects are seen, or contained within the area of the lens-screen, then these will remain in the background, in other words, on, or near, the lens-screen.

When the Stereo-Visual Simulator is used to create a simulated Three-Dimensional image BEHIND the lens-screen instead of in front, then all existing Photographic and Television techniques are effective, and the above tech niques need not apply. Foreground, Middle ground, and Background will appear in the three-dimensional image in the correct planes of depth.

Claims

-CLAIMS

1. A stereo-visual simulator is a cabinet with a lens-screen through which can be viewed a simulated stereo (three dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens-screen from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour visual source.

2. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three-dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens-screen from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour photograph.

3. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three-dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens-screen from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour projected still or moving film.

4. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three-dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens-screen from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour television or video picture or display, or computer picture or display.

5. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three-dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens from single two-dimensional black and white or colour graphics, drawings, and paintings.

5. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three-dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens-screen from single two-dimensional black and white or colour graphics, drawings, and paintings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1-5 above have been deleted.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A stereo-visual simulator is a closed cabinet with a Convex, Fresnel, or Oil-Filled lens at one end and an illuminated twodimensal black and white or colour visual source at the other end at a distance dependant on the focal length of the lens. The twodimensional black and white or colour visual source is not projected on to the lens, and is viewed in front of the lens. Dependent on the distance of the visual source from the lends a simulated stereo (three dimensional) image will appear in front of, or behind the lens.

2. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three-dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour photograph.

3. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour projected still or moving film.

4. A stereo-visual simulator as claimed in claim 1 can be used to create a simulated stereo (three dimensional) black and white or colour image, appearing in front of, or behind a lens from a single two-dimensional black and white or colour television or video picture or display, or computer picture or display.