Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
  • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
  • H04N13/332—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD]
  • H04N13/339—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD] using spatial multiplexing

Definitions

• apparatus for enabling stereoscopic viewing which apparatus comprises a first screen for being viewed by a first eye of a person, and a second screen for being viewed by a second eye of the person, and the apparatus being such that each screen is rotated 90° clockwise from a position required if the apparatus were to be driven by a video input signal giving non-stereoscopic viewing, each screen has during use a first image for the first eye and a second image for the second eye, a first mask for the first screen masks one of the first and second images on the first screen, a second mask for the second screen masks one of the first and second images on the second screen, and the first and second screens are displaced with respect to each other such that the displacement and the masks ensure that there is only one image on each screen that is viewable by each eye, and the image that is viewable on the first screen is on an axis for the first eye, and the image that
• the apparatus may be one in which the first mask is on the first screen and in which the second mask is on the second screen. If desired however, the masks may be remote from the first and second screens.
• the first and the second screens are displaced vertically with respect to each other.
• the apparatus is preferably one in which the first screen is displaced vertically upwardly, and in which the second screen is displaced vertically downwardly. Other types of displacement for the first and the second screens may be employed.
• the apparatus is one in which the first and second screens are displaced angularly with respect to each other such that the first and second screens are perpendicular to each other.
• the apparatus of the present invention may be one in which one image is seen by transmission, and in which the other image is seen by reflection from a half silvered mirror. With such apparatus, electrical or software reversal of the image to be seen by reflection is necessary. This may be an on-board menu choice on the appropriate screen.
• the apparatus may include mounting means for mounting the apparatus on the person's head.
• the apparatus is self-standing for location and viewing remote from the person. In this case, superimposed images are segregated to each eye by means of polarising spectacles.
• Figure 1 shows images that would be seen on a first screen and a second screen if the images were provided by a video input signal from a single camera giving non-stereoscopic viewing
• Figure 2 shows what would happen to the images of Figure 1 if the images were recorded by the above camera with a stereoscopic encoding attachment fitted
• Figure 3 illustrates part of apparatus of the present invention whereby the images on the first and second screens are each masked
• Figure 4 shows first driving apparatus for providing a video input signal giving stereoscopic viewing
• Figure 5 shows second driving apparatus for providing a video input signal giving stereoscopic viewing
• Figure 6 shows apparatus for enabling stereoscopic viewing, the apparatus utilising the arrangement shown in Figure 3, and the apparatus including mounting means in the form of a pair of spectacles for enabling the apparatus to be mounted on a person's head
• Figure 7 shows apparatus of the present invention for enabling stereoscopic viewing, the apparatus being self-mounted and being
• FIG. 1 there is shown a first screen 2 for being viewed by a first eye of a person, and a second screen 4 for being viewed by a second eye of the person.
• the first and the second screens 2, 4 each have the same image 6, this image being of a vehicle and the vehicle being the correct way up.
• Figure 2 there is shown how the images 6 are rearranged if they are provided by a video input signal giving stereoscopic viewing. More specifically, the first screen 2 has a pair of stereoscopic images 6 and 7, one being for a right eye view as shown and one being for a left eye view as shown.
• the second screen 2 has a pair of stereoscopic images 6 and 7, one being for a right eye view as shown and one being shown for a left eye view as shown.
• Figure 3 illustrates the operating principle of apparatus 8 of the present invention for enabling stereoscopic viewing. More specifically, the apparatus 8 comprises a first screen 10 for being viewed by the first eye of a person, and a second screen 12 for being viewed by a second eye of the person. In comparison with the first and second screens 2, 4 shown in Figure 2, it will be seen that each of the first and second screens 10, 12 is rotated 90° clockwise from a position required if the apparatus were to be driven by a video input signal giving non-stereoscopic viewing, which is the case with the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
• each screen has during use a first image for the first eye and a second image for the second eye.
• first image for the first eye
• second image for the second eye.
• first mask 14 for the first screen 10.
• This first mask 14 masks the upper one of the first and the second images 6 and 7 on the first screen 14.
• second mask 16 for the second screen 12.
• This second mask 16 masks the lower image 6 of the two images 6 and 7 on the second screen 12.
• the first and the second screens 10, 12 are displaced vertically with respect to each other. More specifically, the vertical displacement is such that the first screen 10 is displaced vertically upwardly, and the second screen 12 is displaced vertically downwardly.
• the displacement and the masks 14, 16 ensure that there is only one image 6 or 7 on each screen 10, 12 that is viewable by each eye of the person.
• the image 6 that is viewable on the first screen 10 is on an axis for the first eye.
• the image 7 that is viewable on the second screen 12 is on an axis for the second eye.
• the apparatus 8 is able to be driven by a video input signal giving the stereoscopic viewing.
• the apparatus 8 is such that the first mask 14 is on the first screen 10.
• the second mask 16 is on the second screen 12.
• the first mask 14 could be remote from the first screen 10
• the second mask 16 could be remote from the second screen 12.
• the driving apparatus 18 for driving the apparatus 8 with a video input signal giving the stereoscopic viewing.
• the driving apparatus is disclosed in European Patent Application No. 01947011.1.
• the driving apparatus 18 may be in the form of an endoscope.
• the driving apparatus 18 comprises an optical arrangement 20 comprising two similar tubular optical channels side by side each containing repeated pairs of lenses 24, 88 or 26, 28. Each pair of lenses share a common focal point, for example 30 for lenses 24, 88 and convey a left eye image 32 and a right eye image 34 from a remote target object 36 to a camera, via optical arrangement 38.
• the purpose of optical arrangement 38 is to rearrange the two landscape images from being side by side to being one above the other in order to fit within the frame of a single camera.
• the optical arrangement 20 captures a left eye image 32 and a right eye image 34 of a target object 36. Images of the object 36 are reflected as shown via an optical arrangement 38 comprising four reflective surfaces 40, 42, 44 and 46 as shown.
• the left eye image 108 and the right eye image 106 then appear as shown.
• the left eye image 108 and the right eye image 106 appear on top of one another to a camera looking at lenses 32 and 34 as shown in Figure 4.
• FIG. 5 shows second driving apparatus 48 for providing a video input signal giving the stereoscopic viewing.
• the driving apparatus is disclosed in PCT/GB03/02021.
• the driving apparatus 48 comprises a housing 50 having a first aperture 52 through a wall 54, a second aperture 56 and a third aperture 58 in a wall 60 opposite the wall 54.
• the first, second and third apertures contain lenses.
• the optical path length to the lens in the first aperture is the same for the second and third aperture lenses.
• a camera located at the first aperture 52 sees a rearranged pair of stereoscopic images one above the other.
• the housing 50 contains an optical arrangement 62.
• the optical arrangement 62 comprises mirrors 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74.
• FIG. 6 shows how apparatus 76 of the present invention may be constructed like the apparatus 8 shown in Figure 3 with the first screen 10 moved vertically upwardly and with the second screen 12 moved vertically downwardly.
• the apparatus 76 is shown provided with mounting means 78 for mounting the apparatus 76 on a person's head.
• the mounting means 78 comprises a bridge piece 80 for fitting on a person's nose, and a pair of side arms 82, 84 for enabling the apparatus 76 to fit behind a person's ears.
• the entire apparatus 76 takes the form of a pair of spectacles.
• FIG. 7 shows apparatus 86 of the present invention.
• the apparatus 86 comprises a single half silvered mirror 88, and separate screens 90 and 92.
• the apparatus 86 is for being viewed via polarising spectacles 94 giving left and right eye images as shown.
• Liquid crystal display screens are polarised in their light output before stereoscopic segregation of images is considered. This viewing arrangement is to exploit the inbuilt polarisation of the two display screens for the segregation of the left and right image to each eye without the need for additional polarising filters.
• the two display screens are of such size that the image length does not exceed the distance between the eyes, then the direct viewing arrangement shown in Figure 6 is appropriate. For larger screens the images may be brought together and superimposed on a 45° glass plate ⁇
• a half- silvered mirror which half transmits light and half reflects light, hereafter called a half- silvered mirror.
• the right eye image is viewed directly through the half- silvered mirror, and the left eye image which also appears on that screen is physically masked off.
• the left eye image also appears on the half-silvered mirror by reflection from the second display screen which is horizontal. However the reflection also changes the plane of polarisation 90° so that the right eye cannot see it, because of crossed polarisation with the polarising spectacles, whereas the left eye can.
• the right eye image appearing on the horizontal screen is also masked off by the structure, as the half-silvered mirror is not above it.
• the horizontal display screen needs its images visually reversed across the screen's shortest side, either electronically or using software, such that the second inversion caused by reflection off the half-silvered mirror causes both images to be correct with respect to each other for stereoscopic combination.
• Images 6 and 7 could be swapped in position with this version of viewing.
• the stereoscopic viewing window is shown diagrammatically but the housing which excludes ambient light and dust is omitted for clarity. Ideally the viewing window is covered by anti-reflection coated glass.

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Cited By (1)

Citations (4)

• 2003
  • 2003-10-13 GB GBGB0323964.7A patent/GB0323964D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2004
  • 2004-09-23 GB GB0603776A patent/GB2428155B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-09-23 WO PCT/GB2004/004043 patent/WO2005041591A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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