Visualization device
AssigneeX-Rite Switzerland GmbH
InventorsFrancis Lamy, Martin Rump
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.
Claims14
A visualization device for an observer to visually compare a virtual object to an actual object, comprising:
- a computer;
- a screen coupled to the computer;
- a first sensor array coupled to the computer, the computer being configured to determine a position of the observer's eyes based on information from the first sensor array;
- a second sensor array coupled to the computer, the second sensor array being configured to detect a spatial orientation of the actual object;
- and
- a third sensor array coupled to the computer, the third sensor array being configured to detect ambient light illuminating the actual object;
- wherein the computer is programmed to render appearance data of an actual material onto the virtual object and to display the virtual object on the screen in a simulated illumination based on the detected ambient illumination of the actual object and in a perspective adapted to the determined position of the observer's eyes and in an orientation adapted to the detected spatial orientation of the actual object to allow for a direct visual assessment to be conducted of the rendered and displayed appearance data relative to the actual object.
A method for allowing an observer to visually compare a virtual object to an actual object, comprising:
- providing an actual light box, where a rear wall of the light box is a screen coupled to a computer;
- placing the actual object in the actual light box;
- determining a position of the observer's eyes with a first sensor array coupled to the computer;
- detecting a spatial orientation of the actual object with a second sensor array coupled to the computer;
- detecting ambient light illuminating the actual object with a third sensor array coupled to the computer;
- rendering appearance data of an actual material onto the virtual object by the computer and displaying the virtual object on the screen in a simulated illumination based on the detected ambient illumination of the actual object and in a perspective adapted to the determined position of the observer's eyes and in an orientation adapted to the detected spatial orientation of the actual object for direct visual assessment of the appearance data rendered on the virtual object relative to the actual object.
A visualization device for an observer to visually compare a virtual object to an actual object, comprising:
- a computer;
- a screen coupled to the computer;
- a motor-driven table proximate to the screen and coupled to the computer;
- an illumination array coupled to the computer, the illumination array being configurable to provide adjustably variable visual illumination conditions for the actual object;
- a first sensor array coupled to the computer, the computer being configured to determine a position of the observer's eyes based on information from the first sensor array;
- a second sensor array coupled to the computer, the second sensor array being configured to detect a spatial orientation of the actual object;
- and
- a third sensor array coupled to the computer, the third sensor array being configured to detect ambient light affecting the visual illumination conditions of the actual object;
- wherein the computer is programmed to render appearance data of an actual material onto the virtual object and to display the virtual object on the screen in a simulated illumination based on the adjustably variable visual illumination conditions and the detected ambient light incident on the actual object, and in a perspective based on the determined position of the observer's eyes and in an orientation based on the detected spatial orientation of the actual object of the actual object placed on the motor-driven table.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.