Technique for depth of field viewing of images with improved clarity and contrast
OwnerTony Petitto, Stanislaw Lothinventors
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Abstract
A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a curved prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Further protection from ambient light may be provided by coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating. Image quality for a video image or the like is provided by restructuring the image into smaller image elements. The present invention may find particular application in medical and obstetric imaging such as sonograms, musculo-skeletal imaging, vascular imaging, angiograms, angioplasty, dental probes, catheter probes, ear probes, endoscopy, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and arthroscopy.
Claims36
An apparatus for depth of field viewing of flat images by restructuring the images to restore depth in the image through interchange of perceived depth cues in place of stereopsis, comprising:
- a first transparent screen for positioning between a flat image and a viewer, said first transparent screen having a center portion and two side portions, and being curved across its width such that the center portion of the screen is arranged at a distance from the flat image greater than that of the side portions;
- and
- a first plurality of optical elements formed in said first transparent screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, each of said optical elements being vertically spaced one above the other.
An apparatus for depth of field viewing of flat images by restructuring the images to restore depth in the image through interchange of perceived depth cues in place of stereopsis, comprising:
- a frame for positioning between a flat image and a viewer;
- a first transparent screen provided in said frame and having a center portion and two side portions, said first transparent screen being curved across its width such that the center portion of the screen is arranged at a distance from the flat image greater than that of the side portions;
- a first plurality of optical elements formed in said first transparent screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, each of said optical elements being vertically spaced one above the other;
- and
- a second transparent screen provided in said frame adjacent said first transparent screen, said second transparent screen having a center portion and two side portions, and being curved across its width such that the center portion of the screen is arranged at a distance from the flat image greater than that of the side portions and greater than the distance from the image to the center of said first transparent screen;
- and
- a second plurality of optical elements formed in said second transparent screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, each of said optical elements being vertically spaced one above the other.
An apparatus for depth of field viewing of flat images by restructuring the images to restore depth in the image through interchange of perceived depth cues in place of stereopsis, comprising:
- a display for said flat image;
- a transparent screen positioned between said display and a viewer, said transparent screen having a center portion and two side portions, and being curved across its width such that the center portion of the screen is arranged at a distance from the display greater than that of the side portions;
- and
- a plurality of optical elements formed in said transparent screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, each of said optical elements being vertically spaced one above the other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.