US 5,475,419 A · Apparatus and method for three-dimensional video

Abstract

A system for displaying a three-dimensional video image includes a dual-lensed video camera generating signals representing a subject from each of two different perspectives, with the signals generated as a series of horizontal scan lines in a left-to-right, top-to-bottom pattern. The signals from the camera are spliced to form a combined video signal consisting of an alternating series of fields representing the image from the two perspectives. The video signal is then transmitted to a receiver including a video screen equipped with a refracticular surface. The refracticular surface consists of a series of horizontally-disposed display lines alternating between left lines and right lines, with the display lines including lenticules designed to redirect light emitted from the video screen towards a respective eye of a viewer.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A video system for displaying a three-dimensional image to a viewer, comprising:

(a) a video camera capable of generating an electronic representation of a three-dimensional subject, said electronic representation comprising a first and second set of horizontal scan lines, said first set of horizontal scan lines representing an image of said subject as viewed from a first perspective and said second set of horizontal scan lines representing an image of said subject as viewed from a second perspective;
(b) a transmitter coupled to said video camera, said transmitter generating a video signal from said electronic representation, said video signal comprising an alternating series of said first and second sets of horizontal scan lines;
and
(c) a receiver capable of detecting said video signal generated by said transmitter, said receiver including a refracticular screen having a series of alternating left and right horizontal display lines, wherein each of said left and right display lines comprises a plurality of lenticules directing light emanating from behind said refracticular screen respectively left and right of a central vertical axis of said refracticular screen.

1 more element

A method for enabling a viewer of a video display to perceive an image as three-dimensional, said method comprising:

(a) generating an electronic representation of a subject as viewed from a first perspective;
(b) generating an electronic representation of the subject as viewed from a second perspective offset from said first perspective;
(c) combining said electronic representations into a video signal comprising a series of horizontal scan lines;
and
(d) converting said video signal into a visual image displayed on a video screen, said video screen comprising a light-emitting surface and a refracticular surface disposed between said light-emitting surface and the viewer, said refracticular surface comprising a plurality of alternating left and right horizontal display lines for redirecting light traveling through said refracticular surface to the left and right respectively of a central vertical axis of said refracticular surface, said visual image being displayed on said video screen by tracing said series of horizontal scan lines on said light-emitting surface such that each of said scan lines is aligned with a display line corresponding to said perspective associated with that scan line.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for three-dimensional video

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for three-dimensional video

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20