US 5,774,260 A · Technique for depth of field viewing of images with increased clarity and contrast

Abstract

A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. Additional optical elements may be provided to enlarge a viewed image. 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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for depth of field viewing of a flat image by restructuring the image to restore depth in the image through interchange of perceived depth cues in place of stereopsis, comprising:

a transparent screen for positioning between a flat image and a viewer, said transparent screen including a plurality of generally parallel formed in said transparent screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, each of said microprisms being vertically spaced one above the other;
and
an optical element positioned between said transparent screen and the viewer, said optical element operable to adjust the effective paths of light transmitted through said transparent screen.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

08/345,806Filed 22 Nov 1994 · continuation in part

Priority

23 Nov 1993

Granted

30 Jun 1998

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

H01J 29/89
Vessels; Containers; Vacuum locks: optical or photographic arrangements structurally combined or co-operating with the vessel
G02B 5/045
Prisms: prism arrays
G02B 30/40
Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images: giving the observer of a single…
H04N 13/305
For viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays: using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses

Technique for depth of field viewing of images with increased clarity and contrast

Life of this patent

Technique for depth of field viewing of images with increased clarity and contrast

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20