Three dimensional imaging system
OwnerJacob N. Wohlstadterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Recent advances in surface techniques have lead to the development of extremely small (sub-micron) scale features. These techniques allow the formation of polymer micro-lenses as well as variable focus liquid lenses. The present invention primarily concerns the use of small scale lenses for the fabrication of novel displays which exhibit three-dimensional (3D) effects. Both still images and video images (or other motion images) can be generated.
Claims31
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a two dimensional array of micro-lenses, a multiplicity thereof having a variable focal length, and
- a two dimensional image having a multiplicity of image points or pixels;
- wherein a plurality of micro-lenses in said multiplicity thereof is in alignment with a plurality of image points or pixels in said two dimensional image, and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens in said multiplicity thereof is selectively variable to generate a three dimensional representation of said two dimensional image.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a two dimensional array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length, and
- a two dimensional image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- wherein at least one micro-lens in the array is in alignment with one or more of the image points or pixels and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens is selectively variable to generate a three dimensional representation of the two dimensional image.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses, a subset thereof having a variable focal length, and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- wherein each image point or pixel is in alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens in said subset is selectively variable to generate a three dimensional representation of the image.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a two dimensional object, comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length, and
- a two dimensional object having a plurality of points or pixels;
- wherein at least one micro-lens is in alignment with one or more points or pixels and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens is selectively variable to vary the apparent distance of said image points or pixels.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length, and
- an image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- wherein each image point or pixel is in alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens is selectively variable to generate a three dimensional representation of the image.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a computer screen from a viewer, comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length and
- a computer screen having a plurality of pixels;
- wherein each pixel is in alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens is selectively variable to vary the apparent distance of the computer screen.
A method for reducing eyestrain of a computer operator, comprising the step of:
- deploying an optical system comprising an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length and a computer screen having a plurality of pixels in alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array;
- and
- periodically varying the focal length of all of the micro-lenses in the array, whereby the computer screen appears to the computer operator to become closer or further away.
A method for reducing eyestrain of a computer operator, comprising the step of:
- deploying an optical system comprising an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length and a computer screen having a plurality of pixels in alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array;
- and
- periodically varying the focal length of a subset of the micro-lenses in the array, whereby a portion of the computer screen appears to the computer operator to become closer or further away.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a computer screen from a viewer, comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length, and
- a computer screen having a plurality of pixels;
- wherein at least one micro-lens is in alignment with one or more pixels and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens is selectively variable to vary the apparent distance of said pixels on the computer screen.
An optical system for varying the apparent distance of a two dimensional object, comprising:
- an array of micro-lenses each having a variable focal length, and
- a two dimensional object having a plurality of points or pixels;
- wherein each point or pixel is in alignment with one or more micro-lenses in the array and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens is selectively variable to vary the apparent distance of said image point or pixel.
A three dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a two dimensional array of micro-lenses, a subset thereof having a variable focal length, and
- a two dimensional image having a plurality of image points or pixels;
- wherein at least one micro-lens in the array is in alignment with one or more of the image points or pixels and wherein the focal length of each micro-lens in said subset is selectively variable to generate a three dimensional representation of the two dimensional image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.