`
`
`
`Related U'S' Application Data
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 952,780, Oct. 19, 1978,
`
`
`
`
`
`abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`
`
`
`
`
`751,141, DeC- 16, 1976, abandoned
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[51]
`Int. Cl.3 .............................................. G03B 35/00
`
`
`
`
`
`[52] US. Cl. ........................................ 352/57- 352/43-
`
`
`352/86- 352/62
`
`
`
`
`
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 352/57 55 65 62
`
`
`
`
`352/60, 43;, 53’, 86, 89
`
`_
`
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`Mercier .
`7/1904
`
`
`Baruch .
`6/1919
`
`
`Smith .................................... 352/43
`10/1921
`
`
`
`
`
`3/1924
`Runcie ........... 352/43
`
`
`
`
`9/1933
`Dieterich .............................. 352/86
`
`
`
`
`Feil
`.
`12/1933
`
`
`11/1935
`Barnes ................................... 352/86
`
`
`
`5/1937
`Draper .
`
`
`Brock .
`12/1937
`
`
`4/1938
`Oakley .
`
`
`Rosenhauer .
`5/1939
`
`
`3/1940
`‘
`Cathey .
`
`
`
`5/1945
`Terwilliger ........................... 352/43
`
`
`
`McCormick .
`12/1969
`
`
`9/1951
`Goldsmith .
`
`
`Huber .
`2/1953
`
`
`12/1955
`Jenkins .................................. 352/89
`
`
`
`Laube et a1.
`.
`6/1958
`
`
`
`6/1959
`Barake .,
`
`
`Marks et al.
`.
`9/1960
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[63]
`
`
`[5 61
`
`765,980
`
`1,307,074
`
`1,394,797
`
`1,488,027
`
`1,927,925
`
`1,939,343
`
`2,022,454
`
`2,080,604
`
`2,101,979
`
`2,114,060
`
`2,157,099
`
`2,194,737
`
`2,375,962
`
`2,482,908
`
`2,566,700
`
`2,627,200
`
`2,727,427
`
`2,838,975
`
`2,891,440
`
`2,952,182
`
`
`
`
`
`[19]
`United States Patent
`
`
`McElveen
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,303,316
`
`Dec. 1, 1981
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[54] PROCESS FOR RECORDING VISUAL
`
`
`
`SCENES FOR REPRODUCTION IN
`STEREOPSIS
`
`Inventor: Robert H. McElveen, 103 Forest
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H1115 Dr_., Gaffney, 8'0 29340
`
`
`
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 69,708
`
`
`
`
`[22] Filed:
`Aug. 27, 1979
`
`[76]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2,996,949
`8/1961 Le Ray ................................. 352/60
`
`
`
`33285:; 13/32; $3136 et a1.
`.
`,
`e S .
`5
`y
`
`3,482,913 12/1969 Glenn .
`
`
`
`4,131,342 12/1978 Dudley .................................. 352/86
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Monroe H. Hayes
`
`
`
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Luke J. Wilburn, Jr.;
`
`
`Welllngton M. Manning, Jr.
`
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A process for recording and projecting a three-dimen-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sional visual scene onto a receiving surface from which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the scene may be viewed in stereopsis by the unaided
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`human eye. The scene is recorded from right and left
`
`
`
`
`
`View positions laterally separated by a distance 0f no
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`more than about one inch and groups ofrecorded right
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and recorded left views are alternately projected onto a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receiVing surface in sequence such that the visual dura‘
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion of each group varies from a minimum to a maxi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mum time which is generally proportional to the dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tance of the nearest non-moving object of special regard
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in the scene from the recording positions and is approxi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mately equal to the visio-psychological suppression rate
`
`
`
`
`of the human eyes.
`'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`To eliminate possible distance variations of right and
`left view cameras from the visual scene and the need for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`film editing to align right and left View film frames on a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`single film strip, the views may be recorded by use of a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`single lens camera with moving shutter to alternately
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`block right and left half portions of the lens in desired
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sequence. The central points of focus of the left and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`right views may be selectively set at different distances
`
`
`
`
`
`
`during recording to reduce “keystoning” effect of the
`
`
`projected views.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The process has application throughout the field of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`visual arts, e.g., both in motion picture and in television,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and may be projected from a single projector source.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Also disclosed is a motion picture filmstrip product.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`39 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/Z
`
`
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 1 of 16
`Apple v. Corephotonics
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 1 of 16
`Apple v. Corephotonics
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`
`
`Dec. 1, 1981
`
`
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`
`
`
`4,303,316
`
`
`
`
`mm 5C»
`
`
`
`
`
`NN7m(lma\
`
`N ix
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 2 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 2 of 16
`
`
`
`
`'U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`'Dec. 1,1981
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`4
`
`
`£03,316
`
`
`
`fim
`
`
`
`
`
`$66%
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 3 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 3 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent Dec. 1,1981
`
`
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`
`4,303,316
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`
`
`||///-
`
`H '
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 4 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 4 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent j Dec. 1,1981‘
`
`Sheet 4‘ of 5
`
`94
`
`303,316
`
`
`
`uwfihmwfi.KBRuminu
`
`Q.“Nuiwka
`
`.QWVbme
`
`
`
`
`
`wfiwwu
`
`quxmk
`
`
`
`
`
`3&3anmfiwfifiwwfik\\wxw\m§§wwxxwwkRm»;Rummy
`
`
`
`
`
`.umh\mmfixvawVN
`
`mamuu
`
`
`
`\CSQuSQ
`
`\\\w\wm\m»\Vm\m
`
`ll.lmumwwh.wfi
`NTK\V.
`
`3«WNEGQW1%
`
`
`
`\«GEwwwmmrn.
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 5 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 5 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent. Dec. 1, 1981
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`
`4,303,316 ,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`L748.
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 6 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 6 of 16
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`PROCESS FOR RECORDING VISUAL SCENES
`
`
`
`
`FOR REPRODUCTION IN STEREOPSIS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,303,316
`
`5
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This is a continuation-in-part application of my co-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pending US. Patent application Ser. No. 952,780, filed
`Oct. 19, 1978, now abandoned which is itself a continua-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion-in-part of my previous US. patent application Ser.
`No. 751,141, filed Dec. 16, 1976 now abandoned.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The prior applications and the present invention are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`directed to the production of motion pictures which
`
`
`
`
`
`may be viewed in three—dimension, or stereopsis, by the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`human eye and, more particularly, to a process for re—
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cording both still and moving visual scenes and objects
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which may be projected for Visualization in stereopsis
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`by the unaided eye on a two-dimensional receiving
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`surface, and with conventional projection and viewing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`equipment presently available in the prior art. The pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cess includes the simultaneous recording of a visual
`20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene from two cameras with spaced lens bases, or from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a single camera lens system in which right and left half
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`portions of the lens are alternately blocked in a desired
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sequence, to provide the recording of spaced predomi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nant right and left views of the visual scene.
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The term “visual scene” as used in the specification
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and claims herein means and includes any visible object
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or image or groups of objects or images, both moving
`and still, which can be observed in three-dimension in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the real world by the human eyes. Such term typically
`30
`includes, without limitation, all amimate and inanimate
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`objects, alone or in combination, and moving or still, in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which the human eyes may perceive a depth relation-
`
`ship.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As used herein, the term “recording”, when referring
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to a visual scene, means capturing information of a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`visual scene in any form which may be used to project
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the scene onto a receiving surface for visualization.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Such term includes capturing the visual scene on photo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`graphic film, such as in the motion picture field, as well
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as capturing the visual scene as any electronic, mag-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`netic, electromagnetic, sound, or other signal informa-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion which may be reproduced as visible images on a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receiving surface, such as in the television field.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`As used herein, the term “projecting” when referring
`45
`to recorded views of visual sCenes includes the trans-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mission, in any manner, of the recorded visual scene
`
`
`
`
`
`
`information, e.g., photographic film image, electronic,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`electromagnetic, sound, and other signal information,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`onto a receiving surface for visible observation.
`BACKGROUND
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Although the human anatomy provides in man the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`innate, or natural, ability to see in depth, or stereopsis,
`the three-dimensional real world scene, where the vi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sual “screen” for the eyes is 6f infinite depth, man does
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`not have such natural ability when the viewing screen is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`two—dimensional, as in the video arts, e.g., the motion
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`picture and television fields. For years attempts have
`
`
`
`
`
`
`been made to reproduce three-dimensional, real world
`60
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scenes so that they can be viewed in depth on a two—di-
`mensional surface.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The anatomical and psychological capability of men
`to visualize the three-dimensional, live world scene in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stereopsis, or depth, has long been a subject of investi-
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gation, and much has been learned and written about
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the human visual apparatus, i.e., the eyes and brain of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the body. It is generally known that man’s natural abil-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ity to visualize three~dimensional objects and scenes in
`
`50
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`depth, or stereopsis, is due to a combined operation of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the two eyes and the brain to produce a visio-psycho-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`logical impression in the mind. More specifically, it is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`known that the actual view received in the left eye and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the actual view received in the right eye, when a visual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene is observed, are slightly different because of the
`
`
`
`
`
`displacement, or distance of separation, of the eyes in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the head. This interocular separation, or disparity,
`is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`approximately 63 mm, or 25 inches, in the normal adult.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`These slightly differing right and left views received by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the respective eyes are continuously transmitted to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`brain where the right and left views are psychologically
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“combined” by the brain to create a resultant “cyclo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pean”, or one-eye, view in the mind, wherein near ob-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`15 jects and far objects in the three-dimensional real world
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene appear at their actual distances from the observer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Most authors believe that a true fusion of right and left
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`eye views occurs in the brain to produce the single
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“cyclopean” view of the mind, although there is an-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`other theory that a “replacement” phenomena occurs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`wherein the brain alternately suppresses right and left
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`eye views to produce the cyclopean resultant view in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the mind. In any event it is agreed that the ability of man
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to visualize a three-dimensional scene in depth is princi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pally attributed to the visual parallax created by the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`interocular separation of the eyes to provide the brain
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with slightly different left and right views of the same
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene. This is supported by the fact that a one-eyed man
`
`
`
`
`
`cannot observe three-dimensional scenes in depth as
`
`
`
`
`does the two-eyed individual.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It has also been postulated that in the human visual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`apparatus the single eye sees both right and left views of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a Visual scene, i.e., the right view being that which is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“seen” by the right eye temporal retina and the left eye
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nasal retina, and the left view being that which is “seen”
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`by the right eye nasal retina and the left eye temporal
`
`
`
`
`
`retina. However, three-dimensional effect is suppressed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or not obtained with the single eye in fixed position
`
`
`
`
`
`
`because of lack of disparity, i.e., distance of separation,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the two single eye views.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Therefore,
`in attempts to reproduce three-dimen-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sional scenes in depth on a two~dimensional surface,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`many have been led to take left and right view photo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`graphs with cameras spaced at ocular separation, i.e., as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the human eyes would actually see the same scene, to
`
`
`
`
`superimpose these photographs on a two—dimensional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`screen, and in viewing the scene,
`to block all right
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`views for the left eye and left views from the right eye
`
`
`
`
`
`of the observer to permit three-dimensional assimilation
`
`
`
`
`
`of the views by the brain.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Early work in the area of three-dimensional still pho-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tography produced the steroptican, in which two single
`
`
`
`
`
`
`frame pictures recorded on film by a stereocamera hav-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing a lens base separation equal to the distance between
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the human eyes are simultaneously projected from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`spaced projection points and superimposed upon a,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`screen to produce a composite picture which can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`observed in depth. In the motion picture field, motion
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pictures have been produced for viewing in depth by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`use of multiple projectors and filmstrips which simulta-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`neously project, with differently polarized light, right
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and left images of a visual scene onto a screen. By wear-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing correspondingly polarized glasses, a viewer receives
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`only left view images in the left eye and right view
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`images in the right eye so that the visio-psychological
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`operation of the human visual apparatus produces an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`impression of stereopsis in the mind of the viewer. Al-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`though such three-dimensional motion pictures were
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 7 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 7 of 16
`
`
`
`4,303,316
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`commercially exhibited to the public, they apparently
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`were not well accepted, and their popularity was short-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lived in the industry. Such motion pictures not only
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`required the purchase and use of special additional pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`jection equipment and glasses which had to be worn by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the viewers, but also the stereopsis, or depth, produced
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in the pictures was overly exaggerated and appeared to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be more than that seen in real life, quite often causing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`many Viewers to experience headaches as a result of
`
`
`
`viewing the pictures.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It has also been proposed in the past to provide appa-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ratus and processes for recording and reproducing vi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sual scenes for viewing in stereopsis by the unaided eye,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`i.e., without the necessity of special glasses or viewing
`
`
`
`
`
`equipment to be used by the viewing audience. Typical
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`apparatus and processes heretofore proposed for three-
`
`
`
`
`
`dimensional photography are described in the following
`
`
`US. patents:
`
`10
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`765,980 Mercier
`
`
`1,307,074 Baruch
`
`
`1,939,343
`Feil
`
`
`2,080,604 Draper
`
`
`2,101,979 Brock
`
`
`. 2,114,060 Oakley
`
`
`
`2,157,099 Rosenhauer
`
`
`2,194,737 Cathey
`
`
`2,566,700 Goldsmith
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2,627,200 Huber
`
`
`2,838,975
`Laube
`
`
`2,891,440 Barake
`
`
`2,952,182 Marks et al
`
`
`
`3,006,241 Marks et al
`
`
`3,240,549 Wells
`
`
`3,482,908 McCormick
`
`3,482,913 Glenn, Jr.
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Pat. Nos. 2,101,979 and 2,157,099 propose the
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`production of stereoptic motion pictures by photo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`graphing left and right views of a scene from laterally
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`spaced positions less than interocular with a single cam-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`era having rotating mirror and blocking shutter, respec-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tively, to record the views on alternate single frames of
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a moving filmstrip. US. Pat. No. 2,101,979 further sug-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gests that the frames of the filmstrip may be laterally
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`shifted to align the same on the strip and reduced dispar-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ity between left and right views.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US Pat. No. 3,366,438 discloses the use of multiple
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cameras with mirrors and lens system to photograph a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene from laterally spaced positions for stereoptic re-
`
`production.
`
`
`
`
`
`Although numerous proposed solutions, as indicated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in the foregoing patents, have been given to enable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`production of motion pictures for visualization in three-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dimension by the unaided eye, I know of no present
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`commercially accepted or used process or system
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which proves the validity of the aforementioned pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`posals or achieves this long sought objective. In addi-
`50
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion, many prior art proposals require highly special-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ized, complicated equipment for projection and viewing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which requires extensive and expensive modification of
`
`
`
`
`
`existing equipment in the video arts.
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It‘ is therefore an object of my present invention to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provide a process for reproducing motion pictures in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stereoposis, or depth, which may be simply and eco-‘
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nomically employed throughout the entire field of the
`60
`video arts.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It is another object of the present invention to pro—
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vide a process for producing motion pictures which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may be viewed in stereopsis by the unaided eye, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which may be projected for viewing on conventional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`projector equipment and screens which are presently
`
`
`
`
`available in motion picture theaters.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide three-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dimensional motion pictures which may be viewed in
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`depth by an observer located at any position relative to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the viewing screen, and without objectionable shake, or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`keystoning, of the visual scene to the observer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It is another object to provide a process for produc-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing motion pictures in stereopsis which may be trans-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mitted and viewed in depth by the unaided eye of a
`
`
`
`
`
`viewer on conventional television receiver equipment.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It is a further object to provide a process for repro-
`
`
`
`
`
`ducing,
`in stereopsis, on a two-dimensional viewing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`surface, real life scenes as they occur, as in live televi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sion programming, and wherein the same will appear in
`
`
`
`
`
`stereopsis on standard television receiver equipment to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be viewed by the unaided eye of the observer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It is a still further object of the present invention to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provide a process for reproducing scenes in stereopsis
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`on a two-dimensional receiving surface which has uni-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`versal application in the visual communication field.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It is another object to provide a motion picture film-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`strip product containing visual scenes which may be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`projected from a single projector onto a receiving sur-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`face for visualization in stereopsis by the unaided
`
`
`human eye.
`GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`My present invention is the discovery of a process
`
`
`
`
`
`
`whereby three-dimensional, live world scenes may be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recorded and projected from a single film, video-tape,
`or transmission channel onto a two-dimensional receiv-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing surface for visualization in stereopsis by the unaided
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`human eye. In the motion picture film industry, this
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`permits the recording to be projected from a single
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`filmstrip so that existing projector and screen equip-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ment presently available in motion picture theaters may
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be employed. In the field of television, the process will
`
`
`
`
`
`
`permit
`the transmission of three-dimensional scenes,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`both live and on video-tape, for reception and visualiza-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion in depth on conventional television sets, without
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the need of modification of the sets. Thus, the process is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`believed to have universal application in the video arts
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`media to provide the first unaided visualization in stere-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`opsis of three-dimensional scenes on any existing two-
`dimensional surface, and without the use of additional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`equipment for this purpose.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In its broad aspects, the present process comprises the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`discovery that by carefully controlling several parame-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ters in the recording and projection of visual scene,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`excellent stereopsis may be obtained. More specifically,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the process includes the step of recording a plurality of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`right and left views, or predominately right and left
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`views, of a visual scene from corresponding right and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`left positions laterally displaced from each other no
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`more than about one inch apart, and preferably between
`
`
`
`
`
`
`about é” to %”, and continuously projecting, in alternat-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing sequence, a group of one or more of the right re-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`corded views and a group of one or more of the left
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recorded views onto a receiving surface, with the se-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`quence of projection of the groups being timed such
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that the visual duration of each group on the receiving
`
`
`
`
`
`surface approximately equals the visio—psychological
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`suppression, i.e., alternation, rate between right and left
`
`
`
`
`
`
`eye views of the human visual apparatus.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In addition to controlling the lateral recording dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tance between right and left views, and the duration of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`alternating visualization of such views,
`I have now
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`found that side to side movement, or keystoning effect
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which may be observed by the viewer of non-moving
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`objects in the scene when right and left views of the
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 8 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 8 of 16
`
`
`
`4,303,316
`
`10
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene when left and right View images of the scene are
`
`
`
`
`alternately projected for viewing.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`More particularly, I have discovered that all moving
`
`
`
`
`
`
`objects in a scene may be disregarded when establishing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the control parameters of lens base separation,
`film,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`frame tempo (or visual duration of left and right views),
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and focus disparity to give optimum stereopsis. The
`
`
`
`
`
`important scene considerations in establishing control
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`parameters mentioned above are the predominant non-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`moving, or inanimate, objects in the visual scene to be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recorded and,
`in particular,
`the closest predominant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`non-moving object in the scene. I have discovered that
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`by setting the central point of focus of one recording
`
`
`
`
`
`
`camera at a distance in front of the nearest non-moving
`
`
`
`
`
`object which is approximately one-third of the distance
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to the object, while setting the central point of focus of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the other camera at a distance behind the nearest object
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which is approximately one-third more than the dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tance to the object, visual observation of keystone effect
`
`
`
`is substantially eliminated.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`By way of example, I have observed that for most
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`camera lens systems, focus distances above 30 feet from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the camera may be generally considered and handled as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`infinity focus for the lens system. Thus, in employing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the focus disparity concept
`to effectively eliminate
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`keystoning between left and right view projections, the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`following chart indicates typical distance settings for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`left and right view recording lens systems.
`
`Distance to Nearest
`
`
`Non-Moving Object
`
`
`In Scene
`
`
`Distance Setting For
`
`
`
`Lens System of
`
`
`Recording Position
`
`
`#1
`
`Distance Setting For
`
`
`Lens System of
`
`
`Recording Position
`
`
`——.—_________—_
`20’
`1'
`#2
`18'
`8’
`4'
`§'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`30'
`
`
`24’
`
`
`
`12’
`
`
`
`6'
`
`
`
`3’
`
`
`
`1'
`
`
`Inf.
`
`
`
`Inf.
`
`
`
`16’
`
`
`
`8’
`
`
`
`4'
`
`
`15'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scene are alternately projected on the viewingsurface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(due to lateral displacement of the recording cameras)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can be minimized below. objectionable level by also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`varying the central point of focus of the right'and left
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recordings of the scene. More specifically, if either the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`left or right recording camera of the overall scene is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`centrally focused at a nearer point than the nearest
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`non-moving object in the scene while the other record-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing camera is focused at a further point in the scene. than
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the nearest non-moving object, the alternating projec-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion of such right and left recorded views can be visual-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ized as well as recorded in stereopsis with greater depth
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of field and without objectionable keystoning effect.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This combined control of lens base separation and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`focus disparity, together with proper control of dura-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion of visualization and proper alignment of right and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`left views in projection of the scene provides exCellent
`
`
`
`
`
`stereopsis while minimizing jump, or “keystoning” ef-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fect, heretofore believed to have been a major problem
`20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in all prior attempts to provide stereoptic visualization
`
`
`
`
`by the unaided eye.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the process of my present invention, it is essential
`that a lateral distance much less than interocular be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`employed at all times between the recording positions
`of the visual scene, in order that a true three-dimen-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sional effect be achieved without excessive lateral dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`parity in the reproduction of the left and right view
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`recordings. More specifically, the two recording posi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tions for the visual scene must be maintained at a lateral
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`separation of no more than about 1 inch, (with a dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tance of approximately 1% to g inch being suitable in most
`
`
`
`
`
`instances) to avoid breaking up or unacceptable jump-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing of the non-moving objects in the visual scene during
`observation on a two—dimensional surface.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the process of the present invention, the recorded
`right and left views of the visual scene must also be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`projected so as to bombard the human visual apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with alternating right and left view images at a certain
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tempo such that the visual duration of each right View
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`image and each left view image on the viewing surface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is apparently equal to the visio-psychological alterna-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion rate of the brain between right and left Views of the
`
`
`
`
`
`human Visual apparatus. Through experimentation, I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`have discovered that this alternation rate between right
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and left views by the brain which permits the mind to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`visualize the scene in stereopsis is between about 1/24th
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to éth of a second. Thus, in producing a motion picture
`
`
`
`
`
`
`film for three-dimensional projection, and employing a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`conventional camera and projector speed of 24 frames
`50
`
`
`
`
`
`
`per second, stereopsis is obtained by alternately project-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing sequential right frame groups and left frame groups
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which are each of about 1 to 6 frames in duration, with
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3 frames per group being preferred in most instances.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The resulting picture on the two-dimensional receiving
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`surface of right and left view recorded images is thus
`
`
`
`
`
`
`perceived by the human visual apparatus in stereopsis,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or depth, just as it would appear in the real world scene
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which has been recorded. Surprisingly, since this alter-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nating right and left eye view alternation is created on
`60
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the photographic filmstrip itself, a one-eyed man can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`observe the projected scene in stereopsis, as well as a
`
`
`two-eyed man.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a preferred form of the invention, I have found
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that by setting the central point of focus of the left and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`right recorded views of the scene at different selected
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`distances, controlled focus disparity between left and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`right views effectively minimizes keystoning effect, or
`
`
`
`
`
`lateral shifting, of predominant non-moving objects in a
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In View of the fact that the visual scene may be repro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`duced for viewing in stereopsis by the unaided eye on a
`
`
`
`
`
`two-dimensional! surface by use of a single projection
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`source, it can be readily understood that the process
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may be employed to reproduce live as well as prere-
`
`
`
`
`
`corded events in stereopsis on a conventional television
`
`
`
`
`
`
`screen, since transmission of video information of right
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and left views does not require multiple sources of pro-
`
`jection.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The invention may be better understood by the fol-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lowing detailed description of apparatus which may be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`employed to carry out the-process in producing a mo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion picture film, as illustrated in the accompanying
`
`
`drawings, in which:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a motion picture
`
`
`
`
`
`two-camera arrangement which may be employed to '
`
`
`
`
`
`
`record a three-dimensional visual scene for subsequent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`projection onto a two-dimensional receiving surface for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stereoptic visualization by the human visual apparatus;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the manner
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in which groups of frames from right and left view-con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`taining filmstrips from the two cameras in FIG. 1 may
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be alternately reproduced on a single motion picture
`
`
`
`
`
`
`filmstrip for projection for stereoptic visualization;
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view representation of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`light rays entering a single lens camera system adapted
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with shutter mechanism for alternately recording pre-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dominantly left and right views of a three-dimensional
`
`APPL-1044/ Page 9 of 16
`
`APPL-1044 / Page 9 of 16
`
`
`
`4,303,316
`
`5
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`visualscene on a single recording surface for projection
`
`
`
`
`
`
`onto a viewing surface for visualization in stereopsis;
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view representation of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the single lens camera system of FIG. 3 illustrating the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lateral sep