U.S. patent application number 11/033186 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for enhancement of depth perception.
Invention is credited to Anthony Italo Provitola.
Application Number | 20060152803 11/033186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36643987 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060152803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Provitola; Anthony Italo |
July 13, 2006 |
Enhancement of depth perception
Abstract
A system, device, and method for enhancing depth perception in a
two-dimensional image is disclosed providing the induction of
retinal disparity in the eyes of the viewer by the placement of a
visually identifiable object in front of the two-dimensional image.
Upon fusion of such retinal disparity in the viewer, the viewer
experiences the enhancement depth perception in the two dimensional
image.
Inventors: |
Provitola; Anthony Italo;
(DeLand, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anthony I. Provitola
1960 Hazen Road
Post Office Box 2855
DeLand
FL
32721-2855
US
|
Family ID: |
36643987 |
Appl. No.: |
11/033186 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/462 ; 353/28;
359/472 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/0081
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/462 ;
353/028; 359/472 |
International
Class: |
G02B 27/22 20060101
G02B027/22 |
Claims
1. A system and device for enhancement of depth perception in a
viewer of a two-dimensional image comprising: a) a two-dimensional
image with one or more monocular depth cues displayed on an image
surface; and b) at least one visually identifiable object placed in
front of said image surface to create a combined scene with said
two-dimensional image, said visually identifiable object being: 1)
substantially within the depth of field of focus of said viewer's
eyes when said two-dimensional image is in focus for said viewer,
2) without substantially interfering with the view of the viewer of
said two-dimensional image, and 3) a sufficient distance from the
two-dimensional image to induce disparate binocular retinal images
in the eyes of the viewer; having the effect of enhancement of the
viewer's depth perception in viewing said two-dimensional image by
and/or with the fusion of said binocular images of the combined
scene in the viewer.
2. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 1 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
substantially within the Panum's fusional region for said
two-dimensional image.
3. A system and device for enhancement of depth perception in a
viewer of a two-dimensional image comprising: a) a two-dimensional
image displayed on an image surface; and b) at least one visually
identifiable object positioned in front of the image surface, said
at least one visually identifiable object being: 1) substantially
in focus for said viewer with said two-dimensional image, and 2) at
a sufficient distance from said image surface to induce disparate
retinal images in the eyes of the viewer; having the effect of
enhancement of the viewer's depth perception in viewing said
two-dimensional image by and/or with the fusion of said disparate
retinal images in the viewer.
4. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said two-dimensional image includes one or more
monocular depth cues.
5. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said image surface is curved, either horizontally,
vertically, or horizontally and vertically.
6. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is a
frame.
7. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said two-dimensional image is in horizontal motion
within the viewer's view relative to the visually identifiable
object, such horizontal motion being controlled with reference to
the brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of said
two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
8. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said visually identifiable object is in horizontal
motion within said viewer's view relative to the image surface,
such horizontal motion being controlled with reference to the
brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of said
two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
9. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
substantially within the Panum's fusional region for said
two-dimensional image.
10. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 3 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
illuminated on the side which faces said viewer.
11. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 10 wherein the source of illumination is attached to or
within said at least one visually identifiable object.
12. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 11 wherein the illumination of said at least one visually
identifiable object is variable in intensity, color and/or
polarization, such variability being controlled with reference to
the brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of said
two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
13. A system and device for enhancement of depth perception in a
viewer of a two-dimensional image comprising: a) a two-dimensional
image with one or more monocular depth cues, the two-dimensional
image being displayed on an image surface; and b) at least one
visually identifiable object positioned in front of the image
surface, said at least one visually identifiable object being: 1)
at a sufficient distance from said image surface to induce
disparate retinal images in the eyes of the viewer, and 2)
substantially in focus for said viewer with said two-dimensional
image and/or substantially within the Panum's fusional region for
said two-dimensional image; having the effect of enhancement of the
viewer's depth perception in viewing said two-dimensional image by
and/or with the fusion of said disparate retinal images in the
viewer.
14. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said image surface is curved, either horizontally,
vertically, or horizontally and vertically.
15. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said two-dimensional image is in horizontal motion
within the viewer's view relative to the visually identifiable
object, such horizontal motion being controlled with reference to
the brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of said
two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
16. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said visually identifiable object is in horizontal
motion within said viewer's view relative to the image surface,
such horizontal motion being controlled with reference to the
brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of said
two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
17. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
illuminated on the side which faces said viewer.
18. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 17 wherein the illumination of said at least one visually
identifiable object is variable in intensity, color and/or
polarization, such variability being controlled with reference to
the brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of said
two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
19. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
a frame.
20. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 19 wherein the horizontal size of said aperture of said frame
is variable within the viewer's view relative to the
two-dimensional image, such variability being controlled with
reference to the brightness, color, and/or monocular depth cues of
said two-dimensional image, or otherwise programably controlled to
intensify the enhancement effect and/or accommodate said
viewer.
21. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 19 wherein the shape of said frame and/or the size of the
aperture of said frame is variable, such variability being
controlled with reference to the brightness, color, and/or
monocular depth cues of said two-dimensional image, or otherwise
programably controlled to intensify the enhancement effect and/or
accommodate said viewer.
22. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 19 wherein the aperture of said frame has the same shape as
said two-dimensional image, and is of sufficient size so that
substantially all of said two-dimensional image appears to said
viewer to be within said aperture.
23. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein at least half of the opposing edges of said
two-dimensional image are obscured from the view of said viewer of
said two-dimensional image.
24. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein the opposing vertical edges of sad two-dimensional
images are obscured from the view of said viewer of said
two-dimensional.
25. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 24 wherein said image surface is curved, either horizontally,
vertically, or horizontally and vertically.
26. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
illuminated, and the source of illumination is attached to or
within said at least one visually identifiable object.
27. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
recognizable as being a particular thing distinguishable by said
viewer as nearer in space to said viewer than said two-dimensional
image.
28. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said at least one visually identifiable object is
a partial frame further comprised of two vertical sides.
29. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 13 wherein said two-dimensional image is illuminated.
30. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 29 wherein the illumination of said two-dimensional image is
from a source within or attached to said visually identifiable
object, so that said viewer is shielded from such illumination.
31. The system and device for enhancement of depth perception of
claim 29 wherein the illumination of said two-dimensional image is
variable in intensity, color and/or polarization, such variability
being controlled with reference to the brightness, color, and/or
monocular depth cues of said two-dimensional image, or otherwise
programably controlled to intensify the enhancement effect and/or
accommodate said viewer.
32. A method for enhancement of depth perception in a viewer of a
two-dimensional image comprising: a) selection of a two-dimensional
image with one or more monocular depth cues; b) induction of
retinal disparity in the viewer from binocular retinal images of a
combined scene created by the addition of a visually identifiable
object to the scene of the two-dimensional image substantially
within the depth of field of focus of said viewer's eyes when said
two-dimensional image is in focus for said viewer; and c) fusion of
such retinally disparate images in the visual cortex of the viewer
with the interpretation of said one or more monocular depth cues as
binocular depth cues with those of the visually identifiable object
in the combined scene.
33. A method for enhancement of depth perception in a viewer of a
two-dimensional image comprising: a) selection of a substantially
two-dimensional image with at least one monocular depth cue; b)
selection of one or more visually identifiable objects for viewing
with the two-dimensional image; c) formation of a combined scene by
placement of at least one visually identifiable object placed in
front of said two-dimensional image and within the view of the
viewer, which is: 1) substantially within the depth of field of
focus of said viewer's eyes when said two-dimensional image is in
focus for said viewer; 2) at a sufficient distance from said
two-dimensional image so as to be clearly distinguishable by said
viewer as nearer in space to said viewer than said two-dimensional
image; 3) without interfering with the view of said viewer of said
two-dimensional image; d) obscuring at least two opposing edges of
said two dimensional image; e) induction in the viewer of a
sufficient retinal disparity in said viewer by the visual
presentation to said viewer of the combined scene; and f) effecting
the enhancement of said viewer's depth perception in said
two-dimensional image by and/or with the viewer's fusion of the
disparate retinal images of the combined scene.
34. A method for enhancement of depth perception in a viewer of a
two-dimensional image comprising the induction of disparate retinal
images in the viewer of the two-dimensional image with the
formation of a combined scene of said two-dimensional image and at
least one visually identifiable object placed in front of said
two-dimensional image and before said viewer, said at least one
visually identifiable object being: a) substantially within the
depth of field of focus of said viewer's eyes when said
two-dimensional image is in focus for said viewer; b) at a
sufficient distance from said two-dimensional image so as to be
distinguishable by the viewer as nearer in space than said
two-dimensional image; c) without interfering with the view of the
viewer of said two-dimensional image; effecting the enhancement of
said viewer's depth perception in said two-dimensional image by
and/or with the viewer's fusion of said disparate retinal
images.
35. A method for enhancement of depth perception in a viewer of a
two-dimensional image comprising: a) induction of disparate retinal
images in the viewer of a two-dimensional image by the placement of
a visually identifiable object in front of the two-dimensional
image within the depth of field of focus of said viewer's eyes that
includes said two-dimensional image; and b) effecting the
enhancement of said viewer's depth perception in said
two-dimensional image by and/or with the viewer's fusion of said
disparate retinal images.
36. A method for enhancement of depth perception of claim 35
wherein: a) the placement of the visually identifiable object is
within the Panum's fusional region for said two-dimensional image
and a sufficient distance from said two-dimensional image so as to
be distinguishable by the viewer as nearer in space than said
two-dimensional image; b) the two dimensional image has one or more
monocular depth cues; and c) at least two of the opposing edges of
said two-dimensional image are obscured to the view of the viewer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to the application for the
invention entitled "Enhancement of Visual Perception" by the same
inventor filed on Sep. 10, 2005.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The field of the invention pertains to devices, systems, and
methods for enhancing the depth perception of a viewer in a
two-dimensional image.
[0005] The present invention provides a device, method, and system
for enhancing depth perception of the viewer in the viewing of
two-dimensional images of all kinds, including photographs,
posters, drawings and paintings, signs, etc. as well as television
and motion pictures. In this broader respect, a distinction should
be made between stereographic devices and methods which require two
separate two-dimensional images of the same scene, sometimes
combined, superimposed, or overlaid in a single two-dimensional
image, and the extraction and reconstruction of binocular images of
that scene for the viewer who has the capacity for stereopsis; and
the present invention, which, by stimulating retinal disparity in
the viewer, so enhances the perception of the monocular cues for
depth in a single two-dimensional image as to convert the viewer's
perception of such monocular depth cues to an experience of the
fused binocular depth cue of stereo vision. The stereographic
devices have been well known for many years, while the principle
underlying the present invention, although not yet completely
understood, is newly presented in this application. The subject of
depth perception in viewing two-dimensional images as it applies to
"depth perception of images on a television screen" has been
discussed in LeMay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,510, but not with respect
to depth perception in two-dimensional images generally, such as
photographs, posters, paintings, signs, etc. The present invention
is distinguishable from LeMay, which uses a window screen type mesh
in a device to be worn by a viewer through which a two-dimensional
television image is viewed, and creates, according to its inventor,
an "illusion". The present invention does not create an "illusion",
but provides the experience of the binocular fusion of retinally
disparate images, and employs the viewer's capacity for stereopsis
to enter the experience.
[0006] The present invention should also be distinguished from the
well known effect that is observed with monocular viewing (with one
eye) of a two-dimensional image with monocular depth cues against a
flat background without such cues. The same effect can also be
observed by monocular viewing of a two-dimensional image at the end
of an enclosed space. With such a viewing the monocular depth cues
in the two-dimensional image become significantly pronounced,
albeit seen with only one eye. Such monocular viewing, however,
deprives the viewer of the accommodation reflex which occurs with
binocular vision that gives the viewer the ability to accurately
focus on the two-dimensional image. The result is that although
with such monocular viewing the monocular depth cues in the
two-dimensional image have an effect greater than if viewed
binocularly, the two-dimensional image cannot be seen with the same
degree of focus as if seen binocularly. The present invention, on
the other hand, induces a retinal disparity in the viewer that
results in a fusion experience, and can be seen binocularly with
the accurate focus of the accommodation reflex. The accurate focus
in turn heightens the fusion experience, and thus the enhancement
of depth perception afforded by the present invention.
[0007] The classification that applies to this invention is
generally in U.S. Class 359, "OPTICAL: SYSTEMS AND ELEMENTS", but
the only subclass titles that provide a verbal similarity are 462,
"STEROSCOPIC", and 478, "RELIEF ILLUSION", the descriptions of
neither being applicable to the theory of operability of the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The method underlying the system and device for enhancing
depth perception in a substantially two-dimensional image has as
the principal element the induction of retinal disparity in the
eyes of the viewer from binocular retinal images of a scene
including the two-dimensional image, by the addition to the scene
of a visually identifiable object in front of the two-dimensional
image, to create a "combined scene". Upon fusion of the retinally
disparate images in the visual cortex of the viewer of the
monocular depth cues of the two-dimensional image as part of the
combined scene, the monocular depth cues are interpreted as
binocular depth cues with those of the visually identifiable
object, so that the viewer experiences the enhancement of his or
her depth perception in the two dimensional image. The preferred
visually identifiable object for the system and device is a frame,
which sounds the two-dimensional image while obscuring its edges,
placed within the depth of field of focus and/or Panum's fusional
region of the two dimensional image. The elements of the system and
device may have many other features, such as illumination, shape,
color, etc. that can add to the enhancement effect by combination
and/or control with reference to the qualities of the
two-dimensional image and the viewer's vision.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of the physical
configuration of the system and device,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is a method, system and device for enhancing
the depth perception in a substantially two-dimensional image,
hereinafter referred to simply as "2D image", by a viewer thereof.
The method underlying the system and device for enhancing depth
perception in a substantially 2D image has as the principal element
the induction of a slight but sufficient retinal disparity in the
eyes of the viewer from binocular retinal images of a scene
including the 2D image. Such a disparity in the binocular retinal
images of the scene results from the addition to the scene of a
visually identifiable object (VIO) in front of the 2D image, so as
to create what will hereinafter be referred to as a "combined
scene". Upon fusion of the retinally disparate images in the viewer
of the monocular depth cues of the 2D image as part of the combined
scene, the monocular depth cues are interpreted as binocular depth
cues with those of the VIO, so that the viewer experiences the
enhancement of his or her depth perception in the 2D image, "the
enhancement effect". The 2D image is referred to as such regardless
of the shape of the surface upon which the 2D image is represented
in two dimensions. Therefore the surface upon which the 2D image is
presented shall be referred to as the "image surface", which may be
flat or spherical or some other shape, and may be a surface in
space which is not associated with a physical object. The object
upon which the "image surface" may exist shall hereinafter be
referred to as the "image object", and may be solid, liquid or
gaseous. Thus the 2D image may displayed upon the image surface of
an image object. The 2D image may be of any kind, including
photographs, posters, drawings, paintings, signs, television and
computer images, and all forms of front and rear projection images,
film or electronic, both static and motion; and may exist on all
kinds of objects that present a surface, such as buildings,
stretched canvas, concrete slabs, pools of liquid, gas clouds,
television and computer monitors (such as CRT, LCD, plasma, and TFT
displays), projection screens, etc.
[0011] As a foundation for understanding the invention and the
nature of the depth perception enhancement effect the following
currently accepted definitions and principles related to the
humanability to appreciate depth may be considered:
1. Binocular visual field: region of overlapping visibility for the
two eyes.
2. Point of Fixation (Point of Regard); Point or object on which
the eyes are directed and one's sight is fixed.
3. Fovea: Point on the retina on which are focused the rays coming
from an object directly regarded.
[0012] 4. Stereopsis: Perception of depth produced by binocular
retinal disparity within Panum's fusional region requiring properly
functioning cells in the visual cortex; the ability to distinguish
the relative distance of objects with an apparent physical
displacement between the objects resulting from the lateral
displacement of the eyes that provides two slightly different views
of the same object (disparate images), which allows stereoscopic
depth discrimination,
[0013] 5. Monocular depth cues: Visual cues which present
information about the relative location of objects using one eye,
which include: occlusion or interposition; aerial perspective
(atmospheric perspective, aerial haze); linear perspective
(convergence of parallel lines); texture gradients; shading and
light; relative size; relative motion (monocular movement
parallax); and familiar size.
6. Fusion: Neural process in the visual cortex that brings the
retinal images in the two eyes to form a single cyclopean
image.
7. Panum's fusional region (Panum's fusional space): Region in
visual space over which we perceive binocular single vision.
(Outside Panum's fusional region physiological diplopia
occurs.)
8. Panum's fusional area: Area on the retina of one eye, any point
on which, when stimulated simultaneously with a single specific
slightly disparate point in the retina of the other eye, will give
rise to a single fused image.
[0014] 9. Retinal disparity: Results from retinally disparate
points that are retinal points which give rise to different
principal visual directions, which, when within Panum's fusional
area (zone of single binocular vision), can be fused resulting in
single vision.
10. Binocular retinal rivalry: Alternating suppression of the two
eyes resulting in alternating perception of the two retinal
images.
[0015] The present invention and its underlying principle may be
understood with reference to FIG. 1. The system and device for
enhancement of depth perception includes a 2D image 1 which is
displayed on an image surface 3, which may be part of an image
object 6, and at least one visually identifiable object (VIO) 2
placed in front of the 2D image 1, so as to present those elements
to the viewer 9 in what will hereinafter be referred to as a
"combined scene" 13. The preferred VIO 2 should have a visually
identifiable boundary 7 which is relatively well defined and sharp,
rather than ill-defined and fuzzy. The VIO 2 may obscure a part 11
of the 2D image 1 to the viewer, surround an area which includes
the 2D image 1, or surround all or part of the 2D image 1. The
front of the 2D image 1 is the side of the 2D image 1 which faces
the viewer 9. Such a position in front of the 2D image 1 is
necessarily before and within the view 8 of the viewer 9 of the
combined scene 13, whether the image surface 3 is horizontal,
vertical, or at some angle with the horizontal or vertical. (For
the purpose of this disclosure, "horizontal" shall mean the
orientation in which the viewer's 9 eyes 10 are arranged, even
though not horizontal in relation to the earth's surface.) The
placement of the VIO 2 in front of the SD image 1 should be
substantially within the depth of field of the lenses of the
viewer's 9 eyes 10 as they are focused on the 2D image 1, so that
the VIO 2, and thus the combined scene 13, is also in focus for
both eyes 10 at the same time. The placement of the VIO 2 should
also be a sufficient distance from the 2D image 1 to be
distinguishable by the viewer as nearer in space than the 2D image
and/or induce two disparate images of the combined scene 13, one on
the retina of each of the viewer's 9 eyes 10.
[0016] With the viewing of the system exemplified in FIG. 1 a fused
cyclopean image of the combined scene 13 will be generated in the
visual cortex of the viewer 9. Such a fused image of the combined
scene 13 in the viewer 9 then has the quality of stereo vision, not
simply distinguishing distance between the 20 image 1 and the VIO
2, but within the 20 image 1 itself, converting the available
monocular depth cues therein to a binocularly fused image and the
experience of true depth in the fused cyclopean image. Thus it
seems that the human brain can reconstruct and appreciate stereo
vision in a two-dimensional image by the stimulation to fusion in
the visual cortex of a retinal disparity presented by the binocular
depth cue, substantially in Panum's fusional region, of the
combined scene.
[0017] The stereo vision provided by the present invention is
superior to the prior art in that the cyclopean images produced by
the prior art are highly artificial in appearance as earlier
indicated. The visual experience provided by the present invention
does not suffer those defects, but provides stereo vision which is
natural to the viewer, because it is within the viewer's own
capacity for stereopsis as derived from the monocular depth cues of
the 2D image, and does so without the necessity for the special eye
wear required by the prior art.
[0018] The VIO 2 may have any shape, but should have sufficient
extent and be placed in front of the 2D image 1 so as to be visible
and in substantial focus when any part of the 2D image 1 is in
focus, that is, within the depth of field of the viewer 9 when
viewing the combined scene 13. The placement of the the VIO 2 maybe
fixed or adjustable, by any means, such as suspension in position
or attachment to the image object 6. The VIO may be a grid (not
shown in FIG. 1) between the viewer and the 2D image with wide
enough spacing between visible grid elements to minimize
interference with the viewing of the 2D image. However, because the
VIO must be clearly present to the viewer as an integral part of
the combined scene, the use of a grid as the VIO would inevitably
interfere with the viewer's appreciation of the content of the 2D
image. Thus the preferred VIO 2 is one that surrounds as much of
the viewer's "area of attention" 5 in the 2D image 1 as possible,
while minimally interfering with the viewer's 9 appreciation of the
2D image 1. The term "area of attention" 5 is defined here to mean
the whole or part of a two-dimensional image that a viewer is
focused upon and includes the viewer's 9 point of fixation at its
center. The preferred VIO 2 is a frame, hereinafter referred to as
a VIO/frame 2, which surrounds the two-dimensional image while
obscuring its edges, and does not severely crop the viewer's 9 view
of the 2D image. Such a VIO/frame 2 may have an adjustable aperture
12, the position of which may be shifted horizontally within the
VIO/frame 2, in order to compensate for the viewer's 9 viewing
position relative to the 2D image 1, the viewer's 9 angle of view,
the shape of the image surface 3, and the distance of the viewer 9
from the 2D image 1. If the viewer's 9 area of attention 5 is less
than the entire 2D image 1, the VIO/frame 2 may be limited to a
sufficient size to substantially bound the area of attention 5 for
the viewer at a particular distance from the 2D image, so that no
well defined edges 4 of the 2D image 1 are available to the view 8
of the viewer 9.
[0019] The placement of the the VIO 2 may be by any means, such as
suspension in position or attachment to the image object 6, fixed
or adjustable with respect to distance from and angle with the
image surface 3. The shape of the VIO 2 may also be made to be
adjustable between flat, or horizontally or vertically curved, or
both. Similarly the shape of the image surface 3 may be flat, or
horizontally or vertically curved, or both.
[0020] The VIO 2 may be opaque, translucent, or transparent with
distortion. The VIO 2 should also obscure at least half of the
opposing edges 4 of the 2D image, but obscuring all of the opposing
edges 4 of the 2D image 1 is preferred. A pattern visually
discernable by the viewer may be applied to the side of the
VIO/frame which faces the viewer, and will have the greatest effect
when placed on the most horizontal sides of a VIO/frame by
intensifying the retinal disparity of the combined scene in the
viewer's horizontally arranged eyes.
[0021] The enhancement effect of the system and device may be
improved, depending on the 2D image 1, by illumination of the VIO 2
for the viewer from the front, rear, or internally, or where the
VIO 2 is itself in whole or in part an illuminating device. The
illumination of the VIO 2 may be of various colors and intensities,
and may be polarized, in order to intensify the enhancement effect;
and the color, intensity and polarization of the illumination of
the VIO 2 may be variable over time for the same purpose. Such
variability may be programably controlled, controlled with
reference to the characteristics of the 2D image 1, such as
brightness, coloration, resolution, shape, program material,
monocular depth cues, etc., and/or controlled with reference to the
characteristics of the viewer's 9 vision, to improve and/or
maintain the enhancement effect.
[0022] The enhancement effect of the system and device may also be
improved by illumination of the 2D image 1 itself, from the front,
rear, or from within the image object 6, where the image object 6
is an illuminating device, such as a light box, video monitor or
television set. Such illumination of the 2D image 1 may be from
sources attached to or independent of the VIO 2, and may be
controlled in a manner similar to the illumination of the VIO 2 for
the improvement of the enhancement effect. All of the various
attributes of the 2D image 1 and the VIO 2 may be combined and
controlled, as well as the position of the viewer, to accommodate
the vision characteristics for a particular viewer to improve
and/or maintain the enhancement effect, and the entire range of
such combination and control is included in the invention.
[0023] The method underlying the system and device has been
referred to throughout the disclosure of the system and device, the
principal element of which is the induction of retinal disparity in
the eyes 10 of the viewer 9 from binocular retinal images of a
combined scene 13, created by the addition of a VIO 2 to the scene
of the 2D image 1. Upon fusion in the visual cortex of the viewer 9
of the retinally disparate images of the monocular depth cues of
the 2D image 1 on Panum's fusional area, the monocular depth cues
are interpreted as binocular depth cues with those of the VIO 2,
and thus transformed into binocular depth cues with the entirety of
the combined scene 13, so that the viewer experiences the
enhancement of his or her depth perception in the 2D image 1 as a
form of stereo vision.
[0024] Although the invention is designed to be effective to
enhance depth perception in a 2D image 1 for a viewer who has two
eyes and a relatively normal ocular and neural capacity for
stereopsis, such effectiveness varying with the level of such
capacity in the viewer, the enhancement effect may be available to
a viewer who has vision in only one eye where the binocular depth
cue may be simulated to appropriately stimulate the viewer's visual
cortex. Testing has shown that horizontal motion of a viewer 9
relative to the combined scene 13 using the system and device with
only one eye experiences the enhancement effect with the experience
of motion parallax between the VIO 2 and the 2D image 1. It thus
appears that simulation of such motion parallax between the VIO 2
and the 2D image 1, such as by moving all or part of the VIO 2
horizontally relative to the 2D image 1, or by moving the 2D image
1 horizontally relative to the VIO 2, will contribute to the
enhancement effect in a viewer 9 with only one eye, and is included
in the system. Such motion parallax may also contribute to the
enhancement effect for a binocular viewer 9.
[0025] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with
the example of a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that
there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular
embodiment shown, and that this disclosure is intended to cover the
general application of the method and the various alternative and
equivalent constructions included within the spirit and scope of
the appended claims.
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