IP Library Granted Patent US 7,508,485
Granted Patent B2
US 7,508,485 · App. 11/928,152 · Granted Mar 24, 2009

System and method for controlling 3D viewing spectacles

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,508,485
App. No.
11/928,152
Granted
Mar 24, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

This invention directs to a video/motion picture displaying apparatus for viewing via 3D spectacles with an internal 3D synchronizing unit including an image capturing means, a synchronizing means to identify synchronization events according to a set of synchronization rules, and a transmitting unit. It further directs to a 2D video/motion picture embedded with synchronizing signals produced with the same synchronization rules. The invention also discloses a 3D synchronizing signal composing/embedding device for embedding synchronizing signals to a 2D video/motion picture including a data capturing means, a converting means, a synchronizing means and a composing means or an embedding means. It also teaches a related 3D control device configured to acquire and utilize the embedded synchronizing signals to control the transmission of light of the 3D spectacles.

Claims (47)

1. A video/motion picture displaying apparatus for viewing via 3D spectacles having a left lens and a right lens with transmissions of light individually controlled, including conventional analog or digital image data input and output ports, further comprising an internal 3D synchronizing unit comprising:

a data capturing and converting means in the path between the input and output ports for capturing said image data and converting said image data to successive digital images for processing;

a synchronizing means connected with said image capturing means for comparing lateral motions of an object in said successive digital images to identify synchronization events according to following rules:

a left-to-right movement of said lateral motion corresponding to a setting in which the transmission of light in the right lens being in a partially blocked state and the transmission of light in the left lens being in a clear state;

a right-to-left movement of said lateral motion corresponding to a setting in which said left lens being in the blocked state and said right lens being in the clear state; and

no significant movement of said lateral motion corresponding to a setting in which said left lens and said right lens being all in the clear state;

then translating said synchronization events into synchronizing signals with corresponding lens settings; and

a transmitting unit connected with said synchronizing means to transmit said synchronizing signals as control codes trigging individual control of the transmission of light through said left lens and said right lens based on said lens settings corresponding to said synchronizing events;

whereby two-dimensional motion pictures may be viewed as 3-D motion pictures by using the 3D spectacles.

2. The video/motion picture displaying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the displaying apparatus comprises a TV, monitor, projector, handheld video device, game controller and/or cell phone.

3. A 2D video/motion picture for viewing via 3D spectacles having transmissions of light in left lens and right lens individually controlled, with embedded synchronizing signals produced by steps comprising:

processing said motion picture as successive images;

comparing two or more frames of said motion picture to recognize a lateral motion of an object in said motion picture;

identifying a direction of said lateral motion;

configuring a synchronizing event according to following rules:

when said lateral motion of said object on the screen is:

from left to right, setting a synchronization signal to direct said left lens clear and said right lens partially blocked;

from right to left, setting a synchronization signal to direct said right lens clear and said left tens partially blocked;

non-existent, setting a synchronization signal to direct said left lens and said right lens both clear;

generating a synchronizing signal directing to the setting of lens based on said synchronization event; and

associating said synchronizing signal with said frames of said motion picture.

4. The 2D video/motion picture of claim 3 , wherein said synchronizing signal comprises sound, light, and/or electromagnetic waves.

5. The 2D video/motion picture of claim 3 , wherein said synchronizing signal is unrecognizable by a human being.

6. A 3D synchronizing signal composing/embedding device for embedding synchronizing signals to a 2D video/motion picture for viewing via 3D spectacles having a left lens and a right lens with transmissions of light individually controlled, comprising:

a data capturing means for capturing said video/motion pictures as image data/signal;

a converting means converting said image data to successive digital images;

a synchronizing means connected with said converting means for comparing lateral motions of an object in said successive digital images to identify synchronization events according to following rules:

a left-to-right movement of said lateral motion corresponding to a setting in which the transmission of light in the light lens being in a blocked state and the transmission of light in the left lens being in a clear state;

a right-to-left movement of said lateral motion corresponding to a setting in which said left lens being in the blocked state and said right lens being in the clear state; and

no significant movement of said lateral motion corresponding to a setting in which said left lens and said right lens being all in the clear state;

and then translating said synchronization events into synchronizing signals with corresponding lens settings; and

an composing means for composing said synchronizing signals and said image data/signals of the video/motion picture into composite data/signals; or

an embedding means to incorporate said synchronizing signals into a suitable sound or video track of said video/motion picture.

7. The device of claim 6 , further comprising a superseding synchronizing signal input port connected with said composing or embedding means for professional 3D treatment.

8. The device of claim 6 , further comprising a video/motion picture regenerating means to reproduce said 2D video/motion picture with the synchronizing signals embedded.

9. A 3D viewing control device for using 3D spectacles having transmissions of light in left lens and right lens individually controlled, configured to utilize the embedded synchronizing signals in claim 3 , comprising:

an extracting or receiving means for extracting or receiving said synchronizing signals;

a transforming means for transforming said synchronizing signals into control signals with the following settings:

reducing transmission of light in the right lens and leaving the left lens unblocked corresponding to a setting in which the transmission of light in the right lens being in a blocked state and the transmission of light in the left lens being in a clear state;

reducing transmission of light in the left lens and leaving the right lens unblocked corresponding to a setting in which said left lens being in the blocked state and said right lens being in the clear state; and

leaving both lenses unblocked corresponding to a setting in which said left lens and said right lens being all in the clear state; and

a transmitting means for transmitting said control signals to said right lens and/or left lens to control the transmission of light;

whereby two-dimensional motion pictures may be viewed as 3-D motion pictures.

10. The 3D viewing control device of claim 8 , wherein the transmitting means transmitting said control signals in wired or wireless way.

11. The 3D viewing control device of claim 8 , wherein the device is an internal part of a video/motion picture displaying apparatus.

12. The 3D viewing control device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a standalone device.

13. The 3D viewing control device of claim 11 , wherein the device is integrated with a control device connected with said 3D spectacles.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2019
From: KARPF, RONALD S
To: VDPP, LLC
Reel/Frame 049648/0059 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 049039 FRAME: 0170. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 2, 2019
From: VISUAL EFFECTS INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: JACOBS, KENNETH; KARPF, RONALD
Reel/Frame 049079/0956 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2019
From: VISUAL EFFECTS INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: JACOBS, KENNETH; KARPF, RONALD
Reel/Frame 049039/0170 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2017
From: JACOBS, KENNETH; KARPF, RONALD
To: VISUAL EFFECT INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 041136/0651 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation In Part 1137272300 · Mar 10, 2006
Continuation In Part 1005460700 · Jan 22, 2002
Provisional Application 6066436900 · Mar 23, 2005
Provisional Application 6026349800 · Jan 23, 2001
Provisional Application 6066184700 · Mar 15, 2005
Related Publication 20080043203A1 · Feb 21, 2008