WO2011089454A1

WO2011089454A1 - Book shaped device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs without usage of special glasses or any additional devices

Info

Publication number: WO2011089454A1
Application number: PCT/HR2011/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nenad Bezmalinovic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-19
Filing date: 2011-01-14
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-19
Also published as: HRP20100036A2; HRPK20100036B3

Abstract

The invention is used for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs and does not require the use of 3D-glasses or any additional equipment. It is in the form of a book or a box for digital media such as CD or DVD discs, the 4 parts of which unfold like accordion. Two mirrors (3) with the reflective surface on the front side are in the middle, and the pairs of photographs (7L and 7D) are placed on the inner side of the book covers or the box. In the version for multiple usages the pockets (6) on the book covers allow the exchange of the sets of the photograph pairs. The sensation experienced in viewing the stereoscopic photograph is real and without any distortions or other visual difficulties. Furthermore, there are no uncomfortable extra effects on the user, such as headaches and dizziness occurring when using stereoscopes or 3D-glasses. It is applicable to the collections of private photographs and the publications of books, textbooks, as well as promotional and educational attachments to periodicals such as magazines, containing artistic and scientific photographs, as well as special issues of digital media in boxes.

Description

BOOK SHAPED DEVICE FOR KEEPING AND VIEWING STEREOSCOPIC PHOTOGRAPHS WITHOUT USAGE OF SPECIAL GLASSES OR ANY

ADDITIONAL DEVICES

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical field to witch this invention is related This invention belongs to special technical equipment or devices with mirrors intended for keeping and displaying 3D publications including different kinds of printed materials, such as books, catalogs, advertising materials, instructions for usage, magazines and the like. This implies the presentation of photos or texts or the combinations thereof, depending on the need. The invention may be classified in G 03B 35/24 according to the International Patent Classification.

Technical problem

Standard two-dimensional photos (2D) printed in color cannot truly display three- dimensional objects from the real world. Because of that it is more advisable to watch three-dimensional photographs (3D) which are taken by means of known technical procedures and materials. However, because of the relatively expensive and complicated equipment concerned, the usage thereof is not practical or accessible to the masses and that is why it is not in mass production.

A technical problem to be solved by this invention is how to design and form the equipment in which 3D-photographs can be kept and which has everything that is necessary for watching the photographs with the naked eye without using any additional technical equipment, such as 3D glasses or special stereoscopic equipment. This invention has to enable usage of 3D photographs also on compact disks boxes (for example CD and DVD). The usage has to be simple and it must not cause any uncomfortable extra effects on the user, such as headaches and dizziness. The shape, design and the selected materials used in this invention have to assure the production expenses and the total price of the equipment for keeping and viewing 3D-photographs as low as possible. State of the art

Out of all the known technical solutions for presentations of 3D photographs the most known are presentations in printed books and magazines in the form of anaglyphs, which are visible with the help of 3D polarized glasses. Stereoscopes - devices with or without extra optics for displaying different types of 3D photographs are very widely used too. There are several kinds of reflective stereoscopes the embodiments of which include glass or lenses and their combinations. However, the fact is that common to all of the existing solutions is that their functional assemblies consist of at least two physically separated units:

1) Photograph itself - an object to be viewed (anaglyph in the form of one photograph, that is, a stereo-pair: two photographs which are physically attached together or separated.)

2) Equipment by means of which a photograph can be viewed - any kind of stereoscopic glasses or equipment.

Due to the mentioned separation of those two units, there are a series of difficulties, making the usage complicated and requiring specific training, and also causing some unacceptable additional effects (for example, headache, dizziness, eye fatigue and the like). Therefore, 3D photograph remained relatively unknown and not used in the every day life, such as for private use, for educational and state institutions purposes (for example universities, police and the courts), for the usage in industry and mass entertainment.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

The essence of this invention is that a device itself, which is in the shape of a book for keeping 3D-photographs, contains two special mirrors as equipment for viewing those photographs, thus making one unit, which is mobile and easy to use. The mirrors have a reflective surface on the front side of the glass to avoid occurrence of a double picture. By comparison with the existing solutions, advantages are the following:

- There are no adjustments of "septum," and extra difficulties like showing lateral parts of the picture in eye sight field.

- There is no need for long and very detailed explanation of usage to every new user (as noticed in my own experience)

- There are no occurrence of so called "ghosts" (double pictures while watching anaglyph)

- There is no losing and then looking for 3D glasses (that often happens in practice)

- There is no problem of "perfectly calm hands", which is the case while using some of the hand-stereoscopes

- There are no lenses to be moved apart in order to adjust the distance depending on every individual eye

- There is no eye strain or fatigue while watching

- There is no interaction between the lenses of ordinary eye glasses (or spectacle lenses) and the lenses of the apparatus - stereoscope, which usually makes getting a sharp picture impossible

- There are no colorations, aberrations or similar side effects which are known when using stereoscope with lenses

- There is no need for any energy power or power supply (no engine, lighting etc.)

- The basic book unit with extra covers and viewing equipment is very simple and can be used for periodicals like magazines, whereas a set of bound 3D photographs could be exchanged

- The tolerance (divergence) of the angle between the mirror and the photograph while watching is very big

- The book (as funny as it seems, or not?), can also be used as a simple mirror

List of Figures

Fig. 1 - A book unit comprising 3D photographs in a position for viewing

Fig. 2 - A box for digital media comprising 3D photographs in a position for viewing Fig. 3 - A developed book unit comprising 3D photographs and pockets for an

exchangeable set of photographs Fig. 4 - The basic frame with mirrors and permanently fixed 3D photographs

Fig. 5 - Left and right book with pairs of 3D photographs

Fig. 6 - Shaping of a pocket for a set of 3D photographs and a protective sheet

installation

Fig. 7 - Mirrors installation

Fig. 8 - Border installation

Fig. 9 - Assembling and disassembling phases

DESCRIPTION IN DETAIL

The invention itself or a 3D book comprises of two parts: a) Basic frame (1) in the shape of a book or a box for digital media (Fig. 2), which

unfolds like an accordion with rectangular planes A, B, C, D which are flexibly connected with three transversal folds, so that a pair of mirrors (3) with a reflecting layer on the front side is fixed to the central planes B and C, and the pairs of 3D photographs are fixed to the end planes A and D, b) Two books - sets of 3D photographs (Fig. 5), with left (7L) and right (7D)_pairs of 3D photographs, which are fixed to the end planes A and D.

Of course, the sets of photographs imply the possible combinations of photographs and text, but also include the notice that the pictures of stereo-pairs have to be on the lower sides of the book pages. This is important because of the fact that the book leaves in the position for viewing have to be approximately in vertical position in relation to a leveled horizontal surface, which means under the angle of approximately 45 degrees in relation to mirrors.

Consequently, the left photographs of stereo-pairs are situated on the lower sides of the left book sets (7L) and they are bound on the right side (Fig. 4), and the text is on the upper sides. By analogy, the right photographs of stereo-pairs are on the lower side of the right book sets (7D) and they are bound on the left side (Fig. 4), and the text is on the upper sides. It is important that 3D photographs are imprinted horizontally opposite in an angle of 180 degrees because of the fact that the mirror itself makes the left - right interchange in the picture, for the final photo to be in harmony with the original sides of the snapshot.

Moreover, from all the possible ways of binding books, a spiral binding is the best for the 3D photograph sets. In praxis a spiral binding is the only binding which allows every leaf of the book to be completely leveled and kept in the position for viewing, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a sharp and not distorted 3D photograph. Any other way of binding books would cause small or big distortion of the book leaves closer to the median position in the book, and that would result in a small or big deformation in the final 3D photograph. On the lower side of the basic mirror frame (1) (Fig. 8), the border (8) in the shape of tape, made of flexible material (such as paper or PVC) is glued, which, when stretched, allows the mirrors (3) to be inserted under the angle of approximately 45 degrees. With this, the stability of the mirrors during the time of viewing is effective. When the book is not in use, this tape is folded in the middle and is inserted between the lower sides of the mirrors frame (1). The role of this border is very important because it allows smooth paging and immediate finding of a 3D object desired to be viewed. During the reading of the book, analogous with the reading of standard books with leaves, the border (8) is placed in the folded position and is invisible, accordingly. On the upper sides of the basic mirror frame (1) (Fig. 6), on surfaces A and D there are protective sheets (5), of the size of the book's page fixed with glue to cover the pertaining mirror (3) (Fig. 4) and protect it from fingers pollution caused by reading, or from dirt such as dust or smoke. Each protective sheet (5) is turned in a position to protect the mirror (3) during reading, and while viewing 3D photographs that protective sheet has to be simply turned in an opposite position, and put under all of the other book pages. While closing the book completely, it is recommendable to put the protective page (5) back on the mirror (3). Actually, this is not necessary, but otherwise, there is a possibility to dirty the mirror while opening the book for viewing photographs or reading. This invention includes three versions of the basic frame (1) with regard to the purpose:

Version A - for permanent usage of identical 3D photographs (Fig. 4) The right cover of the left book (7L) and the left cover of the right book (7D) are simply glued together or, for example, mechanically fixed on basic frame (1), in the way that the right cover of the left book (7L) is fixed on the surface A, and the left cover of the right book (7D) is fixed on the surface D. In this case, the sets of 3D photographs contained in the left and the right book remain there permanently.

Version B - for permanent usage of identical 3D photographs in the box for digital media (Fig. 2)

The basic frame in this version is the box for digital media (for example for CDs or DVDs) with four planes A, B, C, D on which the digital media discs are situated on the planes A and D. Instead of special mirrors from version A, on the upper side of the B and C planes, a thin reflective metal layer (for example like in the car's lights and flash lights) or any kind of material with a reflection capability on the front side is set in order to make space for the sets of the 3D photographs. The left and right sets of 3D photographs are fixed on one side on planes A and D by gluing or by placing them under the frame of CD or DVD media.

Version C - for exchangeable sets of 3D photographs (Fig. 3) One paper or cardboard tape (6) for shaping pockets by folding is glued on the lower side of each surface A and D. The width of the tape is compatible to the width of the book page, and the developed length of the tape is compatible to the double book height enlarged for the thickness of the book cover. These two pockets are intended to be used for inserting the sets of the connected printed materials, primarily 3D photographs from a private collection or from periodical attachments in magazines. The inserted sets could be replaced by the new ones by simply taking them out of the pockets, and because of that, this basic frame (1) version ensures its multiple uses. Thanks to such pockets on the main frame, photographs sets exchange is easy and fast. A protective piece (5) made of paper, folia or other protective material (Fig. 6) is glued upon surface "A" and "D" all the way to the folding A/B and C/D in both versions (A and C) of the basic frame (1). In order to close the book without any problem, in both versions between the surface A and B, or between C and D, the space width "a" is left (Fig. 3) on the frame (1) which is adequate to the thickness of the book or the attachment from magazine or the thickness of the sets of 3D photographs.

Special reflective mirrors (3) of the type "mirror on the front side" (fig. 7) are fitted on the surfaces B and C on the frame (1). There are several kinds of such mirrors, but for this purpose every kind is suitable, even some kinds of "stopsol" mirrors but with a little darker picture. It is important that those mirrors don't make a "double picture" which is the case with ordinary mirrors. They have a reflective layer on the bottom side of the glass which is not visible in the everyday viewing of two-dimensional pictures, as viewed in one mirror. Ordinary mirrors are not suitable for this invention, because of the "double picture" appearance which spoils the obtaining of a clear and authentic three-dimensional picture of the real world. The "mirrors on the front side of the glass" are fitted regardless of their kind, so their exchange in case of dirtiness or broken glass is possible in the following way: Cardboard inserts (2) as thick as a mirror, with a cutout completely suitable to the dimensions of the mirror (fig. 7), are being glued on the surfaces B and C of basic frame (1), preferably made of paper or thin cardboard. The covers (4) made of thin and firm cardboard with a slightly smaller cutout, which creates the pocket for inserting mirrors sideways, are glued on the same inserts. The size of the mirrors fit the book format and the only condition is that the mirrors are big enough in width and length, to be able to form the reflection of the 3 D photograph in its entirety.

Application of the invention This invention can be used without any special technical condition. The only requirement is to put the device in the shape of a book, or the box for digital media, on the flat, firm, and horizontal surface. The user needs to follow the instructions for usage and with easy movements of the fingers, adjust the inclination of the lateral sides with the pairs of the 3D photographs to a nearly vertical position. Eye sight has to be directed towards the connection of two mirrors and the angle between the mirrors has to be adjusted on nearly 45 degrees by synchronized horizontal movements of the surfaces A and D until the left and right picture in the mirrors overlap, creating a three-dimensional virtual reality picture. Accordingly, the user has to adjust the distance between the mirrors and his or her eyes, coming closer or going further away from the vertical center line of the distanced mirrors.

The device is portable; therefore its usage is not restricted to fixed location. The materials of witch this device are made and other additional assembling materials do not have any ecologically harmful impact and after its useful life cycle, waste materials should be sorted (paper, cardboard, glass) and recycled in the standard way.

The invention can be used not only for single publications (for example books, textbooks, encyclopedias, atlases, catalogs, and advertising materials) but also for periodicals such as weekly or monthly publications of the magazines or its attachments. In a special version of this invention a device can be used in combination with the box for digital media, so the 3D photographs related to audio-visual media subjects (for example concerts, exhibitions, advertisements and the like) could be seen with the naked eye. The most important of all is that all kinds and versions of the previously mentioned invention are completely independent of the usage of any kind of 3D glasses or any other additional viewing equipment.

Claims

1. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs, characterized by the fact that it consists of two units:

a) basic frame (1) in the shape of a book or a box for digital media (CD, DVD etc.) which unfolds such as accordion with 4 rectangular planes A, B, C, D interconnected with 3 transversal folds, on whose end planes A and D the pairs of 3D-photographs are fixed

b) a pair mirrors (3) on planes B and C which are longitudinally interconnected on the central fold B/C.

2. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claim 1, characterized by a pair of mirrors (3) made exclusively of special kind mirrors, without double images appearance on the edging of an object viewed, in such a manner that:

a) reflective surface is compulsory superposed on the upper side of the mirror's glass placed on planes B and C, or

b) reflective surface is placed on the upper side of the planes B and C on a plastic box for digital media, for example for CD and DVD discs.

3. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claim 1 in the version for single usage, characterized by the fact that the pairs of 3D photographs (7L and 7D) are permanently attached on the end planes A and D on the basic frame (1), in the way that the left pairs of photographs (7L) are fastened longitudinally by their right edge to plane A, whereas the right pairs of

photographs (7D) are fastened longitudinally by their left edge to plane D, for example by gluing.

4. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claim 1 in the version for multiple usage, characterized by the fact that the basic frame (1) has, on the end planes A and D, pockets (6) with openings on the planes perimeter, used for inserting interchangeable sets of 3D photographs pairs (7L and 7D), which are interconnected by spiral binding.

5. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claims from 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the border (8) in a shape of the tape made of flexible material, for example paper or PVC, is glued under the basic frame (1) on planes B and C, which, while stretched allows the mirror (3) to be inserted under the angle approximately 45 degrees, but is not visible at all when a device is closed, thanks to the fold in the middle.

6. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized by the fact that under each surface A and D on the frame (1) a pocket (6) is glued, with lateral opening, which is shaped by folding a paper or cardboard tape, whose width is compatible with the width of the book page, whereas the developed length of the tape is compatible with the double book height enlarged for thickness of the book cover, so the pocket's opening is compatible with the cover's dimensions of interchangeable pairs of 3D- photographs (7L and 7D).

7. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claims 1 and 2 in the version of the box for digital media characterized by the fact that it consists of: a) the basic frame (1) composed of 2 interconnected standard boxes for digital media for example for CD or DVD discs, whose 4 planes A, B, C, D (Fig. 2) unfold such as accordion,

b) mirrors formed on central plains B and C on whose upper side there is a thin reflective metal layer having the function of a mirror (3) providing mirroring effect on the front side, and thanks to minimal thickness of the reflection layer, the maximal free space required for thickness of the 3D- photograph sets when the box is closed is provided,

c) two square boxes for placing and fixing standard discs for digital media on frame (1) on the position on planes A and D,

d) two interconnected sets of 3D-photographs pairs (7L and 7D) fixed on lateral edges of boxes on planes A and D.

8. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claims from 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that it is applicable for promotional and educational purposes provided on:

a) single printing publications such as books, textbooks, encyclopedias, atlases, catalogs and prospectuses,

b) periodicals such as magazines issued weekly or monthly,

exclusively applicable without the use of special glasses or any additional devices.

9. Device for keeping and viewing stereoscopic photographs according to claims 1, 2 and 7, characterized by the fact that it is applicable for promotional and educational purposes provided as a special version of the box for digital medias for example CD or DVD discs, which, besides digital medias, contains at the same time attachments with 3D-photographs, exclusively applicable without the use special glasses or any additional devices.