Patent ID: 8952959
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for producing a three-dimensional relief from at least one two-dimensional digital (2D) image, the method being implemented in a computer system comprising one or more processors and a computer-controlled fabrication system, the method comprising the steps of: computing, using the one or more processors, a height field from a first 2D digital image and a second 2D digital image and illumination direction information, the height field defining a multiplicity of geometric surface elements arrayed in a 2D field, the multiplicity of geometric surface elements corresponding to a multiplicity of pixels of the first 2D digital image and the second 2D digital image, individual ones of the geometric surface elements corresponding to pixels of both the first 2D digital image and the second 2D digital image, individual ones of the geometric surface elements having at least one height parameter representing a displacement from a surface floor, individual ones of the geometric surface elements comprising multiple facets, each facet of a given geometric surface element having a different normal, including a first facet of a first geometric surface element having a first normal and a second facet of the first geometric surface element having a second normal that is not parallel to the first normal, wherein the first facet of the first geometric surface element corresponds to a first pixel of the first 2D digital image and the second facet of the first geometric surface element corresponds to a second pixel the second 2D digital image; and fabricating, using the computer-controlled fabrication system, an array of relief elements in a material, each relief element corresponding in shape, position in the height field, and height above the surface floor, to one of the geometric surface elements in the height field, wherein by virtue of the array of relief elements being illuminated from a first illumination direction and a second illumination direction, the individual facets of each relief element reproduce a pixel of either the first 2D digital image or the second 2D digital image depending on the illumination direction, including a first relief element that corresponds in shape, position in the height filed, and height above the surface floor to the first geometric surface element, the first relief element being fabricated to include the corresponding first facet and second facet, wherein the first facet of the first relief element reproduces the first pixel when the first relief element is illuminated from the first illumination direction, and the second facet of the first relief element reproduces the second pixel when the first relief element is illuminated from the second illumination direction, such that an observer perceives the first 2D digital image when the array of relief elements is illuminated from the first illumination direction and the observer perceives the second 2D digital image when the array of relief elements is illuminated from the second illumination direction.