Patent ID: 7428001
Filing Date: 2008-09-23
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for more accurately conveying depth in an image, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying an image to a viewer on a large depth of focus display wherein all elements in the image are initially displayed at an optical focus level that is substantially the same for all elements, thereby simulating an unnatural or artificial viewing condition, since elements viewed at different distances from the viewer would naturally appear at different focus levels; (b) determining an accommodation for an eye of the viewer who is watching the image on the large depth of focus display, as a gaze of the viewer is directed toward an element in the image; and (c) displaying an image having an apparent focus plane that tracks the accommodation of the viewer by adding blurring to other elements in the image in proportion to their distance in depth from the viewpoint of the viewer, so that as the accommodation of the viewer watching the large depth of focus display changes to focus the eye of the viewer at a different viewing distance, the image that is displayed is changed to more accurately visually convey depth in the image that is displayed, based on the accommodation that was determined and thereby simulating a natural viewing condition.