Three-dimensional visualization of two-dimensional images

Abstract

A system for three-dimensional (3D) display of two-dimensional (2D) images. The system includes a primary horizontal plate, a primary sheet, one or more transparent lateral plates, one or more light sources, and a lighting control system. A surface of the primary horizontal plate includes one or more side regions. The primary sheet is attached to the surface and includes one or more 2D images. Each of the one or more 2D images is located at a respective side region. An inner surface of a respective transparent lateral plate faces a respective 2D image and forms an acute angle with a respective side region. The inner surface is configured to display a 3D image of the respective 2D image behind the inner surface of the respective transparent lateral plate. The lighting control system is configured to keep illuminance of the 3D image at a predefined range.

Description

THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISUALIZATION OF TWO-DIMENSIONALIMAGESTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to optics, and particularly, to generating three- dimensional images.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Three-dimensional (3D) images have recently become increasingly popular in different applications, such as advertising, picture frames, anatomical atlases, storefront displays, billboards, etc. There have been several approaches for displaying 3D images in different applications [US Patents no. 8,427,526, 9,411,167, and 10,741,108], However, existing approaches may require expensive equipment and may have limited applicability (such as some 3D billboards). There is, therefore, a need for a cost-efficient approach for 3D image display that may be feasible in different fields and applications.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the present disclosure, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of the present disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

[0004] In one general aspect, the present disclosure describes an exemplary system for three- dimensional (3D) visualization of two-dimensional (2D) images. An exemplary system may include a primary horizontal plate, a primary sheet, one or more transparent lateral plates, one or more light sources, and a lighting control system. An exemplary surface of the primary horizontal plate may include one or more side regions. An exemplary color of the primary sheet outside the one or more 2D images may be black.

[0005] An exemplary primary sheet may be attached to the surface of the primary horizontal plate and may include one or more 2D (curved or flat) images. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more 2D images may be located at a respective side region of the one or more side regions.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more transparent lateral plates may be made of one of glass or polycarbonate. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective transparent lateral plate of the one or more transparent lateral plates may include a respective proximal side of one or more proximal sides and a respective distal side of one or more distal sides. An exemplary respective proximal side may be located between the primary horizontal plate and the respective distal side. In an exemplary embodiment, the respective proximal side is attached to the primary horizontal plate. An exemplary inner surface of a respective transparent lateral plate of the one or more transparent lateral plates may face a respective 2D image of the one or more 2D images and may form an acute angle with a respective side region of the one or more side regions. An exemplary inner surface may display a 3D image of the respective 2D image behind the inner surface of the respective transparent lateral plate.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light sources may illuminate the one or more 2D images and the 3D image. Exemplary one or more light sources may include one or more lamps that may be placed behind the one or more side regions of the primary horizontal plate. An exemplary lighting control system may be configured to keep illuminance of the 3D image at a predefined range.

[0008] An exemplary lighting control system may include one or more light meters and a dimmer. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light meters may measure the illuminance of the 3D image and illuminance of edges of the primary horizontal plate. Exemplary edges of the primary horizontal plate may be curved. An exemplary dimmer may be coupled to the one or more light meters and the one or more light sources and may include one or more processors. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more processors may compare the illuminance of the 3D image with the illuminance of the edges and may increase the illuminance of the 3D image to a level higher than the illuminance of the edges responsive to the illuminance of the 3D image being lower than the illuminance of the edges.

[0009] An exemplary system may further include a secondary horizontal plate and a secondary sheet. In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary horizontal plate may be attached to the respective distal side. Exemplary edges of the secondary horizontal plate may be curved. An exemplary inner surface of the secondary horizontal plate may form an acute angle with an outer surface of the respective transparent lateral plate. An exemplary secondary sheet may be attached to the inner surface of the secondary horizontal plate and may include an additional 2D image. An exemplary color of the secondary sheet outside the additional 2D image may beblack. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light sources may further illuminate the additional 2D image. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light sources may further include one or more additional lamps that may be placed behind the secondary horizontal plate. An exemplary outer surface of the respective transparent lateral plate may display a 3D image of the additional 2D image behind the outer surface of the respective transparent lateral plate.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more proximal sides may form respective sides of a regular polygon. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective inner surface of the one or more transparent lateral plates may include a respective lateral face of a convex polyhedron. An exemplary base of the convex polyhedron may include the regular polygon. Exemplary one or more transparent lateral plates may include equal sizes and shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more transparent lateral plates may include a trapezoidal shape.

[0011] Other exemplary systems, methods, features and advantages of the implementations will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the implementations, and be protected by the claims herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0013] FIG. 1A shows a schematic of a system for three-dimensional (3D) visualization of two-dimensional (2D) images, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. IB shows a schematic of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images with two horizontal plates, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 1C shows a schematic of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images with multiple transparent lateral plates, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. ID shows a schematic of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images with multiple transparent lateral plates attached to a primary horizontal plate, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. IE shows a flowchart of a method for applying a second estimation process on a current signal of a power system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. IF shows a flowchart of a method for obtaining an estimated frequency of a power system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a lighting control system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a convex polyhedron, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a cross-section of transparent lateral plates of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a high-level functional block diagram of a computer system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and / or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0024] The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be readily apparent to one skilledin the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0025] Herein is disclosed an exemplary system for three-dimensional (3D) visualization of two-dimensional (2D) images. An exemplary system may have one or more 2D pictures that may be displayed on different sides of a plate. An exemplary system may also include one or more transparent plates that may be placed slantwise on the plate, facing the 2D images. An exemplary light source may illuminate locations of 2D pictures so that the 2D pictures may be visualized like a 3D image on other sides of the transparent plates. Illumination of different areas of an exemplary system may be controlled by a lighting control system (such as a dimmer) so that areas outside 2D images (such as plate edges) may not be shown in 3D images. As a result, exemplary 3D images may appear floating in the air, thereby being visualized as real 3D images.

[0026] FIG. 1A shows a schematic of a system for three-dimensional (3D) visualization of two-dimensional (2D) images, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. An exemplary system 100A may include a primary horizontal plate 102, a primary sheet 104, one or more transparent lateral plates (for example, a transparent lateral plate 106), one or more light sources (for example, light sources 108A and 108B), and a lighting control system. An exemplary surface 110 of primary horizontal plate 102 may include one or more side regions (for example, a side region 112). In an exemplary embodiment, a “horizontal plate” may refer to a plate that may be a basis for defining an orientation of a “lateral plate”, as discussed below. Nevertheless, in an exemplary embodiment, system 100A may be rotated in different directions as a whole.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, primary sheet 104 may be attached to surface 110 of primary horizontal plate 102 and may include one or more 2D images (for example, a 2D image 114). In an exemplary embodiment, 2D image 114 may be a still photo or a motion picture. An exemplary motion picture may be displayed on a display unit or may be projected on primary horizontal plate 102 by a video projector or a similar device. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more 2D images may be located at a respective side region of one or more side regions. For example, 2D image 114 may be located at side region 112.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, each respective transparent lateral plate of the one or more transparent lateral plates may include a respective proximal side of one or more proximal sides and a respective distal side of one or more distal sides. For example, transparent lateral plate 106 may include a proximal side 116 and a distal side 118. In an exemplary embodiment, proximal side 116 may be located between primary horizontal plate 102 and distal side 118. An exemplary inner surface of each respective transparent lateral plate of the one or more transparent lateral plates may face a respective 2D image of the one or more 2D images and may form an acute angle with a respective side region of the one or more side regions. For example, an inner surface 120 of transparent lateral plate 106 may face 2D image 114 and may form an acute angle 122 with side region 112. In an exemplary embodiment, acute angle 122 may be between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, inner surface 120 may display a 3D image 124 of 2D image 114 behind inner surface 120. In an exemplary embodiment, transparent lateral plate 106 may be made of one of glass or polycarbonate so that reflected light from 2D image 114 may pass through transparent lateral plate 106, thereby displaying 3D image 124 behind inner surface 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the color of primary sheet 104 outside the one or more 2D images (for example, outside 2D image 114) may be black so that only contents of 2D image 114 may be shown in 3D image 124. As a result, exemplary 3D image 124 may appear floating in the air, thereby being visualized as a real 3D object.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, light sources 108A and 108B may illuminate 2D image 114 and 3D image 124. Exemplary one or more light sources may include one or more lamps that may be placed behind the one or more side regions of primary horizontal plate 102. For example, light sources 108A and 108B may include one or more lamps that may be placed behind side region 112.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a lighting control system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGs. 1A and 2, an exemplary lighting control system 200 may keep illuminance of 3D image 124 at a predefined range. An exemplary predefined range may be determined based on ambient light and illuminance of 3D image 124 so that areas outside 2D image 114, specially edges (for example, edges 126A, 126B, and 126C) of primary horizontal plate 102 do not appear in an area where 3D image 124 may be observed. In an exemplary embodiment, lighting control system 200 may include one or more light meters 202 (for example, light meters 202A, 202B, and 202C) and a dimmer 204.In an exemplary embodiment, one or more light meters 202 may refer to devices that may measure the illuminance of 3D image 124 and illuminance of edges of primary horizontal plate 102. In an exemplary embodiment, dimmer 204 may refer to a device that may be coupled to one or more light meters 202 and one or more light sources 206 and may include one or more processors. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more light sources 206 may include light sources 108A and 108B or more light sources. Exemplary one or more processors may compare the illuminance of 3D image 124 with illuminance of exemplary edges (for example, edges 126A, 126B, and 126C) and may increase the illuminance of 3D image 124 to a level higher than the illuminance of the edges responsive to the illuminance of 3D image exemplary being lower than the illuminance of the edges. In an exemplary embodiment, an average illuminance of exemplary edges may be calculated and illuminance of 3D image 124 may be compared with the average value. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more light sources 206 may be utilized to increase the illuminance of 3D image 124. For example, if the illuminance of 3D image 124 is lower than the illuminance of edge 126A or edge 126B, dimmer 204 may increase the light of light source 108A. As a result, exemplary edges of primary horizontal plate 102 may not be seen along with 3D image 124. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, 3D image 124 may appear floating in the air, thereby being visualized as a real 3D image.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, edges of primary horizontal plate 102 (for example, edges 126A, 126B, and 126C) may be curved so that exemplary edge images may not be displayed along with 3D image 124. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, 3D image 124 may appear floating in the air, thereby being displayed as a real 3D image.

[0032] FIG. IB shows a schematic of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images with two horizontal plates, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGs. 1A and IB, an exemplary system 100B may have similar elements and functionality to system 100A and may further include a secondary horizontal plate 128 and a secondary sheet 130. In an exemplary embodiment, secondary horizontal plate 128 may be attached to distal side 118. An exemplary inner surface 132 of secondary horizontal plate 128 may form an acute angle 133 with an outer surface 134 of transparent lateral plate 106. In an exemplary embodiment, secondary sheet 130 may be attached to inner surface 132 and may include an additional 2D image 136. An exemplary color of secondary sheet 130 outside additional 2D image 136 may be black. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more light sources 206 (for example, light sources 108C and 108D) may illuminate additional 2D image136. In an exemplary embodiment, light sources 108C and 108D may include one or more additional lamps that may be placed behind secondary horizontal plate 128. In an exemplary embodiment, outer surface 134 may display a 3D image 138 of additional 2D image 136 behind outer surface 134.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, edges of secondary horizontal plate 128 (for example, edges 140A, 140B, and 140C) may be curved so that exemplary edge images may not be displayed along with 3D image 138. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, 3D image 138 may appear floating in the air, thereby being displayed as a real 3D image.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a convex polyhedron, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. An exemplary convex polyhedron 300 may include a base that may be a regular polygon 302. Referring to FIGs. 1A and 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the one or more proximal sides may form respective sides of regular polygon 302. For example, proximal side 116 may form a side 304 of regular polygon 302. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective inner surface of the one or more transparent lateral plates may include a respective lateral face of convex polyhedron 300. For example, inner surface 120 may include a lateral face 306 of convex polyhedron 300.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a cross-section of transparent lateral plates of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Exemplary lateral transparent lateral plates 400 may form four lateral faces out of five lateral faces of a pentahedron. Exemplary proximal sides of transparent lateral plates 400 may form four sides of a regular pentagon 402. For example, a proximal side 404 of a transparent lateral plate 406 may form one side of regular pentagon 402. In an exemplary embodiment, lateral transparent lateral plates 400 may include equal sizes and shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more transparent lateral plates (for example, lateral transparent lateral plate 406) may include a trapezoidal shape.

[0036] FIG. 1C shows a schematic of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images with multiple transparent lateral plates, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGs. 1A and 1C, an exemplary system 100C may have elements similar to those of system 100A and may further have multiple transparent lateral plates 142. In an exemplary embodiment, system 100C may have a primary horizontal plate 144 (similar to primary horizontal plate 102) that may be placed above transparent lateral plates 142 that may form a shape similar to convex polyhedron 300. In an exemplary embodiment, primaryhorizontal plate 144 may have multiple side regions (for example, a side region 146 similar to side region 112). In an exemplary embodiment, each of the multiple side regions may correspond to a respective transparent lateral plates of transparent lateral plates 142. For example, side region 146 may form an acute angle with a surface (similar to inner surface 120) of transparent lateral plate 148. Further details of system 100C may be similar to system 100A described above.

[0037] FIG. ID shows a schematic of a system for 3D visualization of 2D images with multiple transparent lateral plates attached to a primary horizontal plate, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. An exemplary system 100D may be similar to system 100C. However, in an exemplary embodiment, system 100D may have transparent lateral plates 150 (similar to transparent lateral plates 142) that may be attached to a primary horizontal plate 152 (similar to primary horizontal plate 144). In an exemplary embodiment, a proximal side of each of transparent lateral plates 150 may be attached to primary horizontal plate 152. For example, a proximal side 154 (similar to proximal side 116) of a transparent lateral plate 156 (similar to transparent lateral plate 148) may be attached to primary horizontal plate 152. In an exemplary embodiment, a region on a surface of primary horizontal plate 152 that may be enclosed between proximal side 154 and an edge 158 of primary horizontal plate 152 may form a side region 160 (similar to side region 146). Further details of system 100D may be similar to system 100C described above.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows an example computer system 500 in which an embodiment of the present invention, or portions thereof, may be implemented as computer-readable code, consistent with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, exemplary processors of dimmer 204 may be implemented in computer system 500 using hardware, software, firmware, tangible computer readable media having instructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. Hardware, software, or any combination of such may embody any of the modules and components in FIGs. 1A-4.

[0039] If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. One ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers,mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device.

[0040] For instance, a computing device having at least one processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above-described embodiments. A processor device may be a single processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may have one or more processor “cores.”

[0041] An embodiment of the invention is described in terms of this example computer system 500. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention using other computer systems and / or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and / or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multiprocessor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

[0042] Processor device 504 may be a special purpose (e.g., a graphical processing unit) or a general -purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor device 504 may also be a single processor in a multi-core / multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. Processor device 504 may be connected to a communication infrastructure 506, for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message-passing scheme.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, computer system 500 may include a display interface 502, for example a video connector, to transfer data to a display unit 530, for example, a monitor. Computer system 500 may also include a main memory 508, for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 510. Secondary memory 510 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 512, and a removable storage drive 514. Removable storage drive 514 may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. Removable storage drive 514 may read from and / or write to a removable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 518 may include a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, etc., which may be read by and written to by removable storage drive 514. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit 518 may include a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and / or data.

[0044] In alternative implementations, secondary memory 510 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 500. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 522 and an interface 520. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces 520 which allow software and data to be transferred from removable storage unit 522 to computer system 500.

[0045] Computer system 500 may also include a communications interface 524. Communications interface 524 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 500 and external devices. Communications interface 524 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communications interface 524 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 524. These signals may be provided to communications interface 524 via a communications path 526. Communications path 526 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communications channels.

[0046] In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage unit 518, removable storage unit 522, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 512. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory 508 and secondary memory 510, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).

[0047] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 508 and / or secondary memory 510. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 524. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system 500 to implement different embodiments of the present disclosure as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor device 504 to implement the processes of the present disclosure, such as the operations of exemplary processors in dimmer 204 discussed above. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of computer system 500. Where an exemplary embodiment of operations of exemplary processors in dimmer 204 is implemented using software, the software may bestored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 500 using removable storage drive 514, interface 520, and hard disk drive 512, or communications interface 524.

[0048] Embodiments of the present disclosure also may be directed to computer program products including software stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing device, causes a data processing device to operate as described herein. An embodiment of the present disclosure may employ any computer useable or readable medium. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.).The embodiments have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0049] While the foregoing has described what may be considered to be the best mode and / or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

[0050] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0051] The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfythe requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

[0052] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

[0053] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0054] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations. This is for purposes of streamlining the disclosure, and is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

[0055] While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in theaccompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and / or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for three-dimensional (3D) visualization of two-dimensional (2D) images, the system comprising: a primary horizontal plate, a surface of the primary horizontal plate comprising one or more side regions; a primary sheet attached to the surface of the primary horizontal plate, the primary sheet comprising one or more 2D images, each of the one or more 2D images located at a respective side region of the one or more side regions; one or more transparent lateral plates, each respective transparent lateral plate of the one or more transparent lateral plates comprising a respective proximal side of one or more proximal sides and a respective distal side of one or more distal sides, the respective proximal side located between the primary horizontal plate and the respective distal side, an inner surface of a respective transparent lateral plate of the one or more transparent lateral plates facing a respective 2D image of the one or more 2D images and forming an acute angle with a respective side region of the one or more side regions, the inner surface configured to display a 3D image of the respective 2D image behind the inner surface of the respective transparent lateral plate; one or more light sources configured to illuminate the one or more 2D images and the 3D image; and a lighting control system configured to keep illuminance of the 3D image at a predefined range.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting control system comprises: one or more light meters configured to measure the illuminance of the 3D image and illuminance of edges of the primary horizontal plate; and a dimmer coupled to the one or more light meters and the one or more light sources, the dimmer comprising one or more processors configured to: compare the illuminance of the 3D image with the illuminance of the edges; and increase, utilizing the one or more light sources, the illuminance of the 3D image to a level higher than the illuminance of the edges responsive to the illuminance of the 3D image being lower than the illuminance of the edges.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the edges are curved.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a secondary horizontal plate attached to the respective distal side, an inner surface of the secondary horizontal plate forming an acute angle with an outer surface of the respective transparent lateral plate; and a secondary sheet attached to the inner surface of the secondary horizontal plate, the secondary sheet comprising an additional 2D image; wherein: the one or more light sources are further configured to illuminate the additional2D image; and the outer surface of the respective transparent lateral plate is configured to display a 3D image of the additional 2D image behind the outer surface of the respective transparent lateral plate.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein edges of the primary horizontal plate and the secondary horizontal plate are curved.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein: a color of the primary sheet outside the one or more 2D images is black; and a color of the secondary sheet outside the additional 2D image is black.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more light sources comprise: one or more lamps placed behind the one or more side regions of the primary horizontal plate; and one or more additional lamps placed behind the secondary horizontal plate.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more proximal sides form respective sides of a regular polygon.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each respective inner surface of the one or more transparent lateral plates comprises a respective lateral face of a convex polyhedron, a base of the convex polyhedron comprising the regular polygon.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more transparent lateral plates comprise equal sizes and shapes.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the one or more transparent lateral plates comprises a trapezoidal shape.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or more lamps placed behind the one or more side regions of the primary horizontal plate.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more transparent lateral plates is made of one of glass or polycarbonate.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein a color of the primary sheet outside the one or more 2D images is black.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the acute angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the respective proximal side is attached to the primary horizontal plate.

Images