SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY
1. 3D ARCADE GAME DISPLAYS
Xenotech have developed and patented a 3D arcade game display that
does not require the viewer to wear any glasses or other head wear
in order to see in full 3D.
The system has been developed to the stage of a working Rally Driving
simulator which gives life size images and a realistic 3D image of
the scenery.
The unique feature of the Xenotech system is that one large screen
may be simultaneously shared by a number of players - each only
seeing the images emanating from their games machine. This provides
tremendous cost and real estate savings. Discussions are at an
advanced stage with a major Japanese manufacturer and introduction to
the world market is planned for mid 1998. The technology can also be
used in a 2D version providing larger, high quality, shared screen
images with substantial cost savings over existing technologies. The
opportunity exists for corporations to participate in the introduction
of this exciting technology and the development of specific
applications.
2. 2D TO 3D CONVERSION PROCESS
This patent pending process is designed to provide the highest quality
of 2D to 3D conversion. Xenotech has demonstrated the potential of the
conversion process by showing segments of movies converted by the
process from 2D to 3D.
The process used is "Offline" meaning that the 3D effect in each scene
is completely under the control of an operator. The operator can
select, and edit if necessary, the depth of every object in the
particular scene being converted. The process starts by the operator
selecting the start and end frames of the scene to be converted. The
operator then selects the first frame of the scene and, using computer
mouse, selects each object in turn - the Xenotech software
automatically detecting and tracking each object through the scene.
The operator then uses a mouse to position each object to the desired
depth (rather like moving chess pieces). Once the depths of each
object have been selected the resulting 3D image can be previewed to
ensure an appropriate and consistent 3D effect is obtained. Since
the exact depth of each object can be altered this can be an iterative
process. The result is the finest 3D images available today.
The converted images can be viewed using any 3D display technology eg
LCD shutter glasses. These same 3D images can also be viewed on a
large cinema type screen with the viewers wearing low cost polaroid
glasses.
Xenotech are negotiating with movie studios and film library owners to
convert films and videos for showing on Television (distributed via
terrestrial, cable or satellite systems, or pre-recorded videos), in
cinemas, family entertainment centres, home theatres or via Digital
Video Discs on PC's.
3. TRANSMISSION OF 2D COMPATIBLE 3D IMAGES
Xenotech have a patent pending for this technology. The Xenotech
process allows converted 3D images to be transmitted over standard
broadcasting systems for viewing on TV receivers, utilising Xenotech's
3D glasses.
The 3D images are broadcast as the normal 2D image plus additional
data that enables a Xenotech decoder located at the viewers TV to
produce the 3D images from the 2D image in real time. Thus the system
is compatible with all existing TV systems and will be seen as normal
2D images on standard televisions. The decoder can be either a new
black box or built into existing cable/satellite decoders. The viewer
thus has the choice in watching in either 2D or 3D using appropriate
glasses. The system will also enable the transmission of live 3D
broadcasts - see section 5.
4. 3D GLASSES
Current LCD shutter glasses are not suitable for viewing 3D images on
a standard TV since annoying flicker occurs. Xenotech is developing a
new form of 3D glasses that completely eliminates this flicker and
enables very high quality 3D images to be viewed on a standard TV.
Commercial opportunities exist to further develop and market this
technology.
5. DEPTH ANALYSIS - SPECIAL EFFECTS AND GAMES APPLICATIONS
A substantial percentage of a modern Hollywood Blockbuster movie
budget isspent on the development of post-production special effects.
For example, of the 6 months spent in developing "Independence Day"
only 10 weeks were spent filming the live actors, the remainder of the
time was spent in developing the computer generated special effects.
Rather than blowing up real buildings or cars, such effects are more
often added in post-production using computer generated special
effects.
One reason for the high cost, and long time frames, of the
post-production special effects process is the fact that many effects
are painstakingly added to the original footage on a frame by frame
basis. The post-production special effects animator must also be
able to accurately estimate the depth of objects in a scene if effects
such as explosions, smoke trails and missiles are to look realistic.
This is because these, and other, effects rely on the artist
providing the correct perspective movement of the effect in every
frame as the scene progresses.
Presently the estimation of depth in each frame is made subjectively
by the animator and may necessitate a "trial and error" process.
If it were possible to provide the animator with an accurate
representation of the depth of every object, in each frame, then the
time taken to add the special effect will be substantially reduced.
The provision of object depth we call a "depth map".
This "depth map" can be provided by using the Xenotech 2D to 3D
conversion process.
The original 2D image and the depth map is then made available to the
animator to add the special effects. Since the exact depth of every
object in the image is accurately known there is little for the
animator to do - apart from adding the effect! The productivity
improvements of this technique are enormous - a ten times reduction in
special effects development time is typical.
Other applications
The provision of a 2D image and associated depth map can also be used
for other applications. Using this combination computer generated
objects can be added to video images and allowed to interact with the
video images in real time.
Current video games that incorporate pre-recorded video backgrounds,
and either video characters or computer generated characters,
generally provide character motion by allowing the player to choose
pre-recorded sequences of character movements. By preventing the
player from randomly selecting the path over which a character may
move, the depth of objects in the scene is not required to be known.
However, this severely limits the realism of the game and the player
soon learns the paths over which the characters will move.
By associating a depth map with each video frame then the player can
have complete freedom over the path the characters move. The game
would consist of pre-recorded live video and computer generated
characters. The depth map for each video frame would be provided
using the Xenotech 2D to 3D conversion process. Because in every
video frame the depth of each object can be provided, and since the
player can determine the depth of every character (using a mouse or
joystick for example), then the player can interactively position
characters behind of, or in front of, each object and select any path
through the objects. Since the Z distance into the video image is
also known then as the character moves into or out of the scene in the
Z direction the correct perspective (height) of the character can be
maintained.
This process also has applications for the use with virtual reality
headsets or other VR displays. Most 3D images developed for use with
VR headsets are computer generated, hence the X, Y & Z coordinates of
objects can be pre-determined. Since the position of input devices
eg 3D glove) will also be known then the user can interact with the
3D images. However, if 3D video is used then the coordinates of
objects will not be available and the user will not be able to
interact with objects in the video images. By developing a
depth map and associating it with every video frame then full
interaction with objects in the video image will be possible.
The application of this technology will result in substantial cost and
time savings.
6. 3D CAMERA ADAPTOR
Xenotech is developing a means of converting a standard film or video
camera to provide 3D recording capabilities. This is achieved by
fitting an optical device to the lens and a black box converter to the
camera output. The camera then produces its standard 2D images, which
can be broadcast as normal, as well as the 3D images. This
technology enables a low cost introduction of 3D images where real
time transmission is necessary, eg sports, news, concerts etc.
Xenotech is a world leader in the development of 3D technologies and
has a number of other exciting technologies under development.
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