One more brick onto the foundation.
Synthonics Patents Process for Creating 3-D Movies From Existing Film Footage
BusinessWire, Tuesday, June 09, 1998 at 10:21
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1998--
Development, Licensing Firm Expands List of Intellectual Property
Validations; Works to Turn Science Fiction Into Science 'Fact'
Advancing a corporate mandate to move realistic three-dimensional
(3-D) experiences out of the pages of science fiction novels and into
everyday life, Synthonics Inc. has been issued yet another technology
patent -- this one for techniques used to change any standard motion
picture into an undistorted, stereoscopic 3-D film.
The U.S. Patent Office assigned the award for a one-of-a-kind
process developed by Synthonics founder Dr. Charles Palm to automate
the conversion of sequential movie frames into accurately synchronized
3-D images.
According to Synthonics executives, the award means that any
movie, no matter how old or new, can become a more lifelike and
immersive viewing experience.
"Filmmakers can use this process to breathe new life into
classics and make the characters in any live-action blockbuster
already 'in the can' leap off the screen and into the viewer's lap,"
Mike Budd, president and chief executive officer, Synthonics
Technologies, said.
As with the previous three patents related to 3-D imaging,
Synthonics Technologies Inc. (OTC-BB:SNNT), parent company of
Synthonics Inc., plans to license the patented 3-D technology, this
time to filmmakers and production companies worldwide for use in
converting their warehouses of movies into new entertainment
properties.
"Sound and color revolutionized the movie industry in the first
half of this century," Budd said. "Now, studios are trying to make
films even more realistic by adding depth -- the third dimension.
Synthonics has met this second half of the century challenge with a
viable process that creates real 3-D and is also affordable."
Synthonics also expects the 2-D-to-3-D conversion process to be
used to extend the impact of educational films, documentaries and
business presentations.
Patents for Many Applications
Over the past year, the company has received four patents that
focus on turning 2-D images into 3-D replicas in a variety of
applications -- from creating full-depth images that can move easily
across the Internet and be used in electronic commerce to broadcasting
stereoscopic 3-D for high-definition television (HDTV).
Synthonics' most recently issued patent covers the step-by-step
process for substituting exact, calibrated 3-D digital replicas of
objects and environments in the film for their 2-D originals.
Entitled "Method and Apparatus for Converting a Two Dimensional
Motion Picture into a Three Dimensional Motion Picture," the new award
assures Synthonics there is currently no other photo-realistic
approach to making this transition on film.
Software developer Synthonics has filed a total of 17 U.S. and
six international patent applications since 1995. The applications
describe a variety of methods for creating and transmitting accurate
3-D digital images for use in interactive computer graphics
applications.
About Synthonics
Synthonics licenses advanced 3-D digital replication software
tools based on its patented "Rapid Virtual Reality" (RVR) technology
for use in CAD, virtual reality, animation and authoring software. As
a standalone or embedded tool, RVR translates objects and environments
into accurate 3-D digital replicas, quickly and affordably. Synthonics
also offers a 3-D content generation capability for those companies
that need custom content developed.
Synthonics' technology is ideal for creating 3-D graphical
content for use in education, electronic commerce, medical imaging,
archiving and computer-based training.
Synthonics Technologies (Electronic Bulletin Board symbol
"SNNT"), is based in Westlake Village. For information, call
818/707-6000, e-mail synthonics@synthonics.com, or visit the Web site:
synthonics.com.
CONTACT: The Bohle Company
Joseph Riser, 310/785-0515 ext. 205
josephr@bohle.com
Copyright 1998, Business Wire
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