Evident Productions

Sony has filed a patent that has somehow dodged the tech press.  The technology behind it however is nothing new but simply ADAPTING technology that is already present and using it in a new way.

What it is-

Sony has devised a technology that would provide an alternative to using a split screen setup with a TV for multiple images at one time.  The most common use of this is when users play a multi-person game requiring interaction from all players at the same time.  Some times the screens are split in 2 side by side views.  Other times the screen is split even into 4.  This is fine when experiencing this on a large television screen, but when you split a screen up into 2 or 4 sections on smaller screens the viewing experience is much harder.  This is mostly due to the detail views and graphics being smaller and more difficult to read, watch, or notice.

How it works-

Using associated 3D glasses Sony has devised a way to display 2 different channels of 2D content on the same screen.  The method is quite simple and uses the basics of 3D technology.

There are some basics of 3D technology and viewing that you need to understand first before understanding Sony’s new patent.  With a 3D viewing experience whether you’re watching 3D content in a polarized, anaglyphic, spectral, lenticular, or other formats the viewer is seeing two images.  The glasses used help to separate or FILTER the images unique to the left and right eyes.  The images “blend” in the human mind through tricking the eyes that they’re seeing the same image.  Consequently the depth of the image is then adjusted based on the reference of those two images to each other.  The result is the effect of feeling like that water splash on the screen is coming right at you, or that plane that just zoomed over your head is getting further away from you.  All of those effects are based on the reference of the images to each other.

In essence you’re seeing 2 images, but you’re mind is TRICKED into seeing one.  That’s why when you take off the glasses in the theater it looks blurry.  The reason is because you’re now looking at TWO image references at the same time without separating the imaging for your eyes to process individually.

What Sony came up with was the concept of taking that 3D double image technology and using it to give TWO individual 2D, HD experiences both at the same time off of the same screen.  In essence one viewer will be able to see what in the 3D world was shown to the left eye while the other viewer will be viewing what was being show to the right eye.  Each person would still need to wear a pair of glasses to view their individual content, but instead of each eye getting different images the content would be giving BOTH EYES the same content that was filtered from the other viewers experience.

Without going into details, Sony’s patent on this technology is also developing the experience to where more than 2 users would be able to use this technology on the same TV screen at the same time.  By using the Z-axis which gives the “depth” effect for 3D content Sony is working on making this technology available for 3, 4, and even more users at the same point in time.

What it means for the consumer experience-

The associated glasses that were also filed with this patent provide for the individual viewing experience.  So imagine that multi-viewer gaming experience again that is normally split into 2 or 4 boxes for multi-user modes currently.  With this new technology those images that were once smaller based on splitting the screen up will all be able to take full advantage of the entire screen dimensions.  No longer is a multi-user experience going to be 10”-20” per user, but now they can all watch it on the 55” screen the content is being displayed.

Why you would want it-

Sony is working on this patent to be initially used with their gaming consoles but the experience reaches beyond just a gamers experience and into regular TV viewing.  With this technology, gone will be the days of everyone fighting over the remote, and someone missing out on their favorite show while someone else watches something different.

For the couple constantly arguing over whether to watch the 1200th rerun of “Die Hard” over “Dancing with the Stars,” your disgruntled days are over.  Now each of you can watch your favorite shows at the same time together on the same TV screen with independent viewing experience.

I know what you’re thinking, "Well that’s fine, but I don’t care to LISTENT to Die Hard while I’m watching dancing with the stars."  True, audio doesn’t work the same way, but Sony was already thinking about that with their glasses patented for this as well.  Look at the diagram again.  Each screen of glasses will have their own earbuds which will allow for individual audio experiences to go along with viewing the isolated content.   Does this bring harmony to a families TV viewing experience on a whole new level?  I THINK SO!

When should we expect it on the market-

Sony’s been working on this for over a year now.  However, 3D content, hardware and other products are constantly being put on the market both in the consumer and professional worlds on a daily basis.  I would not be surprised if Sony debuted this at CES 2011 along with a new line of play stations, and multi-tuners that would allow for multiple signals to be brought into these special TV screens for this single screen, multi-content viewing experience.  There’s no way to tell the price or even begin to estimate what it will cost, but as the price of 3D TV screens are dropping consumers should expect this to be right above the price of the 3D screens currently out on the market.