D e s c r i p t i o n

The present invention relates to a method of multiple representation of a tridimensional subject and to a support for said representation.

It is known that any tridimensional object can be represented in the form of bidimensional pictures using a camera for example, which pictures reproduce the view thereof in a time-sequential manner from one or also several watching points. In the last-mentioned case the different bidimensional pictures are generally looked at in succession or made available on flat surfaces such as rigid panels, sheets of a photo album or any- other support, being disposed thereon in side by side relationship with each other; practically, when bidimensional pictures such as photos relating to the same tridimensional object taken from distinct watching points are looked at in known manner, no connection is made between the mutual positions in which said pictures are arranged and examined and the watching points from which the respective images have been obtained.

Under this situation the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a method of multiple representation of a tridimensional subject (be it a person, an object, a scene or other) and a support for the same multiple representation capable of giving a perception of the picture tridimensionality and an understanding of the different parts thereof in a more immediate and complete manner than obtained by a mere

view of one or more bidimensional pictures taken from as many distinct watching points and disposed side by side, in a plane, or in any case positioned without any connection with said points.

The technical task mentioned is substantially achieved by a method of multiple representation of a tridimensional subject and a support for said multiple representation that are characterised in that they comprise one or more of the technical solutions hereinafter claimed.

The description of a preferred embodiment of a method and a support in accordance with the invention is now taken hereinafter, by way of non-limiting example, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tridimensional object to be represented;

- Fig. 2 is a plan view of the object seen in Fig. 1 and of four watching points from which as many bidimensional images are taken; and

- Fig. 3 reproduces in a perspective view, a support adapted to engage the bidimensional pictures shown in Fig. 2 in accordance with the aims of the method of the invention.

With reference to the drawings, the method of multiple representation in accordance with the invention of any tridimensional subject 1 consists in first of all arranging one or possibly several shooting apparatus 7 for taking bidimensional pictures 6 of the same object 1. By the term "shooting apparatus" 7 it is intended herein a camera, but als ^~ o possibly a photocamera or a videocamera or in any case every device capable of taking bidimensional images of an object.

For example, in Fig. 2 it is assumed that from four distinct watching points A, B, C, D, the same number of tridimensional pictures or images 6 will be obtained.

In an original manner, the method then contemplates arrangement of the bidimensional pictures 6 thus obtained at mutually fixed positions corresponding to the respective watching points. In the example shown in the accompanying drawings, and more specifically in Fig. 3, the bidimensional picture 2 obtained from the watching point A and the bidimensional picture 3 obtained from the watching point B can be seen. Pictures 2 and 3 are fastened on a support in such a manner as to form a right angle between each other since also the shooting axes "a" and "b" passing through the watching points A and B respectively are disposed with a mutually perpendicular orientation.

Likewise, the picture obtained from the watching point C, not shown in Fig. 3, is disposed at an angle of 90° relative to picture 3 and the last picture obtained from point D. The last one in turn obviously forms a right angle with picture 2.

By operating in this manner four photos/shots 6 of the subject at the same time instant will be obtained, i.e. the views of the object by a watcher that is simultaneous at the four watching points.

If the tridimensional object of which a multiple representation is wished to be taken keeps under static conditions for at least a fixed time interval, provision of a single available shooting apparatus 7 will be possible, which apparatus will be submitted to subsequent operating positionings, within said time

interval, at distinct watching points in order to obtain respective bidimensional pictures 6 that in this case do not differ from those that would be obtained with a simultaneous operation of a number of shooting apparatus corresponding to the number of the watching points .

In this case too the four photos/shots 6 of the subject will be "equivalent" to four pictures taken at the same time instant from four different watching points.

If on the contrary the tridimensional object is subjected to movements, the method contemplates arrangement of as many shooting apparatus as the watching points, so that as many simultaneous pictures 6 will be obtained.

Obviously, reference has been hitherto made to a shot according to four different watching points, but actually everyone will be able to arbitrarily decide how many pictures of the same subject (even an infinite number thereof) he/she wishes to take. For instance, three different views according to watching points that are not necessarily angularly spaced apart the same distance from each other can be selected, and these views can be then reproduced on a support in such a manner as to respect the shooting point of one image relative to the others in the final representation.

The invention also relates to a support 4 for a multiple representation of a tridimensional object.

This support, that can be made of a material and with the sizes that are judged as the most appropriate for each specific concrete application and that can be

hollow or solid, has a plurality of faces 5 adapted to engage the same number of tridimensional pictures 6 taken from respective distinct watching points.

The faces 5 are mutually angled with an orientation corresponding to said watching points. For example, in the case shown in the accompanying figures, the support 4 comprises four faces 5 each of which is fastened to the two adjacent faces so as to form right angles therewith, since also the shooting axes from the four watching points highlighted in Fig. 2 have such an orientation. Practically, faces 5 define the side surface of a polyhedron that in the example shown is a prism with a rectangular or square base.

Photos 6 (or in any case the shots) can be applied to the support 4 (glued thereon, for example) or also suitably printed on, or in any case directly transferred onto the faces of same.

It is apparent that the pictures can be positioned on the faces 5 of the support 4 turned towards the outside as in the example in Fig. 3, but they can also be disposed on the same faces 5 turned towards the inside, should the support 4 be of the hollow type.

In this way a watcher at the inside of the support 4 would look at pictures 6 taken from various points of view and disposed around his/her figure.

The invention achieves important advantages.

In fact, it enables the spatiality of a tridimensional subject to be reconstructed with high efficiency by the only use of bidimensional images.

It is also pointed out that the invention enables a clear correspondence to be immediately established between the representation by images that is given of the parts of a tridimensional object and the complete view of said object directly watched in the reality.