Three-dimensional display method and device therefor

• US 20050030308A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Japan Science And Technology Agency
• Original Assignee: Japan Science And Technology Agency
• Inventors: Takaki, Yasuhiro
• Application Number:
  US10/493,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20050030308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/305 using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/31 using parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/32 using arrays of controllable light sources; using moving apertures or moving light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/351 for displaying simultaneously

Abstract

A three-dimensional display method and a device therefor are provided in which a number of images can be displayed in the horizontal directions while image skips can be eliminated by providing overlaps of display angular ranges between adjacent images having horizontal display directions.

A number of images are displayed in horizontal and vertical directions so that the display directions do not agree with each other, and by expanding vertical display angular ranges of entire images with a vertical-direction diffusion plate (17), a vertical display angular range common to the entire images is generated. In this common vertical display angular range, the entire images have different horizontal display directions. Thereby, a number of images can be displayed because image generating sources can be arranged also in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal directions.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional display method comprising the steps of:

two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of image-generating sources in horizontal and vertical directions so as to differentiate between horizontal display directions;

generating a vertical display angular range common to entire images by expanding the display angular ranges only in the vertical direction with a vertical-direction diffusion plate so as to cancel differences in the vertical display directions and to enable a number of images different in horizontal display directions to be displayed; and

generating a display angular range overlap between adjacent images so as to enable the images to be smoothly switched.

2. A three-dimensional display method comprising the steps of:

two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of imaging systems in horizontal and vertical directions so as to generate a plurality of images different in horizontal and vertical display directions; and

generating images different in horizontal display directions by the number of the imaging systems by expanding display angular ranges only in the vertical direction with a vertical-direction diffusion plate.

3. A three-dimensional display method comprising the steps of:

generating a number of light rays proceeding in different vertical and horizontal directions by corresponding each individual lens to a two-dimensional light-source array using each individual lens of a two-dimensional lens array as one pixel of stereoscopic display; and

generating images different in horizontal display directions as the entire two-dimensional lens array by the number of the light sources of the two-dimensional light-source array by expanding display angular ranges only in the vertical direction with a vertical-direction diffusion plate.

4. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) an array of two-dimensional image projectors two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions;

(b) an array of apertures arranged on the image-generating side of the two-dimensional image projector array;

(c) a common lens arranged on the image-generating side of the aperture array;

(d) a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the common lens; and

(e) an image plane generated in the vicinity of the vertical-direction diffusion plate,

(f) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.

5. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) an array of two-dimensional image displays two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions;

(b) an array of lenses arranged on the image-generating side of the two-dimensional image display array;

(c) an array of apertures arranged on the image-generating side of the lens array;

(d) a common lens arranged on the image-generating side of the aperture array; and

(e) a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the common lens; and

(f) an image plane generated in the vicinity of the vertical-direction diffusion plate,

(g) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.

6. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) an array of illumination optical systems two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions;

(b) an array of transmission two-dimensional image displays arranged on the image-generating side of the illumination optical system array;

(c) an array of lenses arranged on the image-generating side of the transmission two-dimensional image display array;

(d) a common lens arranged on the image-generating side of the lens array;

(e) a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the common lens; and

(f) an image plane generated in the vicinity of the vertical-direction diffusion plate on the image-generating side,

(g) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.

7. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) an array of illumination optical systems two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions;

(b) an array of transmission two-dimensional image displays arranged on the image-generating side of the illumination optical system array;

(c) an array of lenses arranged on the image-generating side of the transmission two-dimensional image display array;

(d) an array of apertures arranged on the image-generating side of the lens array;

(e) a common lens arranged on the image-generating side of the aperture array;

(f) a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the common lens; and

(g) an image plane generated in the vicinity of the vertical-direction diffusion plate on the image-generating side,

(h) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.

8. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) an array of light sources two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions;

(b) a micro-lens arranged on the image-generating side of the light source array; and

(c) a display plane made of a two-dimensional array of pixels and having a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the micro-lens,

(d) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.

9. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) an array of light sources two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions;

(b) a pinhole arranged on the image-generating side of the light source array; and

(c) a display plane made of a two-dimensional array of pixels and having a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the pinhole,

(d) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.

10. A stereoscopic display comprising:

(a) a divergent light source;

(b) an array of transmission light modulators arranged on the image-generating side of the divergent light source; and

(c) a display plane made of a two-dimensional array of pixels and having a vertical-direction diffusion plate arranged on the image-generating side of the transmission light modulator array,

(d) wherein a number of images different in horizontal display directions are generated.