3D Stereoscopic Display System for Large Format LED Displays

• US 20100231701A1
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liminal Space Incorporated
• Original Assignee: VisiTech 3D Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, Bradley
• Granted Patent: US 8,542,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques

Abstract

A three dimensional (3D) stereoscopic display system using large format light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying 3D image content. The apparatus comprises a grid of LEDs covered by two sheets of polarizing material, a first sheet of polarizing material for polarizing a first subset of the LEDs to form a first view of the 3D image, and a second sheet of polarizing material for polarizing the second subset of LEDs to form a second view of the 3D image. The sheets may be formed by cutting a plurality of openings substantially aligned with a corresponding subset of LEDs. For improved viewing, the apparatus may further comprise a rear diffuser, disposed between the LED display and the first sheet of polarizing material. Also for improved viewing, the apparatus may further comprise a front diffuser, disposed in front of the second sheet of polarizing material, for reducing glare from external light sources. Also an additional method of the application of individual polarizing buttons directly adhered to the individual LEDs incorporating an assembly key for maintaining the correct orientation of the polarizing material.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a display comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying 3D image content;

a first sheet of polarizing material for polarizing a first subset of said LEDs to form a first view of said 3D image, said first sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with a second subset of said LEDs; and

a second sheet of polarizing material for polarizing said second subset of said LEDs to form a second view of said 3D image, said second sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with said first subset of said LEDs.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rear diffuser, disposed between said display and said first sheet of polarizing material, for diffusing luminance of light emanated from said LEDs to reduce the concentration of light from a small to a larger area of the polarizing material, so as to increase the efficiency of the polarizing material and to reduce ghosting artifacts that interfere with the 3D effect.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a front diffuser, disposed in front of said second sheet of polarizing material, for reducing glare from light emanated from light sources external from said display and for increasing the viewing angle of the display by projecting a polarized image of an illuminated pixel onto the front surface of the front diffuser so as to be visible by a viewer at a wide angle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear diffuser, disposed between said display and said first sheet of polarizing material; and

a front diffuser, disposed in front of said second sheet of polarizing material,

wherein, the combination of the front and rear diffusers create a larger size illumination area, as compared to the LED pixels alone, to decrease the pixilation effects of the display and create a smoother visual image in 2D or 3D modes of use.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising eyewear for viewing said 3D image, said eyewear comprising a left and a right eye lens that polarizes light complementary to said first and second sheets of polarizing material to create a left eye view and a right eye view from said first and second views.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates circularly polarized light.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates linearly polarized light.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating horizontal rows and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating horizontal rows opposite said first set of alternating horizontal rows.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid, opposite said first set of alternating diagonal rows.

10. A method for displaying a 3D image from a wall comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), said method comprising:

polarizing a first subset of said LEDs with a first sheet of polarizing material to form a first view of said 3D image, said first sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with a second subset of said LEDs; and

polarizing said second subset of said LEDs with a second sheet of polarizing material to form a second view of said 3D image, said second sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with said first subset of said LEDs.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising diffusing luminance of light emanated from said LEDs with a rear diffuser, disposed between said display and said first sheet of polarizing material to reduce the concentration of light from a small to a larger area of the polarizing material, so as to increase the efficiency of the polarizing material and to reduce ghosting artifacts that interfere with the 3D effect.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

reducing glare from light emanated from light sources external from said display with a front diffuser, disposed in front of said second sheet of polarizing material; and

increasing the viewing angle of the display with the front diffuser by projecting a polarized image of an illuminated pixel onto the front surface of the front diffuser so as to be visible by a viewer at a wide angle.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising viewing said 3D image with eyewear that comprises a left and a right eye lens to polarize light complementary to said first and second sheets of polarizing material to create a left eye and a right eye view from said first and second views.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

disposing a rear diffuser between said display and said first sheet of polarizing material; and

disposing a front diffuser in front of said second sheet of polarizing material,

wherein, the combination of the front and rear diffusers create a larger size illumination area, as compared to the LED pixels alone, to decrease the pixilation effects of the display and create a smoother visual image in 2D or 3D modes of use.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates circularly polarized light.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates linearly polarized light.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating horizontal rows and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating horizontal rows opposite said first set of alternating horizontal rows.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid, opposite said first set of alternating diagonal rows.

19. A method for increasing an angle for viewing a 3D image, said method comprising:

emanating light from a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid, said grid of pixels comprising separation areas in between said pixels in said grid;

aligning a plurality of openings of a first sheet of polarizing material to a first subset of said pixels, said first sheet of polarizing material for polarizing light in a first polarizing direction; and

aligning a plurality of openings of a second sheet of polarizing material to a second subset of pixels, said second sheet of polarizing material for polarizing light in a second polarizing direction, opposite from said first polarizing direction,

wherein, said first and second polarizing material filters light emanated from said pixels but incident to said separation area among said pixels so as to increase an angle to view said 3D image beyond an optimal viewing angle perpendicular to a plane of said pixels without causing distortion of view of said 3D image.

20. A method for fabricating a polarizer, said method comprising:

stacking a plurality of sheets of polarizing material;

cutting openings in a first sheet of polarizing material in accordance with a 3D content format;

rotating a second sheet of polarizing material 180 degrees;

cutting openings in said second sheet of polarizing material in accordance with a 3D content format; and

selecting said first and second sheets of polarizing material for assembly.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising repeating “

cutting”

, “

rotating”

, “

cutting” and

“

selecting”

for a plurality of pairs of sheets of polarizing material.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a display comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying 3D image content;

a plurality of first button polarizers for polarizing a first subset of said LEDs to form a first view of said 3D image, at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers substantially aligned with at least one of said first subset of said LEDs; and

a plurality of second button polarizers for polarizing a second subset of said LEDs to form a second view of said 3D image, at least one of the plurality of second button polarizers substantially aligned with at least one of said second subset of said LEDs.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers comprises a frosted surface.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers comprises polarizing material for polarizing light in a first polarizing direction;

and wherein at least one of said plurality of second button polarizers comprises polarizing material for polarizing light in a second polarizing direction.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers comprise a left-facing key and wherein at least one of said plurality of second button polarizers comprises a right-facing key.