System and Method for Autostereoscopic Imaging Using Holographic Optical Element
First Claim
1. A system for making a holographic optical element for an autostereoscopic display, the system comprising:
- at least one coherent light source generating light of corresponding first, second, and third wavelengths;
at least one beam combiner positioned to combine the first, second, and third wavelengths into a coherent recording beam;
a beam splitter positioned to separate the recording beam into a reference beam and an object beam;
at least one element positioned in each of the reference beam path and object beam path to generate a diverging reference beam and a diverging object beam that illuminate the holographic optical element from opposite sides;
a beam expander positioned in the object beam path;
a diffuser positioned in the object beam path generally parallel to the holographic optical element to illuminate a first side of the holographic optical element during recording; and
a generally planar minor positioned in the object beam path to reflect diverging object beam light onto the first side of the holographic optical element during recording.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for creating an autostereoscopic display include a holographic optical element (HOE) recorded using coherent light divided into diverging reference and object beams that illuminate the HOE from opposite sides. The object beam passes through first and second diffusers with one diffuser being a directional diffuser to more uniformly illuminate the HOE. Optic elements may be used to more closely match beam diameters and/or profiles of the recording wavelengths. Baffles may be positioned on opposite sides of the HOE with openings aligned proximate the reference beam and object beam paths, respectively, to reduce stray reflections and provide ambient air flow attenuation or damping. One or more edges of the HOE are masked to reduce or prevent stray light from entering and reflecting within the HOE during recording.
48 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for making a holographic optical element for an autostereoscopic display, the system comprising:
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at least one coherent light source generating light of corresponding first, second, and third wavelengths; at least one beam combiner positioned to combine the first, second, and third wavelengths into a coherent recording beam; a beam splitter positioned to separate the recording beam into a reference beam and an object beam; at least one element positioned in each of the reference beam path and object beam path to generate a diverging reference beam and a diverging object beam that illuminate the holographic optical element from opposite sides; a beam expander positioned in the object beam path; a diffuser positioned in the object beam path generally parallel to the holographic optical element to illuminate a first side of the holographic optical element during recording; and a generally planar minor positioned in the object beam path to reflect diverging object beam light onto the first side of the holographic optical element during recording. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for making a holographic optical element for an autostereoscopic display, the method comprising:
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generating a polychromatic recording beam having at least three monochromatic coherent light components; separating the recording beam into an object beam and a reference beam; propagating each of the object and reference beams through at least one optical element to generate diverging object and reference beams; expanding the object beam and illuminating a diffuser with the expanded object beam, the diffuser having a geometry associated with a desired eyebox geometry such that diffuse light exiting the diffuser illuminates the holographic optical element from a first side; directing the diverging reference beam to illuminate the holographic optical element from an opposite side. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a motor-controlled rotatable stage; a holographic optical element secured for movement with the rotatable stage, the holographic optical element having an eyebox recorded in a single layer panchromatic emulsion exposed to at least three wavelengths of coherent recording light combined in a recording beam divided substantially equally into a reference beam and object beam passing through corresponding optical elements to generate diverging reference and object beams, expanding the object beam so that the object beam overfills the holographic optical element to provide an object/reference beam ratio of between about 1;
4 and 1;
7 during recording;at least one illumination source secured for movement with the rotatable stage, the at least one illumination source illuminating the holographic optical element from two different horizontal angles to form generally coextensive left-eye and right-eye images within corresponding left-eye and right-eye viewing zones within a predetermined range in front of the holographic optical element; a viewer sensor that generates a signal in response to movement of a viewer; and a controller in communication with the rotatable stage and the viewer sensor, the controller controlling rotation of the stage in response to viewer movement to maintain alignment of the left-eye and right-eye viewing zones with the viewer. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification