THREE DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20110193863A1
• Filed: 10/26/2009
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leia Inc.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Philomin, Vasanth, Tobias, Maarten, Gremse, Felix
• Granted Patent: US 9,134,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/30 involving parallax barriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/20 Finite element generation, e.g. wire-frame surface description, tesselation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• 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 13/351 for displaying simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/359 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/368 for two or more viewers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/373 for tracking forward-backward translational head movements, i.e. longitudinal movements

Abstract

A three dimensional display system comprises a display (207) presenting a plurality of views of a scene where each view corresponds to a viewing direction for the scene. A rendering unit (203) generates an image for each of the views. The rendering unit (203) is capable of generating differentiated images for neighbouring views containing differentiated image data providing a three dimensional depth effect when neighbouring views are viewed by different eyes of a viewer. A user processor (209) generates a user presence estimate in response to an attempted detection of a user in a viewing area for the display system. A 3D mode controller (213) modifies the three dimensional effect in response to the user presence estimate. For example, the display system may provide a two dimensional image when no user is present and a three dimensional image when a user is present. This may reduce discomfort experienced by viewers in suboptimal positions.

Claims

1. A three dimensional display system comprising:

a display (207) for presenting a plurality of views of a scene, each view corresponding to a viewing direction for the scene;

a rendering unit (203) for generating an image for each of the plurality of views, the rendering unit being capable of generating differentiated images for neighbouring views containing differentiated image data providing a three dimensional depth effect when neighbouring views are viewed by different eyes of a viewer;

means (209, 211) for generating a user presence estimate in response to an attempted detection of a user in a viewing area for the display system; and

modifying means (213) for modifying the differentiated images for the neighbouring views to adapt the three dimensional effect in response to the user presence estimate.

2. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means (213) is arranged to adjust a depth range for the scene represented by the differentiated images in response to the user presence estimate.

3. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means (213) is arranged to modify the differentiated image data to vary disparity characteristics for corresponding image areas of the differentiated images in response to the user presence estimate.

4. The three dimensional display system of claim 3 wherein the rendering means (203) is arranged to generate the differentiated image data in response to depth map data for the scene, and the modifying means (213) is arranged to modify a relationship between depth map values and disparity values in response to the user presence estimate.

5. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means (213) is arranged to modify the differentiated image data to vary a viewing angle offset between the differentiated images in response to the user presence estimate.

6. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means (213) is arranged to transition the display system from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in response to a detection of a new user, the first mode of operation corresponding to a reduced three dimensional effect relative to the second mode of operation.

7. The three dimensional display system of claim 6 wherein the modifying means (213) is arranged to control the transition to have a transition time between 0.5 seconds and 10 seconds.

8. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means (213) is arranged to transition the display system from a second mode of operation to a first mode of operation in response to a detection of an absence of a user, the first mode of operation corresponding to a reduced three dimensional effect relative to the second mode of operation.

9. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 further arranged to present a plurality of adjacent groups of views, each group of views comprising at least some of the plurality of views.

10. The three dimensional display system of claim 9 arranged to reduce a luminosity of at least a first view relative to a second view of a first group of views, the second view being more central in the first group of views than the first view.

11. The three dimensional display system of claim 9 further arranged to not present an image of the scene in at least one edge view of at least one group of views.

12. The three dimensional display system of claim 9 wherein the user presence estimate comprises an indication of a relative user position of a detected new user in relation to the display, and further comprising:

means (205) for directing a group of views towards the relative user position.

13. The three dimensional display system of claim 1 wherein the user presence estimate comprises a user attention estimate indicative of a user attention to the display.

14. A method of operation for a three dimensional display system comprising:

presenting (407) a plurality of views of a scene on a display, each view corresponding to a viewing direction for the scene;

generating (401) an image for each of the plurality of views, including generating differentiated images for neighbouring views containing differentiated image data providing a three dimensional depth effect when neighbouring views are viewed by different eyes of a viewer;

generating (403) a user presence estimate in response to an attempted detection of a user in a viewing area for the display system; and

modifying (405) the differentiated images for the neighbouring views to adapt the three dimensional effect in response to the user presence estimate.

15. A computer program product for executing the method of claim 14.