System for viewing stereoscopic images

• US 5,854,706 A
• Filed: 10/15/1996
• Issued: 12/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cristian I. Alb
• Original Assignee: Cristian I. Alb
• Inventors: Alb, Cristian I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US08/730,402
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 359/465, 359/464, 359/613, 359/630, 359/635, 349/15, 348/54, 348/58, 434/371
• US Class Current: 359/465
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/327 Calibration thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

An improved stereoscopic image displaying system is disclosed. A pair of adjacent image displaying means generate a stereoscopic pair of images. A semitransparent mirror and two polarizing filters merge the two images in the same virtual space and impart distinctive polarization to light rays carrying the two images displayed. A louver type filter suppresses the residual view generated by one of the displaying means. The louvers will allow only the image reflected on said semitransparent mirror to pass. A second louver type filter compensates the attenuation that the first louver type filter has introduced, in such a way that the two combined images are of adequately similar intensity. A user wearing polarizing spectacles can see a clear stereoscopic image from a variety of angles.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic viewing system comprising:

a first image displaying means showing the reversed left eye view of a three dimensional scene;

a second image displaying means showing the right eye view of said three dimensional scene, said displaying means being placed such that the superior edge of said second image displaying means and the inferior edge of said first image displaying means are either in contact or are slightly spaced apart;

a semitransparent mirror placed between said first and second image displaying means in order to superimpose the images generated by said first and second image displaying means on a common viewing area;

a first polarizing filter that polarizes light rays coming from said first image displaying means before being reflected by said semitransparent mirror;

a second polarizing filter that polarizes light rays coming from said second image displaying means before passing through said semitransparent mirror, the polarizing directions of said first and second polarizing filters being chosen such that the polarizing direction of light rays reflected on said semitransparent mirror is orthogonal on the polarizing direction of light rays that have passed through said semitransparent mirror;

a first louver type filter placed above said first image displaying means and operating on light rays coming from said first image displaying means in such a way that light rays coming directly to the viewer eyes are suppressed or strongly attenuated while light rays coming to the viewer eyes through reflection on said semitransparent mirror are only slightly attenuated;

a second louver type filter placed between said second displaying means and said semitransparent mirror, and inducing a slight attenuation on light rays travelling from said second image displaying means toward the viewer eyes in such a way that said slight attenuation is equal to the attenuation induced by said first louver type filter on light rays travelling from said first image displaying means toward the viewer eyes through reflection on said semitransparent mirror; and

a viewing device consisting of a pair of polarizing means that the viewer wears in front of his eyes, said polarizing means having their planes of polarization oriented in such a way that each eye perceives only the corresponding view of said three dimensional scene.

2. A stereoscopic viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second louver type filters are symmetrical with respect to said semitransparent mirror.

3. A stereoscopic viewing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second image displaying means are juxtaposed display areas of the same viewing screen.