Projection display system for viewing displayed imagery over a wide field of view

• US 6,034,717 A
• Filed: 03/22/1996
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
• Inventors: Dentinger, Aaron M., Faris, Sadeg M., Swift, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/620,869
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 348/42, 348/46, 348/47, 348/48, 348/51, 348/52, 348/53-60, 348/121, 348/122, 348/123, 348/124, 359/462-465, 359/471, 359/472, 359/448, 359/458, 359/368, 353/7, 353/8
• US Class Current: 348/51
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/132 Overhead projectors, i.e. capable of projecting hand-writing or drawing during action epidiascopic projectors G03B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/133 Equalising the characteristics of different image components, e.g. their average brightness or colour balance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/15 for colour aspects of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/156 Mixing image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/161 Encoding, multiplexing or demultiplexing different image signal components for multi-view video sequence encoding H04N19/597
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/167 Synchronising or controlling image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/218 using spatial multiplexing
• 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 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/246 Calibration of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/279 the virtual viewpoint locations being selected by the viewers or determined by tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/289 Switching between monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/334 : using spectral multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 : using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 : using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 : with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 : using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/376 : for tracking left-right translational head movements, i.e. lateral movements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/38 : for tracking vertical translational head movements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/383 : for tracking with gaze detection, i.e. detecting the lines of sight of the viewer's eyes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 : Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/597 : specially adapted for multi-view video sequence encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 : the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7491 : of head mounted projectors

Abstract

A desktop-based stereoscopic projection display system affording high-resolution stereoscopic and peripheral viewing of three-dimensional color imagery over a field of view of at least 180°. The projection volume required by each image projector of the display system is disposed substantially within the overall display volume of the display system, while maximizing the viewing volume within which the viewer is free to move during interactive stereoscopic viewing sessions. The display system utilizes high-resolution image projectors, keystoning correcting optics and projection-beam folding mirrors which are compactly mounted immediately above the upper volume-boundary surface of the overall display volume of the system, in order to permit the use of three-dimensional display structures having footprints and display volumes that are supportable upon desktops and in other viewing environments characterized by spatial restrictions.

Claims

1. An image display system for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images of a three-dimensional object formed from a plurality of viewing directions, said image display system comprising:

a three-dimensional display surface having a generally concave geometry, at least first and second display surface regions in spatially contiguous relation to each other, and a volumetric extent for defining a three-dimensional display volume extending in the direction of the concavity of said three-dimensional display surface and a three-dimensional viewing zone spatially encompassed within said three-dimensional display volume;

first image signal generation means for generating a first signal representative of a first image of said three-dimensional object viewed along a first viewing direction;

second image signal generation means for generating a second signal representative of a second image of said three-dimensional object viewed along a second viewing direction;

first image producing means, disposed within said three-dimensional display volume and responsive to said first signal, for generating said first image and projecting said first image onto said first display surface region such that light rays emanating from said first image producing means towards said first display surface region are generally restricted from said three-dimensional viewing zone;

second image producing means, disposed within said three-dimensional display volume and responsive to said second signal, for generating said second image and projecting said second image onto said second display surface region such that light rays emanating from said second image producing means towards said second display surface region are generally restricted from said three-dimensional viewing zone;

whereby a viewer whose eyes are disposed within said three-dimensional viewing zone is free to view said first and second projected images from anywhere within said three-dimensional viewing zone with a field of view of at least 180 degrees.

2. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said said first and second display surface regions each have a planar surface geometry.

3. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said three-dimensional display surface is smooth over its entire spatial extent.

4. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said first image producing means comprises

a first light source for producing visible light,

a first programmable spatial light mask for spatial filtering said produced light in accordance with said first electrical signal so as to produce said first image, and

a first light projecting means for projecting said first image onto said first display surface region;

and

wherein said second image producing means comprises a second light source for producing visible light,

a second programmable spatial light mask for spatial filtering said produced light in accordance with said second electrical signal so as to produce said second image, and

a second light projecting means for projecting said second image onto said second display surface region.

5. The image display system of claim 4, wherein said first programmable spatial light mask comprises a first LCD panel, and said second programmable spatial light mask comprises a second LCD panel.

6. The image display system of claim 4, wherein said first light projecting means comprises a first reflective surface disposed stationarily with respect to said three-dimensional display surface, and wherein said second light projecting means comprises a second reflective surface disposed stationarily with respect to said three-dimensional display surface.

7. The image display system of claim 1, which further comprises a upper surface covering means, fixedly with respect to said three-dimensional display surface, for covering said first and second image producing means.

8. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said three-dimensional display surface comprises an inflatable structure having a light reflective surface.

9. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said first and second signal generation means comprises a computer-based system programmed for generating said first and second signals.

10. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said first and second signal generation means comprises an electro-optical camera system having means for generating said first and second signals.

11. The image display system of claim 1, wherein said first image is a first polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image taken along said first viewing direction, and wherein said second image is a second polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional object taken along said second viewing direction, and said three-dimensional display surface is a light reflective surface with polarization-preserving properties.

12. The image display system of claim 11, which further comprises a pair of electrically-passive polarizing spectacles for viewing of said first and second polarized spatially multiplexed images projected onto said first and second display surface regions, respectively.

13. The image display system of claim 11, wherein said three-dimensional display surface is supportable on a substantially planar surface selected from the group consisting of a desktop, a support base and a floor surface.

14. The image display system of claim 11, wherein said three-dimensional volume has a volumetric capacity on the order of less than about 35 cubic feet.

15. The image display system of claim 11, wherein said three-dimensional display surface has a footprint of about 2.5 feet deep, about 4.75 feet wide and about 3 feet high.

48. The system of claim 11, wherein second image projection means comprises second light producing means and a second programmable spatial light mask to spatially filter light produced from said second light producing means and thereby produce said second image.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said first image projection means further comprises means for producing a first polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image formed along said first viewing direction, and said second image projection means further comprises means for producing a second polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image formed along said second viewing direction.

50. The system of claim 49, which further a pair of electrically-passive polarizing spectacles for viewing said first and second polarized spatially multiplexed images projected onto said first and second display surface regions, respectively.

16. A method of simultaneously displaying a plurality of images of a three-dimensional object formed from a plurality of viewing directions, said method comprising the steps:

(a) providing a three-dimensional display surface having a generally concave geometry, at least first and second display surface regions in spatially contiguous relation to each other, and a volumetric extent for defining a three-dimensional display volume disposed in the direction of the concavity of said three-dimensional display surface and a three-dimensional viewing zone spatially encompassed within said three-dimensional display volume;

(b) supporting a viewer so that the eyes thereof are disposed within said within said three-dimensional viewing zone;

(c) projecting from an image projection means onto said first display surface, a first image of said three-dimensional object specified along a first viewing direction such that light rays emanating from said image projection means towards said first display surface region are generally restricted from said three-dimensional viewing zone; and

(d) simultaneously therewith, projecting from said image projection means onto said second display surface, a second image of said three-dimensional object specified along a second viewing direction such that light rays emanating from said image projection means towards said second display surface region are also generally restricted from said three-dimensional viewing zone;

whereby said viewer is free to view said first and second projected images from within said three-dimensional viewing zone with a field of view of at least 180 degrees.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said first and second display surface regions each have a planar surface geometry.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said three-dimensional display surface is smooth over its entire spatial extent.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) comprises producing light and using a first programmable spatial light mask to spatially filter said light to produce said first image.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein step (d) comprises producing light and using a second programmable spatial light mask to spatially filter said light to produce said second image.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said three-dimensional display surface comprises an inflatable structure having a light reflective surface.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said first and second signal generation means comprises a computer-based system programmed for generating said first and second electrical signals.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) comprises producing a first polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image formed along said first viewing direction, and step (d) comprises producing a second polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image taken formed said second viewing direction.

24. The method of claim 23, which further comprises projecting said first and second polarized spatially multiplexed images onto said first and second display surface regions, respectively, and viewing the same through a pair of electrically-passive polarizing spectacles.

25. The method of claim 23, which comprises supporting said three-dimensional display surface on a substantially planar surface selected from the group consisting of a desktop, a support base and a floor surface.

39. The image display system of claim 21, wherein said first optical image is a first polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image taken along said first viewing direction, and wherein said second optical image is a second polarized spatially multiplexed image of said three-dimensional image taken along said second viewing direction, and said three-dimensional display surface is a light reflective surface with polarization-preserving properties.

40. The image display system of claim 39, which further comprises a pair of electrically-passive polarizing spectacles for viewing of said first and second polarized spatially multiplexed images projected onto said first and second display surface regions, respectively.

41. The image display system of claim 21, wherein said three-dimensional display surface is supportable on a substantially planar surface selected from the group consisting of a desktop, a support base and a floor surface.

26. An image display system for simultaneously displaying a plurality of optical images of a three-dimensional object taken from a plurality of viewing directions defined relative to said three-dimensional object, said image display system comprising:

a three-dimensional display surface of generally concave geometry and electrically-passive construction, said three-dimensional display surface having

at least first and second display surface regions in spatially contiguous relation to each other,

an upper edge surface bordering at least a portion of said first display surface region,

a lower edge surface bordering at least a portion of said second display surface region,

a first side edge surface bordering at least said first display surface region, and

a second side edge display surface bordering at least said second display surface region,

wherein

said upper edge surface defines an upper volume-boundary surface,

said lower edge surface defines a lower volume-boundary surface,

said first and second edge surfaces define a front volume-boundary surface, and

said upper and lower volume-boundary surfaces, said front volume-boundary surface and said three-dimensional display surface collectively circumscribe a three-dimensional display volume disposed in the direction of the concavity of said three-dimensional display surface;

first image signal generation means for generating a first electrical signal representative of a first optical image of said three-dimensional object viewed along a first viewing direction;

second image signal generation means for generating a second electrical signal representative of a second optical image of said three-dimensional object viewed along a second viewing direction;

first optical image producing means, fixedly disposed adjacent said upper volume-boundary surface and responsive to said first electrical signal, for generating said first optical image and projecting said first optical image onto said first display surface region of said three-dimensional display surface such that the light rays emanating from said first optical image producing means towards said first display surface region are generally confined within a first image projection volume substantially spatially encompassed within and stationarily fixed relative to said three-dimensional display volume; and

second optical image producing means, fixedly disposed adjacent said upper volume-boundary surface and being responsive to said second electrical signal, for generating said second optical image and projecting said second optical image onto said second display surface region of said three-dimensional display surface such that light rays emanating from said second optical image producing means towards said second display surface region are generally confined within a second image projection volume substantially spatially encompassed within and stationarily fixed relative to said three-dimensional display volume,

whereby a viewer supported in the direction of the concavity of said three-dimensional display surface is free to view said first and second projected optical images from anywhere within a three-dimensional viewing zone being spatially encompassed within and stationarily fixed relative to said three-dimensional display volume, and substantially free of projected light rays emanating from said first and second image projection means towards said first and second display surface regions, respectively.

27. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said said first and second display surface regions each have a planar surface geometry.

28. The image display system of claim 27, wherein said upper edge has a piece-wise rectilinear geometry and said upper volume-boundary surface has a planar surface geometry.

29. The image display system of claim 28, wherein said lower edges has a piece-wise rectilinear geometry and said lower volume-boundary surface has a planar surface geometry.

30. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said first and second side edges each have a rectilinear geometry and said front volume-boundary surface has a planar geometry.

31. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said three-dimensional display surface is smooth over its entire spatial extent.

32. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said first optical image producing means comprises

a first light source for producing visible light,

a first programmable spatial light mask for spatial filtering said produced light in accordance with said first electrical signal so as to produce said first optical image, and

a first light projecting means for projecting said first optical image onto said first display surface region;

and

wherein said second optical image producing means comprises

a second light source for producing visible light,

a second programmable spatial light mask for spatial filtering said produced light in accordance with said second electrical signal so as to produce said second optical image, and

a second light projecting means for projecting said second optical image onto said second display surface region.

33. The image display system of claim 32, wherein said first programmable spatial light mask comprises a first LCD panel, and said second programmable spatial light mask comprises a second LCD panel.

34. The image display system of claim 32, wherein said first light projecting means comprises a first reflective surface disposed stationarily with respect to said three-dimensional display surface, and wherein said second light projecting means comprises a second reflective surface disposed stationarily with respect to said three-dimensional display surface.

35. The image display system of claim 26, which further comprises a upper surface covering means, fixedly with respect to said three-dimensional display surface, for covering said first and second optical image producing means.

36. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said three-dimensional display surface comprises an inflatable structure having a light reflective surface.

37. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said first and second signal generation means comprises a computer-based system programmed for generating said first and second electrical signals.

38. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said first and second signal generation means comprises an electro-optical camera system having means for generating said first and second electrical signals..

42. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said three-dimensional volume has a volumetric capacity on the order of less than about 35 cubic feet.

43. The image display system of claim 26, wherein said three-dimensional display surface has a footprint of about 2.5 feet deep, about 4.75 feet wide and about 3 feet high.

44. A system for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images of a three-dimensional object formed from a plurality of viewing directions, said system comprising:

a three-dimensional display surface having a generally concave geometry, at least first and second display surface regions in spatially contiguous relation to each other, and a volumetric extent for defining a three-dimensional display volume disposed in the direction of the concavity of said three-dimensional display surface and a three-dimensional viewing zone spatially encompassed within said three-dimensional display volume;

a first image projection means disposed within said three-dimensional display volume, for projecting onto said first display surface, a first image of said three-dimensional object specified along a first viewing direction such that light rays emanating from said first image projection means towards said first display surface region are generally restricted from said three-dimensional viewing zone; and

a second image projection means disposed within said three-dimensional display volume, for projecting onto said second display surface, a second image of said three-dimensional object specified along a second viewing direction such that light rays emanating from said second image projection means towards said second display surface region are also generally restricted from said three-dimensional viewing zone;

whereby a viewer whose eyes are disposed within said three-dimensional viewing zone is free to view said first and second projected images from within said three-dimensional viewing zone with a field of view of at least 180 degrees.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said first and second display surface regions each have a planar surface geometry.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein said three-dimensional display surface is smooth over its entire spatial extent.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein first image projection means comprises first light producing means and a first programmable spatial light mask to spatially filter light produced from said first light producing means and thereby produce said first image.

51. The system of claim 45, which further comprises means for supporting said three-dimensional display surface on a substantially planar surface selected from the group consisting of a desktop, a support base and a floor surface.