Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional image

• US 6,473,209 B1
• Filed: 08/04/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: DigiLens Inc
• Inventors: Popovich, Milan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASSAF, FAYEZ G
• Application Number:
  US09/632,664
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 359/13, 359/15, 359/22, 359/24, 359/32, 349/1, 349/5, 349/201, 348/40, 348/41, 353/31, 353/30
• US Class Current: 359/22
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/24 involving temporal multiplexing, e.g. using sequentially activated left and right shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images

Abstract

Described herein is an apparatus for producing three-dimensional staic or moving images. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image generator and an optical device. The image generator generates a plurality of image elements including first and second image elements. In one embodiment the image elements constitute coherent beams of light encoded with image information, wherein the coherent beams of light are sequentially generated by one or more laser scanners of the image generator. The optical device receives the plurality of image elements on a first planar surface thereof and, in response, produces first output light rays and second output rays corresponding to the first and second image elements, respectively. The first and second output light rays, when seen by an observer, appear to originate from first and second common points, respectively. The first and second common points are spaced from each other and from the first planar surface. Moreover, the first and second common points are spaced from the first planar surface in a direction perpendicular to the first planar surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a light generator configured to receive image signals, wherein the light generator is configured to sequentially generate light beams in response to receiving the image signals;

a light diffuser configured to sequentially receive and diffuse each of the light beams into respective light beam components;

a first switchable holographic optical element (SHOE) configured to receive first components of a first light beam diffused by the diffuser, wherein the first SHOE is switchable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein the first SHOE is configured to deflect the first components into deflected first components when operating in the active state, and wherein the first SHOE is configured to transmit the first components without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state;

second SHOE optically positioned between the first SHOE and the light diffuser, wherein the second SHOE is configured to receive components of a second light beam diffused by the diffuser, wherein the second SHOE is switchable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein the second SHOE is configured to deflect the second components into deflected second components when operating in the active state, and wherein the second SHOE is configured to transmit the second components without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1:

wherein the diffracted first components, when traced back opposite to the direction of their propagation, appear to originate from a first common point, wherein the diffracted second components, when traced back opposite to the direction of their propagation, appear to originate from a second common point;

wherein the first and second common points are contained in first and second planes, respectively, wherein the first and second planes are distinct from each other, wherein the first and second planes are parallel to each other, and wherein the first plane is positioned adjacent the first SHOE.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first SHOE is configured to deflect the deflected first components to produce twice deflected first components when the first SHOE operates in the active state, wherein the first SHOE is configured to transmit the deflected first components without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state, and wherein the twice deflected first components, when traced back, appear to originate from a third common point, wherein the third common point is distinct from the first and second common points.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first light beam defines a picture element of a first two dimensional image, wherein the second light beam defines a picture element of a second two dimensional image.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second light beams define separate image elements of a two dimensional image.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deflected first and second beam components define first and second image elements, respectively, of a three dimensional image.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an intensity of each of said light beams corresponds to a respective image signal received by the light generator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light generator is configured to scan the light beams across a two dimensional plane.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first SHOE is configured to switch between the active and inactive states in less than 150 microseconds.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first SHOE comprises a holographic recording medium that records a hologram, wherein the holographic recording medium comprises:

a monomer dipentaerythritol hydroxypentaacrylate;

a liquid crystal;

a cross-linking monomer;

a coinitiator; and

a photoinitiator dye.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first SHOE comprises a hologram made by exposing an interference pattern inside a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material comprising, before exposure:

a polymerizable monomer;

a liquid crystal;

a cross-linking monomer;

a coinitiator; and

a photoinitiator dye.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third SHOE, wherein the first SHOE is configured to deflect light of a first bandwidth when operating in the active state, wherein the third SHOE is configured to deflect light of a second bandwidth when operating in the active state, wherein the first SHOE is configured to transmit light of the second bandwidth without substantial alteration when operating in the active state, wherein the third SHOE is configured to transmit light of the first bandwidth without substantial alteration when operating in the active state, wherein each of the first and third SHOEs are configured to transmit light of both the first and second bandwidths without substantial alteration. when operating in the inactive state, and wherein the first and second bandwidths are different from each other.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an intensity of each of said light beams corresponds to a magnitude of a respective image signal received by the light generator.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first plane, the second plane and the light generated are positioned on one side of the second SHOE.