Autostereoscopic three dimensional display using holographic projection

• US 6,665,100 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2000
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HoloTech Switzerland AG
• Original Assignee: Zebra Imaging, Inc.
• Inventors: Klug, Michael A., Holzbach, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Juba, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOUTSIKARIS, LEONIDAS
• Application Number:
  US09/636,112
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 359/15, 359/16, 359/19, 359/20, 359/23, 359/24, 359/25, 359/33, 359/443, 359/462, 359/464
• US Class Current: 359/23
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/35 using reflective optical elements in the optical path between the images and the observer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements

Abstract

Large format, highly selective display screens can be formed from a plurality of holographic optical elements. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, systems and methods are described to provide a holographic screen for display of static and/or dynamic projected conventional two-dimensional images, two-dimensional stereograms, and holographic stereograms. One aspect of the present invention includes presenting live-image three-dimensional displays using an array of two-dimensional data projectors. Another aspect includes projecting and enlarging static or dynamic source three-dimensional images (real objects, holograms, or other autostereoscopic images).

Claims

1. A system for projecting an image comprising:

a screen formed from a plurality of holographic optical elements, at least one of the plurality of holographic optical elements being formed from a computer graphics image; and

at least one projector for directing an image onto the screen, the screen presenting at least one viewzone through which an observer can view the image, the at least one viewzone being formed by the at least one of the plurality of holographic optical elements, and presenting a two-dimensional window appearing in space.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the screen presents a one-dimensional

array of viewzones through which the observer may view the image.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of spaces respectively disposed between the viewzones.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a two-dimensional array of multiple viewzones through which the observer may view the image.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of spaces respectively disposed between the viewzones.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least two projectors with each projector directing a different image onto the screen.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

at least two projectors with each projector directing a portion of the image onto the screen, wherein the screen displays the image as a single autostereoscopic image which the observer may view at the at least one viewzone.

8. A system for producing and observing at least one autostereoscopic image comprising:

a screen formed from a plurality of holographic optical elements, at least one of the plurality of holographic optical elements being formed from a computer graphics image;

at least two projectors for directing an autostereoscopic image onto the screen; and

the screen having at least two viewzones through which at least one observer may view the autostereoscopic image, wherein at least one of the at least two viewzones is formed by the at least one of the plurality of holographic optical elements, and presents a two-dimensional window appearing in space.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of sets of viewzones produced by the screen through which respective observers may view the autostereoscopic image.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of open spaces between adjacent sets of viewzones.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising a two dimensional array of a plurality of sets of viewzones produced by the screen through which respective observers may view the autostereoscopic image.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a number of projectors and a corresponding number of viewzones produced by the screen through which at least one observer may view the autostereoscopic image.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising at least one projector directing a portion of the autostereoscopic image onto the screen which is different from at least one other portion of autostereoscopic image directed onto the screen by another of the projectors.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a one dimensional array of projectors and the screen cooperating with each other to produce a one dimensional array of multiple sets of viewzones through which respective observers may view one or more autostereoscopic images; and

each set of viewzones having a respective viewzone corresponding with one of the projectors.

15. The system of claim 8 further comprising a two dimensional array of projectors and the screen cooperating with each other to produce a two dimensional array of viewzones having a respective viewzone corresponding with one of the projectors through which the at least one observer may view an autostereoscopic image.

16. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a two dimensional array of projectors and the screen cooperating with each other to produce a one dimensional array of multiple sets of viewzones through which respective observers may view one or more autostereoscopic images; and

each set of viewzones having a respective viewzone corresponding with one of the projectors.

17. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a two dimensional array of projectors and the screen cooperating with each other to produce a two dimensional array of multiple sets of viewzones through which respective observers may view one or more autostereoscopic images;

and each set of viewzones having a respective viewzone corresponding with one of the projectors.

18. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a two dimensional array of projectors and the screen cooperating with each other to produce a two dimensional array of multiple sets of viewzones;

a plurality of open spaces disposed between adjacent sets of view zones to assist multiple observers in viewing one or more autostereoscopic images through respective sets of viewzones; and

each set of viewzones having a respective viewzone corresponding with one of the projectors.

19. The system of claim 8 further comprising at least two viewzones for observing a horizontal parallax only autostereoscopic image.

20. The system of claim 8 further comprising at least two viewzones for observing a full parallax autostereoscopic image.

21. The system of claim 8 further comprising the plurality of holographic optical elements cooperating with each other to produce the autostereoscopic image such that dimensions of the autostereoscopic image are smaller than dimensions of the screen.

22. The system of claim 8 further comprising the plurality of holographic optical elements cooperating with each other to display the autostereoscopic image such that dimensions of the autosteroscopic images are larger than dimensions of the screen.

23. The system of claim 8 wherein the screen comprises an array of tiles with a holographic optical element formed on each tile.

24. A system for producing and observing at least one autostereoscopic holographic display comprising:

a screen formed from a plurality of holographic optical elements, at least one of the plurality of holographic optical elements being formed from a computer graphics image;

a three-dimensional image source with light coming therefrom and impinging upon the screen;

the holographic optical elements cooperating with each other to produce the at least one autostereoscopic holographic display using the impinging light; and

the screen having at least two viewzones through which at least one observer may view the autostereoscopic holographic display, wherein at least one of the at least two viewzones is formed by the at least one of the plurality of holographic optical elements, and presents a two-dimensional window appearing in space.