Monocentric autostereoscopic optical display having an expanded color gamut

• US 6,779,892 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Agostinelli, John A., Kowarz, Marek W., Horvath, Louis S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Russell
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEVER, ANDREW T
• Application Number:
  US10/205,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20040017546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 353/7, 353/8, 353/30-34, 353/81, 353/94, 353/85, 353/122, 359/462, 359/475, 359/477, 349/5, 349/7-10
• US Class Current: 353/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/26 of the autostereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/005 Projectors using an electronic spatial light modulator but not peculiar thereto

Abstract

A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components providing a multicolor stereoscopic display having an expanded color gamut. A virtual image is electronically generated by an image generation system (70) having four or more color light sources (20) and is projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) that uses a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement with electromechanical grating light modulator (85) as a linear image source and scanning ball lens assemblies (100) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14). The use of four or more light sources (20) provides an expanded color gamut.

Claims

1. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic image comprising a left image and a right image, the apparatus having an image generation system comprising at least four light sources, each light source having a different color.

2. An auto stereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said left image is provided at a left viewing pupil and said right image is provided at a right viewing pupil.

3. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image generation system forms, in a repeated sequence, a left source image and a right source image.

4. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image generation system simultaneously forms a left source image and a right source image.

5. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image generation system comprises a linear image modulator.

6. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said linear image modulator is selected from the group consisting of resonant optical fiber, electromechanical grating device, conformal grating device, and grating light valve.

7. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said image generation system comprises a two-dimensional spatial light modulator.

8. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said two-dimensional spatial light modulator is selected from the group consisting of reflective LCD, transmissive LCD, and digital micromirror device.

9. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow.

10. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic image comprising a left image and a right image, the apparatus having an image generation system comprising:

(a) at least four light sources, each light source having a different color and providing an incident unmodulated beam;

(b) at least one image modulator for modulating, at any one time, said incident unmodulated beam from at least one of said at least four light sources for forming a modulated source beam;

(c) a color combiner for directing said modulated source beam onto an optical axis; and

(d) a lens for directing said modulated source beam from said optical axis toward an image-forming surface.

11. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said light sources are from the group consisting of laser, LED, and lamp.

12. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow.

13. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said image modulator is selected from the group consisting of reflective LCD spatial light modulator, transmissive LCD spatial light modulator, digital micromirror device, resonant optical fiber, electromechanical grating device, conformal grating device, and grating light valve.

14. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said color combiner is selected from the group consisting of X-cube, Philips prism, optical fiber, and dichroic combiner.

15. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said image-forming surface provides an intermediate image.

16. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said image-forming surface is selected from the group consisting of ground glass, etched glass, ground polymer, etched polymer, a coating, and an optical fiber faceplate.

17. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a projection lens for projecting said intermediate image toward a reflective surface for forming a virtual image.

18. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said reflective surface is selected from the group consisting of a mirror, a curved mirror, and a Fresnel mirror.

19. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said projection lens comprises a ball lens segment.

20. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said projection lens further comprises a rotating mirrored surface.

21. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising a beamsplitter for directing the projected intermediate image toward said reflective surface.

22. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a projection lens for projecting said intermediate image toward a display surface to form a real image for viewing.

23. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said display surface comprises a retroreflective surface.

24. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a logic controller for controlling at least two of said at least four light sources.

25. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a logic controller for controlling said at least one image modulator.

26. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said color combiner further comprises a dichroic combiner for directing at least two of said at least four light sources to a single one of said at least one image modulator.

27. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic image comprising a left image and a right image, the apparatus comprising a left image generation system and a right image generation system wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:

(a) an LED array that emits and modulates light as an array of pixels having at least four colors to form a modulated source beam; and

(b) a projection lens for projecting said modulated source beam toward a reflective image-forming surface.

28. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow.

29. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said projection lens comprises a ball lens segment.

30. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said reflective image-forming surface forms a final virtual image.

31. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said reflective image-forming surface is selected from the group consisting of a mirror, a curved mirror, and a Fresnel mirror.

32. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said reflective image-forming surface forms a final real image.

33. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said reflective image-forming surface is selected from the group consisting of a retroreflective surface and a display screen.

34. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said projection lens comprises a rotating mirrored surface for reflecting said modulated source beam toward said image-forming surface.

35. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising a beamsplitter for directing said modulated source beam toward said reflective image-forming surface.

36. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic image comprising a left image and a right image, the apparatus comprising a left image generation system and a right image generation system wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:

(a) at least four light sources, each light source having a different color;

(b) at least one image modulator for modulating, at any one time, light from at least one of said at least four light sources to form a modulated source beam;

(c) a color combiner for directing said modulated source beam onto an optical axis; and

(d) a lens for directing said modulated source beam on said optical axis toward an image-forming surface.

37. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said light sources are from the group consisting of laser, LED, and lamp.

38. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow.

39. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said image modulator is selected from the group consisting of reflective LCD spatial light modulator, transmissive LCD spatial light modulator, digital micromirror device, resonant optical fiber, electromechanical grating device, conformal grating device, and grating light valve.

40. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said color combiner is selected from the group consisting of X-cube, Philips prism, optical fiber, and dichroic combiner.

41. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said image-forming surface provides an intermediate image.

42. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said image-forming surface is selected from the group consisting of a ground glass, an etched glass, a ground polymer, an etched polymer, a coating, and an optical fiber faceplate.

43. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 41 further comprising a projection lens for projecting said intermediate image toward a reflective surface for forming a virtual image.

44. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said reflective surface is selected from the group consisting of a mirror, a curved mirror, and a Fresnel mirror.

45. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said projection lens comprises a ball lens segment.

46. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said projection lens further comprises a rotating mirrored surface.

47. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 43 further comprising a beamsplitter for directing the projected intermediate image toward said reflective surface.

48. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 41 further comprising a projection lens for projecting said intermediate image toward a display surface to form a real image for viewing.

49. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said display surface comprises a retroreflective surface.

50. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a multicolor stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising;

(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;

(a2) a multicolor linear array modulator for forming, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels by modulating said first, second, third, and fourth incident beams to provide a corresponding first, second, third, and fourth modulated beam;

by combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto a common axis to form a multicolor modulated beam; and

by directing said multicolor modulated beam toward said diffusive surface;

(a3 ) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising;

(a3a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said multicolor line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;

(a3b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;

said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;

(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;

(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror; and

said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

51. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth light sources are from the group consisting of lasers, LEDs, and lamps.

52. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow.

53. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said multicolor linear array modulator comprises at least one image modulator from the group consisting of reflective LCD spatial light modulator, transmissive LCD spatial light modulator, digital micromirror device, resonant optical fiber, electromechanical grating device, conformal grating device, and grating light valve.

54. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 53 further comprising a dichroic combiner for directing at least two of said first, second, third, and fourth incident beams to a single one of said at least one image modulator.

55. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 further comprising a color combiner for combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto said common axis, said color combiner selected from the group consisting of X-cube, Philips prism, optical fiber, and dichroic combiner.

56. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said diffusive surface is selected from the group consisting of a ground glass, an etched glass, a ground polymer, an etched polymer, a coating, and an optical fiber faceplate.

57. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said curved mirror is selected from the group consisting of a substantially spherical mirror, a membrane mirror, a replicated mirror, a Fresnel mirror, a cylindrical mirror, and a toroidal mirror.

58. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 further comprising a logic controller for controlling at least two of said first, second, third, and fourth light sources.

59. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said multicolor linear array modulator combines said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams using an X-cube.

60. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said multicolor linear array modulator combines said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams using a dichroic surface.

61. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said multicolor linear array modulator combines said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams using an optical fiber.

62. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said multicolor line of source pixels is a curved line.

63. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 62 wherein said curved line shares said center of curvature with said ball lens segment.

64. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said ball lens segment is a hemisphere.

65. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 further comprising a motor for rotating said scanning ball lens assembly.

66. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 65 wherein said motor rotates said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system in the same direction.

67. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 65 wherein said motor rotates said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system in opposite directions.

68. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said scanning ball lens assembly further comprises at least one meniscus lens.

69. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 68 wherein a surface of said meniscus lens shares said center of curvature with said ball lens segment.

70. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said scanning ball lens assembly comprises a refractive liquid.

71. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said at least one reflective surface provides a beam splitting function.

72. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said at least one reflective surface is planar.

73. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said at least one reflective surface comprises a metallic coating.

74. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said scanning ball lens assembly rotates less than about 180 degrees about said axis, said scanning ball lens assembly scanning in a reciprocating motion thereby.

75. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the interaxial distance between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system can be manually adjusted.

76. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the interaxial distance between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system can be automatically adjusted.

77. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a multicolor stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising;

(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;

(a2) a multicolor linear scanner for forming, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels by combining said first, second, third, and fourth incident beams onto a common axis, by modulating each said incident beam on said common axis to form a multicolor modulated beam; and

by directing said multicolor modulated beam toward said diffusive surface;

(a3) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising;

(a3a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said multicolor line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;

(a3b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;

said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;

(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;

(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror; and

said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

78. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth light sources are from the group consisting of lasers and LEDs.

79. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow.

80. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said multicolor linear scanner comprises a resonant optical fiber.

81. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said multicolor linear scanner combines said first, second, third, and fourth incident beams using a multi-furcated optical fiber.

82. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said diffusive surface is selected from the group consisting of a ground glass, an etched glass, a ground polymer, an etched polymer, a coating, and an optical fiber faceplate.

83. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said curved mirror is selected from the group consisting of a substantially spherical mirror, a membrane mirror, a replicated mirror, a Fresnel mirror, a cylindrical mirror, and a toroidal mirror.

84. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 further comprising a logic controller for controlling the timing of said first, second, third, and fourth light sources.

85. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said at least one reflective surface is planar.

86. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said at least one reflective surface provides a beam splitting function.

87. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 77 wherein said scanning ball lens assembly rotates less than about 180 degrees about said axis, said scanning ball lens assembly scanning in a reciprocating motion thereby.

88. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising;

(a1) a first electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a first color light source to form a first color line of source pixels;

(a2) a second electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a second color light source to form a second color line of source pixels;

(a3) a third electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a third color light source to form a third color line of source pixels;

(a4) a fourth electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a fourth color light source to form a fourth color line of source pixels;

(a5) a color combiner for combining said first, second, third, and fourth color lines of source pixels to form, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels;

(a6) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising;

(a6a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;

(a6b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;

said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;

(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;

(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror; and

said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

89. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 88 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth electromechanical grating device modulate using pulse-width modulation.

90. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising;

(a1) a first color light source, a second color light source, a third color light source, and a fourth color light source;

(a2) a first electromechanical grating device for modulating the incident light beam from said first color light source to form a first color line of source pixels;

(a3) a second electromechanical grating device for modulating the incident light beam from said second color light source to form a second color line of source pixels;

(a4) first combining means for directing said third color light source and said fourth color light source to a third electromechanical grating device to form a selectable third color line of source pixels;

(a5) second combining means for combining said first, said second, and said selectable third color lines of source pixels to form, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels;

(a6) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising;

(a6a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;

(a6b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;

said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby.

(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;

(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror; and

said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

91. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 90 wherein said first electromechanical grating device is a conformal grating device.

92. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 90 wherein said first electromechanical grating device is a grating light valve.

93. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 90 wherein said first electromechanical grating device is disposed at a diagonal relative to the incident light beam from said first color light source.

94. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 90 wherein said first light source comprises:

(a) a first laser having a first wavelength;

(b) a second laser having a second wavelength;

(c) a dichroic mirror for reflecting light from said first laser and transmitting light from said second laser.

95. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a multicolor stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right two-dimensional intermediate image, said image generation system comprising;

(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;

(a2) means for modulating said first incident beam to provide a first modulated beam, modulating said second incident beam to provide a second modulated beam, modulating said third incident beam to provide a third modulated beam, and modulating said fourth incident beam to provide a fourth modulated beam;

(a3) means for combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto a common axis to provide a multicolor modulated beam;

(a4) an optical switch for alternately switching said multicolor modulated beam into a left image beam and a right image beam, said left image beam directed to a left diffusive surface for forming a left line of source pixels and said right image beam directed to a right diffusive surface for forming a right line of source pixels;

(a5) a left scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said left line of source pixels to form a left intermediate line image and a right scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said right line of source pixels to form a right intermediate line image, each scanning ball lens assembly comprising;

(a5a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said left or right line of source pixels to said left or right intermediate line image, respectively;

(a5b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;

each said left and right scanning ball lens assembly rotating about its axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images thereby;

(b) a curved minor having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said left scanning ball lens assembly and said right scanning ball lens assembly;

(c) a beamsplitter disposed to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror; and

said curved mirror forming said stereoscopic virtual image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

96. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 95 wherein said optical switch comprises a liquid crystal shutter.

97. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 95 wherein said liquid crystal shutter cooperates with a polarizing beamsplitter for directing light.

98. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 95 wherein said optical switch comprises a rotating waveplate.

99. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 95 wherein said optical switch comprises a patterned mirror having reflective and transmissive portions, said mirror reciprocating between a first position for directing light to said left diffusive surface and a second position for directing light to said right diffusive surface.

100. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 99 wherein said reflective and transmissive portions of said patterned mirror are dimensioned according to the spacing of diffracted orders of light modulated by said electromechanical grating device.

101. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus according to claim 95 wherein said image generation system forms said left two-dimensional intermediate image and said right two-dimensional intermediate image in a repeated sequence.

102. An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for viewing a stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an image generation system for forming, in a repeated sequence, a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right two-dimensional intermediate image, said image generation system comprising;

(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;

(a2) means for modulating said first incident beam to provide a first modulated beam, modulating said second incident beam to provide a second modulated beam, modulating said third incident beam to provide a third modulated beam, and modulating said fourth incident beam to provide a fourth modulated beam;

(a3) means for combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto a common axis to provide a multicolor modulated beam;

(a4) a first beamsplitter for splitting said multicolor modulated light beam into a left image beam and a right image beam, said left image beam directed to a left diffusive surface for forming a left line of source pixels and said right image beam directed to a right diffusive surface for forming a right line of source pixels;

(a5) a left scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said left line of source pixels to form a left intermediate line image and a right scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said right line of source pixels to form a right intermediate line image, each scanning ball lens assembly comprising;

(a5a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said left or right line of source pixels to said left or right intermediate line image, respectively;

(a5b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;

each said left and right scanning ball lens assembly rotating about its axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said left and right two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;

(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said left scanning ball lens assembly and said right scanning ball lens assembly;

(c) a second beamsplitter disposed to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror; and

said curved mirror forming said stereoscopic virtual image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said second beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

103. A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer, the image comprising a left image to be viewed by the observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the method comprising:

(a) forming a left intermediate image as a two-dimensional image, comprising a plurality of sequential left intermediate line images, near the focal surface of a curved mirror, each left intermediate line image formed by;

(a1) rotating a left scanning ball lens assembly to a left predetermined position;

(a2) modulating a first left light source to provide a first left modulated light beam;

(a3) modulating a second left light source to provide a second left modulated light beam;

(a4) modulating a third left light source to provide a third left modulated light beam;

(a5) modulating a fourth left light source to provide a fourth left modulated light beam;

(a6) combining said first, second, third, and fourth left modulated light beams onto a left common axis to form a left multicolor modulated light beam;

(a7) directing said left multicolor modulated light beam onto a left curved diffusive surface to form a line of source pixels of said left intermediate image;

(a8) projecting said line of source pixels of said left intermediate image using said left scanning ball lens assembly to form said left intermediate line image near said focal surface of said curved mirror;

(b) forming a right intermediate image as a two-dimensional image, comprising a plurality of sequential right intermediate line images, near the focal surface of a curved mirror, each right intermediate line image formed by;

(b1) rotating a right scanning ball lens assembly to a right predetermined position;

(b2) modulating a first right light source to provide a first right modulated light beam;

(b3) modulating a second right light source to provide a second right modulated light beam;

(b4) modulating a third right light source to provide a third right modulated light beam;

(b5) modulating a fourth right light source to provide a fourth right modulated light beam;

(b6) combining said first, second, third, and fourth right modulated light beams onto a right common axis to form a right multicolor modulated light beam;

(b7) directing said right multicolor modulated light beam onto a right curved diffusive surface to form a line of source pixels of said right intermediate image;

(b8) projecting said line of source pixels of said right intermediate image using said right scanning ball lens assembly to form said right intermediate line image near said focal surface of said curved mirror;

(c) forming a left virtual image from said left intermediate image, said left virtual image viewable from said left viewing pupil, said left viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said left scanning ball lens pupil; and

(d) forming a right virtual image from said right intermediate image, said right virtual image viewable from said right viewing pupil, said right viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said right scanning ball lens pupil.

104. The method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer according to claim 103 wherein the step of forming said left intermediate line image comprises the step of projecting each said line of source pixels of said left intermediate image through a beamsplitter.

105. The method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer according to claim 103 further comprising the step of adjusting the displacement between said left intermediate image and said right intermediate image to adapt to operator interocular distance.

106. The method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer according to claim 103 wherein the step of projecting said line of source pixels of said right intermediate image alternates with the step of projecting said line of source pixels of said left intermediate image, thereby forming said left and right intermediate line images in sequence.

107. The method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer according to claim 103 wherein the step of modulating said first left light source comprises the step of modulating an electromechanical grating device.

108. The method display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer according to claim 103 wherein the step of modulating said first left light source comprises the step of modulating a resonant optical fiber.

109. A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer, the image comprising a left image to be viewed by the observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the method comprising:

(a) forming a multicolor modulated light beam by;

(a1) modulating a first light source to provide a first modulated light beam;

(a2) modulating a second light source to provide a second modulated light beam;

(a3) modulating a third light source to provide a third modulated light beam;

(a4) modulating a fourth light source to provide a fourth modulated light beam;

(a5) combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated light beams onto a common axis to form a multicolor modulated light beam;

(b) alternately forming a left intermediate image and a right intermediate image with the repeated sequence of;

(b1) switching said multicolor modulated light beam toward a left diffusive surface to form a left intermediate image;

then,

(b2) switching said multicolor modulated light beam toward a right diffusive surface to form a right intermediate image;

(c) projecting said left intermediate image toward the focal surface of a curved mirror through a left ball lens assembly, said left ball lens assembly having a left ball lens pupil, and projecting said right intermediate image toward the focal surface of said curved mirror through a right ball lens assembly, said right ball lens assembly having a right ball lens pupil;

(d) forming a left virtual image from said left intermediate image, said left virtual image viewable from said left viewing pupil, said left viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said left ball lens pupil; and

(e) forming a right virtual image from said right intermediate image, said right virtual image viewable from said right viewing pupil, said right viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said right ball lens pupil.

110. A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image according to claim 109 wherein the step of switching said multicolor modulated light beam comprises the step of using a liquid crystal shutter.

111. A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image according to claim 109 wherein the step of switching said multicolor modulated light beam comprises the step of using a reciprocating mirror.

112. A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image according to claim 111 wherein said reciprocating mirror comprises a plurality of transmissive and reflective portions.

113. A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer, the image comprising a left image to be viewed by the observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the method comprising:

(a) forming a multicolor modulated light beam with the steps of;

(a1) modulating a first light source to provide a first modulated light beam;

(a2) modulating a second light source to provide a second modulated light beam;

(a3) modulating a third light source to provide a third modulated light beam;

(a4) modulating a fourth light source to provide a fourth modulated light beam;

(a5) combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated light beams onto a common axis to form a multicolor modulated light beam;

(b) splitting said multicolor modulated light beam into;

(b1) a left multicolor modulated light beam directed toward a left diffusive surface to form a left intermediate image; and

(b2) a right multicolor modulated light beam directed toward a right diffusive surface to form a right intermediate image; and

(c) projecting said left intermediate image toward the focal surface of a curved mirror through a left ball lens assembly, said left ball lens assembly having a left ball lens pupil, and projecting said right intermediate image toward the focal surface of said curved mirror through a right ball lens assembly, said right ball lens assembly having a right ball lens pupil;

(d) forming a left virtual image from said left intermediate image, said left virtual image viewable from said left viewing pupil, said left viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said left ball lens pupil; and

(e) forming a right virtual image from said right intermediate image, said right virtual image viewable from said right viewing pupil, said right viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said right ball lens pupil.