Autostereoscopic display

• US 6,831,678 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1999
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Holographic Imaging LLC
• Inventors: Travis, Adrian R
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelly, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons, Charles E
• Application Number:
  US09/446,007
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: 348/51, 348/56, 348/57, 348/46, 348/54, 349/15, 349/27, 349/87, 349/5
• US Class Current: 348/46
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2294 Addressing the hologram to an active spatial light modulator
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/30 discrete holograms only
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/221 Element having optical power, e.g. field lens
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2239 Enlarging the viewing window
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2242 Multiple viewing windows
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2271 RGB holobject
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2292 Using scanning means
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2655 Time multiplexing, i.e. consecutive records wherein the period between records is pertinent per se
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2210/42 from real object, e.g. using 3D scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/34 Multiple light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/36 Scanning light beam
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2225/25 Optically addressed SLM [OA-SLM]
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2225/60 Multiple SLMs

Abstract

A video display for displaying a large image to an observer, comprising a screen for displaying patterns, the screen being formed of a plurality of separate areas each capable of receiving a segment of a pattern the segments collectively forming a complete frame of a pattern; projection means for projecting a segment of a pattern to each separate area of the screen in sequence; means for receiving each segment of a pattern and forming a complete frame; and means for illuminating the screen with collimated light to display a large area display.

Claims

1. A three dimensional video display including:

a screen (4) on which successive frames of patterns can be displayed and means (6) for projecting an array of collimated light beams which can illuminate the whole screen (4) through a series of discrete directions in synchronism with the display of successive frames;

wherein said screen (4) includes a layer of liquid crystal material (13) located between a front plate (8) and a rear plate (9);

a layer of light sensitive material (15), operable to change the voltage on the adjacent layer (13) of liquid crystal material;

a reflective layer (14) between the liquid crystal material (13) and the light sensitive material and electrode structures (10, 11) on the inner faces of plates (8, 9) for applying a voltage across the liquid material (13), the electrodes (10, 11) forming collectively an array of separately addressable segments in the liquid crystal layer (13) and each collimated light beam 6 is arranged to illuminate the whole of front plate 8.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein the screen comprises a plurality of separate areas, each independently addressable in field time to form collectively a complete frame of a pattern.

3. The display of claim 2 wherein the screen is formed by an optically addressed spatial light modulator having a plurality of separately addressable segments each arranged to receive a sub-pattern in a field time.

4. The display of any of claim 1, 2 or 3 and further including means (1) for projecting patterns on the image screen (4, 8, 13).

5. The display of claim 4 wherein the means for projecting (1) includes means for projecting a plurality of field patterns in sequence on spatial separate areas (A to P) of the image screen or light sensitive layer (15) to form a complete frame of an image.

6. The display of claim 5 wherein the means for projecting includes a digital micro mirror device having a matrix of separately addressable pixels collectively providing a pattern or part of a pattern for projection on to the screen (4).

7. The display of claim 6 where the means for projecting includes a cathode ray tube video display for projecting an image or a part of an image on to the screen (4).

8. The display of claim 1 and further including an optical arrangement wherein the means (6) for projecting an array of collimated light beams is arranged substantially in the focal plane of the optical arrangement.

9. The display of claim 1 where each collimated light beams is laser light.

10. The display of claim 1 where the collimated light beams are of different wavelengths.

11. The display of claim 4 and further including a grating (3) between the projecting means (1) and screen (4).