Stereoscopic display system having a single display

• US 6,943,955 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2001
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
• Original Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
• Inventors: Monz, Ludwin, Kaschke, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US10/025,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/632, 359/462, 359/464, 359/466, 359/471, 345/7, 345/8, 351/158
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• 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 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to stereoscopic display system having a single display (7). Right and left partial images are sequentially displayed on the display (7). For the viewing, two separate component beam paths (21, 22) for viewing only left partial images (21) and only right partial images (22) and a switchover device (5, 9) are provided. The switchover device (5, 9) couples in the data, which is shown on the display, from a common part of the viewing beam path alternately into the two separate component beam paths in synchronism with the display of the right and left partial images on the display. In one embodiment, the switchover device includes a polarization switch (5) and a polarization beam splitter (9). The polarization switch (5) is arranged either in the illuminating beam path or in the common part of the viewing beam path.

Claims

1. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for displaying right and left partial images sequentially in time;

a first optical arrangement for defining a common viewing beam path along which said right and left partial images are transmitted;

a second optical arrangement for splitting said common viewing beam path into separate first and second component beam paths for viewing only said left and only said right partial images, respectively;

a switchover device for alternately coupling information shown on said display from said common viewing beam path separately into said first and second component beam paths in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial images on said display; and

,

said switchover device including a mirror switchable into and out of said beam path.

2. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for displaying right and left partial images sequentially in time;

a first optical arrangement for defining a common viewing beam path along which said right and left partial images are transmitted;

a second optical arrangement for splitting said common viewing beam path into separate first and second component beam paths for viewing only said left and only said right partial images, respectively;

a switchover device for alternately coupling information shown on said display from said common viewing beam path separately into said first and second component beam paths in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial images on said display; and

,

a partially transmitting mirror;

polarization filters mounted in corresponding ones of said first and second component beam paths; and

, said polarization filters having respective pass-through directions crossed with respect to each other.

3. The stereoscopic display system of claim 2, further comprising a light source for transmitting light along an illuminating beam path toward said display;

and, said switchover device including a polarization switch mounted in said illuminating beam path or in said common viewing beam path.

4. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for sequentially displaying right and left partial images;

an optical arrangement for defining an illuminating beam path and for illuminating said display sequentially in time with light having first and second directions of polarization different from each other; and

,

said optical arrangement including a polarization beam splitter mounted in said illuminating beam path.

5. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for sequentially displaying right and left partial images;

an optical arrangement for defining an illuminating beam path and for illuminating said display sequentially in time with light having first and second directions of polarization different from each other;

said optical arrangement including a polarization beam splitter mounted in said illuminating beam path; and

,

said optical arrangement further including two light sources for emitting respective beams of light and said polarization beam splitter being mounted to receive said beams of light and to coaxially superpose said beams of light one upon the other.

6. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for sequentially displaying right and left partial images;

an optical arrangement for defining an illuminating beam path and for illuminating said display sequentially in time with light having first and second directions of polarization different from each other;

said optical arrangement including a polarization beam splitter mounted in said illuminating beam path;

said optical arrangement further including two light sources for emitting respective beams of light and said polarization beam splitter being mounted to receive said beams of light and to coaxially superpose said beams of light one upon the other; and

,

a color filter wheel common to both of said light sources and mounted downstream thereof.

7. The stereoscopic display system of claim 6, further comprising a control unit for driving said color filter wheel in synchronism with a display of stereoscopic color sequences.

8. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for displaying right and left partial images sequentially in time;

first and second optical arrangements for defining respective viewing beam paths for viewing only said right and left partial images;

a switchover device for alternately coupling information shown on said display from said common viewing beam path separately into said first and second component beam paths in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial images on said display; and

,

said switchover device including a mirror switchable into and out of said beam path.

9. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for displaying right and left partial images sequentially in time;

first and second optical arrangements for defining respective viewing beam paths for viewing only said right and left partial images;

a switchover device for alternately coupling information shown on said display from said common viewing beam path separately into said first and second component beam paths in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial image on said display; and

,

a partially transmitting mirror;

polarization filters mounted in corresponding ones of said first and second component beam paths; and

, said polarization filters having respective pass-through directions crossed with respect to each other.

10. The stereoscopic display system of claim 9, further comprising a light source for transmitting light along an illuminating beam path toward said display;

and, said switchover device including a polarization switch mounted in said illuminating beam path or in said common viewing beam path.

11. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for displaying right and left partial images sequentially in time;

a first optical arrangement for defining a common viewing beam path along which said right and left partial images are transmitted;

a second optical arrangement for receiving said common viewing beam path and defining separate first and second component beam paths for viewing only said left and only said right partial images, respectively; and

,

a switchover device including a mirror alternately switchable into and out of said common viewing beam path so as to permit information shown on said display to pass into said first component beam path separately when said mirror is in said common viewing beam path and to pass into said second component beam path separately when said mirror is switched out of said common beam path in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial images on said display.

12. The stereoscopic display system of claim 11, further comprising a light source for transmitting light along an illuminating beam path toward said display;

and, said switchover device including a polarization switch mounted in said illuminating beam path or in said common viewing beam path.

13. The stereoscopic display system of claim 12, further comprising a partially transmitting mirror;

polarization filters mounted in corresponding ones of said first and second component beam paths; and

, said polarization filters having respective pass-through directions crossed with respect to each other.

14. The stereoscopic display system of claim 11, said second optical arrangement including a transfer optic in one of said separate first and second component beam paths.

15. A stereoscopic display system comprising:

a single display for displaying right and left partial images sequentially in time;

a first optical arrangement for defining a common viewing beam path along which said right and left partial images are transmitted;

a second optical arrangement for splitting said common viewing beam path into separate first and second component beam paths for viewing only said left and only said right partial images, respectively;

a switchover device for alternately coupling information shown on said display from said common viewing beam path separately into said first and second component beam paths in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial images on said display;

said switchover device including a polarization switch mounted in said illuminating beam path or in said common viewing beam path; and

, a polarization beam splitter for splitting said common viewing beam path into said first and second component beam paths; and

,

a partially transmitting mirror;

polarization filters mounted in corresponding ones of said first and second component beam paths; and

, said polarization filters having respective pass-through directions crossed with respect to each other.

16. A viewing system worn by a person on the head, the viewing system comprising:

a bead gear which can be worn by a person on the head;

a stereoscopic display system integrated into said head gear and including;

a single display for sequentially displaying right and left partial images;

a first optical arrangement for defining a common viewing beam path along which said right and left partial images are transmitted;

a second optical arrangement for splitting said common viewing beam path into separate first and second component beam paths for viewing only said left and only said right partial images, respectively;

a switchover device for alternately coupling information shown on said display from said common viewing beam path separately into said first and second component beam paths in synchronism with the presentation of said left and right partial images on said display;

said switchover device including a polarization switch mounted in said illuminating beam path or in said common viewing beam path; and

, a polarization beam splitter for splitting said common viewing beam path into said first and second component beam paths; and

,

a partially transmitting mirror;

polarization filters mounted in corresponding ones of said first and second component beam paths; and

, said polarization filters having respective pass-through directions crossed with respect to each other.