Holovision (TM) 3D imaging with rotating light-emitting members

• US 7,978,407 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2009
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ostendo Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: HoloVisions LLC
• Inventors: Connor, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang; Audrey Y
• Application Number:
  US12/459,159
• Time in Patent Office: 745 Days
• Field of Search: 359/462, 359/463, 359/464, 359/472, 348/54
• US Class Current: 359/463
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/31 involving active parallax barriers involving directional light or back-light sources G02B30/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/32 using arrays of controllable light sources; using moving apertures or moving light sources

Abstract

This invention is a novel device that displays three-dimensional moving images featuring binocular disparity and motion parallax that can be seen simultaneously by multiple viewers in different positions without requiring headgear. This device comprises: longitudinal light-guiding members that rotate around their longitudinal axes; and light-emitting members inside, or attached to, each longitudinal light-guiding member. Changes in the content of light rays from the light-emitting members are coordinated with changes in the directions of these light rays so that viewers in different positions can see appropriate three-dimensional images. Advantageous features include: no headgear required, allows multiple viewers, high image resolution, avoids pseudoscopic images, offers wide viewing range, scalable to large size displays, multi-directional motion parallax, high light efficiency, avoids head tracking, avoids reciprocal motion, avoids fluid lag, avoids ghost-like images, and avoids use of coherent light.

Claims

1. A device for displaying three-dimensional images, comprising:

a plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members that rotate around their longitudinal axes,

a plurality of light-emitting members inside each longitudinal light-guiding member, wherein light rays from light-emitting members are guided through light-transmitting portions of the longitudinal light-guiding member so that the directions of the light rays change as the longitudinal light-guiding member rotates; and

wherein changes in the content of light rays from the light-emitting members are coordinated with changes in the directions of those light rays to create three-dimensional images.

2. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 1 wherein the light-guiding members are parallel to each other or are configured in a radial pattern.

3. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 1 wherein the light-guiding members are configured on a flat surface or on a curved surface.

4. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 1 wherein the light-guiding members are in a layer of vertically-oriented members providing motion parallax in response to horizontal viewer movement.

5. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 1 wherein the light-guiding members are configured in two parallel layers that are oriented perpendicularly to each other, so as to provide motion parallax in response to either horizontal or vertical viewer movement.

6. The light-transmitting portions of the longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 1 wherein the light-transmitting portions are hollow or are made from transparent material.

7. The light-transmitting portions of the longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 1 wherein the light-transmitting portions guide light out from one side or from both sides of the lateral cross-section of the light-guiding members.

8. The light-emitting members in claim 1 wherein the light-emitting members are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

9. The light-emitting members in claim 1 wherein the light-emitting members are distributed along the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal light-guiding members or are distributed along one side of the longitudinal light-emitting members.

10. A device for displaying three-dimensional images that feature binocular disparity and motion parallax, comprising:

a plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members that rotate around their longitudinal axes, wherein these members have lateral cross-sectional shapes that are at least partially convex, and

a plurality of light-emitting members inside each longitudinal light-guiding member, wherein light rays from light-emitting members are guided through light-transmitting portions of the longitudinal light-guiding member so that the directions of the light rays change as the longitudinal light-guiding member rotates; and

wherein changes in the content (including light intensity and color) of light rays from the light-emitting members are coordinated with changes in the directions of those light rays to create three-dimensional images featuring binocular disparity and motion parallax.

11. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 10 wherein the light-guiding members are parallel to each other or are configured in a radial pattern.

12. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 10 wherein the light-guiding members are configured on a flat surface or on a curved surface.

13. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 10 wherein the light-guiding members are in a layer of vertically-oriented members providing motion parallax in response to horizontal viewer movement.

14. The plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 10 wherein the light-guiding members are configured in two parallel layers that are oriented perpendicularly to each other, so as to provide motion parallax in response to either horizontal or vertical viewer movement.

15. The light-transmitting portions of the longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 10 wherein the light-transmitting portions are hollow or are made from transparent material.

16. The light-transmitting portions of the longitudinal light-guiding members in claim 10 wherein the light-transmitting portions guide light out from one side or from both sides of the lateral cross-section of the light-guiding members.

17. The light-emitting members in claim 10 wherein the light-emitting members are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

18. The light-emitting members in claim 10 wherein the light-emitting members are distributed along the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal light-guiding members or are distributed along one side of the longitudinal light-emitting members.

19. A method for displaying three-dimensional images involving:

placing light-emitting members inside longitudinal light-guiding members;

rotating those longitudinal light-guiding members around their longitudinal axes; and

coordinating changes in the content of light rays from the light-emitting members with changes in the directions of those light rays to create three-dimensional images.