3D stereoscopic display system for large format LED displays

• US 8,542,270 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liminal Space Incorporated
• Original Assignee: VisiTech 3D Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): Ustaris, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ren, Zhubing
• Application Number:
  US12/720,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/25 using polarisation techniques

Abstract

A three dimensional (3D) stereoscopic display system using large format light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying 3D image content. The apparatus comprises a grid of LEDs covered by two sheets of polarizing material, a first sheet of polarizing material for polarizing a first subset of the LEDs to form a first view of the 3D image, and a second sheet of polarizing material for polarizing the second subset of LEDs to form a second view of the 3D image. The sheets may be formed by cutting a plurality of openings substantially aligned with a corresponding subset of LEDs. For improved viewing, the apparatus may further comprise a rear diffuser, disposed between the LED display and the first sheet of polarizing material. Also for improved viewing, the apparatus may further comprise a front diffuser, disposed in front of the second sheet of polarizing material, for reducing glare from external light sources. Also an additional method of the application of individual polarizing buttons directly adhered to the individual LEDs incorporating an assembly key for maintaining the correct orientation of the polarizing material.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a) a display comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying 3D image content;

b) a first sheet of polarizing material for polarizing a first subset of said LEDs to form a first view of said 3D image, said first sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with a second subset of said LEDs;

c) a second sheet of polarizing material for polarizing said second subset of said LEDs to form a second view of said 3D image, said second sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with said first subset of said LEDs, wherein said first sheet and second sheet are layered together;

d) a rear diffuser disposed between said display and said first sheet of polarizing material, for diffusing luminance of light emanated from said LEDs to reduce the concentration of light from a small to a larger area of the polarizing material, so as to increase the efficiency of the polarizing material to reduce the ghosting artifacts that interfere with the 3D effect;

e) a front diffuser, disposed in front of said second sheet of polarizing material, for reducing glare from the light emanated from light sources external from said display and for increasing the viewing angle of the display by projecting a polarized image of an illuminated pixel onto the front surface on the front diffuser so as to be visible by a viewer at a wide angle; and

f) eyewear for viewing said 3D image, said eyewear comprising a left and a right lens that polarizes light complementary to said first and second sheets of polarizing material to create a left eye view and a right eye view from said first and second views.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates circularly polarized light.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates linearly polarized light.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating horizontal rows and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating horizontal rows opposite said first set of alternating horizontal rows.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid, opposite said first set of alternating diagonal rows.

6. A method for displaying a 3D image from a wall comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), said method comprising:

a) polarizing a first subset of said LEDs with a first sheet of polarizing material to form a first view of said 3D image, said first sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with a second subset of said LEDs;

b) polarizing said second subset of said LEDs with a second sheet of polarizing material to form a second view of said 3D image, said second sheet comprising a plurality of polarizing material to form a second view of said 3D image, said second sheet comprising a plurality of openings substantially aligned with said first subset of said LEDs, wherein said second sheet is layered together with said first sheet;

c) diffusing luminance of light emanated from said LEDs rear diffuser, the rear diffuser disposed between said display and said first sheet of polarizing material to reduce the concentration of light from a small to a large area of the polarizing material, so as to increase the efficiency of the polarizing material and to reduce the ghosting artifacts that interfere with the 3D effect;

d) reducing glare from light emanated from light sources external from said display with a front diffuser, the front diffuser disposed in front of said second sheet of polarizing material;

e) increasing the viewing angle of the display with the front diffuser by projecting a polarized image of an illuminated pixel onto the front surface on the front diffuser so as to be visible by a view at a wide angle;

f) using the combination of the front and rear diffusers to create a larger size illumination area, as compared to the LED pixels alone, to decrease the pixilation effects of the display and to create a smoother image in 2D or 3D modes of use; and

g) using eyewear for viewing said 3D image, said eyewear comprising a left and a right lens that polarizes light complementary to said first and second sheets of polarizing material to create a left eye view and a right eye view from said first and second views.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates circularly polarized light.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said first sheet of polarizing material and said second sheet of polarizing material generates linearly polarized light.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating horizontal rows and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating horizontal rows opposite said first set of alternating horizontal rows.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said LEDs are disposed in a grid pattern and wherein said first view comprises LEDs situated in a first set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid and said second view comprises LEDs situated in a second set of alternating diagonal lines across said grid, opposite said first set of alternating diagonal rows.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a) a display comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying 3D image content;

b) a plurality of first button polarizers for polarizing a first subset of said LEDs to form a first view of said 3D image, at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers substantially aligned with at least one of said first subset of said LEDs;

c) plurality of second button polarizers for polarizing a second subset of said LEDs to form a second view of said 3D image, at least one of the plurality of second button polarizers substantially aligned with at least one of said second subset of said LEDs, wherein said second button polarizers are layered upon said first button polarizers;

d) at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers comprises a frosted surface;

e) at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers comprise a left-facing key and wherein at least one of said plurality of second button polarizers comprises a right-facing key; and

f) at least one of said plurality of first button polarizers comprises polarizing material for polarizing light in a first polarizing direction; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of second button polarizers comprise polarizing material for polarizing light in a second polarizing direction.