Stereo head mounted display using a single display device

• US 6,271,808 B1
• Filed: 06/05/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation (SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation (SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Corbin, Dave B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Duc Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/092,245
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7-8, 359/630-631
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0136 with a single image source for both eyes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/334 using spectral multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/339 using spatial multiplexing H04N13/337 takes precedence
• 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 13/356 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/361 Reproducing mixed stereoscopic images; Reproducing mixed monoscopic and stereoscopic images, e.g. a stereoscopic image overlay window on a monoscopic image background
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

A single display device is mounted within a head-worn apparatus to produce both a left image and a right image. The left image is directed to a right eye of the user, and the right image is directed to the left eye of the user. When in the stereoscopic mode, the right and left images differ from each other such that when viewed by the user, the combined right and left images give the user a stereoscopic, three-dimensional effect. When worn on the head of the user, the device is properly aligned to provide the left image to the right eye and the right image to the left eye. Further, as the user moves, the present invention remains properly aligned such that the user can continue viewing the left image with the right eye and the right image with the left eye independent of movement by the user so long as the user keeps wearing the device. A plurality of pixels are collected as the display, wherein each pixel is formed of a grating light valve. The modulation of light by the grating light valve is configured to be accomplished sequentially and also sufficiently fast to multiplex both complete right and left images in a single time frame thereby preventing flicker. By using a single display, the device is inherently aligned to produce an accurate right and left images viewed by each respective eye without internal adjustments. Further, by using the grating light valve, the user is only exposed to reflected light rather than to harmful radiation such as from a cathode ray tube. Additionally, forming the display of grating light valves allows formation of two images without the use of any filters owing to the speed of grating light valves.

Claims

1. A headset for viewing a two dimensional image comprising:

a. means for attaching the headset to a user;

b. a right light source and a left light source wherein each light source provides a directed light; and

c. a display comprising a diffractive light modulator for receiving the directed light from the right and left light sources whereby the display alternates between forming a left image and a right image, respectively, such that in operation the left image is directed to a left eye of the user and further such that the right image is directed to a right eye of the user.

2. The headset as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the right and left light sources further comprises red, blue, and green light emitting diodes.

3. The headset as claimed in claim 1:

a. wherein the diffractive light modulator comprises a one dimensional array of grating light valves for producing a portion of the right and left images; and

b. further comprising a scanning mirror for reflecting the portion of the right and left images produced by the one dimensional array of grating light valves such that the right and left images can be fully viewed in their entirety.

4. The headset as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diffractive light modulator comprises a two dimensional array of grating light valves wherein each grating light valve forms a pixel of the display.

5. The headset as claimed in claim 1 wherein the right image and the left image differ such that viewing the right image with the right eye and the left image with the left eye produces a three dimensional, stereoscopic visual effect from the right and left images.

6. The headset as claimed in claim 1 wherein the right image and the left image are identical such that viewing the right image with the right eye and the left image with the left eye produces a mono effect such that the mono effect is substantially brighter compared to viewing only a single image.

7. A headset for viewing a two dimensional image comprising:

a. a display comprising a plurality of grating light valves;

b. means for illuminating the display;

c. means for forming a right image and a left image on the display by the plurality of grating light valves selectively reflecting light from the means for illuminating, the display alternating between forming the right image and the left image; and

d. means for directing the right image to a right eye of a user and the left image to a left eye of the user wherein the right and left eyes remain properly aligned to receive a corresponding image while allowing the user to move.

8. The headset as claimed in claim 7 wherein the plurality of grating light valves is configured as a two dimensional array wherein each light valves represents a pixel of the display.

9. The headset as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for illuminating includes red, green, and blue light emitting diodes.

10. The headset as claimed in claim 7 wherein the right image and the left image differ such that the user views a three dimensional, stereoscopic effect from the right and left images.

11. The headset as claimed in claim 7 wherein the right image and the left image are the same such that to the user, the two dimensional image appears twice as bright.

12. The headset as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for illuminating includes a right light source and a left light source wherein the right and left light sources illuminate the display for the left and right images, respectively.

13. The headset as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of the right and left light sources includes red, green, and blue light sources.

14. The headset as claimed in claim 13 further comprising means for sequentially cycling only once through each red, green, and blue light source of the right light source for each right image while simultaneously sequentially cycling only once through each red, green, and blue light source of the left light source for each left image such that the right and left images appear in color.

15. A headset for viewing a two dimensional image comprising:

a. a display comprising a one dimensional array of a plurality of grating light valves;

b. means for illuminating the display;

c. means for forming a partial right image and a partial left image on the display by the plurality of grating light valves selectively reflecting light from the means for illuminating, the display alternating between forming the partial right image and the partial left image;

d. means for rotating a mirror to form a full right image and a full left image such that the partial right and left images produce the full right and full left images, respectively; and

e. means for reflecting the full right image to a right eye of a user and the full left image to a left eye of a user such that the right and left eyes remain properly aligned to receive a corresponding image while the user is wearing the headset.

16. The headset as claimed in claim 15 wherein the full right image and the full left image differ such that the user views a three dimensional, stereoscopic effect from viewing the full right and left images.

17. The headset as claimed in claim 15 wherein the full right image and the full left image are the same such that the two dimensional image appears twice as bright to the user.

18. The headset as claimed in claim 15 wherein the means for illuminating is a right light source and a left light source wherein the right and left light sources illuminate the display to produce the left and right images, respectively.

19. The headset as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of the right and left light sources includes red, green, and blue light sources.

20. The headset as claimed in claim 19 further comprising means for sequentially cycling only once through each red, green, and blue light source of the left light source for each full right image while simultaneously cycling only once through each red, green, and blue light source of the right light source for each full left image such that the full right and left images appear in color.

21. The headset as claimed in claim 19 further comprising means for sequentially cycling only once through each red, green, and blue light source of the left light source for each partial right image while simultaneously cycling only once through each red, green, and blue light source of the right light source for each partial left image such that the partial right and left images appear in color.

22. A method of viewing a two dimensional image with a stereoscopic effect through a headset comprising the steps of:

a. directing a first light source and a second light source onto a display wherein the display comprises a plurality of grating light valves;

b. alternating between forming a right image and a left image on the display wherein the right image and the left image differ; and

c. reflecting the right image to a right eye of a user and the left image to a left eye of the user wherein the right and left eyes remain properly aligned to receive a corresponding image while the user is wearing the headset such that the user is automatically aligned to view the stereoscopic effect.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein each of the first light and second light sources comprise a red light emitting diode, a green light emitting diode, and a blue light emitting diode.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the plurality of grating light valves are configured in a two dimensional array wherein each grating light valve forms a pixel of the display.

25. A method of viewing a two dimensional image through a headset comprising the steps of:

a. directing a first light source and a second light source onto a display wherein the display comprises a plurality of grating light valves;

b. alternating between forming a right image and a left image on the display wherein the right image and the left image are the same; and

c. reflecting the right image to a right eye of a user and the left image to a left eye of the user wherein the right and left eyes remain properly aligned to receive a corresponding image while the user is wearing the headset such that the user views the two dimensional image.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein each of the first and second light sources comprise a red light source, a blue light source, and a green light source.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 further comprising the step of sequentially cycling only once through each red, blue, and green light source of the first light source for each right image and sequentially cycling only once through each red, blue, and green light source of the second light source for each left image such that the right and left images appear in color wherein the step of sequentially cycling is repeated to produce subsequent right and left images in color.

28. A method of displaying a two dimensional image with a stereoscopic effect through a headset worn by a user comprising the steps of:

a. directing a first light source and a second light source onto a one dimensional array of grating light valves;

b. alternating between forming a partial right image and a partial left image from the array of grating light valves by selectively reflecting each grating light valve in the array of grating light valves;

c. scanning the array of grating light valves with a movable mirror to create a complete right image and a complete left image wherein the complete right and complete left images differ; and

d. reflecting the complete right image to a right eye of the user and the complete left image to a left eye of the user wherein the right and left eyes remain properly aligned to receive a corresponding image while the user is wearing the headset such that the user views the stereoscopic effect.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28 wherein the first and second light sources each comprise a red light source, a blue light source, and a green light source.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29 further comprising the step of sequentially cycling only once through the red, blue, and green light sources of the first light source for the partial right image and sequentially cycling only once through the red, blue, and green light sources of the second light source for the partial left image such that the array of grating light valves form the partial right and left images in color.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29 further comprising the step of sequentially cycling only once through each red, blue, and green light source of the first light source for each complete right image and sequentially cycling only once through each red, blue, and green light source of the second light source for each complete left image such that the array of grating light valves form the complete right and left images in color.

32. A headset for viewing a two dimensional image comprising:

a. means for attaching the headset to a user;

b. a first light source and a second light source, the first light source providing a first directed light and the second light source providing a second directed light;

c. a linear light modulator for receiving the first and second directed light, the linear light modulator alternating between forming a right image and a left image from the first and second directed light, respectively; and

d. a scanning mirror for reflecting and scanning the right image and the left image such that a user views the right image with a right eye and further such that the user views the left image with a left eye.

33. The headset as claimed in claim 32 wherein each of the first and second light sources comprises red, green, and blue light emitting diodes.

34. The headset as claimed in claim 32 wherein the linear light modulator comprises a one dimensional array of grating light valves.

35. The headset as claimed in claim 32 wherein the right image and the left image differ such that viewing the right image with the right eye and viewing the left image with the left eye produces a three dimensional stereoscopic visual effect.

36. The headset as claimed in claim 32 wherein the right image and the left image are identical such that viewing the right image with the right eye and viewing the left image with the left eye produces a mono effect such that the mono effect is substantially brighter copared to viewing only a single image.

37. The headset as claimed in claim 32 wherein the linear light modulator sequentially produces the right image as a full right image and then produces the left image as a full left image.

38. The headset as claimed in claim 32 wherein the linear light modulator sequentially produces the right image as a partial right image and then produces the left images as a partial left image.