Multi-planar volumetric display system and method of operation using multi-planar interlacing

• US 6,806,849 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2002
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lightspace Technologies, Inc. (LC-Tec Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: LightSpace Technologies AB (LC-Tec Holding AB)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/103,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20020130820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/6
• US Class Current: 345/6
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/52 the 3D volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D planes, e.g. depth sampling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/388 Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

A multi-planar volumetric display system and method of operation generate volumetric three-dimensional images using a multi-surface optical device including a plurality of individual optical elements arranged in an array; and an image projector for selectively projecting images on respective optical elements to generate a first volumetric three-dimensional image viewable in the multi-surface optical device. A floating-image generator may also be included for projecting the first volumetric three-dimensional image to generate a second volumetric three-dimensional image viewable as floating in space at a location separate from the multi-surface optical device.

Claims

1. A system for generating a volumetric, three-dimensional image, comprising:

a multi-surface optical device including a plurality of optical elements arranged in sequence, said plurality of optical elements comprising a first non-sequential subset of optical elements and a second non-sequential subset of optical elements;

a controller for generating a sequence of image slices comprising a first non-sequential subset of image slices and a second non-sequential subset of image slices; and

an image projector coupled to said controller for projecting said image slices onto corresponding optical elements of said multi-surface optical device to generate said volumetric, three-dimensional image;

wherein said image projector first projects image slices of said first non-sequential subset of image slices onto corresponding optical elements in said first non-sequential subset of optical elements and then projects image slices of said second non-sequential subset of image slices onto corresponding optical elements in said second non-sequential subset of optical elements.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises even-numbered optical elements and said second non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises odd-numbered optical elements.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises odd-numbered optical elements and said second non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises even-numbered optical elements.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and said second non-sequential subsets of optical elements are semi-randomly selected.

5. A method for generating a volumetric, three-dimensional image, comprising the steps of:

providing a multi-surface optical device comprising a plurality of optical elements arranged in sequence, wherein said plurality of optical elements comprises a first non-sequential subset of optical elements and a second non-sequential subset of optical elements;

generating a sequence of image slices comprising a first non-sequential subset of image slices and a second non-sequential subset of image slices;

projecting image slices of said first non-sequential subset of image slices onto corresponding optical elements in said first non-sequential subset of optical elements; and

projecting image slices of said second non-sequential subset of image slices onto corresponding optical elements in said second non-sequential subset of optical elements.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said first non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises even-numbered optical elements and said second non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises odd-numbered optical elements.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said first non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises odd-numbered optical elements and said second non-sequential subset of optical elements comprises even-numbered optical elements.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said first and said second non-sequential subsets of optical elements are semi-randomly selected.

9. A system for generating a volumetric, three-dimensional image, comprising:

a multi-surface optical device including a plurality of optical elements arranged in sequence;

a controller for generating a sequence of image slices; and

an image projector coupled to said controller for projecting each of said image slices in a non-sequential manner onto a corresponding optical element of said multi-surface optical device to generate said volumetric, three-dimensional image.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said image projector first projects odd-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements, and then projects even-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said image projector first projects even-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements, and then projects odd-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements.

12. A method for generating a volumetric, three-dimensional image, comprising the steps of:

providing a multi-surface optical device comprising a plurality of optical elements arranged in sequence;

generating a sequence of image slices; and

projecting each of said image slices in a non-sequential manner onto a corresponding optical element of said multi-surface optical device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said projecting step comprises the steps of:

projecting odd-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements; and

projecting even-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said projecting step comprises the steps of:

projecting even-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements; and

projecting odd-numbered image slices in said sequence of image slices onto their corresponding optical elements.