Device with array of tilting microcolumns to display three-dimensional images

• US 7,957,061 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ostendo Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: HoloVisions LLC
• Inventors: Connor, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang; Audrey Y
• Application Number:
  US12/317,856
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 359/463, 359/462, 359/464, 348/54, 348/59
• US Class Current: 359/463
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/002 Arrays of reflective systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/004 Systems comprising a plurality of reflections between two or more surfaces, e.g. cells, resonators multipass arrangements for optical cuvettes G01N21/031; laser resonators H01S3/05
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/54 the 3D volume being generated by moving a 2D surface, e.g. by vibrating or rotating the 2D surface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/302 for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays

Abstract

This invention is a device for displaying three-dimensional images using an array of tilting microcolumns. It can create high-resolution, large-scale, moving, three-dimensional images that can be viewed by people in different locations, with full parallax, without special eyewear. Unlike currently available methods, this invention: does not require special eyewear, works for multiple viewers, provides parallax in all directions, does not have a very restrictive viewing zone, does not produce only transparent images, does not require coherent light, is scalable to large displays, does not require liquid movement to adjust lens shape, and does not require complex systems to individually control large numbers of lenses.

Claims

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

an image display surface, wherein this image display surface emits or reflects light to display an image comprised of multiple pixels, and

an array of tilting microcolumns, wherein;

each tilting microcolumn allows the passage of light from one pixel;

wherein the interiors of these microcolumns allow the passage of light, but their walls block or reflect light;

wherein each tilting microcolumn restricts the visibility of light rays passing through it to a line-of-sight that is generally along the central longitudinal axis of the microcolumn;

wherein the end of the microcolumn that is closest to the image display surface moves little, or not at all, and the end of the microcolumn farthest from the image display surface moves in a generally circular, spiral, square, zig-zag, or other two-dimensional path in a plane that is relatively parallel to the image display surface; and

wherein the image contents displayed by pixels are coordinated with the movement of the tilting microcolumns, through which those image contents pass, so that the view that would be seen of a real object from viewing angle X is displayed by the light ray emanating at angle X so as to create perception of three-dimensional images.

2. The device for displaying three-dimensional images in claim 1 wherein the image display surface has light emitting elements.

3. The device for displaying three-dimensional images in claim 1 wherein the image display surface has light reflecting elements.

4. The device for displaying three-dimensional images in claim 1 wherein each tilting microcolumn is a hollow column whose sides are formed by opaque or reflective material, which is attached at its ends to two parallel honeycomb-shaped structures, and wherein tilting action is caused by shifting these parallel structures relative to each other by mechanical means.

5. The device for displaying three-dimensional images in claim 1 wherein each tilting microcolumn has a magnetic charge, the end of the tilting microcolumn closest to the image display surface moves little, or not at all, and the end of the microcolumn farthest from image display surface moves in a path that is relatively parallel to the display surface, and wherein this movement is caused by the interaction between the microcolumn and an electromagnetic field.

6. A method for displaying three-dimensional images comprising:

emitting light from, or projecting light onto, a display surface so as to create an image, and

restricting lines-of-sight from points on this surface using an array of tilting pixel-specific microcolumns, wherein the end of the microcolumn that is closest to the image display surface moves little, or not at all, and the end of the microcolumn farthest from the image display surface moves in a two-dimensional manner, and wherein the angular directions of the light rays exiting these microcolumns form a light pattern that creates perception of three-dimensional images.

7. A device for displaying three-dimensional images comprising:

an image display surface, wherein this image display surface emits or reflects light to display an image comprised of multiple pixels, and

an array of tilting microcolumns, wherein;

each tilting microcolumn allows the passage of light from one pixel;

wherein the interiors of these microcolumns allow the passage of light, but their walls block or reflect light;

wherein each tilting microcolumn restricts the visibility of light rays passing through it to a line-of-sight that is generally along the central longitudinal axis of the microcolumn;

wherein the end of the microcolumn that is closest to the image display surface moves little, or not at all, and the end of the microcolumn farthest from the image display surface moves in a generally circular, spiral, square, zig-zag, or other two-dimensional path in a plane that is relatively parallel to the image display surface; and

wherein the image contents displayed by pixels are coordinated with the movement of the tilting microcolumns, through which those image contents pass, so that the lines-of-sight that would be viewed from a real object radiate outwards from the two-dimensional surface toward the viewers at viewing angles so as to create perception of three-dimensional images.