3D image display with binocular disparity and motion parallax

• US 8,587,498 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2010
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ostendo Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: HoloVisions LLC
• Inventors: Connor, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYD, JONATHAN A
• Application Number:
  US12/660,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20110211256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 345/6, 359/463
• US Class Current: 345/6
• 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: G09G 3/007 Use of pixel shift techniques, e.g. by mechanical shift of the physical pixels or by optical shift of the perceived pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3473 based on light coupled out of a light guide, e.g. due to scattering, by contracting the light guide with external means

Abstract

This invention is a device for displaying images that appear to be three-dimensional, with binocular disparity and motion parallax, for multiple viewers in different viewing locations. This device includes an array of display elements wherein at least one of these display elements includes: one or more light-emitting members; and two or more rotating concentric light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more light-emitting members. This invention has several advantages over methods for displaying three-dimensional images in the prior art. It offers a wide range of motion parallax in different directions for multiple viewers, does not require glasses or head tracking, creates images with full potential for opacity and occlusion, and does not require coherent light.

Claims

1. A device with an array of display elements that displays images that appear to be three-dimensional, comprising:

a first display element that comprises one or more first light-emitting members and two or more rotating concentric first light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more first light-emitting members, wherein the first light guides are coaxial, rotating around a first axis; and

a second display element that comprises one or more second light-emitting members and two or more rotating concentric second light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more second light-emitting members, wherein the second light guides are coaxial, rotating around a second axis, and wherein the second axis is different than the first axis;

wherein an outer first light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner first light guide is located fully or partially within the interior space;

wherein at least one of the first light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more first light-emitting members are located fully or partially within the interior space; and

wherein an outer second light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner second light guide is located fully or partially within the interior space;

wherein at least one of the second light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more second light-emitting members are located fully or partially within the interior space.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein changes in the directions of the light rays exiting a display element and changes in the contents of those light rays are coordinated to show different contents from different viewing perspectives and thereby display images that appear to be three-dimensional, with binocular disparity and motion parallax, for multiple viewers.

3. The device in claim 1 wherein a first light guide guides light by one or more means selected from the group consisting of:

holes or transparent portions that allow light to pass through;

barriers that block the passage of light;

lenses or other optics that refract or channel light; and

mirrors or other surfaces that reflect light.

4. The device in claim 1 wherein the two or more first light guides rotate in similar, or different, directions selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

clockwise rotation;

counter-clockwise rotation; and

oscillating rotation.

5. The device in claim 1 wherein a first light-emitting member is selected from the group consisting of:

a light source within the first display element; and

an exit point for light channeled from a light source external to the first display element.

6. The device in claim 1 wherein the array of display elements is arrayed on a surface with a shape selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

flat surface; and

curved surface.

7. The device in claim 1 wherein the first light guides have shapes selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

sphere, hemisphere, or other portion of a sphere;

geodesic sphere, dome, or other three-dimensional structure comprised of polygonal elements;

disk or ellipse with concave or convex sides;

multi-faceted lens;

ascending converging three-dimensional spiral;

multi-faceted lens; and

parabolic solid.

8. The device in claim 1 wherein the first light guides of a first display element change the latitude and longitude of the angles by which light rays exit that display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle, or polar coordinate, of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of a light guide.

9. The device in claim 1 wherein the two or more first light guides are rotated by one or more means selected from the group consisting of:

engagement of the light guides with moving gears;

engagement of the light guides with moving belts;

interaction between the material of the light guides with an electromagnetic field; and

interaction of the light guides with a moving gas or liquid.

10. The device in claim 1 wherein the two or more first light guides rotate at rates that differ by up to two orders of magnitude.

11. The device in claim 1 wherein differential rotation of the first light guides changes the angles of light rays exiting a first display element so that these light rays, over time, form a cone or frustum of light expanding outwardly from the first display element.

12. The device in claim 1 wherein the first light-emitting members are selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), lasers, incandescent lights, and fluorescent lights.

13. The device in claim 1 wherein there are multiple first light-emitting members, in separate compartments, in each first display element.

14. The device in claim 1 wherein the size of a first display element is within the range of 1-100 microns.

15. The device in claim 1 wherein an outer first light guide of a first display element changes the latitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein an inner first light guide of the first display element changes the longitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle or polar coordinate of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of the inner first light guide.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein an inner first light guide of a first display element changes the latitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein an outer first light guide of the first display element changes the longitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle or polar coordinate of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of the outer first light guide.

17. The device in claim 1 wherein the first light guides in the first display element are coaxial and have a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the array of display elements.

18. The device in claim 1 wherein the first light guides rotate at a rate within the range of 10-1,000 revolutions per second.

19. The device in claim 1 wherein the first light-guides are made from materials selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

metals;

polymers (such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl butyral, and polyvinyl chloride); and

glass.

20. A device with an array of display elements that displays images that appear to be three-dimensional, comprising:

a first display element that comprises one or more first light-emitting members and two or more rotating concentric first light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more first light-emitting members;

wherein the first light guides are coaxial, rotating around a first axis;

wherein a first light-emitting member is selected from the group consisting of a light source within the first display element and an exit point for light channeled from a light source external to the first display element;

wherein changes in the directions of the light rays exiting the first display element and changes in the contents of those light rays are coordinated to show different contents from different viewing perspectives and thereby display images that appear to be three-dimensional;

wherein an outer first light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner first light guide is located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein at least one of the first light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more first light-emitting members are located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein a first light guide guides light by one or more means selected from the group consisting of;

holes or transparent portions that allow light to pass through, barriers that block the passage of light, lenses or other optics that refract or channel light, and mirrors or other surfaces that reflect light; and

wherein the two or more first light guides rotate in similar, or different, directions selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

clockwise rotation, counter-clockwise rotation, and oscillating rotation; and

a second display element that comprises one or more second light-emitting members and two or more rotating concentric second light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more second light-emitting members;

wherein the second light guides are coaxial, rotating around a second axis, and wherein the second axis is different than the first axis;

wherein a second light-emitting member is selected from the group consisting of a light source within the second display element and an exit point for light channeled from a light source external to the second display element;

wherein changes in the directions of the light rays exiting the second display element and changes in the contents of those light rays are coordinated to show different contents from different viewing perspectives and thereby display images that appear to be three-dimensional;

wherein an outer second light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner second light guide is located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein at least one of the second light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more second light-emitting members are located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein a second light guide guides light by one or more means selected from the group consisting of;

holes or transparent portions that allow light to pass through, barriers that block the passage of light, lenses or other optics that refract or channel light, and mirrors or other surfaces that reflect light; and

wherein the two or more second light guides rotate in similar, or different, directions selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

clockwise rotation, counter-clockwise rotation, and oscillating rotation.

21. The device in claim 20 wherein the array of display elements is arrayed on a surface with a shape selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

a flat surface; and

a curved surface.

22. The device in claim 20 wherein the first light guides have shapes selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

sphere, hemisphere, or other portion of a sphere;

geodesic sphere, dome, or other three-dimensional structure comprised of polygonal elements;

disk or ellipse with concave or convex sides;

multi-faceted lens, converging ascending three-dimensional spiral;

multi-faceted lens; and

parabolic solid.

23. The device in claim 20 wherein the first light guides of a first display element change the latitude and longitude of the angles by which light rays exit that display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle, or polar coordinate, of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of a light guide.

24. The device in claim 20 wherein the two or more first light guides are rotated by one or more means selected from the group consisting of:

engagement of the light guides with moving gears;

engagement of the light guides with moving belts;

interaction between the material of the light guides with an electromagnetic field; and

interaction of the light guides with a moving gas or liquid.

25. The device in claim 20 wherein the two or more first light guides rotate at rates that differ by up to two orders of magnitude.

26. The device in claim 20 wherein differential rotation of the first light guides changes the angles of light rays exiting a first display element so that these light rays, over time, form a cone (or frustum) of light expanding outwardly from the first display element.

27. The device in claim 20 wherein the first light-emitting members are selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), lasers, incandescent lights, and fluorescent lights.

28. The device in claim 20 wherein there are multiple first light-emitting members, in separate compartments, in each first display element.

29. The device in claim 20 wherein the size of a first display element is within the range of 1-100 microns.

30. The device in claim 20 wherein an outer first light guide of a first display element changes the latitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein an inner first light guide of the first display element changes the longitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle or polar coordinate of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of the inner first light guide.

31. The device in claim 20 wherein an outer first light guide of a first display element changes the latitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element via at least one spiral, diagonal, zig-zag, or step-wise light transmitting, refracting, or reflecting structure that spans from a point on the outer first light guide that is closer to the plane of the array of display elements to a point on the outer first light guide that is farther from the plane of the array of display elements;

wherein an inner first light guide of the first display element changes the longitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element via at least one light transmitting, refracting, or reflecting structure that spans in a relatively straight line or direct arc along the surface of the inner first light guide from a point on the inner first light guide that is closer to the plane of the array of display elements to a point on the inner first light guide that is farther from the plane of the array of display elements.

32. The device in claim 20 wherein the first light guides in the first display element rotate are coaxial and have a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the array of display elements.

33. The device in claim 20 wherein the first light guides rotate at a rate within the range of 10-1,000 revolutions per second.

34. The device in claim 20 wherein the first light guides are made from materials selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

metals;

polymers (such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl butyral, and polyvinyl chloride); and

glass.

35. A device with an array of display elements that displays images that appear to be three-dimensional, comprising:

a first display element that comprises one or more first light-emitting members and two or more rotating concentric first light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more first light-emitting members;

wherein the first light guides are coaxial, rotating around a first axis;

wherein a first light-emitting member is selected from the group consisting of a light source within the first display element and an exit point for light channeled from a light source external to the display element;

wherein the array of display elements is arrayed on a surface with a shape selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

a flat surface; and

a curved surface;

wherein changes in the directions of the light rays exiting the first display element and changes in the contents of those light rays are coordinated to show different contents from different viewing perspectives and thereby display images that appear to be three-dimensional;

wherein an outer first light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner first light guide is located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein at least one of the first light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more first light-emitting members are located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein a first light guide guides light by one or more means selected from the group consisting of;

holes or transparent portions that allow light to pass through, barriers that block the passage of light, lenses or other optics that refract or channel light, and mirrors or other surfaces that reflect light;

wherein the two or more first light guides rotate in similar, or different, directions selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

clockwise rotation, counter-clockwise rotation, and oscillating rotation;

wherein the first light guides have shapes selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

sphere, hemisphere, or other portion of a sphere;

geodesic sphere, dome, or other three-dimensional structure comprised of polygonal elements;

disk or ellipse with concave or convex sides;

multi-faceted lens, converging ascending three-dimensional spiral;

multi-faceted lens; and

parabolic solid; and

wherein the first light guides of a first display element change the latitude and longitude of the angles by which light rays exit that display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle, or polar coordinate, of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of a light guide; and

a second display element that comprises one or more second light-emitting members and two or more rotating concentric second light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the one or more second light-emitting members;

wherein the second light guides are coaxial, rotating around a second axis, and wherein the second axis is different than the first axis;

wherein a second light-emitting member is selected from the group consisting of a light source within the second display element and an exit point for light channeled from a light source external to the display element;

wherein the array of display elements is arrayed on a surface with a shape selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

a flat surface; and

a curved surface;

wherein changes in the directions of the light rays exiting the second display element and changes in the contents of those light rays are coordinated to show different contents from different viewing perspectives and thereby display images that appear to be three-dimensional;

wherein an outer second light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner second light guide is located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein at least one of the second light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more second light-emitting members are located fully or partially within that interior space;

wherein a second light guide guides light by one or more means selected from the group consisting of;

holes or transparent portions that allow light to pass through, barriers that block the passage of light, lenses or other optics that refract or channel light, and mirrors or other surfaces that reflect light;

wherein the two or more second light guides rotate in similar, or different, directions selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

clockwise rotation, counter-clockwise rotation, and oscillating rotation;

wherein the second light guides have shapes selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of;

sphere, hemisphere, or other portion of a sphere;

geodesic sphere, dome, or other three-dimensional structure comprised of polygonal elements;

disk or ellipse with concave or convex sides;

multi-faceted lens, converging ascending three-dimensional spiral multi-faceted lens; and

parabolic solid; and

wherein the second light guides of a second display element change the latitude and longitude of the angles by which light rays exit that display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle, or polar coordinate, of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of a light guide.

36. The device in claim 35 wherein the two or more first light guides are rotated by one or more means selected from the group consisting of:

engagement of the light guides with moving gears;

engagement of the light guides with moving belts;

interaction between the material of the light guides with an electromagnetic field; and

interaction of the light guides with a moving gas or liquid.

37. The device in claim 35 wherein the two or more first light guides rotate at rates that differ by up to two orders of magnitude.

38. The device in claim 35 wherein differential rotation of the first light guides changes the angles of light rays exiting a display element so that these light rays, over time, form a cone (or frustum) of light expanding outwardly from the first display element.

39. The device in claim 35 wherein the first light-emitting members are selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), lasers, incandescent lights, and fluorescent lights.

40. The device in claim 35 wherein there are multiple first light-emitting members, in separate compartments, in each display element.

41. The device in claim 35 wherein the size of a first display element is within the range of 1-100 microns.

42. The device in claim 35 wherein an outer first light guide of a first display element changes the latitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein an inner first light guide of the first display element changes the longitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element, wherein latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements, and wherein longitude may be defined as the rotational angle or polar coordinate of a light ray relative to the rotational axis of the inner first light guide.

43. The device in claim 35 wherein an outer first light guide of a first display element changes the latitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element via at least one spiral, diagonal, zig-zag, or step-wise light transmitting, refracting, or reflecting structure that spans from a point on the outer first light guide that is closer to the plane of the array of display elements to a point on the outer first light guide that is farther from the plane of the array of display elements;

wherein an inner first light guide of the first display element changes the longitude of the exit angles by which light rays exit the first display element via at least one light transmitting, refracting, or reflecting structure that spans in a relatively straight line or direct arc along the surface of the inner first light guide from a point on the inner first light guide that is closer to the plane of the array of display elements to a point on the inner first light guide that is farther from the plane of the array of display elements.

44. The device in claim 35 wherein the first light guides in the first display element rotate are coaxial and have a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the array of display elements.

45. The device in claim 35 wherein the first light guides rotate at a rate within the range of 10-1,000 revolutions per second.

46. The device in claim 35 wherein the first light guides are made from materials selected from one or more selections in the group consisting of:

metals;

polymers (such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl butyral, and polyvinyl chloride); and

glass.

47. A method for displaying images that appear to be three-dimensional comprising:

changing the directions of first light rays exiting a first display element through the use of two or more rotating concentric first light guides within the first display element;

wherein the first light guides are coaxial, rotating around a first axis;

changing the directions of second light rays exiting a second display element through the use of two or more rotating concentric second light guides within the second display element;

wherein the second light guides are coaxial, rotating around a second axis;

wherein the second axis is different than the first axis; and

coordinating changes in the directions of the first light rays with changes in the content of the first light rays so that different content is viewed from the first display element from different viewing perspectives in order to create images that appear to be three-dimensional; and

coordinating changes in the directions of the second light rays with changes in the content of the second light rays so that different content is viewed from the second display element from different viewing perspectives in order to create images that appear to be three-dimensional;

wherein an outer first light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner first light guide is located fully or partially within the interior space;

wherein at least one of the first light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more first light-emitting members are located fully or partially within the interior space; and

wherein an outer second light guide has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein an inner second light guide is located fully or partially within the interior space;

wherein at least one of the second light guides has a shape that is fully or partially concave, thereby defining an interior space, and wherein one or more second light-emitting members are located fully or partially within the interior space.