# US 10,502,969 B2 · 3D imaging method and apparatus for alternately irradiating first and second polarized light > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,969 B2 - Document ID: US10502969B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/843,994 - Filed: 2017-12-15 - Published: 2018-04-19 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-18 - Assignees: Guangzhou UC Network Technology Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Guangzhou Uc Network Technology Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Jie Liang; Yankun Zhen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502969B2 ## CPC - G02B 30/24: involving temporal multiplexing, e.g. using sequentially activated left and right shutters - G02B 5/3083: {Birefringent or phase retarding elements (G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001)} - G02B 27/283: {used for beam splitting or combining} - G02B 30/25: using polarisation techniques - H04N 13/305: using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses - H04N 13/337: using polarisation multiplexing - H04N 13/341: using temporal multiplexing - H04N 13/398: Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof - G02F 1/0131: {based on photo-elastic effects, e.g. mechanically induced birefringence} - G02F 1/0136: {for the control of polarisation, e.g. state of polarisation [SOP] control, polarisation scrambling, TE-TM mode conversion or separation (G02F1/0353 takes precedence)} - G02F 1/07: based on electro-optical liquids exhibiting Kerr effect - G02F 1/09: based on magneto-optical elements, e.g. exhibiting Faraday effect - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract The present application discloses a 3D imaging method and apparatus, which divide a source 3D image light into two polarized light beams carrying image information through a birefringence effect, adjust optical paths of the two polarized light beams obtained through birefringence, and control the two polarized light beams to be alternately irradiated, thereby achieving 3D imaging; since the implementation of the above imaging method only requires one imaging apparatus having corresponding functions, the present application can simplify the system structure and reduce the system cost relative to a conventional 3D projection technology that requires two imaging devices; moreover, a viewer can directly see, with no need to wear corresponding 3D glasses, a 3D image due to the parallax caused by alternate irradiation of two polarized light beams carrying image information out of a projection device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A 3D imaging apparatus, comprising: a light source dividing module configured to: divide, through a birefringence effect, a source 3D image light into a first polarized light carrying left eye image information and a second polarized light carrying right eye image information; an optical path adjustment module configured to adjust optical paths of the first polarized light and the second polarized light according to an imaging position; and a controllable switch module configured to control the first polarized light and the second polarized light to be alternately irradiated at an alternating frequency equal to a frame rate of the source 3D image light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source dividing module is configured to make the first polarized light and the second polarized light to have different emergent directions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical path adjustment module is configured to converge the first polarized light and the second polarized light to the imaging position, respectively. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controllable switch module is arranged at the imaging position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first polarized light and the second polarized light exit the controllable switch module in different directions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first polarized light and the second polarized light are guided, after being irradiated from the controllable switch module, to a left eye and a right eye of a user, respectively. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a brightness compensation module configured to irradiate an auxiliary parallel light to the controllable switch module, such that the auxiliary parallel light is irradiated together with the first polarized light and the second polarized light. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source dividing module comprises any one of the following: a uniaxial crystal capable of producing a natural birefringence effect, a colorless optical glass capable of producing a stress birefringence effect, a first optical device formed by a transparent liquid capable of producing an electro-optic birefringence effect and an applied electric field thereof, and a second optical device formed by a transparent liquid capable of producing a magneto-birefringence effect and an applied magnetic field thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source dividing module comprises an anisotropic medium, and the source 3D image light enters the medium along a direction other than an optical axis of the medium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The 3D imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image projector configured to project the source 3D image light at the frame rate to the light source dividing module, wherein the source 3D image light comprises a left eye image light and a right eye image light that alternate frame by frame. ### Claim 11 A 3D imaging method, comprising: dividing, through a birefringence effect, a source 3D image light into a first polarized light carrying left eye image information and a second polarized light carrying right eye image information; adjusting optical paths of the first polarized light and the second polarized light according to an imaging position; and controlling the first polarized light and the second polarized light to be alternately irradiated at an alternating frequency equal to a frame rate of the source 3D image light. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, wherein the first polarized light and the second polarized light divided through a birefringence effect have different emergent directions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting optical paths of the first polarized light and the second polarized light according to an imaging position comprises: converging the first polarized light and the second polarized light to the imaging position, respectively. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, wherein the step of controlling the first polarized light and the second polarized light to be alternately irradiated comprises: controlling the first polarized light and the second polarized light to be alternately irradiated with a controllable switch module arranged at the imaging position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The 3D imaging method according to claim 14, wherein the first polarized light and the second polarized light exit the controllable switch module in different directions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The 3D imaging method according to claim 14, wherein the first polarized light and the second polarized light that pass through the controllable switch module are guided to a left eye and a right eye of a user, respectively. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, further comprising: controlling an auxiliary parallel light to be irradiated together with the first polarized light and the second polarized light. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, wherein the birefringence effect is one of a natural birefringence effect based on a uniaxial crystal, a stress birefringence effect based on a colorless optical glass, an electro-optic birefringence effect based on a transparent liquid and an applied electric field thereof, and a magneto-birefringence effect based on a transparent liquid capable of producing and an applied magnetic field thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, wherein the source 3D image light is divided by passing through an anisotropic medium along a direction other than an optical axis of the medium. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The 3D imaging method according to claim 11, further comprising: projecting the source 3D image light at the frame rate, wherein the source 3D image light comprises a left eye image light and a right eye image light that alternate frame by frame.