US 2004/0017546 A1 · Monocentric autostereoscopic optical display having an expanded color gamut

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic image comprising a left image and a right image, the apparatus having an image generation system comprising at least four light sources, each light source having a different color.

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a multicolor stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;
(a2) a multicolor linear array modulator for forming, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels by modulating said first, second, third, and fourth incident beams to provide a corresponding first, second, third, and fourth modulated beam;
by combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto a common axis to form a multicolor modulated beam;
and by directing said multicolor modulated beam toward said diffusive surface;
(a3) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a3a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said multicolor line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;
(a3b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;
(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
and
said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

10 more elements

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a multicolor stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;
(a2) a multicolor linear scanner for forming, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels by combining said first, second, third, and fourth incident beams onto a common axis, by modulating each said incident beam on said common axis to form a multicolor modulated beam;
and by directing said multicolor modulated beam toward said diffusive surface;
(a3) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a3a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said multicolor line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;
(a3b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;
(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
and
said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

9 more elements

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a first color light source to form a first color line of source pixels;
(a2) a second electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a second color light source to form a second color line of source pixels;
(a3) a third electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a third color light source to form a third color line of source pixels;
(a4) a fourth electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a fourth color light source to form a fourth color line of source pixels;
(a5) a color combiner for combining said first, second, third, and fourth color lines of source pixels to form, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels;
(a6) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a6a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;
(a6b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;
(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
and
said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

11 more elements

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a first color light source to form a first color line of source pixels;
(a2) a second electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a second color light source to form a second color line of source pixels;
(a3) a third electromechanical grating device for modulating an incident light beam from a third color light source to form a third color line of source pixels;
(a4) a color combiner for combining said first, second, and third color lines of source pixels to form, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels;
(a5) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a5a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;
(a5b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;
(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil;
and
wherein said first color light source comprises a first laser having a first wavelength, a second laser having a second wavelength, and a dichroic mirror for reflecting light from said first laser and transmitting light from said second laser.

11 more elements

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a color stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a left image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right image generation system for forming a right two-dimensional intermediate image, wherein both left and right image generation systems are similarly constructed of separate components, with each image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first color light source, a second color light source, a third color light source, and a fourth color light source;
(a2) a first electromechanical grating device for modulating the incident light beam from said first color light source to form a first color line of source pixels;
(a3) a second electromechanical grating device for modulating the incident light beam from said second color light source to form a second color line of source pixels;
(a4) first combining means for directing said third color light source and said fourth color light source to a third electromechanical grating device to form a selectable third color line of source pixels;
(a5) second combining means for combining said first, said second, and said selectable third color lines of source pixels to form, on a diffusive surface, a multicolor line of source pixels;
(a6) a scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said multicolor line of source pixels to form an intermediate line image, said scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a6a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said line of source image pixels to said intermediate line image;
(a6b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
said scanning ball lens assembly rotating about an axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said two-dimensional intermediate image thereby.
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said scanning ball lens assembly for said left image generation system and said scanning ball lens assembly for said right image generation system;
(c) a beamsplitter disposed to fold the optical path from said left image generation system to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to fold the optical path from said right image generation system to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
and
said curved mirror forming said virtual stereoscopic image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

11 more elements

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for displaying a multicolor stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an image generation system for forming a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right two-dimensional intermediate image, said image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;
(a2) means for modulating said first incident beam to provide a first modulated beam, modulating said second incident beam to provide a second modulated beam, modulating said third incident beam to provide a third modulated beam, and modulating said fourth incident beam to provide a fourth modulated beam;
(a3) means for combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto a common axis to provide a multicolor modulated beam;
(a4) an optical switch for alternately switching said multicolor modulated beam into a left image beam and a right image beam, said left image beam directed to a left diffusive surface for forming a left line of source pixels and said right image beam directed to a right diffusive surface for forming a right line of source pixels;
(a5) a left scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said left line of source pixels to form a left intermediate line image and a right scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said right line of source pixels to form a right intermediate line image, each scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a5a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said left or right line of source pixels to said left or right intermediate line image, respectively;
(a5b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
each said left and right scanning ball lens assembly rotating about its axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images thereby;
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said left scanning ball lens assembly and said right scanning ball lens assembly;
(c) a beamsplitter disposed to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
and
said curved mirror forming said stereoscopic virtual image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

10 more elements

An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for viewing a stereoscopic virtual image comprising an array of image pixels, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising a left image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an image generation system for forming, in a repeated sequence, a left two-dimensional intermediate image and a right two-dimensional intermediate image, said image generation system comprising:
(a1) a first light source of a first color for providing a first incident beam, a second light source of a second color for providing a second incident beam, a third light source of a third color for providing a third incident beam, and a fourth light source of a fourth color for providing a fourth incident beam;
(a2) means for modulating said first incident beam to provide a first modulated beam, modulating said second incident beam to provide a second modulated beam, modulating said third incident beam to provide a third modulated beam, and modulating said fourth incident beam to provide a fourth modulated beam;
(a3) means for combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated beams onto a common axis to provide a multicolor modulated beam;
(a4) a first beamsplitter for splitting said multicolor modulated light beam into a left image beam and a right image beam, said left image beam directed to a left diffusive surface for forming a left line of source pixels and said right image beam directed to a right diffusive surface for forming a right line of source pixels;
(a5) a left scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said left line of source pixels to form a left intermediate line image and a right scanning ball lens assembly for projecting said right line of source pixels to form a right intermediate line image, each scanning ball lens assembly comprising:
(a5a) at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said left or right line of source pixels to said left or right intermediate line image, respectively;
(a5b) a ball lens segment having a scanning ball lens pupil, said ball lens segment having a center of curvature on said at least one reflective surface;
each said left and right scanning ball lens assembly rotating about its axis and forming a series of adjacent said intermediate line images in order to sequentially form said left and right two-dimensional intermediate image thereby;
(b) a curved mirror having a center of curvature placed substantially optically midway between said left scanning ball lens assembly and said right scanning ball lens assembly;
(c) a second beamsplitter disposed to form said left two-dimensional intermediate image near a front focal surface of said curved mirror and to form said right two-dimensional intermediate image near said front focal surface of said curved mirror;
and
said curved mirror forming said stereoscopic virtual image of said left and right two-dimensional intermediate images and, through said second beamsplitter, forming a real image of said left scanning ball lens pupil at said left viewing pupil and a real image of said right scanning ball lens pupil at said right viewing pupil.

10 more elements

A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer, the image comprising a left image to be viewed by the observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the method comprising:

(a) forming a left intermediate image as a two-dimensional image, comprising a plurality of sequential left intermediate line images, near the focal surface of a curved mirror, each left intermediate line image formed by:
(a1) rotating a left scanning ball lens assembly to a left predetermined position;
(a2) modulating a first left light source to provide a first left modulated light beam;
(a3) modulating a second left light source to provide a second left modulated light beam;
(a4) modulating a third left light source to provide a third left modulated light beam;
(a5) modulating a fourth left light source to provide a fourth left modulated light beam;
(a6) combining said first, second, third, and fourth left modulated light beams onto a left common axis to form a left multicolor modulated light beam;
(a7) directing said left multicolor modulated light beam onto a left curved diffusive surface to form a line of source pixels of said left intermediate image;
(a8) projecting said line of source pixels of said left intermediate image using said left scanning ball lens assembly to form said left intermediate line image near said focal surface of said curved mirror;
(b) forming a right intermediate image as a two-dimensional image, comprising a plurality of sequential right intermediate line images, near the focal surface of a curved mirror, each right intermediate line image formed by:
(b1) rotating a right scanning ball lens assembly to a right predetermined position;
(b2) modulating a first right light source to provide a first right modulated light beam;
(b3) modulating a second right light source to provide a second right modulated light beam;
(b4) modulating a third right light source to provide a third right modulated light beam;
(b5) modulating a fourth right light source to provide a fourth right modulated light beam;
(b6) combining said first, second, third, and fourth right modulated light beams onto a right common axis to form a right multicolor modulated light beam;
(b7) directing said right multicolor modulated light beam onto a right curved diffusive surface to form a line of source pixels of said right intermediate image;
(b8) projecting said line of source pixels of said right intermediate image using said right scanning ball lens assembly to form said right intermediate line image near said focal surface of said curved mirror;
(c) forming a left virtual image from said left intermediate image, said left virtual image viewable from said left viewing pupil, said left viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said left scanning ball lens pupil;
and
(d) forming a right virtual image from said right intermediate image, said right virtual image viewable from said right viewing pupil, said right viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said right scanning ball lens pupil.

18 more elements

A method for display of a stereoscopic virtual image to an observer, the image comprising a left image to be viewed by the observer at a left viewing pupil and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil, the method comprising:

(a) forming a multicolor modulated light beam by:
(a1) modulating a first light source to provide a first modulated light beam;
(a2) modulating a second light source to provide a second modulated light beam;
(a3) modulating a third light source to provide a third modulated light beam;
(a4) modulating a fourth light source to provide a fourth modulated light beam;
(a5) combining said first, second, third, and fourth modulated light beams onto a common axis to form a multicolor modulated light beam;
(b) alternately forming a left intermediate image and a right intermediate image with the repeated sequence of:
(b1) switching said multicolor modulated light beam toward a left diffusive surface to form a left intermediate image;
then,
(b2) switching said multicolor modulated light beam toward a right diffusive surface to form a right intermediate image;
(c) projecting said left intermediate image toward the focal surface of a curved mirror through a left ball lens assembly, said left ball lens assembly having a left ball lens pupil, and projecting said right intermediate image toward the focal surface of said curved mirror through a right ball lens assembly, said right ball lens assembly having a right ball lens pupil;
(d) forming a left virtual image from said left intermediate image, said left virtual image viewable from said left viewing pupil, said left viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said left ball lens pupil;
and
(e) forming a right virtual image from said right intermediate image, said right virtual image viewable from said right viewing pupil, said right viewing pupil formed by said curved mirror as an image of said right ball lens pupil.

11 more elements

Monocentric autostereoscopic optical display having an expanded color gamut

Life of this patent

Monocentric autostereoscopic optical display having an expanded color gamut

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims114