US 5,132,839 A · Three dimensional display device

Abstract

A display video apparatus which provides a three dimensional image broadly comprises a backlighting apparatus for projecting beams of light in selected directions, a spatial light modulator for displaying images back-lit by the back-lighting apparatus, and a control system coupled to both the spatial light modulator and the backlighting apparatus. The control system causes a plurality of images of an object to be formed in succession on the spatial light modulator with each image being a view of the subject from a different angle, and each image being viewable only from particular angles. The images are formed one at a time on the spatial light modulator with a plurality of images constituting a single frame of a video picture. The backlighting apparatus preferably includes a two dimensional display device for emitting spots of light at selected locations along the two dimensional display, and a lens system for refracting light emitted by the two dimensional display device. The lens system can comprise a single lens or an array of lenses located between the two dimensional display and the spatial light modulator. The lens or lens array refracts beams emanating from a spot of light on the two dimensional display into substantially parallel rays.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A three dimensional display apparatus for displaying a subject in a motion picture, said motion picture having a plurality of frames, comprising:

a) back-lighting means for projecting a beam of light in selected directions;
a spatial light modulator for displaying images, said back-lighting means acting as a back-light for said spatial light modulator;
and
c) a control system coupled to and controlling said back-lighting means and coupled to and controlling said spatial light modulator for causing a plurality of different images of said subject to be formed in succession on said spatial light modulator, each different image being a view of said subject from a different angle, each different image being formed one at a time on said spatial light modulator, with the plurality of images constituting a single frame of sad motion picture, and the direction of said beam of light being different for each of said plurality of different images.

1 more element

A three dimensional display apparatus for displaying a subject in a motion picture, said motion picture having a plurality of frames, the apparatus comprising:

a) a two dimensional display device for displaying a succession of images;
b) a spatial light modulator which is rendered light transmissive at a plurality of selected locations;
c) a lens system for refracting each of said succession of images displayed on said two dimensional display device and rendering each image visible from a direction dependent upon the location at which said spatial light modulator is rendered light transmissive;
and
d) a control system coupled to and controlling said two dimensional display device for causing said succession of images to be displayed thereon, and coupled to and controlling said spatial light modulator for rendering said spatial light modulator light transmissive at a different one of said plurality of selected locations for each image of said succession of images, wherein,
each image of said succession of images is a view of a three dimensional subject from a different angle,
each image is formed one at a time on said two dimensional display device, with a plurality of images in said succession of images constituting a single frame of said motion picture.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Three dimensional display device

Life of this patent

Three dimensional display device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28