Three-dimensional display system: apparatus and method

A method for producing a three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional scene, comprising the steps of:

• (a) using a set of two-dimensional views of said three-dimensional scene to derive a plurality of samples of a first radiance function, said first radiance function associated with said three-dimensional scene at a planar window;
• (b) determining a quantitative relationship between (i) a second radiance function associated with a planar display and (ii) a set of display-excitation electrical input signals, said planar display comprising a plurality of pixels and each of said pixels comprising a plurality of sub-pixels;
• (c) generating said set of display-excitation electrical-input signals using said quantitative relationship and said first radiance function, said set of display-excitation electrical-input signals configured to minimize an error between said first and second radiance functions;
• and,
• (d) controlling said planar display responsive to said set of display-excitation electrical input signals whereby to set said second radiance function about equal to said first radiance function and produce said three-dimensional image of said three-dimensional scene.

An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional scene, comprising:

• (a) means for deriving a plurality of samples of a first radiance function using a set of two-dimensional views of said three-dimensional scene, said first radiance function associated with said three-dimensional scene at a planar window;
• (b) means for determining a quantitative relationship between (i) a second radiance function associated with a planar display and (ii) a set of display-excitation electrical input signals, said planar display comprising a plurality of pixels and each of said pixels comprising a plurality of sub-pixels;
• (c) means for generating said set of display-excitation electrical-input signals using said quantitative relationship and said first radiance function, said set of display-excitation electrical-input signals configured to minimize an error between said first and second radiance functions;
• and,
• (d) means for controlling said planar display responsive to said set of display-excitation electrical input signals whereby to set said second radiance function about equal to said first radiance function and produce said three-dimensional image of said three-dimensional scene.