Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1997-02-25
2001-06-26
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S007000, C345S008000, C349S017000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252570
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to displaying a three-dimensional image on a display device of a computer, and more particularly to displaying such images using polarization.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the advent of faster computers has come the increasing use of such computers to display three-dimensional images on display devices attached thereto. Computer applications that display three-dimensional images include modeling simulations, graphs and charts of financial data, and games. However, a drawback to the computerized display of three-dimensional images is that the display devices typically attached to computers are inherently two-dimensional-oriented devices. Therefore, the three-dimensional images do not appear in three dimensions when displayed on the display device.
To overcome this inherent deficiency, several solutions within the prior art have been proposed. One solution is the use of a special monitor worn like glasses on the head of a computer user. The monitor actually includes two separate display devices, one for each eye. Each eye therefore sees a different image, such that together the images form a complete stereo view of a three-dimensional image. This solution is expensive, however. Furthermore, if more than one user needs to view the three-dimensional image at the same time, each user needs to have his or her own pair of monitor glasses.
Another solution is the use of special glasses in conjunction with the display device already attached to the computer. This special pair of glasses includes electronically operated shutter lenses. When left-eye information is shown on the screen, the computer signals the glasses to close the right-eye shutter, and vice-versa. This active approach to viewing three-dimensional computer images is also expensive, and also has the disadvantage of making everything else in the room in which the user is viewing the image to appear in strobe effect.
Both of the prior art solutions described involve the use of active and expensive circuitry worn on the head of the computer user. In the former solution, the user actually wears a computer monitor. In the latter solution, the user wears a pair of glasses that actively opens and closes the left and right shutters. There is a need, therefore, for a passive, inexpensive manner in which to view three-dimensional computer images that does not involve expensive and complex circuitry worn by a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the displaying of computerized three-dimensional images on a display device using polarization. In a first embodiment of the invention, a system for viewing a three-dimensional image divided into first eye and second eye (e.g., left-eye and right-eye, or right-eye and left-eye) components comprises a display device and a pair of viewing glasses. The display device is adapted to display the first eye and second eye components in alternating refreshes of the display device. The alternating refreshes are polarized substantially perpendicular to one another. The pair of viewing glasses has two lenses, each polarized substantially perpendicular with the other, and in accordance with one of the alternating refreshes. The system is operable in both a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional viewing mode.
In this manner, the present invention provides for the display of three-dimensional images in apparent three dimensions. A display device of a computer is typically refreshed sixty times a second. Thus, thirty times a second the display device shows the first eye component of the image, and the other thirty times a second the display device shows the second eye component. Because the display device polarizes the alternating refreshes perpendicular to one another, and the pair of viewing glasses has lenses accordingly polarized, each eye of the user only sees one component of the image. The image, therefore, is shown in apparent three dimensions.
Other embodiments include specific display devices and add-on devices for ordinary display devices to provide for the display of three-dimensional images using polarization. Still other and further aspects, advantages and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent in the following description and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5694164 (1997-12-01), Choi
patent: 5751388 (1998-05-01), Larson
patent: 5822117 (1998-10-01), Kleingerger et al.
patent: 5828362 (1998-10-01), Takahashi
Cool Kenneth J.
Gateway Inc.
Said Mansour M.
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
Shalwala Bipin
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