Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Data responsive crt display control – Color display
Patent
1995-04-25
1997-12-30
Brier, Jeffery
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Data responsive crt display control
Color display
345 6, 345 31, G09G 120, H04N 1304
Patent
active
057036063
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system for displaying three-dimensional images. More particularly, the invention relates to a system consisting of a rotating phosphor coated screen and one or more electron guns writing images to the screen. As the screen sweeps out a display volume the one or more electron guns fire at the screen to excite the phosphor coating to produce voxels at the required points in three-dimensional space.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To the present time many methods of producing three-dimensional displays have been suggested. Some systems require a user to wear differently coloured or polarised glasses. The different information being presented to each eye results in the illusion of depth. Such systems are non-volumetric, require the user to wear special glasses and can only be observed over a limited range of angles.
Another proposal relies upon the intersection of beams of radiation to create voxels in three-dimensional space. In one proposal voxels are generated at the intersection of two electron beams in a volume of nitrogen gas. In this proposal the energy of each beam is just below the threshold energy density required for the luminous transition of nitrogen gas.
Only at the intersection of the beams is the energy density high enough to generate a luminous voxel. However, no working implementation of this proposal appears to have been produced.
According to another proposal a laser beam is directed at a translucent rotating screen. Such devices are expensive and it is difficult to accurately direct the laser beam.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional display system which produces true three-dimensional images and can be commercially produced relatively inexpensively, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a display system comprising: out a display volume; be written to the screen as it sweeps out the display volume; and accordance with image information supplied thereto.
The screen may be in the form of a generally planar screen or a helix. The one or more electron gun is preferably positioned above or below the display volume. For a planar screen embodiment the screen preferably rotates about a vertical axis of rotation and three or more circumferentially spaced apart electron guns are provided below the display volume and are angled upwardly towards the centre of the display volume. Preferably a conductor is provided around the periphery of the screen which provides an alignment signal to the control means when hit by an electron beam. The gun alignment signals may be used by the control means to compensate for gun misalignment.
In a preferred embodiment each side of a generally planar screen is divided in half about the axis of rotation of the screen and a different coloured phosphor is applied to each of the four screen halves in such a manner as to ensure phosphor transparency. For a planar screen embodiment the x deflection plate voltages supplied to the x deflection plates of each electron gun are preferably scaled by a sinusoidal function synchronised with the rotation of the screen to scale the x deflection plate voltages in accordance with the target area of the screen exposed to the gun. The means to rotate the screen preferably includes a motor outside the enclosure which rotates the screen via a magnetic coupling through the enclosure. The screen preferably rotates at a speed greater than or equal to 15 hz. The enclosure is preferably formed in two halves to simplify construction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1: Shows schematically the main components of a display system to illustrate the operation of the display.
FIGS. 2A to 2F: illustrate the operation of the display system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3: shows a plan view of a three-dimensional display system according to a first embodime
REFERENCES:
patent: 2330682 (1943-09-01), Clothier et al.
patent: 2967905 (1961-01-01), Hirsch
patent: 3140415 (1964-07-01), Ketchpel
patent: 3204238 (1965-08-01), Skellett
patent: 5214419 (1993-05-01), DeMond et al.
Ketchpel, "Direct-View Three-Dimensional Display Tube", IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Sep. 1963, pp. 324-328.
Patent Abstract of Japan, vol. 13, No. 68, (E-716), Feb. 16, 1989 abstract of Hidenori EGAWA, "Picture Tube For Three Dimensional Image Display", Japanese 63-254647, Oct. 21, 1988.
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