Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Single display system having stacked superimposed display... – Three-dimensional arrays
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-23
2001-01-23
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Single display system having stacked superimposed display...
Three-dimensional arrays
C348S042000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177913
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to volumetric displays. More specifically, but without limitation thereto, the present invention relates to a rotating projection screen for a three-dimensional volumetric display.
3-D display technologies such as holography, stereoscopic displays, and advanced 3-D graphics engines generally render 3-D images as a two-dimensional display by mapping the coordinates of the 3-D images into 2-D perspective. However, these technologies lack the physiological depth cues needed for true 3-D display imaging, such as motion parallax, accommodation, convergence, and binocular disparity. A 3-D volumetric display provides the physiological depth cues needed for such applications as automotive design, architecture, and medical imaging.
One method for displaying a three-dimensional image is to illuminate a series of points on a two-dimensional surface as it sweeps out a volume with a periodic motion. In
FIG. 1
, a 3-D volumetric display
10
of the prior art comprises beam deflector control circuit
102
, beam deflectors
104
,
106
, and
108
, mirrors
110
, a display surface
120
, and a drive motor
130
. In this example, display surface
120
is implemented as a double helix, although other surface geometries may also be used, such as a single helix, a multiple helix, a piston, etc. Drive motor
130
imparts a periodic motion to display surface
120
within a display volume
122
. Beam deflector control circuit
102
inputs world coordinates of a scene and causes beam deflectors
104
,
106
, and
108
to direct light beams
116
onto display surface
120
from mirrors
110
. Light beams
116
illuminate view coordinates on display surface
120
to generate an image representative of the scene corresponding to the input world coordinates. The motion of display surface
120
scatters light from light beams
116
at different positions within display volume
122
, time-multiplexing the illuminated view coordinates to generate a complete three-dimensional image to the eye of an observer
150
. As long as the diameter of display surface
120
is within about three feet, a reasonably stable image may be obtained. For larger displays several feet in diameter, however, mechanical instability and irregularities in the propeller shape of display surface
120
can cause unacceptable jitter in the displayed image. Also, the air resistance of a spinning large surface causes noisy operation.
A need therefore exists for a volumetric display that can be scaled up to a suitable size for automotive and medical applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The volumetric display of the present invention is directed to overcoming the problems described above, and may provide further related advantages. No embodiment of the present invention described herein should be construed to preclude other embodiments or advantages that may exist or become obvious to those skilled in the art.
The volumetric display of the present invention comprises complementary segments made of a transparent material. An optical scattering layer is formed on a surface between adjoining segments. The segments are joined to form a display volume that may be rotated to cause the scattering layer to sweep out the entire display volume each revolution. A scanning beam may be used to illuminate points on the scattering layer at selected rotation angles to create a three-dimensional image.
An advantage of the volumetric display of the present invention is that 3-D images may be displayed with physiological depth cues, including motion parallax, accommodation, convergence, and binocular disparity.
Another advantage is that the display surface may be deposited within close tolerances, minimizing distortion due to surface irregularities.
Still another advantage is that the display surface is not distorted by air resistance or acceleration, minimizing distortion due to motion.
Another advantage is that the solid geometry of the display has an attractive appearance and affords quiet operation.
Yet another advantage is that the display surface may be made thin enough to illuminate voxels from one side and to emit light from both sides.
The features and advantages summarized above in addition to other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the description, presented in conjunction with the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3940203 (1976-02-01), La Russa
patent: 4414565 (1983-11-01), Shanks
patent: 4663869 (1987-05-01), Nakagawa
patent: 4799739 (1989-01-01), Newsanger
patent: 5066525 (1991-11-01), Nakemashi et al.
patent: 5099320 (1992-03-01), Allio
patent: 5146246 (1992-09-01), Marks
patent: 5225861 (1993-07-01), Marks
patent: 5684621 (1997-11-01), Downing
Chow Dennis-Doon
Fendelman Harvey
Kagan Michael A.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Whitesell Eric James
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