System and Method for Autostereoscopic Imaging Using Holographic Optical Element

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating an autostereoscopic display include a holographic optical element (HOE) recorded using coherent light divided into diverging reference and object beams that illuminate the HOE from opposite sides. The object beam passes through first and second diffusers with one diffuser being a directional diffuser to more uniformly illuminate the HOE. Optic elements may be used to more closely match beam diameters and/or profiles of the recording wavelengths. Baffles may be positioned on opposite sides of the HOE with openings aligned proximate the reference beam and object beam paths, respectively, to reduce stray reflections and provide ambient air flow attenuation or damping. One or more edges of the HOE are masked to reduce or prevent stray light from entering and reflecting within the HOE during recording.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned and copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 883,348 filed Sep. 16, 2010, titled “System and Method for Autostereoscopic Imaging” which claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 244,880 filed Sep. 22, 2009 and is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned and copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12 / 408,447 filed Mar. 20, 2009, and 12 / 428,118 filed Apr. 22, 2009, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for creating and displaying autostereoscopic three-dimensional images using a holographic optical element.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]Stereoscopic display devices separate left and right images corresponding to slightly different views or perspectives of a three-dimensional scene or object and direct the images to a viewer's left and right eye, respect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]Embodiments according to the present disclosure have various associated advantages. For example, embodiments that use a diverging reference and object beam eliminate the need for a spherical or parabolic concave minor to illuminate the HOE during recording. Matching of beam waists and/or profiles of two or more coherent sources improves the system efficiency and may improve uniformity of illumination and color balance across the HOE for better color fidelity during playback. Masking of the edges of the HOE during recording reduces or eliminates artifacts associated with total internal reflection (TIR) of stray light entering the substrate during recording. Similarly, appropriately positioned baffles provide air damping and block stray reflections or other light during recording of the HOE. Use of an aperture in combination with a cylindrical lens and directional diffuser improves efficiency with better mapping of the object eyebox to the aspect ratio of the HOE.

[0025]Embodiments of the present disclosure provide real-time stereo images to corresponding ey

Problems solved by technology

However, horizontal resolution and light output are adversely impacted with this approach, and the “sweet spot”, or zone where one can best visualize a stereoscopic image, is very small.

As such, three-dimensional imaging systems based on parallax barriers and Fresnel lenses, as well as those using lenticular sheets, have generally fallen short of user expectations.

However, the region of color fidelity is generally of very limited extent such that any vertical movement by the viewer results in color shifting and poor color reproduction of the projected image.

Such effects are distracting and make this approach unsuitable for a variety of applications, particularly where color fidelity is desired, such as in medical imaging, entertainment, and a variety of other applications.

This introduces numerous challenges due to the frequency (or wavelength) sensitivity/dependence of the recording medium and various optical elements used in both

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