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

[0015]Systems and methods for creating an autostereoscopic three-dimensionally perceived image unaided by glasses or headgear include embodiments having a holographic optical element (HOE) recorded using coherent light of at least three wavelengths divided into a diverging reference beam and a diverging object beam that illuminate the HOE from opposite sides, the object beam passing through first and second diffusers with one diffuser being a directional diffuser to more uniformly illuminate the HOE during exposure. Various embodiments include one or more optic elements, such as a lens or telecentric beam expander(s), associated with a coherent source for at least one of the wavelengths to more closely match beam diameters of the at least three wavelengths. Similarly, anamorphic optics, such as an anamorphic prism pair, may be used for one or more light sources to better match beam profiles of the at least three wavelengths. In one embodiment, fixed optical baffles are 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.

[0016]Various embodiments include a directional diffuser or homogenizer, which may have a desired eye box geometry, to improve transmission efficiency of the object beam. The directional diffuser may be implemented by a holographic element to transform an input beam having a Gaussian or other non-uniform intensity profile to more uniformly illuminate the HOE during the exposure period. The directional diffuser may have an illumination profile to improve conformance or mapping of the object beam to the aspect ratio of the HOE. The directional diffuser may be used in combination with a beam expander, implemented by an elongated cylindrical lens in one embodiment, and a second diffuser, implemented by a ground glass plate in one embodiment, positioned between the beam splitter and the HOE to provide more uniform illumination of the HOE by the object beam.

[0018]Systems and methods for generating an autostereoscopic image include at least one projector having at least one light source with wavelengths substantially matched to the recording wavelengths of the HOE. In one embodiment, a stereo projector includes dual output lenses having central axes separated by a distance corresponding to a desired average intra-pupillary distance (multiplied by the ratio of the projector-screen / screen-viewer distance) of intended viewers. The stereo projector illumination sources are powered by a common power supply with passive convective cooling so that no cooling fan or other forced air cooling is required. In another embodiment, two substantially identical projectors are used. Projectors may include LED sources having peak wavelengths closely aligned or matched with the laser wavelengths used during recording of the HOE. In some embodiments, passbands of the HOE are modified by emulsion shrinkage. In one embodiment having recording wavelengths of 647 nm, 532 nm, and 476 nm, an LED projector includes closely aligned or substantially matched wavelengths of 637 nm, 518 nm, and 462 nm. Embodiments include projectors having optical keystone correction provided by a telecentric image plane projection lens system that may be supplemented with digital keystone, gamma, and / or other corrections provided by integrated electronics or an external image processing card, box, or similar device. The systems and methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure project first and second substantially overlapping images onto a reflection HOE having a holographically recorded interference pattern captured within a single layer panchromatic photosensitive material during recording with at least one beam shaping device positioned in a reference beam and / or object beam path to improve uniformity of illumination and reduce or eliminate vignetting. The interference pattern captured in the photographic emulsion is produced by interference between mutually coherent object and reference beams of at least three lasers having wavelengths substantially corresponding to the illumination source of the at least one projector. The HOE illuminated by object and reference beams incident from opposite sides is then processed or developed and sealed to produces a reflection HOE screen illuminated from the viewing side by the at least one projector during use.

[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 eyes of at least one viewer to produce a three-dimensionally perceived image without viewing aids, such as glasses or headgear. Various embodiments according to the present disclosure provide real-time viewer position detection and image display synchronization to allow the viewer to move while staying within predetermined eye-boxes so that perception of the three-dimensional image is unaffected by viewer movement. Use of a reflection holographic element provides higher resolution and improves color fidelity of reflected images, both of which are desirable for a number of applications, such as medical imaging, video gaming, and personal entertainment devices, for example. Use of a beam shaping device in at least one of the reference and object beam paths during recording of a holographic optical element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure provides more uniform illumination to reduce or eliminate vignetting. Use of a directional diffuser rather than a ground glass plate or apodizer provides significant improvements in object beam efficiency.

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 the recording and playback of the HOE.

However, this approach introduces additional complexities associated with having multiple recording set-ups, precise control of environmental conditions during multiple exposures, alignment or registration of the layers, and the like.

However, the pixel size and fill ratio or packing density limits the resulting resolution, which may not be acceptable for smaller screens for use in personal entertainment or gaming, or in more demanding applications where high resolution is desired, such as in medical imaging, for example.

Such requirements present additional challenges for autostereoscopic display systems, which may use various types of projectors to illuminate the HOE screen with the left-eye and right-eye images.

Depending on the particular projectors being used, some digital image correction may be provided, although this generally results in reduced resolution of the autostereoscopic system.

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