Autostereoscopic 3D Display Using Single Projector and Mirror Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D display technologies either require specialized glasses or are costly due to the use of multiple projectors, lacking a cost-effective solution for displaying 3D images without glasses.

Innovation Solution

An autostereoscopic display system utilizing a single projector and a fixed mirror arrangement to project images onto a holographic diffuser from distinct directions, allowing a 3D image to be perceived without the need for glasses, with the option of using either simultaneous or time-multiplexed projection methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple projectors are used to display 3D images without glasses, then the 3D display quality is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D display qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the projection function into multiple virtual projectors created by a single physical projector working with a mirror arrangement. Each mirror reflects light to create a distinct virtual projector position, achieving the effect of multiple projectors without the actual hardware complexity and cost associated with using multiple physical projectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single projector is used to reduce cost, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to display 3D images without glasses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoid3D display quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mirror arrangement as an intermediary between the single physical projector and the display medium. This mirror arrangement creates multiple virtual projector positions, enabling the single projector to produce the optical effects of multiple projectors and achieve proper 3D image display without glasses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple projectors are positioned at different locations, then the viewing perspectives are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing perspectivesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of projectors through the mirror arrangement. Each mirror generates a virtual projector image at a different position and angle, providing multiple viewing perspectives equivalent to having multiple physical projectors located at different positions, but without the associated complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration provides a cost-effective and simple method to display 3D images, allowing for flexible viewing positions and perspectives, while maintaining high image resolution and aspect ratio, and enabling a rear projection design.

Implementation Method 1

The mirror arrangement is configured to reflect the plurality of projected images onto the holographic diffuser from distinct directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The holographic diffuser is configured to display the plurality of projected images projected by the single projector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2587817B1Autostereoscopic 3D display
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2587817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2587817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2587817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An autostereoscopic display (10) configured to display (10) a three dimensional (3D) image of a scene. The autostereoscopic display (10) uses a single projector (12) to project a plurality of projected images (14a, 14b, 14c) into a mirror arrangement (26) fixedly positioned in the projection field (16) of the single projector (12) to reflect the plurality of projected images (14a, 14b, 14c) onto the holographic diffuser (24) from distinct directions such that a 3D image is perceived by a person (18) viewing the holographic diffuser (24).