Volumetric Display Using Diffractive Optical Element for Real-Space 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D visualization methods, such as stereoscopic displays, lack essential depth cues, leading to poor 3D experiences and eye strain, while existing volumetric displays are bulky, non-scalable, and difficult to implement due to technical and cost challenges, especially with computer-generated holographic displays that require advanced nanoscale semiconductor technologies and significant computational power.
Innovation Solution
A volumetric display system utilizing a diffractive optical element that generates a series of image planes within real space by varying the wavelength or focal length of light, allowing for compact, cost-effective, and scalable 3D image construction without mechanical components, using a combination of tunable light sources and active or passive diffractive optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stereoscopic approaches with eyewear or lenticular lens systems are used, then 3D visualization is achieved, but the display lacks correct 3D visual depth cues (vergence, motion parallax and accommodation) leading to eye strain and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical illusions (lenticular lenses, eyewear) with a volumetric display system that creates genuine 3D images in space. The system uses a spatial light modulator and scanning mechanisms to project light at multiple depths, providing authentic vergence, accommodation, and motion parallax cues without requiring mechanical eyewear components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from 2D stereoscopic imaging to true 3D volumetric imaging by adding the depth dimension as a physical reality rather than an optical illusion. The display creates image planes at different z-depths within a volumetric space, allowing viewers to perceive genuine three-dimensional structure with all associated depth cues.
2Volume of stationary object
If mechanical methods such as arrays of LEDs that spin very quickly around an axis are used to create volumetric displays, then volume-filling imagery is produced, but the optical components are bulky and the display is not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotating LED arrays with a stationary spatial light modulator and optical scanning system. The volumetric effect is achieved through rapid sequential projection of image planes at different depths using acousto-optic or liquid crystal technology, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical rotating components while maintaining volumetric display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic optical modulation and rapid scanning to create the illusion of volumetric imagery without physical movement of display components. The spatial light modulator dynamically adjusts refractive indices or light paths to project image planes at varying depths, achieving volumetric effect through temporal and optical dynamics rather than mechanical motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If computer-generated holographic displays are used, then high-resolution 3D imaging is achieved, but advanced nanoscale semiconductor technologies and significant computational power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core holographic function (spatial light modulation) from the complex computer-generated holography system. Instead of requiring full CGH computational pipelines and nanoscale semiconductor fabrication, the invention uses commercially available spatial light modulators with simpler control architectures, retaining the essential 3D image reconstruction capability while eliminating excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the spatial light modulator dynamically during operation rather than requiring fixed nanoscale structures. By modulating refractive indices, light paths, and projection timing in real-time, the system achieves high-resolution 3D imaging through dynamic parameter adjustment rather than static nanoscale fabrication.
4Volume of stationary object
If non-mechanical variants using series of planar liquid crystal shutters stacked on top of each other are used, then volumetric display is achieved, but the images are in virtual space requiring viewers to look through the mirror to see the volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple copies of the image at different spatial locations and depths within the volumetric display space. Rather than requiring viewers to look through a single mirror plane, the system projects replicated image planes at various z-depths, allowing direct viewing of the volumetric image without optical barriers or complex viewing geometries.
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
Enables the creation of high-quality, real-space 3D images that are scalable and cost-effective, reducing eye strain and improving the 3D visualization experience by producing images in real space with reduced bulk and complexity, overcoming the limitations of traditional volumetric displays.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive optical element. The imaging apparatus is arranged to provide a series of image planes within a volume of real space, each image plane corresponding to a respective different focal length of the diffractive optical element
Implementation Method 2
The control apparatus is arranged to generate at least one control signal to vary at least one of a wavelength of light emitted by the light source and a focal length associated with the diffractive optical element
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a volumetric display includes an imaging system having object and image planes, a source image generation apparatus for forming a source image in the object plane based on received image data, and a control apparatus for supplying image data to the source image generation apparatus. The source image generation apparatus includes a light source. The image data comprises a series of two-dimensional images. The imaging system includes a diffractive optical element and the control apparatus is arranged to generate at least one control signal to vary a wavelength of light emitted by the light source and/or a focal length associated with the diffractive optical element to vary the location of the image plane within a volume of real space in synchronism with the formation of the series of two-dimensional images in the object plane to construct a volumetric three-dimensional image based on the received image data.