3D Display Using Wavelength-Multiplexed Light and Spectral Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D image display methods for motion pictures and television require expensive equipment and polarization-maintaining screens, and are not compatible with rear-projection television (RPTV) sets, resulting in poor image quality and limited color representation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for displaying 3D images using two series of images illuminated with slightly different colors, where the same light modulator or separate modulators are used to project images intended for the left and right eyes, with the viewer wearing glasses equipped with filters to distinguish between the colors, allowing for full-color representation on non-polarization maintaining screens like RPTV sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the anaglyphic 3-D process uses color filters to separate images, then the implementation cost is reduced and compatibility with any screen is improved, but the image quality deteriorates to black and white or drab colors and causes viewer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameters of light sources to create distinct spectral signatures for left and right eye images. By using slightly different wavelengths (e.g., 635nm vs 650nm for red), the system achieves color separation without requiring strong color filters, thereby maintaining full-color image quality while keeping implementation costs low and viewer comfort high.
2Manufacturing precision
If polarized light filters are used to separate left and right eye images, then high-quality images are produced, but the equipment cost increases and compatibility with RPTV sets is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from using polarization state as the separation parameter to using wavelength as the separation parameter. This allows the system to work with RPTV sets that do not maintain polarization, while still achieving high-quality full-color images through spectral filtering in the viewer's glasses.
3Manufacturing precision
If polarization-maintaining projection screens are used, then 3-D image quality is improved, but the equipment cost increases and the system becomes incompatible with RPTV sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength separation function from the projection screen and relocates it to the viewer's glasses. This removes the requirement for polarization-maintaining screens and their associated complexity, while maintaining 3-D image quality through spectral filtering at the viewer端.
4Device complexity
If sequential presentation of left and right eye images is used, then a single projector can be used reducing equipment cost, but the frame rate must be doubled and the system becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic alternation of left and right eye images at standard frame rates (24fps), with each eye receiving every other frame. This periodic presentation combined with wavelength-multiplexed projection allows a single projector to deliver 3-D content without requiring doubled frame rates or complex synchronization systems.
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 production of high-quality, full-color 3D images on RPTV sets without the need for polarization effects, providing improved image quality and compatibility with various display mediums while reducing equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
A light modulator, such as an array of micromirrors or a liquid crystal on silicon array, is used to modulate light emitted by the first and second light sources to generate two series of images
Implementation Method 2
The viewing glasses include a left eye filter and a right eye filter. The left eye filter filters out the first series of images and the right eye filter filters out the second series of images
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described herein which produce polarization-independent full color images suitable for rear-projection television sets and other multimedia displays. The system uses illumination with R, G, B light from two different light sources for each color. A viewer wears glasses with narrowband optical filters, preferably holographic filters. The R, G, B light from the light sources is slightly offset at each of the 3 emission wavelengths, with one set of R, G, B light being filtered by the holographic filter in front of the left eye of the, and the other set of R, G, B light being filtered by the holographic filter in front of the viewer's right eye.