THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY WITH AUGMENTED HOLOGRAMS

Number: 20180017940
Published: 2018-01-18
Filed: 2016-07-15
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: SMITHWICK; QUINN Y.
CPC: G03H1/30; G02B30/40; G03H1/2249; G02B27/0093; G03B21/56; H04N9/3185; G03B21/26; G03H1/265; G03H1/22; G03H1/24
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Holographic 3D display with augmented holograms.

Abstract

A system for displaying, to viewers who do not need to wear special eyewear, static three dimensional (3D) images that are dynamically augmented with two dimensional (2D) images. The system includes a holographic print with a front surface and a back opaque layer. The system includes a projector projecting light onto the front surface. The projected light includes first light reconstructing a hologram from the front surface of the holographic print and second light displaying 2D content on the front surface. The projector is positioned to cause the first light to strike the front surface within a range of hologram reconstruction angles. The projector is a video projector, and the first light is even illumination in the form of white light while the second light includes the displayed 2D content. The displayed 2D content includes animation or video content.

Background

BACKGROUND1. FIELD OF THE DESCRIPTION.

The present invention relates, in general, to devices and methods for providing a three-dimensional (3D) display in a glasses-free manner, and, more particularly, to a display system adapted for using providing a static holographic image concurrently with animation (e.g., two-dimensional (2D) animation) to provide viewers of the display system's output glasses-free viewing of enhanced 3D imagery and visual effects.2. RELEVANT BACKGROUND.

Displays that provide the illusion of three dimensions have experienced a rebirth in the past few years. For example, a number of 3D televisions are now available for use in homes and home theaters. These 3D televisions generally operate by displaying a stream of left and right eye images in an alternating or time-multiplexed manner (e.g., left-right-left-right). Switching occurs so quickly that the viewer does not sense a flicker or change in the display. The viewer wears special headgear or glasses that operate in a synchronized manner with the display to only allow the light associated with the left eye image to reach the viewer's left eye and with the right eye image to reach the viewer's right eye.

While most commercial displays rely on the use of special glasses, it is generally agreed by those in the 3D entertainment industry that displays able to provide a 3D viewing experience without glasses or headgear offer significant advantages. Autostereoscopy is any method of displaying

Claims

1. A system for displaying to viewers static three dimensional (3D) images that are dynamically augmented with two dimensional (2D) images, comprising: a reflection holographic print with a front surface; and a projector projecting light onto the front surface, wherein the projected light comprises first light reconstructing a hologram from the front surface of the reflection holographic print and second light displaying 2D content on the front surface. 12. A 3D display system, comprising: a holographic print; a video projector; and a controller operating the video projector, with a content file mapping first light to a first region of the holographic print and second light to a second region of the holographic print differing from the first region, to concurrently project the first and second light onto the holographic print, wherein the first light is white light to reconstruct a hologram from the first region of the holographic print. 19. A 3D display system, comprising: a holographic print with a front surface; a first light source projecting light onto the front surface that reconstructs a hologram; a semi-transparent scattering projection surface positioned between the first light source and the front surface of the holographic print to be spaced apart from the front surface of the holographic print, on the front surface of the holographic print, or with the holographic print between the first light surface and the semi-transparent scattering projection surface; and a second light source projecting light toward the holographic print that strikes the semi-transparent scattering projection surface, wherein the light from the second light source is projected at an angle outside of a range of reconstruction angles for the holographic print.