MULTI-VIEW DISPLAYS USING IMAGES ENCODED WITH ORBITAL ANGULAR MOMENTUM (OAM) ON A PIXEL OR IMAGE BASIS

Number: 20180063519
Published: 2018-03-01
Filed: 2016-08-29
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: SMITHWICK; QUINN Y.; LI; XUEFENG; CHU; JIAQI; CHU; DAPING
CPC: G02B30/24; H04N13/351; G02B30/26; H04N13/32; H04N13/363; H04N13/398; H04N13/307
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

OAM-encoded multi-view display.

Abstract

A multi-view display system or optical vortex 3D display in a multi-view or multilayer embodiment or configuration. The new 3D display system encodes and decodes images into independent modes of optical angular momentum (OAM). In some embodiments, the 3D display system uses pixel-based OAM. In such systems, transformation optics are used to sort the OAM modes. These transformation optics convert the OAMs' spiral wavefronts to linear gradient wavefronts, which are then deflected by a simple lens. The transformation optics, thus, are used in image-based (per pixel) decoding/sorting. In other embodiments, the 3D display system uses image-based OAM. In such systems, convolution of the OAM modes with the image is used rather than the direct modulation of the OAM mode and the image (as used in the prior system discussed above) for image-based encoding and decoding/sorting of images in different OAM modes.

Background

BACKGROUND1. Field of the Description

The present invention relates, in general, to autostereoscopic displays, to holography and to holographic displays, and, more particularly, to displays adapted to utilize optical vortices to create multi-view (or multi-autostereoscopic) displays including, but not limited to, three dimensional (3D) displays.2. Relevant Background

Recently, the demand for 3D displays has rapidly expanded both for theater and similar settings for larger audiences and for smaller applications, such as for home theaters and televisions, with a smaller number of viewers. One approach to providing 3D displays is labeled or named “multi-view 3D displays.” In these displays, a set of two dimensional (2D) images are directed into different view zones, which provides different views for each eye at different locations. Multi-view 3D displays are desirable in part because the different views for each eye provide multiple stereo views and 3D parallax. Another approach is the use of so called multi-planar 3D displays. In these displays, a set of 2D images are directed onto different depth layers. Multi-planar 3D displays are desirable in part because they provide 3D depth, parallax, and accommodation cues.

One challenge facing designers and manufacturers of multi-view/multi-planar 3D displays is the mechanism or technique of distributing the 2D images into the different view zones (e.g., into different viewer's eyes) or onto different depths. All eye

Claims

1. A display system, comprising: a display controller providing light associated with two or more two dimensional (2D) images; an optical assembly encoding the light associated with the two or more 2D images with optical angular momentum (OAM); and a projection assembly displaying the two or more images on two or more screens positioned at two or more differing focal planes or displaying the two or more 2D images in two or more view zones to provide an autostereoscopic display. 10. An apparatus for generating a 3D display, comprising: a source of first, second, and third light streams comprising, respectively, light corresponding with a plurality of pixels of first, second, and third images; and transformation optics adapted for encoding the first light stream into a plurality of beams according to a first OAM mode, encoding the second light stream into a plurality of beams according to a second OAM mode, and encoding the third light stream into a plurality of beams according to a third OAM mode, wherein each of the beams is associated with one of the pixels of the first, second, and third images. 16. A three dimensional (3D) display system, comprising: an optical assembly receiving and encoding light associated with three 2D images according to first, second, and third optical angular momentum (OAM) modes; multiplexing optics combining the encoded light into a multiplexed beam; and decoding optics receiving and decoding the multiplexed beam for display.