GB2231754A - Three dimensional display system - Google Patents

Abstract

Two stereoscopic television images are displayed simultaneously as alternate pixels A and B, the light output being orthogonally polarised by filters 4 and 5. The display is viewed via orthogonally polarised filters 6 and 7 so that the left eye L sees only image A and the right eye sees only image B. Printed pictures may be similarly displayed by placing polarising filters in exact register over two images printed in patterns A and B. <IMAGE>

Description

THREE DIMENSIONAL VISUAL DISPLAY SYSTEM This invention relates to a three dimensional visual display system.

Human vision uses two eyes with two viewpoints to measure the world in three dimensions. A single picture or image cannot give a true representation of distance, while existing methods of viewing two images at once require cumbersome optical systems.

ficcording to this invention, two overlapping images are displayed in a manner which results in the light from each image being polarised approximately perpendicularly to the light from the other, as a result of which it is possible to distinguish between the two images by making use of polarised light filters. Each of the two images is displayed as a pattern of areas of display, with a polarising device adjacent to or incorporated within each display element.

A major application of this invention would be to achieve three dimensional display effects using a stereo pair of images and two polarised light filters placed one over each eye.

An example of the application of this invention would be a three dimensional colour television or computer display. fi method of applying this invention to a television display is illustrated schematically in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 is the front view of a television screen.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the television, showing the transmission of light between the screen and the viewers eyes .

In this example, the screen 1 consists of a large number of individual pixels 3 which are illustrated in the magnification of a small area 2. A pixel is considered here as the smallest area element of the screen for which the colour and intensity of the display can be varied independently of adjacent pixel.

Two images, A and B, are displayed simultaneously, with alternate pixels selected from alternate images, as shown in magnified area 2. The television screen t is constructed with a small area of light polarising filter 4 in front of every pixel of image A, and a similar are of perpendicularly polarizing filter 5 iri front of every pixel of image B.

The screen is viewed through spectacles consisting of polarised light filters 6 and 7. These filters are arranged such that the light which has passed through filter 4 passes easily through filter 6 but not through filter 7, while light which has passed through filter 5 passes easily through filter 7 but not through filter 6.

Hence eye L sees image A, while eye R sees image B.

This invention can also be applied to printed pictures, by placing a similar pattern of polarising devices (filters) in exact register over two images printed in matching patterns.

Claims (6)

1 The display of two overlapping images as intermingled patterns of discrete areas of display such that the light from the areas of one image is polarised approximately perpendicularly to the light from the areas of the other image.

2 The incorporation Ot the principle described in Claim 1 in a television cr computer display device, or any other form of variable display.

7 Tne incorporation of the principle described in Claim 1 in a printed or drawn product, or any other form of non-variable display.

4 The use of th principle described in Claim I to achieve a three-dimensional stereoscopic display effect. The light from one image can be distinguished from the light from the other image by the use of devices sensitive to the polarisation of light.

5 A computers televisions or other variable display as described in Claim 2 using the principle described in Claim 1 by polarising the light from groups of pixels, individual pixels, or individual coloured dots or parts of dots of the display.

6 A display system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawings.