3D Glasses

Abstract

A viewing system for viewing video displays having the appearance of a three dimensional image.

1 . A method for rapidly opening a liquid crystal shutter for use in 3D glasses, comprising:
 causing the liquid crystal to rotate to an open position, the liquid crystal achieving a light transmission rate of at least twenty-five percent in less than one millisecond;   waiting until the liquid crystal rotates to a point having maximum light transmission;   stopping the rotation of the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission; and   holding the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission for a period of time.   
     
     
         2 . A system for providing a three dimensional video image to a user of 3D glasses, the system comprising:
 a pair of liquid crystal shutters having corresponding first and a second liquid crystal shutters, and   a control circuit adapted to   open the first liquid crystal shutter, wherein the first liquid crystal shutter opens to a point of maximum light transmission in less than one millisecond,   apply a catch voltage to hold the first liquid crystal shutter at the point of maximum light transmission for a first period of time,   then close the first liquid crystal shutter,   open the second liquid crystal shutter, wherein the second liquid crystal shutter opens to a point of maximum light transmission in less than one millisecond,   apply a catch voltage to hold the second liquid crystal shutter at the point of maximum light transmission for a first period of time, and   then close the second liquid crystal shutter;   wherein the first period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a first eye of the user and the second period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a second eye of the user.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to use a synchronization signal to determine the first and second period of time. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the catch voltage is two volts. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the point of maximum light transmission transmits more than thirty two percent of light. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising an emitter that provides a synchronization signal and wherein the synchronization signal causes the control circuit to open one of the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the synchronization signal comprises an encrypted signal. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the control circuit will only operate after validating the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a battery sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to provide an indication of a low battery condition. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the indication of a low battery condition comprises a liquid crystal shutter that is closed for a period of time and then open for a period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to detect a synchronization signal and begin operating the liquid crystal shutters after detecting the synchronization signal. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the encrypted signal will only operate a pair of liquid crystal glasses having a control circuit adapted to receive the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a test signal wherein the test signal operates the liquid crystal shutters at a rate that is visible to the user wearing the pair of liquid crystal shutter glasses. 
     
     
         15 . A system for providing three dimensional video images, comprising:
 a pair of glasses comprising a first lens having a first liquid crystal shutter and a second lens having a second liquid crystal shutter, the liquid crystal shutters each having a liquid crystal and an opening time of less than one millisecond, and   a control circuit that alternately opens the first and second liquid crystal shutters,   wherein the liquid crystal orientation is held at a point of maximum light transmission until the control circuit closes the shutter.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein a catch voltage holds the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the point of maximum light transmission transmits more than thirty two percent of light. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising an emitter that provides a synchronization signal and wherein the synchronization signal causes the control circuit to open one of the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the synchronization signal comprises an encrypted signal. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the control circuit will only operate after validating the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a battery sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to provide an indication of a low battery condition. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the indication of a low battery condition comprises a liquid crystal shutter that is closed for a period of time and then open for a period of time. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to detect a synchronization signal and begin operating the liquid crystal shutters after detecting the synchronization signal. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the encrypted signal will only operate a pair of liquid crystal glasses having a control circuit adapted to receive the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a test signal wherein the test signal operates the liquid crystal shutters at a rate that is visible to a person wearing the pair of liquid crystal shutter glasses. 
     
     
         27 . A method for providing a three dimensional video image, the method comprising:
 opening a first liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond,   holding the first liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a first period of time,   closing the first liquid crystal shutter and then opening a second liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond, and   holding the second liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a second period of time,   wherein the first period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a first eye of a viewer and the second period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a second eye of the viewer.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising holding the liquid crystal shutter at the point of maximum light transmission by a catch voltage. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the catch voltage is two volts. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the point of maximum light transmission transmits more than thirty two percent of light. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising emitting a synchronization signal for controlling an operation of the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the synchronization signal comprises an encrypted signal. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the synchronization signal will only control the operation of the liquid crystal shutters control circuit after being validating the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising sensing a power level of a battery. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising providing an indication of the power level of the battery. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the indication of a low battery power level comprises a liquid crystal shutter that is closed for a period of time and then open for a period of time. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising detecting a synchronization signal and then operating the liquid crystal shutters after detecting the synchronization signal. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 32 , further comprising only operating the liquid crystal shutters after receiving an encrypted signal specially designated for the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising providing a test signal that operates the liquid crystal shutters at a rate that is visible to the viewer. 
     
     
         40 . A computer program installed on a machine readable medium in a housing for 3D glasses having at least one liquid crystal shutter for providing a three dimensional video image to a user of the 3D glasses, the computer program comprising:
 causing a liquid crystal to rotate by applying an electrical voltage to the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal achieving a light transmission rate of at least twenty-five percent in less than one millisecond;   waiting until the liquid crystal rotates to a point having maximum light transmission;   stopping the rotation of the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission; and   holding the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission for a period of time.   
     
     
         41 . A computer program installed on a machine readable medium for providing a three dimensional video image to a user of 3D glasses having first and second liquid crystal shutters, the computer program comprising:
 opening the first liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond,   holding the first liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a first period of time,   closing the first liquid crystal shutter and then opening the second liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond, and   holding the second liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a second period of time,   wherein the first period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a first eye of the user and the second period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a second eye of the user.   
     
     
         42 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , wherein the liquid crystal shutter is held at the point of maximum light transmission by a catch voltage. 
     
     
         43 . The computer program according to  claim 42 , wherein the catch voltage is two volts. 
     
     
         44 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , wherein the point of maximum light transmission transmits more than thirty two percent of light. 
     
     
         45 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , further comprising providing a synchronization signal that controls an operation of the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         46 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , wherein the synchronization signal comprises an encrypted signal. 
     
     
         47 . The computer program according to  claim 46 , further comprising operating the liquid crystal shutters only after validating the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         48 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , further comprising sensing a power level of a battery. 
     
     
         49 . The computer program according to  claim 48 , further comprising providing an indication of a low battery condition. 
     
     
         50 . The computer program according to  claim 49 , further comprising providing an indication of a low battery condition by closing a liquid crystal shutter for a period of time and then opening the liquid crystal shutter for a period of time. 
     
     
         51 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , further comprising detecting a synchronization signal and then operating the liquid crystal shutters after detecting the synchronization signal. 
     
     
         52 . The computer program according to  claim 46 , further comprising only operating the liquid crystal shutters after receiving an encrypted signal specifically designated from controlling the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         53 . The computer program according to  claim 41 , further comprising providing a test signal that opens and closes the liquid crystal shutters at a rate that is visible to the user. 
     
     
         54 . A system for rapidly opening a liquid crystal shutter, comprising:
 means for causing a liquid crystal to rotate by applying an electrical voltage to the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal achieving a light transmission rate of at least twenty-five percent in less than one millisecond;   means for waiting until the liquid crystal rotates to a point having maximum light transmission;   means for stopping the rotation of the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission; and   means for holding the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission for a period of time.   
     
     
         55 . A system for providing a three dimensional video image to a user of 3D glasses having first and second liquid crystal shutters, the system comprising:
 means for opening the first liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond,   means for holding the first liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a first period of time,   means for closing the first liquid crystal shutter and then opening the second liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond, and   means for holding the second liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a second period of time,   and wherein the first period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a first eye of a viewer and the second period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a second eye of the viewer.   
     
     
         56 . The system according to  claim 55 , wherein the at least one of the first and second liquid crystal shutter is held at the point of maximum light transmission by a catch voltage. 
     
     
         57 . The system according to  claim 56 , wherein the catch voltage is about two volts. 
     
     
         58 . The system according to  claim 55 , wherein the point of maximum light transmission transmits more than thirty two percent of light. 
     
     
         59 . The system according to  claim 55 , further comprising means for providing a synchronization signal and wherein the synchronization signal causes one of the liquid crystal shutters to open. 
     
     
         60 . The system according to  claim 55 , wherein the synchronization signal comprises an encrypted signal. 
     
     
         61 . The system according to  claim 60 , further comprising means for only operating the liquid crystal shutters after validating the encrypted signal. 
     
     
         62 . The system according to  claim 55 , further comprising means for sensing an operating condition of a battery. 
     
     
         63 . The system according to  claim 62 , further comprising means for providing an indication of a low battery condition. 
     
     
         64 . The system according to  claim 63 , wherein the means for providing an indication of a low battery condition comprises means for closing a liquid crystal shutter for a period of time and then opening the liquid crystal shutter for a period of time. 
     
     
         65 . The system according to  claim 55 , further comprising means for detecting a synchronization signal and means for operating the liquid crystal shutters after detecting the synchronization signal. 
     
     
         66 . The system according to  claim 60 , further comprising means for only operating the liquid crystal shutters after receiving an encrypted signal specially designated for operating the liquid crystal shutters. 
     
     
         67 . The system according to  claim 55 , further comprising means for operating the liquid crystal shutters at a rate that is visible to the viewer. 
     
     
         68 . A method for rapidly opening a liquid crystal shutter for use in 3D glasses, comprising:
 causing the liquid crystal to rotate to an open position,   waiting until the liquid crystal rotates to a point having maximum light transmission;   stopping the rotation of the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission; and   holding the liquid crystal at the point of maximum light transmission for a period of time;   wherein the liquid crystal comprises an optically thick liquid crystal.   
     
     
         69 . A method for providing a three dimensional video image to a user of 3D glasses having first and second crystal shutters, the method comprising:
 transmitting an encrypted synchronization signal,   receiving the encrypted synchronization signal at a remote location,   after validating the received encrypted synchronization signal, opening a first liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond,   holding the first liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a first period of time,   closing the first liquid crystal shutter and then opening a second liquid crystal shutter in less than one millisecond,   holding the second liquid crystal shutter at a point of maximum light transmission for a second period of time,   providing battery power for opening and closing the liquid crystal shutters;   sensing a power level of the battery power, and   providing an indication of the sensed power level of the battery power by opening and closing the liquid crystal shutters at a rate that is visible to a viewer,   wherein the first period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image, for a first eye of the viewer and the second period of time corresponds to the presentation of an image for a second eye of the viewer, and   wherein the liquid crystal shutters are held at the point of maximum light transmission by a catch voltage.