Device for generation of three-demensional images

Abstract

A device for generation of three-dimensional images in the observer's eye using at least one two-dimensional display and an optical system with an adjustable focal length. The display generates planar images corresponding to the different depths of the designed three dimensional (3D) image and the images are then directed to at least one mirror or lens with the adjustable focal length synchronized to the particular image. The optical system generates virtual images at different virtual planes in such a way that the eye receives a complete 3D virtual image.

1 . The device for generation of three-dimensional images using at least one display and an optical system, wherein the display generates two-dimensional (2D) images corresponding to the different depths of the final 3D image and the images are then directed to at least one mirror or lens of the optical system with an adjustable focal length, generating virtual images at different virtual planes in such a way, that the eye receives a complete three dimensional virtual image. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  where the adjustment of the focal length of the lens or mirror is achieved due to one of the following approaches or their combination:
 mechanical motion of the lens 
 electrooptic effect-induced change of the refractive index and the focal length 
 thermal effect-induced change of the refractive index and the focal length 
 applying acousto-optic effect-induced change of the refractive index and the focal length 
 electrostatic, or electric field-induced change of the shape of the lens or mirror 
 applying reconfigurable lens or mirror based on the micro-electro-mechanic system (MEMS) 
 
       In all the cases using conventional or Fresnel lenses or mirrors can be applied. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  where the adjustment of the focal length of the lens or mirror for the realization of virtual images at different virtual focal planes is achieved by selecting different wavelength according to one of the following approaches or their combination:
 wavelength-sensitive focal length of the lens or mirror 
 applying multiple-layer mirrors with different foci with narrow reflectivity bands, which reflect only particular wavelengths. 
 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  where several virtual 3D images are generated by several displays. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  where several virtual 3D images are merged into a single virtual image by applying an additional optical system. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  where the two or more different planar display images separated in space in the same plane or in different planes are combined into a single virtual image. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  where 2D images corresponding to different image planes are generated by scanning of the light beams at different parts of the screen and have different focal distances with respect to the lens or mirror while the optical system merges the spatially-separated images into a single virtual 3D image or multiple virtual 3D images. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device is one of the group: a film projector, a slide projector, a TV projector, an outdoor advertisement projector, a head up display, a mobile display. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claims 1 - 8 , where two dimensional images are generated by a device chosen from a group: plasma display, liquid crystal display, LED display, organic LED display, CRT, or a lamp; LED or a laser projection display. 
     
     
         10 . An interactive system composed of a projection display generating virtual image in the observer's eye of  claims 1 - 9 , a real object, a camera suitable for taking three-dimensional pictures and an image-processing system, which aligns the real object with the geometrical characteristics of the virtual image and allows to obtain the necessary interactivity by aligning the real and the virtual images according to the selected algorithm