3D Volumetric Display

Abstract

A light surface display for providing a three-dimensional image having a volumetric display, a first projection system, and a second projection system. The first projection system projects electromagnetic energy into the volumetric display sequentially along the length and width of the volumetric display in a series of 2D image slices. The second projection system projects electromagnetic energy in a series of slices along the depth of the volumetric display. Particles intersected by the first and second wavelengths form illuminated two-dimensional cross sections at specific locations in the volumetric display.

1 . A method of producing at least one three-dimensional image, comprising the steps of:
 a. projecting electromagnetic energy of one or more first wavelengths into a volumetric display sequentially along the length and width of the volumetric display in a series of 2D image slices;   b. projecting electromagnetic energy of one or more second wavelengths in a series of slices along the depth of the volumetric display whereby particles intersected by the first and second wavelengths form illuminated two-dimensional cross sections at specific locations in the volumetric display;   c. synchronizing the projection of electromagnetic energy along the length and width of the volumetric display with the projection of electromagnetic energy along the depth of the volumetric display for a pre-determined length of time to form an illuminated three-dimensional image.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric display remains static while forming the illuminated three-dimensional image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein projection of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths is performed by a first projection system including a single digital light processor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein power of a first projection system is modulated to provide variable brightness of the image. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the projection of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths along the depth of the volumetric display is performed by a second projection system including a single digital light processor having a digital micromirror device with an array of micromechanical mirrors. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of dithering the micromechanical mirrors to provide variable brightness of the image 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a pre-determined time-delay before intersecting the energized particles through projection of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths along the depth of the volumetric display. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are supported by an aerogel matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are substantially uniformly suspended. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical illusion of movement is selected from the group consisting of full rotating screen, half rotating screen, two Archimedes spirals rotating around a common center, and single spiral rotating screen. 
     
     
         11 . A light surface display for providing a three-dimensional image, comprising:
 a plurality of particles dispersed within a volumetric display;   a first projection system projecting electromagnetic energy of one or more first wavelengths into the volumetric display sequentially along the length and width of the volumetric display in a series of 2D image slices;   a second projection system projecting electromagnetic energy of one or more second wavelengths in a series of slices along the depth of the volumetric display whereby particles intersected by the first and second wavelengths form illuminated two-dimensional cross sections at specific locations in the volumetric display;   a control system synchronizing the projection of electromagnetic energy along the length and width of the volumetric display with the projection of electromagnetic energy along the depth of the volumetric display for a pre-determined length of time to form an illuminated three-dimensional image.   
     
     
         12 . The display of  claim 11 , further comprising a medium substantially transparent and dispersed within the volumetric display wherein the particles are dispersed within the medium. 
     
     
         13 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the medium is an aerogel matrix. 
     
     
         14 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the aerogel medium is composed of an inorganic substance. 
     
     
         15 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the aerogel medium is composed of an organic substance. 
     
     
         16 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the medium is an xerogel matrix. 
     
     
         17 . The display of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the xerogel matrix is composed of an inorganic substance. 
     
     
         18 . The display of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the xerogel matrix is composed of an organic substance. 
     
     
         19 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the medium is a transparent glass ceramic matrix composed of an organic substance. 
     
     
         20 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are quantum dots. 
     
     
         21 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are upconversion materials. 
     
     
         22 . The display of  claim 21 , wherein the upconversion materials includes a host material doped with a sensitizer and rare-earth ions. 
     
     
         23 . The display of  claim 22 , wherein the sensitizer is Ytterbium. 
     
     
         24 . The display of  claim 22 , wherein the rare-earth ions are lanthanides. 
     
     
         25 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are upconversion materials dispersed within an aerogel matrix. 
     
     
         26 . The display of  claim 25 , wherein the display produces a polychromatic three-dimensional image. 
     
     
         27 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the first projection system includes at least one digital light processing projector. 
     
     
         28 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the second projection system includes at least one digital light processing projector having a digital micro-mirror device containing an array of micromechanical mirrors. 
     
     
         29 . The display of  claim 28 , wherein the micro-mirror device is used in dithering the translational slices of electromagnetic energy. 
     
     
         30 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the first projection system projects wavelengths for a pre-determined amount of time prior to the second projection system projecting wavelengths intersecting the energized particles. 
     
     
         31 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein power of the first projection system is modulated to vary the intensity of electromagnetic energy of the wavelengths along the length and width of the volumetric display. 
     
     
         32 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the first projection system includes a beam steering system for directing the wavelengths of the first projection system. 
     
     
         33 . The display of  claim 11 , wherein the control system is in communication with an external source to download images. 
     
     
         34 . The display of  claim 11 , further comprising a housing supporting the volumetric display. 
     
     
         35 . The display of  claim 34 , wherein the housing includes an electromagnetic radiation filter.