Device for generation of virtual three-dimensional 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A projection device ( 300 , 500 , 600 ) for generation of three-dimensional virtual images comprising at least one display ( 310 , 520 ) and at least one curved mirror ( 240 , 540 , 640 ),
 wherein said at least one display generates two-dimensional (2D) images,   wherein said at least one display ( 310 , 520 ) and said at least one curved mirror ( 240 , 540 , 640 ) form an optical system ( 350 , 500 , 600 ),   wherein said optical system ( 350 , 500 , 600 ) has an adjustable focal length such that said at least one curved mirror ( 240 , 540 , 640 ) generates a virtual image ( 321 , 521 ) at a first virtual plane, and said at least one curved mirror ( 240 , 540 , 640 ) generates a virtual image ( 322 , 522 ) at at least one second virtual plane distinct from said first virtual plane,   wherein said optical system ( 350 ) has an adjustable focal length such that said at least one curved mirror ( 240 ) generates a virtual image ( 321 ) at a first virtual plane, and said at least one curved mirror ( 240 ) generates a virtual image ( 322 ) at at least one second virtual plane distinct from said first virtual plane,   wherein said adjustable focal length of said optical system ( 350 ) is controlled by a means selected from the group of means consisting of
 a) combining
 i) using an optical element having an adjustable focal length of said optical element,
 wherein said optical element is selected from the group consisting of: 
  A) said at least one curved mirror ( 240 , 540 , 640 ), and 
  B) a lens, 
 wherein said focal length of said optical element is wavelength-sensitive, 
 wherein adjustability of said optical element is realized by using different wavelengths, and 
 
 ii) the relative movement of said at least one display ( 310 ) and said at least one curved mirror ( 240 ); and 
 
 b) the relative movement of said at least one display ( 310 ) and said at least one curved mirror ( 240 );
 wherein no single element of said optical system ( 350 , 500 , 600 ) has an adjustable wavelength, 
 
   wherein the sequence of virtual images ((( 321 ), ( 322 )); (( 521 ), ( 522 ))) is synchronized with the variation of said adjustable focal length of said optical system ( 350 , 500 , 600 ), in such a way that a complete three-dimensional virtual image is created in front of a face of an observer such that the eyes of the observer receive said complete three-dimensional image.   
     
     
         2 . The projection device of  claim 1  wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a film projector, 
 b) a slide projector, 
 c) a TV projector, 
 d) an outdoor advertisement projector, 
 f) a mobile display. 
 
     
     
         3 . The projection device of  claim 1 , wherein two-dimensional images are generated by a device selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a plasma display,   b) a liquid crystal display,   c) an LED display,   d) an organic LED display,   e) a cathode ray tube (CRT),   f) a light-emitting diode (LED) display, and   g) a laser projection display.   
     
     
         4 . An interactive system ( 700 ) comprising
 a) a projection device of  claim 1  configured such that it generates the complete three-dimensional virtual image in front of the face of the observer,   b) a real object ( 710 ),   c a camera ( 720 ) capable of taking three-dimensional pictures, and   d) an image-processing system ( 730 ), which aligns the real object ( 710 ) with the virtual image ( 705 ),   wherein said first real object ( 710 ) is selected from the group consisting of
 i) a hand of the operator, 
 ii) a keyboard; and 
 iii) a combination of i) and ii), 
   wherein formation of a first image, wherein said first image is a virtual image of said real object, allows the observer to observe said first image without deflection of the observer's attention from simultaneous observation of a second image,   wherein said second image is selected from the group consisting of:
 A) a real image of said second real object, and 
 B) a virtual image of said second real object.