WO2010011648A1 - 3d viewer - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for creating a real image projection which displays a two-dimensional image in 3D space including an image creating source, a reflector including a reflection surface, a substantially clear image viewing surface, and a substantially clear LCD element being located between the reflection surface and the substantially clear image viewing surface.

Description

3D VIEWER

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/082287 entitled 3D Viewer filed July 21, 2008. The entire contents of this Application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is relates to a display device, and more particularly to a device which displays a two-dimensional image in three-dimensional space. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Visual display devices displaying two-dimensional images in three-dimensional space, like that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,776,118 are known in the art. Generally these display devices include an image creation source, a reflective surface, an image viewing surface, and some kind of hood or other structure to prevent ambient light from interfering with the image viewing surface. Many of the prior art devices, however, are large and bulky, do not fully utilize the three-dimensional potential of the device, can be difficult to maintain, have limited image display quality and are incapable of providing background images or moving background images.

[0004] Furthermore, present three-dimensional viewers have problems if the ambient light surrounding the image viewing surface changes. If the ambient changes and is too bright, the image displayed on the image viewing surface appears dull. If the ambient light is too low, then the image displayed will appear as though it is just on a monitor and the three-dimensional effect of the viewer is diminished. In order to compensate for these effects, it would be advantageous to have a three-dimensional viewer which dynamically responds to the ambient light around the image viewing surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to improving visual display devices which display two- dimensional images in three-dimensional space.

[0006] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention includes an image creating source, a reflector having a reflecting surface, an image viewing surface, and an LCD element located between the reflector and the image viewing surface. Generally speaking, the image creating source creates an image and transmits the image towards the reflector. The reflection surface of the reflector directs the image through the LCD element to the image viewing surface where the image is viewed by a user. Directing reflecting the image created by the image creating source through the LCD element before displaying the image on the image viewing surface allows for the device to display moving background images behind the primary image on the image viewing surface creating a greater three-dimensional image. In one embodiment of the invention, the device may further include a hood which substantially surrounds the image viewing surface and acts to block ambient light from interfering with the image displayed thereon.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the image is created on a second substantially transparent LCD element. Located within the device and proximate the second LCD element is at least one light emitting device. This light emitting device(s) can be any light emitting device(s) which creates a greater level of back lighting that that found in common LCD elements. Using a light emitting device(s) which creates a greater level of backlighting allows the viewer to be utilized in conditions with greater ambient light, like in brightly lit rooms or even daylight.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the image created by the image creating source forms on a planar or curved surface after passing through the second LCD element. It is particularly advantageous to form the image on a non-planar surface as doing so allows for correction of distortions which are inherent in real image systems.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the reflection surface is texturized. In an embodiment of the invention the reflection surface is texturized by micro-scratches. Utilizing texture, like microsctratches, on the reflection surface scatter a portion of the light from the image source. The light which is scattered illuminates the area behind the displayed image creating the appearance of a greater distance between the image on the reflection surface and the image displayed on the image viewing surface. A further advantage using a micro scratched reflection surface is it creates a device which is easier to maintain. Using a microscratched surface allows the reflection surface to be cleaned using ordinary cleaning methods whereas an unscratched reflection surface is nearly impossible to clean without special equipment. [0010] In an embodiment of the invention the reflector is partially transparent and allows some light from behind the reflector to pass through. Allowing some light to pass through the reflector enhances the three-dimensional effect of the viewer and can allow for background elements behind the displayed image to be more easily viewed.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention the background elements are physical objects.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention the background elements are reflective and/or transparent elements.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention the background element may be a moving image source, such as a cathode ray tube, LCD, plasma or projection display device.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention the image viewing surface is texturized. In one embodiment this texturization is accomplished through the use of micro-scratches. The texurization of the image viewing surface creates better three-dimensional image and act to scatter light and obscure the inner portion of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the texturization pattern is such that only a desired portion of the light is scattered, leaving the primary image mostly unaffected.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the light scattered from the texturized reflection surface provides backlight for the substantially clear LCD element.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, a secondary light source provides light to the substantially clear LCD surface. This secondary light source may be any light element including an electric lamp or a LED device.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention a reflective and/or transparent element is placed between the image creating source and the reflector. Adding a reflective and/or transparent surface between the image creating source and the reflector allows for the device to be smaller is size as such an element can act to increase or decrease the distance the image travels from the image creating source to the reflector without changing the actual distance between the same.

[0018] In an embodiment of the device, the device includes a movable screen positioned in such a way as to hide the internal components of the device when the hood is removed.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the brightness of the light emitted from the device is dynamically controlled using a light detecting device and an electronic circuit. This dynamic brightness control adjusts the quality of the image displayed based upon ambient light conditions and allows the device to be utilized to keep the image in ideal conditions no matter the level of ambient light surrounding the image viewing surface. [0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the light detecting device may be one from the group of a photo cell, a photo transistor, and a photo diode.

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention the electronic circuit includes a microprocessor which adjusts one or more qualities of the light based upon the amount of light detected by the light detecting the device. The microprocessor may be capable of adjusting the backlighting or overall lighting level, the contrast of the image, the brightness of the image or the color of the image.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the device may include sensors which allow users to manually interact with the image displayed on the image viewing surface.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensors may be coupled with light emitting elements. The light emitting elements may emit any type of light which a sensor is capable of detecting, like, for example, infrared light, visible light or ultra-violet light.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor may be couple to a sound emitting device. The sound emitting device may emit any sound which is detectable by a sensor, like, for example, an ultrasonic frequency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0025] FIG. 1 shows the device described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The device 10 of the present invention for creating an image of a two-dimensional image in 3D space has an image creating source 12, a reflector 14 including a reflection surface 16, a substantially clear image viewing surface 18, and a substantially clear LCD element 20 being located between the reflection surface 16 and the substantially clear image viewing surface 18.

[0027] The image creating source 12 may include lenses and reflectors for rotating and enhancing images which are to be displayed by the device with the addition that the image that is to be reflected and viewed is created on a substantially transparent LCD element 22 with a greater level of backlighting. The backlighting for the image creating source 12 is created by at least one light emitting device 24 positioned, proximate, and generally directly behind, the transparent LCD element 22. Using a LCD element 22 with at least one lighting element 24 results in a real image that can be viewed in even very bright room conditions or daylight.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment the original image which is created by passing light through a LCD element 22 in such a way that the image forms on a planar or curved surface. In such embodiments, the resulting image is then reflected transmitted to and reflected by reflection surface 16 on the reflector 14. In embodiments where the image created on such a surface before being transmitted to the reflection surface 16, it is preferred that the surface on which the image is formed is non-planar. Using a non-planar surface as the screen allows for corrections of distortions in the image which are inherent in real image systems. In such embodiments, the image forming device may be, in addition to a LCD element, a micro-mirror device or any other image display device used in three-dimensional viewers known in the art. [0029] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the reflector 14 may be treated by adding texture in random patterns or direction to the reflection surface 16. The reflection surface 16 may be texturized through any form of deformations, including treatments commonly employed as non-reflective coatings in picture frame glass or plastic or through the use of micro- scratches. Using micro-scratches, for example, has the effect of scattering a portion of the reflected light from the image creating source 12. This scattered light creates an illuminated area behind the primary image in such a way that it appears to a viewer that the distance from the real image to the reflection surface 16 is achieved. Stated another way, adding texture, like micro-scratches enhances the three-dimensional effect of the image. Including micro- scratches on the reflection surface 16 further enhances the three-dimensional effect of the viewer by creating a dull, unreflective, reflection surface 16.

[0030] It is also contemplated that the reflector 14 may be partially transparent, allowing light to pass through the reflector 14 and reflection surface 16. In embodiments where the reflector is partially transparent, background elements 30 may be positioned behind the reflector for creating background effects behind the primary image and enhancing the three-dimensional effect of the image. The background elements 30 may take the form of real, physical objects like lights or the like, may take the form of a transparent or reflective surface. In embodiments where it is desired to have a moving image behind the primary image, the background element 30 may take the form of a cathode ray tube display device, a LCD display screen, a plasma display screen or a projection display screen.

[0031] It is also contemplated that the substantially clear LCD element 20 located between the reflection surface 16 and the image viewing surface 18 may be used to provide moving background images to be displayed behind the primary image without having to use any background elements 30. Light may be provided to the LCD element 20 by the light scattered by the deformations or micro- scratches formed on reflection surface 16, or, in the alternative by a secondary light source 26. The secondary light source 26 can take the form of any light source used in the art, like, for example, electric lamps or LED devices.

[0032] In addition to the reflection surface 16 of the reflector 14 being texturized, it is further contemplated that the image viewing surface 18 may also be texturized. Like the reflection surface 16, the image viewing surface 18 may be texturized using any methods known in the art, including through the use of micro- scratches. Using micro- scratches on the image viewing surface 18 serves to scatter the light reflected by the reflection surface 16 and helps to obscure the inner components of the device 10, thereby enhancing the overall quality, and three- dimensional effect, of the image. It is contemplated that the micro-scratches on the image viewing surface maybe in such a pattern that only certain portions of the reflected light is scattered while the primary image created by the image creating source 12 remains mostly intact. [0033] In order keep the device 10 in the smallest, most economical and utilitarian size possible, the present invention may also include a path surface 28 located between the image creating source 12 and the reflection surface 16. Path surface 28 may be a reflective surface or transparent surface and is shaped such that it has optical properties which reduce or increase or decrease the light path distance between the image creating source 12 and the reflection surface 16. Using a path surface 28 like that shown in FIG. 1 allows for the device 10 to produce an image with the requisite or desired magnification without having to increase the overall size of the device 10.

[0034] It should be appreciated by those having skill in the art that the device 10 may also include a hood 34 surrounding the image viewing screen 18 to prevent ambient light from interfering with the displayed image. The hood 34 may be removable to facilitate easier viewing, moving and storage of the device 10. In order to protect device 10 and all of its inner components when the hood 34 is removed, the device 10 may also include a movable screen 32. Movable screen 32 may be any device which can be used to cover the inner components of device 10, including rotatable slats, a panel with intrinsic slates, or other arrangements which allow a narrow viewing angle.

[0035] Regardless of whether the device 10 includes a hood 34 for shielding the image viewing surface 18 from ambient light, it is contemplated that the present invention may include a light detecting device 36 and an electronic circuit 38 for dynamically controlling the brightness or other output parameters of the displayed image. It should be appreciated by those having skill in the arty that the light detecting device 36 can take any form, including, but not limited to, a photo cell, a photo transistor, and a photo diode. The level of light detected by the light detecting device 36 is transmitted to the electronic circuit 38 which, in some embodiments, includes a microprocessor. In embodiments where the electronic circuit 40 includes a microprocessor, the microprocessor receives the signal from the electronic circuit 38 and adjusts one or more qualities of the device 10, including, but not limited to, the backlighting level, the contrast of the image, the brightness of the image or the color of the image. The light detecting device 36 and the electronic circuit 38 work to make the image as bright as possible without making any black areas of the image visible.

[0036] In order to further enhance the image created by the device 10, a third light source 40 may be aimed at the reflecting surface 16 and/or image viewing surface 18. It should be noted that FIG. 1 shows two third light source 40s, however the present invention contemplates using either one or two third light sources 40. Whether one or two third light source 40 are used, the light projected from the source 40 may be constant or modulated. Using a light source 40 minimizes the impact of ambient light conditions as well as enhancing the projected image by providing additional light to be reflected by the texturized surfaces.

[0037] The device 10 may also include sensors 42 for allowing a user to manually interact with the image displayed on the image viewing surface 18. In order to facilitate control, the sensors 42 may be coupled with light emitting elements. The light emitting elements may be any light source which can be used with a sensor, like, for example, a infrared light, visible light or ultraviolet light. When utilizing a sensor 42 couple with a light emitting element, it should be appreciated by those having skill in the art that the touch screen can be activated by a user touching the screen and interrupting light being transmitted from a light emitting source and a sensor 42. In the alternative, the light emitting device and the sensor 42 may be coupled in a manner where the emitted light is reflected to the sensor 42 when a user touches the image viewing surface 18.

[0038] In one embodiment, rather than using light emitting devices to facilitate control of the primary image, a sound emitting device may be used. When utilizing a sound emitting device, the sensor 42 may receive an ultrasonic frequency. When the ultra sonic frequency is interrupted by a user's touch, the image reacts accordingly. [0039] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:What is claimed is:

1. A device for creating a real image projection which displays a two-dimensional image in 3D space comprising: an image creating source; a reflector including a reflection surface; a substantially clear image viewing surface; and, a substantially clear LCD element being located between the reflection surface and the substantially clear image viewing surface.

2. The device of Claim 1 wherein the image creating source comprises lenses and reflectors.

3. The device of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the image creating source comprises a second substantially transparent LCD element.

4. The device of Claim 3 wherein at least one light emitting device is located proximate the second LCD element and provides backlight for displaying a created image.

5. The device of Claims 1-4 wherein the image creating source includes a planar or curved surface.

6. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the reflection surface is texturized.

7. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the reflection surface includes micro- scratches.

8. The device in any of the preceding Claims wherein the reflector is partially transparent.

9. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the substantially clear image viewing surface is texturized.

10. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the substantially clear image viewing surface includes micro-scratches.

11. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein a secondary light source provides light to the substantially clear LCD element.

12. The device of Claim 11 wherein the secondary light source comprises an electric lamp.

13. The device of Claim 11 wherein the secondary light source comprises a LED device.

14. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the device includes a reflective surface between the image creating source and the reflector.

15. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the device includes a substantially transparent element between the image creating source and the reflector.

16. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the reflector is located between the image creating source and background elements.

17. The device of Claim 16 wherein the background elements include at least one from the group consisting of: a solid physical object; a reflective or transparent body; a cathode ray tube display device; a LCD display device; a plasma display device; and, a projection display device.

18. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the device includes a movable screen.

19. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the device comprises a hood proximate the viewing screen.

20. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein a brightness of light emitted by the device is dynamically controlled by a light detecting device and an electronic circuit.

21. The device of Claim 20 wherein the light detecting device is from the group consisting of a photo cell; a photo transistor; and, a photo diode.

22. The device of Claim 20 or 21 wherein the electronic circuit includes a microprocessor.

23. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the device includes a third light source.

24. The device of Claim 23 wherein the third light source is directed at the image viewing surface.

25. The device of any of the preceding Claims wherein the device includes sensors for manual interaction with an image displayed on the image viewing surface.

26. The device of Claim 25 wherein the sensors are coupled with light emitting elements.

27. The device of Claim 26 wherein the light emitting elements emit infrared light.

28. The device of Claim 26 wherein the light emitting elements emit visible light.

29. The device of Claim 26 wherein the light emitting elements emit ultra-violet light.

30. The device of Claim 25 wherein the sensors are coupled with a sound emitting device.

31. The device of Claim 30 wherein the sound emitting device emits an ultrasonic frequency.

32. A device substantially as shown and described herein.

33. A method substantially as shown and described herein.