WO1999005859A1 - Display of multiple images - Google Patents

Display of multiple images Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999005859A1
WO1999005859A1 PCT/GB1998/002205 GB9802205W WO9905859A1 WO 1999005859 A1 WO1999005859 A1 WO 1999005859A1 GB 9802205 W GB9802205 W GB 9802205W WO 9905859 A1 WO9905859 A1 WO 9905859A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lens
image
projection means
images
image source
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/002205
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Moore
Neil Dodgson
Original Assignee
Asd (Holdings) Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asd (Holdings) Ltd. filed Critical Asd (Holdings) Ltd.
Priority to AU84553/98A priority Critical patent/AU8455398A/en
Publication of WO1999005859A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999005859A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/349—Multi-view displays for displaying three or more geometrical viewpoints without viewer tracking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/302—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays
    • H04N13/305—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays using lenticular lenses, e.g. arrangements of cylindrical lenses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
    • G02B30/20—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes
    • G02B30/22—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes of the stereoscopic type
    • G02B30/24—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images by providing first and second parallax images to an observer's left and right eyes of the stereoscopic type involving temporal multiplexing, e.g. using sequentially activated left and right shutters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/302—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays
    • H04N13/31—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays using parallax barriers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/302—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays
    • H04N13/32—Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays using arrays of controllable light sources; using moving apertures or moving light sources
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/363—Image reproducers using image projection screens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/365—Image reproducers using digital micromirror devices [DMD]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/366—Image reproducers using viewer tracking
    • H04N13/368—Image reproducers using viewer tracking for two or more viewers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying video images, and in particular to an apparatus able to display simultaneously more than one video image from a common screen.
  • video images including stereoscopic and autostereoscopic video images
  • video images may be provided by projecting spatially and temporally modulated light beams toward an observer.
  • situations such as in aircraft cockpits or for video game display, when it is desirable to display different images to different observers from a common screen.
  • Known apparatus are only able to provide a single video image, and if such apparatus were to be adapted to provide more than one separate video image the apparatus would be bulky and expensive.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus for producing a plurality of different video images such that separate observers may view different video images simultaneously, the images appearing through the same screen.
  • an apparatus for displaying video images comprising: at least one video image source; projection means for projecting images from the at least one image source; and a lens forming a screen; wherein each image source is positioned to project, via the projection means, its image onto or near the lens so that, in use, each image may be viewed via the projection means and lens only within a predetermined spatial region.
  • the image should be projected near or onto the lens such that it is focussed to provide an adequate viewing quality for the appropriate application of the display.
  • the lens a standard lens or may preferably be a fresnel lens.
  • the lens may be a concave mirror.
  • the projection means may comprise plural lenses, one for each image source.
  • the projection means may comprise at least one shuttering mechanism arranged in front of a respective image source such that more than one spatially separated light beam may be selectively projected to form plural images or a stereoscopic image.
  • a corresponding method is also provided.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first example of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the second example of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a further example of the invention incorporating a shutter mechanism
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a further example of the invention.
  • image sources 1 with projectors are arranged in combination with, in this example, a large fresnel lens 2.
  • a fresnel lens 2 typically has fl properties and may be that having part number SC214 from Fresnel Optics Inc which provides a screen measuring 450 mm diagonally.
  • a fresnel lens similar to that having part number C70716 from Edmunds Scientific Co. may be used, providing a screen measuring 625 mm diagonally.
  • the lens may alternatively be a concave mirror, for example a 635 mm (25 inch) diameter plastic concave mirror supplied by Comar Instruments, but this requires non-axial alignment.
  • a multi-element mirror system may be used to form the screen, however.
  • An image source 1 may comprise a cathode ray tube and is arranged in combination with a projector formed from a projecting lens (not shown) .
  • the image source 1 may comprise a liquid crystal display or a digital mirror display arranged in combination with a light source and a projecting lens.
  • Each projecting lens associated with each image source 1 ensures that the image from the sources are formed in the plane of the lens 2.
  • the projecting lens may be a Delta TAC3 from US Precision Optics Inc, having a diameter of 127 mm (5 inches) . If the image source includes a cathode ray tube this may be, for example, either of those having part numbers 9M215 from Thomas Electronics Inc or 9MFB from Sony.
  • Each projecting lens projects an image in the region of the lens 2, and the lens 2 in turn projects each image in a direction dependant on the relative positions of the image source 1, its projecting lens and the lens 2. So, when the observer 4 is located in any of the shaded regions 3, he will only see the image projected from a respective image source 1. Thus, a plurality of observers located in different regions 3 will see different images at the lens 2 from different image sources 1, and these images may, of course, be entirely different.
  • the image sources 1 and projecting lenses are spaced apart from one another such that the regions 3 are also spaced apart from one another. This reduces the effect that neighbouring sources 1 may have on each other and improves the contrast, brightness and colour definition of each image.
  • the images on the screen overlap exactly.
  • the images may however be entirely different shapes or sizes as required, using part or all of the screen.
  • the image sources 1 abut one another. Accordingly, the regions 3 from which separate sets of images may be observed are adjacent. Thus, if both image sources 1 project the same image, this image can be observed from all the shaded regions 3,5 thus allowing the same image to be observed from a large single area.
  • a single image source and projector 1 is provided with a shuttering mechanism 6.
  • the shuttering mechanism 6 may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel in which ferro-electric liquid crystals can be switched from one state to another, being transparent or opaque, very rapidly.
  • Mechanical or electro-mechanical shuttering mechanisms may also be used.
  • a single projection lens may produce two spatially separated sets of light beams relating to different images. If the shuttering speed is fast enough, then the images at the lens 2 will be appear, to a human observer, to be displayed continuously.
  • This effect may be utilised to produce either separate sets of images at the lens 2 viewable from each of the shaded regions 3 , or a single stereoscopic image viewable from all the shaded regions 3,5.
  • An example of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4, in which two pairs of image sources 1 project light via the lens 2 into two viewing zones 8. Two observers 4 sitting in the zones 8, each see a separate set of images at the lens 2.
  • the pairs of image sources 1 are provided with shuttering mechanisms 6 which can be utilised to produce stereoscopic images in each of the viewing zones 8.
  • This apparatus could be used, for example, in a two player video game to allow two participants to each see different stereoscopic views of a game on a common screen 2.
  • One further alternative is for the angular positions of the image sources 1 with respect to the lens 2 to be adjustable. This allows the angles from which each of the images may be viewed to be altered to suit the viewer or application as desired.

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying video images comprises at least one video image source, and projection means for projecting images from the at least one image source. A lens forms a screen, and each image source is positioned to project, via the projection means, its image onto the lens so that, in use, each image may be viewed via the projection means and lens only within a predetermined spatial region.

Description

DISPLAY OF MULTIPLE IMAGES
The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying video images, and in particular to an apparatus able to display simultaneously more than one video image from a common screen.
It is known that video images, including stereoscopic and autostereoscopic video images, may be provided by projecting spatially and temporally modulated light beams toward an observer. There are situations, however, such as in aircraft cockpits or for video game display, when it is desirable to display different images to different observers from a common screen. Known apparatus, however, are only able to provide a single video image, and if such apparatus were to be adapted to provide more than one separate video image the apparatus would be bulky and expensive.
The aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus for producing a plurality of different video images such that separate observers may view different video images simultaneously, the images appearing through the same screen.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for displaying video images comprising: at least one video image source; projection means for projecting images from the at least one image source; and a lens forming a screen; wherein each image source is positioned to project, via the projection means, its image onto or near the lens so that, in use, each image may be viewed via the projection means and lens only within a predetermined spatial region.
The image should be projected near or onto the lens such that it is focussed to provide an adequate viewing quality for the appropriate application of the display. The lens a standard lens or may preferably be a fresnel lens.
Alternatively, the lens may be a concave mirror.
The projection means may comprise plural lenses, one for each image source.
The projection means may comprise at least one shuttering mechanism arranged in front of a respective image source such that more than one spatially separated light beam may be selectively projected to form plural images or a stereoscopic image.
A corresponding method is also provided.
Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first example of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the second example of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a further example of the invention incorporating a shutter mechanism, and; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a further example of the invention.
With reference to Fig. 1, image sources 1 with projectors are arranged in combination with, in this example, a large fresnel lens 2. Such a fresnel lens 2 typically has fl properties and may be that having part number SC214 from Fresnel Optics Inc which provides a screen measuring 450 mm diagonally. Alternatively, a fresnel lens similar to that having part number C70716 from Edmunds Scientific Co. may be used, providing a screen measuring 625 mm diagonally.
The lens may alternatively be a concave mirror, for example a 635 mm (25 inch) diameter plastic concave mirror supplied by Comar Instruments, but this requires non-axial alignment. A multi-element mirror system may be used to form the screen, however.
An image source 1 may comprise a cathode ray tube and is arranged in combination with a projector formed from a projecting lens (not shown) . Alternatively, the image source 1 may comprise a liquid crystal display or a digital mirror display arranged in combination with a light source and a projecting lens. Each projecting lens associated with each image source 1 ensures that the image from the sources are formed in the plane of the lens 2.
The projecting lens may be a Delta TAC3 from US Precision Optics Inc, having a diameter of 127 mm (5 inches) . If the image source includes a cathode ray tube this may be, for example, either of those having part numbers 9M215 from Thomas Electronics Inc or 9MFB from Sony.
Each projecting lens projects an image in the region of the lens 2, and the lens 2 in turn projects each image in a direction dependant on the relative positions of the image source 1, its projecting lens and the lens 2. So, when the observer 4 is located in any of the shaded regions 3, he will only see the image projected from a respective image source 1. Thus, a plurality of observers located in different regions 3 will see different images at the lens 2 from different image sources 1, and these images may, of course, be entirely different.
The image sources 1 and projecting lenses are spaced apart from one another such that the regions 3 are also spaced apart from one another. This reduces the effect that neighbouring sources 1 may have on each other and improves the contrast, brightness and colour definition of each image.
In this example the images on the screen overlap exactly. The images may however be entirely different shapes or sizes as required, using part or all of the screen.
In the example illustrated in Fig. 2, the image sources 1 abut one another. Accordingly, the regions 3 from which separate sets of images may be observed are adjacent. Thus, if both image sources 1 project the same image, this image can be observed from all the shaded regions 3,5 thus allowing the same image to be observed from a large single area.
Referring now to Fig. 3, a single image source and projector 1 is provided with a shuttering mechanism 6. The shuttering mechanism 6 may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel in which ferro-electric liquid crystals can be switched from one state to another, being transparent or opaque, very rapidly. Mechanical or electro-mechanical shuttering mechanisms may also be used. By selectively allowing light to pass through separate sections 7 of the shuttering mechanism 6, a single projection lens may produce two spatially separated sets of light beams relating to different images. If the shuttering speed is fast enough, then the images at the lens 2 will be appear, to a human observer, to be displayed continuously. This effect may be utilised to produce either separate sets of images at the lens 2 viewable from each of the shaded regions 3 , or a single stereoscopic image viewable from all the shaded regions 3,5. An example of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4, in which two pairs of image sources 1 project light via the lens 2 into two viewing zones 8. Two observers 4 sitting in the zones 8, each see a separate set of images at the lens 2. The pairs of image sources 1 are provided with shuttering mechanisms 6 which can be utilised to produce stereoscopic images in each of the viewing zones 8. This apparatus could be used, for example, in a two player video game to allow two participants to each see different stereoscopic views of a game on a common screen 2. One further alternative is for the angular positions of the image sources 1 with respect to the lens 2 to be adjustable. This allows the angles from which each of the images may be viewed to be altered to suit the viewer or application as desired.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying video images comprising: at least one video image source; projection means for projecting images from the at least one image source; and a lens forming a screen; wherein each image source is positioned to project, via the projection means, its image onto or near the lens so that, in use, each image may be viewed via the projection means and lens only within a predetermined spatial region.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens is a fresnel lens.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens is a concave mirror.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens is a convex mirror.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claims, wherein the projection means comprises plural lenses, one for each image source.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection means comprises at least one shuttering mechanism arranged in front of a respective image source such that more than one spatially separated light beam may be selectively projected to form plural images or a stereoscopic image.
7. A method for displaying video images comprising the steps of: generating at least one video image; projecting the at least one image with a projection means ; wherein each image is projected, via the projection means, onto a lens so that each image may be viewed via the projection means and lens only within a predetermined spatial region.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the lens is a fresnel lens.
9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the lens is a concave mirror.
10. A method according to claim 7, wherein the lens is a convex mirror.
11. A method according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the projection means comprises plural lenses, one for each image source.
PCT/GB1998/002205 1997-07-25 1998-07-23 Display of multiple images WO1999005859A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU84553/98A AU8455398A (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-23 Display of multiple images

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9715834.9A GB9715834D0 (en) 1997-07-25 1997-07-25 Display of multiple images
GB9715834.9 1997-07-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999005859A1 true WO1999005859A1 (en) 1999-02-04

Family

ID=10816531

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/002205 WO1999005859A1 (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-23 Display of multiple images

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU8455398A (en)
GB (1) GB9715834D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1999005859A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04150476A (en) * 1990-10-12 1992-05-22 Fujitsu General Ltd Projection picture display device
JPH0522722A (en) * 1991-07-12 1993-01-29 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Input/ouptup equipment for image communication
EP0590498A1 (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-04-06 Eastman Kodak Company Compound depth image display system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04150476A (en) * 1990-10-12 1992-05-22 Fujitsu General Ltd Projection picture display device
JPH0522722A (en) * 1991-07-12 1993-01-29 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Input/ouptup equipment for image communication
EP0590498A1 (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-04-06 Eastman Kodak Company Compound depth image display system

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 16, no. 432 (E - 1262) 9 September 1992 (1992-09-09) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 17, no. 307 (E - 1379) 11 June 1993 (1993-06-11) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9715834D0 (en) 1997-10-01
AU8455398A (en) 1999-02-16

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