Patent Grant
12019253
The technology discussed below relates generally to holographic imaging systems, and more particularly, to oscillating stacked digital displays to generate a three-dimensional (3D) holographic image.
Technologies for making and reproducing three-dimensional (3D) images and videos are actively being developed. In a conventional two-dimensional (2D) imaging system, image data is projected onto a screen in a planar manner, thus providing a viewer with only a plan view of the image. However, in a 3D imaging system, the image data is presented to the viewer with more depth such that the viewer is provided with a comprehensive and life-like view of the image.
A previous 3D imaging technology utilizes a single screen displaying an image that is oscillated at a particular frequency in the direction of a viewer's field of view. As the screen is rapidly moved back and forth with certain distances, the viewer can see the tight emanating from the screen at different depths and a dynamic 3D image appears to the viewer's eyes due to the viewer's persistence of vision. Accordingly, the 3D image is generated when the screen is moved up and down, or in and out, depending on the screen's orientation with respect to the viewer.
Notably, the previous 3D imaging technology utilizes one or more pistons coupled to an outer edge or back surface of the screen to drive the screen's oscillation at the particular frequency. However, because the previous technology uses pistons to oscillate a single screen, it is limited with respect to generating 3D images having a great amount of depth. For example, the image depth may be limited by a length of the one or more pistons since a maximum distance that the single screen can move is dependent on a maximum piston length.
Moreover, the previous 3D imaging technology utilizes a traditional opaque digital screen. This allows the previous technology to generate traditional light-colored 3D holograms, but does not allow the opportunity to create dark-colored 3D holograms (e.g., smoke shapes).
Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a 3D holographic imaging system including a plurality of stacked digital screens that are oscillated to generate a 3D image. By utilizing multiple stacked digital screens, a scale and depth of the 3D image is extended beyond a maximum possible scale and depth using a single digital screen. Moreover, the 3D holographic imaging system of the present disclosure utilizes transparent digital screens to facilitate the generation of light-colored holograms, dark-colored holograms, and holograms having colors therebetween.
The following presents a summary of one or more aspects of the present disclosure, in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for oscillating stacked digital display screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) holographic image. A holographic imaging system includes a plurality of digital screens (e.g., transparent digital screens), wherein each screen of the plurality of digital screens is positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis, and the screens are stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, a propulsion system configured to oscillate the plurality of digital screens along the z-axis, and a control system. The control system is configured to generate a digital image, instruct one or more digital screens of the plurality of digital screens to display different slices of the digital image, and send a signal to activate the propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
In an aspect, a method for generating a holographic image is disclosed. The method includes generating a digital image via a control system, instructing, via the control system, one or more digital screens of a plurality of digital screens to display different slices of the digital image, wherein each screen of the plurality of digital screens is positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis, and the plurality of digital screens is stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and activating, via the control system, a propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens along the z-axis in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image.
In an aspect, a control system for generating a holographic image is disclosed. The control system includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor is configured to generate a digital image, instruct one or more digital screens of a plurality of digital screens to display different slices of the digital image, wherein each screen of the plurality of digital screens is positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis, and the plurality of digital screens are stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and activate a propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens along the z-axis in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) inn age.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts. While aspects and embodiments are described in this application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may come about fah many different arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and/or packaging arrangements.
One or more screen attachments 104 are coupled to outer edges of a digital screen 102. A digital screen is positioned within the imaging system 100 with respect to an adjacent (or neighboring) digital screen via a screen attachment 104. The screen attachment coupled to a digital screen may connect to a frame or structure of the imaging system 100 and/or connect to a screen attachment of another digital screen. In an aspect, each digital screen 102 is positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis of the imaging system 100. Moreover, the digital screens 102 are stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. In an aspect, the z-axis may be parallel to a plane on which a viewer 116 is standing (horizontal plane view). Alternatively, the z-axis may be perpendicular to the plane on which the viewer 116 is standing (e.g., tabletop view).
The imaging system 100 also includes a propulsion system configured to oscillate (e.g., move back and forth) the plurality of digital screens 102 along the z-axis. The propulsion system may include one or more pistons 112 coupled to an outer edge of the plurality of digital screens (e.g., via a screen attachment 104). The propulsion system may further include a motor 114 configured to actuate the one or more pistons 112 to oscillate the plurality of digital screens 102 along the z-axis based on an activation signal from a control system. In an aspect, the propulsion system may oscillate the digital screens 102 at various frequencies (e.g., based on how the digital image is to be displayed to a viewer).
The imaging system 100 further includes a control system (e.g., control system 614 of
The control system is further configured to send a signal (e.g., to the motor 114) to activate the propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens 102 in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image, such as a hologram 106. For example, the plurality of digital screens 102 are oscillated at a particular frequency in the direction (e.g., along the z-axis) of a viewer's (viewer 116) field of view 110. As the screens 102 are rapidly moved back and forth within a maximum oscillation distance 108 while displaying the image portions (slices), the viewer 116 can see the light emanating from the screens 102 at different depths and a dynamic 3D image (moving hologram) appears to the viewer's eyes due to the viewer's persistence of vision.
In an aspect, the control system is configured to coordinate between the screens to create a dynamic hologram. That is, the control system may correctly sequence what is displayed on each of the screens such that the image portions/slices displayed on the respective screens synchronize with each other to form the dynamic hologram (moving hologram), As the overall image moves, the control system may change the image portion shown on a particular screen to contour the image.
In an aspect, the plurality of digital screens 102 are separated from each other by a fixed distance. As such, a maximum distance the plurality of digital screens are oscillated (maximum oscillation distance 108) is equal to the fixed distance.
In an aspect, each screen in the plurality of stacked digital screens 102 may be brighter (e.g., by a certain percentage) than a screen directly before it in sequence. This is to maintain a same brightness for all screens. For example, starting from the screen closest to the viewer 116 in
In an aspect, the imaging system 100 may be placed in the center of a gyro allowing the system 100 to be spun in any direction. As such, the oscillating digital screens 102 may rotate on any axis facilitating the generated 3D image to be looked upon from different points of view (e.g., a side profile), Moreover, the gyro increases the imaging system's mobility for various applications (e.g., to follow a theme park guest traveling in a ride vehicle).
Notably, by oscillating multiple digital screens displaying different slices of an image according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a 3D image having a greater amount of depth can be generated as compared to a previous 3D imaging technology. Moreover, the image depth is not limited by a length of an actuator or piston oscillating the screens since a distance traveled by the moving screens is not dependent on a maximum actuator/piston length as in the previous 3D imaging technology. In the present disclosure, the generation of a 3D image having any desired scale and depth may be realized by utilizing as many digital screens as needed to achieve the desired scale and depth.
One or more screen attachments 204 are coupled to outer edges of a curved screen 202. A curved screen is positioned within the imaging system 200 with respect to an adjacent (or neighboring) curved screen via, a screen attachment 204. The screen attachment coupled to a curved screen may connect to a frame or structure of the imaging system 200 and/or connect to a screen attachment of another curved screen. In an aspect, edges of each curved screen 202 are positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis of the imaging system 200. Moreover, the curved screens 202 are stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. In an aspect, the z-axis may be parallel to a plane on which a viewer 216 is standing (horizontal plane view). Alternatively, the z-axis may be perpendicular to the plane on which the viewer 216 is standing (e.g., tabletop view).
The imaging system 200 also includes a propulsion system configured to oscillate (e.g., move back and forth) the plurality of curved screens 202 along the z-axis. The propulsion system included in the imaging system 200 may be similar to the propulsion system (including the one or more pistons 112 and the motor 114) described with respect to
The imaging system 200 further includes a control system (e.g., control system 614 of
The control system is further configured to send a signal to activate the propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of curved screens 202 in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more curved screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image, such as a hologram 206. For example, the plurality of curved screens 202 are oscillated at a particular frequency in the direction (e.g., along the z-axis) of a viewer's (viewer 216) field of view 210. As the curved screens 202 are rapidly moved back and forth within a maximum oscillation distance 208 while displaying the image portions (slices), the viewer 216 can see the light emanating from the curved screens 202 at different depths and a dynamic 3D image (moving hologram) appears to the viewer's eyes due to the viewer's persistence of vision.
Notably, because curved screens 202 are used in the imaging system 200 of
One or more screen attachments 304 are coupled to outer edges of a digital screen 302. A digital screen is positioned within the imaging system 300 with respect to an adjacent (or neighboring) digital screen via, a screen attachment 304. The screen attachment coupled to a digital screen may connect to a frame or structure of the imaging system 300 and/or connect to a screen attachment of another digital screen. In an aspect, each digital screen 302 is positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis of the imaging system 300. Moreover, the digital screens 302 are stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. In an aspect, the z-axis may be parallel to a plane on which a viewer 316 is standing (horizontal plane view). Alternatively, the z-axis may be perpendicular to the plane on which the viewer 316 is standing (e.g., tabletop view).
The imaging system 300 also includes a propulsion system configured to oscillate move back and forth) the plurality of digital screens 302 along the z-axis. The propulsion system included in the imaging system 300 may be similar to the propulsion system (including the one or more pistons 112 and the motor 114) described with respect to
The imaging system 300 further includes a control system (e.g., control system 614 of
The control system is further configured to send a signal to activate the propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens 302 in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image, such as a hologram 310. For example, the plurality of digital screens 302 are oscillated at a particular frequency in the direction (e.g., along the z-axis) of a viewer's (viewer 316) field of view. As the screens 302 are rapidly moved back and forth within a maximum oscillation distance 308 while displaying the image portions (slices), the viewer 316 can see the light emanating from the screens 302 at different depths and a dynamic 3D image (moving, hologram) appears to the viewer's eyes due to the viewer's persistence of vision.
In an aspect, the plurality of digital screens may be spaced apart different distances from each other to provide certain areas of the image with greater or less detail while oscillating the screens at the same frequency. For example, if a particular section of the image is to be provided with greater detail, then the digital screens corresponding to the particular section of the image may be positioned closer together (with less spacing between screens, e.g., 5 mm to 15 mm spacing). If another section of the image is to be provided with less detail, then the digital screens corresponding to the other section may be positioned farther apart (with more spacing between screens, e.g., 25 mm to 50 mm spacing).
As shown in
In an aspect, the vacuum-sealed chamber 400 may also house a propulsion system for oscillating the plurality of digital screens 410. The propulsion system may be the propulsion system described above with respect to
In an aspect, the vacuum-sealed chamber 400 may include a vacuum-sealed enclosure 402, a transparent (e.g., clear glass) front window 404, a vacuum pump 406, and a resealable access door 408. The transparent front window 404 allows for the viewer 416 to view (e.g., along the z-axis) a 3D image (hologram) generated by the imaging system. In an aspect, the transparent front window 404 may be a curved window (e.g., to accommodate a curved digital screen of the holographic imaging system). In an aspect, the transparent front window 404 may take the form of a transparent box (e.g., to accommodate a curved digital screen of the holographic imaging system that extends beyond supporting frames). The resealable access door 408 allows for the chamber 400 to be conveniently opened and closed for maintenance.
The vacuum-sealed enclosure 402 is configured to prevent air (or other gases) external to the chamber 400 from entering into the chamber 400 and coming into contact with the imaging system housed within. The vacuum pump 406 is configured to extract air (or other gases) out of the chamber 400. By isolating the imaging system in an air-free environment via the chamber 400 wind resistance and deformation of the digital screens 410 may be reduced when the screens are oscillated. Accordingly, a higher quality 3D image may be generated due to less screen deformations and a lifetime of the imaging system may be extended as less wear and tear is experienced by the screens.
Referring to
Notably, by suspending the digital screens 502 on the electromagnetic track 504 and moving the digital screens magnetically by changing the polarity of an electrically charged perimeter, each screen moves with reduced friction. As such, the propulsion system utilizing the electromagnetic track may oscillate the plurality of digital screens at a frequency faster than a propulsion system utilizing a piston and motor.
In this example, the control system 614 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by a bus 602. The bus 602 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 614 and the overall design constraints. The bus 602 communicatively couples together various circuits including one or more processors (represented generally by the processor 604), a memory 605, and computer-readable media (represented generally by the computer-readable medium 606). The bus 602 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further. A bus interface 608 provides an interface between the bus 602 and a transceiver 610. The transceiver 610 provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium (e.g., via a wired connection or a wireless connection using an antenna array 630), For example, the transceiver 610 may provide a communication interface between the control system 614, the plurality of digital screens, and the propulsion system of the holographic imaging system described herein. Depending upon the nature of the device, a user interface 612 (e.g., keypad, display, speaker, microphone, joystick) may also be provided. Of course, such a user interface 612 is optional, and may be omitted in some examples.
In some aspects of the disclosure, the processor 604 may include image generating circuitry 640 configured for various functions, including, for example, generating a digital image. For example, the image generating circuitry 640 may be configured to implement one or more of the functions described below in relation to
The processor 604 is responsible for managing the bus 602 and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium 606. The software, when executed by the processor 604, causes the control system 614 to perform the various functions described below for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium 606 and the memory 605 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 604 when executing software.
One or more processors 604 in the control system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. The software may reside on a computer-readable medium 606. The computer-readable medium 606 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes, by way of example, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, or a key drive), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk, and any other suitable medium for storing software and/or instructions that may be accessed and read by a computer. The computer-readable medium 606 may reside in the control system 614, external to the control system 614, or distributed across multiple entities including the control system 614. The computer-readable medium 606 may be embodied in a computer program product. By way of example, a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium in packaging materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality presented throughout this disclosure depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.
At block 702, the control system may generate a digital image (e.g., by accessing a picture or video from the memory 605).
At block 704, the control system may instruct one or more digital screens of a plurality of digital screens to display different slices of the digital image. Each screen of the plurality of digital screens is positioned parallel to an x-axis and a y-axis, and the plurality of digital screens are stacked along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. Moreover, the plurality of digital screens may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, and/or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. However, it is contemplated that other types of digital screens implementing other types of technologies may also be included.
In an aspect, the plurality of digital screens are transparent digital screens. In an aspect, the plurality of digital screens are flat digital screens (see
At block 704, the control system may activate (e.g., via sending a signal) a propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens along the z-axis in synchronization with the display of the different slices on the one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image.
In an aspect, the propulsion system includes one or more pistons (e.g., piston 112) coupled to an outer edge of the plurality of digital screens. The propulsion system may further include a motor (e.g., motor 114) configured to actuate the one or more pistons to oscillate the plurality of digital screens along the z-axis based on an activation signal from the control system.
In an aspect, the propulsion system includes an electromagnetic track in which the plurality of digital screens are suspended by a magnetic field (see
In an aspect, the plurality of digital screens are separated from each other by a fixed distance. Accordingly, a maximum distance the plurality of digital screens are oscillated is equal to the fixed distance.
In an aspect, a first set of digital screens of the plurality of digital screens are separated from each other by a first distance, and at least one other set of digital screens of the plurality of digital screens are separated from each other by a second distance less than the first distance (see
In an aspect, the plurality of digital screens and the propulsion system may be housed in a vacuum-sealed chamber (e.g., vacuum-sealed chamber 404). As such, wind resistance and deformation of the digital screens may be reduced when the screens are oscillated.
In an aspect, a control system of the holographic imaging system may activate the propulsion system to oscillate the plurality of digital screens 850 along a viewer's field of view (e.g., z-axis) in synchronization with the display of different image slices on one or more digital screens to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image, such as holograms 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812. As the screens 850 are rapidly moved back and forth while displaying the image slices, light emanating from the screens 850 can be seen at different depths and a dynamic 3D image (moving hologram) appears (due to a viewer's persistence of vision).
As shown via holograms 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812, the control system may coordinate between the screens 850 to create holograms depicting a human head. That is, the control system may correctly sequence what is displayed on each of the screens 850 such that the image slices displayed on the respective screens synchronize with each other to form a dynamic hologram of the human head. A first hologram 802 depicts what a viewer sees if the digital screens 850 were stopped and not oscillating. Each “line” in the overall image is a particular image slice that is shown on a corresponding screen. The image slices are slightly different in the first hologram 802, second hologram 804, and a third hologram 806 as they show how an image slice displayed on each screen changes as the screen moves relative to the position of the hologram. A fourth hologram 808, a fifth hologram 810, and a sixth hologram 812 illustrate the fading in of the human head and the fading out of the “lines”. This shows that as the screen oscillation is increased beyond the perception of human eyes, persistence of vision takes over and the viewer sees the hologram of the human head.
Within the present disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” Any implementation or aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of the disclosure. Likewise, the term “aspects” does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. The term “coupled” is used herein to refer to the direct or indirect coupling between two objects. For example, if object A physically touches object B, and object B touches object C, then objects A and C may still be considered coupled to one another even if they do not directly physically touch each other. For instance, a first object may be coupled to a second object even though the first object is never directly physically in contact with the second object.
One or more of the components, steps, features and/or functions illustrated in
It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed is an illustration of exemplary processes. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods may be rearranged. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless specifically recited therein.
The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b and c. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5907312 | Sato | May 1999 | A |
| 5954414 | Tsao | Sep 1999 | A |
| 6778295 | Babulski | Aug 2004 | B1 |
| 8817068 | Yoon et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 20020130820 | Sullivan | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20030067423 | Suyama et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
| 20050259302 | Metz et al. | Nov 2005 | A9 |
| 20060273983 | Koo et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20080285100 | Evans et al. | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20100073376 | Schmale | Mar 2010 | A1 |
| 20100328328 | Choi | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20130120816 | Yoon et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20170261746 | Tam | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20180181066 | Holstine | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20190317261 | Dimov et al. | Oct 2019 | A1 |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/2023/075504, Jan. 26, 2024, 9 pgs. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240111174 A1 | Apr 2024 | US |
