THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUMETRIC HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY

Title:

THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUMETRIC HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/257795

Kind Code:

Abstract:

Systems and methods for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms by retrieving an image from a memory and transmitting a signal to a screen and/or to a projector for displaying the image onto a screen which is being rotated along an axis such that a resulting holographic image is observable according to a perspective of the holographic image correlating to the viewing orientation.

Inventors:

RICHARDSON DAVID (US)
RICHARDSON RYAN (US)

Application Number:

PCT/US2020/039006

Publication Date:

December 24, 2020

Filing Date:

June 22, 2020

Export Citation:

Click for automatic bibliography generation Help

Assignee:

PRISM HOLOGRAMS LLC (US)

International Classes:

H04N13/393; H04N13/30; H04N13/363

Foreign References:

US20060171008A1	2006-08-03
US20110002020A1	2011-01-06
US20050264560A1	2005-12-01
US20130050184A1	2013-02-28

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

COX, Ryan, P. (US)

Download PDF:

View/Download PDF PDF Help

Claims:

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A holographic projection system, comprising:

a motor;

a first screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the first screen being configured to display images; at least one processor configured to display a first series of images on the first screen, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display each image in the first series of images for a number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis; and

optionally, a first projector system configured to receive a first signal from the at least one processor to project the first series of images on the first screen.

2. The holographic projection system of claim 1, wherein the first screen is selected from the group consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) screen, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen, liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and a transparent or semi transparent reflective screen.

3. The holographic projection system of claim 1, wherein the first screen is a light-emitting diode (LED) screen.

4. The holographic projection system of claim 1, wherein the first screen is an organic light- emitting diode (OLED) screen.

5. The holographic projection system of claim 1, wherein the first screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

6. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-5, further comprising an image isolation system disposed on an outer surface of the first screen, wherein the outer surface of the first screen is on a surface of the first screen that faces outward from the vertical axis, and wherein the image isolation system is configured to limit viewing of the image on the screen to an angle of view.

7. The holographic projection system of claim 6, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

8. The holographic projection system of claim 6, wherein the angle of view between about 2° and about 5°.

9. The holographic projection system of claim 6, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

10. The holographic projection system of claim 6, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization fdm, filter or lens.

11. The holographic projection system of claim 7, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

12. The holographic projection system of claim 8, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

13. The holographic projection system of claim 9, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

14. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-13, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory, and

15. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-12, further comprising:

a second screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the second screen being configured to display images, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display a second series of images on the second screen, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display each image in the second series of images for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis; and

optionally, a second projector system configured to receive a second signal from the at least one processor to project the second series of images on the second screen.

16. The holographic projection system of claim 15, wherein the second screen is selected from the group consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) screen, an organic light- emitting diode (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and a transparent or semi-transparent reflective screen.

17. The holographic projection system of claim 15, wherein the second screen is a light- emitting diode (LED) screen.

18. The holographic projection system of claim 15, wherein the second screen is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen.

19. The holographic projection system of claim 15, wherein the second screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

20. The holographic projection system of claim 15, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory,

transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display each of the second series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

21. The holographic projection system of claim 16, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory, transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display each of the first series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis, and

22. The holographic projection system of claim 17, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory,

23. The holographic projection system of claim 18, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display each of the first series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis, and transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display each of the second series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

24. The holographic projection system of claim 19, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory,

25. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-24, wherein the first screen is positioned orthogonal to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

26. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-24, wherein the first screen is positioned at an angle relative to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

27. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-24, wherein the first screen is positioned at an angle of between about 15° to about 55° from a plane orthogonal to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

28. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-27, wherein the first screen is curved.

29. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-28, further comprising a housing.

30. The holographic projection system of claim 29, wherein the housing comprises a

transparent portion and a non-transparent portion.

31. The holographic projection system of claim 30, wherein the first screen and, if present, the second screen are visible through the transparent portion of the housing.

32. The holographic projection system of any of claims 30-32, wherein the motor and the at least one processor and, if present, memory, are disposed within the non-transparent portion of the housing.

33. The holographic projection system of any of claims 30-32, further comprising a lid

disposed at a first end of the transparent portion, wherein the non-transparent portion is disposed at a second end of the transparent portion.

34. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-33, wherein the rate of rotation is about 30 to about 1000 rotations per minute (RPM).

35. The holographic projection system of any of claims 15-34, wherein the rotation of the first and second screens is synchronized with respect to each other.

36. The holographic projection system of any of claims 15-35, wherein the second screen is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of the first screen.

37. The holographic projection system of any of claims 15-35, wherein the second screen is positioned in a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical axis and facing outward from the axis of rotation.

38. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-37, wherein the first projector system comprises a first reflected screen configured to reflect off of the first screen.

39. The holographic projection system of any of claims 14-38, wherein the second projector system comprises a second reflected screen configured to reflect off the first screen.

40. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-37, wherein the first or second projector system each comprise a projector.

41. The holographic projection system of claim 38, wherein the second projector system comprises a projector.

42. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-41, wherein the first projector system further comprises an image isolation system.

43. The holographic projection system of claim 38, wherein the first projector system further comprises an image isolation system disposed on the first reflected screen, and wherein the first screen does not include an image isolation system.

44. The holographic projection system of any of claims 1-43, wherein the first projector system further comprises an image isolation system.

45. The holographic projection system of claim 39, wherein the second projector system further comprises an image isolation system disposed on the second projector, and wherein the second screen does not include an image isolation system.

46. A 360-degree image display system, comprising:

a motor;

a first screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the first screen being configured to display images; at least one processor configured to display a first image on the first screen; and optionally, a first projector system configured to receive a first signal from the at least one processor to project the first image on the first screen.

47. The holographic projection system of claim 46, wherein the first screen is selected from the group consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) screen, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen, liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and a transparent or semi transparent reflective screen.

48. The holographic projection system of claim 46, wherein the first screen is a light-emitting diode (LED) screen.

49. The holographic projection system of claim 46, wherein the first screen is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen.

50. The holographic projection system of claim 46, wherein the first screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

51. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-50, further comprising an image isolation system disposed on an outer surface of the first screen, wherein the outer surface of the first screen is on a surface of the first screen that faces outward from the vertical axis, and wherein the image isolation system is configured to limit viewing of the image on the screen to an angle of view.

52. The holographic projection system of claim 51, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

53. The holographic projection system of claim 51, wherein the angle of view between about 2° and about 5°.

54. The holographic projection system of claim 51, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

55. The holographic projection system of claim 51, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization fdm, filter or lens.

56. The holographic projection system of claim 52, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

57. The holographic projection system of claim 53, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

58. The holographic projection system of claim 54, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

59. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-58, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the image from the memory, and

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display the first image from the memory.

60. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-58, further comprising:

optionally, a second projector system configured to receive a second signal from the at least one processor to project the second image on the second screen.

61. The holographic projection system of claim 60, wherein the second screen is selected from the group consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) screen, an organic light- emitting diode (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and a transparent or semi-transparent reflective screen.

62. The holographic projection system of claim 60, wherein the second screen is a light- emitting diode (LED) screen.

63. The holographic projection system of claim 60, wherein the second screen is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen.

64. The holographic projection system of claim 60, wherein the second screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

65. The holographic projection system of claim 60, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first image and the second image,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first image from the memory,

retrieve the second image from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display the first image from the memory, and

transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display the second image from the memory.

66. The holographic projection system of claim 61, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first image and the second image,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first image from the memory,

retrieve the second image from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display the first image from the memory, and

transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display the second image from the memory.

67. The holographic projection system of claim 62, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first image and the second image, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first image from the memory,

retrieve the second image from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display the first image from the memory, and

transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display the second image from the memory.

68. The holographic projection system of claim 63, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first image and the second image,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first image from the memory,

retrieve the second image from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display the first image from the memory, and

transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display the second image from the memory.

69. The holographic projection system of claim 64, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first image and the second image,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first image from the memory,

retrieve the second image from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen or, if present, to the first projector system, to display the first image from the memory, and

transmit the second signal to the second screen or, if present, to the second projector system, to display the second image from the memory.

70. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-69, wherein the first screen is positioned orthogonal to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

71. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-69, wherein the first screen is positioned at an angle relative to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

72. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-69, wherein the first screen is positioned at an angle of between about 15° to about 55° from a plane orthogonal to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

73. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-72, wherein the first screen is curved.

74. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-73, further comprising a housing.

75. The holographic projection system of claim 74, wherein the housing comprises a

transparent portion and a non-transparent portion.

76. The holographic projection system of claim 75, wherein the first screen and, if present, the second screen are visible through the transparent portion of the housing.

77. The holographic projection system of any of claims 75-77, wherein the motor and the at least one processor and, if present, memory, are disposed within the non-transparent portion of the housing.

78. The holographic projection system of any of claims 75-77, further comprising a lid

disposed at a first end of the transparent portion, wherein the non-transparent portion is disposed at a second end of the transparent portion.

79. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-78, wherein the rate of rotation is about 30 to about 1000 rotations per minute (RPM).

80. The holographic projection system of any of claims 60-79, wherein the rotation of the first and second screens is synchronized with respect to each other.

81. The holographic projection system of any of claims 60-80, wherein the second screen is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of the first screen.

82. The holographic projection system of any of claims 60-80, wherein the second screen is positioned in a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical axis.

83. The holographic projection system of any of claims 59-82, wherein the first projector system comprises a first reflected screen configured to reflect off of the first screen.

84. The holographic projection system of any of claims 59-83, wherein the second projector system comprises a second reflected screen configured to reflect off the first screen.

85. The holographic projection system of any of claims 59-82, wherein the first or second projector system each comprise a projector.

86. The holographic projection system of claim 83, wherein the second projector system comprises a projector.

87. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-86, wherein the first projector system further comprises an image isolation system.

88. The holographic projection system of claim 85, wherein the first projector system further comprises an image isolation system disposed on the first reflected screen, and wherein the first screen does not include an image isolation system.

89. The holographic projection system of any of claims 46-88, wherein the first projector system further comprises an image isolation system.

90. The holographic projection system of claim 84, wherein the second projector system further comprises an image isolation system disposed on the second reflected screen, and wherein the second screen does not include an image isolation system.

91. A method for displaying a three-dimensional volumetric hologram, comprising:

providing a first screen, the first screen having a display surface;

providing a first series of images, wherein each image in the first series of images corresponds to a portion of a 360° view;

rotating the first screen about an axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of first screen faces outward from the axis of rotation;

displaying each image of the first series of images on the first for a number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis,

whereby displaying each image of the first series of images on the first screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis results in the appearance of a three-dimensional volumetric hologram.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the step of displaying each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by displaying each image of the series of images on the first screen directly.

93. The method of any of claims 91-92, wherein the first screen comprises an image isolation system, wherein the image isolation system is configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

95. The method of claim 93, wherein the angle of view between about 2° and about 5°.

96. The method of claim 93, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

97. The method of claim 93, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

98. The method of any of claims 91-92, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

99. The method of claim 93, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

100. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface; providing a second series of images wherein each image in the second series of images corresponds to the portion of a 360° view of a corresponding image in the first series of images and provides a virtual image mask for the corresponding image in the first series of images; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

101. The method of claim 95, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

102. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

103. The method of claim 97, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

104. The method of any of claims 91-92, wherein the step of displaying each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by projecting each image of the series of images on the first screen.

105. The method of any of claims 91-92, wherein the step of displaying each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by reflecting each image of the series of images on the first screen.

106. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of displaying each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by projecting each image of the series of images on the first screen.

107. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of displaying each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by reflecting each image of the series of images on the first screen.

108. The method of claim 104, wherein the step of projecting each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by a projector which comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

109. The method of claim 106, wherein the step of projecting each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by a projector which comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

110. The method of claim 105, wherein the step of reflecting each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by reflecting an image from a first reflected screen onto the first screen, wherein the first reflected screen comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

111. The method of claim 107, wherein the step of reflecting each image of the series of images on the first screen is performed by reflecting an image from a first reflected screen onto the first screen, wherein the first reflected screen comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

112. The method of any of claims 108-111, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

113. The method of any of claims 108-111, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

114. The method of any of claims 108-111, wherein the angle of view between about 2° and about 5°.

115. The method of any of claims 108-111, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

116. The method of any of claims 113-115, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens

117. The method of any of claims 91-116, wherein the rotation of the first screen is at a speed sufficient to make at least a portion of the first screen appear transparent to a viewer.

118. The method of any of claims 91-116, wherein the rotating of the first screen is at about 30 RPM to about 1000 RPM.

119. A method for displaying an image in 360°, comprising:

providing a first screen, the first screen having a display surface;

providing a first image;

rotating the first screen about an axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of first screen faces outward from the axis of rotation;

displaying the first image on the first screen.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the step of displaying the first image on the first screen is performed by displaying the first image on the first screen directly.

121. The method of any of claims 119-120, wherein the first screen comprises an image isolation system, wherein the image isolation system is configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

123. The method of claim 121, wherein the angle of view between about 2° and about 5°.

124. The method of claim 121, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

125. The method of claim 121, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

126. The method of any of claims 119-120, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

providing a second image;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying the second image on the second screen.

127. The method of claim 121, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

128. The method of claim 122, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

129. The method of claim 123, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

130. The method of claim 124, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

131. The method of claim 125, further comprising:

providing a second screen having a display surface;

providing a second series of images wherein each image in the second series of images corresponds to the portion of a 360° view of a corresponding image in the first series of images and provides a virtual image mask for the corresponding image in the first series of images; rotating the second screen about the axis of rotation, wherein the display surface of second screen faces outward from the axis of rotation; and

displaying each image of the second series of images on the second screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the corresponding first screen about the vertical axis.

132. The method of any of claims 119-120, wherein the step of displaying the first image on the first screen is performed by projecting the first image on the first screen.

133. The method of any of claims 119-120, wherein the step of displaying the first image on the first screen is performed by reflecting the first image on the first screen.

134. The method of claim 126, wherein the step of displaying the first image on the first screen is performed by projecting the first image on the first screen.

135. The method of claim 126, wherein the step of displaying the first image on the first screen is performed by reflecting the first image on the first screen.

136. The method of claim 132, wherein the step of projecting the first image on the first screen is performed by a projector which comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

137. The method of claim 134, wherein the step of projecting the first image on the first screen is performed by a projector which comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

138. The method of claim 133, wherein the step of reflecting the first image on the first screen is performed by reflecting an image from a first reflected screen onto the first screen, wherein the first reflected screen comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

139. The method of claim 135, wherein the step of reflecting the first image on the first screen is performed by reflecting an image from a first reflected screen onto the first screen, wherein the first reflected screen comprises an image isolation system configured to limit viewing of the image on the first screen to an angle of view.

140. The method of any of claims 136-139, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

141. The method of any of claims 136-139, wherein the angle of view is between about

0.1° and about 15°.

142. The method of any of claims 136-139, wherein the angle of view between about 2° and about 5°.

143. The method of any of claims 136-139, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

144. The method of any of claims 141-143, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens

145. The method of any of claims 119-144, wherein the rotation of the first screen is at a speed sufficient to make at least a portion of the first screen appear transparent to a viewer.

146. The method of any of claims 119-144, wherein the rotating of the first screen is at about 30 RPM to about 1000 RPM.

147. A holographic projection system, comprising:

a motor;

a first screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the first screen being configured to display images; and at least one processor configured to display a first series of images on the first screen, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display each image in the first series of images for a number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis,

wherein the first screen is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen..

148. The holographic projection system of claim 147, further comprising an image isolation system disposed on an outer surface of the first screen, wherein the outer surface of the first screen is on a surface of the first screen that faces outward from the vertical axis, and wherein the image isolation system is configured to limit viewing of the image on the screen to an angle of view.

149. The holographic projection system of claim 148, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

150. The holographic projection system of claim 148, wherein the angle of view

between about 2° and about 5°.

151. The holographic projection system of claim 148, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

152. The holographic projection system of claim 148, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

153. The holographic projection system of claim 149, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

154. The holographic projection system of claim 150, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

155. The holographic projection system of claim 151, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

156. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-155, further comprising: a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory, and

transmit the first signal to the first screen to display each of the first series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

157. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-155, further comprising: a second screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the second screen being configured to display images, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display a second series of images on the second screen, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display each image in the second series of images for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis; and

wherein the second screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

158. The holographic projection system of claim 157, further comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory,

transmit the first signal to the first screen to display each of the first series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis, and

transmit the second signal to the second screen to display each of the second series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

159. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-159, wherein the first screen is positioned orthogonal to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

160. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-159, wherein the first screen is positioned at an angle relative to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

161. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-159, wherein the first screen is positioned at an angle of between about 15° to about 55° from a plane orthogonal to a plane of rotation of the first screen.

162. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-161, wherein the first screen is curved.

163. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-162, further comprising a housing.

164. The holographic projection system of claim 163, wherein the housing comprises a transparent portion and a non-transparent portion.

165. The holographic projection system of claim 164, wherein the first screen and, if present, the second screen are visible through the transparent portion of the housing.

166. The holographic projection system of any of claims 164-165, wherein the motor and the at least one processor and, if present, memory, are disposed within the non transparent portion of the housing.

167. The holographic projection system of any of claims 164-166, further comprising a lid disposed at a first end of the transparent portion, wherein the non-transparent portion is disposed at a second end of the transparent portion.

168. The holographic projection system of any of claims 147-167, wherein the rate of rotation is about 30 to about 1000 rotations per minute (RPM).

169. The holographic projection system of any of claims 157-168, wherein the rotation of the first and second screens is synchronized with respect to each other.

170. The holographic projection system of any of claims 157-168, wherein the second screen is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of the first screen.

171. The holographic projection system of any of claims 157-168, wherein the second screen is positioned in a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical axis and facing outward from the axis of rotation.

172. A holographic projection system, comprising:

a motor;

a first screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the first screen being a transparent or semi-transparent reflective screen and positioned at an angle relative to a plane of rotation of the first screen;

a reflected screen configured to display an image to reflect off of the first screen, the reflected screen further configured to rotate about the vertical axis in synchronization with the first screen and positioned in the plane of rotation of the first screen or a plane parallel thereto.

at least one processor configured to display a first series of images on the reflected screen, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display each image in the first series of images for a number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

173. The holographic projection system of claim 172, wherein the reflected screen is a light-emitting diode (LED) screen or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen.

174. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-173, further comprising an image isolation system disposed on a surface of the reflected screen proximate to the first screen, wherein the image isolation system is configured to limit viewing of the image on the screen to an angle of view.

175. The holographic projection system of claim 174, wherein the angle of view is between about 0.1° and about 15°.

176. The holographic projection system of claim 174, wherein the angle of view

between about 2° and about 5°.

177. The holographic projection system of claim 174, wherein the angle of view is about 3.8°.

178. The holographic projection system of claim 174, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

179. The holographic projection system of claim 175, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

180. The holographic projection system of claim 176, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

181. The holographic proj ection system of claim 177, wherein the image isolation system is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of micro-louvres, a plurality of parallax barriers, a lenticular lens array, a microlens array, and a polarization film, filter or lens.

182. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-181, further comprising: a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to: retrieve the first series of images from the memory, and

transmit the first signal to the reflected screen to display each of the first series of images from the memory on the reflected screen for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

183. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-181, further comprising: a second screen operatively connected to the motor and rotatable 360° about a vertical axis at a rate of rotation by the motor, the second screen being configured to display images, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display a second series of images on the second screen, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display each image in the second series of images for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis; and

optionally, a second projector system configured to receive a second signal from the at least one processor to project the second series of images on the second screen.

184. The holographic projection system of claim 183, wherein the second screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

185. The holographic projection system of any of claims 183-184, further comprising: a memory having computer readable instructions thereon, said memory further comprising the first series of images and the second series of images,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:

retrieve the first series of images from the memory,

retrieve the second series of images from the memory,

transmit the second signal to the second screen to display each of the second series of images from the memory for the number of degrees of rotation of the first screen about the vertical axis.

186. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-185, wherein the angle relative to the plane of rotation of the first screen is between 0° and 90°.

187. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-185, wherein the angle relative to the plane of rotation of the first screen is between 15° and 55°.

188. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-185, wherein the angle relative to the plane of rotation of the first screen is about 45°.

189. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-188, further comprising a housing.

190. The holographic projection system of claim 189, wherein the housing comprises a transparent portion and a non-transparent portion.

191. The holographic projection system of claim 190, wherein the first screen and, if present, the second screen are visible through the transparent portion of the housing.

192. The holographic projection system of any of claims 190-191, wherein the motor and the at least one processor and, if present, memory, are disposed within the non transparent portion of the housing.

193. The holographic projection system of any of claims 190-192, further comprising a lid disposed at a first end of the transparent portion, wherein the non-transparent portion is disposed at a second end of the transparent portion.

194. The holographic projection system of any of claims 172-193, wherein the rate of rotation is about 30 to about 1000 rotations per minute (RPM).

195. The holographic projection system of any of claims 183-194, wherein the rotation of the first and second screens is synchronized with respect to each other.

196. The holographic projection system of any of claims 183-196, wherein the second screen is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane of the first screen.

197. The holographic projection system of any of claims 183-196, wherein the second screen is positioned in a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical axis and facing outward from the axis of rotation.

Description:

THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUMETRIC

HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/864,132 filed June 20, 2019, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

[0002] It is desirable to create unique visual displays with unique visual effect or illusion that provide entertainment to a user. Pepper’s Ghost is one such visual effect or illusion that has been in use for decades. However, there remains a need for improved visual display techniques and systems such as for creating or projecting/displaying 3D images in order to provide a plurality of persons a perspective view of the holographic image in real-time.

Summary

[0003] Exemplary embodiments described herein have innovative features, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to providing a three dimensional (3D) effect without use of special equipment such as, but not limited to, a Pepper’s Ghost display. The devices and methods disclosed herein achieve a stereoscopic holographic image that is observable by a plurality of persons, with each person’s perspective of the holographic image correlating to their relationship to the device’s orientation.

[0005] The present disclosure is also directed to devices, systems, and methods for displaying three-dimensional (3D) volumetric holograms. In general, this is achieved by synchronizing a rotating screen, or multiple overlapping rotating screens, and a virtual image, or plurality of complementing virtual images, to the rotational position of the screen.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote like elements.

[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a device for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0008] FIG. IB is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1A.

[0009] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a device for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a device for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is perspective view of projecting a virtual image and a virtual mask image in a plurality of screens in the device.

[0012] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the virtual images illustrated in FIG. 3 according to an example embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the virtual mask image illustrated in FIG. 3 according to an example embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 depicts an example of position of a viewer or user with respect to the projected image.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a device for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a processor in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0017] FIG 9A is a front view of a housing for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 9B is a top view of a housing for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 9C is a bottom view of a housing for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 9D is a perspective view of a housing for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 9E is a rear view of a housing for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according an example embodiment. [0022] FIG. 10A is an illustration showing operation of an image isolation system according to an example embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 10B is an illustration showing operation of an image isolation system according to an example embodiment.

[0024] FIG. IOC is an illustration showing the operation of the image isolation system according to FIGS. 10A-10B overlay ed with one another.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a block diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 12 is a block diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 13 is a block diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0028] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of“a”,“an”, and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Description

[0029] Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of, or combined with, any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method that is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect disclosed herein may be implemented by one or more elements of a claim.

[0030] Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, and/or objectives. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0031] As used herein, processor, microprocessor, and/or digital processor may include any type of digital processing device such as, without limitation, digital signal processors (“DSPs”), reduced instruction set computers (“RISC”), general-purpose (“CISC”) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”)), programmable logic device (“PLDs”), reconfigurable computer fabrics (“RCFs”), array processors, secure microprocessors, specialized processors (e.g., neuromorphic processors), and application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). Such digital processors may be contained on a single unitary integrated circuit die or distributed across multiple components.

[0032] As used herein, computer program and/or software may include any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which perform a function. Such computer program and/or software may be rendered in any programming language or environment including, for example, C/C++, C#, Fortran, COBOL, MATLAB™, PASCAL, GO, RUST, SCALA, Python, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML, VoXML), and the like, as well as object- oriented environments such as the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (“CORBA”), JAVA™ (including J2ME, Java Beans, etc.), Binary Runtime Environment (e.g.,“BREW”), and the like.

[0033] As used herein, connection, link, and/or wireless link may include a causal link between any two or more entities (whether physical or logical/virtual), which enables information exchange between the entities.

[0034] As used herein, computer and/or computing device may include, but are not limited to, personal computers (“PCs”) and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, mainframe computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), handheld computers, embedded computers, programmable logic devices, personal communicators, tablet computers, mobile devices, portable navigation aids, J2ME equipped devices, cellular telephones, smart phones, personal integrated communication or entertainment devices, and/or any other device capable of executing a set of instructions and processing an incoming data signal.

[0035] Detailed descriptions of the various embodiments of the system and methods of the disclosure are now provided. Myriad other embodiments or uses for the technology described herein would be readily envisaged by those having ordinary skill in the art, given the contents of the present disclosure.

[0036] In general, the devices, systems, and methods for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms comprise a housing, a rotatable screen contained within the housing in which the screen is capable of displaying a digital image, a motor operably coupled to the screen and capable of rotating the screen, and a processor operably coupled to the screen and capable of synchronizing the rotation of the screen and image displayed on the screen. In operation, the device may be used in methods of the present disclosure for creating three-dimensional volumetric holograms, 3D autostereoscopic effects and/or 3D non-autostereoscopic effects.

[0037] Any housing with at least a transparent section portion is suitable. The housing may include a motor. For example, the motor may be included in a nontransparent portion of the housing. The housing may be of any shape, such as, for example, cylindrical. An example of a suitable housing is shown in FIGS. 9A-9E. The housing also may include video playback electronics, which may include for example including but not limited to a memory and a processor. The housing also may include an interior spinning enclosure and/or spinning screen brace, wherein the motor is coupled to the interior spinning enclosure and/or spinning screen brace.

[0038] The motor is operatively coupled to the screen and drives the rotation of the screen.

Any motor with this capability is suitable. The motor may be contained within the housing or outside of the housing and operably connected to the screen through suitable linkages. Suitable motors include stepper motors and brushless DC electric (BLDC) motors. One skilled in the art would appreciate that other motors may include, for example, including but not limited to, linear motors, servo motors, direct drive motors, DC brushed motors, and AC brushless motors.

[0039] Within the housing and driven by the motor is a rotatable screen capable of displaying a digital image. The rotation of the screen may be used to create a hologram or 3D effect. Such 3D effect may be a 3D autostereoscopic effect and/or a 3D non-autostereoscopic effect. The screen may be one or more screens and the screen may be disposed within the housing in a vertical orientation, at an angle, or both. The screen may be formed in whole or part from a transparent (or semi-transparent) reflective material ( e.g ., glass), an LED, an OLED, or an LCD. The screen may be flat or curved. In one example, one or more semi-transparent screens are used to reflect light in a“Pepper’s Ghost” effect, which may be used to create a 3D autostereoscopic effect. In another example, the screen is a vertical transparent digital display (e.g. a transparent OLED or LED screen) rotated about its central, vertical axis. Such a vertical screen may, by way of example but not limitation, include a LCD layered on top of or behind (relative to the viewer) a transparent OLED screen, as well as an LCD screen sandwiched between two OLED screens. In some embodiments, the LCD may be used to play a synchronized digital mask of the displayed digital image. In operation, the digital mask improves image clarity and may eliminate unwanted back light, as well as improve contrast, separation and clarity from the environment directly behind the digital image or hologram. In addition to the transparent LCD screen, the device may further include, according to another example embodiment, a transparent non-backlit LCD screen that is placed parallel and next to the light-emitting screen (OLED, for example), or in the center axis where Pepper’s Ghost holographic image plane occupies. A digitally created opaque mask (FIGS. 3 and 5) will effectively obstruct visibility of objects behind the virtual image, just as a real object occupying that space would.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the screen also may comprise an image isolation system to isolate and display only the desired image that relates to the current angle of the screen to a viewer. In operation, as the screens rotate a viewer’s line of sight to the screen or image is obstructed by the image isolation system until the screen is directly in the desired angle to the viewer, allowing the viewer to see substantially only the frame or image needed. In embodiments where the image is projected onto or reflected by the screen, the image isolation system can be disposed on the projector or screen used to project or reflect the image rather than on the reflective screen. Thus, the image isolation system is disposed on the screen that is the source of the images. It should be understood that, as used herein, a projector system can include a projector or can include a screen used to reflect an image off of a display screen, such as an OLED screen that generates the image to be reflected. For example, if an OLED screen is used to display the image for viewing, the image isolation system would be on a display surface of the OLED screen, whereas if an OLED screen is used to display the image to reflect off a reflective screen, the image isolation system would be on the OLED screen, not the reflective screen. In such instances, where the display originates from another screen or projector, that screen or projector must rotate in synchronization with the screen used to display the images for viewing by a viewer. However, where projection is used and is a rear projection onto the screen viewed by the viewer, the screen viewed by the viewer would have the image isolation system since it is facing the viewer and displaying the image. Suitable image isolation systems may be capable of focusing, refracting, diffracting, or obstructing light to achieve the desired result. Examples of suitable image isolation systems include micro louvers, parallax barriers, lenticular lenses or arrays, microlenses, light polarization (e.g. polarization films, filters, and lenses), and the like. In one example, the image isolation system is a micro-louvre allowing for approximately between 0.1° to 15° angle of view of the screen. In another example, the image isolation system is a micro-louvre allowing for approximately between 2° to 5° angle of view of the screen. In another example, the micro-louvre allows for approximately 3.8° angle of view of the screen. An exemplary image isolation system in operation is illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C. It should be further understood that a second screen used as a mask may not require an image isolation system as it is displayed behind the virtual image. Thus, in any embodiments of the present disclosure, the second screen or its projection system, including any reflected screen, may not include an image isolation system.

[0041] Video playback and/or digital image display electronics are operably coupled to the screen, which may include for example a memory and at least one processor. In practice, the at least one processor may retrieve an image stored in the memory in order to transmit the same on the screen that are rotating. In particular, the processor will execute computer readable instructions to transmit the virtual image for projection by transmitting a signal to a light-emitting projector such that the virtual image is displayed onto the screen.

[0042] As used herein, a processor includes a microprocessor and/or digital processor or any type of digital processing device such as, without limitation, digital signal processors (“DSPs”), reduced instruction set computers (“RISC”), general-purpose (“CISC”) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”)), programmable logic device (“PLDs”), reconfigurable computer fabrics (“RCFs”), array processors, secure microprocessors, specialized processors (e.g., neuromorphic processors), and application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). Such digital processors may be contained on a single unitary integrated circuit die, or distributed across multiple components. [0043] The processor may operatively and/or communicatively coupled to memory.

Memory may include any type of integrated circuit or other storage device configured to store digital data including, without limitation, read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), non-volatile random access memory (“NVRAM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), dynamic random-access memory (“DRAM”), Mobile DRAM, synchronous DRAM (“SDRAM”), double data rate SDRAM (“DDR/2 SDRAM”), extended data output (“EDO”) RAM, fast page mode RAM (“FPM”), reduced latency DRAM (“RLDRAM”), static RAM (“SRAM”), flash memory (e.g., NAND/NOR), memristor memory, pseudostatic RAM (“PSRAM”), etc. Memory may provide instructions and data to processor. For example, memory may be a non-transitory, computer-readable storage apparatus and/or medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, the instructions being executable by a processing apparatus (e.g., processor) to operate the device in order to project or display three-dimensional volumetric holograms on one or more screens. In some cases, the instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the processor to perform the various methods, features, and/or functionality described in this disclosure. For example, the processor may retrieve a first image from the memory, and transmit the first signal to a projector for projecting the first image on a first screen, the first screen being continuously rotated along a central axis of the first screen while the first image is projected onto the first screen.

[0044] Accordingly, the processor may perform logical and/or arithmetic operations based on program instructions stored within memory. In some cases, the instructions and/or data of memory may be stored in a combination of hardware, some located locally within device, and some located remote from device (e.g., in a cloud, server, network, etc ). FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a device for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms according to an example embodiment. FIG. IB is a side view of the device of FIG. 1A. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, the device comprises a housing 1 of a cylindrical shape that includes transparent section 6 and non transparent section 7, and a lid 8. The transparent portion 6 houses a rotatable screen 2 formed from a transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 3 and transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen and/or light emitting diode (LED) screen 4 which includes an image isolation system 16 (features not shown) on its display surface. The transparent section 6 consisting of circular transparent glass. As the transparent section, this section of the device is viewable by a user or a viewer. Whereas, the non-transparent section 7 is the bottom portion of the housing and includes a motor 5 and various other electronic components such as the video playback system 9 which can include at least one processor and a memory, examples of which are discussed below in FIGS. 2A-2B. The device further includes a lid 8 as well as a bottom screen brace 26 and a top screen brace 27 which old the screens in position and also rotate with the screens as driven by the motor 5. As the non-transparent section, this portion is not visible to a user. However, according to another example embodiment such section may be made to material that is transparent, if desired. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the cylindrical shaped device is a single unit enclosed device that has all the components intact therein in a compact fashion.

[0045] FIG. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view of a device for displaying three- dimensional volumetric holograms according to another example embodiment. These views further illustrate the inner working components of the non-transparent section 7 of a device. This section includes a stepper motor or brushless DC electric (BLDC) motor 5, which is at the bottom portion of the device. Above the motor is an interior spinning enclosure, wherein the motor 5 is coupled to the interior spinning enclosure. The interior spinning enclosure includes video playback electronics 9, which may include for example including but not limited to a memory and a processor. The transparent section of FIG. 2 includes a screen component 2 formed from two semi transparent reflective screens 10.

[0046] Still referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, the transparent portion of the device 6 includes a screen component 2, such as one or more display screens (OED/LED/LCD) 4 and/or one or more semi-transparent reflective screens 10. The one or more display screens 4 rotate in synchronization with the semi-transparent reflective screens 10. The display screens can be any combination of transparent or opaque. And the reflective semi-transparent screens may be positioned at an angle that reflect a virtual image from screen or projector. This is commonly known as Pepper’s Ghost Hologram. The semi-transparent surface may be positioned at an angle such as 45 degrees, but one skilled in the art will appreciate that such angle may be 15, 35, 55 degrees or equivalent thereof relative to the plane of rotation of the screen. By way of example, but not limitation, the angle of the screen can be between about 0° and about 90°, about 15° and about 55°, about 30° and about 45°, or about 15°, 16°, 17°, 18°, 19°, 20°, 21°, 22°, 23°, 24°, 25°, 26°, 27°, 28°, 29°, 30°, 31°, 32°, 33°, 34°, 35°, 36°, 37°, 38°, 39°, 40°, 41°, 42°, 43°, 44°, 45°, 46°, 47°, 48°, 49°, 50°, 51°, 52°, 53°, 54°, or 55° relative to the plane of rotation of the reflective screens. It should be understood, that even in embodiments where the screen used to display the image is not reflective, the screen can be disposed at any of these angles. These reflective screens are configured to rotate along their respective central axis. Such rotation is achieved with assistance of motor that is positioned at bottom of the device, discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1B, and also shown in FIGS. 2A- 2B. The device itself also includes a housing 1, lid 8, video playback system 9, lower screen brace 26, upper screen brace 27, and image isolation system 16 as described with respect to FIGS. 1A- 1B. However, because reflection of an image onto the reflective screens is being used, the image isolation system is disposed on the display screen 4 which can be, by way of example, but not limitation an OLED screen. In order to facilitate rotation of the spinning enclosure and, thus, the screens 10, bearings 20 are included.

[0047] Next, referring to FIG. 3 a perspective view of projecting a virtual image 11 and a virtual mask image 12 in a plurality of screens in the device will be discussed. As in FIGS. 1A- 2B, the device includes a housing 1, a transparent portion 6, a non-transparent portion 7 and a lid 8. As illustrated, a virtual image 11 and virtual mask image 12 are displayed on a first screen 4 and a second screen 3, respectively, that are positioned in a transparent section 6 of the device. The virtual mask 12 operates to reduce the transparency of the image. A brighter, sharper, non transparent image may be created by minimizing or eliminating interfering outside light. As noted, this may be done, by way of example, but not limitation, by using an LCD screen 3 behind the OLED screen 4, or in between two OLED screens) with a black mask. That is, in operation as the at least one processor executes computer readable instructions stored in the memory, it transmits signals to a projector, for example, which in-tum projects these images onto respective screens as the screen are rotating continuously along their respective central axis. When spinning at a desired revolution per minute (RPM), the screens become transparent to a human eye due to the motion blur and eye signal processing limitations, similar to how a fan blade disappears at fast RPMs. By way of example, but not limitation, in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the screens can rotate at a rate of about 30 RPM to about 1000 RPM. By way of example, but not limitation, the rate of rotation can be from about 30 RPM to about 100 RPM, about 40 RPM to about 100 RPM, about 50 RPM to 100 RPM, about 60 to 100 RPM, about 100 RPM to about 1000 RPM, about 200 RPM to about 1000 RPM, about 300 RPM to about 1000 RPM, about 500 to about 1000 RPM, about 30 RPM, 40 RPM, 50 RPM, 60 RPM, 70 RPM, 80 RPM, 90 RPM, 100 RPM, 150 RPM, 200 RPM, 300 RPM, 400 RPM, 500 RPM, 600 RPM, 700 RPM, 800 RPM, 900 RPM or 1000 RPM. In some embodiments, the speed of rotation can be determined by the following formula:

60 seconds Frames per second

[Speed (in RPM ) = - _; - x - - ]

minute 360 degrees

Degrees per frame

Thus, by way of example, but not limitation, if a series of images is desired to be shown at 60 frames per second with 6 degrees per frame, i.e. how long each image is shown in terms of the degrees of rotation of the screens, the speed would be 60 RPM. Similarly, if the series of images is desired to shown at 240 frames per second with 3 degrees per frame, the speed would be 120 RPM. It should be understood that the speed used can be a constant rate in terms of degrees per frame or a variable rate in terms of degrees per frame that averages to a speed. For example, an alternating ascending or descending degrees per frame can be used, such as 5/1, 6/1, 7/1, 6/1, 5/1, 6/1, 7/1, and so on to average 6 degrees per frame. By way of example, but not limitation, the degrees per frame can be about 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 4/1, 5/1, 6/1, 7/1, 8/1, 9/1, or 10/1 degrees per frame, or about 1/1 to about 10/1 degrees per frame, preferably from about 1/1 to about 5/1 degrees per frame. Such a display sequence can be controlled by the at least one processor and based on computer readable instructions from memory. With regard to FIGS. 2A-2B, the virtual image is synchronized with the rotation angle and speed of the screen, which is a digital representation of the angle of perspective that corresponds to the global orientation of the mechanism. As such, the final effect is a 360 degree, stereoscopic holographic image that is observable by a plurality of persons, with each person’s perspective of the holographic image correlating to their relationship to the device’s orientation. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and appreciated by one skilled the art, there may be overlapping rotating screens that are geometrically coordinated with the virtual image (3 and 4).

[0048] In some embodiments, the digital image may be rendered without synchronization to screen rotation, such as, for example, any normal video file, image, text, and the like. That is, the same digital image will appear from every angle from 360 degrees. One benefitto this approach is that text will be readable from every angle, and appearance of backwards text from certain angles is avoided. This approach is particularly useful for implementations in which the screen includes an image isolation system. An example of this method is diagramed as shown in FIG. 11.

[0049] FIG. 4 is another perspective of the virtual images illustrated in FIG. 3 according to an example embodiment. As in FIGS. 1 A-2B, the device includes a housing 1, a LCD screen 3, an OLED screen 4, a transparent portion 6, a non-transparent portion 7 and a lid 8. A virtual image 11 as shown in FIG. 4 is that of an individual; however, one skilled in the art would appreciate that virtual image may be representation of any other object, character or any other inanimate object (e.g., fish, butterfly, etc.). As shown in FIG. 3, the object is represented in three different angles, which include front facing (A), side facing (B) and back facing (C). When one of the screens (3 and 4) is at angle A, the virtual image is front facing. When one of the screens is at angle B, the virtual image is side facing. And, when one of the screens is at angle C, the virtual image is back facing. As such, orientation of the image changes with the rotation or change in angle of the screen. According to an example embodiment, a three dimensional (3D) virtual object/scene is rendered into a two dimensional (2D) virtual image, with the angle of perspective virtually synchronized to the rotational position of the second screen. That is, the virtual image shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on second screen 4, shown in FIGS. 1A-1B.

[0050] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the virtual mask image illustrated in FIG. 3 according to an example embodiment. The virtual mask image 12 being different from the virtual image. The corresponding pixels of the virtual image 11 may be mapped to the corresponding position of the display screen in XYZ coordinates in other orientations, such as a curved screen. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the virtual mask image may be an optional feature or image generated by the at least one processor. The same 3D virtual object/scene as the virtual image rendered into a 2D virtual mask, with the angle of perspective virtually synchronized to the rotational position of the LED/OLED screen 4, LCD screen 3, and the virtual mask image. The virtual mask image can be displayed on the LCD screen 3.

[0051] FIG. 6 is an example of position of a viewer or user with respect to the projected image. For example, in FIG. 6, the different views of the body, represented by the letters A, B and C are perceived by different viewers 28-30, from different angles, at the same time. That is, as the screen 2 within the device rotates in a clockwise direction with projection of an image thereon, each viewer viewing the device will perceive a different orientation of the image being projected. For example, a viewer 28 may view image A while the screen is positioned at 90 degree angle. Simultaneously, a second viewer 29 who is to the left of the first viewer may view image B while the screen is positioned at a 45 degree angle, and a third viewer 30 who is to the left of the second viewer 29 may view image C while the screen is positioned at a 0 degree angle. Accordingly, different views may be perceived of the same object in real time from different angles. [0052] FIG. 7 perspective view of an example of a device for displaying three-dimensional volumetric holograms as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B according to an example embodiment. As shown in this embodiment, the device is a unitary, enclosed, cylindrical shaped device that once turned is capable of projecting three-dimensional volumetric holograms of an object. One skilled in the art would appreciate that although not shown, the device may be either battery powered or electrically connected to a wall socket.

[0053] Next referring to FIG. 8, the architecture of the processor used in the device shown in FIGS. 1A-1B. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the architecture includes a data bus 128, a receiver 126, a transmitter 134, at least one processor 130, and a memory 132. The receiver 126, the processor 130 and the transmitter 134 all communicate with each other via the data bus 128. The processor 130 is a specialized processor configured to execute specialized algorithms. The processor 130 is configured to access the memory 132 which stores computer code or instructions in order for the processor 130 to execute the specialized algorithms. The algorithms executed by the processor 130 are discussed in detail above. The receiver 126 as shown in FIG. 8 is configured to receive input signals 124. The receiver 126 communicates these received signals to the processor 130 via the data bus 128. As one skilled in the art would appreciate, the data bus 128 is the device for communication between the different components— receiver, processor, and transmitter— in the processor. The processor 130 executes the algorithms, as discussed below, by accessing specialized computer-readable instructions from the memory 132. The processor 130 executes the specialized algorithms in receiving, processing and transmitting of these signals as shown in, for example, FIGS. 11-13. The memory 132 is a storage medium for storing computer code or instructions. The storage medium may include optical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu- Ray Disc, etc.), semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc ), and/or magnetic memory (e.g., hard-disk drive, floppy-disk drive, tape drive, MRAM, etc.), among others. Storage medium may include volatile, nonvolatile, dynamic, static, read/write, read-only, random-access, sequential-access, location-addressable, file-addressable, and/or content-addressable devices. The processor 130 may communicate output signals to transmitter 134 via data bus 128 as illustrated.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11 which depicts an exemplary workflow for displaying an image in 360°, the virtual image 11 can processed by the at least one processor 14 which communicates with the motor 5 to rotate the screen 4 and display the virtual image 11 on the screen. In this way, the at least one processor can execute the computer readable instructions to both rotate the screen and display the image to produce the desired effect.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 12 which depicts an exemplary workflow for displaying a 3D autostereoscopic image, a virtual rotating image 17 can be processed by the at least one processor 14 which communicates with the motor 5 to rotate the screen 4 and display the virtual rotating image 17 on the screen. The virtual rotating image can be associated with rotational information that the processor can use to determine the rotation speed of the motor so that the desired effect is achieved. Similarly, in FIG. 13, in addition to the features in FIG. 12, the at least one processor 14 also processes a virtual rotating mask 18 which is displayed on the screen 3 as described in this disclosure and also coordinates the rotation of the screen 3 so that the virtual rotating image is displayed on screen 4 while the corresponding virtual rotating mask 18 is displayed on screen 3 as both screens rotate to provide the desired effect. This can be achieved by having two separate video files that are processed or otherwise by the processor generating the mask based on data in the virtual rotating image file.

[0056] One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the architecture illustrated in

FIG. 8 may illustrate an external server architecture configured to effectuate the control of the device from a remote location. That is, the server may also include a data bus, a receiver, a transmitter, a processor, and a memory that stores specialized computer readable instructions thereon.

[0057] FIGS 9A-9E depict an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, as the screen component 2 rotates with its display facing a viewer having a left eye 22 and a right eye 23, a first virtual image (frame A) 24 can displayed to the right eye 23 through an image isolation system 16, in this case micro-louvres which limit and angle of view of the screen component 2. As the screen 2 rotates (as shown between FIG. 10A and 10B), the second virtual image (frame B) 25 can be viewed by he left eye 22 of the viewer when the screen component 2 is at the proper angle based on the image isolation system 16. Thus, the left eye 22 and right eye 23 of the viewer will perceive the two separate images as the screen rotates, producing the autostereoscopic effect.

[0059] It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure, and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein.

[0060] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the disclosure as applied to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. The foregoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the disclosure. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the disclosure.

[0061] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments and/or implementations may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

[0062] It should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re defined herein to be restricted to include any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term“including” should be read to mean“including, without limitation,”“including but not limited to,” or the like; the term“comprising” as used herein is synonymous with“including,” “containing,” or“characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps; the term“having” should be interpreted as“having at least;” the term“such as” should be interpreted as“such as, without limitation;” the term ‘includes” should be interpreted as“includes but is not limited to;” the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, and should be interpreted as“example, but without limitation;” adjectives such as“known,” “normal,”“standard,” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass known, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like“preferably,”“preferred,”“desired,” or “desirable,” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the present disclosure, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction“and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction“or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms“about” or“approximate” and the like are synonymous and are used to indicate that the value modified by the term has an understood range associated with it, where the range may be ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, or ±1%. The term“substantially” is used to indicate that a result (e g., measurement value) is close to a targeted value, where close may mean, for example, the result is within 80% of the value, within 90% of the value, within 95% of the value, or within 99% of the value. Also, as used herein “defined” or “determined” may include “predefined” or “predetermined” and/or otherwise determined values, conditions, thresholds, measurements, and the like.

Previous Patent: SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR METABOLIC ENGINEERING

Next Patent: TURF MAINTENANCE SYSTEM