Volumetric liquid crystal display for rendering a three-dimensional image
View Patent ↗A volumetric liquid crystal display for producing a three-dimensional image is disclosed. The volumetric liquid crystal display includes a volumetric image space having at least two layers of LCD sheeting wherein each layer of LCD sheeting is selectively energized to form image slices. At least one projection system projects at least one array of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths to intersect the energized layer of LCD sheeting illuminating image slices. Successive illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting provides the appearance of a three-dimensional image. Embodiments and methods of controlling and fabricating a three-dimensional image are disclosed.
1. A volumetric liquid crystal display for producing a three-dimensional image, comprising:
a volumetric image space comprising at least two layers of LCD sheeting, each layer of LCD sheeting selectively energized to form image slices, the volumetric image space having a central longitudinal axis;
at least one projection system providing at least one array of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths; and,
at least one mirror reflecting the array of electromagnetic energy towards a rotating mirror mounted along the central longitudinal axis of the volumetric image space, the rotating mirror providing the intersection of the array of electromagnetic energy with the energized layer of LCD sheeting to illuminate image slices, wherein illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting provides the appearance of a three-dimensional image.
2. The display of claim 1 , wherein each layer LCD sheeting comprises polymer-dispersed liquid crystal between transparent conductive sheets.
3. The display of claim 1 , wherein the projection system includes at least one digital light processing projector having a digital micro-mirror device containing an array of micromechanical mirrors.
4. The display of claim 3 , wherein the micro-mirror device is used in dithering the array of electromagnetic energy.
5. The display of claim 1 , wherein the projection system includes at least one grating light valve projector providing the at least one array of electromagnetic energy.
6. The display of claim 1 , wherein the layers of LCD sheeting are provided in a circular cylindrical formation within the volumetric image space.
7. The display of claim 6 , wherein the array of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths is rotatingly provided outward from the central longitudinal axis.
8. The display of claim 1 , wherein the layers of LCD sheeting are provided in a hemispherical formation within the volumetric image space, the hemispherical formation having a radial center.
9. The display of claim 8 , wherein a second projector providing electromagnetic energy to the image space is located adjacent the radial center.
10. The display of claim 9 , wherein the hemispherical formation is comprised of about nineteen to about one hundred layers of LCD sheeting.
11. The display of claim 1 , further comprising a control system synchronizing the illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting to provide the appearance of the three-dimensional image.
12. The display of claim 11 , wherein the illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting is sequential.
13. The display of claim 11 , wherein the control system is in communication with an external source for downloading images.
14. The display of claim 1 , wherein the illuminated three-dimensional image is polychromatic.
15. The display of claim 1 , wherein power of the projection system is modulated to vary the intensity of electromagnetic energy of the wavelengths.
16. The display of claim 1 , wherein at least one side of the rotating mirror includes an absorptive material.
17. The display of claim 1 , further comprising a housing supporting the volumetric image space.
18. The display of claim 17 , wherein the housing includes an electromagnetic radiation filter.
19. The display of claim 1 , wherein illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting is sequential.
20. A volumetric liquid crystal display for producing a three-dimensional image, comprising:
a volumetric image space comprising at least two layers of LCD sheeting in a formation, each layer of LCD sheeting selectively energized to form image slices
a first projector providing electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths rotatingly reflected outwardly from a first location within the volumetric image space;
a second projector providing electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths from a second location, wherein electromagnetic energy from the first projector and the second projector intersect the energized layer of LCD sheeting to illuminate image slices, wherein illumination of image slices on sequential layers of LCD sheeting provides the appearance of a three-dimensional image.
21. The display of claim 20 , wherein the second location is within the volumetric image space.
22. The display of claim 20 , wherein the second location is external to the volumetric image space.
23. The display of claim 20 , wherein the formation is rectangular.