A time-multiplexed 3d display using steered exit pupils

Abstract

This paper presents the multi-user autostereoscopic 3D display system constructed and operated by the authors using the time-multiplexing approach. This prototype has three main advantages over the previous versions developed by the authors: its hardware was simplified as only one optical array is used to create viewing regions in space, a lenticular multiplexing screen is not necessary as images can be produced sequentially on a fast 120Hz LCD with full resolution, and the holographic projector was replaced with a high-frame-rate digital micromirror device (DMD) projector. The whole system in this prototype consists of four major parts: a 120Hz high-frame-rate DMD projector, a 49-element optical array, a 120Hz screen assembly, and a multi-user head tracker. The display images for the left/right eyes are produced alternatively on a 120Hz direct-view LCD and are synchronized with the output of the projector, which acts as a backlight of the LCD. The novel steering optics controlled by the multi-user head tracker system directs the projector output to regions referred to as exit pupils, which are located in the viewers’ eyes. The display can be developed in the “hang-on-the-wall” form. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.