Holovision^TM is patented technology that can create high-resolution, large-scale, moving three-dimensional images that can be viewed with full parallax by people in different locations without special eyewear.   Further, Holovision^TM does not have a very restrictive viewing zone, does not produce only transparent images, does not require coherent light, and does not require liquid movement to adjust lens shape.  In this section, we first provide a conceptual overview of Holovision^TM  and then discuss the details of alternative means for operationalizing Holovision^TM .

Figure 1, below, provides a conceptual overview of how a screen using Holovision^TM  technology can replicate the light beam content and angles that two viewers would see from real-world objects.   The left side of Figure 1 shows a top-down cross-sectional perspective of the two viewers, represented by two pairs of eyes, who are observing two three-dimensional spheres.   Approximate representations of the views seen by each of the four eyes are shown as dotted-line images above each eye.  The combination of the two different perspectives for different eyes, from slightly-different angles, is called binocular disparity.  Binocular disparity is an important cue for three-dimensional perception.

The right side of Figure 1 shows a top-down cross-sectional perspective of the two viewers seeing the light rays emitted from a Holovision^TM  display screen that is comprised of an array of moving display elements.  For diagrammatic purposes, there are only around 25 display elements shown in this figure, but ultimately there will be one display element for each pixel in the image.   There can be hundreds or thousands of display elements in an actual large-scale display screen.   Holovision^TM  enables different content to be seen from the same display element from different angles.  The content and the angels of the light rays exiting each display element are coordinated so that each eye sees the appropriate content from the appropriate angel to create an illusion of three-dimensional objects.  In this case, the system creates an illusion of the three-dimensional spheres with binocular disparity (different images for each eye) and motion parallax (perspective changes with user movement).   On the right side of Figure 1, the spheres are virtual three-dimensional images perceived by the viewers, not actual spheres.

Figure 2 shows a conceptual overview, from a frontal perspective, of how Holovision^TM  can work for a three-dimensional display screen for a computer monitor or television screen.  In Figure 2, one display element (pixel) is highlighted with different light rays shown as exiting the display element at different angles.  As the display element moves, light rays from this element trace out a cone (or frustum) of light rays, with different content and perspective in each ray, extending outwards from the screen.  This display element is only one of hundreds or thousands of display elements comprising an array of moving display elements in the screen.  The result is hundreds or thousands of intersecting cones (or frustums) of light extending outwardly from the screen.  Different people in different locations see different three-dimensional images, without the need for special eyewear, and the perspectives that a person sees shift if they move their head.

Holovision^TM offers a number of potential advantages over currently-available methods of three-dimensional imaging.  Although Holovision^TM does not address all of the limitations of current three-dimensional display methods, it does address a sufficient number of them to be a significant improvement for displaying images that appear to be three-dimensional with binocular disparity and motion parallax.  We now discuss these advantages relative to currently-available methods.

As an advantage over 3D display methods that require glasses or other headgear, Holovision^TM does not require any glasses or other headgear.  Also, Holovision^TM does not require head tracking.  Further, Holovision^TM can provide three-dimensional images with binocular disparity and motion parallax for multiple viewers in different viewing locations.  Holovision^TM avoids pseudoscopic images (such as depth reversal, double images, and black bands) by integrating light-emitting members with rotating light guides. Holovision^TM allows viewers to see proper three-dimensional images from a very wide viewing area.  As an advantage over most volumetric and holographic displays, Holovision^TM can create images with full opacity and full occlusion of foreground objects over background objects.  Holovision^TM does not create "ghost-like" transparent images.  As a further advantage over volumetric displays, Holovision^TM is less bulky and offers greater potential for touch-based interaction than volumetric displays. 

As an advantage over displays with unidirectional linear (eg. vertical or horizontal) parallax barriers or lenticular arrays, Holovision^TM can offer a full range of motion parallax in any direction.  As an advantage over displays with stationary multi-angle sub-pixel display elements, the changing exit angles created by Holovision^TM are virtually continuous and limitless (not limited by the number of discrete individual sub-pixels that one can fit into a pixel-size space).  This allows much greater image resolution and range of motion parallax than is possible with stationary multi-angle sub-pixel display elements. 

As an advantage over devices with "fly's eye" lens or pin-hole arrays, Holovision^TM can capture and display information from the entire surface on an object, not just for certain points.  As an advantage over current methods of holographic imaging using rewritable media, the frame rate of Holovision^TM is not limited by the refresh rate of photosensitive material.   As an advantage over rotating volumetric displays, Holovision^TM avoids size and speed constraints due to inertial stress on larger spinning objects.  As an advantage over three-dimensional displays with image-wide rotating (or other non-linearly-moving) optical components, Holovision^TM allows individual angular control at the level of individual pixels for more precise creation of three-dimensional images.  As an advantage over devices with variable focal-length microlenses and micromirror arrays, creating different exit angles by rotational movement allows much more rapid and continuous angle-changing ability than creating different exit angles by inertia-fighting direction-reversing movement.  Also, Holovision^TM does not require coherent light.

There are a number of patented and patent-pending ways by which Holovision^TM may be operationalized.  Some ways provide only horizontal or vertical motion parallax.  Other ways provide full motion parallax.  All of them involve a matrix of moving display elements to guide light at the level of individual display elements (such as pixels).  The complexity of moving display elements at the level of individual pixels pushes the boundaries of current manufacturing technology.  However, with continued progress in miniaturization such as MEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems) and microscale optics, multiple methods of operationalizing Holovision^TM are likely within the next five years.  Three of the patented and patent-pending ways to operationalize Holovision^TM are: (1) using an array of spinning light-guiding microlenses (at the level of individual pixels) that spin around axes that are perpendicular to the screen surface; (2) using an array of rotating light-guiding columns (each column corresponding to a row or column of pixels) that rotate around axes that are parallel to the screen surface; and (3) using an array of spinning concentric hemispherical light guides that spin around axes that are perpendicular to the screen surface. 

Figure 3 shows an array of spinning light-guiding microlenses (at the level of individual pixels) that spin around axes that are perpendicular to the screen surface.  In this figure, the spinning microlenses have a circular cross-section and the lattice structure that holds them together is a honey-comb design.  The left side of Figure 3 shows this array from a frontal perspective looking directly at the angled spinning ends of the microlenses (perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the screen).  The right side of Figure 3 shows this array from an oblique side perspective. 

As each microlens rotates, it guides the ray of light from the associated pixel in a different direction, creating a cone of light over time that extends outward from the screen.  The interior of the cone of light can be filled by shifting the angle of the end of the microlens over time or by having different microlenses with different fixed angles and shifting the matrix array, one pixel at a time, over time.  With a solid cone of light rays at different angles with different content, for each pixel, one can create moving three-dimensional images with full motion parallax for multiple viewers without special glasses. The microlenses may be spun by micromechanical means such as microgears or microbelts.  Alternatively, the microlenses may be spun by interaction with an electromagnetic field.  In a variation on the latter, changes in the electromagnetic field may cause the microlenses to tilt as well as spin.  Tilting motion can be another way to fill the interior of the light cone.

Figure 4 shows another way to operationalize Holovision^TM.  This way involves using an array of rotating light-guiding columns (each column corresponding to a row or column of pixels) that rotate around axes that are parallel to the screen surface.  Specifically, this approach comprises: a plurality of longitudinal light-guiding members that rotate around their longitudinal axes; and a plurality of light-emitting members inside, or attached to, each longitudinal light-guiding member.  Light rays from the light-emitting members are guided through light-transmitting portions in the longitudinal light-guiding member so that the directions of these light rays change as the longitudinal light-guiding member rotates.  Further, changes in the content of light rays from the light-emitting members are coordinated with changes in the directions of these light rays so that different viewers in different positions all see appropriate three-dimensional images.

Figure 4 shows three sequential images of these rotating light-guiding columns.  The top image in Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of five rotating columns. There is a pixel-specific light element (such as an LED) at the rotational center of each column.   A full display screen would have hundreds or even thousands of such columns, one for each row or column of pixels.  The middle image in Figure 4 shown this same view of the five columns, but in a time sequence in which the columns have rotated, changing the angle of the rays of light that are viewed from the columns.  The bottom image in Figure 4 shows the same five columns again, with the rotation having continued further.  When the columns rotate with sufficient speed, persistence of vision by the human eye will cause a continuous image to be seen without flickering.  The ability to show different content from different angles from the same pixel enables binocular disparity and motion parallax.  With a single set of columns, as shown here, only horizontal or vertical motion parallax is possible.  Full motion parallax in all directions is not possible.  However, as elaborated in a pending Holovision^TM patent, full motion parallax may be achieved by adding a second layer of rotating light-guiding columns with axial orientations that are perpendicular to those of the first layer.

Figure 5 shows a variation of the rotating light-guiding columns that were introduced in Figure 4.  In this variation, the light sources (such as LEDs) are external to the rotating light-guiding columns.  Specifically, the approach shown in Figure 5 comprises a plurality of longitudinal display components. Each longitudinal display component includes: a plurality of light-emitting members; a light-reflecting structure reflecting light from the light-emitting members; and a rotating longitudinal light-guiding member.  The light-guiding member rotates around its longitudinal axis.  The light-guiding member contains one or more light-transmitting portions that guide light from light-emitting members through the longitudinal light-guiding member to exit the member in a certain direction.  This direction changes as the light-guiding member rotates.  Further, changes in the image content of light rays from the light-emitting members are coordinated with changes in the directions of these light rays so that different viewers in different positions all see appropriate three-dimensional images.

Figure 6 shows another way to operationalize Holovision^TM by using an array of spinning concentric hemispherical light guides that spin around axes that are perpendicular to the screen surface.  This approach includes an array of display elements, wherein at least one of these display elements includes: one or more light-emitting members; and two or more rotating concentric light guides whose rotation guides the directions of the light rays from the light-emitting members.   The upper portion of Figure 6 shows the hemispherical components of a display element, individually and then combined together in a concentric manner.  The lower portion of Figure 6 shows how these components, spinning in a concentric manner, can create a cone (or frustum) of light extending outward from the display element on a display screen.  Ultimately, there is one display element for each pixel in the image and the Holovision^TM screen in an array of spinning concentric hemispherical light guides. 

The upper left image in Figure 6 is a first concave hemisphere.  This first hemisphere is opaque except for a spiral opening that spans from the base of the hemisphere to its peak as it spirals around the perimeter of the hemisphere. This light guide has a shape that is concave, thereby defining an interior space.  A light-emitting member may be located within that interior space.  In this example, light from such a light-emitting member inside the light guide would be blocked by the opaque surface except for the spiral opening through which rays of light exit.  In another example, light rays may be guided by lenses that refract light in a desired direction or by mirrors that reflect light in a desired direction. 

When a light-emitting member is located within the interior space of this first hemisphere, then rotation of this hemisphere changes the latitudinal angle of the light rays exiting at a particular longitude.  Latitude in this context may be defined as the angle of a light ray exiting the hemisphere relative to the plane of the base circumference of the hemisphere.  In an example that includes an array of display elements that each contains a hemisphere, then latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements.  Longitude in this context may be defined as the rotational angle, or polar coordinate, of a light ray exiting the hemisphere relative to the rotational axis of the hemisphere.

The upper middle image in Figure 6 is a second concave hemisphere.  This second hemisphere is opaque except for a curved opening that spans in a direct arc along the surface of the guide from the base of the hemisphere to its peak.  This hemisphere has a shape that is concave, thereby defining an interior space.  A light-emitting member may be located within that interior space.  In this example, light rays from such a member would be guided by a surface that selectively blocks and allows the passage of light.   In other examples, light rays may be guided by a hemisphere with lenses that refract light or with mirrors that reflect light.

When a light-emitting member is located within the interior space of this second hemisphere, then rotation of this hemisphere changes the longitudinal angle of the light rays exiting the hemisphere, at a particular latitude.  Longitude in this context may be defined as the rotational angle, or polar coordinate, of a light ray exiting the hemisphere relative to the rotational axis of the hemisphere.  Latitude in this context may be defined as the angle of a light ray exiting the hemisphere relative to the plane of the base circumference of the hemisphere.  In an example with an array of display elements that each contains a hemisphere, then latitude may be defined as the angle of a light ray relative to the plane of the array of display elements. 

The upper right image in Figure 6 shows how the first and second hemispheres can be configured together in a concentric manner as part of a display element.  The first hemisphere, on the outside, is shown in wireframe (semi-transparent) manner to show how the two fit together and interact.  The second hemisphere, on the inside, is shown in a opaque manner.  This display element may serve as a pixel-level light source in an array of display elements for creating three-dimensional images.  In this example, the first hemisphere with a spiral opening is place around the second hemisphere with a direct arc opening.

The bottom image in Figure 6 shows the effects of the two hemispheres having been combined into a display element and spinning over time.  The light guiding functions of the two hemispheres are combined.  The first hemisphere guides exiting light rays in a latitudinal manner.  The second hemisphere guides exiting light rays in a longitudinal manner.  When these two hemispheres are combined in a concentric configuration, then light rays only exit at the latitudinal and longitudinal intersection of the openings of the two guides. 

By rotating the two hemispheres at different rates of speed, or in different rotational directions, one can direct exiting light rays to any desired latitudinal and longitudinal angle, or to any desired sequence of angles, in the space surrounding the concentric guides.  By differentially rotating the two hemispheres, such as in a defined ratio of rotational speeds like those between the minute and seconds hand of a clock, rotation of the two hemispheres can change the angles of light rays exiting the display element so that these light rays, over time, form a cone (or frustum) of light that expands outwardly from the display element towards viewers.  The bottom image in Figure 6 shows an example of a cone (or frustum) of light rays expanding outwardly from a display element that is comprised of two concentric hemispheres, rotating at different rates, with a light-emitting member inside them.

In this example, light rays from a pixel are guided through openings in the two spinning concentric hemispheres.  In alternative embodiments of Holovision^TM, light rays may be guided through lenses in two spinning concentric hemispheres.  In this example, there is one light source in each display element.  In alternative embodiments of Holovision^TM, there may be multiple light sources whose light rays are guided by multiple openings or lenses in spinning concentric hemispheres in each display element. 

Using rotating hemispheres to change the direction of light rays exiting a display element has advantages over currently-available methods of three dimensional display that use stationary multi-angle sub-pixel display elements.  With a display element based on stationary multi-angle sub-pixel display elements, there are limits to how many discrete light sources one can fit into a space the size of a pixel.  Also, there are barriers between the discrete sub-pixel light sources.  These constraints in current methods tend to cause a relatively low-resolution expanding cone (or frustum) of light, with choppy movement, and graininess due to the barriers between the sub-pixel light sources. In contrast, using rotating concentric hemispheres, as in this embodiment of Holovision^TM, allows smooth and continuous movement of the light rays as they fill in the cone (or frustum) of light over time.  Accordingly, Holovision^TM can offer higher-resolution, less-grainy, three-dimensional images than those offered by current methods based on stationary multi-angle sub-pixel display elements.

Holovision^TM may be applied to virtually any field in which three-dimensional moving display would be useful.  Potential applications include: 3D television and movies; 3D computer monitors; 3D computer gaming and virtual reality simulation; navigation and air traffic control;  medical imaging and computer-assisted surgery; 3D teleconferencing; new product design and development; 3D data analysis and manipulation; and telerobotics.