as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0091708 Al
`
` Greene (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 9, 2009
`
`
`US 20090091708A1
`
`(54) PRESENTATION DEVICE FOR
`STEREOSCOPIC APPLICATIONS
`
`(52) US. CD. vec ccceeccneneneescneenesseecnenenenseneeesee 353/7
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Robert K. Greene, Los Alamos,
`NM (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`HUSCH BLACKWELL SANDERS LLP
`720 OLIVE STREET, SUITE 2400
`ST. LOUIS, MO 63101 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`.
`Filed:
`
`(22)
`
`LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL
`SECURITY, LLC, Los Alamos,
`NM (US)
`
`11/868,375
`
`Oct. 5, 2007
`too.
`.
`.
`Publication Classification
`
`The invention provides for a visual presentation device con-
`figured to control a single spot in a stereoscopic image envi-
`ronment. The present invention comprises a light source
`assembly configured to provide a plurality of visible light
`beams for pointing the visible light beams at an object; a
`liquid crystal cell assembly including a pair of optical shut-
`ters, the liquid crystal cell assembly selectively transmitting
`fields of a field sequential image in responseto a drive signal
`wherein each ofthe visible light beams emitted from the light
`source assembly passes through a respective optical shutter; a
`receiver mounted adjacentthe liquid crystal cell assembly for
`receiving a synchronization signal; and a drive module
`coupledto the liquid crystal cell assembly andthe receiver for
`yenerating the dive signal inresponse tothe synchronization
`signal and supplying the drive signal to the liquid crystal cell
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G03B 21/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`assembly.
`
`APPLE 1028
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`US 2009/0091708 Al
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`Apr. 9, 2009
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`PRESENTATION DEVICE FOR
`STEREOSCOPIC APPLICATIONS
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL RIGHTS
`
`[0001] This invention was made with governmentsupport
`under Contract No. DE-AC52-06NA25396 awarded by the
`US. Department of Energy. The government has certain
`rights in the invention.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`highlight items of interest during a presentation. A presenter
`in a 3D visualization facility will often point out features of
`interest with a conventionallaserpointer, but the conventional
`laser pointer makes a single spot on the display surface, and
`audience members find it difficult to recognize the object of
`interest to the presenter.
`[0010] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide
`an improved presentation device that acts upon the synch-
`signal as do the shuttering glasses, and displays two time-
`sliced beamsthat are synchronized with each image of the
`stereo-pair being displayed. The presentation device may also
`haveacontroller allowing an operatorto interactively vary the
`[0002]
`1. Field of the Invention
`divergence of the two beamsin orderto fine-tune the separa-
`[0003] The present invention is related to visual displays,
`tion of two spots where the beamshit the display surface so
`and, more particularly to a presentation device capable of
`that the apparent spot appears with proper separation (paral-
`being used at remote locations in conjunction with stereo-
`lax) and appears (to the presenter and members of the audi-
`scopic environments.
`ence) to be on the object ofinterest.
`[0004]
`2. Background of Invention
`[0011]
`Further objectives and advantages of the present
`[0005]
`For the human visual system, due to the independent
`invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a
`visual system for the right eye and the left eye, the image
`detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate
`capturedby theright eye is different from the one captured by
`reference to accompanying drawings.
`the left eye. Therefore, humans can merge these individual
`images (parallax images) together and obtain a vision with
`depth perception. The key to 3D displays is a mechanism to
`present the left and right images to the corresponding eyes
`without crosstalk.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is a general object of the present invention to
`[0012]
`provide a presentation device configured to control the appar-
`Stereoscopic imaging systems have been employed
`[0006]
`ent single spot in the stereoscopic environments in which the
`to give a three-dimensional appearance to field sequential
`above-described disadvantage is eliminated or reduced. The
`images displayed on a video display screen. One form of
`presenter and audience members (who wear the shutter
`three-dimensional appearance is created by active stereo-
`glasses) see an apparentsingle laser-spotfloating in 3D-space
`scopic glasses that switch between opaque and transmissive
`on the object that the presenter has selected. The device would
`optical states to alternately transmit to a viewer left- and
`operate independently ofthe graphic system and thus have no
`right-eye views of a stereoscopic image that is sequentially
`impact on performance. A morespecific object of the present
`displayed on the screen. The viewer fuses the separate left-
`inventionis to provide a laser pointer capable ofbeing used at
`and right-eye images into a single stereoscopic image. A
`remote locations in conjunction with stereoscopic environ-
`maximum contrast ratio can be achieved by providing maxi-
`ments. The presentation device comprises a light source
`mum output light extinction in the opaquestate to block an
`assembly configured to provide a plurality of visible light
`imageto the viewer’s eye and maximumlight transmission in
`beams for pointing the visible light beams at an object; a
`the transmissive state to convey an imageto the viewer’s eyes.
`liquid crystal cell assembly includingapair of optical shut-
`[0007] The field-sequential stereoscopic display outputs a
`ters, the liquid crystal cell assembly selectively transmitting
`right image andaleft image sequentially, and theleft eye and
`fields of a field sequential image in responseto a drive signal
`the right eye ofthe stereoscope are shut synchronized with the
`wherein each ofthe visible light beams emitted from the light
`right image andthe left image. If the switching betweenleft
`source assembly passes through a respective optical shutter; a
`and right eyes is fast enough that human eyes cannot distin-
`receiver mounted adjacentthe liquid crystal cell assembly for
`guish the change of switching, then the appearanceofstereo
`receiving a synchronization signal; a drive module coupled to
`is generated. In addition, for generating ideal feeling ofste-
`the liquid crystal cell assembly andthereceiver for generating
`reoscopy, the switching between left and right eyes of the
`the drive signal in response to the synchronization signal and
`stereoscope should be synchronized with the left image and
`supplyingthe drive signalto the liquid crystal cell assembly;
`right image onthe screen.
`and a user-operable switch havinga first state configured to
`[0008] A shutter type of liquid crystal shutter glasses (here-
`select operation of the light source assembly. The laser
`inafter referred to as shutter glasses) is useful for 3D stereo
`pointer also comprises means for movably adjusting relative
`viewing. The shutter glasses do not shutter the left eye and
`positions of emitting points of the visible light beams with
`right eye by any mechanical shuttering, but shutter by alter-
`respect to one another and means for movably adjusting rela-
`nately electrically activating an electronic shuttering. One
`tive convergence angle ofthe emitted visible light beams with
`form of glasses has high-speed electronic shutters that open
`respect to one another.
`and close in syne with the images on the display. Liquid
`[0013] Another aspect ofthe present inventionis to provide
`crystals are used for the shutters because an electronic signal
`a methodincludingthesteps of: providing a liquid crystal cell
`can make the crystal
`turn instantly from transparent
`to
`assembly includingat least two liquid crystal lenses wherein
`opaque.
`the liquid crystal cell assembly selectively transmits fields of
`For presentations, a presenter typically will use a
`[0009]
`a field sequential imagein responseto a drive signal; emitting
`laser pointer to point to a presentation item. The conventional
`at least two visible light beams from at least two separate and
`laser pointer includes a low powerlaserthat allows the user to
`spaced points, for pointing the visible light beam at an object
`shine a concentrated light beam on a specific spot on a pre-
`wherein each ofthe visible light beams emitted from the light
`sentation item of interest. The conventional portable laser
`source assembly passes through a respective liquid crystal
`pointer is most commonly usedto project a pointoflight to
`lens; receiving a synchronization signal; and generating a
`
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`ment. The laser pointer element includes a laser pointer lens
`and a laser pointer switch button. The secondportion of the
`presentation device includes a second presentation element.
`The secondpresentation element maybe an electronic control
`device. The pointing device element includes one or more
`pointing device buttons and thumb wheel assembly. Thefirst
`portion and the second portion generally form a unitary con-
`figuration or article (e.g., an apparatus). In one embodiment,
`the first portion and the second portion maybe, for example,
`physically separate housings. The physically separate por-
`tions may be configured to release and re-attach to one
`another. In yet another embodiment,thefirst portion and the
`second portion maybe, for example, a single or unitary hous-
`ing having a first and a second logical portion within the
`housing.
`Thefirst embodimentof the universal presentation
`[0024]
`device may have a substantially cylindrical-shaped configu-
`ration, a bar shaped configuration, an elongated barrel shaped
`configuration,ora variety ofother geometrical configurations
`that are capable ofhousingatleast a laser pointer element and
`a pointing device element. Those ofskill in the art will rec-
`ognize that the shape of the presentation device can be ergo-
`nomically suited to the human handsuch that the device is
`easy to hold and readily usable.
`[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawing.
`FIG. 1 pictorially represents the transmitting location at
`which an individual 130 acts as a presenter with which the
`presentation device 100 of this invention is utilized. At each
`the transmitting and receiving locations, respectively, a
`screen 110 is set up in its proper relationship with audiences
`with optical shutters for viewing three-dimensional stereo-
`scopic images displayed on the screen 110. LCD shutter
`glasses 140 implicate audiences who wearthe optical shutter
`glasses. In addition, a stereoscopic projector 120 is utilized
`with screen 110 for projecting stereoscopic images onto the
`screen 110.
`
`drive signal in response to the synchronization signal and
`supplying the drive signal to the liquid crystal lenses.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] These and other features, aspects and advantages of
`the present invention will become better understood with
`regard to the following description, appended claims and
`accompanying drawings where:
`[0015]
`FIG.1 is a pictorial representation of the presenta-
`tion device of this invention positioned at the transmitting
`location and utilized in conjunction with a stereoscopic pre-
`sentation in accordance with an embodimentof the present
`invention;
`[0016]
`FIG.2 illustrates the signals ofthe stereo orientation
`control in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`[0017]
`FIG. 3A isa block diagram ofa presentation device
`in accordance with an embodimentofthe present invention.
`[0018]
`FIG. 3B illustrates an outer configuration of a pre-
`sentation device in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`[0019]
`FIGS. 4A and 4Bare diagrams showing horizontal
`laser tracks according to relative divergence or convergence
`angle of emitted visible light beams with respect to one
`another in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`It should be understood that the drawings are not
`[0020]
`necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes
`illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic
`representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances,
`details which are not necessary for an understanding of the
`present invention or which render other details difficult to
`perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of
`course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the
`particular embodimentsillustrated herein. Like numbersuti-
`lized throughout the various figures designate like or similar
`parts.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a field-sequential stereo display
`[0026]
`with the shuttering states for the shutter glasses 140. The
`screen 110 displays in a way following the sequenceasleft
`image, right image,left image, ... , meanwhile the right eye
`and left eye of the shutter glasses 140 are shut alternately and
`Preferred embodimentsofthe present invention will
`[0021]
`successively by a synchronizing signal
`transmitted to a
`be described below with reference to the accompanying
`receiver 145. Therefore, viewers wearing the shutter glasses
`drawings.
`140 can see the left image with the left eye and can see the
`[0022] As used in this application, the terms “module” and
`“unit” are intendedto refer to, but are not limited to, a soft-
`right image with the right eye to perceive 3D depth. A liquid
`crystal shutter system selects fields of a field-sequential ste-
`ware or hardware component, which performscertain tasks.
`reoscopic image, and a corresponding pulse width encoded
`A module or component may advantageously be configured
`synchronization signal is transmittedto a liquid crystal shut-
`to reside on the addressable storage medium and configured
`ter assembly. A drive signal is generated in response to the
`to execute on one or more processors. Thus, a module or
`transmitted synchronization signal, and the drive signal is
`component may include, by way of example, components,
`supplied to the liquid crystal shutter assembly to selectfields
`such as software components, object-oriented software com-
`ofthe transmitted image. LCD shutter glasses 140 are glasses
`ponents, class components and task components, processes,
`used in conjunction with computers to create the illusion of a
`functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of
`three dimensional image, an example of stereoscopy. Glass
`program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data,
`containing liquid crystal and a polarizingfilter has the prop-
`databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The
`erty that it becomes dark when voltage is applied, but other-
`functionality provided for in the components and modules
`wise is transparent.
`may be combined into fewer components and modules or
`further separated into additional components and modules.
`[0027] References hereinafter with respect to terms such as
`[0023] The present invention maybe described through the
`“left” and “right” shall be made from the perspective of a user
`
`exemplary illustrations set forth in FIGS. 1 through 4.Afirst having a presentation device. FIG. 2 showsthe timing chart
`embodiment of the presentation invention includes a first
`for the shuttering signals of the shutter glasses. The image
`portion and a secondportion. The first portion of the presen-
`system generates a synchronizing signal for each image
`tation device includes a first presentation element,
`for
`frame. Typical shutter glasses generate shuttering signals
`example, a light source element such as a laser pointer ele-
`according to synchronizing signal 210. As being shown in
`
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`FIG. 2, when a left eye imageis displayed on the screen, the
`shuttering signal of the right lensis at high level, and the right
`lens of the shutter glasses is shuttered and opaquebyactivat-
`ing LCD. At the sametime, the shuttering signal of the left
`lens is at low level, and the left lens of the shutter glasses is
`transparent so that a viewer can see the left image with only
`the left eye. Then, when a right eye imageis displayed on the
`screen,the shuttering signalofthe righteyeis at low level, and
`the right lens of the shutter glasses is transparent so that a
`viewercan see the right image. At the sametime,the shutter-
`ing signal ofleft eye is at high level, and the left eye of the
`shutter glasses is shuttered and opaque. Consequently, by
`alternately applying shuttering signals to the shutter glasses
`lenses and displaying individual eye images on the screen,the
`apparent 3D imagescan be generated.
`[0028]
`FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate structures of the presen-
`tation device 100. The presentation device 100 of the present
`invention comprises an externalshell body 300, which houses
`aset oftwoparallel LCD shutter lenses 325, 327 which permit
`two coherentlight beams suchaslaser beams 305, 307to pass
`therethrough. The beams 305, 307 shine through the shutter
`lenses 325, 327. In one embodiment, two channels (not
`shown) are provided in the path of the two projected laser
`beams, right beam 305 and left beam 307, emanated from the
`respective light sources 340. The two LCD shutter lenses,
`right lens 325 and left lens 327, are provided in the front
`portion of the external shell body 300. The twolight sources
`340 are properly separated in order to work with the shutter
`lenses 325, 327. Those ofskill in the art will recognize that
`two light beams can be generated with onelight source and
`the generated beam can be split into two separate light beams.
`A laser beam generating unit 330 is showninthe rear portion
`of the shell body 300. The laser beam generating device 330,
`whichis readily available and is a knownart in the commer-
`cial market, comprises one or more laser beam modules, a
`microcontroller unit (MCU) 350, and an electric power
`source 360. The MCU 350 electrically couples with the drive
`module 380, the switch 365, the shutter lenses 325, 327 and
`the adjusting module 390. The MCU 350 also communica-
`tively couples with a stereoscopic image generator 120 of
`FIG.1 through a wired or wireless transmission. The wireless
`transmission includes RF or infrared (IR) transmission.
`Thoseof skill in the art will recognize other types of wireless
`transmission for the synchronization signal. The RF unit 370
`is aconventional radio frequency receiver that communicates
`through radio frequency transmission with the stereoscopic
`image generator 120 having an RF transmitter (not shown).
`[0029] The power source 360 is a conventional power
`source unit that provides direct current or alternate current
`power. For example, the powersource 360 may include one or
`more 1.5-volt battery power cells or a 9-volt battery power
`cell.
`
`[0030] With regard to the laser pointer element, the light
`sources 340 electrically couple with the switch 365 operated
`by aswitch button 367. The switch 365 couples with the laser
`pointer switch button (not shown). Thelaser switch 365 elec-
`trically couples the light sources 340 with the power source
`360 when the laser beam modules is in an on state, and
`decouples the light sources 340 from the power source 360
`whenthe laser beam modulesis in an off state. In one embodi-
`
`ment, the light sources 340 are conventional laser units that
`include a conventional laser diode. When the light sources
`340 are in an onstate, the laser diode generatesa visible light
`beam (or laser beam) that is emitted through the LCD shutter
`
`lenses 325, 327. This visible light beam may be shined on an
`object to point to that object or to an apparent object in 3D
`space.
`
`[0031] Two liquid crystal lenses 325, 327 are mounted in
`each lens socket of the shell body 300. The liquid crystal
`lenses 325, 327 are driven by drive signals. Each laser beam
`305, 307 is emitted from the respective light source 340, and
`each passes through the respective channel (not shown) and
`then the respective LCD shutter lens 325, 327. Therightlaser
`beam 305 selectively passes through the right LCD shutter
`lens 325 and the left
`laser beam 307 selectively passes
`through the left LCD shutter lens 327. Referring to FIG.1, the
`screen 110 displays in a way following the sequenceasleft
`image, right image, left image,
`.
`.
`.
`, meanwhile the right
`shutter lens 325 and the left shutter lens 327 are shut alter-
`
`nately and successively by a synchronizing signal. Therefore,
`the right and left beams 305, 307 cannot pass through the
`respective rightor left shutter lens 325, 327 wheneverthey are
`shut alternatively corresponding to a synchronization signal.
`The MCU 350 electrically couples with the shutter lenses
`325, 327 so thatit alternately shuts the left and right lenses
`325, 327 matchingthe left light spot to the left stereoscopic
`imageandthe right light spot to the right stereoscopic image
`on the screen. The receiver 370 receives syne information
`broadcast by transmitter (not shown) anduses this sync infor-
`mation to synchronize the drive signals supplied from drive
`module 380 to the shutter lenses 325, 327, so that the shutter
`lenses 325, 327 switch in synchronization with the displayed
`imagefield rate. The shutter lenses 325, 327 do not require
`large liquid crystal panels for switching the polarization of
`polarized light at field rate. It will be apparent to one of
`ordinary skill in theart of electrical drive circuit design how
`to construct a circuit capable of producing a drive signal for
`driving oneofthe shutters. In one embodiment, the synchro-
`nization signals are encoded in accordance with a pulse width
`modulation scheme, before they are transmitted from trans-
`mitter (not shown) ofthe stereoscopic image generator 120 to
`the receiver 370. Finally the light beams 305, 307 are pro-
`jected outwardly to create a single apparent spot on the ste-
`reoscopic images.
`[0032] The twolight sources 340 are each pivotally move-
`able in order to enable the operatorto adjust the divergence of
`the beamsto control the separation ofthe spots on the display
`surface, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In one embodiment,
`the adjusting module 390 can allow the light sources 340 to
`movehorizontally, relative to each other. Referring to FIG.
`3B, the operator can control these movements as with a thumb
`wheel 393. The thumb wheel 393 is rotatably mounted to
`project above the exterior surface of the shell body 300.
`Rotating the thumb wheel 393, which is electrically coupled
`with the adjusting module 390, causes a pivotal or horizontal
`movementof the light sources 340. Pivotal adjustment pref-
`erably includes a thumb wheel 393, a stop (not shown), anda
`drive membersuch as a screw (not shown). Twolight sources
`340 are pivotally mounted in spaced relationship. The light
`sources 340 have associated axes ofprojection. A drive mem-
`beris providedto effect relative movement between the axes
`of the light sources 340. Stop means, which may have a
`variety of forms by which to limit movement of the drive
`member, is provided so the drive memberhas limited move-
`ment. Other adjusting means also may be used. To adjust the
`divergence or convergence angle, a user turns the thumb
`wheel 393. The movement ofthe thumb wheel 393 causes the
`
`stop meansto transition along the screw. In another embodi-
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`ment, these adjustments can be controlled in mechanical
`manners. As a result of the pivotal adjustment, spacing
`betweentheleft spot to left stereoscopic image andthe right
`spot to right stereoscopic image is changedso that illusory
`spot created by the matched right and left spots points at a
`different user selected location on a selected three dimen-
`
`sional virtual object of the three-dimensional stereoscopic
`image. The user can point at a location having a different
`depth on the three dimensional virtual object of the stereo-
`scopic image by adjusting the divergence or convergence
`angle between the beamsfrom the rightandleft light sources
`340.
`
`[0033] Although a preferred embodimentof the present
`invention has been described, anyoneof ordinary skill in the
`art to which the invention pertains should be able to under-
`stand that a very large numberof permutations are possible
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
`invention, which shall only be defined by the claims appended
`below.
`
`[0034] Thus, there has been shown and described several
`embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the
`foregoing description, certain aspects ofthe present invention
`are not limited by the particular details of the examples illus-
`trated herein, andit is therefore contemplatedthat other modi-
`fications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur
`to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including”
`and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are
`used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as
`“required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and
`other uses and applications of the present construction will,
`however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after
`considering the specification and the accompanying draw-
`ings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other
`uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and
`scope ofthe invention are deemed to be coveredby the inven-
`tion which is limited only by the claims which follow. The
`scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
`embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full
`scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an
`element in the singularis not intended to mean “one and only
`one”unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”
`
`Whatis claimed is:
`
`3. The presentation device of claim 1, further comprising
`means for movably adjusting relative divergence or conver-
`gence angle ofsaid emitted visible light beamswith respect to
`one another.
`
`4. The presentation device of claim 1, wherein each said
`optical shutter has an optically-transparent state and an opti-
`cally-opaque state whichstate is selected by said drive signal.
`5. The presentation device of claim 1, wherein each said
`optical shutter includes an LCD optical shutter.
`6. The presentation device of claim 1, wherein said visible
`light beamsare laser beams.
`7. The presentation device of claim 1, wherein said user-
`operable switch has a second state configured to select opera-
`tion of a single visible light beam for use with a two-dimen-
`sional image presentation.
`8. The presentation device of claim 1, wherein said object
`is a projected image.
`9. The presentation device of claim 1, wherein said emitted
`beamspointat user selected location on a selected volumetric
`virtual imageofsaid object.
`10. A presentation device comprising:
`two light sources, each of the two light sources being
`configured to provide a visible light beam and operable
`for pointing a respective visible light beam at an object;
`twoliquid crystal shuttering lenses, each ofthe liquid crys-
`tal shuttering lenses being operable to selectively trans-
`mit fields of a field sequential image in response to a
`drive signal wherein each of the visible light beams
`selectively passing through a respective said liquid crys-
`tal shuttering lens;
`a receiver for receiving a synchronization signal;
`a drive module coupled to said two liquid crystal shuttering
`lenses andthe receiver, for generating the drive signal in
`responseto the synchronization signal and supplying the
`drive signalto said liquid crystal shuttering lenses; and
`a user-operable switch having a first state configured to
`select operation of said light sources.
`11. The presentation device ofclaim 10, further comprising
`means for movably adjusting relative positions of emitting
`points ofsaid visible light beams with respect to one another.
`12. The presentation device ofclaim 10, further comprising
`means for movably adjusting relative divergence or conver-
`gence angle ofsaid emitted visible light beamswith respect to
`one another.
`
`1. A presentation device comprising:
`alight source assembly configured to provide a plurality of
`13. The presentation device of claim 10, wherein each said
`visible light beamsfor pointingthe visible light beamsat
`twoliquid crystal shuttering lenses has an optically-transpar-
`an object;
`ent state and an optically-opaque state whichstate is selected
`aplurality of optical shutters operable to selectively trans-
`bysaid drive signal.
`mit fields of a field sequential image in response to a
`14. The presentation device of claim 10, wherein said vis-
`drive signal wherein each of the visible light beams
`ible light beamsare laser beams.
`emitted from said light source assembly passes through
`15. The presentation device of claim 10, wherein said user-
`a respective said optical shutter;
`operable switch has a second state configured to select opera-
`a receiver for receiving a synchronization signal;
`tion of a single visible light beam for use with a two-dimen-
`sional image presentation.
`a drive module coupled to said optical shutters and the
`receiver, for generating the drive signal in response to
`16. The presentation device of claim 10, wherein said
`the synchronization signal and supplying the drivesig-
`object is a projected image.
`nal to the optical shutters; and
`17. The presentation device of claim 10, wherein said emit-
`a user-operable switch havingafirst state configured to
`ted beams point at user selected location on a selected volu-
`select operation of said light source assembly.
`metric virtual imageof said object.
`2. The presentation device of claim 1, further comprising
`18. The presentation device ofclaim 10, further comprising
`means for movably adjusting relative positions of emitting
`a stereoscopic projector wherein the stereoscopic projector
`points ofsaid visible light beams with respect to one another.
`displays stereoscopic images.
`10
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`10
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`

`

`US 2009/0091708 Al
`
`Apr. 9, 2009
`
`19. A methodfor optically positioning a three-dimensional
`imagefor a theatrical viewing audience, the method compris-
`ing:
`providing optical shutters wherein the optical shutters
`selectively transmitfields of a field sequential image in
`responseto a drive signal;
`emitting at least two visible light beams from at least two
`separate and spaced points, for pointing the visible light
`beams at an object wherein each of the visible light
`beams emitted from a light source passing through a
`respective said optical shutter;
`receiving a synchronization signal; and
`generating a drive signal in response to the synchronization
`signal and supplying the drive signal to said optical
`shutters.
`20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
`producing at least one stereoscopic image using a three
`dimensional
`image generating system, wherein the
`
`emitted beam points at user selected location on a
`selected volumetric virtual object of said three dimen-
`sional image.
`21. The method of claim 19, further comprising movably
`adjusting relative positions of emitting points of said visible
`light beams with respect to one another.
`22. The method of claim 19, further comprising movably
`adjusting relative divergence or convergence angle of said
`emitted visible light beams with respect to one another.
`23. The method of claim 19, wherein each said optical
`shutter has either an optically transparentstate or an optically
`opaque state which is selected by said drive signal.
`24. The method of claim 19, wherein each said optical
`shutter is an LCD optical shutter.
`25. The method of claim 19, wherein said visible light
`beamsare laser beams.
`
`uf
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`uf
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`11
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`11
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