Enhanced 3D Display

Enhanced 3D Display

Princeton Docket 13-2935-1

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a novel device that enhances the angular resolution available for 3D displays. Enhanced layered 3D is a low-cost method for increasing the fidelity of glasses-free 3D displays. This method allows for more variation of images to be experienced by multiple viewers. It enables advertisers to create lower cost and more varied 3D advertisements.  Princeton is seeking a commercialization partner to license this technology.

In the enhanced layered 3D display technology, the lens brings the far field from infinity to the focal length of the lens, replacing a theoretically infinite stack of layers with one of finite depth. For the same fidelity as in current displays, this addition results in much thinner devices. It differs from present technologies because it does not require glasses or expensive processes to construct a high spatial and angular resolution display. It solves the problem of viewing 3D images without glasses from a large number of viewpoints by allowing higher angular resolution. Current commercially available devices allow only two viewpoints, i.e., two eyes, and require the user to be at a specific range of distances.

Enhanced layered 3D  can be used in both static and dynamic 3D displays, producing a more pronounced 3D effect. In addition, it can be employed in patterned illumination for microscopy, permitting the patterning of a full 4D light field with high angular resolution.