Abstract
A new approach for volumetric 3D display is introduced, which features new optical-mechanical mechanisms enabling creation of volumetric 3D images by successive projection of whole frames of 2D images. This new method projects a series of frames of profiling images, through an optical-mechanical image delivery system, onto a translucent screen which moves periodically and sweeps a space. As viewed from outside the space, the series of profiling images distributed in the space form a volumetric image because of the after-image effect of human eyes. Many viewers can walk around the space and see the image from omni-directions simultaneously without wearing any kind of glasses. Feasibility of this concept is demonstrated on two test displays, using rotating reflectors and moving lens as the image delivery mechanisms respectively. A LED projector and a slide projector with a high speed LCD shutter were used as the image source. Volumetric images of simple geometry and patterns are successfully generated and displayed on the test displays. Major technical issues involved in commercialization of volumetric displays based on this approach is discussed. Potential applications in medical displays, radar/sonar displays, computer aided design, and electronic games are expected.