News and Reviews....

    Apple Patents Glasses Free 3D    December 2010

Apple has been granted a patent for a projection system that can enable multiple viewers to simultaneously view 3D images without the need for 3D glasses. The patent as reported entitled "Three-dimensional display system (1), is very complex but its goal is simple: to provide "Highly effective, practical, efficient, uncomplicated, and inexpensive autostereoscopic 3D displays that allow the observer complete and unencumbered freedom of movement." 

Autostereoscopic is the standard term for the ability to present 3D content without the need for eyewear such as active shuttered or passive polarized glasses, as are used for most current 3D presentations.

Apples patent's solution is the first to tract the viewers' position and movement, and then use that information to guide the projection of pixels onto "a projection screen having a predetermined angularly-responsive reflective surface function." In other words, each projected pixel would be beamed onto a textured, reflective screen in such a way as to reflect into the eyes of each viewer at angles that seperate the image into left and right views, thus producing a 3D effect. As each viewer moves in relation to the screen, their individualized views would be captured by a tracking sensor, and that information would cause the projection angle to change for that viewer.

The patent also describes methods for allowing viewers to virtually interact with the display by manipulating 3D projections, in addition to what refers to as "Holographic Acceleration" meaning that the displayed image can move relative to the observer correspondingly faster than the observer's actual movement or displacement, with the level of acceleration determined by a selected factor.

Our Comment .....  This is the stuff of digital wizardry. This is however the fourth time 3D has been presented to the public. It has failed the last three times except for select theater events. We believe that 3D can make inroads, but will not be on a 50" plasma screen to survive, its costs have to be translated to front projection screens of 90" and larger. At this moment in time, projection companies are just wetting their toes in the possibilities and all are on the high $$ side. Two projector type systems seem to be the way of the future, although the Apple system is a single projector with a curved screen, the votes still have not come in on a finalists. I think we need (software) movies that truly take advantage of the process beyond the animation and computer generated types. More to come along, I am sure.

For other reading on the issue see:

Roger Ebert on 3D  Sept. 2010

Three D - The Formats   Apr. 2010

Three D - Where and When  Jan. 2010