MIT develops glasses-free 3D displays which saves power, widens viewing angle

The idea

3D viewing is associated with a special glass which assists the viewer to get the 3D feel; but not anymore. Advanced research by engineers at MIT have resulted in the development of glass free 3D viewing called HR3D without compromising the resolution or brightness and improved battery life. The new technology improves the viewing angle and would provide 3D effect even when the screen is rotated – a phenomenon commonly associated with hand held devices.

mis 3d

The 3DS relies on an old technology called parallax barrier and requires two versions of the same image: one for the left eye and one for the right. Researchers argue that a convincing simulation of 3D visual experience would require about a dozen of different perspectives as the viewer moves from right to left. But the technology of 3D inhibits the light emission of each new perspective.

Brainchild

A team of researchers at the MIT’s media lab, including Associate Professor Ramesh Raskar, Postdoc Doug Lanman, postdoc Yun Hee Kim and graduate student Matthew Hirsch, decided to reconsider the whole concept of 3DS. The outcome of their research is the improved HR3D or High Rank 3D Display which boasts of better battery life than devices like the 3DS.

The making

During research, two Viewsonic VX2265wm 120Hz LCD panels were disassembled. The front panel was completely disassembled, while the difficult part was to remove the polarizing films from the LCD glass. Since HR3D requires two versions of the same image, the two images are sliced in to vertical segments and inserted on a single surface. This image will look like an incoherent jumble for plain eyes, but when used as parallax barrier and adjusted the distance, the 3D image becomes clearly visible. The parallax barrier makes the 3D image visible for the eyes and blocks parts of the image intended for the right eye from the left eye and vice-versa.

What’s new?

HR3D, a new approach to 3D displays, provides 3D effect like any other 3D devices but without compromising screen resolution and brightness. With a battery life almost double that of other 3D devices, HR3D can expand the viewing angle of a 3D screen. HR3D provides superior viewing as it widens viewing angle. This adaption can be tuned to have brightness, image quality spatial locations of viewers and the interest of the content creator.

What’s refreshing?

The top LCD displays a pattern customized to the image beneath it. HR3D will enhance the battery life as the parallax barrier blocks less light. The effect would be consistent irrespective of the device’s orientation. The advantage of HR3D comes with full parallax motion, a display that shows multiple perspectives in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

Application

HR3D, the auto-multiscopic display system allows 3D viewing without a special glass, which is a common feature in LCD panels and 3D TV’s.

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