Parallel Optics in Waveguide Displays: A Flat Panel Autostereoscopic Display

In order to demonstrate the Wedge as a parallel optic we have built a flat panel multi-projector autostereoscopic 3D display. The bulk, otherwise inherent in such displays, has been eliminated by use of a wedge-shaped light-guide. Two 280-mm (11") diagonal VGA resolution views were formed on a 406-mm (16") diagonal screen by pointing a pair of LED-illuminated pico-projectors measuring 115 X 50 X 22 mm into the 20-mm thick input face of a 710-mm long acrylic wedge. Distortions introduced by the Wedge were reduced to less than 2% by predistortion algorithms and distortion between views was less than 0.4%. Between the projectors was placed an infrared camera which imaged objects placed directly in front of the 3D screen.