An angular image of a scene may be displayed using a light field display. The light field display may comprise a plurality of projection units. Each of the projections units may comprise an imaging system and an optical system. The imaging system may illuminate pixels of a planar image of the scene. Light corresponding to each of the pixels may be directed towards the optical system. The optical system may comprise first and second lenses for redirecting each light beam corresponding to a pixel in different directions. In some embodiments the first and second lenses form a globe lens. A diffusion system may conceal the optical systems. Additionally, or alternatively, the diffusion system may produce a uniform distribution of light at a plurality of different viewing angles.

An angular image of a scene may be displayed using a light field display. The light field display may comprise a plurality of projection units. Each of the projections units may comprise an imaging system and an optical system. The imaging system may illuminate pixels of a planar image of the scene. Light corresponding to each of the pixels may be directed towards the optical system. The optical system may comprise first and second lenses for redirecting each light beam corresponding to a pixel in different directions. In some embodiments the first and second lenses form a globe lens. A diffusion system may conceal the optical systems. Additionally, or alternatively, the diffusion system may produce a uniform distribution of light at a plurality of different viewing angles.

A method of simulating volumetric 3D display, includes: acquiring a display variable of a virtual display screen in a volumetric 3D display simulation space, the virtual display screen comprising a plurality of stereo pixels, the display variable comprising a voxel parameter of the plurality of stereo pixels, and the voxel parameter comprising a size in a first direction of the plurality of stereo pixels, a size in a second direction of the plurality of stereo pixels, and a size in a third direction of the plurality of stereo pixels; determining a display state parameter of a first stereo pixel of the plurality of stereo pixels for an object to be displayed according to the display variable; and simulating display of the object to be displayed according to the display state parameter. A computer-readable storage medium and a volumetric 3D display simulation apparatus are further provided.

A method of simulating volumetric 3D display, includes: acquiring a display variable of a virtual display screen in a volumetric 3D display simulation space, the virtual display screen comprising a plurality of stereo pixels, the display variable comprising a voxel parameter of the plurality of stereo pixels, and the voxel parameter comprising a size in a first direction of the plurality of stereo pixels, a size in a second direction of the plurality of stereo pixels, and a size in a third direction of the plurality of stereo pixels; determining a display state parameter of a first stereo pixel of the plurality of stereo pixels for an object to be displayed according to the display variable; and simulating display of the object to be displayed according to the display state parameter. A computer-readable storage medium and a volumetric 3D display simulation apparatus are further provided.

An image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a plurality of display units. Each of the display units includes a screen on which an object image is formed; and a diffractive optical element that includes a first surface and a second surface that is situated opposite to the first surface, the diffractive optical element diffracting image light of the object image that enters the first surface, and causing the image light to exit the first surface, the diffractive optical element displaying a virtual image of the object image on a side of the second surface such that the virtual image is superimposed on a background. The diffractive optical elements of a plurality of the diffractive optical elements included in the display units are each arranged to at least partially surround a specified axis in a state in which the second surface faces the specified axis.

An image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a plurality of display units. Each of the display units includes a screen on which an object image is formed; and a diffractive optical element that includes a first surface and a second surface that is situated opposite to the first surface, the diffractive optical element diffracting image light of the object image that enters the first surface, and causing the image light to exit the first surface, the diffractive optical element displaying a virtual image of the object image on a side of the second surface such that the virtual image is superimposed on a background. The diffractive optical elements of a plurality of the diffractive optical elements included in the display units are each arranged to at least partially surround a specified axis in a state in which the second surface faces the specified axis.

A three-dimensional display system includes a first display and a second display spaced apart from the first display having one or more light sources configured to emit light and to illuminate the first display, where the first display is at least partially transparent such that the second display is visible through the first display. The three-dimensional display system includes a special effect system disposed at least in part between the first display and the second display and is configured to be activated to cause a special effect to be visible through the first display. The three-dimensional display system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first display, the second display, and the special effect system.

A system may comprise a selectively transparent projection device for projecting an image toward an eye of a viewer from a projection device position in space relative to the eye of the viewer, the projection device being capable of assuming a substantially transparent state when no image is projected; an occlusion mask device coupled to the projection device and configured to selectively block light traveling toward the eye from one or more positions opposite of the projection device from the eye of the viewer in an occluding pattern correlated with the image projected by the projection device; and a zone plate diffraction patterning device interposed between the eye of the viewer and the projection device and configured to cause light from the projection device to pass through a diffraction pattern having a selectable geometry as it travels to the eye.

A system may comprise a selectively transparent projection device for projecting an image toward an eye of a viewer from a projection device position in space relative to the eye of the viewer, the projection device being capable of assuming a substantially transparent state when no image is projected; an occlusion mask device coupled to the projection device and configured to selectively block light traveling toward the eye from one or more positions opposite of the projection device from the eye of the viewer in an occluding pattern correlated with the image projected by the projection device; and a zone plate diffraction patterning device interposed between the eye of the viewer and the projection device and configured to cause light from the projection device to pass through a diffraction pattern having a selectable geometry as it travels to the eye.

Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a scanning device for scanning one or more frames of image data. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to an image source to receive the image data. The system may further comprise a variable focus element (VFE) operatively coupled to the scanning device for focusing the one or more frames of image data on an intermediate image plane, wherein the intermediate image plane is aligned to one of a plurality of switchable screens. The plurality of switchable screens may spread light associated with the intermediate image plane to specific viewing distances. The system may also comprise viewing optics operatively coupled to the plurality of switchable screens to relay the one or more frames of image data.