APPLE SEES 3D AND HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS AS NEXT FRONTIER

According to The Telegraph, Apple has recently been granted a patent for a system to produce 3D effects with the need for glasses. Apple's system uses a special screen dotted with tiny pixel-sized domes that deflect images taken from slightly different angles into the right and left eye of the viewer.

By presenting images taken from slightly different angles to the right and left eye, this creates a stereoscopic image that the brain interprets as three-dimensional. It could be used in computer monitors, televisions and cinema screens.

Apple also proposes using 3D imaging technology to track the movements of multiple viewers and the positions of their eyes so that the direction the image is deflected by the screen can be subtly adjusted to ensure the picture remains sharp and in 3D.

The patent claims this technology would also create images that appear to be holographic because of the ability to track the observers movements.
It states: "An exceptional aspect of the invention is that it can produce viewing experiences that are virtually indistinguishable from viewing a true hologram.
"Such a "pseudo-holographic" image is a direct result of the ability to track and respond to observer movements.

"By tracking movements of the eye locations of the observer, the left and right 3D sub-images are adjusted in response to the tracked eye movements to produce images that mimic a real hologram.

"The invention can accordingly continuously project a 3D image to the observer that recreates the actual viewing experience that the observer would have when moving in space around and in the vicinity of various virtual objects displayed therein. This is the same experiential viewing effect that is afforded by a hologram.

"It allows the observer, for example, to move around a virtual object and top observe multiple sides from different angles."

Most of the current technology requires viewers to where some type of special glasses to see the 3D effect. Apple's patent, however, has now raised speculation that the computer giant may be aiming to branch into the 3D domain by looking to abolish the need for glasses and even go further by offering the chance for holographic films.

Holographic movies, however, would require new filming techniques currently not being used by the movie industry to ensure actors are filmed from multiple angles.

Initially the holographic displays may be used for computers and the patent suggests a solution to allow users to walk around an object without ever having to go behind a screen.
It proposes using "holographic acceleration" – where the image moves faster relative to the observers' own movement so they would only need to walk in a small arc to see all the way around the holographic object.

Leander Kahney, a consumer technology expert and author of the Cult of Mac, said: "At present, Apple seems an unlikely company to get into the 3D TV business, which is struggling, but if Apple cracks the technology it could help make 3D the dominant display technology. It certainly does away with the biggest problem – the 3D glasses. [The Telegraph]