Expansion method of the three-dimensional viewing freedom of autostereoscopic 3D display with dynamic merged viewing zone (MVZ) under eye tracking

Abstract

We studied expansion method of the three-dimensional viewing freedom of autostereoscopic 3D display with dynamic MVZ under tracking of viewer’s eye. The dynamic MVZ technique can provide three dimensional images with minimized crosstalk when observer move at optimal viewing distance (OVD). In order to be extended to movement in the depth direction of the observer of this technology, it is provided a new pixel mapping method of the left eye and the right eye images at the time of the depth direction movement of the observer. When this pixel mapping method is applied to common autostereoscopic 3D display, the image of the 3D display as viewed from the observer position has the nonuniformed brightness distribution of a constant period in the horizontal direction depending on depth direction distance from OVD. It makes it difficult to provide a three-dimensional image of good quality to the observer who deviates from OVD. In this study, it is simulated brightness distribution formed by the proposed pixel mapping when it is moved in the depth direction away OVD and confirmed the characteristics with the captured photos of two cameras on observer position to simulated two eyes of viewer using a developed 3D display system. As a result, we found that observer can perceive 3D images of same quality as OVD position even when he moves away from it in the developed 3D display system.