3D high dynamic range display system

Abstract

This paper introduces a new high dynamic range (HDR) display system that generates a physical 3D HDR image without using stereoscopic methods. To boost contrast beyond that obtained using either a hardcopy or a projector, we employ a multiprojection system to superimpose images onto a textured solid hardcopy that is output by a 3D printer or a rapid prototyping machine. We introduce two basic techniques for our 3D HDR display. The first technique computes an optimal placement of projectors so that projected images cover the hardcopy's entire surface while maximizing image quality. The second technique allows a user to place the projectors near the computed optimal position by projecting from each projector images that act as visual guides. Through proof-of-concept experiments, we were able to modulate luminance and chrominance with a registration error of less than 3 mm. The physical contrast ratio obtained using our method was approximately 5,000:1, while it was 5:1 in the case of viewing the 3D printout under environmental light and 1,000:1 in the case of using the projectors to project the image on regular screens.