Apple patents glasses-less 3D projection

[Jbro]

It's not that much of a surprise that Apple thinks watching 3D content with plastic glasses is dumb.

And the company that's all about sleek, cool, and simple has actually been granted a patent on a method of projecting a 3D image that can be perceived properly without glasses.

The system would work like this: each pixel would be projected onto a reflective, textured surface, which is then bounced into a viewer's left and right eye separately, producing the 3D, or stereoscopic, effect. it would sense the locations of both eyes of the each viewer, so multiple people could watch from a variety of angles.

The goal of the technology they've cooked up is "inexpensive auto-stereoscopic 3D displays that allow the observer complete and unencumbered freedom of movement," according to the patent application the Patent Office granted yesterday. In other words, 3D displays should have no need for special glasses, and viewers shouldn't be limited by viewing angle, or be forced to sit and not move in order to see the 3D effect.

Interestingly, the patent breaks down why they think current offerings for glasses-free 3D aren't good enough, including parallax barrier, volumetric, and hologram.

more... http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20024309-260.html

[Darth Biscuit]

I'll have to see it to believe it... quality wise I mean.

[MCP]

I'll have to see it to believe it... quality wise I mean.

this

[Kevin Greene]

Of one thing we can be certain about Mr. Apple.

It will be expensive.

[Razzy]

Tech for this was patented awhile ago by Toshiba, in fact their 3D glasses-free TVs should be hitting production soon.

[Captroop]

Great, I might actually be able to see it now! I don't have binocular vision, so the glasses don't work for me.

[Chimera]

Nintendo has already had it for a while too.

Nintendo 3DS

[Dpantherman]

guess I won't own one until its been out for about 5 years. and then there will be something else out.

[Panthers128]

Just a matter of time until Apple starts acting like they invented 3d and that there 3d is entirely different than all other 3d.

[iamcline]

I'll wait until an LED 3D with no glasses or w/e is available then I'll buy. Not sitting around my house wearing big black glasses while watching TV. Just not happening.