Compensation of image distortion in Fresnel lens-based 3D projection display system using a curved screen

As an approach for a 3D real image display system without special glasses, a Fresnel lens-based 3D rear-projection display system is implemented. In this display system, the conventional 2D video image is projected into the air through some projection optics, a screen and a pair of Fresnel lens and as a result, it can form a floating video image having a real depth. But in the conventional floating display system some image distortions might be occurred in the floating image plane, in which a flat screen has been mostly used for providing an adequate input image plane. In this paper, as a new approach to alleviate this image distortion problem, a Fresnel lens-based floating display system employing a curved screen is suggested and some computer simulations and practical experiments are carried out. That is, optimum design parameters of a curved screen for reducing image distortion is found out through some computer simulation using an optics design program of Light Tools and its performance in the floating system is experimentally verified and compared with those of the flat screen. Experimental results with a curved screen shows some decrease of image distortion in the floating image plane by comparing with that of the flat screen. This feasibility test suggests a possibility of implementation of a new Fresnel lens-based 3D projection display system with improved image distortion using a curved screen.