APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE

Described herein is an apparatus for producing three-dimensional staic or moving images. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image generator and an optical device. The image generator generates a plurality of image elements including first and second image elements. In one embodiment the image elements constitute coherent beams of light encoded with image information, wherein the coherent beams of light are sequentially generated by one or more laser scanners of the image generator. The optical device receives the plurality of image elements on a first planar surface thereof and, in response, produces first output light rays and second output rays corresponding to the first and second image elements, respectively. The first and second output light rays, when seen by an observer, appear to originate from first and second common points, respectively. The first and second common points are spaced from each other and from the first planar surface. Moreover, the first and second common points are spaced from the first planar surface in a direction perpendicular to the first planar surface.