Abstract: A display system is provided to surround a user with an out-the window scene. The system includes a screen structure that is a facetted back-projection dome made up of a polygonal polar top facet surrounded by trapezoidal facets angulated downward from it in an upper facet row. A middle row of facets extends angulated downward therefrom, and a lower row of trapezoidal facets extends down from them. Each facet has video projected thereon by a high definition projector, and to maximize resolution and efficiently use the projector output, the vertical height of each facet makes use of the full vertical field of pixels available from the associated projector. The facets are all tangent to a sphere about a design eyepoint of the dome. The projector resolutions and the size, position and material of the facets are such that the imagery visible on the inside of the dome on the facets is at resolution corresponding to a visual acuity of 20/50 or higher, preferably 20/20, and at or near eye-limiting resolution.

Abstract: A display system is provided to surround a user with an out-the window scene. The system includes a screen structure that is a facetted back-projection dome made up of a polygonal polar top facet surrounded by trapezoidal facets angulated downward from it in an upper facet row. A middle row of facets extends angulated downward therefrom, and a lower row of trapezoidal facets extends down from them. Each facet has video projected thereon by a high definition projector, and to maximize resolution and efficiently use the projector output, the vertical height of each facet makes use of the full vertical field of pixels available from the associated projector. The facets are all tangent to a sphere about a design eyepoint of the dome. The projector resolutions and the size, position and material of the facets are such that the imagery visible on the inside of the dome on the facets is at resolution corresponding to a visual acuity of 20/50 or higher, preferably 20/20, and at or near eye-limiting resolution.

Abstract: A projector system has an image display with at least two image display portions each displaying a respective image. At least two projection assemblies are provided, each associated with a respective image display portion. These projection assemblies each receive a respective image from the respective image display portion and project this image onto the projection screen. The projection assemblies each include a system for independently and selectively locating the projected image on the screen. The projection assembly includes a stationary mirror supported adjacent the image display portion receiving the image therefrom and reflecting said image outwardly from the image display to the movable mirror. Preferably, the stationary mirror has an upper end portion and a lower edge portion. The lower edge portion is adjacent the image display portion and the mirror extends obliquely upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A projector system has an image display with at least two image display portions each displaying a respective image. At least two projection assemblies are provided, each associated with a respective image display portion. These projection assemblies each receive a respective image from the respective image display portion and project this image onto the projection screen. The projection assemblies each include a system for independently and selectively locating the projected image on the screen. The projection assembly includes a stationary mirror supported adjacent the image display portion receiving the image therefrom and reflecting said image outwardly from the image display to the movable mirror. Preferably, the stationary mirror has an upper end portion and a lower edge portion. The lower edge portion is adjacent the image display portion and the mirror extends obliquely upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An off-axis backscreen visual display system with rotating backscreen and projector assembly. The system includes a full color projector for projecting the image beam, and a backscreen which redirects the image beam from the projector onto a collimating mirror. The mirror in turn reflects the beam toward the observer eye point. The backscreen and projector are mechanically integrated together to form an integrated assembly which is mounted for rotation about a pivot point. The collimating mirror is oversized relative to the nominal beam size so as to present mirror surface to the beam redirected by the backscreen through a range of rotation of the integrated assembly. An actuator system rotates the integrated assembly about the pivot point to obtain increase vertical field of view. The backscreen can alternatively be fixed in position, with only the projector assembly rotating.

Abstract: An optical system (10) has an image source (12), a first optical element (34), a second optical element (50), and an aperture stop (52). The first optical element (34) is positioned close to the image source (12) to generate anamophic field curvature of matching the display screen (16). The radiation is then directed to the second optical element (50) which corrects astigmatism of the radiation passing from the first optical element (34). The aperture stop (52) is provided adjacent to the second optical element (50). The system may be used in an infinite display optical system where the radiation would be directed through projector 14 to a screen (16). A mirror (18) is positioned to reflect the radiation from the screen (16) to provide an image to a viewer.

Abstract: The method for the fabrication of a curved back projection screen includes coating the screen before forming a sheet into the proper curvature. In one embodiment the sheet includes lenticulations to improve the perceived luminous intensity thereof. Through this method a back projection screen is provided that overcomes the manufacturing difficulties associated with previously known methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for ensuring that an image projected upon a visual display device is properly aligned with the viewing surface of the display device. Important to achieving the proper alignment is the use of a fluorescent ink which is visible only when illuminated under ultraviolet light. Use of the fluorescent ink allows a pattern of reference points, constituting an alignment pattern, to be permanently marked directly on the viewing surface of the visual display device, for example. Since the alignment pattern is permanently marked and is visible only when illuminated with ultraviolet light, alignment between the image and the display device can be immediately determined without the aid of additional equipment such as is employed by previously known image alignment systems.