Abstract: An optical projection system includes an image source that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180°. The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly and an image relay lens assembly that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly and a wavefront shaping lens assembly. The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels.

Abstract: A visual workstation for use by a viewer includes a dome having an open front end and a truncated spherical inner dome surface. A work surface is disposed in front of and adjacent the dome front end. The work surface defines a viewer area on a side of the work surface opposite the dome. The viewer area is sized and configured to receive the viewer and is positioned relative to the spherical inner dome surface such that the viewer, when located in the viewer area, may view the spherical inner dome surface. A projector is disposed between the viewer area and the dome. The projector is operative to project a truncated spherical projection onto the inner dome surface.

Abstract: A visual workstation for use by a viewer includes a dome having an open front end and a truncated spherical inner dome surface. A work surface is disposed in front of and adjacent the dome front end. The work surface defines a viewer area on a side of the work surface opposite the dome. The viewer area is sized and configured to receive the viewer and is positioned relative to the spherical inner dome surface such that the viewer, when located in the viewer area, may view the spherical inner dome surface. A projector is disposed between the viewer area and the dome. The projector is operative to project a truncated spherical projection onto the inner dome surface.

Abstract: Image data is converted to nonplanar image data for display on a nonplanar display, using a planar image graphics computer system, such as an OpenGL® system, which converts image data to planar image data for display on a planar display. A transformation matrix is obtained from the planar image graphics computer system. A plurality of vertices of the image data are multiplied by the obtained transformation matrix, to produce transformed image data. The transformed image data is nonplanarly distortion corrected to produce nonplanar image data. A passthrough transformation matrix, such as an identity matrix, is provided to the planar image graphics computer system. The nonplanar image data is then input to the planar image graphics computer system for further processing. The nonplanar image data which is processed by the planar image graphics computer system is then displayed on a nonplanar display.

Abstract: A visual workstation for use by a viewer includes a dome having an open front end and a truncated spherical inner dome surface. A work surface is disposed in front of and adjacent the dome front end. The work surface defines a viewer area on a side of the work surface opposite the dome. The viewer area is sized and configured to receive the viewer and is positioned relative to the spherical inner dome surface such that the viewer, when located in the viewer area, may view the spherical inner dome surface. A projector is disposed between the viewer area and the dome. The projector is operative to project a truncated spherical projection onto the inner dome surface.

Abstract: An optical projection system includes an image source that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180°. The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly and an image relay lens assembly that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly and a wavefront shaping lens assembly. The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels.

Abstract: A dual polarization optical projection system and method combines images from first and second image sources. The first image source includes a first array of image pixels wherein the first image source generates a first pixel image having a first polarization. The second image source includes a second array of image pixels wherein the second image source generates a second pixel image having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The first pixel image having the first polarization is combined with the second pixel image having the second polarization to form a combined pixel image. Each pixel of the combined pixel image corresponds to a combination of a first pixel from the first array of image pixels having the first polarization and a second pixel from the second array of image pixels having the second polarization.

Abstract: A dual polarization optical projection system and method combines images from first and second image sources. The first image source includes a first array of image pixels wherein the first image source generates a first pixel image having a first polarization. The second image source includes a second array of image pixels wherein the second image source generates a second pixel image having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The first pixel image having the first polarization is combined with the second pixel image having the second polarization to form a combined pixel image. Each pixel of the combined pixel image corresponds to a combination of a first pixel from the first array of image pixels having the first polarization and a second pixel from the second array of image pixels having the second polarization.

Abstract: A projection screen is formed from a plurality of translucent fabric panels joined along overlapping peripheral edge portions to produce a reflective, curved front screen surface. Overlapping peripheral edge portions extend outwardly from the back surface of the screen and are configured to be substantially less reflective than the front or projection surface of the screen. Accordingly, the visibility of seams between adjacent fabric panels to a viewer viewing images projected onto the screen is diminished.

Abstract: Image data is converted to nonplanar image data for display on a nonplanar display, using a planar image graphics computer system, such as an OpenGL.RTM. system, which converts image data to planar image data for display on a planar display. A transformation matrix is obtained from the planar image graphics computer system. A plurality of vertices of the image data are multiplied by the obtained transformation matrix, to produce transformed image data. The transformed image data is nonplanarly distortion corrected to produce nonplanar image data. A passthrough transformation matrix, such as an identity matrix, is provided to the planar image graphics computer system. The nonplanar image data is then input to the planar image graphics computer system for further processing. The nonplanar image data which is processed by the planar image graphics computer system is then displayed on a nonplanar display.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and methods for stabilization of ultrasonically generated nutrient fog. To eliminate the sensitivity to the humidity and temperature of the intake air, the fog is recirculated from the growth chamber to the fog-generating reservoir. The chamber and reservoir are connected by a fog supply conduit and a fog return conduit which form a fog circulation circuit. The recirculation eliminates the fog density dependence on intake air humidity and stabilizes the amount of nutrients used. To monitor the fog density, this invention provides an optical fog density detector that operates by measuring the absorbance of the fog. The density detector can be coupled with the fog generator so that the rate of fog generation is responsive to the measured fog density. The detector can be coupled with an alarm to signal fog generator malfunction. This invention also provides fog concentration stabilization by using a large ballast reservoir connected to a fog-generating reservoir.

Abstract: An array of image pixels is projected into a hemispherical projection having constant angular separation among adjacent image pixels, so that the array of image pixels may be projected onto hemispherical surfaces of varying radii without requiring spatial distortion correction of the array of image pixels. The array of pixels is preferably projected radially from the center of a dome onto a spherical inner surface of the dome. The hemispherical projection may be tilted so that the array of pixels is projected onto one of a plurality of selectable positions on the inner dome surface. The projection system preferably includes at least three collimating lenses having a common ratio of index of refraction to dispersion. The projection system projects an array of image pixels from the image source into a hemispherical surface at a projection angle of at least 160 degrees, notwithstanding that the lenses are separated from the image by a separation distance which is at least six times the image size.

Abstract: A multi-piece dome is constructed from a plurality of rigid panels and configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection on a truncated spherical inner surface. The inner view surface has a predetermined retroreflectivity. The multi-piece dome is lightweight, portable, self-supporting, and easily assembled, disassembled and transported from one location to another.