Abstract: Method and apparatus incorporates relaying (22) and collecting lens (24) to gather, direct and enlarge three-dimensional light images reflected from an array of interleaved and/or plastic-based micromirrors (10).

Abstract: A liquid crystal adaptive lens (LCAL) includes a reference plate, a liquid crystal layer disposed in electrical communication with the reference plate, and a plurality of closed-loop electrodes disposed in electrical communication with the liquid crystal layer. The closed-loop electrodes are adapted to receive a variable control voltage such that the refractive index of at least a portion of the liquid crystal layer is adjustable such that light passing through the liquid crystal layer is capable of being redirected. By including closed-loop electrodes, the liquid crystal layer of the LCAL is capable of having a radially varying refractive index.

Abstract: A liquid crystal adaptive lens (LCAL) includes a reference plate, a liquid crystal layer disposed in electrical communication with the reference plate, and a plurality of closed-loop electrodes disposed in electrical communication with the liquid crystal layer. The closed-loop electrodes are adapted to receive a variable control voltage such that the refractive index of at least a portion of the liquid crystal layer is adjustable such that light passing through the liquid crystal layer is capable of being redirected. By including closed-loop electrodes, the liquid crystal layer of the LCAL is capable of having a radially varying refractive index.

Abstract: A display method for producing a plurality of different views of an object scene simultaneously is provided. A series of two-dimensional projections of an object is produced for the plane of a display device. Wavefront interference information, independent of the two-dimensional projections is produced for an intermediate plane. The two-dimensional projections and the wavefront interference information are combined to create a diffraction grating in the display device to provide a holographic image of the object scene from a number of positions relative to the display device.

Abstract: A display device which is capable of producing a plurality of different views of an image simultaneously is provided. The display includes an array of semiconductor devices with an electro-optical material disposed over the array of semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices include electrodes which are selectively activated to form refraction gratings in the electro-optical material. Each of the semiconductor devices also includes a processor layer which can determine a refraction grating which is necessary for generating a predetermined number of discrete images which are visible from a predetermined number of different vantage points or viewer positions. Since a different image is provided to each eye, the viewer is provided with a perception of depth such that a three-dimensional image is provided. In addition, since different images or at least different image perspectives are provided to different points, horizontal and/or vertical parallax of the display is attained.

Abstract: Two electro-optical computer interface embodiments provide for one-way read only and two-way optical read and write. The two-way embodiment includes a main module having a shared memory, and a processor/controller and a main bus. A plurality of local processor modules each includes a local memory, a local processor, and a local bus. The processors are electrically joined by control conductors which provide for coordination and timing between local processors and the main processor. Each memory array has a film deposited on it by the Langmuir/Blodgett technique. The memory arrays are each illuminated by a pulsed laser or Q-switched laser. The film is responsive to the electric fields in the memory array cells for modulating the illumination light. The image is then read onto other memory arrays which are responsive to the illumination for transferring the data between memories.

Abstract: A liquid crystal adaptive lens system wherein the index of refraction profile of the liquid crystal is controlled electrically to bring entering light to focus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between optical images and the spatial Fourier transforms of optical images by interacting sound waves and light. Controlled sound waves couple with optical images, and electrical signals may be derived from this coupling which are functions of the spatial Fourier transforms of the entire optical images. In a reverse process, optical images are obtained directly by coupling controlled sound waves with electrical signals which are a function of the spatial Fourier transforms of the optical images and with light.

Abstract: A system relying on the interaction of images and strain waves uses a technique called pseudo-beam steering to obtain selected components of the two-dimensional Fourier transform of the images. In pseudo-beam steering, two intersecting strain waves are controlled so as to produce the desired effects of a third wave without actually producing such third wave. These desired effects, produced by the interaction of the two intersecting waves, correspond to the effects which would have been produced by a third wave whose direction of travel and whose frequency could be controlled as desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between an image and the spatial or temporal Fourier transform thereof. To convert an image into its Fourier transform representation, the image interacts with strain waves in media that have electrical properties varying as a function of both the intensity pattern of the image and strain waves in the media. The electrical properties are measured to derive signals representing Fourier series terms defining the image. The derived signals are used to detect motion (including motion in the plane of the image), for image stabilization and scaling, and for pattern recognition. A new DEFT device (Direct Electronic Fourier Transform) obtains a Fourier transform representation of an image by utilizing photon assisted tunnelling current through an isolator film junction between two thin conductor films. Another new DEFT device provides spatial scanning similar to television raster scanning but utilizing completely different principles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the quality and sharpness of images and for using the measurement results to control parameters such as camera and projector focusing, range finding, optical system modifications and the like. In one embodiment, an image is formed on a medium which has an electrical property that varies predictably with the sharpness of an image incident on it. The property is measured and the derived electrical signal controls automatic focusing of objective and projection lenses, range finder settings, and the like. The invention relies on the discovery of an interaction between images, strain waves and electrical properties in certain devices which allows deriving an electrical signal whose magnitude corresponds to high spatial frequency Fourier components of the image. In addition to other useful characteristics, the electrical signal is at a maximum when the overall sharpness of the image is high and drops off significantly as the image becomes blurred.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between optical images and the spatial Fourier transforms of optical images by interacting sound waves and light. Controlled sound waves couple with optical images, and electrical signals may be derived from this coupling which are functions of the spatial Fourier transforms of the entire optical images. In a reverse process, optical images are obtained directly by coupling controlled sound waves with electrical signals which are a function of the spatial Fourier transforms of the optical images and with light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between optical images and the spatial Fourier transforms of optical images by interacting sound waves and light. Controlled sound waves couple with optical images, and electrical signals may be derived from this coupling which are functions of the spatial Fourier transforms of the entire optical images. In a reverse process, optical images are obtained directly by coupling controlled sound waves with electrical signals which are a function of the spatial Fourier transforms of the optical images and with light.