Abstract: A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. Additional optical elements may be provided to enlarge a viewed image. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating may provide further protection from ambient light. Restructuring the image into smaller image elements provides image quality for a video image or the like. An aspherical lens may be used to minimize or remove distortion of the image perceived by a viewer to the side, above or below the center viewing axis of the screen. The present invention may find particular application in computer monitor systems, medical and obstetric imaging such as sonograms, musculo-skeletal imaging, vascular imaging, angiograms, angioplasty, dental probes, catheter probes, ear probes, endoscopy, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and arthroscopy.

Abstract: An improved rear projection screen for projecting a three-dimensional head or face is designed to accurately match the apparent movement of a imaged person eyes to movements of an observer, thereby maintaining eye contact between the imaged person and the observer as the observer moves relative to the image. This unique effect called "visualactivity" enables either a recorded or a live image of a person to engage observers with eye contact in a natural and interpersonal way despite movement of the observers relative to the image. This effect is achieved by projecting an image onto the convex side of a rear projection screen that roughly has the shape of a human head and face but is configured with proportions that are different from the natural proportions of the imaged person's face. When viewed from the concave side, this combination produces a realistic human face that appears to turn to accurately track an observer's movements.

Abstract: A 3D video viewing system is disclosed, wherein a special lenticular layer is attached on a video monitor which displays at least one interleaved image composed from a plurality of 2D views of a scene. A method of determining the parameters for the lenticular layer is disclosed. In particular, the width of the lenticules on the lenticular layer is determined by many factors, including the thickness, the curvature and the refractive index of the monitor; the number of 2D views to be composed into an interleaved image for display; the normal viewing distance; and the overall viewing angle of the lenticular layer itself. A number of interleaving methods for composing a plurality of 2D views into a composite view are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rear projection display device so adapted as to receive a projected image from a light valve for image formation on the rear surface of a screen and emit image light toward an observer positioned on the front side of the screen, wherein the screen is formed in the shape of a concavely curved surface with respect to the observer, so that the observer can feel as if he or she was present more intensely.

Abstract: In a multiple-projector concave-screen display system, spacial alignment of images on the screen, is enabled by designating calibration points with retro-reflective dots and illumination markers. The manufacture of the screen involves locating calibration points and depositing the dots with a tool utilizing a rotary mechanism for loading and applying the dots from solenoid actuated pod units. Areas for retro-reflective dots, versus illumination markers, are defined on the basis of reflectance angles between vectors to the screen from a projector and from the screen to a viewer.

Abstract: A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. Additional optical elements may be provided to enlarge a viewed image. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Further protection from ambient light may be provided by coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating. Image quality for a video image or the like is provided by restructuring the image into smaller image elements. The present invention may find particular application in medical and obstetric imaging such as sonograms, musculo-skeletal imaging, vascular imaging, angiograms, angioplasty, dental probes, catheter probes, ear probes, endoscopy, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and arthroscopy.

Abstract: A head-mounted image display apparatus having an exit pupil that is enlarged without causing an increase in the size of a relay optical system or a reduction in the size of a projected image. The head-mounted image display apparatus has an image display device (1) having a display surface for displaying an image, a relay optical system (2) for transmitting the image displayed on the display surface of the image display device (1) to form an image of the display surface, and an ocular optical system (4) for projecting the image transmitted by the relay optical system inside an observer's eyeball as an enlarged image. A numerical aperture (NA) enlarging element is disposed at a position conjugated with the display surface with respect to the relay optical system (2). Thus, pupil alignment is facilitated without causing an increase in the size of the relay optical system (2) or a reduction in the size of the projected image.

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.

Abstract: Multiple large screens on movable arms form a gateway beneath which viewers may walk. The screens slide up or down, i.e., toward or away from, the viewers walking below. The screens also pivot in a circular arc to sweep toward, or away from, the viewers. In one embodiment a number of vertical support beams are employed. Elongated arms are attached to the support beams at one end so that the arms can each be rotated about their attached ends. The arms also slide up and down the length of the support beams. Projection screens are attached to the arms so that the screens move as the arms move. In a more specific embodiment each screen is provided with a rear-projection projector for displaying images onto the screens. A computer is used to control the sliding and rotating of the support beams so that preprogrammed patterns can be executed. A computer is also used to control the projectors so that coordinated patterns of images are displayed on the screens.

Abstract: In a multiple-projector concave-screen display system, spacial alignment of images on the screen, is enabled by designating calibration points with retro-reflective dots and illumination markers. The manufacture of the screen involves locating calibration points and depositing the dots with a tool utilizing a rotary mechanism for loading and applying the dots from solenoid actuated pod units. Areas for retro-reflective dots, versus illumination markers, are defined on the basis of reflectance angles between vectors to the screen from a projector and from the screen to a viewer.

Abstract: A front projection screen for pictorially displaying upon a front face of the screen an image projected onto the front face from a projector comprises a backing member having a front reflective surface and a polarization rotation plate overlaying the reflective surface for rotating the plane of polarization of light reflected from the surface. A sheet of lenticular lenses overlays the polarization rotation plate and a polarizing film overlays the lenticular lens sheet. The polarizing film has non-polarizing segments at a focal point of each of the lenticular lenses so that light from the projector is not attenuated by the film while light from other sources is attenuated.

Abstract: A uniform-brightness, high-gain projection screen is especially suited for reflecting radiation from a projector to a viewer who is spaced from the projector along a projection axis. The screen is formed with a plurality of reflective faces that each form at least a portion of a ring that is transverse to the projector axis, have different spacings from the projector and are axially tilted to set the projector-face angle equal to the viewer-face angle. The faces are preferably defined by a plurality of tiles that are bonded to the interior of a projection dome such as a flight simulator dome.

Abstract: An ultra-wide angle liquid crystal projector system comprising a light source, a liquid crystal panel, a curved screen, and a projection lens for projecting in accordance with light emitted by the light source an image formed on the liquid crystal panel onto the curved screen. The projection lens has a curvature of field substantially conforming to the shape of the curved screen and an angle of projection of at least 120 degrees. The projection lens is disposed with respect to the curved screen so that a distance from an exit surface of the projection lens to the curved screen is less than 3 meters.

Abstract: A display device includes a projector and a translucent hemispherical screen disposed in a black box, with the axis of the hemisphere extending perpendicular to a surface on which an image from the projector is cast. A semitransparent mirror is disposed on the opposite side of the image-receiving surface of the hemispherical screen, aslant to the axis of the hemisphere and opposite a viewer. The image of an spherical object projected on the hemispherical screen can be seen in stereoscopic spatial vision. The image viewed through the semitransparent mirror appears as if it was floating in space.

Abstract: A simulator dome for a motion base simulator comprises one or more fiber reinforced outer layers, inner layers of a similar material and an intermediate core. The intermediate core is preferably a structural foam of variable density to allow selectively lowering the dome center of gravity to enhance the simulation capabilities of the motion system to simulate various flight maneuvers. By producing the dome from fiber reinforced polymer and using a core of variable density, a dome of unitary construction with no through fasteners is produced, having high strength for withstanding high G maneuvers without cracking or distortion, enhancing simulator effectiveness and increasing the accuracy of the simulated flight conditions.

Abstract: A screen is used for a projector and includes a metal plate body and a plurality of elongated parallel streaks. The metal plate body has a concave reflection surface which is horizontally straight and vertically curved and which has a predetermined radius of curvature. The streaks protrude uniformly and densely from the reflection surface of the metal plate body and extend from the top end of the reflection surface to the bottom end of the reflection surface in a generally vertical direction. Any adjacent pair of the streaks are sized and spaced apart from each other at an interval of less than 5 microns so that the streaks function as a concave grating. The concave reflection surface is coated with a transparent film by immersing the metal plate body in a caustic solution so as to decrease interference from light sources other than the projector.

Abstract: A rear projector for projecting an image onto a display screen mounted on a frame. The frame includes first and second pairs of oppositely disposed mounting members having surfaces adapted to contact the screen. Each mounting member of the first pair is formed of first and second inwardly angled portions which meet at a juncture in a middle region of the member. The screen is coupled to the surfaces of the first and second pairs of mounting members to form an inward curvature of the screen.

Abstract: A rear projection screen unit in a large-size picture display system, composed by combining a plurality of rear projection screen panels arranged in a lattice square with at least one ordinate and abscissa beams disposed between the adjacent screen panels, wherein each of said screen panels intersects with each of said beams which themselves intersect with each other to form the lattice square, and each of said screen panels and ordinate and abscissa beams are connected together by a multiple mortise-and-tenon joint. The lattice square is installed in a outer frame and stressed in the four directions by a resilient members provided on the outer frame. The disclosed structure has minimized the width of the non-effective area in the screen unit, and realized a high reliability in installing strength of the respective screen panels in an integral body suitable for the large-size picture display system.

Abstract: A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a curved prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Further protection from ambient light may be provided by coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating. Image quality for a video image or the like is provided by restructuring the image into smaller image elements. The present invention may find particular application in medical and obstetric imaging such as sonograms, musculo-skeletal imaging, vascular imaging, angiograms, angioplasty, dental probes, catheter probes, ear probes, endoscopy, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and arthroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention is a projection system. The projection system comprises a plurality of screen segments, each defining a surface in the shape of a toroidal segment having geometric proportions approximating the shape of a predetermined ellipsoidal segment having a first focal point and a second focal point. The screen segments are arranged such that an edge of the surface of one of the screen segments is essentially adjacent along its entire length to an edge of the surface of another screen segment. The projection system also comprises a plurality of projectors equal to the number of screen segments wherein each of said projectors projects an image upon one of the screen segments from the second focal point of the ellipsoidal segment approximated by the screen segment. Preferably, the screen segments are arranged such that the first focal point of each ellipsoidal segment approximated by the surface of the screen segments essentially coincide with each other.

Abstract: A projection television set in which a seamless image may be obtained on a screen. A screen plate of a screen assembly is held under a suspended state by a frame in a state wherein the left and right parts are centered in the frame. A cruciform light-shielding frame is mounted on the frame. A light-shielding plate is swingably mounted on a horizontal light-shielding frame of the frame. The position of the light shielding plate is adjusted in response to the vertical movement of a horizontal joint. Also, the horizontal joint line adjusting mechanism is provided independently of a centering mechanism for a vertical joint line.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a large-screen projection-type display using a transmission-type screen, wherein the transmission-type screen is formed of two or more sheets 4, 7, is tilted toward the viewer's side with a small gap kept between the sheets, and is stable relative to the temperature and moisture change of the environment. The front sheet 4 provided on the viewer's side and the Fresnel sheet 7 provided on the projection source side are tilted forward by about 7.degree. toward the viewers. The springs 10 are extended through wires 9 to exert the tension on the front sheet 4 in the vertical direction. At the same time, the springs exert a pressure on the Fresnel sheet 7 in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A projection system for a theatre in the round having a plurality of moving image projectors. The projectors can be either film projectors or television-type projectors. They project in an essentially cylindrical surface which is viewed by people at a viewing location. A lens is associated with each moving image projector, the lens having an optical axis located at or above a top edge of the viewable portion of the cylindrical surface. A source of moving images is associated with each lens, the center of which source is located above the optical axis of the associated lens such that moving images are projected by each lens downwardly toward a portion of the essentially cylindrical surface in an essentially distortion-free manner.

Abstract: The present invention is a projection system which includes a plurality of screen segments, each defining a surface in the shape of an ellipsoidal segment such that each surface has a first focal point and a second focal point. The screen segments are arranged such that an edge of the surface of one of the screen segments is essentially adjacent along its entire length to an edge of the surface of another screen segment. The projection system also includes a plurality of projectors, equal to the number of screen segments. Each of the projectors projects an image upon one of the screen segments from the second focal point of that screen segment. Preferably, the screen segments are arranged such that the first focal points of their surfaces essentially coincide with each other.

Abstract: In a simulator for helicopters, the images seen are displayed through the bottom windows by means of a system collimated to infinity, including, for each side of the cockpit, a projector (15, 16), a spherical mirror (12, 13) and a screen (17, 18).

Abstract: A dome-shaped motion picture projection screen is constructed from an external supporting frame and a plurality of panels that are clipped to the frame by a series of individual fasteners that are hooked into the perforations in the panel and clamped to the frame. Each fastener has a L-shaped fastener body with a pair of hook-shaped pins that project from one end of one limb so that they can be hooked into the perforations in the panel. A screw extends through the other limb parallel to the first limb and can be tightened against a supporting frame member to secure the panel to the frame. By carefully controlling tightening of the screw, localized flattening of the panel at the positions of the hooks can be avoided. The ends of the hooks are so small as to be virtually invisible to the audience.