Abstract: A system is disclosed for distributing and scheduling the play of advertising content utilizing a network. A database is provided for storing the advertising content. A server is coupled to the database. The server is capable of receiving and storing input preferences relating to parameters selected from the group consisting of: frequency, interval, time of play, and trigger events. A scheduling algorithm is executed on the server for generating scheduling data utilizing the input preferences. The scheduling algorithm is based on predetermined methods of processing these input preferences. A network is coupled between the database and the server for distributing the advertising content and the scheduling data to a plurality of output devices.

Abstract: A projector (12N) of this invention employs a 380 mm diagonal, amorphous silicon LCD (80) for receiving light rays from a light source (70), which achieves a small source size by employing four lamps (160) with small arc gaps (166) and a “pinwheel” mirror (164) that overlaps light rays from each of the arc lamps into a single collimated light bundle. The small source size produces a small cone angle (130) of light through the LCD. A lens (78) directs the narrow cone of light though the LCD at an optimal angle for achieving a 1,500:1 contrast ratio. Only a 4× magnification ratio is required to achieve a 170 cm (67 inch) diagonal projected image, which ratio enables projecting SXGA or greater resolution images with a five element projection lens (86). The LCD achieves an operational life of at least 50,000 hours before projected images display color degradation.

Abstract: A stackable mechanical package for a digitally addressed projector (12N) includes a housing portion (22) having top and rear surfaces (44) that are shaped to form a contoured recess (46), and a pedestal portion (20) having bottom and front surfaces (60) that are sized to mate with the contoured recess when the package is in a shippable configuration. When a top side (50) of the pedestal portion is mated to a bottom side (32) of the housing portion, the stackable package is in a first operational configuration. Alternatively, when the stackable package is stacked below another similar stackable package (12F), the shippable configuration further forms a second operational configuration. The stackable package includes legs (24, 26) attached to and protruding from the pedestal portion to support the package apparatus in the first operational configuration or to fasten together the housing and pedestal portions when the package is in the shippable configuration.

Abstract: A screen assembly holding mechanism is provided for multiscreen displays employing an abutted array of substantially identical display devices that each display a subdivided portion of a total image such that together they display the total image. Each display device includes a screen and a Fresnel lens that form a screen assembly. The screen assembly is connected to the display device by the screen assembly holding mechanism. The screen assembly holding mechanism provides a significantly smaller boundary between the display devices than has before been possible and does not significantly interrupt the total image. The screen assembly holding mechanism also allows for differing expansion and contraction rates of the screen and Fresnel lens and substantially lessens the likelihood of either becoming detached from the screen assembly holding mechanism. The screen assembly holding mechanism may include a safety lip that covers an outer edge of the screen for protection against injury.

Abstract: An LCD projection unit employs a luminance and color balance system employing an LCD array characterization lookup table storing multiple sets of luminance and gamma correction values that are user selectable to control luminance and color balance. The lookup table values are determined by measuring the transfer function of the LCD array in the projection unit for each of a set of red (“R”), green (“G”), and blue (“B”) input data values, converting the resulting S-curve responses to corresponding sets of gamma responses and scaling the gamma responses to generate multiple R, G, and B families of luminance and gamma corrected values. Color balance is adjusted by selecting the particular R, G, and B families of luminance and gamma corrected values that cause the LCD projection unit to match a predetermined ratio of R, G, and B luminance values.

Abstract: An LCD projection display (120) houses a projection module (10) in which light propagates through an LCD module (38) at a shallow angle (62) that improves the contrast ration of and intentionally Keystones the image bearing light. The Keystoned light is reflected by a fold mirror (64) that is mounted at a 52° upward angle, which introduces more intentional Keystoning. A projection lens (16) is mounted coaxial to a tilted optical axis (12), but the Keystoned image bearing light is refracted about 10° off the optical axis and follows a Keystoning axis (70) through the projection lens. The light propagating from the projection lens is reflected by a main fold mirror (122) that is mounted at a 57° angle from the vertical to project the image bearing light onto a 10° slanted projection screen (98).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display ("LCD") projection unit (12) employs a luminance and color balance system having a lookup table (100) storing multiple sets of gain and/or gamma corrected responses (92-99) for color balance and luminance control. The lookup table values are determined by measuring an S-curve response (90) of an LCD array (40) for each of a set of R, G, and B input data values, converting the S-curve responses to a corresponding set of gamma responses, and scaling the gamma responses to generate red ("R"), green ("G"), and blue ("B") families of gain and gamma corrected values. Color balance is adjusted by selecting the particular R, G, and B families of gain and gamma corrected values that cause the LCD projection unit to match a predetermined ratio of maximum R, G, and B luminance values. Luminance is adjusted by selecting families of lookup table values that adjust the transmittance of the LCD while maintaining the color balance.

Abstract: A mechanical package for an LCD projector includes approximately equally sized tower and enclosure portions. The tower portion is supported on forward protruding legs and contains optical and electronic modules that slide into its rear and are also accessible from the front of the enclosure portion. The enclosure portion supports on its front a removable projection screen and is mounted vertically offset on the tower portion. A triply folded optical axis provides a suitably long light pathway for projecting a large image on the projection screen without requiring the package to have an undue depth. To stack multiple packages vertically, side margins of the tower portion top surface include L-channels that receive the legs of a package stacked above. The enclosure portion further includes openings that receive the legs protruding from the tower portion stacked above. The legs are supported within the enclosure portion by sliding into U-brackets that are attached to the inner surfaces of the enclosure portion.

Abstract: A projection display (12) employs a fiber optic homogenizer (32) that includes a bundle (60) of optical fibers arranged such that an input end (64) has a substantially round cross-sectional shape that receives nonuniform illumination generated by a projection light source (24,26). The fiber optic homogenizer contains optical fibers that are interwoven and rerouted through the length of the bundle to terminate in an output end (66) having the same shape as a light valve (40) that generates the image projected by the display. The interweaving and rerouting provides a substantially random redistribution of fibers across the shape of the output end to propagate a uniform, rectangular illumination beam onto the light valve with very little light loss.