Abstract: A light polarizer includes a plurality of discrete layers of birefringent film disposed in superposed relation on a transparent substrate. The planar components of the optic axes of each successive one of the discrete layers are angularly offset relative each preceding one of the discrete layers by a predetermined angle in one or either a positive or negative direction to provide the light polarizer with selectivity for either right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) or left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) incident light. In another aspect of the invention, the layers are of quarter-wave thickness having planar components orthogonally offset to provide selectivity for either right or left linearly polarized light. In a still further aspect of the invention, an optically isotropic layer of quarter-wave thickness is disposed between adjacent birefringent quarter-wave plates.

Abstract: An "intelligent" window combined with an additional structure for further controlling light incident on the "intelligent" window is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from polymerizable CLC film material having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the polymerizable CLC materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A desktop-based stereoscopic projection display system affording high-resolution stereoscopic and peripheral viewing of three-dimensional color imagery over a field of view of at least 180.degree.. The projection volume required by each image projector of the display system is disposed substantially within the overall display volume of the display system, while maximizing the viewing volume within which the viewer is free to move during interactive stereoscopic viewing sessions. The display system utilizes high-resolution image projectors, keystoning correcting optics and projection-beam folding mirrors which are compactly mounted immediately above the upper volume-boundary surface of the overall display volume of the system, in order to permit the use of three-dimensional display structures having footprints and display volumes that are supportable upon desktops and in other viewing environments characterized by spatial restrictions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a monoscopic image with one perspective to a stereoscopic image with two perspectives is provided. A foreground object is identified and outlined. The depth of the object is endowed with depth information. The second perspective is generated by image warping. Alternate embodiments comprising additional features, such as removing redundant frames, which reduce the necessary computation are also provided.

Abstract: A transportable image display system having direct and projection viewing modes of operation. The image display system comprises a spatial light modulation structure for spatially modulating the intensity of light produced from a light source, and light diffusing panel of electro-optical construction having a light scattering state in which light being transmitted therethrough is scattered in a diffusive manner, and a light transmission state in which light being transmitted therethrough is transmitted without substantial scattering. In the illustrative embodiments, the spatial light modulation structure can be an electrically-addressable LCD panel, or slide-film structures to be viewed. During the direct viewing mode, light produced from the light source is scattered by the light diffusing panel and spatial intensity modulated by the spatial light modulation structure to form a first image for direct viewing.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.

Abstract: An intelligent system and process for producing and displaying stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either real or synthetic 3-D objects, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing thereof. The system comprises a subsystem for acquiring parameters specifying the viewing process of a viewer positioned relative to a display surface associated with a stereoscopic display subsystem. A computer-based subsystem is provided for producing stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, using the acquired parameters. The stereoscopically-multiplexed images are on the display surface, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, by the viewer.

Abstract: An novel optical information storage media having M information storage decks. Each information storage deck has N information storage layers, and each information storage layer has a pair of information storage structures. Each paired information storage structure has a characteristic wavelength and polarization state, and from which recorded information can be read by a laser beam having similar wavelength and polarization-state characteristics. A novel system is provided for reading the optical information storage media of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiment, an optical storage device of the present invention having M.times.N.times.2 information storage layers can be read using only N laser lines (i.e. spectral components), thereby providing a 2M-fold increase in information storage capacity over prior art systems. The information storage and retrieval system of the present invention is completely backward compatible to allow for the reading of conventional CD-ROM devices.

Abstract: A system for producing and displaying spatially-multiplexed images of three-dimensional imagery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof substantially free of visual-channel cross-talk and stereoscopic asymmetric distortion. The system includes a display device for displaying micropolarized spatially-multiplexed images using a phase-retarding micropolarization structure. The micropolarization structure has phase-retarding characteristics which introduce phase-retardation error to light associated with the micropolarized spatially-multiplexed image at a particular wavelengths in the visible band, and create visual-channel cross-talk. The system also includes a viewing device for viewing the micropolarized spatially-multiplexed images using a phase-retarding polarizer having phase-retarding characteristics which substantially eliminate the phase-retardation error introduced by micropolarization structure during image display, and thus the visual-channel cross-talk and stereoscopic asymmetric distortion.

Abstract: Electro-optical glazing structures having total-reflection and semi-transparent and totally-transparent modes of operation which are electrically-switchable for use in dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow in diverse applications.

Abstract: An electro-optical recording system for recording spatially multiplexed images (SMI) of a 3-D object for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof with high image quality and resolution. A micropolarization panel of electrically passive polarization is employed to produce first and second patterns corresponding to spatially modulated perspective images. These pixel patterns are optically combined to produce a spatially multiplexed image of the 3-D object which can be used for stereoscopic viewing thereof with high image quality and resolution.

Abstract: A method of mass producing a micropolarizer including the steps exposing films of predetermined polarization states to electromagnetic radiation through masks of predetermined patterns, etching away exposed parts of each film and aligning and laminating the films to one another to provide a microplolarizer comprising alternating sets of microscopic polarizers with different polarization states.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel optical information storage media having M information storage decks. Each information storage deck has N information storage layers, and each information storage layer has a pair of information storage structures. Each paired information storage structure has a characteristic wavelength and polarization state, and from which recorded information can be read by a laser beam having similar wavelength and polarization-state characteristics. A novel system is provided for reading the optical information storage media of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiment, an optical storage device of the present invention having M.times.N.times.2 information storage layers can be read using only N laser lines (i.e. spectral components), thereby providing a 2M-fold increase in information storage capacity over prior art systems. The information storage and retrieval system of the present invention is completely backward compatible to allow for the reading of conventional CD-ROM devices.

Abstract: An electro-optical backlighting panel construction for use in portable computer-based systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation. In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the electro-optical backlighting panel is integrated with a LCD display panel, a micropolarization panel, and a touch-screen writing panel to provide several different types of portable computer-based systems including, for example, a portable notebook computer, a computer-driven image display device, and a portable pen-computing device. In general, each of these computer-based systems are capable of selectively displaying color video images on an actively driven display surface, or projecting such video images onto a wall surface or projection screen. These computer-based systems can be easily reconfigured for projection viewing without any sort of physical modification to the LCD display panel assembly.

Abstract: A reconfigurable backlighting construction for use in portable computer-based systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation. In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the backlighting construction is integrated with a LCD display panel, a micropolarization panel, and a touch-screen writing panel to provide several different types of portable computer-based systems including, for example, a portable notebook computer, a computer-driven image display device, and a portable pen-computing device. In general, each of these computer-based systems are capable of selectively displaying color video images on an actively driven display surface, or projecting such video images onto a wall surface or projection screen without the need for a bulky overhead projector, required by all prior art systems. These computer-based systems can be easily reconfigured for projection viewing without physical removal of the light guiding panel and its light diffusing structures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a three-dimensional package or module which includes a large number of subassemblies or fillo-leafs arranged in a stack. The subassemblies which carry integrated circuits are bonded at one of their edges so they extend cantilever fashion into a fluid coolant. Each fillo-leaf includes a heat dissipating element and one is spaced from another by an ultraviolet light cured material which is in registry with a transparent edge portion of each fillo-leaf. The transparent edge portions are formed, on the wafer level, and used, on the wafer level to cure the U.V. curable material.Pairs of encoder lines which are used to provide a unique address extend from the edge of each fillo-leaf to an associated comparator. When stacks of fillo-leafs are diced from a stack of wafers, the pairs of encoder lines are encoded by shorting or not shorting the exposed ends of encoder lines which extend from the edge of each fillo-leaf.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing wherein pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus is provided for producing and displaying pairs of spectrally-multiplexed gray-scale or color images of 3-D scenery for use in stereoscopic viewing thereof. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D scenery are produced using a camera system records left and right color perspective images thereof and optically processes the spectral components thereof. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pairs of spectrally-multiplexed color images of 3-D imagery are produced within a computer-based system which generates left and right perspective images thereof using computer graphic processes, and processes the pixel data thereof using pixel-data processing methods of the present invention.