Abstract: A viewing apparatus for transparencies or the like masks any faceplate areas not covered by images by generating masks, and adapts the luminance level of the image under study and of other faceplate areas to the optimal viewing conditions required by the observer.

Abstract: A method of transparency viewing, including: placing a transparency at a viewing surface, forming a light pattern and projecting the light pattern to back-illuminate the transparency. Preferably, the light pattern is formed by spatially modulating a beam of light using a plurality of light valves.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus (11) for transparencies or the like masks any display areas (20) not covered by transparencies (505-508) by generating masks without moving parts, and adapts the luminance level of the image under study and of other display areas to the optimal viewing conditions required by the observer.

Abstract: A viewing device for viewing transparencies comprising a display surface; a source of backlighting that backlights the display surface with linearly polarization axis; member for holding a transparency on the display surface;an optical sensor positioned so that it views the display surface; and polarizer, having a polarizer axis, and suituated between the display surface and the optical sensor. The viewing device is configured such that the polarizer axis is functionallu related to the polarization axis of the polarized light; and the polarized is smaller than the display surface.

Abstract: A viewbox comprising: a faceplate adapted for mounting a transparency thereon; a light modulator comprising a plurality of light valves which modulates light to form a light pattern; and a projector which projects the modulated light pattern onto the back of the faceplate, such that the faceplate is back-lighted with a scaled version of the light pattern, wherein each light-valve of said plurality of light-valves corresponds to a pixel in the light pattern and wherein neighboring pixels have an overlap of at least 30%.

Abstract: A method for viewing transparencies comprising backlighting a transparency with polarized light and viewing the transparency through a polarizer. Preferably, the polarization axis of the backlighting and the polarization axis of the polarizer are oriented at about 90 degrees to each other. The transparency is oriented so that a substantial amount of polarized backlighting passes through the transparency and the polarizer. Also disclosed are apparatus for viewing a transparency using polarized backlighting.

Abstract: A transparency viewing device comprising:at least one interior reflective surface;a light transmitting viewing surface adapted to accommodate a transparency to be viewed;a light source which provides backlight illumination to the viewing surface, thereby creating a viewing field having a transparency-bearing region;at least one masking element mounted and configured for movement with respect to the viewing surface, which masks an adjustable area of the viewing field leaving a field of view including at least part of the transparency bearing region unmasked; andat least one reflective element, additional to the interior reflective surface, attached to the masking element such that when the masking element moves the reflective element moves together with the masking element and which reflective element directs at least part of the light from the masked area to the field of view in an amount and in a direction such that the backlighting of the unmasked region is substantially changed as a function of the movemen

Abstract: Viewing apparatus including a viewing surface having a viewing area, back-lighting apparatus for selectably adjusting the back-illumination of areas of the viewing surface, the areas having a given extent, the back-lighting apparatus including: a liquid crystal array of individually controllable liquid crystal light attenuators located behind the viewing surface, each element of the array being associated with an area of the viewing surface and including active elements having a controllable opacity over an area smaller than the given extent of the area with which it is associated, and inactive areas between the active elements, a light source behind the array of light attenuators and a plurality of light guides, each associated with an element of the array and located between the element and its associated area on the viewing surface for providing controlled illumination of the associated area including at least a portion of the space surrounding the active element.

Abstract: A transparency viewing device including a faceplate adapted for mounting at least one transparency thereon, a passive matrix LCD array comprising a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes separated by liquid crystal material, one of said plurality of electrodes having N electrodes and the other of said plurality of electrodes having M electrodes whereby the intersections of the row and column electrodes define a matrix of M.times.N pixel elements arranged in rows and columns, which pixels are excited by an RMS voltage difference between the two electrodes intersecting a pixel and a driver which electrifies the row and column electrodes such that at least one of a plurality n of the N electrodes or a plurality m of the M electrodes are identically electrified, wherein n.ltoreq.N and m.ltoreq.M.

Abstract: A method of transparency viewing, including, placing the transparency at a viewing surface, forming a light pattern and projecting the light pattern to back-illuminate the transparency. Preferably, the light pattern is formed by spatially modulating a beam of light using a plurality of light-valves.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus for transparencies or the like masks any display areas not covered by transparencies by generating masks without moving parts, and adapts the luminance level of the image under study and of other display areas to the optimal viewing conditions required by the observer.

Abstract: A transparency viewing device including a faceplate adapted for mounting at least one transparency thereon, an LCD array defining an array of pixels, a driver which selectively varies the transparency of the pixels, a source of back illumination for the LCD array wherein the LCD is substantially effective to effectively block light within a relatively limited range of angles around the normal to the LCD and is relatively ineffective to block light reaching it from angles outside the limited range of angles and a light detector which views the array from an angle outside the range of angles at which the LCD is substantially effective to block the light.

Abstract: A transparency viewing device including a faceplate adapted for mounting at least one transparency thereon, an LCD array having a given chromaticity underlying the faceplate, a source of backlighting for the LCD array having a variable chromaticity and a controller which controls the chromaticity of the backlighting source based on the chromaticity of the light passing through the film and the LCA.

Abstract: Viewing apparatus including a transparency viewing apparatus (18, 19) and an electronic data display (58) unit mounted, preferably side-by-side in a housing.

Abstract: A transparency viewing device including a faceplate adapted for mounting at least one transparency thereon, a passive Matrix LCD array comprising a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes separated by liquid crystal material, one of said plurality of electrodes having N electrodes and the other of said plurality of electrodes having M electrodes whereby the intersections of the row and column electrodes define a matrix of M.times.N pixel elements arranged in rows and columns, which pixels are excited by an RMS voltage difference between the two electrodes intersecting a pixel and a driver which electrifies the row and column electrodes such that at least one of a plurality n of the N electrodes or a plurality m of the M electrodes are identically electrified, wherein n.ltoreq.N and m.ltoreq.M.