Abstract: A projection system for projecting computergraphic images onto a domed or spherical viewing surface. An intense beam of coherent light is color and intensity modulated and deflected in a pair of cartesian axes prior to being projected through a wide angle lens array. Because the light beam is deflected before entering the wide angle lens array, greater angles of deflection are possible. The images are generated by rapidly changing the deflection of an intense spot of light which is projected onto the viewing surface at a rate above the viewer's flicker rate. This wide angle lens array may include a scan flattening lens array by which the image can be focused onto a spatial image focal plane before it is projected through a wide angle lens.

Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display in three dimensional illusion when viewed with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined as a through-hole in an opaque card or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.