Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.

Abstract: A conjugate optics projection display system includes a beam splitter positioned for viewing an object through the beam splitter and a projector positioned to project an image through the beam splitter, where the projector has a focal plane distance. A retroreflector is optically coupled to the beam splitter and positioned at a distance from the projector, where the distance is less than the focal plane distance of the projector. The retroreflector may include retroreflective elements having a size effective to match or exceed optical resolution requirements of the display system.

Abstract: A convertible display system includes two displays, beam splitter, and mount, which are adjustable to convert the system for 3D image use and 2D image display use, respectively. In 3D orientation the displays are at an angle to each other and the tops (or bottoms) are proximate each other, the beam splitter is at the bisectrix of the angle for viewing of respective stereo image pairs along a substantially common light path, and the images are provided by reflection from and transmission through the beam splitter. The reflected display provides its image in mirror image orientation relative to the transmitted image. The images are discriminated by polarizers. For 2D use the beam splitter is rotated out of the viewing path and one display is repositioned on the mount generally in side by side relation with the tops of the displays at the top to allow substantially side by side viewing of images provided by the displays.

Abstract: From fast moving objects in a video image sequence may appear slightly blurred. A multi-display system including two liquid crystal displays (LCDs) viewed simultaneously via a beam combiner reduces motion blur. The displays operate in time sequential relation, e.g., by alternately and sequentially displaying an image on one LCD while blanking the other LCD and vice versa, by alternately and sequentially turning on and off respective light sources illuminating the LCDs, or by both the foregoing. Alternate sequencing also can be achieved using active shutter glasses to distinguish images for viewing based on optical polarization, possibly with a delay to allow time for image stabilization. Another approach alternates displaying odd lines on a first LCD while blanking even lines and vice versa for the second LCD; and then switching to display even lines on the first LCD while blanking odd lines and vice versa for the second LCD.

Abstract: A display system in which images from two displays that have the same optical polarization that is not affected by reflection by a beam splitter which combines images from the displays, and half wave plate optical retarders to rotate plane of polarization and to null out optical dispersion effects to provide for stereo viewing of images via plane polarizers that have the same polarization direction.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.

Abstract: A system for detecting eye closure through optical observation of the eye includes a frame configured to be worn on a user, a light source, and at least one eyepiece connected to the frame. The eyepiece has a reflective surface on a side facing the user's eye when the frame is positioned on the user and the reflective surface of the eyepiece is configured for reflecting light emitted from the light source onto the eye. A sensor is connected to the frame and is operable to detect light reflected by the eye in a direction that is substantially parallel to the light incident on a retina of the eye to detect that the eye is in an open position.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes plural liquid crystal picture elements selectively operable to affect light by scattering or absorbing light or by reducing such scattering or absorption of light, a separator integral with and between respective picture elements, the separator being substantially non-selectively operable to affect light and including spacers between respective picture elements forming a grid of spacers and picture elements and overlying parts of respective driving TFT transistors or the like so they do not detrimentally affect an image or in effect mask out drive elements from being seen in the displayed image or projected image. The liquid crystal may have a birefringence in the range of about 0.12 or less and may be used in a projection system in which an image is formed from nonspecular light.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal. A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics. A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.

Abstract: A display system or monitor arrangement for stereoscopic displaying of images includes a pair of displays for providing respective left eye and right eye images and arranged in perpendicular intersecting planes, a beam splitter for combining the images from the displays in a common light path, and a means to discriminate between respective images to present the respective left and right eye images to the eyes of a viewer for viewing. Image discriminating functions may be obtained using plane polarized light characteristics and/or circular polarized light characteristics. A package arrangement retains the display a system components for storage or use; and a cubical mount structure may provide alignment and positioning of respective parts of the display system. Display methods for displaying stereoscopic images in a common light path are included.

Abstract: An optical display system and method selectively displaces delta triad pixels vertically. The first raster line of picture information is removed from the video signal, and each subsequent raster line of picture information (data) is displaced upward. Next, the entire picture is optically displaced down by a distance equal to one vertical pixel pitch placing the picture back in its original vertical position, but horizontal position of the pixels has changed. Thus picture information is displaced horizontally a distance equal to one and one half times horizontal pixel pitch. Odd pixel rows are displaced in one direction, and even pixel rows are displaced in the opposite direction. The technique can be used to double pixel density and, thus, resolution, in the horizontal direction by the selective shifting technique and coordination with the input video signals.

Abstract: A projected image is overlaid on an actual view of an object, the image being identical to the actual view in size, shape and scale, and being perfectly registered with the actual view, e.g, as to position or location, and, accordingly being substantially parallax-free. The image may be of different “color” than the actual view, i.e., one may be a view or image of light in a visible wavelength region, band or bandwidth, and the other may be a view or image in a non-visible wavelength region, band or bandwidth, such as a view or image of infrared light or of x-ray radiation. The infrared view or image may be converted to a view or image in the visible bandwidth for viewing by a person. The image mentioned above may be a real image of an actual view of an object, scene or the like. Alternatively, the image may be an image other than of an actual view of an object, for example being a previously-obtained image along a same or similar point of view as the actual view of the object, scene, or the like.

Abstract: A viewing device for viewing a relatively inaccessible gap between two closely positioned surfaces, such as a circuit component and a circuit board, may be viewed by a device including a first reflector which reflects light from the gap to a relatively accessible location for viewing. The first reflector is connected to a support which can be a bar or platform. Additionally a second element such as a second reflector or a threaded post can be included. Where the viewing device includes a first and second reflector connected by a platform support, the support may include a pair of threaded post holes on either side of a scored region. The support may be broken along the scored region to form two separate devices. The reflectors can be right angle prisms and may reflect light by total internal reflection or by a reflective coating.