Abstract: A monocentric arrangement of optical components providing stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically generated, line by line, from an electromechanical grating light modulator (85) and projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) comprising a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.

Abstract: A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components provides stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically scanned by resonant actuation of a resonant fiber scanner (137) using a flexible optical waveguide and projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a ball lens assembly (30). To form each left and right intermediate image component, separate left and right image generation systems (70) each comprise a resonant fiber scanner (137) that itself comprises a resonant cantilever portion (139) of optical fiber (138) that directs a modulated beam onto a curved surface (40) for projection by a ball lens assembly (30). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.

Abstract: A system and method for the display of advertising information is provided wherein the system is able to sense the presence and obtain characteristics of individuals in the immediate environment of the display. The system then selects a specific informational content/program to improve the effectiveness of the display device based upon the obtained characteristics of one or more sensed individuals.

Abstract: A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components provides stereoscopic display of a real image, electronically scanned by resonant actuation of a resonant fiber scanner (137) using a flexible optical waveguide and projected toward a curved retro-reflective surface (124). To form each left and right intermediate image component, separate left and right image generation systems (70) each comprise a resonant fiber scanner (137) that itself comprises a resonant cantilever portion (139) of optical fiber (138) that directs a modulated beam in a curved pattern for projection, such as by a ball lens assembly (30). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupils (14).

Abstract: Autostereoscopic images are produced by projecting a stereo pair of images onto a modified cube-corner retroreflective material. The cube-corner differs from that commonly available in that it has been altered to return the light to viewers eyes rather than directly back to the source of the projection.

Abstract: A head-mounted optical apparatus (10) providing pupil imaging with a very wide field of view. The head-mounted optical apparatus (10) employs a monocentric arrangement of optical components providing stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically generated and projected as left and right images from curved surfaces (68). For each right and left image, a ball lens assembly (30) is used to project a displayed intermediate image from the curved display surface (68) toward a beamsplitter (16), which directs an intermediate image toward the front focal surface of a curved mirror (24) that collimates the image to form a virtual image. The beamsplitter (16) transmits the virtual image for each eye to the observer.

Abstract: A monocentric arrangement of optical components providing stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically generated, line by line, from a linear image source (36) and projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) comprising a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement with linear image source (36) and scanning ball lens assemblies (100) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14).

Abstract: A head-mounted optical apparatus (10) providing pupil imaging with a very wide field of view. The head-mounted optical apparatus (10) employs a monocentric arrangement of optical components providing stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically generated and projected as left and right images from curved surfaces (68). For each right and left image, a ball lens assembly (30) is used to project a displayed intermediate image from the curved display surface (68) toward a beamsplitter (16), which directs an intermediate image toward the front focal surface of a curved mirror (24) that collimates the image to form a virtual image. The beamsplitter (16) transmits the virtual image for each eye to the observer.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic image display apparatus (10) that adapts to sensed feedback data about an observer (12) in order to conform its operation to adapt to the position and intraocular dimensions of the observer. The apparatus (10) uses ball lens projection optics to provide wide field-of-view pupil imaging, providing separate left- and right-eye images to the left and right eye pupils (14l,14r) of the observer (12), respectively. The apparatus (10) compensates for positional variables such as variable interocular distance and variable observer distance from projection optics. At least one observer feedback sensor (52) is disposed to provide feedback data about the observer (12). The feedback data can be used by a control logic processor (50) that, based on the data, adjusts left- and right viewing pupil forming apparatus (36l,36r). The control logic processor (50), based on sensed feedback data, may also vary image content or provide other stimuli such as smell, movement, and sound.

Abstract: A monocentric autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a virtual image, electronically generated and projected on a curved surface. For each left and right image component, a separate optical system comprises an image generation system (701, 70r) and projection system (72), the projection system comprising a spherical diffusive surface (40) and a ball lens (30) to provide wide field of view. A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the ball lens pupil (48) at the viewing pupil (14) and essentially provides a single center of curvature (C) for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement, diffusive surface (40), and ball lens (30) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14).

Abstract: A monocentric autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a virtual image, electronically generated and projected on a curved surface. For each left and right image component, a separate optical system comprises an image generation system (70l, 70r) and projection system (72), the projection system comprising a spherical diffusive surface (40) and a ball lens (30) to provide wide field of view. A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the ball lens pupil (48) at the viewing pupil (14) and essentially provides a single center of curvature (C) for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement, diffusive surface (40), and ball lens (30) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14).

Abstract: Autostereoscopic images are produced by projecting a stereo pair of images onto a modified cube-corner retroreflective material. The cube-corner differs from that commonly available in that it has been altered to return the light to viewers eyes rather than directly back to the source of the projection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article comprising photographic silver halide film substantially surrounded by a container comprising a phase change material, wherein said container will maintain said film at a temperature of below 130° F.(55° C.) when said container is repeatedly cycled over a 24-hour period reaching 180° F.(82° C.) for four hours.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a consumer video segment for the creation of motion sequence cards having a first step of selecting from a consumer's recording media the motion segment that is to be recorded on a motion-sequence card, a second step of recording the selected motion segment on a copy recording media, a third step of marking key frames of the video segments in the selected motion segment with an audio tone, and lastly a forth step of forwarding the selected motion segments recorded on the copy recording media to a motion sequence card fabrication site.

Abstract: A process of forming a diffusion resistant lenticular element comprising: a) contacting at least one dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a binder having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the image dye comprising a nonionic dye capable of being converted to a cationic dye by means of an acid, with a lenticular element comprising a first support having thereon a lenticular array on the opposite side thereof; b) imagewise-heating the dye-donor element by means of a laser; c) transferring a dye image to the first support of the lenticular element; d) contacting the dye image with a mordanting element comprising a second support having thereon in order, a release layer and an adhesive layer of an acidic polymer having a Tg less than about 80° C.

Abstract: The method for positioning an array with periodic structures, for forming an image thereon, comprises the following steps: (a) providing a first beam of light by a first light source; (b) passing this first beam of light through the array; (c) forming a light line corresponding to the first light source with the first beam of light after the first beam of light passes through the array such that the light line is perpendicular to long axes of the periodic structures; (d) rotating the array to rotate the light line across a first detector; (e) producing a signal when the light line sweeps across the first detector; (f) determining when maximum signal is produced by the first detector; and (g) rotating the array to a proper position based on angular position corresponding to this maximum signal.

Abstract: A system for forming a motion card from frames of video selected by a user from a sequence of video frames that have been previously recorded on a video tape incorporates a kiosk that contains a video tape player, a processor receives a sequence of video frames from the video tape player, a display is used to display a selected range of video frames received by the processor, and step-by-step interactive instructions for the user for enabling the user to select video frames from the displayed selected range of video frames for preview display is improved by enabling the processing and display of video frames as if they were formed on the motion card so as to provide a high degree of correspondence between the displayed motion card and the to be formed motion card. A viewable simulation of the adjacency effect that will be present in the formed motion card enables the operator to improve the selection of the frames to be used in the formed motion card.

Abstract: A method for positioning an array with periodic structures, for forming an image thereon, comprises the following steps: (i) producing a light beam along fast-scan axis; (ii) translating the array in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fast-scan axis; (iii) detecting the light beam alternatively by a pair of detectors, the detectors being located near opposite edges of the array along the fast-scan axis; (iv) providing substantially periodic signals by the pair of detectors in accordance with their detection of the light beam; (v) determining relative phases of the periodic signals, the relative phases corresponding to misalignment of the array; (vi) sensing phases of the periodic signals and rotating the array such that the long axes of the periodic structures are substantially parallel to the fast-scan axis.

Abstract: A stereoscopic picture-taking method comprises the steps of (1) positioning two image-bearing transparencies each having substantially the same positive image at separate right-position and left-position locations relative to one another; (2) projecting light through the right-positioned transparency first to a right-positioned taking lens of a camera and then to a right-positioned imaging area on a filmstrip in the camera, to expose a latent image on the right-positioned imaging area of the positive image on the right-positioned transparency; and (3) projecting light through the left-positioned transparency first to a left-positioned taking lens of the camera located to the left of the right-positioned taking lens and then to a left-positioned imaging area on the filmstrip located to the left of the right-positioned imaging area, to expose a latent image on the left-positioned imaging area of the positive image on the left-positioned transparency.

Abstract: A method of forming ceramic elements for a drive system or similar apparatus includes providing highly efficient, light weight, durable, and wear and abrasion resistant sliding components. In particular, the method uses high precision tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramic or alternatively zirconia-alumina ceramic composite for forming the components of drive system.