Abstract: A method and system of passively acquiring three-dimensional data concerning an object relies on comparison of changes in dimensions of the background object relative to changes in dimensions of a foreground pattern or patterns as the effective optical path length between the foreground patterns and a corresponding receiver or receivers is varied, and/or on comparison of changes in positions of the background object relative to the grid as the position of the grid in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the background object is varied.

Abstract: A method and system of passively acquiring three-dimensional data concerning an object relies on comparison of changes in dimensions of the background object relative to changes in dimensions of a foreground pattern or patterns as the effective optical path length between the foreground patterns and a corresponding receiver or receivers is varied. The system and method of the invention may utilize a mirror having a pattern formed thereon that reflects a different set of wavelengths than the remaining surface of the mirror.

Abstract: A field-of-view controlling arrangement such as a privacy screen includes a single microprism or lenticular sheet having a plurality of sets of parallel surfaces that intersect to form prisms or lenticular structures, and in which field-of-view control is achieved by (i) for sheets made up of parallel “one-dimensional” microprism or lenticular structures having at least two intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, altering at least two sets of the mutually parallel surfaces, and/or portions of the at least two sets of mutually parallel surfaces, by applying a light-attenuating treatment, (ii) for sheets made up of polyhedral lenticular structures having at least three intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, or at least one set of curved surfaces extending in directions transverse to directions in which the field-of-view is to be limited, altering at least one set of the mutually parallel or curved surfaces by applying a light-attenuating treatment, or (iii) for any type of micropr

Abstract: A system and method for capturing contours of a three-dimensional subject, and/or acquiring data correlated with three-dimensional geometric features or location of the subject, involves capture of a pattern or signature emitted or reflected by the subject under natural illumination, illumination by one or more projected grids, and/or patternless projected illumination, and in which the grids, patterns, or signatures are optically separated from a composite image of the subject using one or more receivers, each including one or more beam splitters, for direct viewing or further processing.

Abstract: At least one two-dimensional grid is projected onto a three-dimensional subject in order to determine or represent contours of the subject based on distortion of the grid. Each grid has a wavelength or range of wavelengths that is different than those of every other grid, and different than a wavelength or range of wavelengths of light used to illuminate the subject, permitting optical separation of the grids during capture of the image of the subject. Range finding and/or scaling may be accomplished by alignment of multiple grids, or by using a ladar (laser radar) or similar range finder to determine the distance to a predetermined point or feature on at least one of the grids.

Abstract: A projection television system includes an image source or projector, a projection screen, and at least one mirror positioned so as to reflect an image from the projector to the projection screen, and also to expand the image in at least one of respective first and second mutually transverse planes. The at least one image expanding mirror may be part of a mirror system consisting of simple partially cylindrical mirrors that separately expand the image in the vertical and horizontal planes, or may take the form of a single spherical mirror similar to a wide angle fisheye or truck mirror having image expansion properties in both planes. Alternatively, one or more image expanding mirror may be in the form of, or include, reflective sheets that include image-expanding lenticular surfaces.

Abstract: Reflectors suitable for use in rear projection television systems, LCD projectors and stereoscopic effects devices, and numerous other applications, include a substrate having a microprism or lenticulated sheet structure, and in which one or more surfaces are made reflective through the use of polishing or the addition of a reflective coating. The reflective surface or surfaces may include a planar rear surface of the substrate, in which case the remaining intersecting front surfaces of the sheet are arranged to expand, shift, or reduce an image incident on the front surface of the sheet as the rays of the image pass through the sheet and are reflected by the reflective surface. Alternatively, the reflective surface or surfaces may be intersecting front surfaces and/or curved surfaces of the sheet and the generally planar rear surface of the sheet may be treated or shaped to expand, shift, reduce, or otherwise modify the image reflected by the angled or curved reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A privacy screen, an image separating screen suitable for creating stereoscopic images, and an image interlacing screen also suitable for use in creating stereoscopic images, are prepared by modifying a standard microprism sheet of the type having a plurality of v-shaped grooves. The modifications may include altering the transmission properties of at least one surface of each groove in such a manner that light transmitted in different directions has different properties, for example by attenuating light in one plane and not in the second plane to create a privacy screen, or by altering polarizations in the two planes so as create a stereoscopic effect. The modifications may also include arranging the microprism sheet to interlace images from different sources.

Abstract: A field-of-view controlling arrangement for a display screen or window includes overlay in the form of a single sheet of light transmitting material having a plurality of parallel, spaced apart v-shaped grooves, or a plurality of polyhedral, conical, or frustoconical lens or prism structures, that serve to shift or expand the field-or-view of an image or scene viewed through the sheet. Any of the angled or curved surfaces of the resulting lens or prism structures may be treated to attenuate or scatter light, thereby providing a privacy screening effect with respect to a range of angles determined by the orientation of the treated surfaces.

Abstract: A field-of-view controlling arrangement such as a privacy screen includes a single microprism or lenticular sheet having a plurality of sets of parallel surfaces that intersect to form prisms or lenticular structures, and in which field-of-view control is achieved by (i) for sheets made up of parallel “one-dimensional” microprism or lenticular structures having at least two intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, altering at least two sets of the mutually parallel surfaces, and/or portions of the at least two sets of mutually parallel surfaces, by applying a light-attenuating treatment, (ii) for sheets made up of polyhedral lenticular structures having at least three intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, or at least one set of curved surfaces extending in directions transverse to directions in which the field-of-view is to be limited, altering at least one set of the mutually parallel or curved surfaces by applying a light-attenuating treatment, or (iii) for any type of micropr

Abstract: A field-of-view controlling arrangement such as a privacy screen includes a single microprism or lenticular sheet having a plurality of sets of parallel surfaces that intersect to form prisms or lenticular structures, and in which field-of-view control is achieved by (i) for sheets made up of parallel “one-dimensional” microprism or lenticular structures having at least two intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, altering at least two sets of the mutually parallel surfaces, and/or portions of the at least two sets of mutually parallel surfaces, by applying a light-attenuating treatment, (ii) for sheets made up of polyhedral lenticular structures having at least three intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, or at least one set of curved surfaces extending in directions transverse to directions in which the field-of-view is to be limited, altering at least one set of the mutually parallel or curved surfaces by applying a light-attenuating treatment, or (iii) for any type of micropr

Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging system and method involves transmission of the left and right eye portions of the stereoscopic image as separate images, the separate images being interlaced following display and polarization. The images may conveniently be interlaced or combined using a microprism sheet, the left and right eye portions of the interlaced image being distinguishable by polarized lenses in order to obtain a stereoscopic effect.

Abstract: An image projection device includes a Fresnel lens positioned in an optical path of an illuminated image in such a way that light from the image passes twice through the Fresnel lens, once in each direction. The first optical element may be a planar mirror arranged to reflect light transmitted by said Fresnel lens in the first direction back through said Fresnel lens in the second direction. In addition, a second optical element may be provided for changing a path of light exiting said Fresnel lens in said second direction so that the projected image appears at a location away from the path of light from the image source to the Fresnel lens.

Abstract: A lighting element in which a plurality of point sources are in the form of LEDs situated between a microprism sheet and a reflective backing arrangement, the microprism sheet being of the type having a plurality of v-shaped grooves. The microprism sheet exhibits a diffusion effect, and the LEDs are situated in the grooves so that light from the LEDs that is directly incident on walls of the grooves, and light that is reflected by the backing, is combined by refraction and diffused to provide an even lighting effect. The lighting element may be made of flexible materials so that they can be formed into tubular lighting elements, or made into flat or curved panels.

Abstract: Lighting elements employing multiple light emitting diodes and a diffusive agent such as a microprism sheet, a gas, or a gel, include a video monitor, a light bulb, a neon tube replacement, and a large area compound light panel. Each of the lighting elements may include light emitting diodes of different colors to provide color lighting effects.

Abstract: A system and method of stereoscopic imaging involves separating left and right eye images from a video input by electronically delaying alternate frames of the video input, and then cropping, scaling, and shifting the frame delayed images; simultaneously displaying the left and eye images on a screen; oppositely polarizing the simultaneously displayed left and right eye images; interlacing the oppositely polarized left and right eye images using a microprism sheet, a lenticular sheet, or a beam splitter, and viewing the oppositely polarized and interlaced left and right eye images through polarizing filters. In the case of a beam splitter, the image sources for displaying the left and right eye images are oriented at 90° relative to each other, and one of the left and right eye images is mirror symmetric relative to the other.

Abstract: A watering device includes a receptacle having a hollow interior arranged to hold water and to permit passage of water to an exterior of the main body at a rate sufficient to cause the water to form droplets on the exterior of the receptacle and to drip onto the soil surrounding a plant to be watered. Rather than using mounting hardware to suspend the watering device over the surface, the watering device is arranged to be supported by supporting elements that sit directly on the surface. The receptacle is in the shape of a character, with the supporting elements and a cap that permits the receptacle to be filled with water both having a shape consistent with the nature of the character represented by the shape of the receptacle main body.

Abstract: To apply herbicide to crop escapements, the elevation and angle of rotation of a wick bar mounted to a tractor for capillary movement of herbicide to an application surface is selected to cause the herbicide-coated surfaces to contact the escapements. A lift arm bar: (1) a wick bar at one end; (2) a cross brace driven by a hydraulic cylinder aligned at an angle to a lift arm; (3) a length beyond the crossbar sufficient so that the movement of the cross brace within the stroke range of the hydraulic cylinder is enough to cause a sweep of between 12 inches and 52 inches of change in elevation of the wick bar; and (4) sufficient strength at the crossbrace to withstand at least a hundred pound weight multiplied by two ratios, which are: (a) the extended length to the brace spacing; and (b) the cosine of the angle of the lift arm from a horizontal position to the sine of the angle the hydraulic cylinder makes with the lift arm.