Abstract: A system and a method for controlled concurrent viewing of images, in their entirety, by the use of a dual viewer controllable dual display system having the added capability of individually presented resolution is disclosed. In operation, a viewer first selected image is provided by a first controllable display device and a viewer selected second image, typically different from the first, is provided by a second controllable display device. A viewer looks through the second display and sees the image presented by the first display and the image presented by the second display provided at the plane of the first display. Additionally, the displays can be interactive, in that an image or event provided on one display results in the presentation of an image or other data on the other display, all the while allowing the viewer to select from other information. Also the position of one image can be varied with respect to the other image.

Abstract: A modular enclosure system particularly suited for use aboard a ship comprises a modular enclosure which is easily installed into and removed from an exoskeletal frame that is shock-mounted to a fixed surface, such as the deck of a ship. An enclosure is installed by placing it within a respective frame via complementary guide rails. A securing mechanism locks the enclosure into place within the frame, and an ejection mechanism enables an enclosure to be easily removed for purposes of maintenance, repair or reconfiguration, or in the event of an emergency. The enclosures are preferably water-tight and float if ejected into the sea. Rubberized boots surrounding all points of entry enhance the survivability of the enclosures in a nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) environment. Shock-mounting the frames to the deck eliminates the need to shock-mount individual pieces of equipment and enables the use of cheaper and more readily available commercial off-the-shelf equipment.

Abstract: A solid state aperture is formed with an optical system and an electrode system. In different embodiments, the optical system includes electrically-responsive attenuation members, e.g., black guest host liquid crystals, and electrically-responsive, polarization-rotation members, e.g., twisted nematic liquid crystals. The electrode system includes electrodes of electrically conductive, optically transparent materials which are applied to the optical system to define attenuation segments of a desired attenuation pattern.

Abstract: A system for portable secure viewing of an image having the added advantage of presenting true three-dimensional imagery is disclosed. In operation the system is brought to a viewing location where it is opened up, configured and activated. Upon activation, an image is provided by an image source to an image projector which projects the image through a projecting lens focusing the image upon a transmissive field lenses or reflective field screens which in turn provide the image to a pupil locations. A viewer resident at the pupil location is able to see the image projected while others cannot. After viewing is completed, the system is turned off and closed for transportation. The system can then be moved to a second location providing additional secure viewing.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display includes a projection system which generates a plurality of real images that represent different spatial views of an object and further includes a plurality of contiguous field lenses. From the real images, the field lenses form a plurality of exit pupils which are separated by one interpupillary distance. An observer can "walk around" the display and observe different stereoscopic views of the object by positioning his eyes at an adjacent pair of exit pupils.

Abstract: A volumetric display system includes a display member which has a plurality of electrically-responsive optical shutters arranged in a layered relationship. The optical shutters include layers of a liquid crystal which preferably can be formed in geometric shapes which enhance the volumetric display. A projection system projects successive images onto the display member while successive ones of the optical shutters are switched into their translucent state. At any moment in time, all optical shutters except the successive one are maintained in a transparent state.

Abstract: A projection system wherein two or more separate display sources, such as high brightness sources, or active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) or other flat panel displays are used to write information directly onto a display screen, or onto a photoactivated reflective light valve for projection onto the display screen. Sequential imaging apparatus is used to alternately generate first and second images for display. For example, such images are coupled to the photoactivated reflective light valve and an illumination source is employed to illuminate the light valve and project a composite image onto the display screen. The flat panel displays may be transmissive, reflective, or self-emissive with the use of an optical shutter. A writing illumination source is used for non-self-emissive flat panel displays. Using high brightness display sources, the images may be directly written onto the display screen without the use of the reflective photoactivated light valve and the illumination source.

Abstract: A light source system (10) for collecting and directing light. The light source system (10) includes light cubes (12) including an enclosure (22) substantially surrounding a light emitter (26). The enclosure includes a body (22) enclosing a cavity (24). A plurality of light pipes (32) are disposed to extend through the body into the interior of the cavity, so that the light pipes (32) carry light from inside to outside the cavity. By utilizing a plurality of these light cubes (12), the intensity of light can be controlled by combining light from a plurality of such light sources into a combiner unit (16) which combines the light from all of these sources into a single path. The intensity of light in the combiner output can be controlled by selectively turning on or off one or more of the light sources. The present invention thereby provides a high intensity light source which is rugged and easy to manufacture at low cost. The modular design provides built in redundancy and light intensity control.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arc lamp for producing a high intensity point source of light by magnetically compressing the light emitting element of the arc lamp. Arc lamp point light source 30 includes bulb 32 having two electrode 34, 36 spaced apart to have gap 35 therebetween and hermetically sealed within bulb envelope 44 filled with ionizing gas. Connector 46 is provided for applying a voltage potential across electrodes 34, 36 causing electric current to pass therebetween to generate arc plasma 42. Annular magnet 48 and bar magnet 50 located outboard of bulb envelope 44 generate a magnetic field around arc plasma 42 to compress the volume thereof between electrodes 34, 36.

Abstract: Projection apparatus comprising high resolution projection display systems that generate a relatively large high resolution image on a display screen, wherein seams and tiling artifacts in observation (image) space are eliminated or minimized. The projection apparatus comprises an image source that includes a plurality of small tiled image displays, relay optics, and a photoactivated reflective liquid crystal light valve. The small tiled or mosaic-like displays that provide source images that are displayed. The images projected by the image displays are imaged onto the light valve. A polarizing beamsplitter is disposed adjacent an output surface of the light valve, and an illumination source provides illumination light that is projected by way of the polarizing beamsplitter onto an output surface of the light valve. The illumination light is reflected from the output surface of the light valve back through the polarizing beamsplitter. A projection lens projects the illumination light onto the display screen.

Abstract: A polarizing beamsplitter (PBS) that can be used with reflective light valve displays includes two polarizing surfaces. A light source projects opposing readout beams onto the polarizing surfaces, which reflect linearly polarized (S or P) components of the readout beams. The polarized readout beams illuminate respective portions of a reflective light valve cell that bears an image intensity pattern. The cell spatially modulates the readout beams' polarization in accordance with the image intensity pattern and reflects the polarization modulated beam back towards the polarizing beamsplitter. The PBS spatially analyzes the readout beams' intensities in accordance with their polarization modulations.

Abstract: Optical apparatus that condenses illuminating light into a narrow formatted band of light that follows activated lines down a light valve as it is driven. The present invention is a telecentric illumination scanning system that comprises an input lens group, a rotatable or oscillating reflective scanner, an output lens group and a polarizing element. The input lens group transmits light provided by a light source to the scanner, which is reflected therefrom and is directed to the output lens group. The light transmitted by the output lens group is polarized by the polarizing element and applied to the light valve. The input and output lens groups focus the light provided by the light source into a relatively narrow band of light that is scanned by the rotatable or oscillating scanner across the face of the light valve. A telecentric light zone is formed in a predetermined space between the output lens group and the light valve.

Abstract: A full color liquid crystal flat panel display having a step waveplate providing one-quarter and three-quarter wave phase retardation to alternating rows which provide left and right views. The result of right and left are circular polarized in opposite directions which two a viewer wearing circularly polarized glasses provides the left and right views to the appropriate eye such that the viewer is able to see full color three-dimensional images.

Abstract: A full color 3D projection display using wavelength separation which, through a combination of retarders, prisms and dichroic and polarizing coatings, takes linearly polarized red and green light of p orientation from left and right images and blue linearly polarized light of p orientation from one of the views or a common image, and presents the light for projection having green and red light of one polarization orientation for one view and red and green light of a polarization with another orientation for providing the 3D components of the image. The blue light component is presented alternately in one of both polarization orientations to be perceived with the left and right views, respectively.

Abstract: A cube bi-prism for beam combining and/or splitting through color and polarization multiplexing.

Abstract: A compact, high resolution, full color three-dimensional projection system having a single display system and utilizing image polarization for color multiplexing.