Abstract: An integrated display system includes multiple displays and a transmissive/reflective mirror with a mirror face. Images from display areas of one or more displays are passed through the mirror face and provided to a viewer. Images from display areas of one or more displays are reflected by the mirror face and provided to the viewer. The displays are arrayed to generate a seamless composite image from the images provided by the displays.

Abstract: A method of configuring a media facility having at least one media source, an output device having one or more output windows, and a media integration system having a media space icon, the method comprising: generating a first icon representing the at least one media source, the at least one media source having an output configured to be coupled to an input of the output device through the media integration system, encrypting characteristics of said at least one media source in the first icon, selecting the first icon, applying the selected first icon to the media space icon to provide the output of the at least one media source to the input of the output device through the media integration system, generating a window icon on the media space icon, the window icon representing one of the one or more output windows, encrypting characteristics of the output window and/or the output device in the window icon, and displaying the first icon and the window icon on a display device.

Abstract: A process of configuring a media facility is provided. A source icon representing at least one media source is generated. Then, characteristics of the media source is encrypted in the source icon including settings and recalls for all devices in the signal path. Further, a media space representing an output device is generated. Then, characteristics of the output device is encrypted in the media space. The source icon and the media space are presented, for example, on a display system, to a user for selection. The user may select the source icon and apply it to the media space including settings and recalls for all devices in the signal path, for example, through dragging and dropping. Once the media source, the output device and/or other devices in the signal path between them have been configured, the user may store the configuration for a later recall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for seamless integration of multiple video projectors. In addition to edge blending, projection artifacts in dark or black image regions caused by residual grays from non-perfect projector black levels are reduced. Overlapped and non-overlapped areas of the image are defined and then the minimum black level of the video signal in non-overlapped areas is boosted without affecting the bright portion of the video signal in order to create uniform black level. The bright portion of the image is then smoothed in the overlapped area with seamless edge blending techniques. The resultant projected image may be passed through a neutral density filter to lower the base black level of the now uniform overlap and non-overlap black regions. The image may also pass through a physical mask which is hard edged or graded and aligned to less than the overall overlap region and that when used, smooths the edge of transition between the non-overlapped and overlapped regions.

Abstract: A multi-panel video display system includes multiple display panels. The display panels are enclosed in a single chassis. The gaps or mullions between the display panels are minimized as to provide a composite display without distraction. The display panels are at an angle with one another as to make the display panels equidistant from the eye point of the user. The multiple display panels may be tilted forward such that display surfaces of the display panels may be at an angle with respect to the plane normal to ground.

Abstract: A composite shaft/disc workpiece which is assembled from a disc with a passage hole and from a shaft by friction welding is disclosed. The outer wall of the shaft has a plurality of steps in the connection region with the disc, the radius of the steps becoming larger in a direction of the axis. The passage hole of the disc is provided with webs, the radius of which likewise becomes larger in a direction of the axis and between which annular recesses are present. The webs and steps to be connected overlap in the radial direction, so that, during the welding of the shaft and disc, annular connecting portions are obtained in the region of the webs and steps, annular cavities being formed between the connecting portions. The cavities represent a weight saving, as compared with composite shaft/disc workpices made of solid material, and can also be used as parts of media ducts.

Abstract: A projection system includes multiple imaging heads for projecting a plurality of images, which may or may not be partially overlapped and edge blended to form a projected composite image. The projection system, however, includes only a single light source. The light from the light source is beam split into light portions, and the light portions are applied to the imaging heads via corresponding light guides. Use of the single light source to project all the images may solve colorimetry problems associated with generating projected composite image from multiple projected images, each of which uses a different light source. For projecting the images on a curved surface, the geometry of the images may be distorted using electronic image warping and/or lens-based optical distortion.

Abstract: A process of configuring a media facility is provided. A source icon representing at least one media source is generated. Then, characteristics of the media source is encrypted in the source icon including settings and recalls for all devices in the signal path. Further, a media space representing an output device is generated. Then, characteristics of the output device is encrypted in the media space. The source icon and the media space are presented, for example, on a display system, to a user for selection. The user may select the source icon and apply it to the media space including settings and recalls for all devices in the signal path, for example, through dragging and dropping. Once the media source, the output device and/or other devices in the signal path between them have been configured, the user may store the configuration for a later recall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing the brightness characteristics of a projected image and using the analyzed characteristics to improve the appearance of the projected image is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the brightness characteristics of the projected image are analyzed at selected points across the raster of the image. An analysis array or array of data elements including brightness components corresponding to detail elements is then generated. The data elements in the array are then used to create compensation signals that are applied to the projected image through, for example, an overlay of smoothing factors or generation of a smoothing curve, to enhance the quality or appearance of the image by improving the regularity of brightness in all areas of the image. This regularity of brightness across the full span of the image is useful as a general improvement to the image and as a compensation for projector or projection surface brightness anomalies.

Abstract: A projection system includes multiple imaging heads for projecting a plurality of images, which may be partially overlapped and edge blended to form a projected composite image. The projection system, however, includes only a single light source. The light from the light source is beam split into light portions, and the light portions are applied to the imaging heads via corresponding light guides. Use of the single light source to project all the images may solve colorimetry problems associated with generating projected composite image from multiple projected images, each of which uses a different light source. For projecting the images on a curved surface, the geometry of the images may be distorted using electronic image warping and/or lens-based optical distortion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for seamless integration of multiple video projectors. In addition to edge blending, projection artifacts in dark or black image regions caused by residual grays from non-perfect projector black levels are reduced. Overlapped and non-overlapped areas of the image are defined and then the minimum black level of the video signal in non-overlapped areas is boosted without affecting the bright portion of the video signal in order to create uniform black level. The bright portion of the image is then smoothed in the overlapped area with seamless edge blending techniques. The resultant projected image may be passed through a neutral density filter to lower the base black level of the now uniform overlap and non-overlap black regions. The image may also pass through a physical mask which is hard edged or graded and aligned to less than the overall overlap region and that when used, smooths the edge of transition between the non-overlapped and overlapped regions.

Abstract: An integrated display system includes multiple displays and a transmissive/reflective mirror with a mirror face. Images from display areas of one or more displays are passed through the mirror face and provided to a viewer. Images from display areas of one or more displays are reflected by the mirror face and provided to the viewer. The displays are arrayed to generate a seamless composite image from the images provided by the displays.

Abstract: A three dimensional smoothing factors lookup table provides detailed control over the full two dimensional space of a composite image composed of multiple projected raster images. The overall displayed image is improved by adjusting the brightness, gamma, and contrast of individual detail elements of the image according to predetermined smoothing factors. A set of smoothing factors is generated by measuring the reflective brightness of detail elements of the projected image to produce a reflective brightness contour map and mathematically inverting the contour map to produce an inverse map. The inverse map is used as smoothing factors to match the colors output by various projectors in an arrayed projection system. The three dimensional smoothing factors lookup table also enables performance of additional image improvement functions, including projector shading, color shift correction, correction of optical vignetting, and automatic edge definition.

Abstract: In order to provide a C-shaped clamp for clamping workpieces, comprising a C-shaped clamp bow, a spindle nut arranged at one end of the clamp bow, a clamping spindle mounted in the spindle nut and a support arranged at the other end of the clamp bow, which can be used in conjunction with auxiliary elements for clamping a workpiece, it is proposed that the clamp bow have a guide section with guide surfaces for guiding infinitely adjustable, auxiliary elements for the C-shaped clamp.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the safe disposal of used hypodermic needles. According to a preferred embodiment, a funnel-like member, adapted to be hand-held, functions to support a needle sheath during a needle-sheathing operation. The converging walls of such member shield the hand of the user from accidental "needle sticks". Also disclosed are needle containers which incorporate means for facilitating the sheathing of used needles prior to entering the container.