Abstract: A pair of stereoscopic eyewear includes an element for integral assembly with the eyewear including a conductive circuit trace. The conductive pattern provides electrical contact between a contact area of the frame (which is hardwired to an electrical cable) and the contact pads of the liquid crystal shutter pair. Preferably, a conductive elastomer is used to facilitate the electrical contact to the shutters and the frame. Additionally, each wire of the cable is terminated with a fixed electrical contact adapted to securely mate with a slot in the frame that correspond to the contact area. A lens assembly attaches to the frame to rigidly hold the frame, the shutters and the conductive trace in intimate juxtapostion.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to various arrangements of optical and electronic components to form a high-resolution helmet mounted display (HMD) or other compact display device utilizing one or more reflective mode display devices for the generation of imagery, including those utilizing micro mirror technology.

Abstract: Stereoscopic eyewear (10) enables a viewer to see a three dimensional image from a two dimensional image which is projected or displayed on a screen. The eyewear may be coordinated with the two dimensional image either with a signal transmitted through a cable (40) or with an infrared (IR) transmitter (200, 201) and receiver. The IR transmitter may include two sources of IR light to increase the likelihood of reception by the transmitter. The IR transmitter may have a curved bottom (202) covered with Velcro™ material (203) for attachment to another piece of Velcro™. The curved bottom in combination with the Velcro™ enables control of the orientation of the IR transmitter. When the eyewear is connected via a cable, guide bars (61, 62) or a cable loop (42, 43, 44) can be included to provide strain relieve. The shutter or lens of the eyewear may be made from a liquid crystal cell (11L, 11R).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a thin and light optical device for observing visual information with a large angle of visual field and a head-mount display (HMD) using said optical device. An optical device according to the present invention comprises a refracting means consisting of a refracting element with half-mirror coating and a circularly polarized light selecting semitransparent mirror, which are disposed in the described order from the incident side. The circularly polarized light selecting semitransparent mirror consists of a quarter-wave plate, a half-mirror and a polarizer or cholesteric liquid crystal, which are disposed in the described order from the incident side. A thin and high-magnification optical system is obtained by using the circularly polarized light selecting semitransparent mirror that first reflects incident light in a clockwise circularly polarized fashion and allows the counterclockwise circularly polarized light having made 1.

Abstract: A pair of transparent film substrates are provided. A transparent electrode and an orientation film are formed on each of the pair of transparent film substrates in sequence. A liquid crystal is inserted between the pair of film substrates. An orientation process is performed on each of the orientation films such that a visual-angle direction in which a maximum contrast is obtained is a six-o'clock direction or a twelve-o'clock direction based on a direction of the short hand of a clock. Each of the pair of film substrates is an optically anisotropic body, having a retardation value in the range of 5 to 30 nm in the plane of the film substrates. Assuming that long-axis directions denote directions parallel to the longest side of the periphery of the liquid-crystal shutter, the lagging-axis directions in the plane of the film substrates are approximately parallel to the long-axis directions.

Abstract: One amendatory structure of 3D LCS glasses, it is further a pair of 3D glasses being designed based on human ergonomic that provides a more light-weighted and comfortable wearing condition, that is, the present invention allows users to enjoy many different types of 3D applications by wearing the present invention for a longer period of time. By means of three individual parts, including a frame, a shelf and an nose-rack, the present invention can be assembled by connecting each part, or disassembled into three separate parts. The frame of the present invention is designed to be rotary and can be flipped up and down, while the nose-rack is designed to be adjusted vertically. The best wearing condition can be achieved by adjusting position of the frame and the nose-rack.

Abstract: Liquid crystal for a right eye and liquid crystal for a left eye are not positioned in one plane, but are positioned to incline at an angle of 5°. To be concrete, both liquid crystal are inclined so that they become closer to the viewer's face as making toward the side of the face from the middle of the forehead. The inclination of liquid crystal as above-described to set the preferential direction of visual view of liquid crystal to be horizontal leads in that the direction by which the high contrast of liquid crystal can be obtained is toward the 3D display. It diminishes a phenomenon like cross-talk and allows the viewer to view the appropriate stereoscopic image. Liquid crystal for a right eye and liquid crystal for a left eye have the same construction. These liquid crystals make contrast with each other and then they are mounted on the liquid crystal shutter glasses portion. This makes it possible for each electrode to position in the center of liquid crystal shutter glasses portion.

Abstract: The characteristic of a visual-field angle is improved by improving a characteristic of the contrast of a liquid-crystal display element employed in a head mounted display apparatus which is used as an optical visualizing apparatus mounted on the head of an image viewer for viewing an image appearing in front of both eyes of an image viewer. The liquid-crystal display element for displaying an image comprises a liquid-crystal board as well as first and second polarizing boards sandwiching the liquid-crystal board wherein the polarization directions of the first and second polarizing boards are inclined in a slanting orientations so that the contrast characteristic in the horizontal direction can be kept unchanged while the characteristic of the contrast in the vertical direction can be changed. In this way, the angle of the visual field can be enhanced.

Abstract: A method and system for creating very thin displays producing virtual images based on extremely small "pinpoint" light sources. In an embodiment, a pinpoint light source is used in a manner analogous to a pinhole lens to magnify and view a displayed image up close. In another embodiment, an array of pinpoint light sources with or without intervening lenses is used to illuminate a spatial light modulator to produce an extremely thin virtual image display.

Abstract: With a head mount display, a difference in an effective area of pixels depending on a horizontal angle of view is corrected. In an active matrix region 106, a horizontal width e of a pixel electrode in a region where the horizontal angle of view becomes large is set to be larger than a horizontal width d of pixels in a region where the horizontal angle of view becomes small. With this arrangement, a difference in a visual area of the pixel electrode caused by the horizontal angle of view can be corrected.

Abstract: An image viewing system to permit viewing of three-dimensional images, wherein users wear a pair of eyeglasses to view displayed images. The pair of eyeglasses include lenses having LCD polarizing filters and a LCD controlling unit configured to adjust the polarization of the lenses based upon the orientation of the glasses. A sensing unit, located on the glasses, monitors the orientation of the glasses and when the orientation is skewed from a default orientation, the sensing unit notifies the controlling unit of the new orientation. Upon receipt of the new orientation, the controlling unit then initiates a change in the polarization of the LCD filters. Adjustment of the polarization allows users of 3-D viewing glasses to freely adjust head position relative to the displayed images without compromising the integrity of the viewed image.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for providing human visual physiology with a perceived continuous image of a fast-moving object formed by a series of visual pulses each followed by a period of visual blockage where the frequency of these repetitive pulses/blockages is selectively adjusted to be close to the actual flicker fusion frequency of the observer at the perceived brightness of the visual pulses. The objective of this method is to provide the observer with enhanced visual. perception of fast-moving objects. The method and apparatus presented is intended for use under natural lighting conditions and continuous artificial lighting conditions and is accomplished by spectacles with optical shutter lenses. The lenses are alternately opened to provide the wearer with an unhampered view of the surroundings and then closed to block out the view and as much light transmissibility as possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin and light optical device for observing visual information with a large angle of visual field and a head-mount display (HMD) using the optical device. The optical device includes a refractor consisting of a refracting element with half-mirror coating and a circularly polarized light selecting semitransparent mirror, which are disposed in order from the incident side. The circularly polarized light selecting semitransparent mirror consists of a quarter-wave plate, a half-mirror and a polarizer or cholesteric liquid crystal, which are disposed in order from the incident side. A thin and high-magnification optical system is obtained by using the circularly polarized light selecting semitransparent mirror that first reflects incident light in a clockwise circularly polarized fashion and allows the counterclockwise circularly polarized light having made 1.5 round trips to pass therethrough without being reflected.

Abstract: A liquid ink printer, depositing ink drops to form an image, including a pagewidth printbar, movable to print a complete image when defective nozzles of the printbar are identified. A positioning device, coupled to the pagewidth printbar, positions the printbar at a plurality of discrete locations, to move a functioning nozzle to the location in the image where the defective nozzle should deposit drops of ink. Defective nozzles are identified by the printer control mechanism and a user is given the option to fix the image through a user interface where the printer is directed to fill in the missing information of the image. Defective nozzles can also be identified by printing a test pattern which identifies to a user which of the nozzles are non-functioning. The user then inputs this information to the printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display head-set device that includes a support member and a display-optics interface pod coupled to one of a left handle portion and a right handle portion of the support member. The display-optics interface pod houses an image display for viewing by a user. In one embodiment, the display head-set resembles a pair of eye glasses with the interface pod attached to one of the left handle portion and the right handle portion of the support member by an arm clip and extending into the field of vision to offer a monocular viewing sight to the user.

Abstract: A device featuring liquid crystals for local reduction of the intensity of incident light is described. This device protects the eyes or the video camera against blinding, or the light-sensitive medium against local damage by automatically reducing the intensity of the incident light emitted by brightly illuminated objects, while the brightness of poorly illuminated objects is not suppressed. The device uses optically addressed spatial light modulators (OASLM) on the basis of a semitransparent photoconducting film in contact with ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC). The DHF effect (deformation of the helix structure) in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) with helix-shaped structure is used here. The drive voltage has a frequency of 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.3 Hz at an amplitude of .+-.20 V, which is 10-50 times higher than that of devices operating with nematic liquid crystals. The device allows moving objects to be observed against the background of a bright light source (sun, lamp, etc.).

Abstract: An electro-optical filter (22) typically for use in a still or video camera (10). The camera (10) is provided with a lens (14) for focusing an image of the subject (12) onto focal plane (16) of the camera (10). A recording medium is placed at the focal plane (16). Light emanating or reflected from the subject (12) travels in an optical path (20) through lens (14) and onto the focal plane (16). Located in the optical path (20) between the subject (12) and the focal plane (16) is the electro-optical filter (22). The electro-optical filter (22) comprises a matrix of independent cells (24) on which respective portions of the subject image impinge. Each cell has a transmissibility dependent on the intensity of the portion of the impinging subject image so that each portion of subject image is independently filtered by the cell (24) on which it impinges. The filtered subject image comprises the ensemble of filtered subject image portions and can be captured or viewed at the focal plane (16).

Abstract: Light responsive, transmissivity variable eyewear utilizing two specifically configured liquid crystal cells and a method of making the cells is disclosed. The cell itself includes a pair of spaced apart transparent substrates in confronting parallel relationship to one another, transparent electrodes exposed over the outer surfaces of the substrates and connectable to a voltage control arrangement, a liquid crystal mixture contained between the substrates and tilted homeotropic alignment layers formed on the inner confronting surfaces of the substrates. The liquid crystal mixture contains a liquid crystal material with a negative dielectric anisotropy and dichroic dye molecules. All of which cooperate with one another such that the cell is highly transparent indoors, that is, out of the sunlight and is much less transparent, that is dark, in the sunlight.

Abstract: Electro-optical glazing structures having total-reflection and semi-transparent and totally-transparent modes of operation which are electrically-switchable for use in dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow in diverse applications.

Abstract: TV mail system comprising a plurality of televisions each having a receiving function capable of receiving broadcasting radio waves and displaying a program, and a mail server to which the televisions are connected through communication lines, wherein the television has a mail sending function for making mail including at least destination information and the body of a mail to output the mail data to the mail server and a mail receiving function for displaying the contents of mail data received from the mail server together with the received mail, the mail server has a database in which authentication information of users are registered, a receiving mail box for storing received mail data, mail boxes for receivers, a mail distribution device for distributing, to a mail box for the receiver, mail data stored in the receiving mail box by making a reference to the authentication database and an outputting device which sends out the mail data received from one television to at least one different television in co

Abstract: A device for selectively reducing the intensity of light in the field of view of an eye or of an optical instrument is described. The device can reduce the light intensity emanating from multiple sources. In one embodiment, an eye gear has a frame, a power source, a light sensor, two light transmissive lenses having an array of shutter elements, user controls and processing circuitry. The user controls are utilized to set user constants to customize the apparatus, and may be used to select a mode of operation. During operation, the light sensor scans the field of view and produces light intensity signals. These light intensity signals are processed with the user constants and preset threshold values. If the light intensity signals exceed any of the threshold values, then one or more elements of the shutter matrices of each lens is darkened.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to provide a compact and highly stable head-mount image display apparatus capable of always transmitting voice information of an optimal volume, irrespective of the positional relationship between the head and the ear of an observer, which is related to the shape and/or size of the head. To attain the object, speakers incorporated in the apparatus of the invention can be moved to desired positions in accordance with changes in the positional relationship between the head and the ears of observers. Further, the apparatus of the invention can be folded to reduce the area the apparatus occupies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable cholesteric filter. Said filter comprises an optically active layer which is situated between two substrates which are both provided with an electrode for applying an electric field. The optically active layer comprises a liquid-crystalline material which is in the cholesteric phase. In accordance with the invention, the optically active layer comprises a three-dimensional polymer network which consists of the polymerization product of maximally 2 wt. % of monomers with at least two polymerizable groups and maximally 30 wt. % of liquid-crystalline monomers with one polymerizable group, and the rest of the optically active layer consists predominantly of a mixture of chiral and achiral liquid-crystalline molecules. An optically active layer of this composition can be switched in a simple and reproducible manner by means of an electric field. The invention also relates to a luminaire comprising such a switchable cholesteric filter.

Abstract: An image display device based on liquid crystal panels is arranged for outputting a high quality image, specifically one in which the problem of the shadow border between pixels has been remedied. Embodiments of the display device employ various techniques to address the problem. One solution, a multi-pixelating technique, surrounds pixels with virtual images of pixel, where both the spacing and the range of the multi-pixelating are precisely controllable. In other solution, the divergence of the light incident upon the liquid crystal panel is carefully controlled, or the light field emerging from the liquid crystal panel is modulated, in order to project a carefully controlled pixel image intensity distribution onto a diffusely scattering surface. The techniques developed are applicable to color liquid crystal panels as well, and can be employed to perform a precisely interpolated color mixing of neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A route guide system for making guidance of the traveling direction in the sight field of the driver during traveling. The road guide plate is provided in front of a turning point. This road guide plate emits light differing in flash timing according to the branching direction. The liquid crystal shutter is provided on the front glass of the vehicle equipped with the navigation system. When making road guidance, ON/OFF operation of the liquid crystal shutter is controlled by an MPU so that only the light of the light-emitting pattern corresponding to the traveling direction according to the traveling direction information of the turning point obtained from route searching toward the targeted location.

Abstract: A liquid crystal shutter has a liquid crystal layer which is made of a liquid crystal material prepared from a nematic liquid crystal. The ratio d/p of the thickness d of the liquid crystal layer to the chiral pitch p of the liquid crystal material and a twist angle .theta. which is set by a pair of alignment layers for liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer satisfy the relation of .theta./360.degree.<d/p.

Abstract: A display system arranged closer than the focus point of the eyes. The display system comprises a hologram carrier for generating a virtual image by a hologram of a pixels' image arranged in two dimensions a light source for directing an incident light of a predetermined wavelength area to the hologram carrier, and a liquid crystal shutter selectively releasing and cutting-off an area of each pixel's image of the hologram carrier.

Abstract: Glasses include lens assemblies held by a frame to be worn by a user. The lens assemblies have liquid crystal displays which are operatively connected to a PC board mounted on the frame. The printed circuit board drives the liquid crystal display to produce animated images which may be seen by one facing the wearer. A battery mounted on the frame powers the chip and PC board.