Abstract: There is disclosed a system that produces patterns or images from a light beam by a series of reflections off of multiple mirrors, these mirrors rotated by motors. The mirrors are positioned with respect to each other and offset at a predetermined angle from a plane perpendicular with respect to the transverse vertical plane extending axially through the respective motors. This positioning creates a path of travel for the light beam that crosses over on itself at least once, allowing for the maximum number of patterns to be produced from a maximum number of mirrors, that are all preferably substantially uniform in their diameter (largest transverse dimension).

Abstract: In a three lamp, three light valve projection system, the lamps are energized sequentially in a three phase illumination cycle. The light therefrom is separated by an optical system composed of a three by three array of nine mirrors, all but one of which must be dichroic, to produce red, green, blue color sequential illumination of each light valve. Each light valve, which is controlled by a different control signal derived from an input video signal, is illuminated by a different color sequence such that during each phase of the illumination cycle, each light valve is illuminated by a different color. When the output beams from the light valves are converged over the same area of a screen, the phases of the illumination cycle occur at the field rate of the input video signal, whereas, when the output beams are arranged to produce a tiled image, the phases of the illumination cycle occur at three times the field rate.

Abstract: In an area of interest (AOI) display, a detailed image is projected on a screen at the area of interest while a background image is projected on the surrounding area such that the boarder between the two areas varies in an orbital oscillating pattern to accomplish visual blending. A combiner includes a transparent portion to accommodate projection of the background image at the area of interest. The opaque portion carries a mirror to reflect the detailed image filling the area of interest. The combiner is oscillated in an orbital pattern at a resonant frequency, e.g. 210 Hertz by a three phase electromechanical drive unit.

Abstract: A circular projection system using segmented trapezoidal screens arranged in a continuous arcuate array about a central vertical axis. The top of each screen is tilted downward. Each screen is illuminated by a projector which is mounted above and behind the screen which opposes it. The image from each projector is also angled downward.For an eight-screen system, each screen is tilted by approximately 8.degree.. For a nine-screen system, each is tilted by approximately 7.degree.. For maximum linearity, the ratio of the distance between the projector lens and the top of the screen on which it projects to the width of the top of said screen is substantially equal to the ratio of the distance between the projector lens and the bottom of said screen to the width of the bottom of said screen.

Abstract: A variable speed film transport interlock control system for allowing a plurality of film audio elements to be run in synchronization with each other with at least one film element running at a different selected speed than the other elements. The system generates a modified drive signal from a standard system drive signal such that the modified signal corresponds to a speed with a fixed ratio to the speed of the standard drive signal under all operating conditions. This permits the modified signal to drive a film transport device, such as a recorder or reproducer, at a different speed than the other transport devices while maintaining synchronization with the other devices during forward or reverse, stopping and starting, high speed or low speed operation.

Abstract: A slide projector having two projection optics systems (12,14) for display of slides on a screen. Each projection optics system includes a fixed position slide gate (24, 36) into and from which slides move relative to a circular slide tray (16), which rotates about a fixed vertical axis to access each compartment therein relative to both slide gates.

Abstract: A system for creating projected visual motion effects for filming or videotaping, with the use of still projection equipment, involves projecting a still image on a screen from a slide projector, projecting a second image on the screen, superimposed on the first image, and causing the projected second image to move rectilinearly at a controlled variable speed and in a selected direction over the first projected still image. This movement is accomplished with a "crawler" assembly having a transparent rectilinearly movable carrier panel carrying the second image over the stage surface of a standard overhead projector, or a light box, constituting the second image light source. The illuminated second image is directed to the screen by an overhead lens and suitably angled mirror. The transparent carrier is driven by a variable-speed reversible motor through a changeable worm gear drive assembly coupled to friction drive rollers engaging the carrier, which is slidably supportingly retained in a guide frame.

Abstract: An image animation apparatus includes a rotating disk having film negatives mounted around its periphery each film negative having a different facial expression on it. By use of an associated microprocessor which responds to certain control inputs the sequence of facial expressions can be selected by activating a flash tube at the proper time to project the image on the face of a featureless mannequin to cause the sequence of facial expressions to correspond to spoken phonemes which are synchronized with the facial expressions. Alternatively, instead of a rotating disk a matrix of optical cells can be selectively flashed. In addition, the image forming film negative associated with each optical cell can either contain a complete facial expression or a portion such as the eyes, mouth or eyebrows with the simultaneous activation of, for example, three cells producing a complete facial expression.