Abstract: A lenslet array having variously shaped and sized lenslets, where the lenslets are rotated and/or tilted, reducing gap images in an image formed by pixels/subpixels, where the pixel/subpixels have gaps between each other forming the gap images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for projecting a moving or still stereo or multichannel image (IM), said apparatus comprising at least a first (R) and at least a second (L) video projector, or the like, for projecting images intended for the left and the right eye of a viewer (H) alternately in time and in synchronization with the function of shutter glasses (G) or the like worn by the viewer. According to the invention, said video projectors are liquid crystal video projectors (PI) in which liquid crystal video projectors (PI) the illuminating, and thereby image-projecting light source (FP) of the liquid crystal matrix (LC) is a light source (FP) that produces light in a pulsed manner, the pulsing of said light source (FP) being arranged to occur in synchronization with the presentation of images. The pulsing of light sources according to the invention enables the projection of high-quality stereo image by means of affordable liquid crys-tal video projectors functioning at the normal image frequency.

Abstract: A display unit for displaying first and second images includes a display device, a parallax barrier arranged facing the display device, and a lenticular lens arranged facing the parallax barrier. The parallax barrier includes a plurality of slit regions. A slit control section alternately switches each slit region between a transmitting state and a shielding state at a predetermined cycle. An image signal output section provides, in synchronization with the switching of the slit region, image data to the display device so that the plurality of pixels of the display device display an image different from the image displayed before switching of the slit region.

Abstract: A light direction switching apparatus and method is described. The light direction switching apparatus comprises a passive birefringent lens (138), e.g. a birefringent lenticular screen, and a switchable polariser (146). By switching the polariser (146), different directional distributions of output light are provided. The light direction switching apparatus may be used with or incorporated in a display device, such as a liquid crystal display device, to provide a display device switchable between a two dimensional mode and an autostereoscopic three dimensional mode, or to provide a multi-user display device where different images are displayed to different viewers. The light direction switching apparatus may also be used to provide switchable brightness enhancement of reflective or transflective display devices. The light direction switching apparatus may also be used to provide a fiber-optic switching apparatus. The switchable polariser may be mechanically switchable or electrically switchable.

Abstract: A three-dimensional observation apparatus includes a pair of image projection means, an image display means, a position detecting means for detecting movements of an observer of images displayed by the image display means, and a driving means for tracking movements of the observer and for moving the image display means based on changes of signals that are output from the position detecting means. The pair of image projection means and the image display means are configured such that the pair of image projection means projects a right eye image and a left eye image, and the image display means presents these images to the right eye and left eye, respectively, of an observer. A diffusing means may be provided to enlarge the exit pupils of the three-dimensional observation apparatus.

Abstract: A device for projecting a color image upon a screen, including color image recording and color image reproduction with an enhanced color reproduction trueness in comparison to conventional processes. In the device two images are recorded in parallel, which separately detect the shorter and the longer wavelength parts of the individual principle color spectral regions. In image reproduction six primary valences are produced, which respectively comprise the image information of the shorter and the longer wavelength parts of each of the individual principle color spectral regions. In an alternative embodiment the device produces a full color, stereoscopic image reproduction, in which the three primary valences of the respective shorter wave part encode a stereoscopic half image and the three primary valences of the respective longer wavelength part encode the other stereoscopic half image.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a scanning collimated light source that creates an image by illuminating a suspension of light-scattering particles in an optically transparent medium with a collimated beam, where the brightness of the collimated beam is modulated at each moment in time by an amount that is dependent upon the momentary direction of the beam and also on the distance of the scattering particle encountered by the beam at that moment. A method for producing a volumetric display. An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a light source for providing light. The apparatus includes a mechanism for producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source. The method includes the steps of producing light from a light source. There is the step of producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source.

Abstract: Method for transmitting signals in a projection system, including the step of transmitting signals (Ra, Ga, Ba and Rb, Gb, Bb) to two or more projection elements (6 and 7), which projection elements (6 and 7) each are used for projecting a plurality of colors, at least one of these projection elements (6 and 7) having a different polarization state for at least one of the colors projected by the respective projection element (6 and 7), characterized in that the signals (Ra, Ga, Ba and Rb, Gb, Bb), supplied to said projection elements (6 and 7) for one or more colors, are swapped in order to result in a desired polarization for each of the respective colors.

Abstract: An image display apparatus is provided which includes a screen and a plurality of projectors which respectively project images relating to a same object so that the images are superimposed on each other on the screen. One of the plurality of projectors is arranged spatially in substantially a plane symmetric relationship with another of the plurality of projectors so that the images are projected at projectors angles onto the screen to be substantially in alignment on the screen.

Abstract: Three-dimensional imaging without parallax barriers or specialized eye gear, and without attendant loss of resolution, is provided by a display that produces dynamic images for display on at least two stacked electronic transmissive displays to create a continuous 3-D image field in a large viewing area or in multiple viewing areas. The images on each display are derived from stereoscopic image sources corresponding to both eyes of a viewer, and the derived images act as a mask for each other causing 3-D perception. The derived images are processed by summing the predicted image data, comparing the predicted image data to the desired stereopair, and minimizing the error. In preferred embodiments, the processing can be performed by an artificial neural network. A viewer may be presented with different aspects of an image as their viewing position changes to allow the viewer to perceive various perspectives of an image in dynamic fashion.

Abstract: A lenslet array having lenslets where the lenslets are variously shaped, and/or rotated and/or tilted, reducing gap images in an image formed by pixels/subpixels, where the pixel/subpixels have gaps between each other forming the gap images.

Abstract: A volumetric display apparatus is disclosed which includes, one or more movable generator means to receive a multitude of light sources, wherein said light sources have a non-linear spatial distribution and are independently accessed for unequal access durations, in which said light sources have multiple-element structure with independent direction and intensity control, in which light blocking means controls a direction and intensity of light beams generated by light sources, and a method employing a psudo-uniform volumetric image space in which volumetric image elements have a sane size.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-person shared display device with which a display device can be shared by a plurality of persons. For this purpose, a display device of the present invention is configured by a large screen display 112 and a display mask 114, which covers and hides a portion thereof. The display mask 114 is disposed at a position only an appropriate distance away from a display surface 116. The display mask 114 has a hole 118, and only through that portion can the display surface 116 of display 112 be seen. By introducing such display mask 114, the region visible upon the display surface differs depending on the viewpoint position of the user. As a result, it becomes possible to provide different content for every user.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic virtual image to a first viewer (12a) and to a second viewer (12b), where the stereoscopic virtual image is imaged to each viewer at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). Configurations using multiple beamsplitters (16) and one or two curved mirrors (24) direct the optical path to first and second viewers (12a and 12b).

Abstract: A monocentric autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a virtual image, electronically generated and projected on a curved surface. For each left and right image component, a separate optical system comprises an image generation system (70l, 70r) and projection system (72), the projection system comprising a spherical diffusive surface (40) and a spherical gradient-index ball lens assembly (31) to provide wide field of view. A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the ball lens pupil (48) at the viewing pupil (14) and essentially provides a single center of curvature (C) for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement, diffusive surface (40), and ball lens (30) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14).

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus which can reproduce two-dimensional images of high resolution corresponding to a number of viewpoints, for displaying a three-dimensional image, by using a minimized number of light sources. The stereoscopic image display apparatus comprises a light deflection member which has a deflection element deflecting a light beam from a light source unit to form a convergence point, and a beam scanning device which two-dimensionally scans the light beam from the light source unit with respect to the light deflecting member. The light deflection member is movable. The movement of the light deflection member is preformed in synchronization with modulation of the light beam by the light source unit and the scanning of the light beam by the beam scanning device.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display comprises an SLM which is controlled to provide an image display and a signal display. A parallax optic has a first portion which cooperates with the image display to form a plurality of viewing windows. A second portion of the parallax optic forms first and second images visible to an observer to allow the observer to distinguish between a desired orthoscopic viewing zone and undesirable viewing positions such as pseudoscopic positions. The pitch of parallax elements in the second portion is one and a half times the parallax element pitch in the first portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection viewing system of simplified construction and high illumination efficiency, which enables at least two of images varying with viewing directions to be simultaneously displayed in a viewable fashion. The system comprises display devices 1L and 1R for displaying images, projection optical systems 2L and 2R for magnifying and projecting images 3L and 3R displayed on the display devices 1L and 1R, a diffusing plate 5 located in the vicinity of images projected through the projection optical systems 2L and 2R and an eyepiece optical system 4 for projecting exit pupils of the projection optical systems 2L and 2R on the positions of the eyeballs of a viewer. The diffusing plate 5 has an angle of diffusion of up to 20° at full width half maximum.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic virtual image to a first viewer (12a) and to a second viewer (12b), where the stereoscopic virtual image is imaged to each viewer at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). Configurations using multiple beamsplitters (16) and one or two curved mirrors (24) direct the optical path to first and second viewers (12a and 12b).

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic virtual image to a first viewer (12a) and to a second viewer (12b), where the stereoscopic virtual image is imaged to each viewer at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). Configurations using multiple beamsplitters (16) and one or two curved mirrors (24) direct the optical path to first and second viewers (12a and 12b).

Abstract: An apparatus for showing images. The apparatus includes a screen. The apparatus includes a mechanism for displaying a distinct and separate image for each of a number of different observers simultaneously on the screen. A method for showing images.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a stereoscopic virtual image comprises a left image to be viewed by an observer (12) at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil (14r). The apparatus comprises a left pupil imaging system for forming the left image. A right pupil imaging system forms the right image.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic virtual image to a first viewer (12a) and to a second viewer (12b), where the stereoscopic virtual image is imaged to each viewer at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). Configurations using multiple beamsplitters (16) and one or two curved mirrors (24) direct the optical path to first and second viewers (12a and 12b).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on a curved diffusive surface (32) comprises an image source (94) for providing image-bearing light along an axis, a relay lens (54) for directing the image-bearing light toward the curved diffusive surface (32), and, a field lens (120) for redirecting off-axis image-bearing light toward the center of curvature of the curved diffusive surface (32).

Abstract: Angle of incidence of reproducing light with respect to a hologram or a holographic stereogram is adjusted so that a reproduced image can be repetitively viewed without requiring the viewer to move his or her viewpoint. The components of the image reproducing apparatus can be roughly classified into a power supply unit equipped with a power supply for generating a driving power and various types of electric circuits, a light source unit equipped with light emitting diodes and the like, a supporting unit for supporting the light source unit, and a holographic stereogram display unit for holding the holographic stereogram and displaying an image. In this image reproducing apparatus, the light source unit is swingably or turnably moved repetitively with respect to the holographic stereogram so that the reproducing light has angle of incidence changed on the holographic stereogram, thus allowing change of viewed image.

Abstract: A flat-panel projection display comprises a transparent slab and integral area grating, a transparent rod with rectangular cross-section and integral linear grating, arranged along the edge of the slab, and a small video projector. The projector is arranged to direct a virtual image into the end of the rod, directly or via mirrors, the light travelling along the rod via total internal reflection. The linear grating diverts the light into the plane of the slab, and the area grating projects it out of the slab towards a viewer, so that the viewer sees an image at infinity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are three-dimensional projection systems and related methods employing two electronically controlled projectors and a retro-reflective screen. The retro-reflective screen produces a known non-linear light reflection pattern when images are projected thereon. Image computational means are used to calculating flat image information for each projector based upon inputted stereopair images and information regarding the projectors and screen. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the projection system uses an image computational device that employs a neural network feedback calculation to calculate the appropriate flat image information and appropriate images to be projected on the screen by the projectors at any given time. More than two projectors can be employed to produce multiple aspect views, to support multiple viewers, and the like. In another embodiment, the projection system includes a digital camera that provides feedback data to the image computational device.

Abstract: A set of enhanced apparatuses and a computer integrated processes are provided for creating large scale 3D integral photography images. A large number of mini projectors in a grid on top of each other and beside each other, are exposed individually with a computer calculated reverse (pseudoscopic) perspective image. The curved photo layer inside the projectors obtains sharp high resolution images through the achromatic behavior of the lens system. A guided back light system directs the light from the back through the diaphragm apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on a curved diffusive surface (32) comprises an image source (94) for providing image-bearing light along an axis, a relay lens (54) for directing the image-bearing light toward the curved diffusive surface (32), and, a field lens (120) for redirecting off-axis image-bearing light toward the center of curvature of the curved diffusive surface (32).

Abstract: An autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) provides a stereoscopic virtual image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). Apparatus (10) has left and right image generation systems (100l) for forming left and right curved images, each image generation system having a curved mirror (92), a beamsplitter (102) disposed between the vertex of the curved mirror (92) and the mirror's center of curvature, and an image source (94) for providing image-bearing light to the curved mirror (92). The curved mirror (92) cooperates with the beamsplitter to form an intermediate image of the image source (94). A field lens (112) is disposed near the intermediate image for imaging the mirror center of curvature toward the image center of curvature. A ball lens segment (130) is centered at the image center of curvature for forming the curved image from the intermediate image.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus 20 is employed in combination with an image transmission section 10. A case 1 includes a half-mirror 3, a visual field lens 4 and polarizers 22L, 22R therein, and an observation port 23 with a hood is defined in the case 1. A band 25 to be worn on a viewer's head is disposed in the exterior of the case 1. Both of the polarizers 22L and 22R are so designed as to display the stereoscopic images for the right and left eyes on the basis of data transmitted from the image transmission section 10, respectively, and the image lights are guided to the viewer's eyes through the half-mirror 3 and the visual field lens 4. The stereoscopic display apparatus 20 is of the head mount type that guides the images for the right and left eyes projected onto one display screen which is formed of the half-mirror 3 to the right and left eyes.

Abstract: A monocentric arrangement of optical components providing stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically generated, line by line, from an electromechanical grating light modulator (85) and projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) comprising a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.

Abstract: Stereoscopic visualization display apparatus comprising a table (6) having a top (12) onto which a stereoscopic image is projected, a stereoscopic projector (2) closely adjacent to the table (6) and oriented so as to project an image away from the table (6) and towards a reflector (8) so positioned as to reflect the image from the projector (2) onto the table top (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for projecting a moving or still stereo or multichannel image (IM), said apparatus comprising at least a first (R) and at least a second (L) video projector, or the like, for projecting images intended for the left and the right eye of a viewer (H) alternately in time and in synchronization with the function of shutter glasses (G) or the like worn by the viewer. According to the invention, said video projectors are liquid crystal video projectors (PI) in which liquid crystal video projectors (PI) the illuminating, and thereby image-projecting light source (FP) of the liquid crystal matrix (LC) is a light source (FP) that produces light in a pulsed manner, the pulsing of said light source (FP) being arranged to occur in synchronization with the presentation of images. The pulsing of light sources according to the invention enables the projection of high-quality stereo image by means of affordable liquid crys-tal video projectors functioning at the normal image frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on a curved diffusive surface (32) comprises an image source (94) for providing image-bearing light along an axis, a relay lens (54) for directing the image-bearing light toward the curved diffusive surface (32), and, a field lens (120) for redirecting off-axis image-bearings light toward the center of curvature of the curved diffusive surface (32).

Abstract: Apparatus for producing aerial-images is disclosed employing a combination of focusing reflectors, beamsplitter polarizing filters, and light sources. An object to be displayed is illuminated, and its image partially reflected by the beamsplitter to a focusing mirror and reflected to an aerial position. A polarizer prevents ambient light or images from degrading or interfering with the aerial-image. A clock radio, personal television display counter, as well as animated mannequin versions are disclosed.

Abstract: An aerial projection system and method having a housing for positioning low cost optical elements capable of generating a three dimensional aerial images at video rates without reflected artifacts or visible display of the display screen. A method for generating the display images is based on a set of rules that eliminate boundary transgressions and maximizes the illusion of a three dimensional aerial image. An optional second display is a transparent imaging panel that acts selectively as a light valve, as a display platform for special effects or for providing the appearance of linear motion towards or away from the observer. An optional third display, also a transparent imaging panel, may be used as a background display device for displaying video rate images that are not projected aerial images.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus is provided that includes a liquid crystal display device having two polarizing filter arranged on opposite sides of a light modulating unit. The liquid crystal display apparatus also includes a back light on the back side of the liquid crystal display device, two eye polarizing filters fixedly mounted on the back light, an infrared LED arranged on the front side of the liquid crystal display device for illuminating the light on the head of a viewer, and light receiving devices deposed at a present spacing from the front sides of the two eye polarizing filter unit. Moreover, the liquid crystal display apparatus includes a position control unit for processing and comparing the volumes of the light by the light receiving devices to control the position of the back light in the left-and-right direction.

Abstract: A device for holding a print with a multi-image and for holding viewing material. An alignment mechanism engages the viewing material for translational and rotational movement relative to the print to achieve correct alignment for a three dimensional effect. The alignment mechanism is held in place so that the viewing material may be lifted from the print and replaced thereon without disturbing correct alignment to facilitate bonding the viewing material to the print.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to form a large scale full-parallax three-dimensional electronic display. Multiple lenslet pixel modules are preferably formed by combining a high resolution two-dimensional image sources with respective lenslets. For some applications each pixel module has a respective two-dimensional high resolution image source. For other applications two or more lenslet pixel modules may use respective portions of the same high resolution two-dimensional image source. One or more computer processing units may be used to provide video images or graphical image data to the high resolution two-dimensional image sources. For some electronic displays, the lenslet pixel modules form an array of projectors and an array of sensors may be disposed within the array of projectors. The array of sensors may cooperate with the array of projectors to allow interaction between one or more observers and a three-dimensional image produced by the projector array.

Abstract: A device for projecting a color image upon a screen, including color image recording and color image reproduction with an enhanced color reproduction trueness in comparison to conventional processes. In the device two images are recorded in parallel, which separately detect the shorter and the longer wavelength parts of the individual principle color spectral regions. In image reproduction six primary valences are produced, which respectively comprise the image information of the shorter and the longer wavelength parts of each of the individual principle color spectral regions. In an alternative embodiment the device produces a full color, stereoscopic image reproduction, in which the three primary valences of the respective shorter wave part encode a stereoscopic half image and the three primary valences of the respective longer wavelength part encode the other stereoscopic half image.

Abstract: A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components providing a multicolor stereoscopic display having an expanded color gamut. A virtual image is electronically generated by an image generation system (70) having four or more color light sources (20) and is projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) that uses a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes at least two linear image display devices which respectively display linear images in response to image signals. The two linear image display devices are periodically moved by a mechanical scan mechanism along a plurality of locus planes substantially parallel to each other. The mechanical scan mechanism may have a configuration which belt-drives the at least two linear image display devices fixed to a belt, or a configuration which rotationally drives the at least two linear image display devices provided on a disc. The stereoscopic image display apparatus can display a bright and extremely clear stereoscopic image without using a complicated optical system and a light transmissible display panel.

Abstract: A monocentric arrangement of optical components providing stereoscopic display of a virtual image, electronically generated, line by line, from an electromechanical grating light modulator (85) and projected, as a real intermediate image, near the focal surface (22) of a curved mirror (24) by means of a scanning ball lens assembly (100). To form each left and right intermediate image component, a separate image generation system (70) comprises a scanning ball lens assembly (100) comprising a spherical lens (46) for wide field of view and a reflective surface (102). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right scanning ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to new and improved methods and apparatus for displaying volumetric 3D images with colors and for barrier-free interaction with the 3D images. A raw 3D dataset is first processed into a viewable data with a geometry description in the form of a collection of scattered points, curves and surfaces, and a corresponding color description. One of the four color combination methods, exact, spatial, temporal, or spatio-temporal, is the used to process the viewable data into three data subsets, each of a collection of points and of a different color frequency. A set of separate image patterns, each pattern of a different color frequency, is then displayed on a color display system according to the content of the three data subsets. In the final step, the set of separate image patterns is recombined and displayed on a volumetric display device to form color volumetric 3D images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection systems for displaying visual information in a variety of applications in order to reduce the projection area, the weight and the dimensions thereof. In one embodiment, the projection system for producing an external surface projection on a visualization screen comprises a flat and thin visualization screen for carrying out projection on both sides. Images can be watched on the left side and on the right side of this screen. From the surface of the screen and on the left and right sides thereof, projectors are provided for projecting images simultaneously on both sides of the screen. Light diffusers are provided on both sides of the screen. The projections are converted through the optics of the projectors so as to form reduced-divergence projection beams which are entirely captured by the light diffusers and which are diverted and diffused at wide angles of image observation ranges.

Abstract: A monocentric image generation system (100) for forming a curved image (110) using a spherical mirror (92), a beamsplitter (102) and a ball lens assembly (30) and, optionally, a field lens (112). An image source (94) provides a source image through an aperture stop location (96) at the center of curvature Cs of the spherical mirror (92). The beamsplitter (102) provides the resulting intermediate image (90) so that it is concentric with the ball lens assembly (30) in order to form the curved image (110).

Abstract: A compound lens arrangement for use in an array of such lens arrangements comprising at least two lens elements including a front lens element having a front lens surface which is the largest diameter lens surface in the compound lens arrangement, wherein the exit pupil of the compound lens is bounded by and lies in the plane of the edge of said front lens surface. This enables the compound lens arrangements in an array to abut. The invention particularly relates to compound lens arrangements for use in projectors which projectors are used in an array in an autostereo projection system and allows adjacent projectors to abut.

Abstract: A pixel element for a 3D display, wherein multiple substantially collimated controllable light beams are emitted in multiple directions, with each light beam associated with a predetermined viewing direction. A set of substantially point type sources are individually addressable and are arranged in a line. The light sources are serially addressed; and the light from each source is imaged in a collimated light beam and deflected in a predetermined individual deflection direction.

Abstract: A real image projection system includes at least one curved reflector, positioned in a tilted configuration, wherein an optical axis of the reflector is not coincident with a viewing axis, and a beampath between a target source and the curved reflector neither passes through nor reflects off of a beamsplitter.