Abstract: The invention generally provides a transparent projection screen material with sound dampening properties and methods for using a screen to manipulate light and sound. Methods and materials of the invention can improve live sound and sound recordings by inhibiting ambient sound from reaching listeners or microphones and reducing feedback.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a multimedia system comprising a multimedia reader. The multimedia reader may be configured to read multimedia content and to extract light surround content. The light surround content may represent a light surround control signal. The light surround content may be extracted from the multimedia content. The multimedia reader may also be configured to output the light surround control signal. Further, the multimedia system may also include one or more light emitting devices. Each light emitting device may be in communication with the multimedia reader. Each light emitting device may be configured to receive the light surround control signal and to control a light characteristic based upon, at least in part the light surround control signal. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A self-contained, washable, portable, shadow screen kit is provided, which includes a generally rectangular side-and-back exterior enclosure, a light source, and a stretched front shadow screen. In one aspect, the side-and-back exterior enclosure includes four corner upright posts supported by four bases, four top horizontal rods connecting the corner upright posts, and drapes to prevent light bleed. Preferably a mirror, mirror stand, and a lightweight ceiling comprising a darkening structure (such as rigid panels or blackout fabric) supported by a ceiling frame are also included. A shadow, cast on the back of the taut screen, is viewable from the front for entertainment or photography. An opaque object is positioned between the light from the light source and the screen. The shadow screen kit is particularly suited for shadow dancing, photography, or videography. The shadow screen kit is easily assembled and disassembled for transport between venues or for storage between uses.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the realism of a displayed image may include an image display subsystem and a shadow projector. When an image is displayed, a shadow is projected near the image so that the shadow appears to be cast by the image. Shadows and lighting effects may also be reflected within a displayed image by rendering shadows and lighting corresponding to the viewer's environment within the image before or during display.

Abstract: A projection monitor and a method of displaying an output image on a viewing screen of the monitor utilize a number of reconfigurable holographic optical elements (HOEs), allowing the components of the monitor to be physically arranged in a compact configuration. The reconfigurable HOEs may be designed to perform simple optical functions that are commonly associated with traditional optical devices, such as those performed by lenses, prisms and mirrors. However, the reconfigurable HOEs are also designed to perform sophisticated optical manipulations, such as varying the light intensity with respect to a specific direction. Each reconfigurable HOE includes a hologram that is sandwiched between two electrode layers. The hologram is a holographic photopolymeric film that has been combined with liquid crystal. The hologram has an optical property that changes in response to an applied electrical field.

Abstract: A low cost and yet versatile shadowgraph is described. The shadowgraph has two components, a transparency holder and a point light source with its mounting and energizing structure. The transparency holder is itself transparent and acts as a backing for a transparency whose shadow is to be formed. The point light source is provided by a flashlight bulb and it is mounted on a slidable collar which is, in turn, mounted on a linear post to enable the position of such light to be adjusted along one axis laterally of the projection surface. Movement of the light source along other axes is naturally done manually so as to minimize the expense associated with manufacturing the shadowgraph.

Abstract: A projection monitor and a method of displaying an output image on a viewing screen of the monitor utilize a number of reconfigurable holographic optical elements (HOEs), allowing the components of the monitor to be physically arranged in a compact configuration. The reconfigurable HOEs may be designed to perform simple optical functions that are commonly associated with traditional optical devices, such as those performed by lenses, prisms and mirrors. However, the reconfigurable HOEs are also designed to perform sophisticated optical manipulations, such as varying the light intensity with respect to a specific direction. Each reconfigurable HOE includes a hologram that is sandwiched between two electrode layers. The hologram is a holographic photopolymeric film that has been combined with liquid crystal. The hologram has an optical property that changes in response to an applied electrical field.

Abstract: Several different magnification lenses are adjustably mounted in a contour projector housing for movement selectively and one by one into operative registry with an entrance lens that faces a workpiece that is to be inspected. Spaced illuminators in the housing direct light beams onto opposite sides of the workpiece to produce combined profile and surface images thereof that are projected by the entrance lens and the registering magnification lens onto the reflective surface of a first mirror. This mirror projects the combined, magnified images in the housing onto a second mirror, which then projects the combined images onto a projection screen mounted in the housing for observation by the person using the projector.

Abstract: The contour image of a workpiece is projected by a conventional lens system onto a first mirror lying in a plane inclined at other than 90.degree. to the optical axis of the lens system. This image is reflected directly (i.e., without the use of any relay lenses) to a second mirror that is spaced from and lies in a plane normal to that containing the first mirror; and from there the image is reflected directly to a third mirror spaced from and lying in a plane normal to each of said first and second mirrors. The third mirror directs an upright and unreversed image directly onto the screen of the projector along an axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens system.

Abstract: A workpiece is mounted in a contour projector machine so that at least one of two opposed sides thereof can be observed by the operator. The side observed by the operator is illuminated by a surface illuminator, and an image thereof is projected onto the machine's projection screen also to be observed by the operator. The side of the workpiece opposite to the side observed by the operator is illuminated by a contour projector, which projects a contour image of the workpiece onto the projection screen simultaneously with the image of the illuminated surface observed by the worker, thus producing on the screen upright an unreversed images of both the contour and the observed side of the workpiece.

Abstract: A projecting apparatus wherein a work on a mount is illuminated by an illuminating device and an image of the shape of the work obtained through a light transmitted therethrough or reflected therefrom is formed on a screen by means of a magnifying-projecting device, characterized in that condensing lenses in the illuminating device and projecting lenses in the magnifying-projecting device are formed into zoom type lenses and a tuning device is provided for causing the illuminating scope of the condensing lenses in the illuminating device to correspond to the projecting magnification of the projecting lenses in the magnifying-projecting device.

Abstract: In a color reproduction method for reproducing a color image on a color monitor screen by processing primary color signals of cyan, magenta, yellow and black which are derived by scanning color separation films of cyan, magenta, yellow and black, respectively, on the basis of the Neugebauer equations, at first the primary color signals of cyan, magenta and yellow are processed in accordance with specially derived color reproduction equations representing halftone of three additive primary colors of red, green and blue to produce three secondary color signals and a tertiary color signal, and then amplitudes of a paper color signal, the primary color signals, the secondary color signals, the tertiary color signal and the primary color signal of black are adjusted in this order independently from each other.

Abstract: The light source comprises an elongate arc lamp surrounded by a paraboloidal reflector which, in one embodiment, projects an annular beam of light onto an annular reflector, or mirror, which in turn projects the light onto a workpiece. Reflected light from the workpiece is projected backwardly through an opening in the center of the mirror and is projected in known manner onto a viewing screen. In a second embodiment the mirror comprises a transparent member having a reflective spot (e.g., silver) in its center. In each embodiment a glass light filter is positioned between the light source and the associated mirror to filter out all but yellow and green light, and is inclined to the axis of the associated arc lamp to prevent direct reflection of ultraviolet light back at the lamp. The paraboloidal reflectors concentrate and direct collimated light toward the associated mirror thus eliminating need to employ separate collimating lenses and high wattage lamps.

Abstract: A wide angle projector is disclosed for projecting an image having an illuminated and unilluminated region on either side of a straight boundary region which defines a datum plane established by the orientation of the projector. The image is detected at a position removed from the projector by an instrument which establishes the center of the boundary region and indicates its position to indicate the position of the datum plane. The wide angle projection is accomplished by the use of cylindrical reflecting optics bounded by reflecting sidewalls and a reticle in the form of an occluding knife edge or a knife edge at the edge of a reflecting surface, depending on the particular projection system utilized.