Abstract: A spatially modulated light beam is projected, reflected, and redirected through a prismatic optical panel to form a video image for direct viewing thereon.

Abstract: A transmission screen sheet which is given a large number of lens-like forms on the surface like ridges and has a thickness of 0.1 to 2.0 mm, wherein (i) the sheet is formed from a thermoplastic resin whose inclination (W) obtained from the relationship between melt viscosity (Y) and load (X) satisfies the following expression (1) when the melt viscosity is in the range of 102 to 103 Pa.

Abstract: An inflatable display includes an inflatable balloon, a projector having a projection lens, an internal support structure that supports the inflatable balloon and the projector so that the projection lens is eccentrically disposed inside the inflatable balloon. The inflatable display also includes an external support structure that supports the internal support structure. Also included is a method to control an inflatable display according to wind conditions. The method includes the steps of operating in a sensing mode, operating in a collapsing mode and operating in a recovery mode.

Abstract: A projection apparatus is disclosed having a first vertical member and a second vertical member disposed parallel to the first vertical member, the second vertical member substantially the same length as the first vertical member. An upper crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto. An intermediate crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto and below the upper crossbar member to define a viewing area bounded by the first and second vertical members, the upper crossbar member and the intermediate crossbar member. A viewing screen is disposed over the viewing area.

Abstract: Display apparatus (50) comprising a front projection screen (60), at least one projector (54) which is for providing a display on the screen (60) and which is positioned outside an enclosed display volume, the screen (60) being optimised to preferentially set the image distance in different regions when viewed by an observer (58) via a collimating mirror (62).

Abstract: A device for projecting image data in a motor vehicle includes a projection surface secured to a roof inside the vehicle and a projector secured at the rear behind the passengers watching the projection.

Abstract: The present invention is so arranged as to include (a) gradation reference potential generating means including a group of output terminals whose voltages are determined in accordance with a voltage division ratio of one ladder resistor, so as to output gradation reference potentials, for example, of 1024, which is a 16 multiple of a required 64-gradations; (b) output terminal designating means including a memory for designating, among from the output terminals, an output terminal for each of the 64-gradations required, in accordance with the display modes; and (c) selecting means for selecting an output terminal that corresponds to an input gradation signal, among from the output terminals designated by the output terminal designating section, and for applying a voltage via the thus selected output terminal to a display screen.

Abstract: A projection type optical display system includes: a light source; a display panel with light-modulating pixel regions; a light control system for splitting the emitted light into light rays falling within multiple wavelength ranges and focusing the rays onto associated pixel regions according to their wavelength ranges; an optical system for forming an image on a projection plane by utilizing the light modulated; a circuit for generating image subframe data from image frame data and getting the image subframes displayed by the panel time-sequentially; and an optical shifter for shifting, on the projection plane, one of the image subframes being displayed by the panel. The optical shifter is optimized to an outgoing light ray of the panel, which falls within a wavelength range with the highest luminosity, so as to shift the ray on the projection plane an integral number of times as long as the pixel pitch of the panel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a projection system that produces a visual special effect. In one embodiment, the system includes a projector, a translucent projection substrate, a flow disturbance structure associated with one side of the substrate, and a water system for distributing water over the side of the substrate with which the flow disturbance structure is associated.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the quality of an image on a screen is provided. The system typically includes an illumination source configured to produce light and direct such light along an optical path, and a time-varying focus device disposed in the optical path and configured to periodically alter incident light to enhance the quality of the image on the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a non-solid projection screen (3), projection volume (8), or the like, the method comprising the steps of supplying and/or forming light scattering/reflecting scattering centres (4) to a substantially laminar transfer flow (2) to be transferred by said transfer flow (2). In accordance with the invention, the scattering centres (4) are supplied and/or formed to the transfer flow (2), to the central/inner parts thereof that remain laminar, away from the direct vicinity of the interfaces between the transfer flow (2) and the area surrounding thereof, in order to keep the protection screen in shape. In accordance with the invention, as the scattering centres (4) can be used light elastically or non-elastically scattering, solid liquid or gaseous substance.

Abstract: A projection screen (1) made of a laminated glass which has at least two glass plates (3, 4) bonded to each other by means of a layer of plastic (2) is described. In order to create advantageous construction conditions, it is proposed that the glass plate (3) facing the projection bears on its outer side (6) a translucent ceramic coating extending at least over the projection area and that the glass plate (4) facing away from the projection preferably has a surface roughness preventing reflections.

Abstract: A projection screen comprising; a substrate having a generally flat forward surface; a diffusion layer formed of a plurality of generally equally spaced apart concave features forming micro lenses; a layer of reflective material deposited on a rearward facing surface of the diffusion layer; the diffusion layer laminated to the forward facing surface of the substrate so that the layer of reflective material is sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention displays autostereographic images without parallax barriers or loss of resolution. A stereopair is processed and sent to a distant display and one or more transmissive displays placed in front of it. Each display has a calculated images containing at least some of the image information destined for both eyes of a viewer. Each display acts as a mask for the other displays. The processing of the stereopairs to produce calculated images comprises summing the predicted image data, comparing the predicted image data to the desired stereopair, and minimizing the error. In a preferred embodiment, this processing is performed by an artificial neural network. A spatial mask, such as a diffuser, can be placed between displays to suppress Moiré patterns.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering hemispheric images obtained using a fisheye lens for panoramic viewing, relating to spatial alignment and colour balancing of complement half-side images derived from the hemispheric images. The systems and methods for spatial alignment determine the displacement of the digitized recorded images using a single translation and rotation model of distortion, which further evaluates the centre of projection, and the extent of translation and rotation. The system and method for colour balancing iteratively increase (or decrease) the values of pixels near the edge (discontinuity) between the two half-sides of an image, each time taking into consideration the average difference of pixel colour across a smaller strip of the edge near the pixel. This invention removes the colour differential but does not remove any detail underlying the features of the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflection-type three-dimensional display system. The present invention comprises an image providing device that provides elemental images; an image displaying device that displays the elemental images; a projective lens system that is located along the same axis as the image providing device; and a concave mirror array that is located along the same axis as the projective lens system. The projective lens system projects the image that is displayed by the image displaying device to the concave mirror array, and the concave mirror array reflects and integrates the projected image and therefore displays the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The use of a holographic video screen which appears black, gray or colored in ambient light as the display surface in a vehicle, wherein a driver can view the screen while driving without taking his eyes of the road. Additionally, the display system containing such a video screen permits the projection and viewing of multiple images on a single screen.

Abstract: A rear projection unit has a screen mounted in a frame which supports a projector at a desired position in relation to the screen. The projector can thereby be positioned in various ways and the frame reduced and enlarged according to the requirements of the projection unit. The projection unit has a tapering shape and light absorbing material so that internal reflections are minimised and light absorption is maximised to enhance clarity of the screen. The frame itself is configurable with the arms being pivotable and extendable. A light absorbing material is stretched over the frame and a fan included to cool a projector within the unit and draw air into the unit through the material thereby serving the dual purpose of cooling and filtering air. A new material for absorbing light is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening device comprising a pair of attachment pads, one pad having a surface from which stems project, a second pad formed with openings and receptacles, each opening and receptacle adapted to receive a stem, the pads becoming interlocked by the fit of the stems in the receptacles. A woven, knit or knotted material of open texture having holes, preferable evenly spaced holes such as those of a screen or net, is secured between the pads by passing the stems through the mesh and into the receptacles. The pads and mesh material, so arranged, are secured to a structure by a bracket or clamp that is fixed to the attachment pads and mesh material.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens sheet of the present invention is applicable to a transmission-type projection screen, which comprises a layered structure provided with at least a base material layer, a lens layer formed into a Fresnel lens configuration, an incident surface on which projection light is incident and an light-emission surface from which the projection light is emitted, wherein a total reflection surface is disposed in the layered structure at a position between the incident surface and the light-emission surface, the total reflection surface totally reflecting a portion of projection light proceeding on an optical path in a direction from the lens layer side toward the base material layer side.

Abstract: Screens for use with image-forming illumination (53,54) are provided, as well as methods for producing such screens. The screens include an array of lenses (51), a substrate, and a layer of light-absorbing material (55) in which apertures are formed using aperture-forming illumination (52) which passes through the lenses (51). The optical properties of the lenses (51) and the thickness of the substrate are selected so as to maximize the light-blocking area of the layer of light-absorbing material (55) while allowing long-wavelength image-forming illumination (54) to pass through the apertures substantially unimpeded. The array of lenses can be an array of randomized, anamorphic microlenses.

Abstract: The present invention employs a beam dividing prism corresponding to a size of a single pixel on a screen in order to create a plurality of viewing zones for multi-viewer, in which a prism panel having an 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional arrangement of a prism cell for dispersing beam in various directions is coupled to the 3-dimensional image projection screen in order to increase the number of the viewing zones, and in which the number and position of the available viewing zones are determined by the number and a relative position of disperse surfaces in the prism cell. By using the present invention, the desired number of the viewing zones can be created by selectively adopting the prism cells, so realizing the 3-dimensional image display system for multi-viewer.

Abstract: A crystallization apparatus includes an optical illumination system to illuminate a phase shift mask and which irradiates an amorphous semiconductor film with a light beam having an inverse peak type light intensity distribution including a minimum light intensity in a point corresponding to a phase shift portion of the phase shift mask to produce a crystallized semiconductor film. A wavefront dividing element is disposed on a light path between the optical illumination system and the phase shift mask. The wavefront dividing element wavefront-divides the light beam supplied from the optical illumination system into a plurality of light beams, and condenses the wavefront-divided light beams in the corresponding phase shift portion or in the vicinity of the portion.

Abstract: A light beam preparation arrangement includes a light tunnel, a rotatable unit, and a drive unit. In one aspect, a fixation rigidly attaches the light tunnel directly to the drive unit. In another aspect, temperature of the light tunnel in controlled. In another aspect, the rotatable unit is spaced a distance from the light tunnel, and the distance is controlled. In another aspect, alignment between the light tunnel and the rotatable unit is controlled. In another apsect, the light tunnel is hollow and a gas flows though the tunnel.

Abstract: [Object] In the driving a subfield using a memory in a pixel, it is possible to display more number of gradations, while preventing the capacity of a memory from increasing.

Abstract: A projection display device comprises a screen configured to allow light which is projected from an optical projection device to be imaged and displayed as an image, a detection section configured to detect a breakage of the screen, and a control section configured to suppress the light from being projected from the optical projection device.

Abstract: To provide an electrostatic machine element for restraining deteriorations of practical electrostatic force between electrodes by an electrostatic shielded effect to prevent instability of an electrode operation, a light diffraction modulation element using the electrostatic machine element and an image display device using the light diffraction modulation element. An edge and an upper side of a first electrode are opened and a dielectric material of which mobility depends on a polarity of an electric charge is used for a second dielectric film. When a drive voltage such that the electric charge having high mobility can move from a dielectric film to the dielectric film, is applied between the first electrode and a second electrode, a charged particle that arrived at the first dielectric film moves further to the upper side of the first electrode.

Abstract: A screen having a projection surface on which a light beam irradiated by an optical equipment such as a projector is projected to form a projection image has luminous energy sensors (4U, 4D, 4L, 4R) and an attitude controller (70) for controlling the attitude of the projection surface based on the luminous energy detected by the luminous energy sensors (4U, 4D, 4L, 4R), in which, since the luminous energy sensors (4U, 4D, 4L, 4R) and the attitude controller (70) are provided, the attitude of the projection surface can be controllably adjusted by detecting the luminous energy of the projection image from the optical equipment, so that the projection surface of the screen can be correctly positioned relative to the optical equipment, thus automatically correcting trapezoidal distortion etc. of the projection image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display configured to display images that includes multiple display elements capable of controlling light within a visible-light spectrum. The display elements are arranged over a display surface of the display. The display also includes one or more receivers arranged with the display elements over the display surface of the display. The receivers are coupled with the display elements and receive transmitted image information. The receivers activate the display elements in response to, and in correspondence with, the image information.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system is disclosed comprising a high dynamic range. The systems and methods are advantages for rear vision, collision avoidance, obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, rain sensing, exterior light control, and lane departure warning, as well as other applications where a given scene may comprise objects having widely varying brightness values.

Abstract: A flat-panel display comprises a projector (21-23) illuminated by a collimate light source such as an infra-red laser, a waveguide (1) which ejects rays at a distance along the axis of propagation related to their angle of injection into the edge of the waveguide, an input slab (3) for magnifying the projected image in the width dimension in the plane of the panel perpendicular to the axis of propagation, and a phosphor output screen which converts the infra-red light to the visible. The use of monochromatic light within the waveguide reduces dispersion problems, and the use of a triad of projectors, each injecting at a different angle, makes registration relatively simple.

Abstract: An image display screen which is composed of a multi-layer film consisting of at least 11 layers and formed by alternately laminating first thermoplastic resin layers having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.03 &mgr;m with second thermoplastic resin layers having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.3 &mgr;m and a parallel ray transmittance of 50% or more, and which has at least a reflection peak with a maximum reflectance 5 to 80% higher than the base line of reflectance and a half-value width of 20 to 200 nm in its reflectance curve for visible light having a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm, and an image display device comprising the same as a screen. This screen has improved transparency while maintaining the definition of an image.

Abstract: Three lines' worth of an image are displayed on a columnar display unit 11 comprising a plurality (for example, three) of one-dimensional display devices; this image light beam is made incident on perpendicular deflection means 14, and using the perpendicular deflection means 14, this image light beam is deflected and scanned at high speed in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar display unit 11 to obtain a two-dimensional image. A plurality of one-dimensional display devices is used, so that compared with conventional devices in which only a single one-dimensional display device is used, even if the rewrite speed (scanning speed) per one-dimensional display device is slow, good image quality free of flicker can be obtained. By further extending this in a configuration using a plurality of columnar display units, a single image can be divided into a plurality of images and displayed in a row on a screen.

Abstract: Large format, highly selective display screens can be formed from a plurality of holographic optical elements. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, systems and methods are described to provide a holographic screen for display of static and/or dynamic projected conventional two-dimensional images, two-dimensional stereograms, and holographic stereograms. One aspect of the present invention includes presenting live-image three-dimensional displays using an array of two-dimensional data projectors. Another aspect includes projecting and enlarging static or dynamic source three-dimensional images (real objects, holograms, or other autostereoscopic images).

Abstract: In varying embodiments, the present invention incorporates a combination of structures suitable for providing a lightweight and portable projection surface. In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a frame having four beams connected at the corners, with a collapsible brace at each corner, so that the frame can be collapsed for storage or transport. In certain embodiments, each beam may incorporate one or more collapsible inline braces in order to promote an even more compact profile when collapsed.

Abstract: A pickup is moved in a direction opposite to a pickup moving direction in which the pickup is to be moved. At a timing at which a period of time corresponding to one period of oscillation generated on an objective lens of the pickup has passed after moving the pickup in the direction opposite to the pickup moving direction, the pickup is moved in the pickup moving direction.

Abstract: A photo-screen device for a real image projection system includes a transparent or semi-transparent material having a fixed or static image applied to the surface thereof, wherein the photo-screen is positioned so as to intersect a real image beampath of the real image projection device. In an alternative embodiment, a method for producing a photo-screen device for a real image projection system includes the steps of printing colors thereon in reverse order and positioning the photo-screen such that the non-printed side faces a viewer of the real image.

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 resin composition for production of an optical element being adapted to form the optical element has a characteristics of which, when W1/2 (° C.) represents, regarding a crest portion in a loss factor/temperature curve obtained by measuring the loss factor of the resin composition relative to a change in the temperature, the width of the crest portion at the position of ½ of the maximum value of the loss factor in the crest portion temperature range; W0.1 (° C.) represents, regarding the crest portion, the width of the crest portion at the position of 0.1 of the maximum value of the loss factor; and &Dgr;W (° C.), the difference between the widths of the two crest portions, is set to be &Dgr;W=W0.1−W1/2, the &Dgr;W is in the range of from 16° C. to 31° C.

Abstract: A photo-screen device for a real image projection system includes a transparent or semi-transparent material having a fixed or static image applied to the surface thereof, wherein the photo-screen is positioned so as to intersect a real image beampath of the real image projection device. In an alternative embodiment, a method for producing a photo-screen device for a real image projection system includes the steps of printing colors thereon in reverse order and positioning the photo-screen such that the non-printed side faces a viewer of the real image.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of converting motion image data, which is captured in an ordinarily way without intending to produce a parallax image printed matter, to data that can be printed as a parallax image printed matter is provided. The apparatus includes the steps of specifying at least one frame as a reference frame from a plurality of frames constituting the motion image data, and setting a point-of-regard on an object in the reference frame, calculating an amount of movement of the point-of-regard using a relation between the point-of-regard in the reference frame and a point corresponding thereto in another frame, obtaining a motion compensation amount for each frame based on this amount of movement thereof, and executing a motion compensation processing for the motion image data based on the motion compensation amount, thereby converting the motion image data to parallax image data.

Abstract: A visual and audio system for theaters includes a spherical screen having a desired radius of curvature while having a surface reflectivity of 5-50%, and a projector located at a focal point of the spherical screen. The curvature radius of the spherical screen corresponds to the projection distance of the projector. The image projected from the projector at the focal point of the spherical screen is reflected from the spherical screen in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, viewers can view images projected on the screen corresponding to 5-50 time the brightness of images viewed on conventional theaters screens. Central speakers are arranged at the focal point of the spherical screen, so that viewers perceive the sound effect as coming directly from the spherical screen. This visual and audio system can be effectively used in theaters for stereoscopic moves, theaters for high resolution images, and theaters for viewing of images at a higher brightness such as sports arenas, and restaurant theaters, etc.

Abstract: An image system includes a screen and a beam generator. The screen has first and second regions with adjustable brightness levels. The beam generator directs first and second electromagnetic off beams and first and second electromagnetic on beams onto the first and second regions, respectively. The first and second off beams respectively change the brightness levels of the first and second regions according to a first polarity, and the first and second on beams change the brightness levels of the first and second regions according to a second polarity. For example, the system may simultaneously scan multiple tiles of an image onto respective regions of the display screen with respective image (on) beams, and erase the regions with respective erase (off) beams. Scanning an image as multiple tiles often provides the image with a higher resolution for a given scan rate, and using on and off beams often increases the quality of the image.

Abstract: A projection screen comprising; a substrate having a generally flat forward surface; a diffusion layer formed of a plurality of generally equally spaced apart concave features forming micro lenses; a layer of reflective material deposited on a rearward facing surface of the diffusion layer; the diffusion layer laminated to the forward facing surface of the substrate so that the layer of reflective material is sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a projection system that produces a visual special effect. In one embodiment, the system includes a projector, a translucent projection substrate, a flow disturbance structure associated with one side of the substrate, and a water system for distributing water over the side of the substrate with which the flow disturbance structure is associated.

Abstract: In a lens sheet, a lens portion made if activation energy curing resin such as ultraviolet curing resin has a plurality of lens units, the lens portion is disposed on at least one side of a transparent substrate such as plastic sheet, a relaxation layer is disposed between the transparent substrate and the lens portion, and the thickness of the relaxation layer is within a range of 1% to 30% of the height of the lens units. The relaxation layer is made of activation energy curing resin and formed integrally with the lens portion. The refractive index of the transparent substrate is lower than that of the lens portion. The lens units are elongated prisms each having a substantially triangular cross section.

Abstract: A screen unit includes a semipermeable screen sheet sandwiched between a first transparent sheet and a second transparent sheet. The semipermeable screen sheet transmits and reflects a projected image in a constant percentage. The first transparent sheet such as an acrylic sheet wider than the semipermeable screen sheet. The second transparent sheet is the same as the first transparent sheet.

Abstract: A process for producing an article with a microstructure includes the steps of forming a primary relief structure on a surface of a substrate, applying a photo resist on the substrate, exposing part of the photo resist using a photo mask so as to form a microstructure pattern, developing the microstructure pattern in the exposed photo resist, thereby allowing access to a part of the primary relief structure from the photo resist, and thereby forming a patterned surface with a microstructure relief that is bounded by the exposed part of the primary relief structure and by remainder of the photo resist on the substrate, and forming a metal layer on the patterned surface to form the article having the microstructure with a profile corresponding to the microstructure relief on the patterned surface.

Abstract: In a polarization splitting sheet (10) made of a transparent base material sheet (12), a coating layer (14) is provided on the rear surface of the base material sheet(12), this coating layer (14) having spherical beads (16) of a diameter in the range from 1 to 10 &mgr;m protruding from its surface, the spherical beads (16) of the coating layer (14) making contact with a smooth surface (18A) of a light-transmitting material (18). The half-value width of the diameter of the spherical beads (16) is made no greater than 1 &mgr;m, and the protrusion height of the spherical beads (16) from the coating layer (14) is made uniform.

Abstract: A reflective diffuser of light in one embodiment comprises an extruded, drawn, rolled or otherwise stretched or extended sheet comprising a matrix of a first plastics material incorporating inclusions of a second, different material, substantially insoluble in the first material, resulting in small scale surface irregularities on at least one surface of the sheet. The textured surface having such irregularities is rendered reflective or partly reflective, for example by metallisation, eg. by vapour deposition or other particle deposition of metal, such as vacuum sputtering. By controlling the extent to which the sheet is stretched preferentially in one direction during manufacture, the extent to which the diffuser has asymmetric diffusing properties can be readily controlled. Instead of metallising the extended sheet itself, the textured surface of the latter may be used as a mould or die surface for the production of a textured surface on another, eg.