Reflected Line Of Sight Patents (Class 359/471)
  • Publication number: 20020054433
    Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is damped in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired. The quadmirror, the magnetic damping, and the coiled wire allowing power to be provided to the laser assembly, each separately, and also in combination, provide for a compact tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: Toolz, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind , William F. Carlsen , Darren Chin-Ho Kim , Eugene F. Duval , Andrew G. Butler , Thomas Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6315416
    Abstract: The optical system comprises a convergent mirror (Ec) and a plane mirror (Ep), which are duly positioned in order for the focus (F) established in the optical axis (X—X) of the convergent mirror (Ec) in turn to be located in the sector lying between both mirrors. An object (I1-I2) located in an area (1) is first reflected onto the plane mirror (Ep) and then onto the convergent mirror (Ec), yielding an image (I″1-I″2) in an area (2) opposite the area (1) in a normal position for an observer located at a point (O) outside the system, i.e. in such a position that the signs are legible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Juan Dominguez-Montes, Jesus Marcos Gomez-Martin, Jose Maria Cienfuegos-Jovellanos
  • Patent number: 6178043
    Abstract: A multiview three-dimensional image display system comprises an image projection screen, two image generation components, a bifold mirror, an spatial light modulator, and projection optics. Each of the image generation components generates successive finite time sequences of time-multiplexed multiview images and thus form a channel of multiview images. Each of the reflecting surfaces of the bifold mirror reflects a different one of the two channels of multiview images. The spatial light modulator comprises a plurality of strip-like shutters, each of which transmits a different one of the finite time sequences of time-multiplexed multiview images. The projection optics projects the images through the spatial light modulator onto the image projection screen, where the spatial light modulator is imaged to make a single viewing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jung Young Son, Vadim V. Smirnov, Vadim V. Novoselsky, Yong-Jin Choi, Hyuk-Soo Lee, Ji-Eun Ban
  • Patent number: 6062693
    Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a three-dimensional image projecting device which is capable of presenting a three-dimensional image observable in a wide visual field without tiring eyes of an observer. A three-dimensional image displayed by three-dimensional image displaying means is projected by a reflection type projecting hologram lens and reflection type hologram acting as optical transferring means and a reflection type hologram lens to produce respective three-dimensional images. These three-dimensional images are formed at the same magnification in the same space to form a continuous image area. For this purpose, reflection type hologram lenses are disposed on the periphery of a circle. Respective three-dimensional images is reflected by the reflection type hologram acting as the optical transferring means, thus an enlarged three-dimensional image can be seen over the respective visual fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunichi Sato
  • Patent number: 6031662
    Abstract: A dual purpose optical device that is convertible between binocular and stereoscope modes of operation while using a common eyepiece arrangement for both. The device includes a housing containing a pair of optic supports mounted side-by-side for lateral movement towards and away from one another. Each support preferably carries three lenses. Two lenses on each support serve as the eyepiece and are aligned in a common plane with an eyepiece opening through the housing and a rotatable mirror assembly. The assembly pivots substantially ninety degrees from opposing forty-five degree angle positions with respect to the plane through the eyepiece opening and the eye and field lenses so as to fold the lines of sight either up or down within the housing. A circular photo transparency reel is received horizontally in a slot provided on an upper side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher - Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Miller, Peter F. Reile, Stephen D. Fantone
  • Patent number: 5886817
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for creating a three-dimensional effect, in which method the three-dimensional effect is created by viewing an object, for instance two disparate images, by way of an optical aid. To provide a simple implementation, the first image is viewed with one eye in a normal manner without impediment and the second image is viewed simultaneously with the other eye by way of a separate optical aid freely displaceable between the eye and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Juhani Suvitie
    Inventor: Lasse Aalto
  • Patent number: 5815314
    Abstract: A stereographic image display apparatus for permitting the observation of a high resolution and sharp color stereographic image of a wide view field without requiring specially designed spectacles, comprises a display device for displaying an image by emitting a light, a focusing optical system for focusing the image displayed on said display device at a different position than that of said display device, and an image moving unit for rotating an image surface of the focusing optical system around one axis in the image surface as a rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Sudo
  • Patent number: 5694260
    Abstract: A visual effects generator for use with the image output of a video screen provides multiple secondary images and reflections dispersed through a wide visual field, so that the impact of the color and motion of the original image is enhanced. The generator includes a closed housing having a rear panel with an opening secured about the video screen. The housing includes a pair of lobes diverging laterally from the rear panel, with a viewing port disposed in the distal portion of each lobe. Each viewing port may be provided with a detachable hood to shield ambient light, and a closure panel may be secured to occlude either viewing port. A first pair of generally rectangular, planar mirrors are disposed within the housing, the mirrors abutting at confronting edges which are spaced apart from the center of the television screen, and the mirrors diverge obliquely forwardly from the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher M. Houston
  • Patent number: 5680250
    Abstract: A viewing assembly for viewing a two dimensional object in three dimensions is disclosed which has vision directing means for converging the lines of sight of a user of the viewing assembly to direct the sight of each eye of the user to predetermined segments of an object being viewed, the predetermined segments being laterally spaced and partially overlapping, the angle of convergence of the lines of sight being such that the lines of sight of each eye intersect at a point between the eyes and the object whereby a segment to the left of the object is viewed by the right eye and a segment to the right of the object is viewed by the left eye. A method of ocular therapy is also disclosed wherein the vision of a patient is conditioned by viewing an object using the viewing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Salwin Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter White
  • Patent number: 5644427
    Abstract: Screen images for the right eye and for the left eye are displayed upside down on the image display devices 10a and 10b, respectively, and images of right half and left half faces of the viewers picked-up by image sensing devices 14a and 14b are displayed on the spatial modulation elements 11a and 11b. By seeing the screen images transmitted through the images of the right half and the left half faces, which are light transmission images, on the spatial modulation elements 11a and 11b, and through lenses 11a and 11b, having directivities, the right eyes and the left eyes of the viewers can respectively see the screen images for the right eyes and for the left eyes, which are combined by a half mirror 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Omori, Tomohiko Hattori, Kunimasa Katayama, Sadayuki Sakuma
  • Patent number: 5596402
    Abstract: A viewing device for use by an observer to ascertain the authenticity of an instrument of value having an image formed from an optically variable device. The viewing device includes a frame structure which permits viewing of the image in a fixed spatial orientation and a reflector carried by the frame structure for permitting the observer to see simultaneously the image in first and second colors without movement of the observer, the viewing device or the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Flex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Markantes, Roger W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5517355
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image viewing device which can be used to create the effect of a stereoscopic image from back to back stereoscopically complementary views of an image, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a portable device for providing a stereoscopic image from a card which contains complementary stereoscopic views of an image in a manner whereby the images can be arranged substantially back to back. In addition, a novel card containing two stereoscopically complementary images, is disclosed. This card, when used in combination with the stereoscopic image viewing device, creates the effect of a stereoscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: XM Corporation
    Inventors: Katharyne M. Sullivan, John R. McCart
  • Patent number: 5357369
    Abstract: The invention is used with a display (10) of a left and right stereoscopic images in adjacent side-by-side array on a two-dimensional imaging surface such as the screen of a computer monitor or television. The left and right images (L and R) are rotated by 90 degrees in opposite directions from their normal upright orientations. A viewing device which includes a right pair of mirrors (2 and 4) and a left pair of mirrors (1 and 3) is placed between the viewer and the display. The mirrors are oriented at fixed and predetermined angular relationship to deflect the lines of sight from the viewer's eyes to the respective right and left images, and to rotate them by 90 degrees. As a result, the users left and right eyes see upright versions of the left and right images, respectively, creating a wide-field stereoscopic illusion of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventors: Geoffrey Pilling, Max E. Tegmark, Edward Larmore
  • Patent number: 5270751
    Abstract: Stereoscopic optical apparatus comprising a housing constructed to exclude spurious light sources, first and second optical devices having reflecting surfaces which together form a first pair of optical devices, and third and fourth optical devices having reflecting surfaces which together form a second pair of optical devices. The stereoscopic optical apparatus being such that the first optical device is positioned below the second optical device and the third optical device is positioned below the fourth optical device, the first and third optical devices are inclined a first way and the second and fourth optical devices are inclined a second way. One of the optical devices from the first and second pairs of optical devices being such as to form two optical devices which are level and have their optical center lines separated by a distance, "d", said pairs of optical devices providing left and right views of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: John A. Christian
  • Patent number: 5267080
    Abstract: A stereoptic viewer comprised of a vertical panel supported by rearwardly extending temples for mounting on a person's ears, the panel defining an opening through which both eyes of the person may see. A first side of the opening provides an unobstructed view of the screen or image to be observed, while the thin (second) side of the opening is intercepted by a mirror held at a 45 degree angle to pick up the image appearing on a second 45 degree angle mirror, extending away from the first side of the opening. Thereby, the image observed is slightly displaced to provide the stereoptic effect. At least one mirror may be slightly adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Karin Maria K. Winkelhorn
  • Patent number: 5253108
    Abstract: An optical arrangement for a helmet-mounted display for providing binocular presentation to a pilot from a single display source or for superimposing the images from two display sources on his helmet-mounted display. In one embodiment a single display source 1 provides an image which is alternately directed between left and right eyes of the pilot by means of one scanning mirror 4 and two fixed mirrors 5a and 5b. An iris 3 opens and closes in synchronism with the movement of the scanning mirror 4 in order to prevent image distortion. Because only one display source is required, the weight of the arrangement is kept to a minimum. In another embodiment, using similar core elements the images from two display sources are alternately projected on to the pilot's visor by means of similar fixed mirrors 5a and 5b and a scanning mirror 4, but using two iris' 3+ and 3" synchronised to the mirror movements one in each optical path from display source 1' (or 1") to fixed mirror 5a (or 5b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Philip Latham
  • Patent number: 5253116
    Abstract: An apparatus for a visual display in a training simulator. A projector illuminates a convex side of a spherical screen. A concave face of a spherical mirror facing the convex side of the spherical screen reflects the image on the spherical screen to a viewer. A second embodiment projects an image on a first mirror. The projected image is reflected onto a convex portion of a spherical screen. The image on the convex portion of the spherical screen is reflected to a concave mirror facing the convex face of the screen. A viewer sees the projected image on the concave mirror. The first mirror and the second mirror can be formed as one mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Michel Lacroix
  • Patent number: 5225861
    Abstract: An apparatus for presentation of apparent three-dimensional images without special viewing glasses is disclosed. A projection system projects right and left stereo images from a stereoscopic slide so that the right stereo image and the left stereo image become superimposed relative to one another on a viewing screen. The viewing screen comprises light transmissive slit-raster members and a light diffusion member. The viewing screen is adapted to allow the right and left stereo images to pass between the opaque raster members and be perceived only by the right and left eyes, respectively, of the viewer as the left image formed in a raster-like manner on the diffusion member is blocked by further opaque raster members and prevented from being perceived by the right eye and the right stereo image also formed in a raster-like manner on the diffusion member is blocked by the further opaque raster members and prevented from being perceived by the left eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Mortimer Marks
  • Patent number: 5146246
    Abstract: An apparatus for presentation of apparent three-dimensional images without special viewing glasses is disclosed. A projection system projects right and left stereo images from a stereoscopic slide so that the right stereo image and the left stereo image become superimposed relative to one another on a viewing screen. The viewing screen comprises light transmissive slit-raster members and a light diffusion member. The viewing screen is adapted to allow the right and left stereo images to pass between the opaque raster members and be perceived only by the right and left eyes, respectively, of the viewer as the left image formed in a raster-like manner on the diffusion member is blocked by further opaque raster members and prevented from being perceived by the right eye and the right stereo image also formed in a raster-like manner on the diffusion member is blocked by the further opaque raster members and prevented from being perceived by the left eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Holoptics International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer Marks
  • Patent number: 5126878
    Abstract: A stereoscopic viewing apparatus and a related method for providing a three-dimensional effect for a viewer based on a side-by-side display on a conventional video screen of related left and right images that are each horizontally compressed, and a stereoscopic video recording for providing such a side-by-side display. The apparatus transmits the displayed left image to the viewer's left eye and the displayed right image to the viewer's right eye, while horizontally expanding the compressed images and returning them to their original, natural proportions. The displayed side-by-side images both extend along the screen's entire vertical length, such that a three-dimensional effect is provided having the same two-dimensional proportions as the conventional video screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: Donald E. Trumbull, Louis Lichtenfield
  • Patent number: 5124840
    Abstract: A viewing apparatus for use in providing either a three-dimensional image when used to view a side-by-side display on a conventional video screen of related left and right images that are each horizontally compressed, or alternatively for use in providing a wide-angle image when used to view a single horizontally compressed image displayed on a conventional video screen. In providing the three-dimensional image, the apparatus transmits the displayed left image to the viewer's left eye and the displayed right image to the viewer's right eye, while horizontally expanding the compressed images and returning them to their original, natural porportions. The displayed side-by-side images both extend along the screen's entire vertical length, such that a three-dimensional effect is provided having the same two-dimensional proportions as the conventional video screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventors: Donald E. Trumbull, Louis Lichtenfield