Having Illumination Patents (Class 359/475)
  • Patent number: 11835738
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic head-up display device includes two directional backlit type displays, a first reflector, a second reflector, a third reflector and a beam splitter. The two displays emit two image light beams with directivity, respectively, and the two image light beams are parallax image light for a viewer's eyes. One of the two displays, the first reflector, the beam splitter, the windshield and one of the viewer's eyes form a first light path, and the other one of the two displays, the second reflector, the beam splitter, the third reflector, the windshield and the other one of the viewer's eyes form a second light path. The two image light beams are projected onto the viewer's eyes through the first and second light paths, to form a stereoscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: E-Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Chen
  • Patent number: 11662603
    Abstract: The three-dimensional image display apparatus includes: a housing; a light source unit which is mounted in the housing, and emits light; a single light transfer unit which is disposed in the housing to face the light source unit, and refracts, diffracts, or reflects the light emitted from the light source unit; and an image display unit which forms, as an image, the light refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the light transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gil Won Han, Sun Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 11537079
    Abstract: A three-dimensional hologram image producing lamp for a vehicle comprises a light source, a hologram plate displaying a three-dimensional hologram image, a curved slope mirror having a reflecting surface shaped as a parabolic curved surface, facing the light source, and reflecting light, radiated from the light source, toward the hologram plate, and a housing disposed on a lamp receptacle of a vehicle body and having the hologram plate, the light source, and the curved slope mirror mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD., FUTURE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER., LTD.
    Inventors: Gil Won Han, Dae Hyun Kim, Kwang Ho Ok
  • Patent number: 11169393
    Abstract: A 3D display element is disclosed. In an embodiment a 3D display element includes a light-emitting component configured to emit light and an optical arrangement, wherein the light-emitting component includes a plurality of triplets, each triplet including a first, a second and a third light-emitting region, wherein the triplets are arranged side by side in a first lateral plane, wherein the regions are arranged side by side in the first lateral plane, wherein the optical arrangement is configured to diverge light of adjacent triplets passing through the optical arrangement, and wherein light of a triplet passing through the optical arrangement is mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Brick, Hubert Halbritter, Mikko Perälä
  • Patent number: 10831038
    Abstract: To provide a stereo viewer and/or a stereo view finder that enables a stereo image displayed on an electronic display to be easily visualized and to enhance portability so as to be easily and conveniently carried when photographing and viewing the stereo image outside. There is provided a stereo viewer/stereo view finder (1) including a foldable light shielding hood (10) attached on a liquid crystal display (D), and a magnifying lens (20) including a pair of lenses (21R, 21L) for viewing stereo images (SR, SL) and a lens folder (22), the magnifying lens being attached to a front inner wall surface (11a) of the light shielding hood (10) by way of a hinge (23) and being developable to be parallel to the liquid crystal display (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Minoru Inaba
  • Patent number: 10630967
    Abstract: A display device and a driving method thereof are provided. The display device, including a display panel and a 3D grating provided above the display panel in a first direction, the 3D grating including a plurality of grating units sequentially arranged, and the display panel including a plurality of columns of pixels; wherein, the first direction and a column direction of the pixels have an angel of non-zero value therebetween. The sloped 3D grating and the black matrix pattern are no longer parallel with each other, thereby reducing moire patterns generated during display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun Wu
  • Patent number: 9405125
    Abstract: An image display apparatus capable of ensuring a wide view range is provided. The image display apparatus includes: an image display panel; a backlight located on a back surface side of the image display panel; prisms located between the image display panel and the backlight and configured to deflect incident light; a liquid crystal layer located between the image display panel and the backlight and configured to change a deflection direction of emitted light by changing a refractive index thereof according to a voltage applied thereto; a position detection section configured to detect a position of a user; and a control section configured to control the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer, on the basis of information of the position of the user detected by the position detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hayashi, Masahiro Kasano
  • Patent number: 9190019
    Abstract: An image display apparatus makes the emission angle range of emitted light bilaterally symmetrical, at low cost, irrespective of the material refractive index of a prism composing a liquid crystal prism. The image display apparatus includes an image display panel , a backlight device located on a back surface side of the image display panel, a liquid crystal prism element located between the image display panel and the backlight device, an offset optical element located between the image display panel and the backlight device and configured to deflect light incident thereon, a position detection section configured to detect a viewing position of a viewer, and a control section configured to control a voltage applied to a liquid crystal prism element, in accordance with the viewing position detected by the position detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tanaka, Katsuhiko Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20150002764
    Abstract: A device for wide angle viewing, comprising of goggles made of opaque material which has been installed with at least one Vector Light Source (VLS). The vector light source is a light source which emits a narrow light beam only in one pointing direction. The set of said vector light sources are divided into at least one subset. Each subset has a center location. All the vector light sources included in each said subset are pointed at the same center location of their subset. Each such subset could be made to display an image. Another kind of said viewing device enables viewing of a pair of stereoscopic images by having two subsets of vector light sources each with a center location. The two center locations can be adjusted to fit the locations of the pupils of the left and right human eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: JEZEKIEL BEN-ARIE
  • Patent number: 8899747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stereovision optometry apparatus comprising: a 3D display unit for displaying 3D image; a reference 2D display unit for displaying reference 2D image; an eyepiece in opposite side of the 2D display unit configured to view the images; a reflective mirror in opposite side of the 3D display unit configured to move toward and away from the 3D display unit; and a half mirror arranged between the 3D display and the reflective mirror and disposed at a point where propagation paths of the 2D image and the 3D image intersect; wherein the 2D image penetrates through the half mirror to reach the eyepiece; wherein the 3D image penetrates the half mirror to be reflected on the reflective mirror and then the reflected image is reflected on the half mirror to reach the eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Catholic Univ. Ind. Academic Cooperation Found.
    Inventor: Hang-Bong Kang
  • Patent number: 8702252
    Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus operable to form a sharp stereo image in the air beside an observer, includes a flat plate-shaped light-controlling panel having numerous light-reflecting elements disposed side by side, each of which allowing light from the object to pass therethrough by reflecting the light by a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface disposed in a crossed arrangement with respect to the first reflective surface, wherein the light-controlling panel has a plurality of segment light-controlling panels in which the first reflective surfaces and the second reflective surfaces included are parallel, respectively, centerlines P of the respective segment light-controlling panels, when viewed from thereabove, intersect at a point O on the light-controlling panel, and bisectors which bisect crossing angles between the first and the second reflective surfaces of the light-reflecting elements existing on the centerlines P coincide with the centerlines P when viewed from thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Asukanet Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8651684
    Abstract: A rear parallax emitter is disclosed for use, for example, in a display. The display includes a light modulator as well as the rear parallax emitter. The light modulator comprises a plurality of pixels viewable at a viewing position. The rear parallax emitter comprises a plurality of sets of light emitting regions (LERs) and has an area substantially coextensive with the light modulator and spaced a prescribed uniform distance from the display opposite from a viewing position. Each set of LERs is independently controllable to transmit a light color that differs from a light color transmitted by another set of LERs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: UniPixel Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Mehrle
  • Patent number: 8628196
    Abstract: A display device and its display method are provided. The display method includes: first, inputting image message, then generating laser beams for forming an image according to the input image message to display an image. The image message includes angular message of each image pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ocean of Peace Scientific Beijing Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuefeng Song, Jiangliang Li
  • Publication number: 20130215505
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a cylindrical casing which is rotatably driven; and a plurality of curve-arranged displays which are installed inside the casing and have the same number as a plurality of slits formed in the casing, wherein the curve-arranged displays include a light housing which is an approximately semi-cylindrical column having a hollow structure, and a plurality of display device substrates installed on an arc-shaped side surface of the approximately semi-cylindrical column of the light housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8427746
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stereoscopic image display system and a method of controlling the same. An eye tracking module locates current 3D spatial positions of the viewer's eyes, and generates the information of both left and right eyes' current 3D spatial positions. A control module controls a display device that can alter the direction of the light outputted, and outputs images on the display device in time multiplex mode. The light containing the left eye image is outputted to the position of left eye instead of right eye at one time point, and the light containing the right eye image is outputted to the position of right eye instead of left eye at another time point, so that a stereoscopic image is perceived according to the parallax theory. The present invention enlarges the visual range of stereoscopic image and achieves a better stereoscopic image visual experience for viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Infovision Optoelectronics (Kunshan) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Bingyu Si
  • Publication number: 20120314145
    Abstract: Backlit display systems, such as those employed with LED backlit displays, including those configured for autostereoscopic operation, may employ synchronization between the backlight and the presentation of sequential left and right eye images at a frame rate exceeding approximately 100 Hz. To successfully directionally illuminate isolated frames, the disclosed principles provide for segmenting the directional illumination and introducing a phase shifted, synchronized, pulsed drive scheme for the illumination segments. Accordingly, the principles disclosed herein are directed to segmented directional illumination systems and related techniques for segmented directional backlight illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: RealD INC.
    Inventor: Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8223417
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element is a hybrid lens in which a resin layer is joined to a glass-lens base material, and a diffractive surface is provided in the resin layer. The diffractive surface has a multi-step structure including a plurality of zonal surfaces and a plurality of step surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Makoto Hirakawa, Yoshinori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8162482
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, alternating polarization, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. A alternating polarizer filter actuator in the form of a closed feedback loop with pulse width modulated control is used to modulate the projected image. A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Casimer M. DeCusatis, Timothy M. Trifilo
  • Publication number: 20120008204
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a cylindrical casing which is rotatably driven; and a plurality of curve-arranged displays which are installed inside the casing and have the same number as a plurality of slits formed in the casing, wherein the curve-arranged displays include a light housing which is an approximately semi-cylindrical column having a hollow structure, and a plurality of display device substrates installed on an arc-shaped side surface of the approximately semi-cylindrical column of the light housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Izushi Kobayashi, Katsuhisa Ito, Hiroki Kikuchi, Yukitoyo Ohshima
  • Publication number: 20120002122
    Abstract: A 3D display system has a timing control device for synchronizing the opening and closing of shutters on a viewing apparatus. The display system comprises a display unit configured to alternately show a right image and a left image in a sequence. The display unit has a backlight unit to illuminate a display panel. The light output from the backlight unit is frequency-modulated with one frequency when a right image is displayed and another frequency when the left image is displayed. The viewing apparatus has a photo-detector and a frequency discrimination circuit to detect the modulation frequencies in the light output. Based on the detected modulation frequencies, the shutters on the viewing apparatus can be opened and closed in a coordinated way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Jyh-Wei LIN
  • Publication number: 20110228229
    Abstract: Implementations for a stereoscopic viewing device and image disc system are generally disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Evangelia Vensel
  • Patent number: 7961182
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display method capable of stereoscopic display of a photographed image. One two-dimensional image is selected, and one pixel capable of being viewed from a corresponding viewpoint position is selected from a plurality of pixels. A virtual surface with the selected two-dimensional image pasted thereon is assumed, and the virtual surface is arranged so that an image center point of the two-dimensional image corresponding to a center of an object coincides with a center of a display surface. Next, a virtual extension that extends from the viewpoint position to the virtual surface through the selected pixel is assumed. A color on the two-dimensional image assumed to have been pasted on the virtual surface, corresponding to a point of intersection between the virtual extension and the virtual surface is determined as a display color of the pixel positioned in a direction extending from the pixel to the viewpoint position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Susumu Tachi, Tomohiro Endo, Naoki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7845799
    Abstract: A projection-type three-dimensional image display apparatus includes a projector, a screen and an image former. The projector projects a plurality of element images containing parallax information to a two-dimensional plane. An image is formed on the screen, of a light transmittance that is electrically controlled by the projector. An image former forms a three-dimensional image having a vertical parallax and a horizontal parallax in a space in front of the screen from the projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kubara, Natsushi Ono
  • Patent number: 7839378
    Abstract: A unit for an method of analyzing received image data to determine whether the received image data corresponds to a single-view or to multiple views is disclosed. The method comprises: dividing the received image data (200) into a number of structures (1-9) of data elements (224-234); computing a correlation between a first one (1) of the structures of data elements and a second one (2) of the structures of data elements; and establishing that the received image-data corresponds to multiple views on basis of the correlation between the first one of the structures of data elements and the second one of the structures of data elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn, Wilbert Ijzerman
  • Publication number: 20100238367
    Abstract: A light output arrangement is provided and may be used as a backlight for a display. The arrangement comprises a bendable light-outputting layer (51), for example, comprising a light-guide, and a bendable light-directing layer (50), for example, comprising a lens array. The layers (50, 51) are fixed together so as to prevent relative lateral movement at the mid-points but otherwise are constrained to bend in conformance with each other. The light-directing layer comprises a plurality of structures, such as lenses (81), which cooperate with, for example, light extraction features (80) in the light guide (51) so as to direct light output from the light-directing layer (50) in substantially the same direction (82, 83) irrespective of bending of the layers (50, 51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: David James Montgomery, Sumanta Talukdar
  • Patent number: 7740359
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying images from a video projector. The apparatus includes a virtual projector screen assembly with an elongate screen element, such as a rod, that is mounted at one end to a base. The base is adapted for pivoting about its axis, arid a driver mechanism pivots the, base at high frequencies. During operation, the screen element oscillates between two edge positions with images projected from the projector being displayed on a side of the screen element facing or proximate to the projector. The two edge positions can be thought of as intersecting at the base and define a sweep angle (e.g., the angular difference between the two outer travel points of the screen element that is typically less than about 90 degrees). The driver may include a motor with an oscillating output shaft that pivots the base such as with a belt attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Schnuckle, Lanny S. Smoot
  • Patent number: 7677732
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display apparatus. The stereoscopic image display apparatus includes a first projection element group, a second projection element group, and a reflecting optical system. The first projection element group includes a plurality of first projection elements operable to project first light fluxes in a first direction. The second projection element group includes a plurality of second projection elements operable to project second light fluxes in a second direction which is different from the first direction and in which the second light fluxes are directed to the first light fluxes. The reflecting optical system is operable to reflect the second light fluxes toward the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Moro, Toshitaka Kawashima, Ryota Odake, Tadashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7555194
    Abstract: An improved illumination device shortens a redundant area of insufficient light intensity close to a longitudinal end thereof. The device includes a casing, a bar-shaped light guide housed in the casing to cause a light-emitting surface thereof to be exposed, a light-emitting unit secured to an end section of the casing, wherein light from the light-emitting unit is introduced into the bar-shaped light guide through the end face thereof and is totally reflected within the bar-shaped light guide to be emitted through the light-emitting surface, and a shielding section provided to cover an end section of the bar-shaped light guide including the redundant area at the end section of the casing close to the light-emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ikeda, Hiroyuki Nemoto, Takashi Kishimoto, Takeshi Ishimaru, Hirohiko Iwase, Hidemitsu Takeuchi, Tomihisa Saito
  • Publication number: 20090128901
    Abstract: An apparatus and method by which an image is projected to pupils of a viewer. Preferably, the image covers only areas occupied by the pupils and tracks the areas occupied by the pupils such as to provide continuous display of the imagery to a viewer. The method is to dynamically control the direction of light into sub-apertures selected by a tracking device. By imaging selectively into the sub-apertures where the pupils are temporally located instead of imaging into a generally large area, the disclosed apparatus is power efficient and exclusive because the projected images are covert. This method is applicable to most biocular displays, for instance, but not limited to “see through” systems, which overlay imagery over real world scenes and where geometrically precise projection is critical. In one embodiment, the pupil scan apparatus is combined with a retinal scan apparatus to provide security. In this manner, only an authorized user of the apparatus can operate it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Michael M. Tilleman, Jonathan Everett, Richard Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20090027772
    Abstract: Disclosed is a head-mounted single panel display system that uses one or more liquid crystal switches and a polarizing beam splitter to redirect images from a single microdisplay panel to the viewer's eyes. The light emanating from the display panel is first directed, using a polarizing beam splitter, into two near-identical optical imaging systems, each forming an image in the left and right eyes. For stereoscopic (3D) operation, the light is modulated such that an image is seen in only one eye at a time. By providing time sequential stereoscopic imagery at a frame rate greater than 50Hz in each eye, flicker free, full resolution 3D can be visualized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: REAL D
    Inventor: Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7168809
    Abstract: It is made possible to view a high-resolution clear stereoscopic image from any direction without taking the projection timing of two-dimensional images into consideration. First and second polygonal mirrors each including mirrors arranged in a ring form around a rotation axis of a screen are disposed. An electronic projector is disposed on an extended line of the rotation axis of the screen so as to be opposed to mirror surfaces of the polygonal mirrors. The electronic projector emits concentrically arranged first and second frame image groups each including frame images arranged in a ring form. The first and second frame image groups are reflected respectively by the first and second polygonal mirrors and projected onto the rotating screen. As the screen rotates, each of the first and second image groups is projected onto the screen and displayed in order from frame image to frame image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoshino, Rieko Otsuka, Youichi Horii, Yukinobu Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7150531
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic viewer is employed to produce aberration corrected images to simulate a virtual presence by employing pairs of projector optical components coupled with an image corrector plate and a field lens. Images are designed with magnifications and optical qualities and positioned at predetermined eyezones having controlled directional properties. The viewer's eyes are positioned in these eyezones. The size of these zones is related to the aperture of the projection lenses, the magnification produced by the Fresnel(s), and the optical properties and position of the image corrector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: John S. Toeppen
  • Patent number: 7086735
    Abstract: A system, device within a system, and a method for enhancing visual perception in a two-dimensional image is disclosed, providing the induction of retinal disparity in the viewer by a device with which the two-dimensional image is viewed. With fusion of the retinally disparate images of the two-dimensional image, the viewer experiences the enhancement of his or her visual perception in the two dimensional image, which includes enhancement of depth perception and enhancement in clarity perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Anthony Italo Provitola
  • Patent number: 7073908
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for enhancing depth perception in a two-dimensional image is disclosed providing the induction of retinal disparity in the eyes of the viewer by the placement of a visually identifiable object in front of the two-dimensional image. Upon fusion of such retinal disparity in the viewer, the viewer experiences the enhancement depth perception in the two dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Anthony Italo Provitola
  • Patent number: 7061678
    Abstract: The present invention is a stereoscopic display device including a transmissive image reproducing element, two light sources, an optical apparatus to direct the light emitted by one light source towards the right eye and to direct the light emitted by the other light source towards the left eye, and control means for displaying alternately an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye on the image reproducing element, and for activating the source emitting light for the right eye only when the image for the right eye is displayed and for activating the source emitting light for the left eye only when the displayed image is for the left eye. The optical apparatus is a mirror apparatus providing either a converging beam or a parallel beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Chikazawa
  • Patent number: 6969174
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Sorin Radulescu
  • Patent number: 6606078
    Abstract: A multi-view image display system provides a plurality of multi-view three-dimensional (3-D) images, using the mask type of image arrangement plate where the images grouped by corresponding pixels are arranged in a same order as that of the pixels. Each pixel cell is provided with an image display region which is divided into a plurality of subcells arranged depending on arrangement structure of the viewing zones, and each of the subcells transmits or reflects the lights from point light sources using its whole area, thereby allowing the transmitted or reflected lights to be collected in each of the viewing zones to form each of the view images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jung Young Son, Yong Jin Choi, Ji Eun Ban, Vladimir Saveliev, Eugene F. Pen
  • Patent number: 6578971
    Abstract: A self-illuminating video screen system employing a concave display surface which provides for enhanced depth cueing. A method of designing a variety of shapes of self-illuminating video screen display surfaces by varying certain parameters of a common master equation. Self-illuminating video screen systems having display surface shapes providing optimum viewing for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Dennis B. Neff
  • Patent number: 6078423
    Abstract: A display device includes an image bearing device for generating one or more viewable images, optical elements for generating one or more viewing zones for viewing the viewable images, and an optical element with positive optical power. The elements are arranged and constructed such that the optical element with positive optical power forms a real image of the or each viewing zone and a virtual image of the or each viewable image, whereby the or each virtual image is visible to a viewer only when a light ray can be traced from the viewer's eye through the real image of an associated viewing zone, the optical element and the viewable image. The display may be an autostereoscopic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Richmond Holographic Research & Development Limited
    Inventors: Edwina Margaret Orr, David John Trayner
  • Patent number: 6008939
    Abstract: Low-cost complex plastic optics allow biocular viewing of video images generated by a single electro-optic display device, such as in a head-mounted display (HMD) for commercial or medical viewing applications. A dual off-axis configuration uses nearly collimated illumination optics and intermediate imaging optics to fill both eyepieces from a single display device without the need for a beamsplitter. Multiple illumination schemes are provided for either monochrome or color, and in either two-dimensional or time-sequential true stereographic presentation. Light from multicolor sources is superimposed, mixed, and homogenized by mixing light cones with diffractive collectors. Offsetting color overcorrection and undercorrection of individual optical elements achieves overall chromatic correction with minimal optical element complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Optimize Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond T. Hebert
  • Patent number: 5943166
    Abstract: This invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus, which comprises a two-dimensionally array of light modulation elements for modulating light in correspondence with a stripe synthesized image obtained by alternately arranging stripe image portions of a plurality of stripe images which are obtained by dividing right- and left-eye images, an illumination light source, arranged behind the light modulation elements, for illuminating the light modulation element, a parallax barrier arranged in front of the light modulation elements, and having predetermined aperture portions and light-shielding portions in correspondence with the light modulation elements corresponding to the respective stripe image portions, and an element, arranged between the light modulation elements and the illumination light source, for dividing and deflecting light emitted by the illumination light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hoshi, Naosato Taniguchi, Toshiyuki Sudo, Hideki Morishima, Kazutaka Inoguchi
  • Patent number: 5894364
    Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes an image display apparatus main body and a multi-angle image information generating unit for generating image information for a plurality of viewing angles from which a three-dimensional object is viewed. The image display apparatus main body includes a liquid crystal panel for displaying an angle-specific image derived from the angle-specific image information supplied from the multi-angle image information generating unit, and an angle-specific image radial distribution unit which, provided at the front of the liquid crystal panel, radially distributes the angle-specific image by providing directivity to a light beam carrying the angle-specific image displayed on the liquid crystal panel and thus directing the angle-specific image to a corresponding angle. When a viewer changes a view position or viewing angle, the viewer can experience one stereoscopic image turning into another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinpei Nagatani
  • Patent number: 5831765
    Abstract: The 2-D/3-D compatible type image display according to the present invention is constructed by arranging a liquid crystal panel which is a display panel, a dispersed type liquid crystal panel which is a diffusing effect on/off panel, a light separating means, a backlight which is a plane light source, so as to be nearer to an observer in this order. It is possible by processing the image signal supplied to the liquid crystal panel to form a first group of pixels lined in longitudinal direction of a picture and a second group of pixels lined in the same direction of the picture alternately formed in horizontal direction, and to make the first group of pixels and the second group of pixels have different observing points respectively as left eye pixels and right eye pixels (when 3-D images are displayed), or to make the first group of pixels and the second group of pixels have the same observing points with each other (when 2-D images are displayed).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Nakayama, Goro Hamagishi, Atsuhiro Yamashita, Ken Mashitani, Masahiro Sakata, Yoshihiro Furuta, Shinobu Kohtani, Kenji Taima, Shugo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5751479
    Abstract: A 3-D display including a light source which emit lights in a flat plate shape, a liquid crystal panel for color images which displays left eye images and right eye images respectively with left eye pixels and right eye pixels, and color filters each being formed for pixels of a number of the observing positions of 3-D images, which convert emitted lights from the light source into very small luminescences of red, green and blue being aligned in a predetermined order. The traveling direction of the emitted lights from the light source and given to a observer is decided depending on each color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Goro Hamagishi, Ken Mashitani, Eiji Nakayama, Susumu Tanase
  • Patent number: 5748389
    Abstract: An optical housing (30) includes an optical pedestal (10), a light-blocking mask (31), and a translucent light diffuser (32). The optical housing (30) is used to inspect a work piece (51) placed on a top surface (21) of the optical pedestal (10). Diffusive light is transmitted from the translucent light diffuser (32) into the optical pedestal (10) via a portion of an optically polished bottom surface (11) that is uncovered by the light-blocking mask (31). In the optical pedestal (10), light is reflected by an optically polished inclined surface (23) and refracted by another optically polished inclined surface (25). When light is transmitted away from the optical pedestal (10) after being refracted, it is a collinear light beam and substantially parallel to the top surface (21) of the optical pedestal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus J. Gering, Gordon O. Berg, David C. Lehnen, Joseph W. Frisbie
  • Patent number: 5673147
    Abstract: A stereoscopic objective lens system for video endoscopes and borescopes includes two full-diameter doublets and two identical half-diameter ball lenses. The full-diameter doublets collimate object points, imaging object points to infinity. The full-diameter doublets present equal-angle pairs from symmetrically disposed object points to the ball lenses. This equal-angle property enables accurate object/image mapping onto the final stereo image pair such that all parts of each left/right image can be mapped to within a fraction of a video pixel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: McKinley Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry R. McKinley
  • Patent number: 5629797
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic image system involving a composite picture, a second filter containing horizontal alternately polarized and/or colored bands and a first filter containing vertical alternately polarized and/or colored bands. The first filter may be covered by a lenticular screen through which the image is perceived. The invention can bring about an improvement in the image depth and range of viewing angle of 3-D lenticular pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Michael Ridgway
  • 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: 5410345
    Abstract: In a flat panel autostereoscopic display full resolution equal to the number of pixels in the two-dimensional light valve array, which serves to generate images, is achieved by incorporating an illumination system which makes use of stroboscopic light sources or continuously lit light sources in combination with electro-optical shutter means. The lighting system when used in conjunction with a 2-D flat panel display, achieves image resolution exceeding several times the pixel resolution of the light valve array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Dimension Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse B. Eichenlaub
  • Patent number: 5129716
    Abstract: Object of invention is such an appliance which is suitable for stereoscopic displaying of video images. It is wearable on head having a common stiff frame with two video image displays built in it; then an optical system, containing lenses and mirrors or prisms, is located, arranged symmetrically. Video image diplays (1), e.g. cathode ray tubes, while wearing on head, are located near the temples; in front of the screen (3) there is a mirror or a prism having reflecting surface, having of 45.degree.-75.degree. angles with the plain of the screen on two sides symetrically fitting into optical train between the screen (3) and the concerned pupil, then a lense or lense-system (8), then there is a reflecting mirror (7) having the area not greater than that of the average pupil, in front of the pupils (5), fixing of this mirror (7) is made of transparent material or is covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventors: Laszlo Holakovszky, Karoly Endrei, Laszlo Kezi, Karolyne Endrei