Abstract:
An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data to reduce energy requirements, to increase contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data may be provided as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images.
Abstract:
A display apparatus includes a passive display, a light source, and a video signal input, in operation in response to a video signal the passive display modulates light from the light source to provide an image, and the intensity of the light source is controlled by the video signal.A method of producing a displayed image using a passive display illuminated by a light source is characterized in controlling the light source to obtain a displayed image with a desired amount of information, gray scale and/or color characteristics.A method of reducing power consumption by a display system in which a light modulating display modulates incident light from a light source to provide images is characterized in controlling power provided to the light source to reduce output thereof for relatively dark images.
Abstract:
A system for detecting eye closure through optical observation of the eye includes a frame configured to be worn on a user, a light source, and at least one eyepiece connected to the frame. The eyepiece has a reflective surface on a side facing the user's eye when the frame is positioned on the user and the reflective surface of the eyepiece is configured for reflecting light emitted from the light source onto the eye. A sensor is connected to the frame and is operable to detect light reflected by the eye in a direction that is substantially parallel to the light incident on a retina of the eye to detect that the eye is in an open position.
Abstract:
A display system or monitor arrangement for stereoscopic displaying of images includes a pair of displays for providing respective left eye and right eye images and arranged in perpendicular intersecting planes, a beam splitter for combining the images from the displays in a common light path, and a means to discriminate between respective images to present the respective left and right eye images to the eyes of a viewer for viewing. Image discriminating functions may be obtained using plane polarized light characteristics and/or circular polarized light characteristics. A package arrangement retains the display a system components for storage or use; and a cubical mount structure may provide alignment and positioning of respective parts of the display system. Display methods for displaying stereoscopic images in a common light path are included.
Abstract:
A passive dithering display system includes an optical display including a plurality of pixels with optical dead space between the pixels for producing an image, and a birefringent material for shifting one polarization component of the image relative to a second polarization component of the image such that the shifted polarization component lies in the dead space. Thus, the system of the invention can change the location of an optical signal, and the change can be used to improve resolution of a display, to reduce fixed pattern noise of a display, to facilitate locating and hiding of circuitry, to facilitate overlapping of tiles or pixels, etc.
Abstract:
A head mounted display system includes focusing optics to focus light from an image source, retro-reflector and beamsplitter, the image source and beamsplitter directing light toward the retro-reflector to focus a real image, and the light reflected from the retro-reflector being directed via the beamsplitter for viewing, thereby to use conjugate optics effectively to place the viewing eye or detector in relation to the image source the same as the relation of the focusing optics to the image source. The retro-reflector may be mounted on a common housing or support with the beamsplitter and focusing optics or it may be remotely located. A method for forming an image using conjugate optics in which light from a source is focused to form a real image at a retro-reflector and is reflected for viewing.
Abstract:
A polarizer including liquid crystal material and a surface or surfaces for cooperating with the liquid crystal material to control polarization of light which is incident in a direction normal to the polarizer by at least one of refraction and total internal reflection of one polarization component of the light while transmitting the other polarization component substantially in the direction without refraction or total internal reflection, the surface or surfaces including plural grooves in cooperative relationship with the liquid crystal material.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal color display provides a transmitted light output that is of one or more colors, black, and/or white, as a function of the color of the incident light input and controlled energization or not of respective optically serially positioned liquid crystal color layers and/or multicolor composite liquid crystal color layer(s) in the display. In one case, the display includes a plurality of liquid crystal color layers, each being dyed a different respective color, and apparatus for selectively applying a prescribed input, such as an electric field of a given voltage level or frequency, to a respective layer or layers or to a portion or portions thereof. Each liquid crystal layer includes plural volumes of operationally nematic liquid crystal material in a containment medium that tends to cause an alignment of the liquid crystal structure and, thus, pleochroic dye included or mixed with the liquid crystal material in each layer to absorb light. Each layer is differently colored by the dye so as to have a particular coloring effect on light incident thereon. Exemplary layer colors may be yellow, cyan and magenta, and a multicolor light output can be produced. The containment medium can incorporate cross-linking polymers. The liquid crystal display or apparatus is capable of discriminating voltage and/or frequency magnitude to enable a multicolor response using only a single pair of electrodes. Also, in one embodiment, cross-over liquid crystal having positive to negative dielectric anisotropy characteristics is used.
Abstract:
An apparatus for responding to incident electromagnetic radiation includes a first medium having a surface and through which incident electromagnetic radiation may be transmitted, a second such medium having a surface, the surfaces being generally parallel, and smectic liquid crystal between said surfaces and aligned generally in parallel in layers that extend generally parallel to each other and perpendicularly to such surfaces (bookshelf alignment), the liquid crystal material being operative to undergo self-focusing in response to a characteristic of incident electromagnetic radiation exceeding a value and being cooperative with at least one of such media thereby automatically to limit the energy or energy density of electromagnetic radiation exiting the apparatus.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal color display provides a transmitted light output that is of one or more colors, black and/or white, as a function of the color of the incident light input and controlled energization or not of respective optically serially positioned liquid crystal color layers and/or multicolor composite liquid crystal color layer(s) in the display. Each liquid crystal layer may include plural volumes of operationally nematic liquid crystal material in a containment medium that tends to distort the natural liquid crystal structure in the absence of a prescribed input. Each layer includes a dye mixed with the liquid crystal material so as to have a particular coloring effect on light incident thereon. By selectively energizing or not respective portions of respective liquid crystal color layers, a multi-color light output can be produced. Such light output may be employed in a liquid crystal display that produces stationary or moving images. A technique is disclosed to make strong, integral, generally fluid-tight capsules of dyed liquid crystal using cross-linking of polymers. A poly(methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride) dissolved in the dyed liquid crystal reacts with an ester, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, to form the strong cross-linked capsule material. Techniques for discriminating voltage and/or frequency magnitude also are disclosed to enable a multicolor response using only a single pair of electrodes. Also, in one embodiment, cross-over liquid crystal having positive to negative dielectric anisotropy characteristics is used.