CA2164443C - Moving imagery projection system - Google Patents
Moving imagery projection system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2164443C CA2164443C CA002164443A CA2164443A CA2164443C CA 2164443 C CA2164443 C CA 2164443C CA 002164443 A CA002164443 A CA 002164443A CA 2164443 A CA2164443 A CA 2164443A CA 2164443 C CA2164443 C CA 2164443C
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- light beam
- projection system
- lens array
- axis
- viewing surface
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
- H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
- H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
- H04N9/3129—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM] scanning a light beam on the display screen
Abstract
A projection system for projecting computergraphic images onto a domed or spherical viewing surface (42). An intense beam of coherent light (10) is color and intensity modulated (28) and deflected (30) in a pair of cartesian axes prior to being projected through a wide angle lens array (40). Because the light beam is deflected before entering the wide angle lens array, greater angles of deflection are possible. The images are generated by rapidly changing the deflection of an intense spot of light which is projected onto the viewing surface at a rate above the viewer's flicker rate. This wide angle lens array may include a scan flattening lens array by which the image can be focussed onto a spatial image focal plane before it is projected through a wide angle lens.
Description
wo gS/010Cl 2 1 ~ 4 ~ ~ ~ PCT/USg4/07273 MOVING IMAGERY PROJECllON ~Y~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to moving imagery projection systems and S in particular to systems for projecting images and generated by colll~ulergraphic technolo~l~ l by an int~nce light beam or beams on a geometrir, eg.~ curvilinear, ~ome-l, or spheric~l viewing surface. The invention is particularly suitable for use in planeta,i,~s to ~llgmlont eyictingst~rfiel~lc and other col.~rc,lLional inr~ndesce-nt projection devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to moving imagery projection systems and S in particular to systems for projecting images and generated by colll~ulergraphic technolo~l~ l by an int~nce light beam or beams on a geometrir, eg.~ curvilinear, ~ome-l, or spheric~l viewing surface. The invention is particularly suitable for use in planeta,i,~s to ~llgmlont eyictingst~rfiel~lc and other col.~rc,lLional inr~ndesce-nt projection devices.
2. Description of the Related Art The combination of state-of-the-art co..l~uLergraphic technology with various types of ~lojc~;on e~ llr-nt has produced a variety of projection systems for generating images on a viewing sllrf~ce The coll.~ulergraphic te~hnolo~y has allowed ~elatol~ to create, retrieve, and l~ ulate graphic 15 images on laptop or desktop c~ uters. See U.S. Patent No. 4,763,280 to Robinson et aL; U.S. Patent No. 4,347,507 to Spooner. Using a variety of light sources, these images have been projected on vie~ving sllrf~ces having a varietyof geometric shapes for a variety of purposes. Neverthelesc, these systems suffer from ci~ific~nt limit~tionc. For example, as the angle of deflection of 20 the image-generating light beam increases, the images tend to lose recol~ltion, ~, to become increasingly fuz~y, esper~lly at the edges of the viewing sllrf~- e. Consequently, the intenCity of the images also decreases. Further, inorder to project images on a curvilinear viewing sllrf~Ge, it is nece-sc~ to greatly increase the angle of deflection of the projected im~geS~ This too has 25 caused degr~d~tinn of the quality of the im~es Perhaps, the two most common uses for these related art systems are as entel~ -nt displays and cim~ tion devices. See U.S. Patent No.
4,347,507 to Spooner; U.S. Patent No. 4,100,571 to Dykes et aL In both uses, WO 95/OlOCl PCT/US94/07273 ~s~
however, the same problems arise - namely, how to ~ image recol~ltion and int~ncity and still project onto a wrvilinear viewing s--rf~ce without lm~cceptable distortion. Co~ ;on~l viewing s--rf~cec have co~ ised mos~ c of snhst~nti~lly flat viewing s--rf~es. Such viewing surfaces often 5 require the use of separate projection ~h~nn~lc for each flat viewing surface.Even when a wrvilinear viewing surface is used, mosaic projection techni~lues are sometimes employed. See U.S. Patent No. 4,297,723 to Whitby. Such projection s~lellls, however, can not take full advantage of the se~mle-ccn.osc of the wrvilinear viewing surface and its other inherent advantages, such as the10 lack of rliccolll;llll;l;es in the image as the projection system slews the image across the viewing snrf~ce. Other problems with a mosaic prese-nt~tion arise from i~ ect seam m~t-~hing, co~ or color m~trhing, and brightn~occ m~t~hin~ ctionc in any of these areas are readily noticed by viewers, and because even slight m~t~hing imperfections are generally noticeable on lS large projectionc~ it is very .liffi~llt to elimin~te these problems. Further, the se~mlçcc preent~hQn possible from a wrvilinear viewing surface is easier to watch,~, causes less eye strain, and creates a more realistic present~tion, and conlilluous curvilinear viewing surfaces may also be easier to --~ ch-re.
Related art projection systems have not been able to sncceccfillly 20 project snffi~ie-ntly rlictinct and intence graphic images on a domed or spherical viewing snrf~ce Some syste_s, such as that tlicclrlse~l in U.S. Patent No. 4,763,280 to Robinson et ~, appear to lis~lose a system for achieving at least 180 degrees by 180 degrees or hernispherical projectionC. Others, such as that ~licrlose~ in U.S. Patent No. 4,100,571 to Dykes et 3~, appear to 2S licrl~-se a system for achieving at least 360 degrees by 90 degrees. Neither of these systems, however, seems capable of projecting a sl-ffi~iently distinct and WO 95/OlOC1 ~ 1 6 ~ 443 PCT/US94/07273 ~l~uving image on a spherical viewing surface without employing multiple projection çh~nnPlc.
As mPntionPtl above, systems for ~iOjC.~illg moving imagery on curvilinear viewing snrfaces have found many military and training applicationc,5 especially in the field of flight .cimnlation In these appli~ati~nc, a realistic ~mhient ellvilo~ l cimnlation or model board image may be projected onto a viewing surface, so that a pilot or other trainee may react to it and so that the image can be altered in response to the actions and reactions of the pilot or trainee. These images are commonly generated by means of a high-10 resolution cathode ray tube (CRT) or a high-resolution closed circuit television (CCT) projector. See U.S. Patent No. 4,297,723 to Whitby; U.S. Patent No. 4,100,571 to Dykes et aL Images generated in this mannPr, huwt;vel, may also present cienifirant disadvantages. First, such generating devices may be more suitable for mosaic presçntati~nC and suffer from the same mosaic 15 limitationc tlic~)cce~ above. SecQntl~ when a CRT or CCT projection is deflected or projected through a wide angle lens, an nnacceFtable amollnt of distortion may occur. The resnltine image is fuzzy, blurred, or in~lictinçt which detracts from the ~ g or cimnlation benefits of the system. Unlike these systems, images projected by the present invention may be similar to 20 co~ Ju~ergraphic images, rather than to the photo-realistic images generated by a system using CRT or CCT technology.
Various attempts have been made to develop projection systems which IlJruve the ~ioj~cte~l images' resolution and intPn.city. By using a laserbeam, the intpncity of which is mo~llllate~l with video i~o, ~ ;on by means of 25 an acousto-optic cell, images have been sçannP~ in a raster pattern onto a viewing sllrface These systems may provide i~ uved brightnPcc due to the greater intencity inherent in a laser. See U.S. Patent No. 3,992,718 to Driskell.
PCT/US94/07t73 WO 95/OlOCl Neverthelecc, simply ~nrlin~ the sc~nning window does not elimin~t~
resol--tion problems, and the desired recoh-tiQn can not be attained from his system without undesirable mot1ifir~tionc. In order to avoid the resollltion problems in a sim~ tor, a CRT system must operate at a high bandwidth. The S amount of bandwidth ..eces~ increases, as the desired level of resolution increases. For eY~mple, television requires a bandwidth in the order of about 10MHz to adequately ll~s~ the signals necess~ to generate the individual points in a 625 line television picture and to repeat the picture signals twenty-five (25) times per second In order to generate a field of view of even 175 10 degrees by 75 degrees, ll,ereforc, might require a bandwidth of appruxi...~tely 100MHz to achieve the resolution dçm~nded in modern flight cimnl~tion This, however, places ~MitiQn~l d~om~n-lc on the mo~ tion of the laser beam and may make the system inco~ ;ble with digital image generating systems used in .Simnl~tors.
The presenl invention allows a moving image to be projected with s~lffir~nt size, i~ ;ly~ and clarity to fill an entire domed or spherical viewing sllrf~e, ~, about 360 degrees by at least 180 degrees, and to avoid the loss of resolution and intencity experienced with other projection systems.
Moreover, when the beam is static, instead of dynamic, an intense point of 20 light is projected on the domed or spherical viewing sllrf~e SUMMARY OF THE rNVENTION
It is an object of this invention to accurately project a co~ ulelgla~hic image or images through a wide angle projection system onto 25 a geometric viewing surface with adequate resolution and int~ncity. It is a feature of this invention that electro-merh~nicaL acousto-optic, or electro-optic deflectors, rather than simply a raster sc~nn~r, can be used to increace the wo9S/01061 ~ 9~3 PCT/US94/07273 angle of ~-flection It is an advantage of this fealule that the angle of deflection can be increased without increasing yloce~ g power.
It is further an object of this invention that the col.lpulergraphic image(s) is (are) yloi~ted through a wide angle lens array. It is a fealu-c of 5 the invention that the wide angle lens array may co.l.~l se a single lens or acombination of lenses to achieve the wide angle projection of the images or a series of lens arrays which project the images onto a spacial image focal plane and from there through a wide angle lens or lens array onto the geometric viewing sl~ ce. It is an advantage of this realu c that ~ oved image quality 10 can be obtained by projecting the images first onto a spacial image focal plane before ~rojerting the image onto a domed or spherical viewing sllr~ce.
e. ..~t;~ly, it is a fealu c of this invention that the wide angle lens or lens array may cc....~ e a holog.~hic elem~nt for ben/~ and cleflecting the image fo....;l~g light beams.
It is yet another object of this invention to project co--l~ulel~hic image(s) on a domed or spherical viewing sllrf~ce by deflecting an i~ e beam of light in essenti~lly cartesian coordinates with at least one geometric co~vcl~ion to account for the curvilinear shape of the viewing snrf~ce It is a feature of this invention that the light beam is deflected 20 along two axes of deflection and of this embo~liment of this invention that the system has at least two deflectors. It is an advantage of this system that because images are created by rapidly moving a point of light over a viewing surface image compleYity is only limite-l by the speed of deflection.
It is another object of this invention that the resollltion and 25 inten~ity of the projected image(s) is enhanced by delivering the light beam(s) to the vvide angle lens array in an j"~ r, coherent form. It is a feature of this invention that a source of intpn~e~ coherent light beams, such as a laser, may wo gS/01061 PCT/US94l07273 6~
be used and that the light beams may be provided directly to the deflector module or may be carried from the source to the ~leflector module by means of fiber optic cables. It is an advantage of this feature that the light source may be at a distant location from the other components of the projection 5 system.
The projection system of the present invention is used for projecting an image or images onto a geom~tnc viewing sn-f~ce located at a pre-letçnnined ~ t~nce from and position~o~l at a pre~etçrmin~-d orient~tion relative to the system. The system may further col~ ise a source of an intense 10 light beam, such as a laser or an arc or a halogen lamp, ~, a HeNe or Argon or Krypton laser or a xenon arc lamp; a de_ector module for de_ecting the light beam to vector coordinates in a pair of cartesian axes; and a wide angle lens array for in~;leasillg the exit angle of ~flPction of the image or images from the deflector mo~ le by a pre~letç~ ...;..e~l factor and projecting the image 15 or images on the viewing s--rf~ce Moreover, the light beam may be provided directly to the l~flectQr modllle or ~ led to the deflector module by beam r means COlll~ illg a fiber optic path.
The light beam(s) may be mono- or poly-cl~oll-alic. An Argon laser inherently produces two-color laser r~Ai~tion KIypton lasers, however, 20 produce poly-cl~o,llalic r uli~tion A bro~db~n~l gas ion laser may be used to produce an intçn~e coherent light beam. A broadband laser beam in~ es spectrally pure, ~, discrete, and very int~n~e freqn~nries. The bro~lb~n~l light beam pro~luced by an arc or a halogen lamp, however, inrllldes a broad spec~ ll of frequçrl~ies which may be char~ctçri7ed by a co.~Li....ous spectrum 25 plm~l~ted by peaks of intçn~e freq~len~s. Either type of bro~lb~n~ light beam may be suitable for use in the invention. Further, a dye laser or other tunable laser may also be suitable for use in this invention.
wo 95101061 ~ 1 ~; 4 ~ 4 ~ PCT/US94/07273 The ~P-flectQr mo~ le of the projection system may CQ"-l" ;se at least a pair of electro-mPch~nic~l ~Pflectors which deflect the light beam to c~lei,ia~ or vector coord~aatcs in an x-axis and a y-axis. It may further co~ ise an x-galvanometer for ~lPflpcting the light beam in the x-axis and a 5 y-galv~--o..-rter for ~l~pflectine the light beam in the y-axis. The deflectormodule may produce an exit angle of deflection of the deflected image in a range of about twenty (20) degrees to about eighty (80) degrees and the lens array increases the angle of lP-fl-Pcti~n to a range of about 160 degrees to atleast 180 degrees. At least one suitable very wide angle lens design is capable 10 of increasing deflection up to about 210 degrees. ~ltern~tively~ the ~e-flectQr module may co...l.. ;ce an acousto-optic or an electro-optic deflector or deflectors, which also dçflPct(s) the light beam to ~ csia~ or vector coordillates in an x-axis and a y-axis.
The wide angle lens array of the projection system may co~ ise 15 a first and a second lens array, such that the first lens array ~lO;C~ the image or images sp~ti~lly on a focal plane, and the second lens array co..~l-.;ces a wide angle lens and projects the spatial image or images on the viewing surf~ce. The viewing surf~e may sulluulld and be about equidistant from the second lens array. Further, the geometric viewing surface may be domed or 20 spheri~l The image or images projected by the system may be a colll~utergraphic display dçfinçd in digital cartesian or vector coordinates which detç....;,.~- a trajectory for the display. The system may further colll~l~e an image generating device for ~ ulating the display and a processor, such 25 as an assembler, a compiler, a linkage editor, or a microprocessor, and/or a memoIy or data storage device for tr~n~l~ting the digital cartesian or vector coordinates into analog signals and repetitively ll~ lllill;..g the display at a 7~5~
rate above the flicker rate. Flicker is a visual sensation produced by periodic fll-c*~ti~mc in light at rates ~g from about a few cycles per second to about a few tens of cydes per second ~, the flicker rate. In ~lition, it may col~ ise a geomP-tric correction device for collecfi~lg the analog cign~lc, 5 thereby colll~en~l;..g for the viewing surface's curvilinear shape and the ~lict~nce and the orient~tion of the viewing surface relative to the system;
amplification ~ ;uill~ for controlling the deflection of the light beam; and beam ll~rer means for providing the light beam to the ~l~oflector module.
Further, the beam llausL~r means may also comprise a fiber optic path with an 10 input and an output coupling for tla~rcllhlg the light beam from the source to the de_ector mo-hlle via a focusing and c~llim~ting lens array. The fiber optic path may further colll~.ise a graded or a stepped index fiber optic cable.
In yet another embo~limp-nt~ the image or images may be a 15 CO~ Julcl~ldlJhic display ~3efin~ in analog vector coordinates which determine a trajectory for the display. It may further colll~lise an image generating device fom~ ulating the display; a processor for r~ lilively ll;....c..,; ~ g the display at a rate above the _icker rate; a geometric correction device for correcting the analog coor-lin~tes, thereby compenC~ting for the viewing 20 surface's geometry and the ~lict~nce and the orient~tion of the viewing surface relative to the system; amplifir~tion ~U~;Uill~ for controlling the d~Pflection of the light beam; and beam lla~rer means for providing the light beam to the deflector module. In both these embo~imPntc, the geometric viewing surface may be domed or sphe-ric~l and the second lens array may be positioned at a 25 location about eqllitlict~nt from the viewing surface.
In still another embo~iimPnt, the image or images projected by the projection system may be a co~ ulcl~hic display ~lefinP~ in digital wo gS/0106~ 4~ PCT/US94/07273 vector coord"~ates which determin~ a trajectory for the display onto a curvilinear viewing snrf~ce The system may comprise an image generating device for l~l~pulating the display and a processor for tr~nsl~tine the digital vector coordillates into analog signals and repetitively ~....c~ l;.,e the display 5 at a rate above the flicker rate. It also may inrhlde a geometric correction device for collec~i~lg the analog cien~l~, thereby col~l~e~.c~ e for the curvilinear geometry of the viewing s--rf~ce and amplification .;ir~;.lil,y for controlling the ~l~flection of the light beam.
As noted above, the beam ll~f~l means may co~ ise a fiber 10 optic path with an input coupling for acceplillg the light beam and an ouhputcoupling for deli~i,ing the light beam to a focusing and co~ t;~e lens array.
It may further co. "l" ;ce a color mod~ tor for s~al~lh,g the light beam into ~,i",~ colors, mo-llll~tine each of the ~lh~ colors independently, and recomhinine the pl~ .a,g colors into a single beam, whereby the amplific~hon 15 ~;h~;uillg can syn-~ru~e the colors with the trajectory of the display.
~lte~ t;~ely, a poly~ olllalic acousto-optic mn~ tor (PCAOM) may be used to modulate each of the ~,hlla,ly colors of the light beam. ~n.cte~-l of sel,alalillg the light beam through filters and then mod~ tine each color, ~, ~li,lla,y color, through s~ate acousto-optic mod~ tors, a PCAOM employs 20 a single acousto-optic mç-lillm, such as an acousto-optic crystal, in which each color can be manipulated separately. The beam may also be coupled dhectly to the de-flectQr module or to the color mo~ tor.
Other objects, fealules, and adv~nt~es of the invention will be a~arGLl when the det~iled description of plefellGd embo~lim~ntc of the 25 invention and the drawings are concitlered.
~ 6~4~3 lo BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figs. L~ and lB are block diagrams of ~iefclled embodiments of the projection system.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a l~refclled embo~3im~nt of the 5 projection system depicting the projection of an image or images onto a spatial image focal plane.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the x-y color mo~hll~tion and deflector ~Çmbly with a optical sensor or fee~b~lr system.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an electro-mech~nic~l deflector 10 module depicting an x-galvanometer and a y-galvanometer.
DETAILED DESCRIPIION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Refe.-;u~ to Fig. lA, a co~ uLer system 20 is used to generate, store, retrieve, m~ipulate, and display co~ utergraphic images. These images 15 may be generated in cartesian or vector coor-lin~te-s, e.g., along orthogonal x, y, and z axes, and may be mono- or poly-cl~olllalic, ~, single color or beams of red, green, and blue (R-G-B) light. The images may also be ~ ulated to vary their intçn~ity and orie-nt~tion In order to accomplish these purposes, co~ Juler system 20 may also coml,~ise a keyboard, a monitor, a preview 20 screen, a bit-pad, and a control con~ole. Numerous co.. rrcially-available co~uler systems would be suitable for generating, storing, retrieving, ting, and displaying the co~ ulergraphic images. Further, a single-board microcom~,uler could produce suit~ble co~ulergraphic images although the type and complexity of images that could be pro~uce~ with such a 25 microconll,u~er would be limite~ and, therefore, the uses of the system would be ci~ ~ibed.
wo 95/01061 2 t ~4~3 Pcr/us94l07273 -Although various types and versions of suitable software are commercially available and will be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, sllit~hle sorlw~e should generate a time code, ~ simple or complex, and yleçel~bly should be suitable for use on an IBM co--.p~l;ble colllyuler S equipped with at least a 486 processor and oyeraling at least 33MHz. As noted above, however, image complexity is only limited by the speed of deflection, unless the speed of deflection eycee~lc the cG~yuler system's ability to generate im~s For this reason, as ~ in~ speeds of deflection increase, more powerful image generating colu~u~ers may be desirable.
Images generated by co~ uler system 20 are ~.a~Çel,cd to a vector frame buffer processor 22 which per~ils the images to be repetit*ely displayed at a threshold rate above the flicker rate, as perceivcd by the human eye. Rec~llse the images are displayed above the flicker rate, human viewers should not detect flllc~l~tionc in the images caused by their repetitive display.
15 Further, frame buffer processor 22 tr~nCl~tes the digital vector coordi,-ates produced by coll-puler system 20 into analog voltages, ~, voltages representing frequency-, amplitude, and geometric offset.
Nevertheless, in order to accurately project the coll,yutergraphic images through a v~1ide angle projection system onto a domed or spherical 20 viewing surface 42 at close ~l(I{i~ily, the analog signals tr~n~1~te~1 by frame buffer processor 22 are geometrically corrected b~y a geometric correction processor 24 to compensate for the extreme angles and t3isPnces between a second or spatial projecting lens array 40 having a wide angle lens and domed or spherical viewing surface 42. Without such geometric correction~, projected 25 images might exhibit pin cushion, barrel, spherical, or other types of distortion.
The specific geometric corrections implemente(1 by geometric correction processor 24 are dependent upon the shape of viewing surface 42.
~1~44~3 A light source 10 for providing a beam or beams of very intense light may be used to produce a ve~y small spot or point of light on viewing surface 42. While a variety of light sources could be sllitable a bro~-lb~n(l, gas ion laser and in particular, a bro~lb~n~l~ KrAr laser, is plefe,led. This light 5 source is ~refelled because of the coherence of the light beam(s) produced.
It also produces a poly-ch~o~a~ic light beam having a n~luw be~m diameter with extremely low divergence. Light source 10 is focused by means of a fiber optic input coupler 12 onto the polished end of a single 50/125 micron, graded index, fiber optic cable 14. T~ g the light beam through fiber optic 10 cable 14 achieves two purposes: (1) second lens array 40 can be positioned e~ ict~nt from domed or spherical viewing surface 42 because light source 10 need not be located near lens array 40 and (2) light source 10 can ~srer a very small and int~nce spot of light for projection onto viewing surface 42 with little di~ lgence or loss of coherence. The small size and fo~lc~bility of 15 the light beam produced by light source 10 and l-~Çelled via fiber optic cable 14 aid in the projection of a small spot on viewing surface 42 and the rapid deflection of that light beam nfce-cs~ to project clear images.
The light beam emerges from a fiber optic output coupler 16 and enters a fiber optic c~llim~tion and fo~lcing lens array 18. Lens array 18 re-20 collim~tec, i e., produces a plane of parallel light beams from a point lightsource, and focuses the beams. The beams are then directed to a mo~llll~tQr de-vice (not shown), such as an acousto-optic or electro-optic modulator, which may be a cu~ Jollent of a color mn~ tion/int~ncity mocllll~tion assembly 28.
Altelllalively, assembly 28 may be located imm~ tely after source 10, and the 25 beams may be provided to ~ccçmhly 28 directly from source 10 or via a fiber optic cable (not shown) while a l"e~lled embo~lim~nt of the invention is depicted in Fig. IA, space limit~ti~ nc in the vicinity of viewing surface 42 may wo 95/01061 Z 3! 6 4 ~ ~ 3 PCT/USg4/07273 dictate v~ri~tionc in the confi~lration of the system such as the relocation of co~ ,ullents to positionc distant from the viewing sllrf~ce 42 by the use of optic fiber cables or other light lla~rer means or, when possible, reordering the colll~onents. See Fig. lB.
If an acousto-optic modlll~tQr is used, the ~mplihl(le (intçncity) and frequency (color) of the light beams entering the crystal device are modul~te~l by the effects of acoustic waves on the crystal. Acousto-optic mo-lnl~tion is generally achieved by Bragg defraction, e.~., only one usable defracted beam is produced, although other methods may be used.
10 Alternatively, if an electro-optic modulator is used, the amplitude (int~ncity) and frequency (color) of the light beam(s) entçring the electro-optic m.o-linm, such as an electro-optic crystal or liquid, are mo~l-ll~te~l by the effects of electric fields on the me-lillm Electro-optic mo~ tion may be achieved by ~h~ngin~ the refractive index or the pol~ri7~tion properties of the m~tlinm by 15 v~ying the applied voltage of the electric fields. Other methods may be used to mo~llll~te the beam(s), but rh~ g the pol~ri7~tion properties is ~lcfell~d when an electro-optic mo~llll~tor is used.
After each of the ~ y color beams has been mo~llll~te~
indepen-l.ontly, ~cctomhly 28 re-combines the beams into a single mo~ te~l 20 beam. Signals from frame buffer 22 to ~ccçmhly 28 control color selection andthe int~ncity of the images. Moreover, frame buffer 22 helps ensure that when the beams are re-cc mhine~l in ~cc~mhly 28, ~Cci~m~nt of full-color coordinates synchlo~ed with the image's x-y axes trajectory is achieved. The light beam is then sent from ~ccçmhly 28 to an xy ~çfl~-ctor mo-lllle 30, which conl~,ises 25 at least two electro-mech~nit ~l~ acousto-optic, or electro-optic deflectors - one for each of the x and y axes. As noted above, huw~;vel, ~csçmbly 28 may be located at other positionc in the system, such as imme~ tely after light source 4~
10. Regardless of its location, signals from frame buffer 22 to ~cse-mhly 28 still control the color selectiQn and intencity of the images. See Fig. lB.
Analog .ci~lc, which have been geometri~ y corrected in geometric correction processor 24, are ~ ed to amplification Cil~
5 in~lu-line a ~.e~lifier 26 and x-power amplifier 32 and y-power ~rnplifier 34.By meanc of signals sent from ~lca,l,~lifier 26 via x-power ~mplifier 32 and y-power amplifier 34, the ~mplifi~tion ~ also controls the deflection trajectory of the images to be projected. Further, the amplification ci,~
can use feeclb~c~ from an optical sçncin~ system 36 to provide accurate beam 10 position sensing in order to correct for non-lin~ritiçc in the ~le-fl~ction of the beams by deflector modllle 30. Thus, sencine system 36 may operate as part of a feedback loop within the amplification ~;ui~
The exit angle of deflection of the images, after they leave deflector mr dule 30, is in a range of about twenty (20) degrees to about eighty15 (80) degrees. This angle can be increased to a range of about 160 degrees to at least 180 degrees by ~hr~ncl~hon of the deflected images through a wide angle convel~ion lens (not shown) or a short focal length lens array (not shown), such as a "fish-eye" photographic lens. Second, lens array 40 should be capable of increasing the dçfl~ction of the light beam leaving the deflector 20 module by a factor of about nine (9). ~cfel~bly, however, a first or scan field fl~ttenine lens array 38 may be placed between de_ector module 30 and lens array 40. Lens array 38 i,l,l,rovcs the quality, ~, decreases the size and increases the int~n.city, of the spot or point of light used to form the images on viewing surface 42.
Rerel,ing to Fig. 2, a ~lefelled embo!lim~nt of projection system is depicted which diccloses the use of the ~d~lition~l lens system in more detail.
In this depiction, a beam or beams of light may be supplied by light source 10 wo 95/OlOCl 2~ ~ S 4 4 4 ~ PCT/US94/072 to a fiber po.cih~nPr x-y-z adjuster 17. ~fel~bly, light source 10 is similar tothat described with respecl to Fig. L~ Adjuster 17 aligns the fiber optic path precisely with re-coll;...~Qr 18, ~ e a fim~ion similar to that of fiber optic output coupler 16, as Ai.crl~seA in Fig. L~
After the light beam(s) leave ~ljmtçr 17, they are transferred to fiber optic collim~tion and focus lens array 18 and color mod--l~tion/inten.citymodulation assembly 28 and eventually into x-y de_ector module 30.
Nt;v~l Ihcless, the light beam(s) leaving x-y AP-flector module 30 enter scan field fl~ttenine lens array 38, and the images are formed as spatial images on a spatial image focal plane 39 located between lens arrays 38 and 40. The spatial images are then projected by second lens array 40 onto a domed or spherical viewing surface (not shown). First lens array 38 and focal plane 39 permit the images to be projected and ...~ Pd with a greater degree of focus and increased intencity over the entire viewing s~lrf~e Re~.. ;.~g to Fig. 3, a prefelled emboAimPnt of the projection system is depicted Aicclocing the fee~lb~ lr created by optical sensor system 36in greater detail. Light source 10 provides a poly-cl,loll.atic light beam colll~l~ing the three ~ colors to color moA~ tion/int~Pn~ity modulation assembly 28 to produce a full-color modlll~ted beam of light. The light beam 20 leaving assembly 28 is re_ected by a beam co~l)i~ g dichroic filter 62 into de_ector module 30. In another emboAimPnt as depicted in Fig. lB, the light beam could be refl~Pcte~ by filter 62 into APflectQr module 30 after leaving lens array 18. A non-visible light beam, such as a laser diode or HeNe infrared beam or a non-laser inLared beam~ is generated by a non-visible light beam 25 generator 60. The non-visible bearn passes through filter 62 and is mixed andcollinP~r with the light beam as it enters d~Pflector module 30. .Alt~.rn~tively, dichoic filter 62 can be oriented, such that the light beam leaving assembly 28 wo 95/OlOC1 PCTIUS94/07273 ~,~644~3 passes through filter 62, and the non-visible light beam is mixed and becomes c~llinP-~r with the visible light beam when it is reflecte-l by filter 62. The other coll,~ollcnts of sensor system 36 would have to be re-oriented accordillgly. In Fig. 3, Lu.._~er, x and y lPflectors (not sho~n) are driven by an analog signalprocessor 50 which rcc~ivcs x-cc.. ~ 1 input 52 and y-co,.. ~.. rl input 54 and supplies c~ d signals to x-power ~mplifier 32 and y-power amplifier 34.
As the 1P-flp~cte~l mixed light beam leaves ~leflector modllle 30, the beam con~cts a beam s~a alion dichroic filter 64 which allows the visible portion of the mixed beam to pass while rçflecting the non-visible portion. As 10 simil~rly noted above, the CO~ OllC~ of sensor system 36 could be re-o-iP-ntP~l such that the visible light beam is rçflec;te~, by dichroic filter 64 and the non-visible light beam is allowed to pass th uu~,h filter 64. As depicte~
in Fig. 3, hu..~ r, the full-color mndul~terl~ x-y ~leflectPd beam enters scan field fl~ttPning lens array 38 while the non-visible beam is reflected against an 15 xy position sensor 68. In ~nothPr embo~limP-nt the non-visible beam passes through a position sensor enh~nrir~ lens 66 before cont~cting position sensor 68. When the non-visible light beam cc-nt~c position sensor 68, an el~Pctric~l signal is produced which is equal to the position of the non-visible beam on position sensor snrf~ce 68~ This elect ic~l signal is sllmmP,~l into x-col.. ;~.. d 20 input 52 and y-cç~ input 54 by a four (4) quad ~mplifier 70 and analog signal processor 50. This s.. il~ detects any mis~li~ment, degr~d~tion, or distortion of the images and c...~l)le~es a fee~lb~rlr loop by which the pe.r.. A~.re of lpflectQr module 30 can be ~dj~lsted and ~ruved, and the deflection speed of module 30 can consequently be in~cascd.
Finally, lcfcl.;~ to Fig. 4, a plcf~lled embo-limPnt of x-y ~lPflector motll~le 30 is ~eFi~ted in which electro-merh~nir~ P-flectors are employed to de~ect the light beam in the x and y axes. As we noted above, V~ O g5/0106~ 4 PCT/US94/07273 ..
an acousto-optic or an electro-optic ~ flector or ~-flectors, as well as electro-~rch~.~ir~ flçctQrs, are suitable for use with this system. In an acousto-optic dçflector, the freqll~ncy of acoustic waves applied to the optical mç~ lm determinçs the degree of deflection, usually about plus or minus three (i3) S degrees optical. The method of deflection is also usually Bragg diffraction, i e., only one diffracted beam is prod-l~ e~i although other methods may be used.
Preferably, electro-optic deflectQrs de_ect light beams by ch~n~ine the optical mç-1inm's index of refraction. By c~ g;.~g the index of refraction, the beams are bent in unison and are cleflected, i e., their scan angle is changed. This 10 may be accomplished by use of an electro-optic crystal prism or multiple electro-optic crystal prisms st~d in an end to-end f~chion Altell,alively, electro-optic defl~ctors may deflect light beams by cl-~.~..g the optical mçrlillm's pol~ri7~tion ~)i~ellies. When deflection is achieved by ,k~
pol~ri7~tion ~l~cllies, a ~r.;.~ge-,l prism, which splits a light beam into 15 colll~ollellL~, which travel at di~re,-l velocitiçs, may be used. The amount of deflection is usually about plus or minus six-tenths (iO-6) of a degree optical,eg., about three (3) micro-radians per volt optical deflection. Rec~llce a e~lled emborlim~nt of the system operates at plus or minus about three thousand (3K) volts the electro-optic ~ieflçctor can achieve about plus or minus20 about nine thousand (9K) micro-radians deflection or plus or minus about 0.516 degrees optical.
The efficipncy of acousto-optic deflectors maybe as high as about 85%. Nevertllelecc, when used in x-y defl~octor module 30, the total efficien~y of dçflector mo-lllle 30 may only be about 30% of total light beam 25 ~ --;c~.;on The effi~ency of electro-optic deflectors maybe as high as about 90%, and when use in x-y deflector module 30, the total efficiency may still be as high as about 80%, depending on the type of electro-optic interaction WO 95/OlOCl . PCT/US94/07273 employed. Regardless, however, whether an acousto-optic or an electro-optic ~lefl~ctor or deflectors is (are) used, ~drliti~n~l optics (herein~fter "relay optics") may be required to obtain s~ticfactQry results when using these deflectors in a wide angle projection system. These relay optics are col~ ised S of c ~ on and re~ ctir~n optics and serve to increase system efficiency and to multiply the light beam deflection angles regardless of the beam's end use.
As the l~flçction angles obtainable with acousto-optic and electro-optic leflectQrs co.~l;....e to increase with il l~lovcll.ents in techn( logy, the need for relay optics is expected to ~limini$h and possibly disal,~ear.
Ac depicted in Fig. 4, xy ~eflector module 30 employs an x-galv~nomçter 33 equipped with an x-osrill~ting mirror 33A and a y-galvanometer 35 equipped with a y-osrill~ting mirror 35~ Electro-mech~nic~l deflectors must be driven at relatively high speeds in order to obtain high resolution and intencity and clarity of images. This, however, causes heat to 15 build up within the ~l~-flectors. Moreover, because of the high speed of operation and osr~ tionc~ mrening problems arise. Suitable galvanometers should have the ability to o.~fcollle these heat and dampening problems.
Using a magnetic, heat ll~re~ fluid in the galvanometers may reduce or elimin~te the heat lfa~rer and d~l)cllillg problems, and hll~luved deflector 20 perform~nre and greater image resol~ltion may thereby be achieved.
Although a detailed description of the present invention has been provided above, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not tobe limited thereby, but is to be dete-rminç~l by the claims which follow.
4,347,507 to Spooner; U.S. Patent No. 4,100,571 to Dykes et aL In both uses, WO 95/OlOCl PCT/US94/07273 ~s~
however, the same problems arise - namely, how to ~ image recol~ltion and int~ncity and still project onto a wrvilinear viewing s--rf~ce without lm~cceptable distortion. Co~ ;on~l viewing s--rf~cec have co~ ised mos~ c of snhst~nti~lly flat viewing s--rf~es. Such viewing surfaces often 5 require the use of separate projection ~h~nn~lc for each flat viewing surface.Even when a wrvilinear viewing surface is used, mosaic projection techni~lues are sometimes employed. See U.S. Patent No. 4,297,723 to Whitby. Such projection s~lellls, however, can not take full advantage of the se~mle-ccn.osc of the wrvilinear viewing surface and its other inherent advantages, such as the10 lack of rliccolll;llll;l;es in the image as the projection system slews the image across the viewing snrf~ce. Other problems with a mosaic prese-nt~tion arise from i~ ect seam m~t-~hing, co~ or color m~trhing, and brightn~occ m~t~hin~ ctionc in any of these areas are readily noticed by viewers, and because even slight m~t~hing imperfections are generally noticeable on lS large projectionc~ it is very .liffi~llt to elimin~te these problems. Further, the se~mlçcc preent~hQn possible from a wrvilinear viewing surface is easier to watch,~, causes less eye strain, and creates a more realistic present~tion, and conlilluous curvilinear viewing surfaces may also be easier to --~ ch-re.
Related art projection systems have not been able to sncceccfillly 20 project snffi~ie-ntly rlictinct and intence graphic images on a domed or spherical viewing snrf~ce Some syste_s, such as that tlicclrlse~l in U.S. Patent No. 4,763,280 to Robinson et ~, appear to lis~lose a system for achieving at least 180 degrees by 180 degrees or hernispherical projectionC. Others, such as that ~licrlose~ in U.S. Patent No. 4,100,571 to Dykes et 3~, appear to 2S licrl~-se a system for achieving at least 360 degrees by 90 degrees. Neither of these systems, however, seems capable of projecting a sl-ffi~iently distinct and WO 95/OlOC1 ~ 1 6 ~ 443 PCT/US94/07273 ~l~uving image on a spherical viewing surface without employing multiple projection çh~nnPlc.
As mPntionPtl above, systems for ~iOjC.~illg moving imagery on curvilinear viewing snrfaces have found many military and training applicationc,5 especially in the field of flight .cimnlation In these appli~ati~nc, a realistic ~mhient ellvilo~ l cimnlation or model board image may be projected onto a viewing surface, so that a pilot or other trainee may react to it and so that the image can be altered in response to the actions and reactions of the pilot or trainee. These images are commonly generated by means of a high-10 resolution cathode ray tube (CRT) or a high-resolution closed circuit television (CCT) projector. See U.S. Patent No. 4,297,723 to Whitby; U.S. Patent No. 4,100,571 to Dykes et aL Images generated in this mannPr, huwt;vel, may also present cienifirant disadvantages. First, such generating devices may be more suitable for mosaic presçntati~nC and suffer from the same mosaic 15 limitationc tlic~)cce~ above. SecQntl~ when a CRT or CCT projection is deflected or projected through a wide angle lens, an nnacceFtable amollnt of distortion may occur. The resnltine image is fuzzy, blurred, or in~lictinçt which detracts from the ~ g or cimnlation benefits of the system. Unlike these systems, images projected by the present invention may be similar to 20 co~ Ju~ergraphic images, rather than to the photo-realistic images generated by a system using CRT or CCT technology.
Various attempts have been made to develop projection systems which IlJruve the ~ioj~cte~l images' resolution and intPn.city. By using a laserbeam, the intpncity of which is mo~llllate~l with video i~o, ~ ;on by means of 25 an acousto-optic cell, images have been sçannP~ in a raster pattern onto a viewing sllrface These systems may provide i~ uved brightnPcc due to the greater intencity inherent in a laser. See U.S. Patent No. 3,992,718 to Driskell.
PCT/US94/07t73 WO 95/OlOCl Neverthelecc, simply ~nrlin~ the sc~nning window does not elimin~t~
resol--tion problems, and the desired recoh-tiQn can not be attained from his system without undesirable mot1ifir~tionc. In order to avoid the resollltion problems in a sim~ tor, a CRT system must operate at a high bandwidth. The S amount of bandwidth ..eces~ increases, as the desired level of resolution increases. For eY~mple, television requires a bandwidth in the order of about 10MHz to adequately ll~s~ the signals necess~ to generate the individual points in a 625 line television picture and to repeat the picture signals twenty-five (25) times per second In order to generate a field of view of even 175 10 degrees by 75 degrees, ll,ereforc, might require a bandwidth of appruxi...~tely 100MHz to achieve the resolution dçm~nded in modern flight cimnl~tion This, however, places ~MitiQn~l d~om~n-lc on the mo~ tion of the laser beam and may make the system inco~ ;ble with digital image generating systems used in .Simnl~tors.
The presenl invention allows a moving image to be projected with s~lffir~nt size, i~ ;ly~ and clarity to fill an entire domed or spherical viewing sllrf~e, ~, about 360 degrees by at least 180 degrees, and to avoid the loss of resolution and intencity experienced with other projection systems.
Moreover, when the beam is static, instead of dynamic, an intense point of 20 light is projected on the domed or spherical viewing sllrf~e SUMMARY OF THE rNVENTION
It is an object of this invention to accurately project a co~ ulelgla~hic image or images through a wide angle projection system onto 25 a geometric viewing surface with adequate resolution and int~ncity. It is a feature of this invention that electro-merh~nicaL acousto-optic, or electro-optic deflectors, rather than simply a raster sc~nn~r, can be used to increace the wo9S/01061 ~ 9~3 PCT/US94/07273 angle of ~-flection It is an advantage of this fealule that the angle of deflection can be increased without increasing yloce~ g power.
It is further an object of this invention that the col.lpulergraphic image(s) is (are) yloi~ted through a wide angle lens array. It is a fealu-c of 5 the invention that the wide angle lens array may co.l.~l se a single lens or acombination of lenses to achieve the wide angle projection of the images or a series of lens arrays which project the images onto a spacial image focal plane and from there through a wide angle lens or lens array onto the geometric viewing sl~ ce. It is an advantage of this realu c that ~ oved image quality 10 can be obtained by projecting the images first onto a spacial image focal plane before ~rojerting the image onto a domed or spherical viewing sllr~ce.
e. ..~t;~ly, it is a fealu c of this invention that the wide angle lens or lens array may cc....~ e a holog.~hic elem~nt for ben/~ and cleflecting the image fo....;l~g light beams.
It is yet another object of this invention to project co--l~ulel~hic image(s) on a domed or spherical viewing sllrf~ce by deflecting an i~ e beam of light in essenti~lly cartesian coordinates with at least one geometric co~vcl~ion to account for the curvilinear shape of the viewing snrf~ce It is a feature of this invention that the light beam is deflected 20 along two axes of deflection and of this embo~liment of this invention that the system has at least two deflectors. It is an advantage of this system that because images are created by rapidly moving a point of light over a viewing surface image compleYity is only limite-l by the speed of deflection.
It is another object of this invention that the resollltion and 25 inten~ity of the projected image(s) is enhanced by delivering the light beam(s) to the vvide angle lens array in an j"~ r, coherent form. It is a feature of this invention that a source of intpn~e~ coherent light beams, such as a laser, may wo gS/01061 PCT/US94l07273 6~
be used and that the light beams may be provided directly to the deflector module or may be carried from the source to the ~leflector module by means of fiber optic cables. It is an advantage of this feature that the light source may be at a distant location from the other components of the projection 5 system.
The projection system of the present invention is used for projecting an image or images onto a geom~tnc viewing sn-f~ce located at a pre-letçnnined ~ t~nce from and position~o~l at a pre~etçrmin~-d orient~tion relative to the system. The system may further col~ ise a source of an intense 10 light beam, such as a laser or an arc or a halogen lamp, ~, a HeNe or Argon or Krypton laser or a xenon arc lamp; a de_ector module for de_ecting the light beam to vector coordinates in a pair of cartesian axes; and a wide angle lens array for in~;leasillg the exit angle of ~flPction of the image or images from the deflector mo~ le by a pre~letç~ ...;..e~l factor and projecting the image 15 or images on the viewing s--rf~ce Moreover, the light beam may be provided directly to the l~flectQr modllle or ~ led to the deflector module by beam r means COlll~ illg a fiber optic path.
The light beam(s) may be mono- or poly-cl~oll-alic. An Argon laser inherently produces two-color laser r~Ai~tion KIypton lasers, however, 20 produce poly-cl~o,llalic r uli~tion A bro~db~n~l gas ion laser may be used to produce an intçn~e coherent light beam. A broadband laser beam in~ es spectrally pure, ~, discrete, and very int~n~e freqn~nries. The bro~lb~n~l light beam pro~luced by an arc or a halogen lamp, however, inrllldes a broad spec~ ll of frequçrl~ies which may be char~ctçri7ed by a co.~Li....ous spectrum 25 plm~l~ted by peaks of intçn~e freq~len~s. Either type of bro~lb~n~ light beam may be suitable for use in the invention. Further, a dye laser or other tunable laser may also be suitable for use in this invention.
wo 95101061 ~ 1 ~; 4 ~ 4 ~ PCT/US94/07273 The ~P-flectQr mo~ le of the projection system may CQ"-l" ;se at least a pair of electro-mPch~nic~l ~Pflectors which deflect the light beam to c~lei,ia~ or vector coord~aatcs in an x-axis and a y-axis. It may further co~ ise an x-galvanometer for ~lPflpcting the light beam in the x-axis and a 5 y-galv~--o..-rter for ~l~pflectine the light beam in the y-axis. The deflectormodule may produce an exit angle of deflection of the deflected image in a range of about twenty (20) degrees to about eighty (80) degrees and the lens array increases the angle of lP-fl-Pcti~n to a range of about 160 degrees to atleast 180 degrees. At least one suitable very wide angle lens design is capable 10 of increasing deflection up to about 210 degrees. ~ltern~tively~ the ~e-flectQr module may co...l.. ;ce an acousto-optic or an electro-optic deflector or deflectors, which also dçflPct(s) the light beam to ~ csia~ or vector coordillates in an x-axis and a y-axis.
The wide angle lens array of the projection system may co~ ise 15 a first and a second lens array, such that the first lens array ~lO;C~ the image or images sp~ti~lly on a focal plane, and the second lens array co..~l-.;ces a wide angle lens and projects the spatial image or images on the viewing surf~ce. The viewing surf~e may sulluulld and be about equidistant from the second lens array. Further, the geometric viewing surface may be domed or 20 spheri~l The image or images projected by the system may be a colll~utergraphic display dçfinçd in digital cartesian or vector coordinates which detç....;,.~- a trajectory for the display. The system may further colll~l~e an image generating device for ~ ulating the display and a processor, such 25 as an assembler, a compiler, a linkage editor, or a microprocessor, and/or a memoIy or data storage device for tr~n~l~ting the digital cartesian or vector coordinates into analog signals and repetitively ll~ lllill;..g the display at a 7~5~
rate above the flicker rate. Flicker is a visual sensation produced by periodic fll-c*~ti~mc in light at rates ~g from about a few cycles per second to about a few tens of cydes per second ~, the flicker rate. In ~lition, it may col~ ise a geomP-tric correction device for collecfi~lg the analog cign~lc, 5 thereby colll~en~l;..g for the viewing surface's curvilinear shape and the ~lict~nce and the orient~tion of the viewing surface relative to the system;
amplification ~ ;uill~ for controlling the deflection of the light beam; and beam ll~rer means for providing the light beam to the ~l~oflector module.
Further, the beam llausL~r means may also comprise a fiber optic path with an 10 input and an output coupling for tla~rcllhlg the light beam from the source to the de_ector mo-hlle via a focusing and c~llim~ting lens array. The fiber optic path may further colll~.ise a graded or a stepped index fiber optic cable.
In yet another embo~limp-nt~ the image or images may be a 15 CO~ Julcl~ldlJhic display ~3efin~ in analog vector coordinates which determine a trajectory for the display. It may further colll~lise an image generating device fom~ ulating the display; a processor for r~ lilively ll;....c..,; ~ g the display at a rate above the _icker rate; a geometric correction device for correcting the analog coor-lin~tes, thereby compenC~ting for the viewing 20 surface's geometry and the ~lict~nce and the orient~tion of the viewing surface relative to the system; amplifir~tion ~U~;Uill~ for controlling the d~Pflection of the light beam; and beam lla~rer means for providing the light beam to the deflector module. In both these embo~imPntc, the geometric viewing surface may be domed or sphe-ric~l and the second lens array may be positioned at a 25 location about eqllitlict~nt from the viewing surface.
In still another embo~iimPnt, the image or images projected by the projection system may be a co~ ulcl~hic display ~lefinP~ in digital wo gS/0106~ 4~ PCT/US94/07273 vector coord"~ates which determin~ a trajectory for the display onto a curvilinear viewing snrf~ce The system may comprise an image generating device for l~l~pulating the display and a processor for tr~nsl~tine the digital vector coordillates into analog signals and repetitively ~....c~ l;.,e the display 5 at a rate above the flicker rate. It also may inrhlde a geometric correction device for collec~i~lg the analog cien~l~, thereby col~l~e~.c~ e for the curvilinear geometry of the viewing s--rf~ce and amplification .;ir~;.lil,y for controlling the ~l~flection of the light beam.
As noted above, the beam ll~f~l means may co~ ise a fiber 10 optic path with an input coupling for acceplillg the light beam and an ouhputcoupling for deli~i,ing the light beam to a focusing and co~ t;~e lens array.
It may further co. "l" ;ce a color mod~ tor for s~al~lh,g the light beam into ~,i",~ colors, mo-llll~tine each of the ~lh~ colors independently, and recomhinine the pl~ .a,g colors into a single beam, whereby the amplific~hon 15 ~;h~;uillg can syn-~ru~e the colors with the trajectory of the display.
~lte~ t;~ely, a poly~ olllalic acousto-optic mn~ tor (PCAOM) may be used to modulate each of the ~,hlla,ly colors of the light beam. ~n.cte~-l of sel,alalillg the light beam through filters and then mod~ tine each color, ~, ~li,lla,y color, through s~ate acousto-optic mod~ tors, a PCAOM employs 20 a single acousto-optic mç-lillm, such as an acousto-optic crystal, in which each color can be manipulated separately. The beam may also be coupled dhectly to the de-flectQr module or to the color mo~ tor.
Other objects, fealules, and adv~nt~es of the invention will be a~arGLl when the det~iled description of plefellGd embo~lim~ntc of the 25 invention and the drawings are concitlered.
~ 6~4~3 lo BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figs. L~ and lB are block diagrams of ~iefclled embodiments of the projection system.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a l~refclled embo~3im~nt of the 5 projection system depicting the projection of an image or images onto a spatial image focal plane.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the x-y color mo~hll~tion and deflector ~Çmbly with a optical sensor or fee~b~lr system.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an electro-mech~nic~l deflector 10 module depicting an x-galvanometer and a y-galvanometer.
DETAILED DESCRIPIION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Refe.-;u~ to Fig. lA, a co~ uLer system 20 is used to generate, store, retrieve, m~ipulate, and display co~ utergraphic images. These images 15 may be generated in cartesian or vector coor-lin~te-s, e.g., along orthogonal x, y, and z axes, and may be mono- or poly-cl~olllalic, ~, single color or beams of red, green, and blue (R-G-B) light. The images may also be ~ ulated to vary their intçn~ity and orie-nt~tion In order to accomplish these purposes, co~ Juler system 20 may also coml,~ise a keyboard, a monitor, a preview 20 screen, a bit-pad, and a control con~ole. Numerous co.. rrcially-available co~uler systems would be suitable for generating, storing, retrieving, ting, and displaying the co~ ulergraphic images. Further, a single-board microcom~,uler could produce suit~ble co~ulergraphic images although the type and complexity of images that could be pro~uce~ with such a 25 microconll,u~er would be limite~ and, therefore, the uses of the system would be ci~ ~ibed.
wo 95/01061 2 t ~4~3 Pcr/us94l07273 -Although various types and versions of suitable software are commercially available and will be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, sllit~hle sorlw~e should generate a time code, ~ simple or complex, and yleçel~bly should be suitable for use on an IBM co--.p~l;ble colllyuler S equipped with at least a 486 processor and oyeraling at least 33MHz. As noted above, however, image complexity is only limited by the speed of deflection, unless the speed of deflection eycee~lc the cG~yuler system's ability to generate im~s For this reason, as ~ in~ speeds of deflection increase, more powerful image generating colu~u~ers may be desirable.
Images generated by co~ uler system 20 are ~.a~Çel,cd to a vector frame buffer processor 22 which per~ils the images to be repetit*ely displayed at a threshold rate above the flicker rate, as perceivcd by the human eye. Rec~llse the images are displayed above the flicker rate, human viewers should not detect flllc~l~tionc in the images caused by their repetitive display.
15 Further, frame buffer processor 22 tr~nCl~tes the digital vector coordi,-ates produced by coll-puler system 20 into analog voltages, ~, voltages representing frequency-, amplitude, and geometric offset.
Nevertheless, in order to accurately project the coll,yutergraphic images through a v~1ide angle projection system onto a domed or spherical 20 viewing surface 42 at close ~l(I{i~ily, the analog signals tr~n~1~te~1 by frame buffer processor 22 are geometrically corrected b~y a geometric correction processor 24 to compensate for the extreme angles and t3isPnces between a second or spatial projecting lens array 40 having a wide angle lens and domed or spherical viewing surface 42. Without such geometric correction~, projected 25 images might exhibit pin cushion, barrel, spherical, or other types of distortion.
The specific geometric corrections implemente(1 by geometric correction processor 24 are dependent upon the shape of viewing surface 42.
~1~44~3 A light source 10 for providing a beam or beams of very intense light may be used to produce a ve~y small spot or point of light on viewing surface 42. While a variety of light sources could be sllitable a bro~-lb~n(l, gas ion laser and in particular, a bro~lb~n~l~ KrAr laser, is plefe,led. This light 5 source is ~refelled because of the coherence of the light beam(s) produced.
It also produces a poly-ch~o~a~ic light beam having a n~luw be~m diameter with extremely low divergence. Light source 10 is focused by means of a fiber optic input coupler 12 onto the polished end of a single 50/125 micron, graded index, fiber optic cable 14. T~ g the light beam through fiber optic 10 cable 14 achieves two purposes: (1) second lens array 40 can be positioned e~ ict~nt from domed or spherical viewing surface 42 because light source 10 need not be located near lens array 40 and (2) light source 10 can ~srer a very small and int~nce spot of light for projection onto viewing surface 42 with little di~ lgence or loss of coherence. The small size and fo~lc~bility of 15 the light beam produced by light source 10 and l-~Çelled via fiber optic cable 14 aid in the projection of a small spot on viewing surface 42 and the rapid deflection of that light beam nfce-cs~ to project clear images.
The light beam emerges from a fiber optic output coupler 16 and enters a fiber optic c~llim~tion and fo~lcing lens array 18. Lens array 18 re-20 collim~tec, i e., produces a plane of parallel light beams from a point lightsource, and focuses the beams. The beams are then directed to a mo~llll~tQr de-vice (not shown), such as an acousto-optic or electro-optic modulator, which may be a cu~ Jollent of a color mn~ tion/int~ncity mocllll~tion assembly 28.
Altelllalively, assembly 28 may be located imm~ tely after source 10, and the 25 beams may be provided to ~ccçmhly 28 directly from source 10 or via a fiber optic cable (not shown) while a l"e~lled embo~lim~nt of the invention is depicted in Fig. IA, space limit~ti~ nc in the vicinity of viewing surface 42 may wo 95/01061 Z 3! 6 4 ~ ~ 3 PCT/USg4/07273 dictate v~ri~tionc in the confi~lration of the system such as the relocation of co~ ,ullents to positionc distant from the viewing sllrf~ce 42 by the use of optic fiber cables or other light lla~rer means or, when possible, reordering the colll~onents. See Fig. lB.
If an acousto-optic modlll~tQr is used, the ~mplihl(le (intçncity) and frequency (color) of the light beams entering the crystal device are modul~te~l by the effects of acoustic waves on the crystal. Acousto-optic mo-lnl~tion is generally achieved by Bragg defraction, e.~., only one usable defracted beam is produced, although other methods may be used.
10 Alternatively, if an electro-optic modulator is used, the amplitude (int~ncity) and frequency (color) of the light beam(s) entçring the electro-optic m.o-linm, such as an electro-optic crystal or liquid, are mo~l-ll~te~l by the effects of electric fields on the me-lillm Electro-optic mo~ tion may be achieved by ~h~ngin~ the refractive index or the pol~ri7~tion properties of the m~tlinm by 15 v~ying the applied voltage of the electric fields. Other methods may be used to mo~llll~te the beam(s), but rh~ g the pol~ri7~tion properties is ~lcfell~d when an electro-optic mo~llll~tor is used.
After each of the ~ y color beams has been mo~llll~te~
indepen-l.ontly, ~cctomhly 28 re-combines the beams into a single mo~ te~l 20 beam. Signals from frame buffer 22 to ~ccçmhly 28 control color selection andthe int~ncity of the images. Moreover, frame buffer 22 helps ensure that when the beams are re-cc mhine~l in ~cc~mhly 28, ~Cci~m~nt of full-color coordinates synchlo~ed with the image's x-y axes trajectory is achieved. The light beam is then sent from ~ccçmhly 28 to an xy ~çfl~-ctor mo-lllle 30, which conl~,ises 25 at least two electro-mech~nit ~l~ acousto-optic, or electro-optic deflectors - one for each of the x and y axes. As noted above, huw~;vel, ~csçmbly 28 may be located at other positionc in the system, such as imme~ tely after light source 4~
10. Regardless of its location, signals from frame buffer 22 to ~cse-mhly 28 still control the color selectiQn and intencity of the images. See Fig. lB.
Analog .ci~lc, which have been geometri~ y corrected in geometric correction processor 24, are ~ ed to amplification Cil~
5 in~lu-line a ~.e~lifier 26 and x-power amplifier 32 and y-power ~rnplifier 34.By meanc of signals sent from ~lca,l,~lifier 26 via x-power ~mplifier 32 and y-power amplifier 34, the ~mplifi~tion ~ also controls the deflection trajectory of the images to be projected. Further, the amplification ci,~
can use feeclb~c~ from an optical sçncin~ system 36 to provide accurate beam 10 position sensing in order to correct for non-lin~ritiçc in the ~le-fl~ction of the beams by deflector modllle 30. Thus, sencine system 36 may operate as part of a feedback loop within the amplification ~;ui~
The exit angle of deflection of the images, after they leave deflector mr dule 30, is in a range of about twenty (20) degrees to about eighty15 (80) degrees. This angle can be increased to a range of about 160 degrees to at least 180 degrees by ~hr~ncl~hon of the deflected images through a wide angle convel~ion lens (not shown) or a short focal length lens array (not shown), such as a "fish-eye" photographic lens. Second, lens array 40 should be capable of increasing the dçfl~ction of the light beam leaving the deflector 20 module by a factor of about nine (9). ~cfel~bly, however, a first or scan field fl~ttenine lens array 38 may be placed between de_ector module 30 and lens array 40. Lens array 38 i,l,l,rovcs the quality, ~, decreases the size and increases the int~n.city, of the spot or point of light used to form the images on viewing surface 42.
Rerel,ing to Fig. 2, a ~lefelled embo!lim~nt of projection system is depicted which diccloses the use of the ~d~lition~l lens system in more detail.
In this depiction, a beam or beams of light may be supplied by light source 10 wo 95/OlOCl 2~ ~ S 4 4 4 ~ PCT/US94/072 to a fiber po.cih~nPr x-y-z adjuster 17. ~fel~bly, light source 10 is similar tothat described with respecl to Fig. L~ Adjuster 17 aligns the fiber optic path precisely with re-coll;...~Qr 18, ~ e a fim~ion similar to that of fiber optic output coupler 16, as Ai.crl~seA in Fig. L~
After the light beam(s) leave ~ljmtçr 17, they are transferred to fiber optic collim~tion and focus lens array 18 and color mod--l~tion/inten.citymodulation assembly 28 and eventually into x-y de_ector module 30.
Nt;v~l Ihcless, the light beam(s) leaving x-y AP-flector module 30 enter scan field fl~ttenine lens array 38, and the images are formed as spatial images on a spatial image focal plane 39 located between lens arrays 38 and 40. The spatial images are then projected by second lens array 40 onto a domed or spherical viewing surface (not shown). First lens array 38 and focal plane 39 permit the images to be projected and ...~ Pd with a greater degree of focus and increased intencity over the entire viewing s~lrf~e Re~.. ;.~g to Fig. 3, a prefelled emboAimPnt of the projection system is depicted Aicclocing the fee~lb~ lr created by optical sensor system 36in greater detail. Light source 10 provides a poly-cl,loll.atic light beam colll~l~ing the three ~ colors to color moA~ tion/int~Pn~ity modulation assembly 28 to produce a full-color modlll~ted beam of light. The light beam 20 leaving assembly 28 is re_ected by a beam co~l)i~ g dichroic filter 62 into de_ector module 30. In another emboAimPnt as depicted in Fig. lB, the light beam could be refl~Pcte~ by filter 62 into APflectQr module 30 after leaving lens array 18. A non-visible light beam, such as a laser diode or HeNe infrared beam or a non-laser inLared beam~ is generated by a non-visible light beam 25 generator 60. The non-visible bearn passes through filter 62 and is mixed andcollinP~r with the light beam as it enters d~Pflector module 30. .Alt~.rn~tively, dichoic filter 62 can be oriented, such that the light beam leaving assembly 28 wo 95/OlOC1 PCTIUS94/07273 ~,~644~3 passes through filter 62, and the non-visible light beam is mixed and becomes c~llinP-~r with the visible light beam when it is reflecte-l by filter 62. The other coll,~ollcnts of sensor system 36 would have to be re-oriented accordillgly. In Fig. 3, Lu.._~er, x and y lPflectors (not sho~n) are driven by an analog signalprocessor 50 which rcc~ivcs x-cc.. ~ 1 input 52 and y-co,.. ~.. rl input 54 and supplies c~ d signals to x-power ~mplifier 32 and y-power amplifier 34.
As the 1P-flp~cte~l mixed light beam leaves ~leflector modllle 30, the beam con~cts a beam s~a alion dichroic filter 64 which allows the visible portion of the mixed beam to pass while rçflecting the non-visible portion. As 10 simil~rly noted above, the CO~ OllC~ of sensor system 36 could be re-o-iP-ntP~l such that the visible light beam is rçflec;te~, by dichroic filter 64 and the non-visible light beam is allowed to pass th uu~,h filter 64. As depicte~
in Fig. 3, hu..~ r, the full-color mndul~terl~ x-y ~leflectPd beam enters scan field fl~ttPning lens array 38 while the non-visible beam is reflected against an 15 xy position sensor 68. In ~nothPr embo~limP-nt the non-visible beam passes through a position sensor enh~nrir~ lens 66 before cont~cting position sensor 68. When the non-visible light beam cc-nt~c position sensor 68, an el~Pctric~l signal is produced which is equal to the position of the non-visible beam on position sensor snrf~ce 68~ This elect ic~l signal is sllmmP,~l into x-col.. ;~.. d 20 input 52 and y-cç~ input 54 by a four (4) quad ~mplifier 70 and analog signal processor 50. This s.. il~ detects any mis~li~ment, degr~d~tion, or distortion of the images and c...~l)le~es a fee~lb~rlr loop by which the pe.r.. A~.re of lpflectQr module 30 can be ~dj~lsted and ~ruved, and the deflection speed of module 30 can consequently be in~cascd.
Finally, lcfcl.;~ to Fig. 4, a plcf~lled embo-limPnt of x-y ~lPflector motll~le 30 is ~eFi~ted in which electro-merh~nir~ P-flectors are employed to de~ect the light beam in the x and y axes. As we noted above, V~ O g5/0106~ 4 PCT/US94/07273 ..
an acousto-optic or an electro-optic ~ flector or ~-flectors, as well as electro-~rch~.~ir~ flçctQrs, are suitable for use with this system. In an acousto-optic dçflector, the freqll~ncy of acoustic waves applied to the optical mç~ lm determinçs the degree of deflection, usually about plus or minus three (i3) S degrees optical. The method of deflection is also usually Bragg diffraction, i e., only one diffracted beam is prod-l~ e~i although other methods may be used.
Preferably, electro-optic deflectQrs de_ect light beams by ch~n~ine the optical mç-1inm's index of refraction. By c~ g;.~g the index of refraction, the beams are bent in unison and are cleflected, i e., their scan angle is changed. This 10 may be accomplished by use of an electro-optic crystal prism or multiple electro-optic crystal prisms st~d in an end to-end f~chion Altell,alively, electro-optic defl~ctors may deflect light beams by cl-~.~..g the optical mçrlillm's pol~ri7~tion ~)i~ellies. When deflection is achieved by ,k~
pol~ri7~tion ~l~cllies, a ~r.;.~ge-,l prism, which splits a light beam into 15 colll~ollellL~, which travel at di~re,-l velocitiçs, may be used. The amount of deflection is usually about plus or minus six-tenths (iO-6) of a degree optical,eg., about three (3) micro-radians per volt optical deflection. Rec~llce a e~lled emborlim~nt of the system operates at plus or minus about three thousand (3K) volts the electro-optic ~ieflçctor can achieve about plus or minus20 about nine thousand (9K) micro-radians deflection or plus or minus about 0.516 degrees optical.
The efficipncy of acousto-optic deflectors maybe as high as about 85%. Nevertllelecc, when used in x-y defl~octor module 30, the total efficien~y of dçflector mo-lllle 30 may only be about 30% of total light beam 25 ~ --;c~.;on The effi~ency of electro-optic deflectors maybe as high as about 90%, and when use in x-y deflector module 30, the total efficiency may still be as high as about 80%, depending on the type of electro-optic interaction WO 95/OlOCl . PCT/US94/07273 employed. Regardless, however, whether an acousto-optic or an electro-optic ~lefl~ctor or deflectors is (are) used, ~drliti~n~l optics (herein~fter "relay optics") may be required to obtain s~ticfactQry results when using these deflectors in a wide angle projection system. These relay optics are col~ ised S of c ~ on and re~ ctir~n optics and serve to increase system efficiency and to multiply the light beam deflection angles regardless of the beam's end use.
As the l~flçction angles obtainable with acousto-optic and electro-optic leflectQrs co.~l;....e to increase with il l~lovcll.ents in techn( logy, the need for relay optics is expected to ~limini$h and possibly disal,~ear.
Ac depicted in Fig. 4, xy ~eflector module 30 employs an x-galv~nomçter 33 equipped with an x-osrill~ting mirror 33A and a y-galvanometer 35 equipped with a y-osrill~ting mirror 35~ Electro-mech~nic~l deflectors must be driven at relatively high speeds in order to obtain high resolution and intencity and clarity of images. This, however, causes heat to 15 build up within the ~l~-flectors. Moreover, because of the high speed of operation and osr~ tionc~ mrening problems arise. Suitable galvanometers should have the ability to o.~fcollle these heat and dampening problems.
Using a magnetic, heat ll~re~ fluid in the galvanometers may reduce or elimin~te the heat lfa~rer and d~l)cllillg problems, and hll~luved deflector 20 perform~nre and greater image resol~ltion may thereby be achieved.
Although a detailed description of the present invention has been provided above, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not tobe limited thereby, but is to be dete-rminç~l by the claims which follow.
Claims (35)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A projection system for projecting an image, wherein said image is projected with at least one geometric conversion, and is defined in vector coordinates, onto a geometric viewing surface located at a predetermined distance from and positioned at a predetermined orientation relative to said system comprising:
a source of an intense light beam;
a vector scanning deflector module for deflecting said light beam to said vector coordinates in a pair of cartesian axes at an exit angle of deflection of said light beam; and a wide angle lens array for increasing said exit angle of deflection by a predetermined factor and projecting said image on said viewing surface.
a source of an intense light beam;
a vector scanning deflector module for deflecting said light beam to said vector coordinates in a pair of cartesian axes at an exit angle of deflection of said light beam; and a wide angle lens array for increasing said exit angle of deflection by a predetermined factor and projecting said image on said viewing surface.
2. The projection of claim 1 wherein said source is coupled directly to said deflector module.
3. The projection system of claim 2 wherein said wide angle lens array comprises a wide angle lens.
4. The projection system of claim 1 wherein said wide angle lens array comprises a wide angle lens.
5. The projection system of claim 1 wherein said light beam is broadband.
6. The projection system of claim 5 wherein said source comprises an arc lamp.
7. The projection system of claim 1 wherein said wide angle lens array comprises a first and a second lens array such that said first lens array projects said image spatially on a focal plane and said second lens array comprises a wide angle lens and projects said spatial image on said viewing surface.
8. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said light beam is mono-chromatic.
9. The projection system of claim 8 wherein said source comprises a laser.
10. The projection system of claim 8 wherein said source comprises an arc lamp.
11. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said light beam is transferred to said deflector module by beam transfer means comprising a fiber optic path.
12. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said source is coupled directly to said deflector module.
13. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said deflector module comprises a pair of electro-mechanical deflectors which deflect said light beam to vector coordinates in an x-axis and a y-axis.
14. The projection system of claim 13 wherein said light beam is transferred to said deflector module by beam transfer means comprising a fiber optic path.
15. The projection system of claim 14 wherein said deflector module comprises an x-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said x-axis and a y-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said y-axis.
16. The projection system of claim 13 wherein said deflector module comprises as x-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said x-axis and a y-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said y-axis.
17. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said deflector module comprises at least one acousto-optic deflector capable of deflecting said light beam to vector coordinates is an x-axis and a y-axis.
18. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said deflector module comprises at least one electro-optic deflector capable of deflecting said light beam to vector coordinates in an x-axis and a y-axis.
19. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said image is a computergraphic display defined in digital vector coordinates which determine a trajectory for said display, further comprising:
an image generating device for manipulating said display;
a processor for translating said digital vector coordinates into analog signals and repetitively transmitting said display at a rate above the flicker rate;
a geometric correction device for correcting said analog signals, thereby compensating for said viewing surface's shape and said distance and said orientation of said viewing surface relative to said system;
amplification circuitry for controlling the deflection of said light beam; and beam transfer means for providing said light beam to said deflector module.
an image generating device for manipulating said display;
a processor for translating said digital vector coordinates into analog signals and repetitively transmitting said display at a rate above the flicker rate;
a geometric correction device for correcting said analog signals, thereby compensating for said viewing surface's shape and said distance and said orientation of said viewing surface relative to said system;
amplification circuitry for controlling the deflection of said light beam; and beam transfer means for providing said light beam to said deflector module.
20. The projection system of claim 19 wherein said deflector module comprises a pair of electro-mechanical deflectors which deflect said light beam to vector coordinates in an x-axis and a y-axis.
21. The projection system of claim 20 wherein said deflector module comprises an x-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said x-axis and a y-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said y-axis.
22. The projection system of claim 21 wherein said beam transfer means comprises a fiber optic path.
23. The projection system of claim 19 wherein said beam transfer means further comprises a fiber optic path with an input and an output coupling for transferring said light beam from said source to said deflector module via a focusing and collimating lens array.
24. The projection system of claim 23 wherein said geometric viewing surface is spherical and said second lens array is positioned at a location about equidistant from said surface.
25. The projection system of claim 7 wherein said image is a computergraphic display defined in analog vector coordinates which determine a trajectory for said display, further comprising:
an image generating device for manipulating said display;
a processor for repetitively transmitting said display at a rate above the flicker rate;
a geometric correction device for correcting said analog coordinates, thereby compensating for the geometry of said viewing surface and said distance and said orientation of said viewing surface relative to said system;
amplification circuitry for controlling the deflection of said light beam; and beam transfer means for providing said light beam to said deflector module.
an image generating device for manipulating said display;
a processor for repetitively transmitting said display at a rate above the flicker rate;
a geometric correction device for correcting said analog coordinates, thereby compensating for the geometry of said viewing surface and said distance and said orientation of said viewing surface relative to said system;
amplification circuitry for controlling the deflection of said light beam; and beam transfer means for providing said light beam to said deflector module.
26. The projection system of claim 25 wherein said deflector module comprises a pair of electro-mechanical deflectors which deflect said light beam to vector coordinates in an x-axis and a y-axis.
27. The projection system of claim 26 wherein said deflector module comprises an x-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said x-axis and a y-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said y-axis.
28. The projection system of claim 27 wherein said beam transfer means comprises a fiber optic path.
29. The projection system of claim 25 wherein said beam transfer means further comprises a fiber optic path with as input and an output coupling for transferring said light beam from said source to said deflector module via a focusing and collimating lens array.
30. The projection system of claim 29 wherein said geometric viewing surface is spherical and said sound lens array is positioned at a location about equidistant from said surface.
31. A projection system for projecting a computer-graphic display defined in digital vector coordinates which determine a trajectory for said display onto a geometric viewing surface, comprising:
an image generating for manipulating said display;
a processor for translating said digital vector coordinates into analog signals and repetitively transmitting said display at a rate above the flicker rate;
a geometric correction device for correcting said analog signals thereby compensating for the geometry of said viewing surface;
a broadband, gas ion laser for producing an intense, coherent amplification circuitry for controlling the deflection of said light beam;
a deflector module for deflecting said light beam to said vector coordinates in a pair of cartesian axes at an angle of deflection comprising an x-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said x-axis and a y-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said y-axis;
beam transfer means for providing said beam to said deflector module, comprising a fiber optic path with an input coupling for accepting said light beam and an output coupling for delivering said light beam to a focusing and collimating lens array and a color modulator for separating said light beam into primary colors, modulating each of said primary colors independently, and re-combining said primary colors; and a wide angle lens array for increasing said exit angle of deflection by a predetermined factor and projecting said display on said viewing surface comprising a first and a second lens array, such that said first lens array projects said display spatially on a focal plant and said second lens array comprises a wide angle lens and focuses said spatial display on said viewing surface, wherein said viewing surface surrounds and each point on said viewing surface is about equidistant from said lens array.
an image generating for manipulating said display;
a processor for translating said digital vector coordinates into analog signals and repetitively transmitting said display at a rate above the flicker rate;
a geometric correction device for correcting said analog signals thereby compensating for the geometry of said viewing surface;
a broadband, gas ion laser for producing an intense, coherent amplification circuitry for controlling the deflection of said light beam;
a deflector module for deflecting said light beam to said vector coordinates in a pair of cartesian axes at an angle of deflection comprising an x-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said x-axis and a y-galvanometer for deflecting said light beam in said y-axis;
beam transfer means for providing said beam to said deflector module, comprising a fiber optic path with an input coupling for accepting said light beam and an output coupling for delivering said light beam to a focusing and collimating lens array and a color modulator for separating said light beam into primary colors, modulating each of said primary colors independently, and re-combining said primary colors; and a wide angle lens array for increasing said exit angle of deflection by a predetermined factor and projecting said display on said viewing surface comprising a first and a second lens array, such that said first lens array projects said display spatially on a focal plant and said second lens array comprises a wide angle lens and focuses said spatial display on said viewing surface, wherein said viewing surface surrounds and each point on said viewing surface is about equidistant from said lens array.
32. The projection system of claim 31 wherein said geometric viewing surface is spherical and said wide angle lens is positioned about equidistant from each point on said viewing surface.
33. The projection system of claim 32 wherein said exit angle of deflection of said deflected beam in a range of about twenty (20) to about eighty (80) degrees and said lens array increases said exit angle of deflection to a range of about 160 to at least 180 degrees.
34. The projection system of claim 31 wherein said exit angle of deflection of said deflected beam in a range of about twenty (20) to about eighty (80) degrees said lens array increases said exit angle of deflection to a range of about 160 to at least 180 degrees.
35. The projection system of claim 1 wherein said exit angle of deflection of said deflected beam is in a range of about twenty (20) to about eighty (80) degrees and said lens array increases said exit angle of deflection to a range of about 160 to at least 180 degrees.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/082,415 US5546139A (en) | 1993-06-28 | 1993-06-28 | Moving imagery projection system |
| US08/082,415 | 1993-06-28 | ||
| PCT/US1994/007273 WO1995001061A1 (en) | 1993-06-28 | 1994-06-28 | Moving imagery projection system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2164443A1 CA2164443A1 (en) | 1995-01-05 |
| CA2164443C true CA2164443C (en) | 2002-04-16 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002164443A Expired - Fee Related CA2164443C (en) | 1993-06-28 | 1994-06-28 | Moving imagery projection system |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5546139A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0746947B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3344587B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE207280T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2164443C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69428716T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995001061A1 (en) |
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-
1993
- 1993-06-28 US US08/082,415 patent/US5546139A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-06-28 DE DE69428716T patent/DE69428716T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-06-28 WO PCT/US1994/007273 patent/WO1995001061A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1994-06-28 AT AT94920824T patent/ATE207280T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-06-28 EP EP94920824A patent/EP0746947B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-06-28 CA CA002164443A patent/CA2164443C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-06-28 JP JP50313695A patent/JP3344587B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69428716T2 (en) | 2002-07-11 |
| EP0746947B1 (en) | 2001-10-17 |
| US5546139A (en) | 1996-08-13 |
| JP3344587B2 (en) | 2002-11-11 |
| EP0746947A4 (en) | 1997-03-05 |
| JPH09502535A (en) | 1997-03-11 |
| WO1995001061A1 (en) | 1995-01-05 |
| EP0746947A1 (en) | 1996-12-11 |
| DE69428716D1 (en) | 2001-11-22 |
| ATE207280T1 (en) | 2001-11-15 |
| CA2164443A1 (en) | 1995-01-05 |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |