Screen for producing an enhanced impression of depth

Claim 2

An improved surface for presenting two dimensional images with a visual impression of depth comprising: a image surface having a central portion and side and bottom edge portions; said central portion comprising from 50-90 percent of the total viewing area; said edge portions curving toward the viewer to produce a concave surface, and having a radius of curvature of from approximately 0.1 to 1.0 times the larger of the width or height dimensions of said surface; and said central portion having a radius of curvature in excess of ten times the smaller of said width or height dimensions.

Claim 3

An improved surface as set forth in claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of said central portion is substantially infinite.

Claim 4

An improved surface as set forth in claim 1 wherein the radii of curvature of said central and edge portions vary along each of said dimensions of said surface to provide a smooth curve.

Claim 5

An improved surface as set forth in claim 3 wherein said curve forms an elongated ellipse.

Claim 6

An improved surface as set forth in claim 3 wherein said curve forms a hypocycloid.

Claim 7

An improved surface as set forth in claim 5 wherein said hypocycloid is one of a family defined by two circles having radii in the ratio of 4:1.

Claim 8

An improved surface as set forth in claim 1 wherein said surface forms a rear projection surface.

Claim 9

An improved surface as set forth in claim 1 wherein said surface forms a front projection surface.

Claim 10

An improved surface as set forth in claim 8 wherein said surface is discontinuous in said edge portions.

Claim 11

An improved surface as set forth in claim 9 wherein said edge portions are faceted.

Claim 12

An improved front projection system for viewing two dimensional images comprising: a projection screen having a central portion, comprising 50-90 percent of the total viewing area, and edge portions curving toward the viewer to produce a concave surface; said edge portions having a radius of curvature of from approximately 0.1 to 1.0 times the larger of the width or height dimensions of said screen, and said central portion having a radius of curvature greater than ten times the smaller of said dimensions; a projector positioned in front of said screen for causing a projection beam to be incident upon said screen; and beam splitting means, intercepting the edges of said projection beam to form edge beams, for re-orienting said edge beams approximately perpendicular to said edge portions of said projection screen.

Claim 13

An improved front projection system for viewing two dimensional images comprising: a projection screen having a central portion, comprising 50-90 percent of the total viewing area, and edge portions curving toward the viewer to produce a concave surface; said edge portions having a radius of curvature of from approximately 0.1 to 1.0 times the larger of the width or height dimensions of said screen, and said central portion having a radius of curvature greater than ten times the smaller of said dimensions; a projector positioned in front of said screen for causing a projection beam to be incident upon said screen; and beam splitting means, intercepting the edges of said projection beam to form edge beams, for re-orienting said edge beams approximately perpendicular to said edge portions of said projection screen.

Claim 14

An improved projection system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said beam splitting comprises: mirror means, intercepting the edge of said projection beam, for re-orienting the direction of said edge beams; and beam path correction means for focusing said edge beams on the edge portions of said projection screen.