Patent US3548436A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4540658A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4234891A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4234891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical illumination and distortion compensator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1979-07-30
•
Granted: 1980-11-18
•
Expires: 1999-07-30
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes a method and apparatus for a visual display system in a vehicle simulator to compensate for distortion and to maximize illumination in a projected image substantially at the same time. Where a spherical mirror is interposed between a curved rear-projection screen and a viewing position, certain distortions are developed which detract from realism. Such distortions are compensated for by reflecting the image off a curve folding mirror positioned so that its major axis is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the curved rear-projection screen. In accordance with the invention, when such compensation is achieved, the illumination of the projected image will be at substantially its brightest.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Beck
- 👤 Harrie W. Nielsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:40
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/30; G09B9/32; G09B9/326; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/08; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; G02B27/02; G02B2027/011; G02B2027/0118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of compensating for the distortion developed in an optical display apparatus due to the imposition of a concave spherical mirror for viewing intermediate a viewing position and a curved rear-projection screen and for improving the illumination substantially simultaneously, comprising: establishing a viewing position, arranging a concave spherical mirror for viewing from said viewing position by at least one trainee, positioning a curved rear-projection screen on the side of said concave spherical mirror so that the image on said screen is visible when reflected by said mirror toward said viewing position, locating a curved folding mirror adjacent said curved rear-projection screen so that an image is reflected from the curved folding mirror onto said screen, positioning the major axes of said curved folding mirror and said curved rear-projection screen in a predetermined relationship relative to each other, whereby distortion is reduced and illumination increased substantially simultaneously; and projecting an image for reflection from said curved folding mirror onto said curved rear-projection screen so that said image is viewed at said viewing position substantially undistorted and with substantially maximum illumination.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of compensating for the distortion developed in an optical display apparatus due to the imposition of a concave spherical mirror for viewing intermediate a viewing position and a curved rear-projection screen and for improving the illumination substantially simultaneously, comprising: establishing a viewing position, arranging a concave spherical mirror for viewing from said viewing position by at least one trainee, positioning a curved rear-projection screen on the side of said concave spherical mirror so that the image on said screen is visible when reflected by said mirror toward said viewing position, locating a curved folding mirror adjacent said curved rear-projection screen so that an image is reflected from the curved folding mirror onto said screen, positioning the major axes of said curved folding mirror and said curved rear-projection screen in a predetermined relationship relative to each other, whereby distortion is reduced and illumination increased substantially simultaneously; and projecting an image for reflection from said curved folding mirror onto said curved rear-projection screen so that said image is viewed at said viewing position substantially undistorted and with substantially maximum illumination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of positioning said concave spherical mirror so that its center of curvature is intermediate the viewing position and said curved rear-projection screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of forming said concave mirror with the contour of a sphere segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the major axis of said curved rear-projection screen and that of said curved folding mirror are positioned at substantially right angles to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of projecting onto said curved rear-projection screen an anamorphically compensated image, so that the image viewed at said viewing position will be substantially undistorted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
Visual display apparatus to provide improved illumination and to compensate for distortion substantially simultaneously for the viewing of a projected scene, comprising: a concave spherical mirror positioned to reflect a predetermined scene to a viewing position, a curved rear-projection screen positioned substantially at the focal point of said concave spherical mirror, a curved folding mirror positioned to reflect onto said curved rear projection screen a scene to be viewed, and means to project said predetermined scene for reflection from said curved folding mirror onto said curved rear projection screen, the major axes of said curved rear-projection screen and said curved folding mirror being in a predetermined relationship relative to each other, so that distortion in said scene viewed at said viewing position is compensated for at substantially the same time as illumination is obtained substantially at its brightest level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
Visual display apparatus to provide improved illumination and to compensate for distortion substantially simultaneously for the viewing of a projected scene, comprising: a concave spherical mirror positioned to reflect a predetermined scene to a viewing position, a curved rear-projection screen positioned substantially at the focal point of said concave spherical mirror, a curved folding mirror positioned to reflect onto said curved rear projection screen a scene to be viewed, and means to project said predetermined scene for reflection from said curved folding mirror onto said curved rear projection screen, the major axes of said curved rear-projection screen and said curved folding mirror being in a predetermined relationship relative to each other, so that distortion in said scene viewed at said viewing position is compensated for at substantially the same time as illumination is obtained substantially at its brightest level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the contour of said concave mirror is substantially a spherical segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said curved rear-projection screen is contoured generally in the form of a cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the major axis of said curved rear-projection screen is positioned substantially horizontally.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said curved folding mirror is contoured substantially in the form of a cylinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the major axis of said curved folding mirror is arranged at substantially right angles to that of said curved rear-projection screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including means to project an anamorphically compensated image for reflection from said curved folding mirror onto said curved rear-projection screen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 12 including means to adjust the magnification of said projected image at least in one direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 12 including means to collimate the light in said scene projected onto said curved folding mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including at least 3 flat folding mirrors to reflect from said curved folding mirror onto said curved rear-projection screen, an image that is desired to be viewed at said viewing position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 10 at least one flat folding mirror to reflect from said cylindrical folding mirror onto said cylindrical rear-projection screen an image desired to be viewed at said viewing position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
Visual display apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means to adjust the magnification includes an anamorphic lens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |