US5082350A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real time three dimensional display system for displaying images in three dimensions which are projected onto a screen in two dimensions
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1989-09-19
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Granted: 1992-01-21
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Expires: 2009-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A three dimensional display system is shown wherein a scanned light beam is displayed upon a continuously rotating display member rotating about a fixed axis. A first embodiment provides that the display member be comprised of a pair of intersecting display surfaces. In further version the display member is fixedly positioned in a spherical enclosure which is rotatable in two different directions. In a second embodiment, the display member is formed by a bundle of fiber optic elements extending from an image projector to a viewing surface. The optical fiber bundle can be formed so that the image receiving portion has a smaller cross section than the image transmitting portion. In a third embodiment, the angle formed between the display member and the axis about which it rotates is adjusted, on or off line, by changing the length of an adjustable rod secured to the display member and a member rotating with the display member. In a fourth embodiment, a three dimensional display and two dimensional display are combined in conjunction with an optical combiner. In a fifth embodiment, the light is transmitted to the rotating disc through a pair of changeable rotating apertured disks wherein the apertures are aligned. In a further embodiment of the invention, the screen is formed from a pair of symmetrical stepped disks in the shape of a helically shaped half circle.
Inventors
- 👤 Felix Garcia
- 👤 Rodney D. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/50; G02B30/54; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/388; H04N13/393; H04N13/10; H04N13/398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; and (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a first surface which, in all of its instantaneous states, has contiguous portions thereof at progressively different distances from said x-y plane and a second surface intersecting said first surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; and (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a first surface which, in all of its instantaneous states, has contiguous portions thereof at progressively different distances from said x-y plane and a second surface intersecting said first surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first surface is a planar member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 2 further including means to control one of the speed of rotation of said display and the scanning rate of said means to scan relative to the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display system as set forth in claim 2 further including means to control the intensity of said light beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 4 further including means to control one of the speed of rotation of said display and the scanning rate of said means to scan relative to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A display system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said planar member makes an acute angle with a line normal to said x-y plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 6 further including means to control one of the speed of rotation of said display and the scanning rate of said means to scan relative to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display system as set forth in claim 6 further including means to control the intensity of said light beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 8 further including means to control one of the speed of rotation of said display and the scanning rate of said means to scan relative to the other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display system as set forth in claim 9, further including a second light source for generating a second light beam and means to direct said second light beam onto said second surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1 further including means to control one of the speed of rotation of said display and the scanning rate of said means to scan relative to the other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, further including a second light source for generating a second light beam and means to direct said second light beam onto said second surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source; (b) a pair of parallel apertured rotating disks having aligned apertures adjacent said light source for passing light from said light source through said apertures; and (c) a rotating disk disposed at an acute angle to said apertured disks and disposed on the side of said apertured disks remote from said light source to receive said light thereon which passes through said apertures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source; (b) a pair of parallel apertured rotating disks having aligned apertures adjacent said light source for passing light from said light source through said apertures; and (c) a rotating disk disposed at an acute angle to said apertured disks and disposed on the side of said apertured disks remote from said light source to receive said light thereon which passes through said apertures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1 further including means to control the intensity of said light beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display system as set forth in claim 14, further including a second light source for generating a second light beam and means to direct said second light beam onto said second surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system as set forth in claim 14 further including means to control one of the speed of rotation of said display and the scanning rate of said means to scan relative to the other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display system as set forth in claim 16, further including a second light source for generating a second light beam and means to direct said second light beam onto said second surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
135 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a first surface which, in all of its instantaneous states, has contiguous portions thereof at progressively different distances from said x-y plane and a second surface intersecting said first surface; (d) a substantially spherical light transmissive enclosure fixedly enclosing said light receiving means therein; and (e) means to rotate said enclosure in two different directions simultaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
135 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a first surface which, in all of its instantaneous states, has contiguous portions thereof at progressively different distances from said x-y plane and a second surface intersecting said first surface; (d) a substantially spherical light transmissive enclosure fixedly enclosing said light receiving means therein; and (e) means to rotate said enclosure in two different directions simultaneously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system of claim 18 wherein said enclosure is transparent and wherein said means to rotate includes first means to rotate said enclosure in a first direction about its center and second means to rotate said enclosure in a second direction different from said first direction and about its center simultaneously therewith.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein said two different directions are orthogonal to each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 19 wherein said two different directions are orthogonal to each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
146 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a plurality of light conducting members, each said member having a light receiving end and a light transmitting end, all of said light receiving ends lying in a plane parallel to said predetermined x-y plane, all of said light transmitting ends lying in a plane making an acute angle with said x-y plane; and (d) means to rotate said light receiving means about said axis of rotation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
146 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a plurality of light conducting members, each said member having a light receiving end and a light transmitting end, all of said light receiving ends lying in a plane parallel to said predetermined x-y plane, all of said light transmitting ends lying in a plane making an acute angle with said x-y plane; and (d) means to rotate said light receiving means about said axis of rotation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display of claim 22 wherein said the area of said light transmitting end is greater than the area of said light receiving end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display of claim 22 wherein each said light conducting member has a greater cross section at the light transmitting end thereof than at the light receiving end thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display of claim 23 wherein each said light conducting member has a greater cross section at the light transmitting end thereof than at the light receiving end thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The display of claim 24 wherein the cross section of each said light conducting member continuously decreases from said light transmitting end to said light receiving end thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The display of claim 25 wherein the cross section of each said light conducting member continuously decreases from said light transmitting end to said light receiving end thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
109 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis and lying in a plane making an acute angle with said x-y plane; (d) adjustable means to vary said acute angle; and (e) means to rotate said light receiving means about said axis of rotation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
109 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis and lying in a plane making an acute angle with said x-y plane; (d) adjustable means to vary said acute angle; and (e) means to rotate said light receiving means about said axis of rotation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The display of claim 28 wherein said adjustable means includes variable length rod means rotatable with said light receiving means and coupled thereto to rotate said light receiving means relative to said axis.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display of claim 28 further including means to vary said adjustable means on-line.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display of claim 29 further including means to vary said adjustable means on-line.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
61 words
The display of claim 28 further including means coupled to a region of said light receiving means along said axis to rotate with said light receiving means at selected acute angles relative to said axis, said adjustable means being coupled to an exterior portion of said light receiving means to cause rotation of said light receiving means relative to said axis.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
The display of claim 29 further including means coupled to a region of said light receiving means along said axis to rotate with said light receiving means at selected acute angles relative to said axis, said adjustable means being coupled to an exterior portion of said light receiving means to cause rotation of said light receiving means relative to said axis.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
61 words
The display of claim 30 further including means coupled to a region of said light receiving means along said axis to rotate with said light receiving means at selected acute angles relative to said axis, said adjustable means being coupled to an exterior portion of said light receiving means to cause rotation of said light receiving means relative to said axis.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
61 words
The display of claim 31 further including means coupled to a region of said light receiving means along said axis to rotate with said light receiving means at selected acute angles relative to said axis, said adjustable means being coupled to an exterior portion of said light receiving means to cause rotation of said light receiving means relative to said axis.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
112 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; and (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a first surface in the form of a partial turn of a helix and a second surface in the form of a partial turn of a helix symmetrical with said first surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
112 words
A three dimensional display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating a light beam, (b) means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane; and (c) continuously rotating light receiving means having an axis of rotation along said predetermined axis for receiving and displaying said image, said light receiving means being rotatable about said predetermined axis, said light receiving means having a first surface in the form of a partial turn of a helix and a second surface in the form of a partial turn of a helix symmetrical with said first surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display of claim 36 wherein each said partial turn is composed of a plurality of stepped surfaces.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display of claim 37 wherein said surfaces are one of substantially triangular or substantially rectangular shape.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display of claim 36 wherein said first and second surfaces display mirror image symmetry.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 37 wherein said stepped surfaces display mirror image symmetry.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The display of claim 38 wherein said surfaces display mirror image symmetry.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 36 wherein said partial turn is a half turn.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 37 wherein said partial turn is a half turn.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 38 wherein said partial turn is a half turn.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 39 wherein said partial turn is a half turn.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 40 wherein said partial turn is a half turn.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display of claim 41 wherein said partial turn is a half turn.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display of claim 36 wherein a vertical projection of said first and second surfaces substantially forms a circle.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display of claim 37 wherein a vertical projection of said first and second surfaces substantially forms a circle.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display of claim 39 wherein a vertical projection of said first and second surfaces substantially forms a circle.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display of claim 45 wherein a vertical projection of said first and second surfaces substantially forms a circle.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display of claim 36 wherein said means to form an image from said light beam in a predetermined x-y plane and transmit said image along a predetermined axis passing through said x-y plane is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display of claim 13 further including means to rotate each of said disks together at the same rotational speed.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
11 words
The display of claim 13 wherein said apertured disks are replaceable.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
11 words
The display of claim 13 wherein said apertured disks are replaceable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |