Abstract:
An optical projection system for use with a display surface includes at least one image source comprising an array of source image pixels, a projector to project a first projection of the array of source image pixels, and at least one mirror including at least one curved reflecting surface having a curved profile. The at least one curved reflecting surface is adapted to convert the first projection to a curved second projection directed onto the display surface to provide an array of displayed image pixels on the display surface corresponding to the array of source image pixels, wherein the array of displayed image pixels have constant pixel pitch amoung adjacent displayed image pixels.
Abstract:
An optical projection system includes a first image source that is configured to generate a first array of image pixels and a first lens assembly that is configured to project the first array of image pixels onto a non-planar surface. A second image source is configured to generate a second array of image pixels and a second lens assembly is configured to project the second array of image pixels onto the non-planar surface. The first and second arrays of image pixels overlap along a single edge and the combination of the first and second arrays of image pixels covers a continuous portion of the surface.
Abstract:
An optical projection system includes a first optical image projector that is configured to generate a first array of image pixels having a first pupil associated therewith. A second optical image projector is configured to generate a second array of image pixels having a second pupil associated therewith. An optical element is configured to superimpose the first and second pupils to create a single exit pupil.
Abstract:
An optical projection system for use with a display surface includes at least one image source comprising an array of source image pixels, a projector to project a first projection of the array of source image pixels, and at least one mirror including at least one curved reflecting surface having a curved profile. The at least one curved reflecting surface is adapted to convert the first projection to a curved second projection directed onto the display surface to provide an array of displayed image pixels on the display surface corresponding to the array of source image pixels, wherein the array of displayed image pixels have constant pixel pitch amoung adjacent displayed image pixels.
Abstract:
An optical projection system includes a first optical image projector that is configured to generate a first array of image pixels having a first pupil associated therewith. A second optical image projector is configured to generate a second array of image pixels having a second pupil associated therewith. An optical element is configured to superimpose the first and second pupils to create a single exit pupil.
Abstract:
An optical projection system includes an image source (36) that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly (30) is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180 DEG . The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly (34) and an image relay lens assembly (32) that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly (44) and a wavefront shaping lens assembly (42). The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels. An optical projection system may also include two image sources that are configured to generate first and second arrays of image pixels and two lens assemblies that are configured to respectively project the first and second arrays of image pixels at projection angles that are greater than 180 DEG onto a surface in opposite directions of each other. The combination of the first and second arrays of image pixels may cover a continuous, 360 DEG portion of the hemispherical surface.
Abstract:
An optical projection system includes an image source (36) that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly (30) is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180 DEG . The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly (34) and an image relay lens assembly (32) that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly (44) and a wavefront shaping lens assembly (42). The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels. An optical projection system may also include two image sources that are configured to generate first and second arrays of image pixels and two lens assemblies that are configured to respectively project the first and second arrays of image pixels at projection angles that are greater than 180 DEG onto a surface in opposite directions of each other. The combination of the first and second arrays of image pixels may cover a continuous, 360 DEG portion of the hemispherical surface.
Abstract:
An optical projection system includes an image source (36) that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly (30) is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180°. The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly (34) and an image relay lens assembly (32) that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly (44) and a wavefront shaping lens assembly (42). The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels. An optical projection system may also include two image sources that are configured to generate first and second arrays of image pixels and two lens assemblies that are configured to respectively project the first and second arrays of image pixels at projection angles that are greater than 180° onto a surface in opposite directions of each other. The combination of the first and second arrays of image pixels may cover a continuous, 360° portion of the hemispherical surface.
Abstract:
An array of image pixels is projected into a hemispherical projection having constant angular separation among adjacent image pixels, so that the array of image pixels may be projected onto hemispherical surfaces of varying radii without requiring spatial distortion correction of the array of image pixels. The array of pixels is preferably projected radially from the center of a dome onto a spherical inner surface of the dome. The hemispherical projection may be tilted so that the array of pixels is projected onto one of a plurality of selectable positions on the inner dome surface. The projection system preferably includes at least three collimating lenses having a common ratio of index of refraction to dispersion. The projection system projects an array of image pixels from the image source into a hemispherical surface at a projection angle of at least 160 degrees, notwithstanding that the lenses are separated from the image by a separation distance which is at least six times the image size. Accordingly, hemispherical optical projection systems and methods are provided which can work with domes of many sizes and varying audience configurations, and which do not require spatial correction or color correction of the hemispherical image to be projected.