Digital convergence of multiple image projectors

• US 3,943,279 A
• Filed: 09/23/1974
• Issued: 03/09/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Loral Aerospace Corp. (MHR Holdings LLC (New York))
• Original Assignee: Aeronutronic Ford Corporation
• Inventors: Austefjord, Harald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richardson, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US05/508,279
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 358/51, 358/60, 358/56, 358/61, 358/64, 178/6.5, 178/7.6, 178/7.7, 178/DIG. 22, 178/7.3 D, 178/7.5 D, 315/370, 315/371, 315/367, 315/368
• US Class Current: 348/747
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/15 Image signal generation with circuitry for avoiding or correcting image misregistration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/28 Arrangements for convergence or focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/31 Projection devices for colour picture display , e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]

Abstract

In a scanned multiple image display device a plurality of individual projectors produces a single composite image by optically combining individual projector outputs. The individual images must be converged with each other to produce an acceptable display. A digital computer is used to generate and store words that correspond to the required convergence correction for individual projectors. The stored words are read out of the computer in accordance with projector scanning timing and, after being converted to analog form, are used to correct the scanning to produce convergence.

Claims

1. In an image display device, said device comprising:

at least first and second separately scanned image projectors for projecting an image on a common area of a viewing screen;

each of said image projectors including an image generating beam,

first deflecting means for deflecting said beam along a line,

second deflecting means for deflecting said beam in a direction generally perpendicular to said line to form a raster,

means for intensity modulating said beam to produce an image,

means associated with said deflecting means and said modulating means for each projector for causing each projector to display a luminous grid on said common screen area,

means for controlling the number of lines on said grid,

means for selectively suppressing the generation ofsaid grid,

cursor generating means associated with said deflecting means and said modulating means for selectively presenting on said common screen area an indication representative of a selected region only of said raster,

control means associated with said first deflecting means and said second deflecting means of at least one of said projectors for causing said displayed luminous grids to coincide on said common screen area,

a digital memory,

means associated with said control means and said cursor generating means for storing in said memory digital representations of the correction required to obtain coincidence of said grids for the selected region identified by said cursor generating means,

means for selectively altering the selected region identified by said cursor generating means,

means for reading said memory in synchronism with the scannning of said projectors,

means for converting the digital information in said memory into an analog signal, and

means for altering the deflections produced by said first and second deflecting means of at least one of said projectors in response to said analog signals.

2. The image display device of claim 1 wherein said device comprises three projectors with separate memory sections and separate means for altering the deflections produced by said first and second deflecting means for at least two of said projectors.

3. The image display device of claim 1 wherein the normal deflection signal and said analog signals are separately applied to a common deflection coil of said deflecting means.