Image or picture projecting system using electronically controlled slides

• US 4,222,641 A
• Filed: 09/20/1978
• Issued: 09/16/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael Stolov
• Original Assignee: Michael Stolov
• Inventors: Stolov, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Shepperd, John W.
• Application Number:
  US05/943,982
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 350/331, 350/335, 353/120, 353/121, 353/122, 353/84, 353/88, 353/102
• US Class Current: 353/84
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/40 with provision for controlling spectral properties, e.g. colour, or intensity
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133621 providing coloured light G02F1/133617, G02F1/133533 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/18 involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3108 by using a single electronic spatial light modulator

Abstract

A large picture system includes a flat cinema screen, on which is projected pictures from a small transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) pattern panel. A light source is provided behind the pattern panel and a cinema lens is provided in front of the pattern panel. An electronically controlled color filter in one embodiment is placed behind the pattern panel, allowing one to obtain colored figures. In one variant, an electronically controlled gray filter, placed behind the pattern panel allows one to obtain artistic or black-and-white photograph-like pictures. The pattern panel together with the electronically controlled color filter and/or the electronically controlled gray filter forms an electronically controlled slide, a new electronic component.

Claims

1. A changeable image or picture system for producing complex, colored, intensity-variable images or pictures comprising a light source;

liquid crystal display means for displaying images or pictures;

at least one electronically controlled liquid liquid crystal gray filter positioned between said light source and said liquid crystal display means;

a light scattering means positioned between said electronically controlled filters and said liquid crystal display means for diffusing light which has passed through said electronically controlled color and gray filters;

a plurality of electrodes operatively associated with said liquid crystal display means;

means for supplying selectively to individual ones of said electrodes associated with said liquid crystal display means voltages to make selected portions or said liquid crystal display means transparent;

a screen; and

lens means for projecting light passing through said liquid crystal display means onto said screen;

whereby colored, intensity-variable complex images or pictures appear on the screen.

2. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said screen means is a large screen and said lens means is a cinema lens.

3. A changeable image or picture system according to either claim 1 or claim 2, including a motor-driven blower means for maintaining said electronically controlled filters and said liquid crystal display means at a correct temperature.

4. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said electronically controlled gray filter is positioned between said light source and said electronically controlled color filter and said liquid crystal display means is positioned between said light scattering means and said lens means and said electronically controlled color filter is positioned between said light scattering means and said electronically controlled gray filter.

5. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 4, including a reflector positioned adjacent said light source to direct light therefrom toward said electronically controlled filters.

6. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 4, wherein said electronically controlled color filter comprises a liquid crystal device having a number of electrodes in the form of narrow strips on at least one major surface of said crystal device and at least one colored strip.

7. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 6, wherein said light scattering means is a pane of frosted glass.

8. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 4, wherein said electronically controlled color filter comprises a liquid crystal device having electrodes in the form of narrow strips on at least one major surface of said crystal device, on which is disposed a layer of colored strips of the colors red, green, blue and white.

9. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 8, wherein said light scattering means is a pane of frosted glass.

10. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said electronically controlled gray filter is positioned between said light source and said electronically controlled color filter.

11. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 10, wherein said electronically controlled gray filter comprises a liquid crystal device having electrodes in the form of narrow strips on at least one major surface of said crystal device, on which is disposed a layer of gray strips of different shades of gray.

12. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 11, wherein said light scattering means is a pane of frosted glass.

13. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said liquid crystal display means comprises an electronically controllable liquid crystal pattern panel in a radial form, based on an m by n matrix defined by m number of electrodes in the form of narrow sectors and an n number of electrodes in the form of narrow concentric rings, the n and m electrodes being positioned on opposite surfaces of said panel.

14. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said light source comprises mirror means which reflects ambient light toward said liquid crystal means.

15. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, said means for supplying voltages comprise means for feeding data-representing voltages to said electrodes.

16. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 15, wherein said means for feeding data-representing voltages comprise electronic memory means.

17. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 15, wherein said means for feeding data-representing voltages comprises tape playback means.

18. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 15, wherein said means for feeding data-representing voltages comprises disc playback means.

19. A changeable image or picture system according to claim 15, wherein said means for feeding date representing voltages comprises radio receiving means which can receive and demodulate signals from at least one radio transmitter.

20. A changeable image or picture system for producing complex, colored, intensity-variable images or pictures comprising a light source;

liquid crystal display means for displaying images or pictures;

at least one electronically controlled liquid crystal color filter including a first plurality of electrodes and at least one electronically controlled liquid crystal gray filter including a second plurality of electrodes positioned between said light source and said liquid crystal display means;

a light scattering means positioned between said electronically controlled filters and said liquid crystal display means for diffusing light which has passed through said electronically controlled color and gray filters;

a third plurality of electrodes operatively associated with said liquid crystal display means; and

means for supplying selectively to individual ones of said electrodes associated with said liquid crystal display means voltages to make selected portions or said liquid crystal display means transparent;

whereby colored, intensity-variable complex images or pictures can be viewed on the liquid crystal display means.