Multicolor image or picture projecting system using electronically controlled slides

• US 4,368,963 A
• Filed: 05/14/1979
• Issued: 01/18/1983
• 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): Stephan, Steven L.
• Application Number:
  US06/038,844
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 353/30, 353/31, 353/53, 353/120, 353/122, 353/84, 353/121, 350/331 R, 350/331 T, 350/334, 350/349, 358/59, 358/61, 358/902
• US Class Current: 353/31
• 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 9/3105 for displaying all colours simultaneously, e.g. by using two or more electronic spatial light modulators simultaneous projection in colour photography G03B33/10; beam splitting or combining systems per se G02B27/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3164 using multiple light sources

Abstract

A large image or picture system includes a flat screen, on which is projected pictures from three small liquid crystal display panels behind or in front of which are disposed respectively three filters of the colors red, green and blue. Three light sources are provided behind the respective liquid crystal panels, while three lenses are provided respectively in front of the liquid crystal panels. The lenses project three partial pictures in three different colors onto a single screen, creating a complete multicolored picture. For high capability of information of the pictures, large liquid crystal panels are proposed, which are assembled from many small liquid crystal cells, allowing rapid switching and multiplexing. Changing the frequency of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal cells results in a modulation of the light intensity of the individual parts of the picture, resulting in artistic pictures, like photographs.

Claims

1. A multicolor electronically dynamic image or picture system for projecting enlarged, changeable or moving colored images or pictures without using any fixed image transparency;

a liquid crystal, multiple individual color, on screen registry, electronic dynamic image generation system comprising;

a plurality of light sources;

a corresponding plurality of individual liquid crystal means positioned to receive light from said light sources, respectively;

said plurality of liquid crystal means are transmissive liquid crystal means, and said liquid crystal means include means to modulate the light intensity which they transmit;

said light diffusing means positioned between said light sources and said liquid crystal means;

a corresponding plurality of electronic means for selectively individually energizing respective ones of said plurality of liquid crystal means each independently of the energizing of all of the others of said plurality of liquid crystal means solely to effect respective portions of an image or picture to be projected, the system being free of any fixed image transparency;

said plurality of electronic means comprise respective voltage supply means coupled to respective ones of said liquid crystal means for energizing same with voltages of changeable frequency to thereby modulate the light intensity of composite elements of the image or picture independently;

a corresponding plurality of filters at least two of which pass different colors to color respective corresponding light beams which are to pass respectively through said liquid crystal means from said light sources;

screen means; and

at least a corresponding plurality of projecting means for projecting the light beams passed through each respective one of said liquid crystal means, said light diffusing means, and said color filter onto said screen means in registry with each other;

whereby an electronically generated enlarged, real, changeable or moving color image or picture made up of the projected individual single color electronically generated images from each said respective set of said liquid crystal means, said light diffusing means, and said color filter can appear on said screen means without the use of any fixed image transparency.

2. An image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said projecting means comprises three projecting devices one each for the colors red, green and blue.

3. An image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said projecting means comprises four projecting devices one each for the colors red, green, blue and white.

4. An image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said projecting means comprises at least two projecting devices one each for the colors orange and cyan.

5. An image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said projecting means comprise lens means.

6. An image or picture system according to claim 5, wherein said lens means comprise a plurality of lenses, each lens of said plurality of lenses being operatively associated with a respective one of said filters.

7. An image or picture system according to claim 1, and warm-up means for said liquid crystal means, said warm-up means comprising blower means, a heating element and a thermostat.

8. An image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal means are in the form of an array of liquid crystal cells assembled on a single common transparent surface.

9. An image or picture system according to claim 8, wherein the said common transparent surface is a plastic material.

10. An image or picture system according to claim 8, wherein said common transparent surface is one of two liquid crystal plates, one of which is integral and the second plate is assembled from a plurality of relatively small pieces of glass.

11. An image or picture system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of electronic means comprise respective voltage supply means coupled to respective ones of said liquid crystal means for energizing same with voltages to effect optical isolation at given voltage levels.