Method and apparatus for displaying an alpha channel virtual image
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A display comprising:
- a first image;
an image reflecting means for reflecting said first image to produce a reflected first image viewable along a line of sight;
a liquid crystal region comprising at least one liquid crystal element, said liquid crystal region for controlling a transparency of said reflected first image, said liquid crystal region interposed with said image reflecting means and a background image;
said background image aligned along said line of sight.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for displaying a virtual image and for providing control over the "alpha channel" or transparency of the virtual image. The present invention uses a beam splitter to provide a virtual image to a viewer. Behind the beam splitter is a liquid crystal region for controlling the transparency of the virtual image. Behind the liquid crystal region is a background image. Control of the liquid crystal region is coordinated with control of the virtual image so as to make transparency and opacity of the liquid crystal region follow the portions of the virtual image that are intended to be transparent and opaque, respectively.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A display comprising:
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a first image; an image reflecting means for reflecting said first image to produce a reflected first image viewable along a line of sight; a liquid crystal region comprising at least one liquid crystal element, said liquid crystal region for controlling a transparency of said reflected first image, said liquid crystal region interposed with said image reflecting means and a background image; said background image aligned along said line of sight.
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2. A multi-level imaging system comprising:
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controlling means for controlling a video image source and a connection switching means; said video image source coupled to said controlling means, said video image source providing a video signal to an image display means; said image display means coupled to said video image source, said image display means directing a first image to an image reflecting means; said connection switching means coupled to said controlling means, said connection switching means varying a connection between a liquid crystal region and a power source; a background image; said liquid crystal region comprising at least one liquid crystal element, said liquid crystal region interposed with said image reflecting means and said background image. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An imaging system comprising:
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a first image generator for generating an image in a first observation plane; a second image generator for generating an image in a second observation plane; opacifying means disposed between said first observation plane and said second observation plane; switching means coupled to said opacifying means for selectably controlling regions of said opacifying means to render portions of said opacifying means transparent; wherein said first observation plane, said second observation plane and said opacifying means are aligned along a line of sight. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification