Method and apparatus for displaying an alpha channel virtual image

• US 5,421,589 A
• Filed: 09/07/1993
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
• Inventors: Monroe, Marshall M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/118,385
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433, 273/434, 273/437, 273/DIG. 28, 273/310, 273/312, 273/313, 273/316, 273/85 G, 345/1, 345/4, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 345/37, 345/38, 345/87, 353/28, 353/30, 353/37, 359/471, 359/472, 359/477, 359/629, 359/630
• US Class Current: 345/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes

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.

Claims

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.

2. A multi-level imaging system comprising:

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.

3. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said controller is a computer system.

4. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said controller is an industrial process control device.

5. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said controller is a theatrical control device.

6. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said video image source is a computer system.

7. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said video image source is a videocassette recorder.

8. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said video image source is a video disk player.

9. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 further including a light ray deflector to prevent visible direct light from reaching said image display means.

10. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 further comprising a panel including an aperture in which said liquid crystal region is positioned.

11. The multi-level imaging system of claim 10 wherein a first distance exists between said panel and said image reflecting means and a second distance exists between said image display means and said image reflecting means.

12. The multi-level imaging system of claim 11 wherein said first distance and said second distance are equal.

13. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said connection switching means varies said liquid crystal region'"'"'s degree of transparency.

14. The multi-level imaging system of claim 13 wherein said connection switching means causes a closed connection between said liquid crystal region and said power source and varies a frequency and amplitude of said power source to vary said liquid crystal region'"'"'s degree of transparency.

15. The multi-level imaging system of claim 13 wherein said connection switching means causes an open connection between said liquid crystal region and said power source to vary said liquid crystal region'"'"'s degree of transparency.

16. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said liquid crystal region comprises a plurality of liquid crystal displays.

17. The multi-level imaging system of claim 16 wherein said plurality of liquid crystal displays are arranged in a tiled pattern.

18. The multi-level imaging system of claim 16 wherein said plurality of liquid crystal displays are controlled individually.

19. The multi-level imaging system of claim 2 wherein said image display means includes a brightness control to vary intensity of regions of said first image.

20. An imaging system comprising:

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.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said opacifying means comprise a liquid crystal region, said liquid crystal region comprising at least one liquid crystal element.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein said opacifying means comprises a plurality of liquid crystal displays.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein said first image generating means comprises an image source and a heads up display.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein said second image generating means comprises a video monitor.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said monitor is disposed substantially coincident with said second observation plane.