Back projection transparency viewer with overlapping pixels

• US 5,963,276 A
• Filed: 01/09/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smartlight Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Smartlight Ltd.
• Inventors: Inbar, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Horney, Kari M.
• Application Number:
  US08/781,576
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 349/5, 345/1, 345/903, 345/7, 353/35, 382/128, 382/132
• US Class Current: 349/5
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/026 and a display device, e.g. CRT, LCD, for adding markings or signs or to enhance the contrast of the viewed object
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display

Abstract

A method of transparency viewing, including, placing the transparency at a viewing surface, forming a light pattern and projecting the light pattern to back-illuminate the transparency. Preferably, the light pattern is formed by spatially modulating a beam of light using a plurality of light-valves.

Claims

1. A viewbox comprising:

a faceplate adapted for mounting a transparency thereon;

a light modulator comprising a plurality of light valves which modulates light to form a light pattern; and

a projector which projects the modulated light pattern onto the back of the faceplate, such that the faceplate is back-lighted with a scaled version of the light pattern,

wherein each light-valve of said plurality of light-valves corresponds to a pixel in the light pattern and wherein neighboring pixels have an overlap of at least 30%.

2. A viewbox according to claim 1, wherein said overlap is at least 50%.

3. A viewbox according to claim 1, wherein said overlap is at least 80%.

4. A viewbox according to claim 1, further comprising means for recycling light.

5. A viewbox according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light valves comprise a reflective LCA.

6. A viewbox according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of light-valves in a layer between the projector and the faceplate which further modulates the projected light pattern.

7. A viewbox comprising:

a faceplate adapted for mounting a transparency thereon;

a light modulator comprising a plurality of light-valves which modulates light to form a light pattern, wherein each light-valve of said plurality of light-valves corresponds to a pixel in the light pattern and wherein neighboring pixels have an overlap of at least 30%; and

a projector which back-projects the modulated light pattern of the faceplate, such that the faceplate is backlighted with a scaled version of the light pattern,

wherein the plurality of light-valves comprise a reflective LCA.

8. A viewbox according to claim 7, wherein said overlap is at least 50%.

9. A viewbox according to claim 7, wherein said overlap is at least 80%.

10. A viewbox according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of light-valves comprise a low-loss polarizer which polarizes light entering said plurality of light-valves.

11. A viewbox according to claim 7, further comprising means for recycling light.

12. A viewbox according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of light-valves in a layer between the projector and the faceplate which further modulate the projected light pattern.