Large screen display with projected overlay and method of using same

• US 6,151,081 A
• Filed: 12/02/1997
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Freeman, Jerry E., Gold, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US08/982,670
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 348/756, 348/757, 348/588, 348/584, 348/586, 348/565, 348/117, 348/118, 348/781, 434/43, 434/44, 353/28, 353/29, 353/30, 353/35, 345/113, 345/114, 345/115
• US Class Current: 348/756
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT

Abstract

A system and a method for controlled concurrent viewing of images, in their entirety, by the use of a dual viewer controllable dual display system having the added capability of individually presented resolution is disclosed. In operation, a viewer first selected image is provided by a first controllable display device and a viewer selected second image, typically different from the first, is provided by a second controllable display device. A viewer looks through the second display and sees the image presented by the first display and the image presented by the second display provided at the plane of the first display. Additionally, the displays can be interactive, in that an image or event provided on one display results in the presentation of an image or other data on the other display, all the while allowing the viewer to select from other information. Also the position of one image can be varied with respect to the other image.

Claims

1. A system for simultaneous display of at least two separate images comprising:

an image projector for providing a first beam of electromagnetic energy;

a first surface for receiving said beam and displaying a first image in response thereto;

means disposed on said first surface for reflecting a second beam from said first beam; and

a second surface for receiving said second beam and displaying a second image in response thereto.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means disposed on said first surface is a holographic coating.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said image projector includes means for projecting a beam on a first side of said first surface and said first surface includes means for displaying an image viewable from a second side thereof.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said second beam is received on a first side of said second surface and said second surface includes means for displaying said second image whereby said second image is viewable from said second side of said second surface.