Wide angle scanner for panoramic display

• US 7,334,902 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Christensen, Robert R., Tanner, Allen H., Streid, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): PERKEY, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US11/092,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20080002161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 353/30, 353/31, 353/37, 353/94, 353/98, 353/99, 353/50, 353/79, 434/44, 348/36, 348/37, 359/451
• US Class Current: 353/98
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/32 Details specially adapted for motion-picture projection with film moving continuously through the gate G03B41/02
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/606 for relief projection
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/02 with scanning movement of lens or cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/32 by projected image G09B9/307, G09B9/36 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161

Abstract

A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and an n-sides scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about a rotational axis at a speed 1/n the refresh rate, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.

Claims

1. A wide angle display system comprising:

a single linear array projector, configured to project an image along an optical axis;

a curved display surface having a center of curvature;

a scanning mirror disposed along the optical axis and configured to continuously rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis is parallel to and collinear with the center of curvature of the curved display; and

the scanning mirror comprising n scanning surfaces configured to reflect the image onto the display surface within a scan field, wherein the scan field comprises a width determined by how far the scanning mirror is allowed to rotate before the projected image from the projector encounters an edge of the scanning surface.

2. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein each of the n scanning surfaces comprise a pre-determined width, such that the width of the scan field is determined by how far away the n scanning surfaces are located from the rotational axis of the scanning mirror.

3. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises a refresh rate, and wherein the scanning mirror is configured to rotate at a speed that is 1/n the refresh rate.

4. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein the scanning mirror comprises a single scanning surface.

5. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein the scanning mirror comprises a polygonal configuration having a plurality of scanning surfaces.

6. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein the linear array projector is configured to project an array of pixels that is substantially parallel to the rotational axis.

7. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein the optical axis is oblique to the rotational axis of the scanning mirror.

8. The wide angle display system of claim 1, further comprising a folding mirror disposed along the optical axis and having an axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the scanning mirror, the folding mirror being configured to reflect the image to the scanning mirror.

9. The wide angle display system of claim 8, wherein the folding mirror is configured to oscillate about its said axis, so as to increase a field of projection of the image.

10. The wide angle display system of claim 1, wherein the display surface comprises an axis of curvature that is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the scanning mirror.

11. The wide angle display system of claim 10, wherein the axis of curvature of the display surface is substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the scanning mirror.

12. A method for projecting a panoramic image comprising:

continuously rotating a scanning mirror having n scanning surfaces about a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to and collinear with a center of curvature of a curved display screen;

projecting an image onto the scanning surfaces of the scanning mirror using a grating light valve projector, the image comprising lines of pixels substantially parallel to the rotational axis, so as to reflect the image onto the curved display screen; and

rotating the scanning mirror at a speed 1/n the refresh rate to cause the image to be scanned within a scan field on the display screen.