Image generator having automatic alignment method and apparatus
First Claim
1. An image recorder providing a photographic copy of a CRT image at an image plane onto a photographic film disposed on a film plane in spatial relationship apart from said image plane, comprising:
- lens means for transforming said image from said image plane to said photographic film;
an alignment mask having a target image thereon overlaying said image at said image plane;
means to selectively illuminate the CRT according to at least one of a deflection signal and an intensity signal;
photodetector means responsive to said target image selectively illuminated by said CRT and producing a target signal therefrom; and
means for adjusting at least one of said deflection signals and said intensity signal according to said target signal in response to said target signal, wherein correction for at least one of image position, rotation, orthogonality, pincushion and size are provided.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An image recorder for providing a CRT image and apparatus to store the image on a film disposed on a film plane. The relative position, intensity and focus parameters of the image are measured during an initial startup of the image recorder, wherein the position, intensity and focus parameters of the CRT and the image thereon are automatically aligned to assure enhanced performance. The apparatus according to the present invention provides an alignment mask disposed in the CRT plane and the CRT parameters are measured by observation of the light collected through the alignment mask from the CRT and processing the corresopnding light intensity signals. The light sensing device provides a signal which is processed typically by a microprocessor controlled geometry engine to derive a set of correction data which is based on a prototype array of initialized data values. The correction data provide signals which are combined with uncorrected CRT deflection signals to provide a corrected signal. The parameters corrected by the apparatus and method according to the present invention include x and y position, focus and relative picture intensity over the surface of the screen (vignette). The above-listed parameters are used alone and in combination to provide image centering, image scaling and pincushion correction, correction for non-orthogonality between the x and y deflection coils, image rotation and correction for non-linear second and third order effects. The set of data can also be deliberately distorted to provide image precompensation such as keystone (trapezoid) and spherical corrections as well as vignette compensation such that, when the final image is projected or displayed, a true (nondistorted) image results.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An image recorder providing a photographic copy of a CRT image at an image plane onto a photographic film disposed on a film plane in spatial relationship apart from said image plane, comprising:
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lens means for transforming said image from said image plane to said photographic film; an alignment mask having a target image thereon overlaying said image at said image plane; means to selectively illuminate the CRT according to at least one of a deflection signal and an intensity signal; photodetector means responsive to said target image selectively illuminated by said CRT and producing a target signal therefrom; and means for adjusting at least one of said deflection signals and said intensity signal according to said target signal in response to said target signal, wherein correction for at least one of image position, rotation, orthogonality, pincushion and size are provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An image recorder providing a photographic copy of a CRT image at an image plane on a photographic film disposed on a film plane in spatial relationship apart from said image plane comprising:
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means for transforming said image from said image plane to said photographic film; an alignment mask disposed at said film plane having a target image thereon; means to selectively illuminate the CRT according to at least one of a deflection signal and an intensity signal; photodetector .[.positive.]. means to receive said target image selectively illuminated by said CRT and producing a target signal therefrom; and means for adjusting at least one of said deflection signals and said intensity signal according to said target signal in response to said target signal, wherein correction for at least one of image position, rotation, orthogonality, pincushion and size are provided. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An image recorder providing a photographic copy of a CRT image at a CRT plane on a photographic film, comprising:
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a film holder including an aperture plate having an aperture therein corresponding to a selected film format and also having means for providing an encoded signal corresponding to said selected format; encoded signal sense means providing a format signal according to said aperture plate recess; a CRT display providing said CRT image in response to a video signal and an adjustment signal; and image adjustment means providing said adjustment signal in response to format size signals for adjusting the CRT image size and position according to said format signals. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An image recorder providing a photographic copy of a CRT image at a CRT plane on a photographic film disposed on a film plane in spatial relationship in an optical path apart from said CRT plane, comprising:
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lens means for transforming said CRT image from said CRT plane to said photographic film; an alignment mask interposed in said optical path between said film plane and said CRT plane having a target image thereon; means for selectively illuminating the CRT according to at least one of a deflection signal and an intensity signal; photodetector means positioned to receive said target image selectively illuminated by said CRT and producing a target signal therefrom; and means for adjusting at least one of said deflection signals and said intensity signal according to said target signal in response to said target signal, wherein correction for at least one of image position, rotation, orthogonality, pincushion and size are provided. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An image recorder providing a photographic copy of a CRT image at a CRT plane on a photographic film disposed on a film plane in spatial relationship apart from said CRT plane, comprising:
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lens means for transforming said CRT image from said CRT plane to said photographic film; an alignment mask overlaying said CRT image at a focal point of said lens means, and having a target image thereon; means for selectively illuminating the CRT according to at least one of a deflection signal and an intensity signal; photodetector means positioned to receive said target image selectively illuminated by said CRT and producing a target signal therefrom; and means for adjusting at least one of said deflection signal and said intensity signal according to said target signal in response to said target signal, wherein correction for at least one of image position, rotation, orthogonality, pincushion and size are provided.
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23. An image .[.recorded.]. .Iadd.recorder.Iaddend., comprising:
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CRT display means selectively providing a two-dimensional CRT image according to one of a plurality of image spatial density of pixels including a higher and a lower pixel density image, wherein each said image .[.pixel.]. density comprises a particular two-dimensioned array of pixels; and camera means for recording said CRT image on photographic film, wherein said CRT display means includes means for replicating pixels of said lower pixel density image .[.at said two-dimensional array corresponding.]. to said higher .[.image resolution.]. .Iadd.pixel density image .Iaddend.to permit color matching on film. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method of alignment of an image recorder having a CRT and a photographic film disposed on a film plane, comprising the steps of:
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providing an alignment target; generating a deflection signal according to expected X and Y positions; selectively illuminating said alignment target with a point light source from said CRT according to said deflection signal, wherein said alignment target partially obscures said selective illumination; detecting the selectively obscured illumination; calculating the intensity profile of said point light source; and adjusting the focus of said point light source according to said intensity profile. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of aligning a CRT display, comprising the steps of:
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providing a prototype mesh having preliminary display parameters therein; correcting said prototype mesh by mask measurements of a predetermined image .Iadd.to provide a final desired mesh.Iaddend.; storing .[.corrected mesh parameters.]. .Iadd.said final desired mesh.Iaddend.; generating .[.display parameters.]. .Iadd.correct display parameters frmo said final desired mesh.Iaddend.; .[.correcting display parameters by said corrected mesh parameters;
.]. anddisplaying image with .[.corrected.]. .Iadd.said correct .Iaddend.display parameters. .Iadd.
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30. Apparatus for positioning a beam on a scanning-type display comprising:
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a data mesh containing a set of error corrected deflection values for a plurality of coordinates defining an area of said display, each value corresponding to at least one beam characteristic and derived from a set of alignment factors, said alignment factors representing a parametric model uniquely defining and encompassing the specific characteristics, including errors, of said display; memory means for storing said data mesh; means coupled to said memory means for retrieving and converting said data mesh values to deflection signal necessary to correctly position said beam on the display in accordance with said parametric model; and means for driving said display with said deflection signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. factors. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41, wherein said image generator is a scanning-type display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. Apparatus in accordance with claim 42 wherein said alignment control signals comprise at least one of a position control signal, intensity control signal, and focus control signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. Apparatus in accordance with claim 42, wherein said data mesh comprises a plurality of mesh control surfaces, each surface containing a two-dimensional array of values for a different parameter of said display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. Apparatus in accordance with claim 44 wherein a mesh control surface contains values relating to the positioning of an image on said display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. Apparatus in accordance with claim 44 wherein a mesh control surface contains values relating to the intensity of an image on said display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. Apparatus in accordance with claim 44 wherein a mesh control surface contains values relating to the focus of an image on said display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. Apparatus in accordance with claim 40, wherein said data mesh contains adjusted values to compensate for distortions in an image input to said image generator. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. Apparatus in accordance with claim 40 wherein said data mesh comprises a plurality of mesh control surfaces, each surface containing a two-dimensional array of values for a different parameter of
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35. said image generator. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. A method for aligning an image display comprising the steps of:
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deriving a prototype mesh from a set of nominal factors that represent a nominal model of a display; sampling alignment control signals used to display an alignment image on said display in accordance with predetermined criteria; adjusting said prototype mesh based on differences between alignment factors derived from said sampled alignment control signals and said nominal factors to provide a final desired mesh containing a set of final control values for a plurality of coordinates defining an area of said display, said final control values accounting for errors in said prototype mesh; and generating display control signals in accordance with said final desired
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36. mesh instead of said prototype mesh. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. A method in accordance with claim 50 comprising the further step of:
interpolating said final mesh to provide an expanded set of mesh values for use in computing said display control signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. A method in accordance with claim 50 wherein said display control signals comprise an image position signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. A method in accordance with claim 52 wherein said display control signals comprise an intensity signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. A method in accordance with claim 53 wherein said display control signals comprise a focus signal. .Iaddend.
Specification