Methods and apparatus for presenting images

• US 7,777,207 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2007
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Bailey, Theodore B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanore, David A
• Application Number:
  US11/772,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 250/493.1
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/54 Devices for testing or checking ; Tools for adjustment of sights
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/32 Devices for testing or checking
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/002 target simulators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/002 for television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3102 using two-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators micromechanical modulators as such G02B26/0833; liquid crystal modulators as such G02F1/13
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3155 for controlling the light source light source control per se H05B35/00 – H05B47/00; control of an illumination source for displays in general G09G3/3406
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3158 for controlling the spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

An image projection system for presenting an image to a viewer comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate radiation having multiple spectral characteristics, and multiple independently operable optical switches configured to selectively transmit, reflect, and/or block radiation from the radiation source to the viewer. The viewed image is made up of pixels defined by the selective operation of the optical switches with the radiation source.

Claims

1. An image projection system for presenting an image to a viewer, comprising:

a radiation source configured to generate radiation comprising multiple optical characteristics, wherein a first optical characteristic varies along a first direction of the radiation source and a second optical characteristic varies along a second direction of the radiation source; and

multiple independently movable mirrors configured to reflect radiation from the radiation source to the viewer.

2. An image projection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the first characteristic comprises a spectrum of the radiation; and

the second characteristic comprises an intensity of the radiation.

3. An image projection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the first direction comprises a transverse direction along an arc; and

the second direction comprises a radial direction across the arc.

4. An image projection system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source comprises an attenuator disposed between the radiation source and the movable mirrors, wherein the attenuator provides a gradient of attenuation of at least one of the characteristics in at least one of the first and second directions.

5. An image projection system according to claim 1, wherein each mirror can change angle in two orthogonal directions.

6. An image projection system according to claim 1, wherein each mirror includes a convex reflecting surface.

7. An image projection system according to claim 6, wherein the convexity of the reflecting surface is configured according to a desired dispersion angle of the mirror.

8. An image projection system according to claim 1, wherein each mirror reflects the radiation from the radiation source along a path such that a chief ray of the mirror is substantially coincident with a chief ray of a sensor.

9. An image projection system for presenting an image to a viewer, comprising:

a radiation source configured to generate radiation having a first spectral distribution and a first intensity at a first location on the radiation source and having a second spectral distribution and a second intensity at a second location on the radiation source;

multiple independently movable mirrors reflecting radiation from the radiation source to the viewer, wherein each mirror reflects radiation from the first location to the viewer when the mirror is in a first position and reflects radiation from the second location to the viewer when the mirror is in a second position; and

a control system connected to the mirrors and configured to independently move each mirror between the first position and the second position.

10. An image projection system according to claim 9, wherein:

the spectral distribution of the radiation varies in a first direction along the radiation source; and

the intensity of the radiation varies in a second direction along the radiation source.

11. An image projection system according to claim 10, wherein:

the first direction comprises a transverse direction along an arc; and

the second direction comprises a radial direction across the arc substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

12. An image projection system according to claim 9, wherein each mirror is rotatable around a first axis substantially perpendicular to a viewing angle and around a second axis substantially parallel to at least one of the first direction and the second direction.

13. An image projection system according to claim 9, wherein the radiation source comprises an attenuator disposed between the radiation source and the movable mirrors, wherein the attenuator provides a gradient of attenuation of the intensity of the radiation.

14. An image projection system according to claim 9, wherein each mirror includes a convex reflecting surface.

15. An image projection system according to claim 14, wherein the convexity of the reflecting surface is configured according to a desired dispersion angle of the mirror.

16. An image projection system according to claim 9, wherein each mirror reflects the radiation from the radiation source along a path such that a chief ray of the mirror is substantially coincident with a chief ray of a sensor.

17. A process for presenting an image to a viewer, comprising:

generating radiation at different spectral distributions and intensities at different locations on a radiation source; and

selectively reflecting radiation of different spectral distributions and intensities from the different locations on the radiation source to the viewer.

18. A process for presenting an image according to claim 17, wherein reflecting radiation from the different locations comprises moving multiple mirrors.

19. A process for presenting an image according to claim 18, wherein each mirror includes a convex reflecting surface.

20. A process for presenting an image according to claim 19, wherein the convexity of the reflecting surface is configured according to a desired dispersion angle of the mirror.

21. A process for presenting an infrared image according to claim 18, wherein moving multiple mirrors comprises moving the multiple mirrors in two directions, wherein the directions are orthogonal to each other.

22. A process for presenting an image according to claim 17, wherein generating the radiation comprises:

gradually varying the spectral distributions of the radiation in a transverse direction along an arc; and

gradually varying the intensities of the radiation in a radial direction across the arc.

23. A process for presenting an image according to claim 17, wherein generating the radiation comprises attenuating the radiation intensity along a spatial gradient.

24. A process for presenting an image according to claim 17, wherein selectively reflecting radiation comprises reflecting the radiation along a path such that a chief ray of the reflected radiation is substantially coincident with a chief ray of a sensor.