USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

John Marez

Thomas E Phillips

John A Trias

Margie M Nicholson

Parviz Soltan

Waldo R Robinson

Randy Wyatt

An apparatus for displaying a multi-color pattern within a single device is shown and described. The apparatus utilizes an electrochromic light valve which comprises electrodes that cover a photoconductive layer and a two-dimensional plurality of electrochromic pixels. An insulating grid defines the electrochromic pixels in the multi-color display. Each electrochromic pixel has a conductive mirror onto which the electrochromic material is deposited. The electrochromic material and grid structure are covered by an electrolyte solution. Color selection for a given pixel is effected by applying a voltage pulse of controlled amplitude synchronized with a laser beam which illuminates the photoconductor associated with the addressed electrochromic pixel. The voltage applied when the laser beam addresses an electrochromic pixel determines the color of the pixel.

Apparatus for displaying a multi-color pattern

A three dimensional large screen liquid crystal projection display utilizes wo liquid crystal light valves in tandem to produce polarization-type stereoscopic images in a large screen display format. Each light valve, driven separately by video input derived either from live scenes or computer generated data, presents one view of a stereoscopic image pair. Using one projection lamp, one projection lens, and a polarizing beamsplitter cube, the two images are optically combined and projected simultaneously onto a non-depolarizing screen. The particular optical geometry used results in orthogonal linear polarizations for the two images, so they can be viewed stereoscopically using polaroid glasses with appropriately oriented polarizing axes.

Stereoscopic three dimensional large screen liquid crystal display

A more clearly defined image is projected onto a distant screen in real-time at video rates to allow for collective analysis of rapidly changing updated data. A laser has its coherent beam modulated in accordance with the images to be viewed. The modulated light beam is scanned across the surface of a liquid crystal light valve to stimulate a photosensor layer that impresses a replica voltage pattern on the bi-refringent liquid crystal. A high intensity projection light beam is reflected from the liquid crystal via a polarizing biprism and, consequently, is modulated by the bi-refringent liquid crystal so that a corresponding image is displayed on the screen. The controllable small spot diameter of the modulated laser beam is capable of greatly improving the resolution as it scans across the liquid crystal light valve. The hybrid field effect nematic liquid crystal layer, plus a direct creation of replica voltages by the impinging modulated coherent light, gives the system an instantaneous, truly real-time capability.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

John Marez