Elumens Corporation

Alternate Realities Corporation

Topic Radio, Inc.

Raymond Leo Idaszak

Richard W Zobel, Jr

Suresh Balu

D'nardo Colucci

David Tracy Bennett

David M McConville

Dennis Kovach

D'Nardo Colucci

Edward Lee Bryan

Tim Fletcher

Eric Knisley

An optical projection system includes an image source that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180&#xb0;. The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly and an image relay lens assembly that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly and a wavefront shaping lens assembly. The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels. An optical projection system may also include two image sources that are configured to generate first and second arrays of image pixels and two lens assemblies that are configured to respectively project the first and second arrays of image pixels at projection angles that are greater than 180&#xb0; onto a surface in opposite directions of each other. The combination of the first and second arrays of image pixels may cover a continuous, 360&#xb0; portion of the hemispherical surface.

Methods and systems for projecting images at greater than 180 degrees

An optical projection system includes a first optical image projector that is configured to generate a first array of image pixels having a first pupil associated therewith. A second optical image projector is configured to generate a second array of image pixels having a second pupil associated therewith. An optical element is configured to superimpose the first and second pupils to create a single exit pupil.

Systems and methods for tiling multiple projectors to form an image

Display station and three-dimensional display ceiling

A visual workstation for use by a viewer includes a dome having an open front end and a truncated spherical inner dome surface. A work surface is disposed in front of and adjacent the dome front end. The work surface defines a viewer area on a side of the work surface opposite the dome. The viewer area is sized and configured to receive the viewer and is positioned relative to the spherical inner dome surface such that the viewer, when located in the viewer area, may view the spherical inner dome surface. A projector is disposed between the viewer area and the dome. The projector is operative to project a truncated spherical projection onto the inner dome surface.

Optical projection system including projection dome

A method and system for creating, using, and updating individual user voice portals in a multi-user environment is disclosed. Each user selects data sources, keywords and time intervals for searching the data sources, and grammar for accessing search results. Based on this information, an individual voice portal is created for the user. The requested information is extracted from the specified data sources and cached or stored in a database to increase extraction speed. The user accesses the individual voice portal using a unique identifier assigned to the user and the selected grammar. Because each user has a unique voice portal, the search space for software that interprets the grammar is decreased. As a result, the likelihood of misinterpretation and the time for extracting the requested information are decreased.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and providing access to end-user-definable voice portals

Image data is converted to nonplanar image data for display on a nonplanar display, using a planar image graphics computer system, such as an OpenGL&reg; system, which converts image data to planar image data for display on a planar display. A transformation matrix is obtained from the planar image graphics computer system. A plurality of vertices of the image data are multiplied by the obtained transformation matrix, to produce transformed image data. The transformed image data is nonplanarly distortion corrected to produce nonplanar image data. A passthrough transformation matrix, such as an identity matrix, is provided to the planar image graphics computer system. The nonplanar image data is then input to the planar image graphics computer system for further processing. The nonplanar image data which is processed by the planar image graphics computer system is then displayed on a nonplanar display. Accordingly, the image data is distortion corrected and manipulated as necessary, so that the distortion corrected image data can be applied to a standard planar image graphics computer system for image processing.

Systems, methods and computer program products for converting image data to nonplanar image data

A dual polarization optical projection system and method combines images from first and second image sources. The first image source includes a first array of image pixels wherein the first image source generates a first pixel image having a first polarization. The second image source includes a second array of image pixels wherein the second image source generates a second pixel image having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The first pixel image having the first polarization is combined with the second pixel image having the second polarization to form a combined pixel image. Each pixel of the combined pixel image corresponds to a combination of a first pixel from the first array of image pixels having the first polarization and a second pixel from the second array of image pixels having the second polarization.

Dual polarization optical projection systems and methods

Workstation

Image data is converted to nonplanar image data for display on a nonplanar display, using a planar image graphics computer system, such as an OpenGL.RTM. system, which converts image data to planar image data for display on a planar display. A transformation matrix is obtained from the planar image graphics computer system. A plurality of vertices of the image data are multiplied by the obtained transformation matrix, to produce transformed image data. The transformed image data is nonplanarly distortion corrected to produce nonplanar image data. A passthrough transformation matrix, such as an identity matrix, is provided to the planar image graphics computer system. The nonplanar image data is then input to the planar image graphics computer system for further processing. The nonplanar image data which is processed by the planar image graphics computer system is then displayed on a nonplanar display. Accordingly, the image data is distortion corrected and manipulated as necessary, so that the distortion corrected image data can be applied to a standard planar image graphics computer system for image processing.

Systems, methods and computer program products for converting image data

An array of image pixels is projected into a hemispherical projection having constant angular separation among adjacent image pixels, so that the array of image pixels may be projected onto hemispherical surfaces of varying radii without requiring spatial distortion correction of the array of image pixels. The array of pixels is preferably projected radially from the center of a dome onto a spherical inner surface of the dome. The hemispherical projection may be tilted so that the array of pixels is projected onto one of a plurality of selectable positions on the inner dome surface. The projection system preferably includes at least three collimating lenses having a common ratio of index of refraction to dispersion. The projection system projects an array of image pixels from the image source into a hemispherical surface at a projection angle of at least 160 degrees, notwithstanding that the lenses are separated from the image by a separation distance which is at least six times the image size. Accordingly, hemispherical optical projection systems and methods are provided which can work with domes of many sizes and varying audience configurations, and which do not require spatial correction or color correction of the hemispherical image to be projected.

Tiltable hemispherical optical projection systems and methods having

A multi-piece dome is constructed from a plurality of rigid panels and configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection on a truncated spherical inner surface. The inner view surface has a predetermined retroreflectivity. The multi-piece dome is lightweight, portable, self-supporting, and easily assembled, disassembled and transported from one location to another.

Growing community of inventors

Apex, NC, United States of America

Raymond Leo Idaszak