Solid state 360 degree viewing system having a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that encircles the rotating real image in space and functions as a multi-color filter system

A 360.degree. viewing apparatus, comprising:

• means for creating an image;
• a pair of facing parabolic mirrors configured for projecting the image to create a real image in space;
• means for rotating the real image in space;
• and
• means for causing the real image in space to be viewed intermittently each revolution thereof by any one viewer about the 360.degree. viewing system, such that all viewers will see the same real image in space substantially simultaneously and continuously.

A 360.degree. viewing apparatus, comprising:

• a cathode ray tube for creating an image;
• an electronic image rotation system for electronically rotating the image on the cathode ray tube, the image rotation system including:
• a color processor circuit for separating red, green and blue signals contained in a composite video input signal,
• analog to digital conversion means for converting the red, green and blue signals from an analog to a digital format,
• random access memory means for storing digital red, green and blue image data,
• an output address generation circuit which selects data stored in the random access memory means according to an algorithm that creates a rotated video output signal from the stored image data such that an image recreated from the rotated video output signal will appear rotated from a stored image, and
• digital to analog conversion means for converting the digital red, green and blue image data to an analog format for input to the cathode ray tube;
• and
• an optical system for continuously projecting the image created on the cathode ray tube to form a real image in space, wherein rotation of the image on the cathode ray tube causes the real image in space to rotate in synchronization therewith and wherein the image rotation system electronically rotates the image on the cathode ray tube at a given number of revolutions per minute, such that a plurality of viewers surrounding the viewing apparatus will each see the real image in space a number of times every minute corresponding to the given number of revolutions per minute, the given number of revolutions per minute being sufficient to permit all viewers to see the same image substantially simultaneously and continuously.

A 360.degree. viewing apparatus, comprising:

• a cathode ray tube (CRT) for creating an image;
• first and second facing concave mirrored surfaces for projecting a real image in space that corresponds to the image created by the CRT;
• means for rotating the real image in space;
• a field sequential color generation system encircling the real image in space, the field sequential color generation system comprising a plurality of red filters, green filters and blue filters, the red filters being sequentially activated during a red cycle to define a viewing window through which the real image in space can be viewed, the green filters being sequentially activated during a green cycle to similarly define a viewing window, and the blue filters being sequentially activated during a blue cycle to define a viewing window, wherein the red, green and blue cycles alternately occur to continuously redefine the viewing window about the color generation system in synchronization with rotation of the real image in space such that the real image in space can be continuously viewed in color through the color generation system;
• and
• means for synchronizing the red, green and blue cycles with the rotation of the real image in space.

A method of presenting an image to an audience generally surrounding the image, such that all viewers see the same image substantially simultaneously, the steps comprising:

• providing an image;
• projecting the image to create a real image in space;
• rotating the real image in space at a given number of revolutions per minute;
• and
• presenting a window in a normally opaque shutter system surrounding the rotating real image in space, and rotating the window about the shutter system in synchronization with rotation of the real image such that the window is continually aligned with the rotating real image in space.

A method of presenting an image to an audience generally surrounding the image such that all viewers see the same image substantially simultaneously, the steps comprising:

• forming a black and white real image in space;
• rotating the real image in space;
• and
• presenting a transparent window in a normally opaque filter system surrounding the rotating real image in space, and rotating the window about the filter system in synchronization with rotation of the real image in space such that the window is continually aligned with the rotating real image in space.

A method of presenting an image to an audience generally surrounding the image such that all viewers see the same image substantially simultaneously, the steps comprising:

• intercepting light emanating from means for providing a televised image with a first concave mirrored surface;
• reflecting the light onto a second concave mirrored surface, thereby projecting the light to a point of convergence and forming a real image in space;
• and
• electronically rotating the televised image upon the means for providing said televised image such that the real image in space rotates a given number of revolutions per minute that is sufficient to permit all viewers to see the same image substantially simultaneously and continuously.

A method of presenting an image to an audience generally surrounding the image such that all viewers see the same image substantially simultaneously, the steps comprising:

• separating red, green and blue signals contained in a composite video input signal;
• storing the red, green and blue signals in a random access memory (RAM);
• selecting signal data stored in the RAM according to an algorithm that creates a rotated video output signal from the stored signal such that an image recreated from the rotated video output signal will appear to be rotated in comparison with a stored image;
• inputting red, green and blue signal data and the rotated video output signal to a cathode ray tube (CRT), thereby electronically rotating, in stepped increments, an image created by the CRT at a given number of revolutions per minute;
• and
• projecting the rotating image to create a real image in space rotating so rapidly that all viewers see the same real image in space substantially simultaneously and continuously.