Apparatus and method for enhancement of image viewing by modulated illumination of a transparency
AssigneeDigivision, Inc.
InventorsSherman E. DeForest, Saied Benyamin, Richard G. Hier, Robert A. Kruger, Robert L. Power, Gregory W. Schmidt, William A. Schmidt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The human-eye viewing of an image on a transparency is enhanced by adaptively modulating illumination of the transparency with an unsharp, complementary representation of the image.
Claims10
An apparatus for enhanced viewing of a developed image on a transparency or the like, comprising:
- a first image plane for positioning an image-carrying transparency for visual observation;
- an image detector for receiving an image from a transparency at said first image plane and producing an image signal corresponding to said image;
- a second image plan in optical alignment with said first image plane;
- a light source means positioned with respect to said first and second image planes for projecting viewing light through said first and second image planes;
- an image processor connected to said image detector and responsive to said image signal for producing an unsharp representation of said developed image and an unsharp image signal corresponding to said unsharp representation;
- and
- a light modulator connected to said image processor and responsive to said unsharp image signal for generating at said second image plane a pattern of attenuation corresponding to said unsharp image.
A method for enhanced viewing of a developed image in a transparency or the like by means of a viewing device having a first and second image plane and means for projecting viewing light for viewing said image, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a transparency with a developed image at said first image plane;
- receiving light illuminating said transparency and generating an image signal corresponding to said developed image;
- projecting said viewing light through said first and second image planes;
- and
- while projecting said viewing light, and in response to said image signal, generating an optical attenuation pattern at said second image plane, said optical attenuation pattern being an unsharp complementary representation of said developed image.
A method for enhanced viewing of a developed image on a transparency or the like in an apparatus having an image plane for viewing said transparency and a means for projecting spatially uniform viewing light through said image plane, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a transparency with a developed image at said image plane;
- generating from said developed image an optical pattern corresponding to an unsharp representation of said developed image;
- and
- modulating the intensity of said viewing light with said optical attenuation pattern.
An apparatus for enhanced viewing of a developed image on a transparency, or the like, comprising:
- a viewing apparatus enclosure;
- a first image plane in said enclosure for positioning an image-carrying transparency for visual observation;
- a second image plane in optical alignment with said first image plane;
- a light source in said enclosure for projecting viewing light from within said enclosure through said first and second image planes for viewing an image on a transparency positioned at said first image plane;
- and
- modulation means responsive to illumination of said image for deriving a complementary, unsharp image representation of said image from said illumination and for intensity modulating said viewing light at said second image plane with said unsharp image representation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.