Optical display system and method, active and passive dithering using birefringence, color image superpositioning and display enhancement with phase coordinated polarization switching

A display apparatus in which light from a light source illuminates a display to provide an image, characterized in that

• the intensity of the light illuminating the display is controlled to adjust image brightness, and further characterized in that a computer control responds to the brightness information for the displayed image and controls the light source output without having to change the number of pixels used to transmit light to obtain images of respective brightness and/or color.

A method of improving dynamic range and/or definition of a passive display operable in response to a video signal in combination with an illuminating light source to display an image, the illuminating light source being capable of modulation, comprising sampling the video signal for image brightness information based on pixel information content;

• adjusting the video signal for optimum definition and contrast;
• and adjusting the intensity of the illuminating light source for optimum brightness all in synchronization with the display.

A display system including a display for modulating light from an illuminating source in response to a signal to provide a displayed image, the illuminating source being capable of modulation, comprising means for sampling the signal for image brightness information based on pixel information content, means for modifying the signal to optimize contrast and definition in the image, and means for adjusting the illuminating source to set the brightness of the display in synchronization with the presentation of the image.

A display system comprising a display for modulating light from an illuminating source in response to a signal to provide a displayed image, wherein the illuminating source is capable of modulation, a sampling device sampling the signal for image brightness information based on pixel information content, a circuit modifying the signal to optimize contrast and definition in the image, and adjusting device operable to adjust the illuminating source to set the brightness of the display in synchronization with the presentation of the image.

A display system comprising a display for modulating illuminating light from an illuminating source in response to an input signal having pixel information content to provide a displayed image, wherein the illuminating source is capable of independently modulating both color and intensity, and further comprising means for changing the color and intensity of the illuminating light;

• and means for sampling and modifying the input signal to optimize the color, resolution and contrast of the presented image simultaneously with changing the light source color and intensity.

A display system comprising a display for modulating illuminating light from an illuminating source in response to an input signal having pixel information content to provide a displayed image, wherein the illuminating source is capable of independently modulating both color and intensity, and further comprising a control to change the color and intensity of the illuminating light;

• and sampling and modifying circuitry to sample and modify the input signal to optimize the color, resolution and contrast of the presented image simultaneously with changing the light source color and intensity.

A method of improving dynamic range and/or resolution of a passive display operable in response to a video signal in combination with an illuminating light source to display an image, the illuminating light source being capable of modulation, characterized in sampling the video signal for image brightness information;

• adjusting the video signal for improved resolution and contrast;
• and adjusting the intensity of the illuminating light source based on pixel information content for improved brightness all in synchronization with the display.

A display system including a display for modulating light from an illuminating source in response to a signal to provide a displayed image, the illuminating source being capable of modulation, characterized in comprising means for sampling the signal for image brightness information, means for modifying the signal to improve contrast and resolution in the image, and means for adjusting the illuminating source based on pixel information content to set the brightness of the display in synchronization with the presentation of the image.

A display apparatus in which light from a light source illuminates a display to provide an image, characterized in that

• the intensity of the light illuminating the display is controlled to adjust image brightness, and further characterized in that a computer control responds to the brightness information for the displayed image and controls the light source output without having to change the number of pixels used to transmit light to obtain images of respective brightness.