Masked image projection system and method

A display apparatus for displaying projected images to a user, said apparatus comprising:

• a viewing station adapted to support the user such that an eye of the user at a point in time is at an eyepoint in a predetermined viewing volume of possible eyepoints of the user at said viewing station;
• first and second projection screen portions facing the eyepoint, the first projection screen portion having therein an aperture;
• said first projector projecting an image on the second projection screen portion;
• a mask supported between the aperture and the viewing station, said mask being configured so that the mask covers any part of a last lens surface of the first projector viewable through the aperture from any eyepoint in the viewing volume;
• said mask having a surface generally facing the second projector;
• and
• said second projector projecting light on said first screen portion and said surface of said mask so as to form a second image thereon that is visible to the user.

A method of displaying an image to a user seeing from an eyepoint at a viewing station, said method comprising:

• providing a projection screen portion generally facing said user, and a projector adjacent a wall structure having an aperture therein;
• generating an electrical signal defining an image and transmitting said electrical signal to the projector so as to cause the projector to project light corresponding to said image through said aperture and against said projection screen portion so as to form said image thereon so as to be viewed by the user;
• and
• blocking with a mask supported in or adjacent the projector a portion of said light that is scattered from a last lens surface of the projector and is traveling so as to strike the eyepoint of the user while permitting said light of said image to proceed without obstruction to said projection screen.