Optics: image projectors – Composite projected image
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-16
2001-06-19
Dowling, William (Department: 2851)
Optics: image projectors
Composite projected image
C353S079000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247815
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a work desk, such as a computer workstation, having a high resolution panoramic display comprised of one or more images edge blended together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer displays are typically limited to workstations with a high resolution monitor. The typical resolution of the monitor is scaled such that it displays a maximum number of pixels that fit within the ergonomics of the human visual system when witnessed at a typical viewing distance, usually under two feet from the eye of the workstation operator. In numeric terms, these monitor displays for high quality images are often 1280×1024 pixels. There are monitors with fewer (e.g., 1024×768) and monitors with more pixels, the largest practical commercial units having 1920×1080 and 1600×1200 pixel displays. In size, the scale of the monitors and their comfortable viewing distance creates images on the retina of the operator of between 20 and 35 degrees.
While providing ample display resolution for many applications, existing monitors suffer from the disadvantage that their ultimate surface area, also known as visual real estate, is fixed. The present invention substantially eliminates this and other limitations of fixed resolution monitors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is therefore provided according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compact and ergonomic computer workstation with a high resolution, wide angle projected display. In an exemplary embodiment, the workstation generally resembles a desk with a deep surface spaced apart from a large projection screen. The desk section of the workstation includes a work area that is preferably shallow and wide with enough surface to accommodate computer input devices and work tools. The projection/display section of the workstation preferably includes a self contained projection module consisting of a frame and submodules of projectors, stands, integral mirrors and coordinating mounting hardware that position a group of projectors below the eye line and direct the light output to a front viewing screen. The frame creates a housing for the image source and the projection apparatus that is mechanically isolated from the desk section so that forceful action taken to the desk will not be transmitted to the display section.
To use the workstation, the operator sits or stands at the desk facing the large display screen, typically positioned several feet in front of her. Between the desk and screen, the projection hardware directs the light from several projection devices in a front-surface projection display. Images are overlapped and blended using known edge blending techniques to create a computer viewing and control workstation with a large, high resolution panoramic display that may be comfortably viewed by an individual or several people at the same time. With typically 2.5 or more times the resolution or pixel count of a single monitor display, this form of computer display allows the operator to assemble more visual elements on screen, open more windows, have more programs running and see more in a single image.
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Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Dowling William
Metavision Corporation
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