Infitec

Infitec GmbH
Founded 2002
Headquarters Gerstetten, (Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Key people
 Helmut Jorke (managing director), Markus Fritz (managing director)
Products Components for 3D projection systems
Number of employees
 24 (2016)[1]
Website infitec.net

Infitec GmbH is a family-owned company based in Gerstetten (District of Heidenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) that develops, produces and markets products for the projection of 3D contents. The registered name INFITEC is an acronym of Interference Filter Technology, which was invented and patented by the founder of the company, Helmut Jorke.

Background

The INFITEC® or Wavelength Multiplex Technology (WMT) is based on the fact that the visible light spectrum can be divided into different wavelength ranges using steep-edged optical filters. Some of these wavelength ranges are presented to the left eye, the others to the right eye. By an appropriate design of the transmission spectra of the filters it can be ensured that both eyes are reached by wavelengths in the red, green, and blue range of the visible light, so both eyes will see a fully colored image.[2] Such multi-bandpass optical filters can currently be made only as so called interference filters. The WMT requires filters for the glasses as well as for the projectors (except laser projectors). The INFITEC method is described in more detail in the corresponding article.

History

Previous history

INFITEC GmbH emerged from a research project at the former DaimlerChrysler research center in Ulm (Germany). In this project it was studied under the name of wavelength multiplex visualization system, whether a new technical approach was suitable for an improved and functionally enhanced imaging in virtual reality systems. For the resulting technology based on interference filters the brand INFITEC® was registered.

Foundation

In 2002 Helmut Jorke founded his own start-up enterprise called INFITEC GmbH.[1] The aim was the utilization and further development of the INFITEC method. The head office was located in Ulm at that time.

Cooperation with Barco N.V.

The single-projector solution with INFITEC 3D filter wheel was developed in 2004 by the Belgian company Barco. The relevant patents by Barco were purchased by INFITEC GmbH in 2010.

Cooperation with Dolby Inc.

In 2006 the WMT was licensed to the American company Dolby Laboratories, Inc. for digital cinema. Since that time it is applied under the name Dolby 3D. As Dolby uses different wavelength ranges than INFITEC, Dolby glasses are not compatible with projectors equipped with INFITEC® filters, and vice versa.

New filter generation

In 2011 INFITEC introduced a new generation of filters under the designation Excellence in 3D®. By a new design of the transmission bands of the filters a balanced color impression for both eyes is achieved.[3][4] Before, an elaborate color correction was needed for both stereoscopic channels that partially required special video processors. Now, if necessary at all, the simple color adjustment included in many projectors is sufficient.

Operating establishments

In 2010 the production of 3D glasses as well as the administration was relocated from Ulm to Gerstetten (District of Heidenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Since 2013 INFITEC GmbH runs a sales office in the US. In 2014 INFITEC GmbH acquired a 50% share of VisionOptics GmbH in Chemnitz (Saxony, Germany). The headquarters, the sales department, and the research and development department of INFITEC GmbH moved from Ulm to Gerstetten in 2015.

Business activity

INFITEC GmbH develops, manufactures and markets interference filters for 3D projection technology and glasses fitted with these filters. In some cases the retrofitting of filters to projectors is done as well. INFITEC GmbH is internationally active regarding purchase and sales. The INFITEC GmbH holds all patents and licensing rights (aside from the cinema market held by Dolby Inc.) from simulation in industry and research institutes, planetariums and museums, to large venue events, theme parks, and home cinema solutions.

References

  1. 1 2 personal communication with Helmut Jorke
  2. ↑ H. Jorke and M. Fritz, Stereo Projection Using Interference Filters, Proc. of SPIE-IS&T Electronic Imaging, SPIE Vol. 6055, 60550G (2006)
  3. ↑ Simon, Arnold and Jorke, Helmut, 25.1: Interference Filter System for High-Brightness and Natural-Color Stereoscopic Imaging, SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, 42, p. 317 - 319, (2011)
  4. ↑ H. Jorke and A. Simon, New high efficiency interference filter characteristics for stereoscopic imaging, Proc. SPIE 8288, Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XXIII, 82881D (28 February 2012)

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.