Rotating optical display system
First Claim
1. A rotating optical display system comprising:
- a line array of point light sources having a predetermined spacing between successive light sources;
a rotating mirror subassembly for directing light from said point light sources toward at least one viewing station, said mirror subassembly including a mirror which is flat with reflecting surfaces on both sides, said mirror subassembly having a predetermined axis of rotation;
said mirror subassembly being oriented to direct light from said light sources at a predetermined angle toward said viewing station from one side of said mirror;
said mirror having one end mounted off center from the axis of rotation of said mirror subassembly to direct light sources to said viewing station in a direction slightly shifted from said predetermined angle by an increment less than the spacing between said point light source;
whereby the images received at said viewing station at successive intervals of time are interleaved to provide an image with increased resolution in the direction of said line of point sources;
said system including first and second viewing stations; and
circuitry for energizing said line of point sources to provide a first image to said first viewing station, and a second different image to said second viewing station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical display system includes a point light source or a linear array of point light sources, and a rotating optical subassembly for directing light from said source or sources to at least one viewing station. Resolution may be increased by providing alternate images which are slightly offset from one another, using mirror surfaces at slightly different angles, or using cylindrical lenses with small angle prisms associated with the optical paths. Cross-polarized polarizing layers may also be employed to provide successive images for 3D imaging. Two viewing stations may be provided, along with circuitry for energizing the light source to provide different images at the two viewing stations.
17 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A rotating optical display system comprising:
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a line array of point light sources having a predetermined spacing between successive light sources;
a rotating mirror subassembly for directing light from said point light sources toward at least one viewing station, said mirror subassembly including a mirror which is flat with reflecting surfaces on both sides, said mirror subassembly having a predetermined axis of rotation;
said mirror subassembly being oriented to direct light from said light sources at a predetermined angle toward said viewing station from one side of said mirror;
said mirror having one end mounted off center from the axis of rotation of said mirror subassembly to direct light sources to said viewing station in a direction slightly shifted from said predetermined angle by an increment less than the spacing between said point light source;
whereby the images received at said viewing station at successive intervals of time are interleaved to provide an image with increased resolution in the direction of said line of point sources;
said system including first and second viewing stations; and
circuitry for energizing said line of point sources to provide a first image to said first viewing station, and a second different image to said second viewing station. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A rotating optical display system comprising:
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a line array of point light sources having a predetermined spacing between successive light sources;
a rotating mirror subassembly for directing light from said point light sources toward at least one viewing station, said mirror subassembly including a mirror which is flat with reflecting surfaces on both sides, said mirror subassembly having a predetermined axis of rotation;
said mirror subassembly being oriented to direct light from said light sources at a predetermined angle toward said viewing station from one side of said mirror; and
said mirror having one end mounted off center from the axis of rotation of said mirror subassembly to direct light sources to said viewing station in a direction slightly shifted from said predetermined angle by an increment less than the spacing between said point light source;
whereby the images received at said viewing station at successive intervals of time are interleaved to provide an image with increased resolution in the direction of said line of point sources. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A rotating optical display system comprising:
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a line of point light sources having a predetermined spacing between successive light sources;
a rotating optical subassembly for directing light from said point light sources toward at least one viewing station;
a first optical light directing portion of said subassembly for directing light from said light sources at a predetermined angle toward said viewing station; and
a second light directing portion of said subassembly for directing light from said light sources to said viewing station in a direction slightly shifted from said predetermined angle by an increment less than the spacing between said point light sources;
whereby the images received at said viewing station at successive intervals of time are interleaved to provide an image with increased resolution in the direction of said line of point sources. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A rotating optical display system comprising:
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a line of point light sources having a predetermined spacing between successive light sources;
a rotating optical subassembly for directing light form said point light sources toward at least one viewing station;
a first optical light directing portion of said subassembly for directing light from said light sources with a predetermined orientation toward said viewing station; and
a second light directing portion of said subassembly for directing light from said light sources to said viewing station with an orientation shifted from said predetermined orientation;
whereby the images received at said viewing station at successive intervals of time are interleaved to provide enhanced images. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26)
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16. A rotating optical display system comprising:
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at least one point light source;
a rotating optical subassembly for directing light from said point light source toward at least one viewing station;
a first optical light directing portion of said subassembly for directing light from said light sources with a predetermined orientation toward said viewing station; and
a second light directing portion of said subassembly for directing light from said light source to said viewing station with an orientation shifted from said predetermined orientation to provide an improved image;
whereby the images received at said viewing station at successive intervals of time are interleaved to proved enhanced images.
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23. A rotating optical display system comprising:
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at least one point light source;
a rotating optical subassembly for directing light from said light source toward first and second angularly displaced viewing stations; and
circuitry for energizing said light source to provide a first image to said first viewing station, and a second different image to said second viewing station.
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Specification