Holographic information display for exterior vehicle application

• US 5,724,161 A
• Filed: 09/29/1995
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Ronald T., Pyburn, Robert Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, Paul M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren E.
• Application Number:
  US08/537,176
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 359/1, 359/13, 359/14, 359/15, 359/32, 359/34, 359/22, 359/24, 40/596, 40/124.1, 40/616, 40/541, 40/547
• US Class Current: 359/13
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0103 comprising holographic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/22 Processes or apparatus for obtaining an optical image from holograms G03H1/26 - G03H1/34 take precedence

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a decal disposed on an interior surface of a window and a light source for projecting light onto the to display an image outside of the vehicle. The decal comprises a protective layer having a hologram layer disposed thereon that is designed to transmit a holographic image in a predetermined viewing direction. An opaque and clear mask layer into which an icon is incorporated may be secured to the hologram layer to provide a two-dimensional image. The hologram layer is illuminated by sunlight, skylight, or a light source and projects an image to a viewer at a predefined direction. During the day, the icon is viewable because light transmits through the clear portions of the mask layer is clear, and is blocked by opaque portions of the mask layer that define the icon. At night, the decal is illuminated by light from a light source 18, or an exterior or ambient light source to produce an image viewable by the observer. The decal may be designed to direct diffracted light to specific areas where viewability is desired, thereby creating images that are brighter to observers than may normally be achieved.

Claims

1. Holographic apparatus for displaying information to an observer, said apparatus comprising:

a decal comprising;

a protective layer;

a hologram comprising a transmission hologram layer secured to the protective layer that contains a holographic image that is projected in a predetermined viewing direction when illuminated; and

an opaque and clear mask layer into which an icon is incorporated; and

a light source for illuminating the transmission hologram layer to project the holographic image to an observer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hologram comprises a transmission hologram layer and a reflection hologram layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decal further comprises a second transmission hologram layer that is designed to transmit a second holographic image in a second predetermined viewing direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decal further comprises a reflection hologram layer that is designed to project a second holographic image in a second predetermined viewing direction.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is disposed within a vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the hologram.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decal is disposed on a surface of a window, and wherein the light source comprises a prism secured to the window, and a light source for projecting light through the prism and into the window, which light is internally reflected by the window onto the transmission hologram layer to project the holographic image.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decal is disposed on a surface of a window, and wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode for providing light and a plurality of optical fibers coupled between the light emitting diode and an edge of the decal for coupling light from the diode to the transmission hologram layer to project the holographic image.

8. Holographic apparatus for displaying information to an observer outside of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a decal disposed on an interior surface of a window of the vehicle, said decal comprising;

a protective plastic layer;

a hologram comprising a transmission hologram layer secured to the protective plastic layer that contains a holographic image that is projected in a predetermined viewing direction when illuminated; and

an opaque and clear mask layer into which an icon is incorporated; and

a light source for illuminating the transmission hologram layer to project a holographic image outside of the vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the decal further comprises a reflection hologram layer that is designed to project a second holographic image in a second predetermined viewing direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hologram comprises a transmission hologram layer and a reflection hologram layer.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the decal further comprises a second transmission hologram layer that is designed to transmit a second holographic image in a second predetermined viewing direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the decal further comprises a reflection hologram layer that is designed to transmit a second holographic image in a second predetermined viewing direction.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the light source is disposed within the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the hologram.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the light source comprises:

a prism secured to the window; and

a light source for projecting light through the prism and into the window, which light is internally reflected by the window onto the transmission hologram layer to project the holographic image.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the light source comprises:

a light source for providing light; and

a plurality of optical fibers coupled between the light emitting diode and an edge of the decal for coupling light from the light source to the transmission hologram layer to project the holographic image.