Apparatus for displaying a plurality of viewable images of an object

• US 5,726,806 A
• Filed: 07/25/1995
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Central Research Fund Limited
• Original Assignee: Central Research Fund Limited
• Inventors: Dobrusskin, Christoph, Holden, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US08/506,881
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/631, 359/632, 359/633, 359/634, 359/636, 359/638, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying an image comprises a) a retroreflective screen, b) a polarising beam-splitter making an oblique angle with the screen, c) a device for projecting light from an image or object toward the screen through the beam-splitter, and d) a partially reflective light transmissive sheet being provided at an oblique angle to the beam-splitter such that the sheet may be view through the beam-splitter. The apparatus may be used as a head up display in which real and virtual images in respective positions may be viewed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying an image of an object, comprising a beam-splitter positioned in a path of light from the object, and a direction selective screen positioned in the path of light from the object after transmission by the beam-splitter, characterized in hat the apparatus further comprises a partially reflective light-transmissive sheet positioned in the path of light from the object after reflection by the beam-splitter such that a plurality of viewable images are formed of the object.

2. A modification of the apparatus according to claim 1 in which the partially reflective light transmissive sheet is replaced by a mirror.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising a head-down display.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the direction-selective screen comprises a retroreflective material.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the direction-selective screen comprises a retroreflective material.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means for changing the sense of circular polarization of the light travelling towards the beam-splitter from one of right or left handedness to the other of said right or left handedness.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the polarization state of the light is carried in synchrony with a variation in the image being projected.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the polarization state of the light is varied at a frequency above a critical fusion frequency for the observer.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the viewable images are superimposed upon a scene viewed by an observer though at least one of he beam-splitter and the partially reflective light transmissive sheet.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 consisting a head- up or head-down display.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the direction-selective screen comprises a retroreflective material.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the beam-splitter is a polarisation splitter.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 further comprising means for changing the sense of circular polarisation of the light travelling towards the beam-splitter from one of right or left handedness to the other of said right or left handedness.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the polarization state of the light is varied in synchrony with a variation in the image being projected.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which the polarization state of the light is varied at a frequency above a critical fusion frequency for the observer.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which each of he plurality of images lies in a different plane.