Apparatus for projecting a real image in space

• US 6,262,841 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PC Mirage LLC
• Original Assignee: Bruce D. Dike
• Inventors: Dike, Bruce D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Curtis, Craig
• Application Number:
  US09/198,176
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 353/20, 359/15, 359/483, 359/485, 359/487, 359/495, 359/497
• US Class Current: 359/485.02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/286 for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images

Abstract

An apparatus for projecting a real image in space (as opposed to a “real” image as opposed to a “virtual” or “infinity” image) and the elimination of unwanted “ghost” images achieved by providing a series of linear polarizers, quarter wave plate retarders, reflector/mirror elements, louvre film elements, and optical lenses in combination with a dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF) in alignment with a target to provide a real image at a predetermined location with respect to an observer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for projecting a real image in space comprising:

a. at least one linear polarizer;

b. a dual brightness enhancement film;

c. a partially silvered concave reflector; and

d. at least one quarter wave retarder.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a. the dual brightness enhancement film is a cylindrical section dual brightness enhancement film, and

b. the partially silvered concave reflector is a cylindrical section partially silvered concave reflector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a. a first linear polarizer is aligned parallel with the dual brightness enhancement film such that an axis intersecting both the first linear polarizer and the dual brightness enhancement film is perpendicular to both the first linear polarizer and the dual brightness enhancement film;

b. a first quarter wave retarder is aligned parallel with the dual brightness enhancement film and opposite the first linear polarizer;

c. the partially silvered concave reflector is aligned parallel with and concave toward the first quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the dual brightness film;

d. a second quarter wave retarder is aligned parallel with the partially silvered concave reflector and opposite the first quarter wave retarder; and

e. a second linear polarizer is aligned parallel with the second quarter wave retarder and opposite the partially silvered concave reflector.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a. a first linear polarizer is aligned with a first quarter wave retarder;

b. the partially silvered concave reflector is aligned with and convex toward the first quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the first linear polarizer;

c. a second quarter wave retarder is aligned with the partially silvered concave reflector and opposite the first quarter wave retarder;

d. the dual brightness enhancement film is aligned with the second quarter wave retarder and opposite the partially silvered concave reflector; and

e. a second linear polarizer is aligned with the dual brightness enhancement film and opposite the second quarter waver retarder.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a. the dual brightness enhancement film is aligned with a first quarter wave retarder;

b. the partially silvered concave reflector is aligned with and concave toward the first quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the dual brightness enhancement film;

c. a second quarter wave retarder is aligned with the partially silvered concave reflector and opposite the first quarter wave retarder; and

d. a linear polarizer is aligned with the second quarter wave retarder and opposite the partially silvered concave reflector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a louvre film.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

a. the louvre film is aligned with a first linear polarizer;

b. the dual brightness enhancement film is aligned with the first linear polarizer and opposite the louvre film;

c. a first quarter wave retarder is aligned with the dual brightness enhancement film and opposite the first linear polarizer;

d. the partially silvered concave reflector is not aligned with but is concave toward the first quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the dual brightness enhancement film;

e. a second quarter wave retarder is aligned with the partially silvered concave reflector and opposite the first quarter wave retarder; and

f. a second linear polarizer is aligned with the second quarter wave retarder and opposite the partially silvered concave reflector.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 comprising:

a. the louvre film is aligned with a first linear polarizer;

b. a first quarter wave retarder is aligned with the first linear polarizer and opposite the louvre film;

c. the partially silvered concave reflector is not aligned with but is convex toward the first quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the first linear polarizer;

d. a second quarter wave retarder is aligned with the partially silvered concave reflector and opposite the first quarter wave retarder;

e. the dual brightness enhancement film is aligned with the second quarter wave retarder and opposite the partially silvered concave reflector; and

f. a second linear polarizer is aligned with the dual brightness enhancement film and opposite the second quarter wave retarder.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a background image source.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

a. a first linear polarizer is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film;

b. a quarter wave retarder is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film and substantially perpendicular to the first linear polarizer;

c. the partially silvered concave reflector is aligned with and concave toward the quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the dual brightness enhancement film;

d. the background image source is aligned with the partially silvered concave reflector and opposite the quarter wave retarder; and

e. a second linear polarizer is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film, substantially perpendicular to the first linear polarizer and opposite the quarter wave retarder.

11. An apparatus for projecting a real image in space comprising:

a. at least one linear polarizer;

b. a dual brightness enhancement film;

c. a concave reflector; and

d. at least one quarter wave retarder.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

a. a first linear polarizer is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film;

b. a quarter wave retarder is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film and substantially perpendicular to the first linear polarizer;

c. the concave reflector is aligned with and concave toward the quarter wave retarder and opposite the dual brightness enhancement film; and

d. a second linear polarizer is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film, substantially perpendicular to the first linear polarizer, and opposite the quarter wave retarder.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a background image source.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

a. a first linear polarizer is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film;

b. a background image source is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film and opposite the first linear retarder;

c. a quarter wave retarder is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film and substantially perpendicular to the first linear polarizer;

d. the concave mirror is aligned with and concave toward the quarter wave retarder, and is opposite the dual brightness enhancement film; and

e. a second linear polarizer is oblique to the dual brightness enhancement film, substantially perpendicular to the first linear polarizer and opposite the quarter wave retarder.