Semi-transparent graphic window for a real imaging system

• US 6,650,470 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optical Products Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: Optical Products Development Corporation
• Inventors: Westort, Kenneth S., Robinson, Douglas L., Turner, Randolph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mahoney, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/147,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20030214711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 359/443, 359/447, 359/478, 359/448, 359/471, 359/460, 353/10, 353/28, 348/44, 352/86
• US Class Current: 359/443
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images

Abstract

A photo-screen device for a real image projection system includes a transparent or semi-transparent material having a fixed or static image applied to the surface thereof, wherein the photo-screen is positioned so as to intersect a real image beampath of the real image projection device. In an alternative embodiment, a method for producing a photo-screen device for a real image projection system includes the steps of printing colors thereon in reverse order and positioning the photo-screen such that the non-printed side faces a viewer of the real image.

Claims

1. A photo-screen device for a real image projection system, comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material having a fixed or static image applied to the surface thereof, wherein said photo-screen is positioned so as to intersect a real image beampath of said real image projection system, and wherein said real image beampath passes through said photo-screen and forms a real image floating in space in front of said projection system.

2. The photo-screen device of claim 1, wherein said transparent or semi-transparent material comprises glass, acrylic, Mylar or any other transparent or semi-transparent material.

3. The photo-screen device of claim 1, wherein a semi-transparent surface is achieved by creating small holes in a surface of said material, and printing a graphic across said surface.

4. The photo-screen device of claim 1, wherein an image is applied to a surface of said transparent or semi-transparent material in an alternating, fully or partially transparent or opaque pattern.

5. The photo-screen device of claim 4, wherein said pattern comprises random shapes and/or sizes, arranged in either a uniform or random pattern, wherein said pattern includes substantially uniform areas of clear transparent surface for light transmission distributed over said surface.

6. The photo-screen device of claim 4, wherein said pattern comprises dots forming a printed graphic or picture, and areas between said dots are clear.

7. The photo-screen device of claim 6, wherein said dots are between 0.005″

in diameter and 0.050″

in diameter, or of equivalent area when non-round dots are used.

8. The photo-screen device of claim 6, wherein said dots are substantially uniformly spaced, such that a printed area is between about 30% and 70% of a total area of said surface, depending upon the application and required brightness of said real image.

9. The photo-screen device of claim 8, wherein a ratio of printed area to clear area is about 1:

1.

10. The photo-screen device of claim 6, wherein said pattern comprises alternate rows of dots offset horizontally, so that a vertical pattern of dots is not in a straight line, such that the chance of creating a light interference pattern or banding visible in said real image is reduced.

11. The photo-screen device of claim 4, wherein said pattern comprises dots containing a clear area, and areas between said dots form a printed graphic or picture.

12. The photo-screen device of claim 11, wherein said dots are between 0.005″

in diameter and 0.050″

in diameter, or of equivalent area when non-round dots are used.

13. The photo-screen device of claim 11, wherein said dots are substantially uniformly spaced, such that a printed area is between about 30% and 70% of a total area of said surface, depending upon the application and required brightness of said real image.

14. The photo-screen device of claim 13, wherein a ratio of printed area to clear area is about 1:

1.

15. The photo-screen device of claim 11, wherein said pattern comprises alternate rows of dots offset horizontally, so that a vertical pattern of dots is not in a straight line, such that the chance of creating a light interference pattern or banding visible in said real image is reduced.

16. The photo-screen device of claim 4, wherein said image is applied to said surface of said transparent or semi-transparent material using a thermal jet printer, inkjet printer, silk screen or any other method that maintains registration or alignment of dots as various color layers are applied.

17. A method for producing a photo-screen device for a real image projection system, comprising the steps of printing colors thereon in reverse order and positioning said photo-screen such that the non-printed side faces a viewer of said real image.