Patent EP0460873A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0460873A1
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EP
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Apparatus for displaying an image
Assignee: EMI Group Ltd
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Filing: 1991-05-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system for the generation of an apparent three-dimensional (3-D) image suspended in space (19) for direct viewing (21) includes a beamsplitter (7) and a retroreflector (5a, 5b). The optical properties of reflecting light back along its original path enable the system to generate such an apparent 3-D image (21) based on the perception of depth cues present in the original scene (3) for viewing.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian Alexander Shanks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/50; G02B30/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
Apparatus for displaying an apparent three-dimensional image of an object or original image, the apparatus comprising; at least one array of retroreflectors and at least one beamsplitter, arranged to produce from the object or original image, a real image suspended in space for viewing as the apparent three-dimensional image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the retroreflector is in the form of a material having an array of corner cubes formed as protrusions or depressions on a major surface of the material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the array of retroreflectors is in the form of a sheet of beads or microlenses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the beamsplitter is in the form of a semi-reflective mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the beamsplitter is in the form of a polarisation splitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the polarisation splitter includes dichroic cholesteric or smectic liquid crystals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including louvre means arranged such that the object or original image may not be viewed directly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including at least one plane mirror arranged for increasing the viewing angle associated with the image suspended in space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein first and second arrays of retroreflectors are arranged to meet at respective ends thereof oriented substantially orthogonal to each other, and one beamsplitter is arranged in between the retroreflectors and at substantially 45° to each retroreflector; such that the object or original image for view is situated substantially orthogonal to the first retroreflector, and the apparent three-dimensional image is viewed from a position substantially orthogonal to the second retroreflector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further including a circular polarising means and wherein the at least one array of retroreflectors is half-silvered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the circular polarising means is arranged directly between the object or original image and a half-silvered retroreflector; such that light from the object or original image which passes through the half-silvered retroreflector is circularly polarised and arranged to impinge upon the polarisation splitter thereby to effect reflection of polarised light of a first circular sense and transmit polarised light of a second circular sense for viewing as the apparent three dimensional image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the object or original image comprises a television display system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein signals applied to the television system include video and/or computer-generated signals.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for displaying an apparent three-dimensional image of an object or original object or image, the method comprising; projecting light beams from the original image via at least one beamsplitter so as to strike at least one retroreflective array, and reforming retroreflected light beams thereby to form a real image suspended in space for viewing as the apparent three-dimensional image.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for displaying an apparent three-dimensional image of an object or original object or image, the method comprising; projecting light beams from the original image via a circular polarising means and a half-silvered retroreflector so as to impinge upon a polarisation-splitting means thereby to effect reflection of polarised light beams of a first circular sens and transmit polarised light of a second circular sense for viewing as the apparent three-dimensional image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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