US4509837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real image projection device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-02-12
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Granted: 1985-04-09
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Expires: 2002-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An optical display device for creating the of an object out in space in front of the viewer. The device uses an illuminated object, with a transparent medium in the form of a prism or fluid placed between a beam splitter and a matrix of retroreflectors for deflecting the light rays from the illuminated object back toward the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Michiel Kassies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:38
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F19/125; G02; G02B; G02B30/00; G02B30/50; G02B30/56; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A symmetrical imaging device for projecting an image of an illuminated object at a preselected distance from said imaging device, said symmetrical imaging device comprising in combination: an illuminated object; a matrix of retroreflectors for deflecting light rays from said illuminated object impinging on said matrix of retroreflectors back toward the object in an opposite direction along a same light path as said rays travelled toward said retroreflectors; a beam splitter in said light path for projecting said image at a place other than said object; a transparent medium between said beam splitter and said matrix of retroreflectors having an index of refraction higher than that of air, for guiding said light rays along said light path from said object to said image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A symmetrical imaging device for projecting an image of an illuminated object at a preselected distance from said imaging device, said symmetrical imaging device comprising in combination: an illuminated object; a matrix of retroreflectors for deflecting light rays from said illuminated object impinging on said matrix of retroreflectors back toward the object in an opposite direction along a same light path as said rays travelled toward said retroreflectors; a beam splitter in said light path for projecting said image at a place other than said object; a transparent medium between said beam splitter and said matrix of retroreflectors having an index of refraction higher than that of air, for guiding said light rays along said light path from said object to said image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the transparent medium comprises a prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the transparent medium comprises a plurality of prisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the transparent medium comprises a fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said matrix of retroreflectors comprises triple mirror cube corners integral with said transparent medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said matrix of retroreflectors includes a curved surface to focus specular rays resulting from reflection at a medium-retroreflector matrix interface to infinity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said prisms include scrambler surfaces proximate to said object and said image viewing area for reducing the intensity of visible secondary images resulting from reflection at a medium-retroreflector matrix interface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR400182A
Cited
GB191119823A
Cited
US3014403A
Cited
US3090280A
Cited
US3567319A
Cited
US3692399A
Cited
US3744893A
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US4261657A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-08 | 1988-10-08 | 1989-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-08 | 1992-10-08 | 1993-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-08 | 1996-10-08 | 1997-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |