US5037166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Holographic optical element for instrument panel displays
Assignee: MALTECH RESEARCH Corp A CORP OF CANADA
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Filing: 1989-01-13
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2009-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A holographic optical system includes a hologram which is located at an instrument panel so as to reflect or transmit an image from a source located off the panel. The image is redirected only to an area at which the viewer may observe the image and is not directed to other areas so as to prevent unwanted reflections and glare such as where the instrument panel is within an aircraft cockpit.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Malcolm
- 👤 Frank Neuperger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; G02B27/0103; B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/20; B60K35/21; B60K35/215; G02B2027/0105; G02B2027/0107; G02B2027/0109; G02B2027/0118; G02B2027/012; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A holographic optical system for use with an instrument panel, the holographic optical system comprising: (a) a hologram positioned so as to redirect an image generated at a place other than the instrument panel, the hologram being formed to act in the manner of a diffuser and such that the viewing window of the redirected image is controlled so as to prevent light from the hologram from shining towards regions other than a region to be occupied by the viewer's head; and (b) means for producing an image at a position away from the instrument panel and for projecting and focusing the image onto the hologram.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A holographic optical system for use with an instrument panel, the holographic optical system comprising: (a) a hologram positioned so as to redirect an image generated at a place other than the instrument panel, the hologram being formed to act in the manner of a diffuser and such that the viewing window of the redirected image is controlled so as to prevent light from the hologram from shining towards regions other than a region to be occupied by the viewer's head; and (b) means for producing an image at a position away from the instrument panel and for projecting and focusing the image onto the hologram.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein the hologram is superimposed with and positioned on or adjacent an existing instrument of an instrument panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The holographic optical system of claim 2 wherein the hologram has holes cut into it through which project mechanical features of the instrument panel such as knobs, keys and switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The holographic optical system of claim 3 wherein portions of the features which protrude through the hologram are themselves covered with holograms having substantially the same function as the background hologram.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein the image is redirected to transmit through the hologram to the side of the instrument panel opposite the means for producing, projecting and focusing an image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein the means for producing and projecting and focusing the image includes a cathode ray tube located remote from the instrument panel and facing generally towards said panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The holographic optical system of claim 6 wherein the means for producing and projecting and focusing the image includes a relay lens receiving light from the cathode ray tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein the hologram is formed directly onto a sheet of clear material such as plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein the hologram is formed of a number of smaller holograms, each one directed so as to redirect the image toward the viewer's eyes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of holograms and an equal plurality of means for producing, projecting and focusing images, each of the holograms producing an image dissimilar and independent of the other holograms and having a corresponding means for producing, projecting and focusing that image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The holographic optical system of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of holograms and an equal plurality of means for producing, projecting and focusing images, each of the holograms producing identical images and having a corresponding means for producing and projecting that image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The holographic optical system of claim 11 wherein the plurality of images are in alignment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
The holographic optical system of claim 11 further including a pair of controllable light gates wherein a viewer of the image produced away from the instrument panel has a light gate in front of each eye which alternates phases between opaque and clear so that when one gate is opaque the other gate is clear and vice versa, and wherein the plurality of means for producing and projecting images is synchronized with the alternation of phases of the gates so that during the clear phase of each gate the holographic optical system produces an image appropriate to the particular eye behind that gate to create stereopsis.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of generating an image for use with an instrument panel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) producing an image at a position away from the instrument panel; (b) projecting and focusing the image onto a hologram at the instrument panel; (c) redirecting the image with the hologram to a viewing window located at a place other than the instrument panel so as to prevent light from shining towards regions other than a region to be occupied by the viewer's head.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of generating an image for use with an instrument panel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) producing an image at a position away from the instrument panel; (b) projecting and focusing the image onto a hologram at the instrument panel; (c) redirecting the image with the hologram to a viewing window located at a place other than the instrument panel so as to prevent light from shining towards regions other than a region to be occupied by the viewer's head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of redirecting the image is accomplished by transmitting through the hologram with the hologram being formed to transmit the light of the image in a direction off axis from the direction in which the light of the image was projected onto the hologram.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of redirecting the image is accomplished by reflecting off of the hologram.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the hologram is superimposed with and positioned on or adjacent an existing instrument of the instrument panel.
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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) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |