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US 10,241,344 B1Granted
Advanced retroreflecting aerial displays
AssigneeLooking Glass Factory, Inc.
InventorsShawn Frayne, Shiu Pong Lee, Tung Yiu Fok, Alexis Hornstein, Albert Hwang, Kyle Appelgate
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retroreflecting display that enables the formation of a real image in free space includes a first light source that generates a first light output; a first beam splitter module; and a retroreflector module opposite the first light source.
Claims24
A retroreflecting display comprising:
- a retroreflector module;
- a first beam splitter module;
- and
- a first volumetric light source, opposite the retroreflector module and comprising first and second light source layers;
- wherein the first light source layer is positioned a first distance from the retroreflector module and generates a first light output;
- wherein the first light source layer is at least partially transparent;
- wherein the second light source layer is positioned a second distance from the retroreflector module and generates a second light output;
- wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance;
- wherein the first light source layer transmits the first light output to the first beam splitter module;
- wherein the first beam splitter module splits the first light output into a first reflected component and a second transmitted component of the first light output;
- wherein the first beam splitter module transmits the second transmitted component to the retroreflector module;
- wherein the retroreflector module retroreflects the second transmitted component back to the first beam splitter module;
- wherein the first beam splitter module splits the second transmitted component into a third reflected component and a fourth transmitted component;
- wherein the third reflected component converges to a first visible real image in free space at a first plane of convergence;
- wherein the second light source layer transmits the second light output to the first beam splitter module and through the first light source layer;
- wherein the first beam splitter module splits the second light output into a first reflected component and a second transmitted component of the second light output;
- wherein the first beam splitter module transmits the second transmitted component to the retroreflector module;
- wherein the retroreflector module retroreflects the second transmitted component back to the first beam splitter module;
- wherein the first beam splitter module splits the second transmitted component into a third reflected component and a fourth transmitted component;
- wherein the third reflected component converges to a second visible real image in free space at a second plane of convergence.
17 more elements
A retroreflecting display comprising:
- a retroreflector module;
- a first volumetric light source, comprising first and second light source layers;
- wherein the first light source layer is positioned a first distance from the retroreflector module and generates a first light output;
- wherein the first light output has a first linear polarization;
- wherein the first light source layer is at least partially transparent;
- wherein the second light source layer is positioned a second distance from the retroreflector module and generates a second light output;
- wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance;
- wherein the second light output has a second linear polarization;
- a quarter waveplate coupled to the retroreflector module;
- and
- a reflective polarizer positioned between the first light source and a viewer of the display;
- wherein the first light source layer transmits the first light output to the reflective polarizer;
- wherein the reflective polarizer initially reflects the first light output to the quarter waveplate;
- wherein the quarter waveplate converts the first light output to a first circular polarization and transmits the first light output to the retroreflector module;
- wherein the retroreflector module reflects the first light output back to the quarter waveplate, converting the first light output to a second circular polarization orthogonal to the first circular polarization;
- wherein the quarter waveplate converts the first light output to a third linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization;
- wherein the reflective polarizer transmits the first light output and thereafter the first light output converges to a first visible real image in free space at a first plane of convergence;
- wherein the second light source layer transmits the second light output through the first light source layer and to the reflective polarizer;
- wherein the reflective polarizer initially reflects the second light output to the quarter waveplate;
- wherein the quarter waveplate converts the second light output to a third circular polarization and transmits the second light output to the retroreflector module;
- wherein the retroreflector module reflects the second light output back to the quarter waveplate, converting the second light output to a fourth circular polarization orthogonal to the third circular polarization;
- wherein the quarter waveplate converts the second light output to a fourth linear polarization orthogonal to the second linear polarization;
- wherein the reflective polarizer transmits the second light output and thereafter the second light output converges to a second visible real image in free space at a second plane of convergence.
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.