Stacked wave guide system providing depth and animation

A display system adapted to display images with animation and depth, comprising:

• a light source;
• a first layer optically coupled to the light source to receive and trap via TIR first output light from the light source;
• and
• a second layer stacked upon the first layer and optically coupled to the light source to receive and trap via TIR second output light from the light source,
• wherein the first and second layers each comprises at least first and second segments optically separated and configured to independently receive portions of the first and second output light, and
• wherein each of the segments includes etched graphics upon a surface of a body of the segment, whereby light is output from the segments via the etched graphics to display an image with depth to a viewer in a viewing space.

A display system adapted to display images with animation and depth, comprising:

• a programmable light source operating in response to control signals to output light;
• a first layer with an edge optically coupled to the programmable light source, whereby a first portion of the output light is trapped in the layer with total internal reflection (TIR), wherein the first layer is divided into first and second baffled segments, wherein a first optical barrier is inserted between the first and second baffled segments, and wherein a first display area is provided on the first baffled segment and a second display area is provided on the second baffled segment, the first and second display areas being configured to enable the first portion of the output light trapped via TIR to be emitted from the first layer;
• and
• a second layer with an edge optically coupled to the programmable light source, whereby a second portion of the output light is trapped in the layer with TIR, wherein the second layer is divided into third and fourth baffled segments, wherein a second optical barrier is inserted between the third and fourth baffled segments, and wherein a third display area is provided on the third baffled segment and a fourth display area is provided on the fourth baffled segment, the third and fourth display areas being configured to enable the second portion of the output light trapped via TIR to be emitted from the second layer toward the first layer.