Abstract: An optical system that projects a real image to a location in free space and includes one or more features located along the optical path that enhance the viewability of the real image. The optical system includes a converging element for converging a portion of source light so as to form the real image. One viewability-enhancing features is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing features is the use of polarizing elements having substantially matched bandwidth responses and/or comprising an achromatic design. An additional viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a wide-view film to increase the viewing angle of the image.

Abstract: An optical system that projects a real image to a location in free space and includes one or more features located along the optical path that enhance the viewability of the real image. The optical system includes a converging element for converging a portion of source light so as to form the real image. One viewability-enhancing features is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing features is the use of polarizing elements having substantially matched bandwidth responses and/or comprising an achromatic design. An additional viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a wide-view film to increase the viewing angle of the image.

Abstract: An optical system that projects a real image to a location in free space and includes one or more features located along the optical path that enhance the viewability of the real image. The optical system includes a converging element for converging a portion of source light so as to form the real image. One viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing feature is the use of polarizing elements having substantially matched bandwidth responses and/or comprising an achromatic design. An additional viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a wide-view film to increase the viewing angle of the image.

Abstract: An optical system that projects a real image to a location in free space and includes one or more features located along the optical path that enhance the viewability of the real image. The optical system includes a converging element for converging a portion of source light so as to form the real image. One viewability-enhancing features is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing features is the use of polarizing elements having substantially matched bandwidth responses and/or comprising an achromatic design. An additional viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a wide-view film to increase the viewing angle of the image.

Abstract: An optical system (100, 200, 400, 500) that projects a real image (140, 412, 504) into space and includes one or more features located along the optical path that enhance the viewability of the real image. The optical system includes a converging element (128, 208, 416, 528) for converging a portion of source light (104, 516) so as to form the real image. One viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer (124, 208, 408, 532) having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing feature is the use of polarizing elements (116, 124, 136, 408, 420, 424) having substantially matched bandwidth responses and/or comprising an achromatic design. An additional viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a wide-view film (144) to increase the viewing angle of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting a real image in space (as opposed to a “real” image as opposed to a “virtual” or “infinity” image) and the elimination of unwanted “ghost” images achieved by providing a series of linear polarizers, quarter wave plate retarders, reflector/mirror elements, louvre film elements, and optical lenses in combination with a dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF) in alignment with a target to provide a real image at a predetermined location with respect to an observer.