Abstract: An optical display device arranged to create a perception of a sky scene in output light, the optical display device comprising: a collimated light generation system comprising a light source and a collimating system; a diffuse light generation system, and; an output aperture for the output light; the diffuse light generation system arranged to generate a diffuse skylight component in the output light, and the collimated light generation system arranged to generate a collimated sunlight component in the output light, wherein the light source comprises a planar array of light sources arranged on a common substrate, the collimating system comprises a planar array of collimating members that comprise lenses formed integrally from a common substrate, the light sources each arranged with an associated collimating member so that light emitted from the light sources is collimated, and the planar array of light sources and the planar array of collimating members are aligned with a plane of the output aperture.

Abstract: An optical display device that creates a perception of a sky scene in output light, the device comprising: a light source; a reflector block having a reflective member and a reflective and partially transmissive member; a diffuse light generator; a visual cue creating system associated with the reflector block, and an aperture for the output light, the light source arranged to transmit light to the reflector block for reflection between the reflective member and reflective and partially transmissive member, with light transmitted through the reflective and partially transmissive member to the aperture, the diffuse light generator arranged to generate in the output light a diffuse light component to replicate a skylight from the light transmitted from the light source, the visual cue creating system causes light in the reflector to block a visual cue arranged to provide in the output light a visual cue component that observers associate with depth.

Abstract: The present invention describes an image display apparatus for directing an image towards an observer. The apparatus comprises a source of image point rays; a collimating device configured to collimate image point rays to produce collimated image rays; and, a prism sheet configured to receive the collimated image rays. The prism sheet comprises an array of micro-prisms, each micro-prism having two reflective facets arranged such that each collimated image ray is reflected off one facet and then an adjacent facet. Reflection from the second facet reorients the collimated image rays towards an image observation zone. The collimated image rays from an upper portion of the prism sheet converge with collimated image rays from a lower portion of the prism sheet within the image observation zone. The present invention also describes a method for directing an image towards an observer.

Abstract: The present invention describes an image display apparatus for directing an image towards an observer. The apparatus comprises a source of image point rays; a collimating device configured to collimate image point rays to produce collimated image rays; and, a prism sheet configured to receive the collimated image rays. The prism sheet comprises an array of micro-prisms, each micro-prism having two reflective facets arranged such that each collimated image ray is reflected off one facet and then an adjacent facet. Reflection from the second facet reorients the collimated image rays towards an image observation zone. The collimated image rays from an upper portion of the prism sheet converge with collimated image rays from a lower portion of the prism sheet within the image observation zone. The present invention also describes a method for directing an image towards an observer.