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: A variable focus system that includes an electrovariable optic (EVO) and a controller operatively configured for changing the focal configuration of the EVO. The EVO includes a plurality of movable optical elements that may be moved substantially in unison with one another so as to change either the focal length of the EVO, the direction of the focal axis of the EVO, or both, depending upon the needs of a particular application. The variable focus system may be used in conjunction with an image source to construct a 3D floating image projector that projects a series of 2D image slices of a 3D image onto corresponding respective image planes in succession rapidly enough that a 3D floating image is perceived by a viewer.

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: A variable focus system that includes an electrovariable optic (EVO) and a controller operatively configured for changing the focal configuration of the EVO. The EVO includes a plurality of movable optical elements that may be moved substantially in unison with one another so as to change either the focal length of the EVO, the direction of the focal axis of the EVO, or both, depending upon the needs of a particular application. The variable focus system may be used in conjunction with an image source to construct a 3D floating image projector that projects a series of 2D image slices of a 3D image onto corresponding respective image planes in succession rapidly enough that a 3D floating image is perceived by a viewer.

Abstract: A variable focus system (100) that includes an electrovariable optic (EVO) (108) and a controller (112) operatively configured for changing the focal configuration of the EVO. The EVO includes a plurality of movable optical elements (164) that may be moved substantially in unison with one another so as to change either the focal length (f) of the EVO, the direction of the focal axis (132) of the EVO, or both, depending upon the needs of a particular application. The variable focus system may be used in conjunction with an image source (116) to construct a 3D floating image projector (500, 540, 560, 600) that projects a series of 2D image slices (IS1–IS7) of a 3D image onto corresponding respective image planes (IP1–IP7) in succession rapidly enough that a 3D floating image (120) is perceived by a viewer (104).

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 features is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer (124, 208, 408, 532) having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing features 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.