Monolithic image adapter, for the formation of interactive video images sustained in a region of space shifted from the original source

摘要

Two grooved Fresnel lenses (3) have concentric inclined surfaces (15) separated by flat surfaces (14), a continuously grooved Fresnel lens (4) is installed on the side of the image source, and two cyclic-zones liquid-crystal modulators (2) whose zones (7,8) are alternatingly opaque and transparent. The two grooved lenses (3) are mounted in opposition, and the upper modulator is with an anti-reflecting anti-radiation coating (5). The grooved lens (4) is totally with concentric inclined surfaces and serves to enlarge the source images. The zones (7,8) are alternatingly opaque and transparent due to the liquid-crystal technology of the modulators switching at a frequency of at least 25 Hz; this frequency is synchronized with the appearance of two images, for example a tree and an apple, which remain imaginary; each image is refreshed at this frequency in synchronism with the two modulators which cover the grooved lenses. One image, e.g. tree, remains more or less at the surface of the screen of the device, and the other image, e.g. apple, is floating in front of the observer. The two images are mutually interactive due to a control by an adapted information unit. The width of zones (7,8) is equal to the width of the concentric inclined surfaces (15) and flat surfaces (14), though they may differ; the correspondence is such that the trajectories of the light rays do not interfere on the sides producing undesired parasitic effects. The passage of light through the inclined surfaces (15) and the flat surfaces (14) is switched according to the shutting cycle of the zones (7,8) of the liquid-crystal modulators (2). The anti-reflecting and anti-radiation coating is in the form of underlying surfaces of the grooved lenses, and it is integrated, totally or partially, with the material constituting the lenses; the reflection and glare are reduced by 99.99%. The filter layer on the side of the observer is covered with a two-way mirror, fine mesh material, or transparent or semi-transparent paper. In applications, each video monitor can be covered with a monolithic adapter. One or both images can be displayed on a dark background. The space between grooved lenses may be filled with a neutral liquid containing metallic particles, or also phosphorescent particles. The liquid-crystal lines of modulators can be laid out in a longitudinal fashion, or combined with the concentric fashion, or other.