System and method for selectively viewing or printing images from a reflective device using an arrangement of polarizers and a polarizing beam splitter

摘要

A system and method for projecting an image from an image source for viewing or printing using a beamsplitter and multiple polarizers which selectively transmit and extinguish undesirable polarized light. An image source projects image illumination polarized along a predetermined linear axis of polarization towards a beamsplitter made of a light-transmissive substrate and a substantially non-polarizing, light-reflective layer positioned such that the polarized image illumination from the image source reflects off the light-reflective layer towards an image output. First and second polarizers are synthetic, light-transmitting, linearly-polarizing sheets, the first polarizer configured to intercept image illumination transmitted through the reflective layer of the beamsplitter, and absorb illumination polarized along said predetermined linear axis of polarization; the second polarizer positioned in the optical path between the light-reflective layer and the image output, and transmitting only image illumination that is polarized along the predetermined linear axis of polarization, and an image output receiving the polarized image illumination reflected off the polarizing beam splitter.