WO2001073480A2 - A display device - Google Patents

A display device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001073480A2
WO2001073480A2 PCT/GB2001/000320 GB0100320W WO0173480A2 WO 2001073480 A2 WO2001073480 A2 WO 2001073480A2 GB 0100320 W GB0100320 W GB 0100320W WO 0173480 A2 WO0173480 A2 WO 0173480A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fresnel lens
light sources
optical axis
chamber
real image
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/000320
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001073480A3 (en
Inventor
Stuart Best
Original Assignee
Central Research Laboratories Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Central Research Laboratories Limited filed Critical Central Research Laboratories Limited
Publication of WO2001073480A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001073480A2/en
Publication of WO2001073480A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001073480A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
    • G09F19/12—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B30/00—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images
    • G02B30/50—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images the image being built up from image elements distributed over a 3D volume, e.g. voxels
    • G02B30/56—Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images the image being built up from image elements distributed over a 3D volume, e.g. voxels by projecting aerial or floating images

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a display device, and particularly, though not exclusively, to a display device for providing a three dimensional effect for use in advertising signage and other applications.
  • One known display device of this general type is disclosed in DE 26 12 566 N.
  • This document discloses a chamber comprising dark coloured walls and a window in one wall consisting of or including a Fresnel lens.
  • an illuminated image or object is placed in the chamber, and light from the image or object is projected out through the Fresnel lens to form a real image apparently suspended in free space.
  • the object or image may be placed on a turntable arrangement so that it appears to rotate with time.
  • a disadvantage with this prior art arrangement is that the image is only visible over a restricted angle of view. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device as specified in the claims.
  • Figure 1 shows a display device comprising a chamber having substantially opaque walls (1) and a window (2) comprising one wall or being located in one wall, the window consisting of or including a Fresnel lens, such that light from an illuminated object (3) or image placed in the chamber will be projected out through the Fresnel lens along the optical axis (4) of the lens to form a real image (5) suspended in free space.
  • a display device comprising a chamber having substantially opaque walls (1) and a window (2) comprising one wall or being located in one wall, the window consisting of or including a Fresnel lens, such that light from an illuminated object (3) or image placed in the chamber will be projected out through the Fresnel lens along the optical axis (4) of the lens to form a real image (5) suspended in free space.
  • a plurality of substantially point light sources (6) are provided in the chamber located adjacent the Fresnel lens and spaced around the optical axis of the Fresnel lens, the point light sources being arranged such that in use each provides light which shines through the Fresnel lens towards said real image and which appears as a plurality of substantially point light sources (7) lying along a radial path towards the optical axis of the Fresnel lens when viewed from the direction of said real image.
  • the substantially point light sources are preferably light emitting diodes, and can each have the same or a different output light colour.
  • Such displays may have a plurality of co-axial Fresnel lenses, in which case the point light sources are preferably placed on the side of the lens closest to the illuminated object adjacent the face of the lens facing the object, so that they can be seen directly through both lenses by an observer.
  • the ridges on the Fresnel lenses generate multiple images of each point light source, which appear on a radial line from the point light source toward the optical axis of the lens, as shown in Figure 2. This gives a "starburst" or "tunnel” effect which leads the eye to the object being displayed.
  • the light sources may be flashed in a random or predetermined sequence to enhance this "starburst” or “tunnel” effect.
  • the light emitting diodes can be seen over a wide viewing angle (almost 180 degrees) which means that a viewer's attention can be attracted to the unit even when the suspended image of the object inside the chamber is not visible to them.

Abstract

A display device comprises a chamber having substantially opaque walls and a window located in one wall, the window consisting of a Fresnel lens, such that light from an illuminated object placed in the chamber will be projected out through the Fresnel lens along the optical axis of the lens to form a real image suspended in free space. A plurality of substantially point light sources are provided in the chamber located adjacent the Fresnel lens and spaced around the optical axis of the Fresnel lens, the point light sources being arranged such that in use each provides light which shines through the Fresnel lens towards said real image and which appears as a plurality of substantially point light sources lying along a radial path towards the optical axis of the Fresnel lens when viewed from the direction of said real image. The light sources may be flashed in a random or predetermined sequence to enhance the 'starburst' or 'tunnel' effect which leads the eye to the object being displayed.

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE
This invention relates to a display device, and particularly, though not exclusively, to a display device for providing a three dimensional effect for use in advertising signage and other applications.
One known display device of this general type is disclosed in DE 26 12 566 N. This document discloses a chamber comprising dark coloured walls and a window in one wall consisting of or including a Fresnel lens. In use, an illuminated image or object is placed in the chamber, and light from the image or object is projected out through the Fresnel lens to form a real image apparently suspended in free space. The object or image may be placed on a turntable arrangement so that it appears to rotate with time.
A disadvantage with this prior art arrangement is that the image is only visible over a restricted angle of view. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device as specified in the claims.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 shows the images seen when looking towards the window in use.
Figure 1 shows a display device comprising a chamber having substantially opaque walls (1) and a window (2) comprising one wall or being located in one wall, the window consisting of or including a Fresnel lens, such that light from an illuminated object (3) or image placed in the chamber will be projected out through the Fresnel lens along the optical axis (4) of the lens to form a real image (5) suspended in free space. A plurality of substantially point light sources (6) are provided in the chamber located adjacent the Fresnel lens and spaced around the optical axis of the Fresnel lens, the point light sources being arranged such that in use each provides light which shines through the Fresnel lens towards said real image and which appears as a plurality of substantially point light sources (7) lying along a radial path towards the optical axis of the Fresnel lens when viewed from the direction of said real image. The substantially point light sources are preferably light emitting diodes, and can each have the same or a different output light colour.
Such displays may have a plurality of co-axial Fresnel lenses, in which case the point light sources are preferably placed on the side of the lens closest to the illuminated object adjacent the face of the lens facing the object, so that they can be seen directly through both lenses by an observer. The ridges on the Fresnel lenses generate multiple images of each point light source, which appear on a radial line from the point light source toward the optical axis of the lens, as shown in Figure 2. This gives a "starburst" or "tunnel" effect which leads the eye to the object being displayed.
The light sources may be flashed in a random or predetermined sequence to enhance this "starburst" or "tunnel" effect. In the present embodiment, the light emitting diodes can be seen over a wide viewing angle (almost 180 degrees) which means that a viewer's attention can be attracted to the unit even when the suspended image of the object inside the chamber is not visible to them.

Claims

1. A display device comprising a chamber having substantially opaque walls and a window comprising one wall or being located in one wall, the window consisting of or including a Fresnel lens, such that light from an illuminated object or image placed in the chamber will be projected out through the Fresnel lens along the optical axis of the lens to form a real image suspended in free space, characterised in that a plurality of substantially point light sources are provided in the chamber located adjacent the Fresnel lens and spaced around the optical axis of the Fresnel lens, the point light sources being arranged such that in use each provides light which shines through the Fresnel lens towards said real image and which appears as a plurality of substantially point light sources lying along a radial path towards the optical axis of the Fresnel lens when viewed from the direction of said real image.
2. A display device as claimed in claim 1 in which the light sources are made to flash with time in a predetermined or random sequence.
PCT/GB2001/000320 2000-03-24 2001-01-26 A display device WO2001073480A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0007142A GB2360605B (en) 2000-03-24 2000-03-24 A display device with point light sources and fresnel lens
GB0007142.3 2000-03-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001073480A2 true WO2001073480A2 (en) 2001-10-04
WO2001073480A3 WO2001073480A3 (en) 2001-12-20

Family

ID=9888319

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/000320 WO2001073480A2 (en) 2000-03-24 2001-01-26 A display device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2360605B (en)
WO (1) WO2001073480A2 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2612566A1 (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-06-23 Werner Rusterholz DEVICE FOR PROJECTING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE OF AN OBJECT IN THE OUTDOOR SPACE
US4261657A (en) * 1978-08-09 1981-04-14 Reiback Earl M Optical display device
EP0916986A1 (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-19 Toptel Limited Three-dimensional image projector
WO1999046638A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 1999-09-16 Optikos Corporation Multimedia advertising system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2155651A (en) * 1984-03-07 1985-09-25 Peter Colin Roy Nightingale Stereo-visual simulator
AU3180989A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-10-16 Laser 681 S.R.L. Three-dimensional image projector

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2612566A1 (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-06-23 Werner Rusterholz DEVICE FOR PROJECTING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE OF AN OBJECT IN THE OUTDOOR SPACE
US4261657A (en) * 1978-08-09 1981-04-14 Reiback Earl M Optical display device
EP0916986A1 (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-19 Toptel Limited Three-dimensional image projector
WO1999046638A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 1999-09-16 Optikos Corporation Multimedia advertising system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001073480A3 (en) 2001-12-20
GB2360605B (en) 2003-09-03
GB0007142D0 (en) 2000-05-17
GB2360605A (en) 2001-09-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8462081B2 (en) See-through display
KR100741330B1 (en) Apparatus for displaying images to viewers in motion
JPS6059317A (en) Optical apparatus for generating visual and optical interaction image naturally within free space
US9082326B2 (en) Self illuminated shaped and two-sided signage for printed graphics
US20110043881A1 (en) Device and process for controlled conveying of different visual impressions of a room while retaining identical room illumination
GB2372618A (en) Display device
JP2000039589A (en) Multi-viewpoint three-dimensional video display device
KR100742168B1 (en) Apparatus for displaying multiple series of images to viewers in motion
US6522472B1 (en) Apparatus for displaying a real image in space
US6076293A (en) Three message sign having apex illumination
KR20170100215A (en) Auto stereoscopic Display device with which transparent display is coupled
US3943648A (en) Transparent sign display for superimposing transparent sign with printed message on background display
WO2001073480A2 (en) A display device
US20050122479A1 (en) Three-dimensional display using optical fibers of different lengths
KR101022565B1 (en) Reflection-type screen used in projection-type 3D integral imaging display system
WO1988009947A1 (en) Kaleidoscopic viewing device
US6731370B1 (en) Apparatus for displaying multiple series of images to viewers in motion
KR200178696Y1 (en) 3d display in space with concave and half mirror
GB2412806A (en) Temporarily hidden display images
KR101659364B1 (en) Hologram image displaying apparatus
US20190011715A1 (en) Three-dimensional image display apparatus
JP2001021833A (en) Transparent sphere picture display device
GB2263176A (en) Autostereoscopic system for wide viewing angles
WO1994006055A1 (en) Three-dimensional image display
RU2000111516A (en) DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING IMAGES TO VISITORS

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): CA JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): CA JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP