Xerox Corporation

Michael D Rainsdon

John Richard Andrews

Werner E Haas

Raymond P Mileski

George A Muller

John L Havranek

Kirk A Blakesley

Andrew P Yesul, Jr

Leon E Kawacz

A holographic display includes 'segmented' images configured as if positioned in separate viewing 'cells' corresponding spatially to preselected subareas of a desired display area with invisible segmenting cell sides. In one embodiment, a polarized conjugate reference light source projects the segmented hologram images form a light-transmissive recording medium into the display area, a multi-element nematic 90.degree. twisted shutter assembly changes the polarization of light emanating from subareas corresponding to the images to be blocked while keeping unchanged the polarization of the segmented images to be displayed, and a sheet polarizer positioned between the multi-element shutter and the viewer blocks from view images from those subareas which the polarization direction has been changed by the multi-element shutter. In other embodiments, light-reflective recording mediums and multi-element nematic shutters having an appropriate guest-host dyes are used. Constantly viewable unsegmented holographic images recorded in the same recording medium as the segmented images or on a separate recording medium can be multiplexed into the display area using a conjugate light source of a different frequency or having a different polarization condition (e.g., unpolarized) from the conjugate light source used to project the segmented images to be selectively displayed/blocked.

Segmented hologram for multi-image display

A holographic display module is incorporated into a machine with independently operating subsystems, and used to provide an indication of the status or location of the machine subsystems. In one embodiment, a xerographic copier incorporates a holographic display incorporating an outline of the machine. A liquid crystal panel is aligned with the holographic display and selectively addressed in conjunction with signals from the copier subsystems. An illumination subsystem is optimized to provide diffuse illumination of the display.

Holographic display module for displaying machine status

Growing community of inventors

Walworth, NY, United States of America

Michael D Rainsdon