Polaroid Corporation

William J Molteni

William J Volchok

Philip J Ralli

Michael M Wenyon

The present invention provides a polarizing holographic reflector module useful in the manufacture of a holographically-illuminated liquid crystal display assembly by combination thereof with a partial LCD stack. The polarizing holographic reflector module is substantially quadrangular in shape and comprises a reflective holographic diffuser, a light polarizer, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a removable protective liner. A method of manufacture is also provided wherein a web of polarizer material having a linear or downweb orientation is roll-to-roll laminated to a web of angularly offset reflective holographic diffusers.

Polarizing holographic reflector module and method for the manufacture

Heads-Up and heads-down displays employing holographic stereograms are provided. The stereograms can be oriented perpendicular to the user's line of sight (the 90.degree. case) or at angle to the line of sight (the 'non-90.degree. case'). The stereograms are produced using a three-step process in which a series of two-dimensional perspective views are prepared, a H.sub.1 hologram is prepared from the two-dimensional perspective views, and a H.sub.2 hologram is prepared from the H.sub.1 hologram. For the non-90.degree. case, the two-dimensional perspective views are oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the H.sub.1 hologram during the preparation of that hologram. Similarly, during the preparation of the H.sub.2 hologram for this case, the H.sub.2 hologram is oriented at an angle relative to the H.sub.1 hologram. In this way, the viewing slits generated by the holographic stereogram are located in the vicinity of the user's eyes for the non-90.degree. case as is desired. In certain embodiments, the two-dimensional perspective views are transformed prior to being recorded on the H.sub.1 hologram.

Heads-up and heads-down displays employing holographic stereograms

Apparatus and methods are provided for mass production of transmission holograms onto a continuous web of photosensitive material, one method involving the mounting of a master transmission hologram onto the outside surface of a clear hollow drum, the clear hollow drum being rotatable and having means for directing an irradiating wavefront propagated from a radiation source through the master transmission hologram onto a passing recording medium in a predetermined direction, the directing means configured so that said predetermined direction is fixedly maintainable independent of the rotation of the hollow drum and the master transmission hologram mounted thereon. The redirected irradiating wavefront transmitted through the master transmission hologram generates an object beam and a 'zero order' reference beam, said object beam and 'zero order' reference beam combine to form an interference pattern, the interference pattern being recorded on the photosensitive recording medium.

Apparatus and methods for making transmission holograms

Heads-up and heads-down displays employing holographic stereograms are provided. The stereograms can be oriented perpendicular to the user's line of sight (the '90.degree. case') or at angle to the line of sight (the 'non-90.degree. case'). The stereograms are produced using a three-step process in which a series of two-dimensional perspective views are prepared, a H.sub.1 hologram is prepared from the two-dimensional perspective views, and a H.sub.2 hologram is prepared from the H.sub.1 hologram. For the non-90.degree. case, the two-dimensional perspective views are oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the H.sub.1 hologram during the preparation of that hologram. Similarly, during the preparation of the H.sub.2 hologram for this case, the H.sub.2 hologram is oriented at an angle relative to the H.sub.1 hologram. In this way, the viewing slits generated by the holographic stereogram are located in the vicinity of the user's eyes for the non-90.degree. case as is desired. In certain embodiments, the two-dimensional perspective views are transformed prior to being recorded on the H.sub.1 hologram.

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Waltham, MA, United States of America

William J Molteni