Patent ID: 6424437
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a first electrically switchable holographic optical element (ESHOE) comprising oppositely facing front and back surfaces, wherein the first ESHOE is configured to receive first bandwidth light on the front surface thereof, wherein the first ESHOE operates between active and the inactive states, wherein the first ESHOE transmits first bandwidth light received on the front surface thereof without substantial alteration when operating in the inactive state, wherein the first ESHOE diffracts first bandwidth light received on the front surface thereof when operating in the active state, wherein first bandwidth light received and diffracted by the first ESHOE emerges from the front surface; a light deflector configured to receive first bandwidth light diffracted by the first ESHOE, wherein the light deflector is configured to deflect first bandwidth light diffracted by the first ESHOE; wherein first bandwidth light transmitted through the inactive first ESHOE without substantial alteration is configured to illuminate a first surface area, and wherein first bandwidth light diffracted by the active first ESHOE and subsequently deflected by the light deflector is configured to illuminate a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is adjacent to the second surface area.