Patent ID: 6115168
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A retroreflecting modulator comprising from front to back:a. a lens having wide field of view, a front light-receiving surface, and a rear three-dimensional focal surface composed of focal points, each of said focal points corresponding to a unique direction of a light beam incident on said light-receiving surface within said field of view;b. a fiber optic light guide including a plurality of light channels having barriers for preventing leakage between said channels, and having a receiving surface substantially coincident with said lens focal surface;c. a light modulator having a reflective rear surface; andd. said lens front light-receiving surface receiving said incident light beam and focusing said incident light beam as focused light at said corresponding focal point on said focal surface, said fiber optic light guide transmitting said focused light to said light modulator, said light modulator modulating said focused light as modulated light and reflecting said modulated light back to said fiber optic light guide, said fiber optic light guide transmitting said modulated light to said corresponding focal point, said lens transmitting said modulated light to said lens front light-receiving surface, and said lens front light-receiving surface emitting said modulated light in a direction opposite said direction of said incident light beam.