Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, this application describes a system for pixilating a window. A means is provided for separating electromagnetic energy entering a window according to its focal point. Means are provided for separating trajectories of electromagnetic radiation at a curve where its focal points form and for selecting which trajectories of electromagnetic energy will exit the window. A means if provided for selecting at what trajectory said selected electromagnetic energy will exit the window. Multiple users of the window will each see the same views from their different respective vantage points.

Description:
BACKGROUND FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to dynamic windows. More specifically, windows that are directional with regard to selecting from which direction light is accepted to pass therethrough. The window can also select which direction light will travel therefrom. The window can be caused to magnify the view provided therethrough. The window can be caused to provide a static view such that users each viewing the window from different perspectives share a common view.  
         BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR INVENTION  
         [0002]    The concept and process for creating a variable view window using variable prisms in series has been pioneered by the present inventor. One characteristic of all windows conceived heretofore is that the view provided therethrough is altered when a user changes his position relative thereto. The present invention is a variable view window which pixelates the window such that a user can vary the view provided by the window and create a view which is static as the user changes position relative thereto. Additionally the present invention is zoom able at the user&#39;s discretion. Thirdly, the present invention enables the users to select which view is provided by the window.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    The invention described herein represents a significant new body of art relating to directional window technology. It enables a user to select the view provided by a window nearly instantaneously. It enables several viewers from different perspectives to simultaneously see light passing through a window from a single perspective. It enables the users to magnify the view of an object outside of a window. In a first embodiment, all of these things can be achieved with no physical motion of any window components. In a second embodiment, a small physical motion of two window components relative to one another enables the user to select alternate views, wherein a range of views are possible through the window simultaneously.  
         OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0004]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are apparent. It is an object of the present invention to provide a window which is nearly instantly alterable with regard to the selection of what light trajectory angles will pass therethrough. This enables the user to select what view is provided by the window. It is an object of the present invention to provide a window which is nearly instantly alterable with regard to the selection of what light trajectory angles will pass therefrom. It is an object to provide a window which enables multiple users from different viewing perspectives to view the same scene simultaneously. It is an object to enable the user to magnify the view of an object they are viewing through the window provided. It is an advantage to provide a window which achieves these objects with no physical movement required in a first embodiment and with minimal physical motion required in a second embodiment. The apparatus described is designed to be rugged, reliable, cost effective and to minimize resource requirement while being mass produced in any size or shape. It should be noted that the technology provided herein can be applied to any field which uses windows and/or lenses such as telecommunications, entertainment, photography, optics, science, engineering, telescopy, building architecture, automobiles, and etc. 
       
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section view of a single pixel cell of the present variable view window.  
         [0006]    Figure is a blown up portion of the PDLC liquid crystal layer of FIG. 1.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a blown up view of a gradient index lens replacing the fiber optics of FIG. 2.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment where mechanical motion enables view selection.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with a direction of light selected.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 illustrates the PDLC configuration that achieves the light transmittance for FIG. 5.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with a magnified view of an object.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 8 illustrates the PDLC configuration that achieves the light transmittance for FIG. 7. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section view of a single pixel cell of the present variable view window. A primary optic  49  is a lens transparent to at least some frequencies of electromagnetic energy capable of producing a focal point from afocal rays, it is positioned to receive incident light. A first wall  55  is transparent to at least some frequencies of electromagnetic radiation and at least one side of it is manufactured to resemble the shape of the curve at which focal points from  49  naturally converge.  55  is also a transparent electrode. A first side of an electric circuit  63  is connected to  55 . A second wall  59  is transparent to at least some frequencies of electromagnetic radiation and at least one side of it is manufactured to resemble the shape of the curve at which focal points from  49  naturally converge. It consists of an array of transparent electrodes such as an activated electrode  69 . Each electrode in  59  is separated by an insulating similar to sample insulating layer  61  which enables individual electrical communication to each of the transparent electrodes. Each electrode in the  59  is in separate communication with the voltage source  65 . Sandwiched between  55  and  59  is a layer of electro active material  57  which is capable from transitioning from an opaque state to a transparent state when an electric current is applied thereto or removed therefrom.  57  can be PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal). Note that  57  also resides approximately along the curve of focal points produce by  49 . Closed switch  67  indicates that current is applied to between  69  and  55  such at a region of  57  is transparent at a transparent region  71 . A series of fiber optic cables are attached to  59  such as fiber optic  73 . Note that these fiber optic also reside approximately along the focal curve created by  49 . Each of the fiber optics converge and are welded together at fiber optic junction  74 . Light that passes through  74  will emerge as selected light  75 .  75  light then passes through a final lens  77  where it can be viewed by a user.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a blown up portion of the PDLC liquid crystal layer of FIG. 1. The PDLC  57  can be more readily seen. Note that the PDLC  57  and the fiber optics such as  73  are positioned at the focal points of the light. Note that region  71  is transparent due to the electric current applied at  69  and  55  through  63  and  67 .  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a blown up view of a gradient index lens replacing the fiber optics of FIG. 2. A gradient index lens  101  has replaced the fiber optics described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The gradient index lens is manufactured according to techniques well known.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment where mechanical motion enables view selection. Components of the system are similar to those of FIG. 1 except that the PDLC does not reside on the curve of the focal points. The PDLC resides in a flat plane. First flat PDLC resides between a first left transparent electrode section  115  and a right transparent electrode  129 . Note that the  115  is not active and the PDLC in its region is therefore opaque. A second left electrode  119  and a third left electrode  121  are activated in conjunction with  129  such that the PDLC in each of their regions is transparent. The right side of FIG. 4 is similar to the left side of FIG. 4. Note that the right side can be slid relative to the left side such that fiber optics such as a first slid fiber optic  117  on the left side can be aligned as desired with the fiber optics on the right side. This enables the user to select which light trajectories on the right will be passed through the window and what their resultant trajectories will be after emerging from the right side of the window.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with a direction of light selected. The element of FIG. 5 are those of FIG. 3 except that are assembled in array. Ideally, the array show would be roughly 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 inch. In practice a window would be comprised of many such arrays. A first window side is a flat transparent structure  153  on one side. On the opposite side a series of lenses are incorporated such as a first lenslet  155 . The  153  with  155  can be molded glass of plastic with a flat side and a side having lenses. (Alternately both sides can be flat and the lenses can be formed by refractive index gradients therein.) A second array of elements is the  157  PDLC array. It consists of electrical architecture such as electrical circuit  159 . the  157  also consists of a series of recessed PDLC zones such as PDLC zone  158 . Each of these zones has PDLC sandwiched between a series of transparent electrodes (as previously described) such that regions of the PDLC can be caused to transition between transparent and opaque states as desired. The PDLC recesses are designed to conform with and reside along the focal curve of the  155  as previously discussed. A gradient lens array  161  is comprised of an array of gradient lenses similar to that described in FIG. 3. Each lens has a recessed lens zone  163  such that the  157  resides therein and conforms thereto. Each of the gradient index lenses has a second end  165  which is aligned with though separated from a final lens in array  169 . the final lens array is manufactured in a sheet similar to the  153  but may have other optical properties (such as different focal lengths) than  153 . The  153 , 157 ,  161 , and  169  are here shown in exploded view but in practice, they are assembled together within a frame structure such that they are a cohesive unit.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 illustrates the PDLC configuration that achieves the light transmittance for FIG. 5. Illustrated are the PDLC recessed regions of FIG. 5. Each PDLC recess has a small portion activated. The PDLC at  158   a  has an active region  177  which is transparent due to the electric current applied thereto. Since the PDLC resides along the focal curve of the lens as described in FIG. 5, a select trajectory of light passes therethrough. The PDLC array in conjunction provides a coherent view through the window with a user selected view.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with a magnified view of an object. The components in FIG. 7 are identical to those of FIG. 6 except the regions of a PDLC magnification array  205  have been activated to produce a magnified view of an object  201 . An object light ray  203  is one of many light rays from  201 . Both a first object viewer  207  and a second object viewer  209  see the magnified object through the window.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 illustrates the PDLC configuration that achieves the light transmittance for FIG. 7. The array of PDLC zones has been activated by electric current into a different configuration. A first zone for magnification  225  has a central activated zone at  225 . A second zone for magnification has a region away from the center  229  activated. Light from the  201  passes through each of these zones and is presented to the  207  and  209  users as a magnified image.  
       OPERATION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section view of a single pixel cell of the present variable view window. Light from a first direction  47 , light from a second direction  43 , and light from a third direction  45  are all incident on the primary optic  49 .  49  causes light from the three planes to form focal points along a curve. The  45  light embarks on a third altered light  51  course and focuses at one point. Note that the  51  light is prevented from passing through the  55  PDLC because it is opaque in the region of the  51  light focal point. The  47  light embarks on a first altered light  53  course and focuses. Note that the switch at  67  is closed thereby causing a current to flow from  65  through  69  and to  59  and  63 . Said current causes the region of the PDLC at region  71  to be transparent. The  53  light therefore passes through the PDLC at region  71  and enters the  73  fiber optic. The light originating in trajectory  47  then emerges as light from the fiber optic  75 .  75  light is incident on a final lens  77 . Resultant light  79  can then be observed by the user. Note that the  47  incident light was selected from all of the possible incident light, and then redirected to suit the user. As will be illustrated later, a user viewing the  79  light will see the light from many different perspectives. The lens  77  becomes similar to a pixel on a TV where each viewer sees the same color coming from the pixel no matter where they sit relative to the TV.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a blown up portion of the PDLC liquid crystal layer of FIG. 1. The PDLC  57  can be more readily seen. Note that the PDLC  57  and the fiber optics such as  73  are positioned at the focal points of the light. Note that region  71  is transparent due to the electric current applied at  69  and  55  through  63  and  67 . Since electric current has not been applied to other regions of the PDLC, light does not enter any fiber optics except a 73 . The PDLC and electric circuit are able to filter out and select which light trajectories will be passed through the window.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a blown up view of a gradient index lens replacing the fiber optics of FIG. 2. A gradient index lens  101  has replaced the fiber optics described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The gradient index lens is manufactured according to techniques well known. Note that light passing through the selected region of the PDLC is caused to be redirected by the  101  as redirected light  103 . The light then emerges from the  101  at emerging grin light at  105 . Other elements of the system are not shown but are similar to previous diagrams.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment where mechanical motion enables view selection. Components of the system are similar to those of FIG. 1 except that the PDLC does not reside on the curve of the focal points. The PDLC resides in a flat plane. First flat PDLC resides between a first left transparent electrode section  115  and a right transparent electrode  129 . Note that the  115  is not active and the PDLC in its region is therefore opaque. A second left electrode  119  and a third left electrode  121  are activated in conjunction with  129  such that the PDLC in each of their regions is transparent. The right side of FIG. 4 is similar to the left side of FIG. 4. Note that the right side can be slid relative to the left side such that fiber optics such as a first slid fiber optic  117  on the left side can be aligned as desired with the fiber optics on the right side. This enables the user to select which light trajectories on the right will be passed through the window and what their resultant trajectories will be after emerging from the right side of the window.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with a direction of light selected. In the diagram, the user has selected a PDLC configuration (which is illustrated in FIG. 6) such that selected light  151  on a given trajectory has been selected. The light passes through the  153  and is focused by  155 . Approximately at the focal point, the focused light passes through a region of the  157  (shown in FIG. 6) which has been caused to be transparent by electric current. The light then is caused to take a central trajectory by the  161  gradient lens. When it exits the gradient lens at  165 , the light is caused to spread such that it covers nearly the whole surface of a single lenslet at  169 . When the light exits the system at  171 , it can be perceived by a first user  173  and a second user  175 . Each of these users see the same color light being emitted from each specific section of the array. This is a pixilated window that enables users to see the same view from many different viewing angles similar to how viewers of a TV see the same view form many different viewing angles.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 illustrates the PDLC configuration that achieves the light transmittance for FIG. 5. Illustrated are the PDLC recessed regions of FIG. 5. Each PDLC recess has a small portion activated. The PDLC at  158   a  has an active region  177  which is transparent due to the electric current applied thereto. Since the PDLC resides along the focal curve of the lens as described in FIG. 5, a select trajectory of light passes therethrough. The PDLC array in conjunction provides a coherent view through the window with a user selected view.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with a magnified view of an object. The components in FIG. 7 are identical to those of FIG. 6 except the regions of a PDLC magnification array  205  have been activated to produce a magnified view of an object  201 . An object light ray  203  is one of many light rays from  201 . Both a first object viewer  207  and a second object viewer  209  see the magnified object through the window.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 illustrates the PDLC configuration that achieves the light transmittance for FIG. 7. The array of PDLC zones has been activated by electric current into a different configuration. A first zone for magnification  225  has a central activated zone at  225 . A second zone for magnification has a region away from the center  229  activated. Light from the  201  passes through each of these zones and is presented to the  207  and  209  users as a magnified image.  
       CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE  
       [0029]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are apparent. It is an object of the present invention to provide a window which is nearly instantly alterable with regard to the selection of what light trajectory angles will pass therethrough. This enables the user to select what view is provided by the window. It is an object of the present invention to provide a window which is nearly instantly alterable with regard to the selection of what light trajectory angles will pass therefrom. It is an object to provide a window which enables multiple users from different viewing perspectives to view the same scene simultaneously. It is an object to enable the user to magnify the view of an object they are viewing through the window provided. It is an advantage to provide a window which achieves these objects with no physical movement required in a first embodiment and with minimal physical motion required in a second embodiment. The apparatus described is designed to be rugged, reliable, cost effective and to minimize resource requirement while being mass produced in any size or shape. It should be noted that the technology provided herein can be applied to any substantiative light transmissive optic. Accordingly it can be used for applications in any field which uses windows and/or lenses such as telecommunications, entertainment, photography, optics, science, engineering, telescopy, building architecture, automobiles, and etc. It should be noted that other configurations are possible using the art described herein. While my above description describes many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof Many other variations are possible.