Patent Description:
There exists a need in the art to provide a compact and self-contained method for lighting a display hologram uniformly which can produce high quality images. Most commonly, hologram illumination systems employ a spot-lamp in front and above the hologram, which must be placed at a relatively large distance comparable or greater than the size of the hologram itself, and is therefore bulky, unweildy and impractical in many applications. In addition, such a lamp's illumination is generally not uniform, being stronger in the centre of its distribution. Many applications would benefit from a compact illumination system integrated closely with the hologram itself. Examples would include display holograms to be mounted on a wall like a common painting or photograph without apparent additional separate lighting, and automotive brake or tail lights, where there is not space for external lighting.

Ideally such a compact illumination system is also insensitive to stray light, particularly other typical light sources (such as ceiling spot lamps) or any other lighting sources used for ambient illumination which emit near the direction of the main light source used to illuminate the hologram, and which result in unwanted secondary images.

Although there have been previous ways of illuminating holograms all of these have particular difficulties. For example, <CIT> which relates to use of a reflection hologram in transmission geometry has poor efficiency and stray light control.

Relevant background patents are Dausmann <CIT> and Ceres <CIT>.

It is therefore an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for forming an optical beam to either produce a collimated, diverging or converging beam to illuminate a hologram.

It is a yet further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide improved holographic displays as a general graphic medium, suitable for advertising, technical and medical visualisation, industrial and consumer applications (e.g. posters, 3D photographs, automotive lighting etc.).

<CIT> relates to a lighting device for vehicles in which a lighting device is arranged. <CIT> relates to apparatus and methods for displaying holograms. <CIT> relates to a display means for displaying an image holographically embodied in a hologram. None of these documents disclose a holographic display apparatus as herein defined with an array of individual sub-units arranged at one edge of a hologram which is capable of emitting light directly onto and to illuminate the hologram.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is described a holographic display apparatus as claimed in claim <NUM>.

The holographic display apparatus comprises an array of light sources and optics forming a larger optical beam which may be collimated, diverging or converging, to illuminate a hologram. Each light source may have a corresponding optic which is configured to nominally collimate the light from the light source.

The aggregate beam from the array of sources and optics can be configured to produce a collimated, divergent or convergent overall beam by means of adjusting the offsets of individual optics relative to the light sources.

There is also provided a beam illuminating a reflection hologram from the same side as a viewer, i.e. a person viewing the hologram.

There is also described a beam combined with a holographical optical element (HOE) mirror to enable rear (i.e. opposite side to a viewer) illumination of a reflection hologram outside the scope of the present claims. There is also described an illumination unit capable of emitting light to illuminate a hologram and form a consequent holographic image, wherein the illumination unit is comprised of an array of individual light sources and a corresponding array of optics forming an overall collimated, diverging or converging beam.

Generally speaking, the present invention resides in the provision of a compact illumination unit providing an optical beam intended for replaying a holographic image.

In the present invention a standard point or collimated light source is replaced with an array of smaller light source units to create an illumination unit performing the same function. The array achieves a similar source brightness as the standard illumination unit but in a much more compact form.

It has been found that by providing a more compact illumination unit provides the technical advantage of the array allowing the creation of a low-profile optic that industrial designers can then use to minimise the size of their holographic illumination systems.

The illumination unit therefore comprises an array of small optical units arranged immediately next to one edge of a hologram. The illumination unit may therefore form collimated light and form a large area collimated reference beam.

The illumination unit of the present invention may therefore be compact and smaller than systems used in the prior art. The dimensions of the illumination unit of the present invention may be as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The size of conventional light source may be described as DxFLL and the size of an array version according to the present invention may be described as DxFLA. In the present invention FLA is much smaller than FLL and in a ratio FLA : FLL is less than about <NUM> : <NUM>; less than about <NUM> : <NUM>; less than about <NUM> : <NUM>; less than about <NUM> : <NUM>.

The compact collimated illumination unit may comprise a plurality or an array of light sources formed from lasers and/or LEDs.

The holographic display apparatus may also comprise a substrate (e.g. a glass substrate), a hologram attached to the substrate, and an image.

The array of optical light sources (i.e. optical light units) are located at any edge of an appropriately configured hologram and substrate.

In the holographic display apparatus and facing the array of light sources there are optical elements which are used to form the illumination beam. The optical elements may be in the form of a convex lens. In alternative embodiments, the elements may be curved mirrors or diffractive optics, either transmissive or reflective.

The illumination unit may be arranged to form a diverging or converging beam to represent the reference beam used in the recording of an original hologram.

Furthermore, the illumination unit may be kept of a small size by the close packing of the light units which can be achieved by using lens elements formed into, for example, rectangular, hexagonal or some other suitable tessellating shape.

The holographic display apparatus of the present invention may be used where the light source for a reflection hologram includes a separate reflecting HOE or angle selective mirror (e.g. <CIT>). There may also be a substrate (e.g. a glass substrate), a hologram and a formed illuminated image.

The present invention also relates to multi-colour illumination using a collimation array. In this embodiment, the individual light sources may be used to emit different colours of light such as from separate coloured LEDs in one package. Each LED package illuminates a single optics (lens, mirror, etc.). Since the LEDs are spatially separated, each colour exits the optic with a different angle. Dichroic mirrors (or HOE mirrors) may be used to ensure that the multiwavelengths are collinear by selectively adjusting the angle of reflection of the separate colours. An array of light sources may therefore emit coloured light which may be controlled and exit onto dichroic mirrors or HOEs. The light may then be reflected to illuminate a hologram, creating a multi-coloured image.

The description also relates to embodiments where a display apparatus may comprise an array of catadioptric collimating elements outside the scope of the claimed invention. The catadioptric elements may comprise a combination of surfaces for refracting, reflecting and total internal reflection (TIR) of the light from a light source. Therefore, the catadioptric elements may form a beam of light using a combination of refractive, reflective and TIR surfaces. The resulting beam of light from the array may be used to illuminate holograms as previously described.

There is also described display apparatus outside the scope of the claimed invention comprising a collimating element in the form of a parabolic mirror or generic reflector profile to form a collimated beam according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In these embodiments there may be a light source (e.g. an LED or laser) emitting light onto a parabolic mirror comprising optionally a mirror coating. A collimated reference beam of light may be formed which may be used in holographic applications. There may be an array of parabolic mirrors with each parabolic mirror optionally having a light source (e.g. an LED or laser) located at its focal centre. Typically, each parabolic mirror may comprise a mirror coating and may form a collimated light beam that can be used in holographic applications.

There is also described an array of optics to create a beam diverging from a virtual point source. Typically, there may be an array of optics which each comprise an offset light source (e.g. an LED) to create a beam diverging from a virtual point source. The hologram may be illuminated by the display apparatus. In some instances, the reference beam to illuminate the hologram may not require a collimated beam, but rather a diverging or converging beam. An optic array of elements may be configured to create a beam that appears to be diverging from a virtual source point.

The position of each light source (e.g. LED) may be shifted off centre with respect to its local optic axis. An array of refractive optical elements or similar beam shapes may be achieved with the other types of optical elements discussed in the present application.

The present invention therefore relates to display holograms which have a widely acceptable imaging media that may be suitable for advertising or artistic displays. Alternatively, the formed holograms may be used for any other commercial purpose for which a fee may be received.

The holograms of the present invention may be transmission or reflection holograms.

Generally speaking, the present invention resides in the provision of display holograms (i.e. holographs) which may be substantially self-contained, provide viable illumination and are optionally substantially insensitive to stray light.

Electrical powers of the light sources may in the range of about <NUM> - 500W in total.

The light sources may be any appropriate or suitable light source and may, for example, a laser or LED, or any combination thereof, including multiples of each, such as red, green and blue lasers or LEDs, or more than <NUM> colours.

The light sources in the present invention may be located and/or positioned behind or substantially behind the reflection hologram being illuminated (i.e., on the opposite side from which the image is viewed). This contrasts with the general prior art where the light source is located in front of the hologram. The present invention therefore relates to a reflection hologram with the light source or sources located and/or positioned either behind or in front of the holographic image being formed.

The light source or sources may be located and/or positioned within an enclosure or box. The light source or sources may therefore be substantially encapsulated within the holographic display apparatus thereby forming a self-contained apparatus. This is in contrast to prior art systems. In alternative embodiments, the light source or sources may be positioned outside the enclosure using, for example, a close proximity mirror.

Typically, the formed hologram may be formed on an inner surface/side of the enclosure or box and may then be viewed from the outside. The display surface may therefore be substantially transparent.

The holographic display apparatus may also comprise optics which may be used to redirect or refocus the emitted light into a desired way for the formed hologram.

Illumination angles of incidence at the hologram surface from the illuminating array apparatus are high and are typically, for example, about <NUM> - <NUM> degrees or preferably <NUM> - <NUM> degrees and typically at least about <NUM> degrees.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Generally speaking, an embodiment of the present invention resides in the provision of a compact illumination unit providing a reference optical beam intended for replaying a holographic image. A standard light source is replaced with an array of smaller light source units to perform the same function in a smaller package in close proximity to the hologram. The array achieves a similar source brightness as the standard illumination unit but in a much more compact form.

By providing a more compact illumination unit provides the technical advantage of the array allowing the creation of a low-profile optic that industrial designers can then use to minimise the size of their holographic/illumination systems. The present inventors are the first to appreciate such technical advantages which are discussed and exemplified below.

<FIG> is a side view representation of a prior art conventional illumination of a reflection hologram <NUM>. There is shown a light source <NUM> (e.g. a laser or LED), a substrate <NUM> (e.g. a glass substrate), a large illumination unit <NUM>, a mirror or HOE <NUM> and an image <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the representation shown in <FIG> which shows a collimated illumination <NUM>.

The disadvantage of the illumination apparatus shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is the large illumination unit <NUM> used.

<FIG> is a representation of a prior art illumination of a reflection hologram as described in <CIT>. In <FIG>, there is shown a light source <NUM> (e.g. a laser or LED), a concave mirror or HOE (<NUM>), an HOE or angle selective mirror <NUM>, a hologram <NUM> and an image <NUM>.

In <FIG> the light source <NUM> is positioned in a configuration typical for a transmission hologram. However, there is the addition of a HOE <NUM> to reflect the illumination so that the light now matches the original reference beam of the reflection image hologram. This configuration has several advantages as detailed in the patent application <CIT>. Such an arrangement has some advantages such as, for example, being less susceptible to ambient lighting that can degrade the contrast of the image <NUM>.

The diagrams shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show a light source and associated optics used to illuminate a holographic plate, which in turn generates an image from the holographic plate. In both cases the size of the illumination module extends to at least the full size of the holographic plate with light sources and collimation optics positioned at the top and bottom of the holographic plate respectively. This has a number of disadvantages.

In contrast to the illumination techniques shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> an embodiment of the present invention relates to using collimated illumination derived from an array (i.e. a plurality) of light sources. This provides the specific technical advantages such as reducing the volume of the illumination unit when compared to <CIT>.

Conventional illumination using a large area LED chip and collimator has been found to create an intensity profile that drops significantly towards the edge of the hologram. The present invention addresses this problem. By utilizing a distributed array of smaller light sources, it has been found possible to create a more compact system with more uniform illumination of the hologram and hence improve the quality of the final holographic image.

The inventors of the present application have sought to find an ideal light source for illumination of a holographic image plate and have found that a desired light source may preferentially have at least one or more of the following characteristics:.

In the below, we will describe a compact light source, suitable for illuminating a holographic plate according to embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> and <FIG> are representations of an array of small optical sub-units arranged at the bottom of a hologram and forming a large area collimated reference beam according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each sub-unit comprises a light source and a collimating optic. <FIG> is a side view and <FIG> is a front view which show the creation of a collimated light source for a reflection hologram.

In particular, <FIG> shows an illumination unit <NUM> in the form of a compact collimated illumination unit that comprises an array of light sources i.e. at least two or more or a plurality of light sources. The dimensions of the compact sub-unit <NUM> might typically be in the <NUM>-<NUM> range, but is not restricted to this range. Typically, close packing of the sub-units in the array is used for maximum optical efficiency.

The compact collimated illumination unit <NUM> may comprise a plurality or an array of light sources formed from lasers and/or LEDs. <FIG> also shows a substrate <NUM> (e.g. a glass substrate), onto which hologram <NUM> is mounted if it made of film, and an image <NUM>. Light from the compact light source <NUM> is reflected from the substrate <NUM> to form the hologram <NUM> and image <NUM>.

<FIG> shows that there may be an array of sub-units <NUM> to form collimated illumination for hologram <NUM>. Light from the sub-units <NUM> is shown being emitted in collimated illumination <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> therefore illustrate the present invention and show that there is an array of optical units <NUM> located at the bottom/underside of the hologram <NUM> and substrate <NUM>. Light is emitted from the array of light sources <NUM> onto the substrate <NUM> to form the hologram <NUM> and image <NUM>.

The illumination unit <NUM> may operate in a wavelength of covering the visible spectrum from about <NUM> to <NUM>. The sub-units <NUM> have the function of forming a large area beam <NUM>.

By referring to <FIG> and the outline box <NUM> for the compact collimated illumination unit <NUM> it can be seen that this is of reduced size compared to that shown in conventional systems as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows that above each of the light sources <NUM> there is an optical element <NUM> used to form the collimated illumination <NUM>. The optical element <NUM> is in the form of a convex lens in this embodiment.

The optical sub-units <NUM> are each capable of collimating light from a source such as an LED or laser. The collimation may be achieved with a lens but could also be achieved with a reflector. The degree of collimation (or beam quality) is equivalent to or better than that achieved with the single source / large collimating optic shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The optical illumination unit <NUM> and associated sub-units <NUM> forming a light array can also be arranged to form an overall diverging or converging beam to represent the reference beam used in the recording of an original hologram. This can be done by arranging the offset of the light sources within the units such that the output angle varies gradually from sub-unit to sub-unit.

Close packing of the light sub-units <NUM> can be achieved using lens elements formed into rectangular, hexagonal or some other suitable tessellating shape.

<FIG> is a representation of a collimated light source for a reflection hologram and including a HOE. In <FIG> there is a compact collimated illumination unit <NUM> which comprises an array of lasers and/or LEDs as previously described <FIG> and <FIG>. There is a separate reflecting HOE or angle selective mirror <NUM>, as described in the <CIT>. There is also a substrate <NUM> (e.g. a glass substrate), a hologram <NUM> and a formed illuminated image <NUM>.

The collimated light formed in <FIG> is therefore formed using a similar compact collimated illumination unit as described in <FIG> and <FIG>. Such an apparatus therefore has the same corresponding technical advantages as previously described such as reduced size and equivalent degree of collimation (or beam quality) than that achieved from a single light source or large collimating optic as found in the prior art such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are representations of illumination systems based upon array optics and a single optic to produce collimated beams for reference beam illumination of holograms. In particular, <FIG> shows an array of light sources <NUM> (i.e. N x sub-units) such as an array of lasers and/or LEDs to form a collimated illumination unit <NUM>. In contrast to <FIG>, in <FIG> there is a single collimator <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is a plurality (i.e. an array) of light sources <NUM>. Above the light sources <NUM> there is a series of optical elements <NUM> which are used to form the collimated light.

The Figures help to explain how the array-based approach can achieve a collimated beam of equivalent beam quality to the conventional single optic system. With reference to <FIG> and equation <NUM>, the quality of the collimated beam is defined as the product of the beam width (D) and the sine of the divergence angle of the beam (q), hence beam quality is D x sin(q). Referring to <FIG>, an individual optical sub unit of the array has a beam quality of d x sin(q) where d is the width of the sub unit. Since the total width of the array comprises (N) units (d) wide then (N x d = D), producing a beam quality of the array equivalent to the single optic case of D x sin(q). By choosing the size of the LED chip (I) used in the sub-unit optic and the focal length of the optic (FLA) it has been found that it is possible to match the collimation angle (q) achieved by the conventional illuminator which uses a larger LED chip size (L) and collimator focal length (FLL). The equivalence in collimation angle (q) is achieved by ensuring that the ratio of the chip size to optical focal length are the same in both cases, i.e. [ (I/FLA) = (L/FLL) ] <MAT>.

This therefore shows that using an array of light sources as proposed by the present invention provides an equivalent collimated beam to that of a single optic system as defined by the beam quality definition above.

The present inventors have also found that it is possible to ensure that the total luminous flux collected by the array is equivalent or higher to that of a large LED chip conventional single source option. Hence coupled with the degree of collimation, the effective brightness of the array can match or better that of the single LED/optic. This is explained by the detailed description of <FIG> and <FIG> below.

The design of the optical array in the present invention may include the following:.

Ideally there will not be any need to actively align the components in the lens array. Hence tolerancing of the LED chip placement on a single PCB and manufacturing of the lens array may be done to allow the components to snap into place.

<FIG> is a representation of a multi-colour illumination using a collimation array outside the scope of the claimed invention. In particular, <FIG> shows one configuration to achieve multiple wavelength illumination using separate coloured LEDs. Dichroic mirrors (or HOE mirrors) are used to ensure that the multiwavelengths are collinear.

In the diagram of <FIG>, there is an array of sub-units <NUM> where the light is controlled and exits onto dichroic mirrors or HOEs <NUM>. The mirrors <NUM> are arranged at different angles so that the light of different colours are brought to be collinear. The light is then reflected onto the hologram <NUM>, and then reflected by the hologram <NUM> to form an image <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are representations of a low-profile collimated beam using an array of catadioptric elements according to a further example outside the scope of the claimed invention. In particular, <FIG> shows a light source <NUM> in the form of an LED or laser. Located above the light source <NUM> there is a mirror coating <NUM> in the form of a flat mirror which reflects light back down towards a concave surface <NUM> which has a mirror coating <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a collimated beam of light <NUM> is formed using a combination of refractive and reflective optics, more generally referred to as catadioptric optics (http://www. luxeonstar. com/assets/downloads/carclo-guide.

As shown in <FIG> there is total internal reflection (TIR) occurring at, for example, area <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment where there is an array of catadioptric optics <NUM> to form a collimated beam of light <NUM>. The collimated beam of light may be used in holographic applications as discussed above.

<FIG> and <FIG> are representations of a collimating element in the form of a parabolic mirror or generic reflector profile to form a collimated beam according to a further example outside the scope of the claimed invention. <FIG> shows a light source <NUM> (e.g. an LED or laser) emitting light onto a parabolic mirror <NUM> comprising a mirror coating <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this forms a collimated light beam <NUM>. The light beam <NUM> may be used in holographic applications as described above.

<FIG> shows an array of parabolic mirrors <NUM> with each parabolic mirror <NUM> having a light source <NUM> (e.g. an LED or laser) located at its focal centre. Similar to <FIG>, each parabolic mirror <NUM> comprises a mirror coating <NUM> and forms a collimated light beam <NUM> that can be used in holographic applications.

<FIG> as a representation of an array of optics to create a beam diverging from a virtual point source according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, there is shown a virtual point source <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, there is an array of optics <NUM> which each comprise an offset light source <NUM> (e.g. an LED) to create a beam diverging from the virtual point source <NUM>. There is a formed hologram <NUM>.

In embodiments as shown in <FIG>, in some instances, the reference beam to illuminate the hologram may not require a collimated beam, but rather a diverging or converging beam. An optic array of elements <NUM> can be configured to create a beam <NUM> that appears to be diverging from a virtual source point <NUM>.

The position of each light source <NUM> (e.g. LED) is shifted off centre with respect to its local optic axis. The example shown in <FIG> uses an array of refractive optical elements <NUM>, although similar beam shapes can be achieved with the other types of optical elements discussed in the present application.

<FIG> details an example of a conventional collimated illumination unit according to the prior art. <FIG> details the equivalent illumination system based upon an array of optics with reduced volume according to the present invention.

In <FIG> there is a representation of a prior art conventional illumination of a reflection hologram <NUM>. On the left-hand side there is a side view and on the right-hand side there is a front view of the conventional collimated illumination unit. There is shown a single large area light source <NUM> (e.g. a laser or LED), a substrate <NUM> (e.g. a glass substrate), a large illumination unit <NUM>, a mirror or HOE <NUM> and an image <NUM>.

In <FIG> on the left-hand side there is a side view and on the right-hand side a front view. By referring to <FIG> and the outline box <NUM> for the compact collimated illumination unit <NUM> it can be seen that this is of reduced size compared to that shown in conventional systems as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

On the right-hand side of <FIG> it is shown that above each of the light sources <NUM> there is an optical element <NUM> used to form the collimated illumination <NUM>. The optical element <NUM> is in the form of a convex lens in this embodiment.

By referring to <FIG>, the following details explain how an optic array can be more compact and produce a higher brightness beam compared to a single optic illuminator. The size of the hologram detailed here is <NUM> wide by <NUM> high and is illuminated by the reference beam at an angle of incidence of <NUM> degrees. It will be understood that the volume of any illumination system will scale with the area of the hologram being illuminated.

In this example, the volume of the conventional illumination based, <FIG>, unit is approximately <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> while the compact array version, <FIG>, has a volume of approximately <NUM> x <NUM> x <NUM> almost <NUM>/<NUM>th the volume of the conventional system.

We can also compare the intensity of the two illumination systems shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to show that an array-based approach can be designed to produce equivalent or higher optical intensities.

For comparison, we assume that both systems have a total LED emitting area of <NUM><NUM> and wavelength of <NUM>; i.e. a single <NUM><NUM> LED chip in the conventional system and the array equivalent (<NUM> rows of <NUM>) consists of <NUM> multiples of smaller <NUM><NUM> area LED chips.

Hence, for example, it can be assumed that the total LED output flux from each configuration shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is equivalent and equal to about <NUM> lumens. An equivalent collimation of <NUM> degrees spread in the final beam can be achieved by a single reflector of focal length FLL of <NUM> in the conventional system shown in <FIG> and also by the array approach shown in <FIG> if each individual optical lens element has a focal length FLA of about <NUM>.

Optical modelling of the two systems shows that about <NUM>% of the total output LED flux is collected in the standard system shown in <FIG> and about1 <NUM>% for the array based approach shown in <FIG> according to the present invention. This translates into a final illumination intensity of <NUM>,<NUM> nits for the standard system 10a and a higher <NUM>,<NUM> nits for the array based illuminator shown in <FIG> according to the present invention.

<FIG> are examples of individual optical elements according to the present invention that are closely packed together, hexagonal, diamond and square shapes, respectively. The close packing of the shapes do not produce gaps between the optical elements. If gaps were present there would be dark banding in the intensity distribution of the illuminating beam which would degrade the quality of the holographic image.

In particular, <FIG> shows hexagonal optical elements <NUM> which are close packed together with no gaps between the different optical elements <NUM>. In the centre of the hexagonal optical elements <NUM> there are LED chips <NUM>.

<FIG> shows diamond-shaped optical elements <NUM> which are close packed together with no gaps between the different optical elements <NUM>. In the centre of diamond-shaped optical elements <NUM> there are LED chips <NUM>.

<FIG> shows square-shaped optical elements <NUM> which are close packed together with no gaps between the different optical elements <NUM>. In the centre of the square-shaped optical elements <NUM> there are LED chips <NUM>.

<FIG> is an example of the intensity uniformity across the reference illuminating beam for a single large optical system <NUM> according to the prior art. The intensity at the edges of the display can drop to <NUM>% or below the intensity at the centre of the beam. This is caused by the radiation pattern from the LED and vignetting of the beam by the optics.

In contrast, <FIG> is composed of an array of illumination sub-units <NUM> according to the present invention. The brightness of each illumination sub-unit <NUM> may be adjusted by, for example, individually changing the drive current to each LED of the array. In this fashion it is possible to minimise the intensity drop at the edges of the beam to be less than <NUM>% compared to the centre of the beam. The result of which is an improved holographic image when illuminated with a more uniformly intensity beam. This is a significant improvement over the prior art.

Claim 1:
A holographic display apparatus comprising:
an illumination unit (<NUM>) capable of emitting light to directly illuminate a hologram (<NUM>) and form a consequent holographic image (<NUM>);
wherein the illumination unit (<NUM>) is comprised of an array of individual sub-units (<NUM>), each comprising a light source and corresponding optics, the illumination unit (<NUM>) forming an overall collimated, diverging or converging beam;
wherein the array of individual sub-units (<NUM>) are arranged at one edge of the hologram (<NUM>).