Patent ID: 8837896

Claim:
A portable electronic system, comprising: a portable electronic device having a screen; and a visual extender having a substantially planar thin film element, the visual extender coupled to the portable electronic device such that the substantially planar thin film element lies upon or over the screen and provides visual extension of the screen of the portable electronic device to enlarge images generated thereby, the substantially planar thin film element including: a screen side facing the screen; a second side opposite the screen side, a distance between the screen side and the second side defining a thickness of the substantially planar thin film element; a first waveguide having a first entrance proximate the screen side and a first exit positioned between the screen side and the second side; a second waveguide having a second entrance proximate the first exit of the first waveguide and a second exit proximate the second side of the substantially planar thin film element, a cross-section of the second waveguide expanding from the second entrance towards the second exit; a third waveguide having a third entrance proximate the first exit of the first waveguide and a third exit proximate the second side of the substantially planar thin film element, a cross-section of the third waveguide expanding from the third entrance towards the third exit; and a splitter located between the first waveguide and the second and third waveguides which is configured to split light emanating from the screen of the portable electronic device and passing through the first waveguide among at least the second waveguide and the third waveguide.