Method for displaying images and device for realising the same

摘要

The present invention pertains to the techniques for generating and displaying images in transparent materials and may be essentially used for creating colour effects in objects made of glass, crystal and organic glass as well as in precious or semi-precious stones, etc. This method for displaying images includes using at least one radiation source for illuminating a transparent object that comprises a light-scattering pattern within a volume. The radiation is directed so that the part of said radiation which reaches the light-scattering pattern within the volume undergoes at least one complete, single and internal reflection within the transparent object. The radiation from the source is propagated in the transparent object according to a "wave guide" mode and illuminates the pattern within the volume as it progresses in said transparent object. The illumination radiation is thus enclosed within the transparent object and flows out only after it is scattered on the elements of the light-scattering pattern within the volume. This method enables a more efficient use of the radiation from the illumination source and increases the luminance of the pattern within the volume. The radiation from the illumination source reaches the observer's eyes only after it is scattered on the pattern elements as the rays of the illumination source are enclosed within the transparent object and do not reach directly the observer's eyes. The illuminated pattern can thus be observed on an essentially neutral background resulting in a higher contrast effect. The present illumination method also eliminates the rays which are reflected from the object edges and directly hit the observer's eyes, thus increasing the contrast of the image relative to traditional methods.