Optical apparatus for producing a natural, viewable and optically interactive image in free space

摘要

Apparatus for producing a natural, viewable and optically interactive image of a luminous object which appears to float in free space at a location different from the location of the object. The apparatus includes a hollow opaque internally non-reflective shroud surrounding the luminous object and an optical system with an opening in the shroud for viewing the image of the object through the optical system. The optical system includes first and second convex lenses each having an f number between about 0.5 and about 1.5. Visible reference means defining a transparent plane between the viewer and the optical system are provided. Embodiments having optical systems including mirror means and fresnel lens are described as well as embodiments for simultaneous viewing of images of more than one object.