Optical imaging system

Abstract

An optical imaging system including an elongated lightguide having pluralities of first and second light extractors forming respective first and second patterns along the length of the lightguide is described. Light extracted by the first light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction toward a target location, and light extracted by the second light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction different from the first direction. The optical imaging system includes a first reflector for receiving light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and reflecting the received light toward the target location. The first reflector forms a first virtual image of the second pattern behind the first reflector. The first pattern and the first virtual image are visible to a viewer viewing the optical imaging system from the target location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical imaging system, comprising:
 an elongated lightguide comprising a plurality of first light extractors forming a first pattern, the first light extractors configured to extract light propagating within the lightguide, the extracted light propagating away from a target location; and   an elongated first reflector coextensive with the lightguide and forming a first virtual image of the first pattern, such that the extracted light is redirected by the first reflector toward the target location making the first virtual image viewable at the target location.   
     
     
         2 . The optical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated lightguide further comprises a plurality of second light extractors forming a second pattern along the length of the lightguide, the second light extractors configured to extract light propagating within the lightguide. 
     
     
         3 . The optical imaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the light extracted by the first light extractors exits the lightguide primarily along a first direction and the light extracted by the second light extractors exits the lightguide primarily along a second direction different from the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The optical imaging system of  claim 3 , further comprising an elongated second reflector coextensive with the lightguide for receiving light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and reflecting the received light toward the target location, the second reflector forming a second virtual image of the second pattern behind the second reflector, the first pattern and the first and second virtual images being visible to a viewer viewing the optical imaging system from the target location. 
     
     
         5 . The optical imaging system of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second reflectors are not parallel to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The optical imaging system of  claim 4 , wherein an angle between the first and second reflectors is between 90 and 180 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The optical imaging system of  claim 3 , wherein a first portion of the first reflector is disposed to receive light exiting the lightguide primarily along the first direction and to reflect the received light toward the target location, and a second portion of the first reflector is disposed to receive light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and to reflect the received light toward the target location, the second portion of the first reflector forming a second virtual image of the second pattern behind the second portion of the first reflector, the first and second virtual images being visible to a viewer viewing the optical imaging system from the target location. 
     
     
         8 . The optical imaging system of  claim 3 , wherein the elongated lightguide further comprises a plurality of third light extractors forming a third pattern along the length of the lightguide, the third light extractors configured to extract light propagating within the lightguide, wherein the light extracted by the third light extractors exits the lightguide primarily along a third direction different from the first and second directions.