Latent effects projection system

Abstract

Latent effects projection systems that allow a latent effects projector to be used in connection with various materials, such as wall pieces, floor tiles, signage, hangings, and the like; use reflective polarizers having various looks and/or which allow for the development of different color palettes; which are relatively insensitive to heat; and/or use plural retarders to generate relatively more saturated colors and/or latent colors that are substantially repeatable.

1 . A method of calibrating a polarized light projector system including a latent color projector adapted to project light including visual information, the method comprising: 
 arranging a pair of polarizers such that transmission of the projected light through the pair of polarizers is substantially inhibited;    placing a first retarder between the pair of polarizers;    rotating the first retarder to a position that provides substantially the brightest throughput through the pair of polarizers;    placing a second retarder between the pair of polarizers and behind the first retarder;    rotating the second retarder to a position that provides substantially the least throughput through the pair of polarizers;    fixing the angular relationship between the first and second retarders forming a retarder laminate;    inserting the retarder laminate between the polarizer closest to the latent color projector and a birefringent rotary tool;    rotating the retarder laminate until a color spectrum appears on the rotary tool; and    locking the retarder laminate in this orientation relative to the polarizer closest to the latent color projector.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first retarder comprises a 530 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first retarder comprises a 560 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second retarder comprises a 140 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a lexan material is substituted for at least one of the first and second retarders.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the brightest throughput provides an interference color that is blue or reddish blue in color.  
   
   
       7 . A method of calibrating a polarized light projector system including a latent color projector adapted to project light including visual information, the method comprising: 
 arranging a pair of polarizers such that transmission of the projected light through the pair of polarizers is substantially inhibited;    placing a first retarder between the pair of polarizers;    rotating the first retarder to a position that provides substantially the brightest throughput through the pair of polarizers;    placing a second retarder between the pair of polarizers and behind the first retarder;    rotating the second retarder to a position that provides substantially the brightest throughput through the pair of polarizers and the first retarder;    placing a third retarder between the pair of polarizers and behind the second retarder;    rotating the third retarder to a position that provides substantially the least throughput through the pair of polarizers and the first and second retarders;    fixing the angular relationship between the first, second, and third retarders forming a retarder laminate;    inserting the retarder laminate between the polarizer closest to the latent color projector and a birefringent rotary tool    rotating the retarder laminate until a color spectrum appears on the rotary tool; and    locking the retarder laminate in this orientation relative to the polarizer closest to the latent color projector.    
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first and second retarders comprises a 530 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first and second retarders comprises a 560 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the third retarder comprises a 140 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a lexan material is substituted for at least one of the first, second and third retarders.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein the brightest throughput provides an interference color that is blue or reddish blue in color.  
   
   
       13 . A method of calibrating a polarized light projector system including a latent color projector adapted to project light including visual information, the method comprising: 
 arranging a pair of polarizers such that transmission of the projected light through the pair of polarizers is substantially inhibited;    placing a first retarder between the pair of polarizers;    rotating the first retarder to a position that provides substantially the brightest throughput through the pair of polarizers;    placing a second retarder between the pair of polarizers and behind the first retarder;    rotating the second retarder to a position that provides substantially the brightest throughput through the pair of polarizers and the first retarder;    placing a third retarder between the pair of polarizers and behind the second retarder;    rotating the third retarder to a position that provides substantially the brightest throughput through the pair of polarizers and the first and second retarders;    fixing the angular relationship between the first, second, and third retarders forming a retarder laminate;    inserting the retarder laminate between the polarizer closest to the latent color projector and a birefringent rotary tool;    rotating the retarder laminate until a color spectrum appears on the rotary tool; and    locking the retarder laminate in this orientation relative to the polarizer located nearest the latent color projector.    
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second retarders comprises a 530 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second retarders comprises a 560 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the third retarder comprises a 140 nanometer retarder.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at lexan material is substituted for at least one of the first, second and third retarders.  
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the brightest throughput provides an interference color that is blue or reddish blue in color.