Multiple-polarization cloaking

Abstract

A system includes a view screen with polarized output. A window capable of blocking the polarized output at least in part cloaks the view screen to frustrate viewing of the view screen through the window. In some cases, the window comprises an array of panels capable of blocking multiple polarizations. The array may disrupt multiple different polarized view screen outputs while maintaining transparency to unpolarized light. In some cases, the window capable of blocking polarized output may be paired with view screen cover that converts view screen output in an unblocked polarization to one of the one or more polarizations blocked by the window.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A window comprising:
 first regions placed to render unintelligible first view screen output in a first polarization, the first regions transmissive to a second polarization different than the first polarization; and   second regions interlaced with the first regions, the second regions placed to render unintelligible second view screen output in the second polarization.   
     
     
         2 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a checkered pattern, crossing line pattern, diagonal crossing line pattern, a fractal pattern, a multi-scale pattern, a repeated ring pattern, a constrained randomized pattern, a letter pattern, a repeated triangle pattern, an aperiodic tiling pattern, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second regions overlap at least in part. 
     
     
         4 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first polarization comprises a vertical polarization.   
     
     
         5 . The window according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second polarization comprises a horizontal polarization, a 45 degree polarization, a 135 degree polarization, a circular polarization, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing comprising:
 fabricating a window comprising:
 first regions placed to render unintelligible first view screen output in a first polarization, the first regions transmissive to a second polarization different than the first polarization; and 
 second regions interlaced with the first regions, the second regions placed to render unintelligible second view screen output in the second polarization. 
   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a checkered pattern, crossing line pattern, diagonal crossing line pattern, a fractal pattern, a multi-scale pattern, a repeated ring pattern, a constrained randomized pattern, a letter pattern, a repeated triangle pattern, an aperiodic tiling pattern, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second regions overlap at least in part. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first polarization comprises a vertical polarization.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the second polarization comprises a horizontal polarization, a 45 degree polarization, a 135 degree polarization, a circular polarization, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         11 . A method of maintaining visual privacy comprising:
 providing a window comprising:
 first regions placed to render unintelligible first view screen output in a first polarization, the first regions transmissive to a second polarization different than the first polarization; and 
 second regions interlaced with the first regions, the second regions placed to render unintelligible second view screen output in the second polarization. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a checkered pattern, crossing line pattern, diagonal crossing line pattern, a fractal pattern, a multi-scale pattern, a repeated ring pattern, a constrained randomized pattern, a letter pattern, a repeated triangle pattern, an aperiodic tiling pattern, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second regions overlap at least in part. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first polarization comprises a vertical polarization.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second polarization comprises a horizontal polarization, a 45 degree polarization, a 135 degree polarization, a circular polarization, or any combination thereof.