134 in a reflective beam director such as the beam director 274, whereas the angle at the point of incidence in combination with the material selection, as well as a spacing between surfaces is determinative of the redirection of the altered beam path 276 with a refractive beam director.

In the system 270, the position and/or orientation of the beam profiler 272 is altered by the actuator 250, such as a linear actuator or rotary actuator. Alternatively, any similar means of achieving the position and/or orientation change can be utilized to the same effect. Correspondingly, the angle of the reflecting surface or refracting surfaces of the beam director 274, at the position where the beam 132 is incident on the beam director 274, changes along the reflection surface or refraction surfaces, resulting in the position of the altered beam path 276 incident upon the projection surface 101 tracing out an image encoded on the beam director 274 as the beam profiler 272 is actuated.

By utilizing one or more surfaces having multiple set angles at the point of incidence, the resultant image traced out on the projection surface is hard encoded into the beam director. In other words, the physical dimensions of the beam director encode the image that is projected. In some examples, imaging systems such as the example imaging systems 100, 200, and 270 can be designed with the ability to switch out the beam director for an alternate beam director, thereby allowing a user to change the projected image. In yet further examples, multiple beam directors can be included, and a secondary actuation system can be utilized to switch which beam director, or beam profiler, the beam profile, or beam is incident upon during any given operation. In yet further examples, multiple lasers, or other beam sources, and/or a redirection component can be utilized to alter an incident position on the beam director or beam profiler, thereby altering the encoded image that is displayed.

Further, by hard encoding the image on the beam director, relatively simple rotary or linear actuation, or any similar mechanical movement, can be utilized to generate the image, allowing the imaging system to operate without requiring complex controls. By way of example, if the imaging system is designed to project an arrow, or other directional icon, leading individuals to an exit during a fire or similar emergency, a simple rotary or linear actuation system, or a non-moving system can continue to function while a more complex electronic system requiring timed beam sources, multiple synchronized actuated mirrors, or switching between multiple beams and beam directors, would degrade, require maintenance, unintentionally project beams in areas that may be hazardous, or otherwise cease to operate due to the harsh environment.

An example beam director 300 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The beam director 300 may be a clear structure, such as a prism, including one or more refractive surfaces 320. While illustrated as discrete refractive surfaces 320a-d arranged in a linear fashion, one of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will understand that the refractive surfaces 320 can continuously shift from one angle to another angle, without being discrete surfaces via the utilization of a curved surface, or any similar feature. The angle of the refractive surface 320, relative to the beam profile 332, alters the beam path, creating an altered beam path 334 in the X-Y-Z coordinates, referred to moving forward as “three-dimensional space”, causing the point of incidence of the altered beam path on the projection surface to shift. Further, while illustrated in the example beam director 300 as only including refractive surfaces 320a-d on one side of the beam director 300, it should be appreciated that the opposite side of the beam director 300 can also include refractive surfaces. In such an example it is the relative angle between the refractive surfaces that is determinative of the angle by which the altered beam path 334 is redirected.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the entire beam profile 133 may be projected concurrently. The beam director 140 likewise may redirect the entirety of the beam profile concurrently into the entirety of the altered beam path 134. The altered beam path 134, for example, shifts in the three-dimensional space corresponding to the angle of the refractive surface of the beam path 134 (e.g., surfaces 320a-d of FIG. 3) or the relative angles of the refractive surfaces 320a-d. The utilization of multiple angled refractive surfaces 320, or a single refractive surface 320 where the instantaneous angle of the surface at the point of incidence of the beam profile 133 changes along the length, causes a shape to be projected on the projection surface 101.

In reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the beam profiler 260 is actuated by actuator 250, creating the beam profile 233. As the beam profile 233 is incident the beam director 240, the altered beam path 234 shifts in the three-dimensional space corresponding to the angle of the refractive surface of the beam director 240 (e.g., surface(s) 320 of FIG. 3), or the relative angles of the refractive surfaces 320. The utilization of multiple angled refractive surfaces 320, or a single refractive surface 320 where the instantaneous angle of the surface at the point of incidence of the beam profile 233 changes along the length, causes a shape to be traced out on the projection surface 101.

In one such an example, the actuator 250 is a linear actuator that causes the beam profiler 260 to move back and forth along the line of actuation. By cycling the beam profiler 260 in full cycles at greater than 24 cycles per second, the shape is traced on the projection surface 101 faster than the refresh rate of the human eye, causing a viewer to see a single drawn shape.

In alternative examples, the actuator 250 may move in a rotary motion, a combination of linear and rotary or other motions.

Further, as with the reflective example of FIG. 2B, the actuation of the beam profiler 272 by the actuator 250 allows the imaging system to be safely functional in harsh environments, or with minimal controls, thereby facilitating its use in emergency warning/notification systems, low maintenance systems, and the like.

FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate alternative example beam directors 400 and 402, respectively. In each example, the beam director 400, 402 includes a reflecting composite surface 420 having multiple angled facing surface 422, 424, 426, 428. Each of the angled facing surfaces 422, 424, 426, 428 in the example of the beam director 400 of FIG. 4A is connected to an adjacent angled facing surface 422, 424, 426, 428 by a discontinuous surface 450a-d. In contrast, each of the angled facing surfaces 422, 424, 426, 428 in the example beam director 402 of