Siliscape, Inc.

Inviso Corporation

Other

Three-Five Systems, Inc.

Alfred P Hildebrand

Gregory J Kintz

A compact virtual image electronic display system including a beamsplitting magnification optic on which a source object is projected, the beamsplitting magnification optic having a refractive surface and a partially reflective surface for magnifying and reflecting the source object as a magnified virtual image, and a reflective element positioned for receiving and reflecting the magnified virtual image back to the beamsplitting magnification optic. The beamsplitting magnification optic receives the reflected magnified virtual image and magnifies and transmits it through the beamsplitting magnification optic as a compound magnified image of the magnified virtual image to an observer. In this display system, the beamsplitting magnification optic and reflective element are positioned such that the source object is projected on the beamsplitting magnification optic at least partially within an area of the beamsplitting magnification optic on which the reflected magnified virtual image is received by the beamsplitting magnification optic.

Compact display system controlled by eye position sensory system

A synthesized virtual image electronic display is provided that includes a microdisplay for forming a source object, a first magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image, an image synthesizing optic upon which the magnified real image is projected, and a second magnification optic for providing a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the synthesizing optic. The image synthesizing optic is a diffractive element which provides the display of the present invention with significant optical and ergonomic advantages over that which can be achieved using prior art simple magnification and compound magnification systems.

Miniature synthesized virtual image electronic display

A virtual image display system is provided which is made thinner through the use of an immersed beam splitter, and in one embodiment, total internal reflection. The display system includes an imaging surface on which a source object is formed, a first optical element having a reflective function and a magnification function, a second optical element having a magnification function and an immersed beam splitting element positioned between the first and second optical elements, the immersed beam splitting element including a beam splitter surrounded by an optically transparent material having a refractive index greater than air. An illumination source projects the source object formed at the imaging surface through the optically transparent material to the beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects the projected source object to the first optical element. The first optical element magnifies the projected source object and reflects a magnified virtual image of the projected source object to the beam splitter. The magnified virtual image traverses the beam splitter to the second optical element which magnifies the magnified virtual image to produce a compound magnified virtual image of the source object.

Compact display system controlled by eye position sensor system

A compact virtual image display system is provided which includes a microdisplay; a first magnification optic consisting of three surfaces: a display input surface; a reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface; and a second magnification optic. Light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic at the display input surface. The light travels within the first magnification optic such that it is projected to an area on the reflective.backslash.transmissive surface that is at least partially within the full field of view provided by the second magnification optic. The light is directed to the reflective/transmissive surface at a first angle of incidence .theta..sub.SO relative to the reflective/transmissive surface such that the light is internally reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface and directed to the reflective first magnification element surface. The first magnification element surface internally reflects the light corresponding to the source object as a magnified virtual image. The magnified virtual image is then is conveyed within the first magnification optic back to the reflective/transmissive surface at a second angle of incidence .theta..sub.MVI relative to the reflective/transmissive surface such that the light is transmitted by the reflective/transmissive surface out of the first magnification optic. The second magnification optic is positioned to receive the magnified virtual image transmitted from the first magnification optic and transmit a compound magnified virtual image of the magnified virtual image of the source object to the observer.

Compact compound magnified virtual image display with a

A synthesized virtual image electronic display comprising a microdisplay for forming a source object a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image; an image synthesizing optic including an array of individual pixels upon which the real image is projected.

Optical method employing total internal reflection

A compact virtual image electronic display system is provided which includes a microdisplay for producing a source object, one or more magnification optics, and a distance adjusting mechanism for adjusting a distance between the one or more magnification optics and each other or a reflective surface, the magnification of the compound magnified image relative to the source object being dependent on this distance. The system may include a distance sensing mechanism for sensing the distance between the beamsplitting magnification optic and the reflective element and communicating the distance to a control mechanism which modifies the source object in response. The system can also include a control mechanism for causing the distance adjusting mechanism to adjust the distance in response to the source object produced by the microdisplay. The system can also include a user selectable input for modifying the source object.

Twice folded compound magnified virtual image electronic display

A virtual image display system is provided which is made thinner through the use of an immersed beam splitter, and in one embodiment, total internal reflection. The display system includes an imaging surface on which a source object is formed, a first optical element having a reflective function and a magnification function, a second optical element having a magnification function and an immersed beam splitting element positioned between the first and second optical elements, the immersed beam splitting element including a beam splitter surrounded by an optically transparent material having a refractive index greater than that of air. An illumination source projects the source object formed at the imaging surface through the optically transparent material to the beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects the projected source object to the first optical element. The first optical element magnifies the projected source object and reflects a magnified virtual image of the projected source object to the beam splitter. The magnified virtual image traverses the beam splitter to the second optical element which magnifies the magnified virtual image to produce a compound magnified virtual image of the source object.

Compact display system with two stage magnification and immersed beam

A synthesized virtual image electronic display is provided that includes a microdisplay for forming a source object which preferably has a surface area less than about 100 mm.sup.2, a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image, an image synthesizing optic upon which the magnified real image is projected, and a second stage magnification optic for providing a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the synthesizing optic. The image synthesizing optic provides the synthesized display of the present invention with significant optical and ergonomic advantages over that which can be achieved using prior art simple magnification and compound magnification systems. Also provided is an electronic device which includes the synthesized display. The synthesized display is intended as an inexpensive component which may be incorporated into any electronic device in which an electronic display is needed. The two stages of magnification optics and intermediate image synthesizing optic used in the synthesized display provide the significant advantage of enabling the synthesized display to be positioned within a small volume. It is preferred that the synthesized display be positioned within a volume of less than about 375 cubic centimeters, more preferably within a volume of less than about 94 cubic centimeters. It is preferred that the first and second stage magnification optics provide a combined magnification of at least about 20, more preferably at least about 40. It is also preferred that the first stage magnification optic provide a magnification of between about 3 and 10 and a focal length of between about 3.5 and 37.5 mm. It is also preferred that the second stage magnification optic provide a magnification of between about 4 and 7 and an eye relief equal to or greater than about 15 mm, more preferably equal to or than about 35 mm, most preferably equal to or greater than about 50 mm.

A compact, virtual image electronic display system is provided for forming a compound magnified virtual image of a source object. The display system includes a microdisplay for producing the source object, a first reflective magnification optic, and a second magnification optic which, in combination with the first magnification optic, forms a compound magnified virtual image. The first and second magnification optics may be separate optics. Alternatively, a single beamsplitting magnification optic may be used as both the first and second magnification optic. When a single beamsplitting magnification optic is employed, the beamsplitting magnification optic serves as both a first, reflective magnification optic to produce a magnified virtual image and as a second, transmissive magnification optic to produce a compound magnified virtual image which is seen by the observer. By using the same optic in a reflective mode as the first magnification optic and in a transmissive mode as the second magnification optic, any aberrations introduced into the image during the first stage of magnification are substantially removed during the second stage of magnification. As a result, the compound magnified virtual image produced is substantially aberration free.

A synthesized virtual image electronic display includes a microdisplay for forming a source object having an area less than about 100 mm.sup.2. A first stage magnification optic magnifies the source object to produce a magnified real image. A real image is projected on an image synthesizing optic. A second stage magnification optic provides a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the image synthesizing optic. The first and second stage magnification optics provide a combined magnification of at least about 20.

A compact virtual image electronic display system is provided which includes a microdisplay for producing a source object. A first magnification optic magnifies the source object and reflects a magnified virtual image. A second magnification optic provides a compound magnified virtual image of the magnified virtual image to an observer. The source object is within the full field of view provided by the second magnification optic. A control mechanism provides control signals to the microdisplay which modify the source object produced by the microdisplay.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Alfred P Hildebrand