Bae Systems, Inc.

Jonathan Paul Freeman

Rory Thomas Alexander Mills

Ian Thomas Macken

A optical apparatus to display an image to a user is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image source to generate an image bearing light beam having a first numerical aperture; and a diffuser screen. The diffuser screen is configured to increase the numerical aperture of the image bearing light beam to a second numerical aperture. The diffuser screen comprises a first part comprising: a first face and second face substantially parallel to each other, a first array of a plurality of waveguides forming an optical path between the first face and the second face. A value of an optical property of each of the plurality of waveguides is selected randomly from a set of values of the optical property. The first array of a plurality of waveguides is arranged such that each of the plurality of waveguides has an optical axis that is substantially parallel to it's nearest neighbour. Substantially all the waveguides of the first array are sized below a size that would allow a single mode of visible light to propagate along each waveguide.

Diffuser screen

A folded optical arrangement for use in a look-through display to transmit an image from an image plane to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: an optical system having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface, the optical system configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to focus the light to have an apparent optical focus between a predetermined distance and optical infinity and output the light; wherein the first plurality of optically powered surfaces and the at least one optically powered surface of the second optical element are arranged to define a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path and wherein a refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through the or each interface; and wherein one surface of the first optical element and one surface of the second optical element are adjacent to one another and the adjacent surfaces are dissimilar and each define an angle with a respective other surface of the relevant optical element at opposing ends of the adjacent surfaces and wherein the opposing angles are not equal; and a combiner element located to receive the output light from the optical system and a further external image for combination for transmission to the user.

Optical arrangement for a display

A folded optical arrangement for use in a view-through display to transmit an image from an image source to a user's eye, the arrangement providing a folded optical transmission path and comprising: an optical system having a first optical element comprising a first plurality of optically powered surfaces; and a second optical element comprising at least one optically powered surface, the optical system configured to receive light forming the image from an image source, and to present a virtual image of the image source to the user with an apparent focus between a predetermined distance and optical infinity; wherein the first plurality of optically powered surfaces and the at least one optically powered surface of the second optical element are arranged to define a plurality of interfaces along the folded optical path and wherein a refractive index change at each interface is predetermined to control the direction of light passing through the or each interface; and wherein one surface of the first optical element and one surface of the second optical element are adjacent to one another and the adjacent surfaces are dissimilar and each define an angle with a respective other surface of the relevant optical element at opposing ends of the adjacent surfaces and wherein the opposing angles are not equal; and a compensator element located between the first optical element and an external view to receive the external view for combination with the image output from the optical system.

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Rochester, United Kingdom

Jonathan Paul Freeman