Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Rockwell International Corporation

Martin J Steffensmeier

Guolin Peng

Thomas A Seder

Mark J Nimmer

Ronald A Ferrante

James B West

James D Sampica

John L Meier

Brian P Dehmlow

Scott A Bottorf

Gary D Bishop

Jeffrey D Russell

John K Hagge

James P Henderson

William S Ebeltoft

Stephen J Wright

Nathan O Jensen

Randy A Naeve

Mark C Skarohlid

Thomas C Rohr

Linley E Woelk

Goulin Peng

Techniques and systems for driving multiple tiled displays from a single digital video source can include a plurality of displays arranged in tiled fashion to form a tiled display, a plurality of display drivers corresponding to the plurality of displays, and a video receiver board coupled to the plurality of display drivers via a communication bus. The video receiver board communicates streams of pixel information to the plurality of display drivers.

System and method for driving multiple tiled displays from a single digital video source

The present invention provides an optical display system and method for producing images and presenting the images for observation in combination with an observer's visual exterior view of an outside scene. The optical display system may include an image source for projecting an image, and a curved beam combination mirror (CBCM) or beam combination mirror (BCM) for reflecting the projected image toward an observer for observation. The image source may be a transmissive LCD, a reflective LCD, a digital micromirror device, a laser display, or the like. The CBCM or BCM may be positioned so that the observer, in a line of sight, may see a visual exterior view of an outside scene through the CBCM or BCM and the projected image in the CBCM or BCM.

Compact head up display with wide viewing angle

A head up display system for a vehicle includes an image source and an optical combiner which reflects the projected image from the image source toward an observer for observation. The optical combiner is positioned so that the observer, in a line of sight, sees both a visual exterior view of an outside scene through the combiner and the projected image in the combiner. In disclosed embodiments, the optical combiner comprises wedge lenses.

Head up display having a combiner with wedge lenses

A method of reducing luminance decay of emissive elements in a matrix addressed emissive display device includes generating control data corresponding to a static image to be displayed on a matrix of individually addressable emissive display elements. Drive signals are generated as a function of the control data, and are provided to the matrix to thereby energize the corresponding emissive display elements of the matrix in order to display the static image on the matrix. The control data are altered substantially continuously in order to substantially continuously move the static image on the matrix.

Method and apparatus for extending the life of matrix addressed emissive display devices

An illumination system for use in illuminating a spatial light modulator for a head up display system. The illumination system includes a high power light emitting diode (LED) array assembly; and, a Fresnel lens array operatively associated with the LED array assembly for receiving light produced by the LED and providing a nearly collimated light output for use by the spatial light modulator. Utilization of the ultra bright LED array and Fresnel lens array provides the capability of the illumination source to be made very thin, light weight, and efficient. The Fresnel lens array, which converges the light to be nearly collimated, enhances the harvest of the available flux thus increasing the system efficiency and providing a system that gives the illusion of having an image at infinity. Additional components such as holographic elements, optical compensation films, and brightness enhancement films can be used to tailor the light if required.

Illumination system for a head up display

An organic polarized light source is provided that includes a substrate, a striated layer, and an anode formed on the substrate. The organic polarized light source further includes an organic hole transport layer formed on the anode, an organic electron transport layer formed on the hole transport layer, and a cathode formed on the electron transport layer.

Polarized light source using an organic liquid crystal

A meniscus combiner for a head up display (HUD) system. The meniscus combiner includes a meniscus lens; a multi-layer dichroic coating formed on a first surface of the meniscus lens; and, an anti-reflection coating formed on a second, opposite surface of the meniscus lens. The meniscus combiner preferably utilizes a non-symmetric aspheric meniscus lens which simplifies the optical system of the image source (overhead or in-dash unit) minimizing aberrations and minimizing costs. The meniscus combiner may be fabricated utilizing a number of lens sections which may be bonded together and blended. Use of multiple lens sections provides the ability to easily optimize the lens design. Alternatively, the meniscus combiner can be fabricated from a single lens.

Meniscus head up display combiner

A visual display includes a dimming mode. The dimming mode is provided via analog and digital dimming mode signals. The dimming mode signals can be provided via a digital-to-analog converter. The display can be an OLED or LCD display used in avionic and projection applications.

Display driver supporting a dimming mode

A head up display system for a vehicle that includes a compact image source for projecting an image. The compact image source may be foldable up toward or into a cockpit ceiling of the vehicle, be positioned within a dashboard of the vehicle, or located at another suitable position. A combiner reflects the projected image with optical power toward an observer for observation. The combiner is positioned so that the observer, in a line of sight, may see a visual exterior view of an outside scene through the combiner and the projected image in the combiner. In a preferred embodiment, the image source includes an illumination system that includes a high power light emitting diode (LED) array assembly. A Fresnel lens array is operatively associated with the LED array assembly for receiving light produced by the LED and providing a nearly collimated light output. A spatial light modulator receives the nearly collimated light output. The preferred combiner is a meniscus combiner that includes a meniscus lens; a multi-layer dichroic coating formed on a first surface of the meniscus lens; and, an anti-reflection coating formed on a second, opposite surface of the meniscus lens. The meniscus combiner preferably utilizes a non-symmetric aspheric meniscus lens.

Advanced compact head up display

A passive matrix organic light emitting display system includes a plurality of pixels configured for emitting light when energized by one of a plurality of row electrodes and one of a plurality of column electrodes. The display system also comprises a plurality of column drivers configured for energizing the plurality of column electrodes. The display system also comprises a plurality of row drivers configured for energizing the plurality of row electrodes. At least two of the plurality of row drivers are configured to simultaneously energize at least two of the plurality of row of electrodes. A method of displaying information on a passive matrix organic light emitting display system is also disclosed.

Display system

An interconnect for use with a pixel layer of a pixel web is provided, the interconnect including an interconnect substrate having a plurality of conductive leads and a plurality of contact vias formed on and extending from the interconnect substrate. The contact vias are formed in a predetermined pattern on the interconnect substrate and are in electrical communication with the conductive leads. The interconnect includes a patterned spacer of a thickness substantially equal to a height of the contact vias. The patterned spacer includes a plurality of through-holes also formed according to the predetermined pattern and having a dimension substantially equal to a dimension of the contact vias. The interconnect substrate and the patterned spacer are capable of being assembled onto the pixel layer, with the patterned spacer being in a middle position and the contact vias extending through the through-holes to contact corresponding cathode portions on the pixel layer.

Interconnect for flat panel displays

A method of forming a conformal electronic scanning array (ESA) is disclosed. The ESA is formed using rolling techniques similar to those used in forming LCD displays. If the layers forming the ESA are made of substantially transparent materials, the ESA may be applied to an outer surface of a display, such as a flexible display. The ESA may also be applied to a window or other non-planar surface such as an outer surface of a vehicle, or may be integrated into a computer display.

Conformal electronic scanning array

An emissive display system includes a matrix of pixels. The matrix of pixels can be comprised of two or more elements. The two or more elements have different areas from each other. The different areas allow the elements to be driven at similar or preferred drive biases and energies despite the different materials utilized to manufacture the elements.

Display having differing element sizes to improve efficiency, luminance, chromaticity, and lifetime

An optical coupler is designed to be utilized with multiple light sources. The optical coupler can include a reflecting mirror, a plurality of coupling rods, and an integrating rod. The reflecting mirror receives light from the light sources and reflects light to the coupling rods. The coupling rods provide a path for the light to the integrating rod.

Multiple lamp coupler

A high-reliability display system is disclosed. The display system includes a plurality of projection channels. Each projection channel projects a substantially mutually exclusive portion of an image onto a display area. A controller determines the content and size of each portion that each projection channel projects onto the display area so that the image substantially fills the display area during normal conditions. When one of the projection channels is inoperative, the controller adjusts the portions of the image that are projected by the operative projection channels to optimize the image on the display area.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Martin J Steffensmeier