The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 07, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1998
Pierre H. Mertz, Mountain View, CA (US);
Agilent Technolgoies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An optical collimating assembly for imaging light from a display. The optical assembly includes first and second linear polarization filters having polarization directions that are orthogonal to one another. A folded imaging assembly that includes a first beam splitter, a first ¼ wave plate, and a second beam splitter is located between the polarization filters. A second ¼ wave plate is also located between the polarization filters. The first ¼ wave plate has a birefringence axis that is orthogonal to the birefringence axis of the second ¼ wave plate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ¼ wave plates are constructed from the same birefringent material. One of the reflectors is preferably constructed from a material having a reflectivity that depends on the direction of linear polarization of light striking the beam splitter.