Micro collimator system and method for a head up display (HUD)
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A head up display, comprising:
- an image source;
an illuminator;
a fold element configured to receive light from the image source;
a field lens configured to receive light from the fold element;
a polarizing beam splitter having a first face, a second face, a third face, and a fourth face, wherein the illuminator is configured to illuminate the image source through the fold element, the field lens is configured to provide the light from the fold element to the first face, the polarizing beam splitter being configured to reflect light of a first polarization state through the second face, wherein the light from the image source has the first polarization state, wherein the first polarization state and a second polarization state are not the same;
a retarder disposed to receive the light provided through the second face; and
a curved reflector disposed to receive light from the retarder and to provide the light from the retarder back through the retarder to the second face, wherein light entering the second face has the second polarization state and wherein the polarizing beam splitter is configured so that the light entering the second face travels from the second face to the third face, wherein the light at the third face is provided for display on the head up display, wherein the fourth face is opposite the first face and the second face is opposite the third face.
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Abstract
A head up display can use a catadioptric collimating system. The head up display includes an image source. The head up display also includes a collimating mirror, and a polarizing beam splitter. The light from the image source enters the beam splitter and is reflected toward the collimating mirror. The light striking the collimating mirror is reflected through the beam splitter toward a combiner. A field lens can include a diffractive surface. A corrector lens can be disposed after the beam splitter.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A head up display, comprising:
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an image source; an illuminator; a fold element configured to receive light from the image source; a field lens configured to receive light from the fold element; a polarizing beam splitter having a first face, a second face, a third face, and a fourth face, wherein the illuminator is configured to illuminate the image source through the fold element, the field lens is configured to provide the light from the fold element to the first face, the polarizing beam splitter being configured to reflect light of a first polarization state through the second face, wherein the light from the image source has the first polarization state, wherein the first polarization state and a second polarization state are not the same; a retarder disposed to receive the light provided through the second face; and a curved reflector disposed to receive light from the retarder and to provide the light from the retarder back through the retarder to the second face, wherein light entering the second face has the second polarization state and wherein the polarizing beam splitter is configured so that the light entering the second face travels from the second face to the third face, wherein the light at the third face is provided for display on the head up display, wherein the fourth face is opposite the first face and the second face is opposite the third face. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of providing information to a pilot, the method comprising:
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providing light from a light source through a fold element to an image source; folding the light from the image source using the fold element; providing the light from the fold element through a field lens to a polarizing beam splitter; reflecting the light from the image source within the polarizing beam splitter to a curved reflective surface; providing the light from the curved reflective surface through the polarizing beam splitter to a corrector lens; and providing the light from the corrector lens as collimated light to a wave guide combiner. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A head up display system, comprising:
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at least one light pipe; and a catadioptric collimator, comprising; a fold element; an image source; an illuminator configured to provide light through the fold element to the image source, the fold element being configured to receive light from the image source; a field lens arranged to receive light from the fold element; a polarizing beam splitter having a first face, a second face, a third face, and a fourth face, wherein the illuminator is arranged to illuminate the image source through the fold element, the field lens configured to provide the light from the fold element to the first face, the polarizing beam splitter being configured to reflect light of a first polarization state through the second face, wherein the light from the image source has the first polarization state, wherein the first polarization state and a second polarization state are not the same; a retarder disposed to receive the light provided through the second face; and a curved reflector disposed to receive light from the retarder and to provide the light from the retarder back through the retarder to the second face, wherein light entering the second face has the second polarization state and wherein the polarizing beam splitter is configured so that the light entering the second face travels from the second face to the third face, wherein the light at the third face is provided for display on the head up display system, wherein the fourth face is opposite the first face and the second face is opposite the third face. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification