Scanning display with expanded exit pupil
First Claim
1. A scanning display, comprising:
- a scanning source operative to output a beam of light at a series of different scanned angles;
an exit pupil expander including a plurality of input locations, the beam expander being positioned to receive the beam of light at a respective one of the input locations for each of the different scanned angles, the beam expander being configured at each of the locations to redirect portions of the received beam from each of the scanned angles to a respective set of discrete output angles, wherein the set of output angles for each of the scanned angles includes a plurality of discrete output angles, each discrete output angle being a function of the respective scanned angle.
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Abstract
A display device is achieved using a simplified optical system which generates an expanded exit pupil without compromising magnification or resolution. Modulated light from a source is converged toward a focal point by an optics subsystem. A scanning subsystem deflects the converging light, and thus the focal point, along a raster pattern to define a curved intermediate image plane. An exit pupil expanding apparatus defines a curved surface which coincides with the curved image plane. Impinging light rays at a given instant in time span a given incidence angle. Exiting light rays span a larger angle. As a result, the exiting light spans a larger surface area of an ensuing eyepiece. In turn an expanded exit pupil occurs beyond the eyepiece. Embodiments of the expanding apparatus include a curved diffractive optical element, fiber optic face plate, lens array and diffuser. The diffractive optical element generates multiple exit pupils, while the other embodiments generate enlarged exit pupils.
23 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A scanning display, comprising:
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a scanning source operative to output a beam of light at a series of different scanned angles;
an exit pupil expander including a plurality of input locations, the beam expander being positioned to receive the beam of light at a respective one of the input locations for each of the different scanned angles, the beam expander being configured at each of the locations to redirect portions of the received beam from each of the scanned angles to a respective set of discrete output angles, wherein the set of output angles for each of the scanned angles includes a plurality of discrete output angles, each discrete output angle being a function of the respective scanned angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of producing a plurality of virtual images perceivable by a viewer, comprising the steps of:
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modulating a beam of light with image information;
scanning the beam of light through a pattern;
dividing the scanned beam of light into a plurality of sub-beams; and
for each position in the pattern, shaping each of the sub-beams for viewing by the viewer. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification