Two stage optical magnification and image correction system

• US 20010050817A1
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TDG Acquisition Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Interactive Imaging Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Chumetski, Paul, Travers, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,636,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0081 with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features

Abstract

A display having a two-stage optical process is disclosed. This two-stage system enables a relatively compact and inexpensive display. A display screen projects an image that passes through a first lens or lens system. The collimated light is then diffused by one of several methods so as to increase the ultimate viewer'"'"'s eyebox. The diffused image then undergoes a magnification process involving total internal reflection within a second lens. The light exiting the second lens is magnified to the level desired at a low cost and a small size.

Claims

1. A two-stage display system, comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) a first magnification optical system optically connected to the display to magnify the display image; and

(c) a second magnification optical system optically connected to the first stage optics system, where the second system includes a lens in which at least a portion of the incoming light is totally internally reflected.

2. The display system of

claim 1

, wherein the display comprises one of a self-illuminating display, a back lit display, and a front lit display.

3. The display system of

claim 1

, where the first stage optical system comprises a double convex lens.

4. The display system of

claim 1

, where the first stage optical system includes an aspherical lens.

5. The display system of

claim 1

, where the first stage optical system includes a compound lens.

6. The display system of

claim 1

, where the first stage optical system includes multiple lenses.

7. The display system of

claim 1

, where the display screen is less than 1.0″

.

8. The display system of

claim 1

, where the display screen is less than 0.7″

.

9. The display system of

claim 1

, where the display screen is less than 0.5″

.

10. The display system of

claim 1

, further comprising a diffuser optically connected to the first and second optical systems to create a larger eyebox for the viewer.

11. The display system of

claim 1

, where the TIR lens incorporates a projection screen along one wall.

12. The display system of

claim 1

, further comprising a prism optically connected between the first and second optical systems.

13. The display system of

claim 12

, where one side of the prism is coated in a projection diffusing substance.

14. The display system of

claim 13

, where the projection diffusing substance is a barium sulfate compound.

15. The display system of

claim 1

, further comprising a mirror optically connected to the first and second optical systems to fold the light into the TIR lens.

16. The display system of

claim 15

, where the mirror is attached to the TIR lens.

17. A two-stage display system, comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) a first magnification optical system optically connected to the display to magnify the display image;

(c) a prism optically connected to the first stage optical system; and

(d) a second magnification optical system optically connected to the prism.

18. The display system of

claim 17

, where one side of the prism is coated in a projection diffusing substance.

19. A two-stage display system, comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) a first magnification optical system optically connected to the display to magnify the display image;

(c) a diffuser optically connected to the first optical system; and

(d) a second magnification optical system optically connected to the diffuser.

20. The display system of

claim 19

, wherein the display comprises one of a self-illuminating display, a back lit display, and a front lit display.

21. The display system of

claim 19

, where the first stage optical system comprises a double convex lens.

22. The display system of

claim 19

, where the first stage optical system includes an aspherical lens.

23. The display system of

claim 19

, where the first stage optical system includes a compound lens.

24. The display system of

claim 19

, where the first stage optical system includes multiple lenses.

25. The display system of

claim 19

, where the display screen is less than 0.5″

.

26. The display system of

claim 19

, further comprising a mirror optically connected to the first and second optical systems to fold the light into the TIR lens.