Display with variably transmissive element

• US 20030095081A1
• Filed: 11/18/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Washington
• Original Assignee: University of Washington
• Inventors: Furness, Thomas Adrian III, Kollin, Joel S.
• Application Number:
  US10/298,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/32
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0116 comprising devices for correcting chromatic aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0198 System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/02 by tracing or scanning a light beam on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/025 with scanning or deflecting the beams in two directions or dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161

Abstract

A display includes an image source for generating light and a lensing system. The lensing system defines an optical path from an input to an output, receiving the generated light at the input and transmitting light at the output. The lensing system includes a variably transmissive element which maintains contrast between the transmitted light and an ambient light.

Claims

1. A display apparatus, comprising:

an image source for generating light;

a lensing system defining an optical path from an input to an output, the lensing system receiving the generated light at the input and transmitting light at the output, the lensing system comprising a variably transmissive element which maintains contrast between the transmitted light and an ambient light.

2. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the variably transmissive element comprises a photochromic material which alters transmissiveness of the variably transmissive element as a function of the ambient light.

3. A display system comprising:

an image generator responsive to an image signal to generate image light;

a variably transmissive element which changes transmissiveness as a function of ambient light to attenuate light passing through the variable transmissive element, wherein light including the image light and the attenated light is presented for viewing.

4. A display system according to claim 3, in which the variably transmissive element is a passively variable transmissive element light which changes transmissiveness as a function of ambient light.

5. A display system according to claim 3, in which the optical element is an actively variable transmissive element light which receives a control signal to actively vary the transmissiveness of the optical element.

6. A display system according to claim 5, further comprising a photosensor responsive to the ambient light, the photosensor generating the control signal.

7. A display system according to claim 3, in which the variably transmissive element comprises a liquid crystal device.

8. A method of display, comprising:

generating image light in response to an image signal;

receiving the image light at a lensing system, the lensing system including a variably transmissive element;

varying transmissiveness of the variably transmissive element as a function of ambient light received at the variably transmissive element to maintain contrast between the image light and the ambient light.

9. A method of display according to claim 8, in which said variably transmissive lement comprises photochromic material and said varying comprises:

passively varying transmissiveness of the variably transmissive element as a function of the ambient light.

10. A method of display according to claim 8, further comprising:

sensing ambient light with a photosensor, wherein the variably transmissive element is actively variable in response to the sensed ambient light.