Visual display system for displaying virtual images onto a field of vision
First Claim
1. A visual display system comprising:
- a display light source that transmits an image in at least partially polarized light; and
a combiner that transmits light from a field of vision behind the combiner to a viewer in front of the combiner, the combiner reflecting a first portion of the light to superimpose the image as a virtual image within the transmitted field of vision, rotating the polarization of a second portion of the light, and transmitting the second portion of the light, the second portion of the light therefore having low efficiency for reflection towards the viewer from optical boundaries encountered by the second portion of the light following rotation of the plane of polarization by the combiner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optically transparent, ghost-free visual display system that superimposes a virtual image comprising graphical or textual information onto a field of vision. Embodiments of the visual display system utilize illumination and optical components that introduce a virtual image onto a field of vision while minimally obstructing and/or attenuating other objects within the field of vision. Embodiments of the visual display system can be used in numerous applications, including head-up displays (“HUDs”) for automotive, tracked and rail-mounted vehicles, marine, aerospace applications, see-through speech prompt displays, and see-through projection displays.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A visual display system comprising:
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a display light source that transmits an image in at least partially polarized light; and
a combiner that transmits light from a field of vision behind the combiner to a viewer in front of the combiner, the combiner reflecting a first portion of the light to superimpose the image as a virtual image within the transmitted field of vision, rotating the polarization of a second portion of the light, and transmitting the second portion of the light, the second portion of the light therefore having low efficiency for reflection towards the viewer from optical boundaries encountered by the second portion of the light following rotation of the plane of polarization by the combiner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18)
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12. The visual display system wherein the display light source is selected from among:
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a display projection system utilizing a light guide, diffuser, liquid crystal display, and transmitting window;
a vacuum fluorescent display;
a laser or light emitting diode combined with a scanning mirror;
a laser or light emitting diode combined with a number of lasers, LEDs, and scanning mirrors;
a laser or LED combined with scanning lenses; and
an array of LEDs that together compose a graphical or textual display.
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13. A visual display system comprising:
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a display light source that transmits an image in an at least partially p-polarized light; and
a combiner, coated with a metallic coating, that transmits light from a field of vision behind the combiner to a viewer in front of the combiner, the combiner reflecting a first portion of the light to superimpose the image as a virtual image within the transmitted field of vision, and transmitting the second portion of the light, the second portion of the light having low efficiency for reflection towards the viewer from optical boundaries encountered by the second portion of the light following transmission into the combiner.
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15. A method for superimposing a virtual image within a field of vision, the method comprising:
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transmitting an image in an at least partially polarized light from a display light source;
transmitting light from a field of vision behind a combiner to a viewer in front of the combiner;
reflecting a first portion of the light from the combiner to superimpose the image as a virtual image within the transmitted field of vision;
rotating the polarization of a second portion of the light within the combiner; and
transmitting the second portion of the light through the combiner.
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Specification