CONJUGATE OPTICS PROJECTION DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING IMPROVED RESOLUTION

• US 20080198459A1
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties
• Original Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties
• Inventors: Fergason, James L.
• Application Number:
  US12/022,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20080198459A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/529
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/12 Reflex reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/12 using mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A conjugate optics projection display system includes a beam splitter positioned for viewing an object through the beam splitter and a projector positioned to project an image through the beam splitter, where the projector has a focal plane distance. A retroreflector is optically coupled to the beam splitter and positioned at a distance from the projector, where the distance is less than the focal plane distance of the projector. The retroreflector may include retroreflective elements having a size effective to match or exceed optical resolution requirements of the display system.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

a beam splitter positioned for viewing an object through the beam splitter;

a projector positioned to project an image through the beam splitter, the projector having a focal plane distance; and

a retroreflector optically coupled to the beam splitter and positioned at a distance from the projector, wherein the distance is less than the focal plane distance of the projector.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the projector is focused at infinity.

3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the retroreflector is optically coupled to the beam splitter and comprised of corner cube elements that match or exceed an optical resolution of the projector.

4. The display system of claim 1, wherein the retroreflector is optically coupled to the beam splitter and comprised of corner cube elements having a size effective to match or exceed optical resolution requirements of the display system.

5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the retroreflector comprises retroreflective elements having a size that corresponds to an effective optical aperture that matches or exceeds effective optical apertures of all other optical elements within the display system.

6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the retroreflective elements are corner cube elements having a size of greater than about 0.1 millimeters to about 3 millimeters.

7. The display system of claim 1, wherein the retroreflective elements are corner cube elements having a size of about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters.

8. The display system of claim 1, wherein the projector is focused at infinity and positioned to focus at infinity relative to the retroreflector.

9. The display system of claim 1, wherein the retroreflector is positioned nearer to the projector than the focal plane distance of the projector.

10. The display system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second beam splitter optically coupled to the first beam splitter;

a detector optically coupled to the second beam splitter, wherein the detector receives electromagnetic radiation reflected by the second beam splitter; and

wherein the detector is coupled to the projector to provide data to the projector for use in projecting images

11. The display system of claim 10, wherein the detector is configured to detect non-visible electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the object, and based on the detected non-visible electromagnetic radiation, the projector projects an image in the visible range.

12. The display system of claim 11, wherein the detector is configured to detect infrared or ultraviolet light.

13. The display system of claim 10, wherein the retroreflector comprises retroreflective elements having a size that corresponds to an effective optical aperture that matches or exceeds effective optical apertures of all other optical elements within the display system.

14. The display system of claim 13, wherein the retroreflective elements are corner cube elements having a size of greater than about 0.1 millimeters to about 3 millimeters.

15. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display system is integrated into a head-mounted display device.

16. A display system comprising:

a projector positioned to project an image onto an eye of a viewer via an optical path that includes a beam splitter and a retroreflector, wherein an image projected by the projector passes through the beam splitter and returns to the beam splitter after reflection by the retroreflector, wherein the retroreflector is positioned at a distance relative to the projector, wherein the distance is less than a focal length of the projector.

17. The display system of claim 16, wherein the retroreflector comprises retroreflective elements having a size that corresponds to an effective optical aperture that matches or exceeds effective optical apertures of all other optical elements within the display system.

18. The display system of claim 17, wherein the retroreflective elements are cube corner elements having a size of greater than about 0.1 millimeters to about 3 millimeters.

19. The display system of claim 16, wherein the focal length of the projector is set at infinity.

20. A display system comprising:

a projector positioned to project an image onto an eye of a viewer via an optical path that includes a beam splitter and a retroreflector, wherein an image projected by the projector passes through the beam splitter and returns to the beam splitter after reflection by the retroreflector, wherein the retroreflector includes retroreflective elements having a size that corresponds to an effective optical aperture that matches or exceeds effective optical apertures of all other optical elements within the display system.

21. The display system of claim 20, wherein the projector has a focal length that is set at infinity.

22. The display system of claim 21, wherein the retroreflective elements are corner cube elements having a size of greater than about 0.1 millimeters to about 3 millimeters.

23. A method of displaying images comprising:

projecting an image through a beam splitter for reflection by a retroreflector, wherein the retroreflector is positioned at a distance relative to the projector, wherein the distance is less than a focal plane distance of the projector.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the focal plane distance of the projector is set at infinity.

25. The method of claim 25, wherein the projected image has a resolution;

and wherein the retroreflector comprises retroreflective elements having a size that corresponds to an effective optical aperture that matches or exceeds the resolution of the projected image.

26. A display system comprising:

a retroreflector comprised of corner cube elements having a size of greater than about 0.1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters; and

an optical system optically coupled to the retroreflector, wherein the optical system includes a projector and a beam splitter.