Method and apparatus for displaying

• US 20090184889A1
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Hunter, Jon C., Kier, Mathew P., Roberts, Raymond G., Dailey, Michael J., Sanoske, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,436,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure provide a display system. The display system can include a display module having a configurable optical characteristic that varies from substantially transmissive to substantially reflective, at least one data capturing device configured to capture data to form a display image, and at least a first projector configured to project the display image to the display module. Therefore, the display image can be overlaid with a real image according to an optical configuration of the display module.

Claims

1. A display system, comprising:

a display module having a configurable optical characteristic that varies from substantially transmissive for viewing real images to substantially reflective for viewing display images;

at least one data capturing device configured to capture data to form a display image;

at least a first projector configured to project the display image to the display module, such that the display image is overlapped with a real image according to an optical configuration of the display module.

2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display module includes a waveguide holographic display.

3. The display system according to claim 2, wherein the display module further comprises a first portion and a second portion configured to have different optical characteristics.

4. The display system according to claim 3, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured according to a mask.

5. The display system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a processor configured to process the captured data, and generate the display image and the mask.

6. The display system according to claim 2, wherein the first projector is configured to project a waveguide beam to configure the waveguide holographic display.

7. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the data capturing device comprises at least one of a video camera, a night vision camera and a thermal vision camera.

8. The display system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply configured to switchably supply power to the display system.

9. The display system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second projector configured to project a different display image.

10. A helmet, comprising:

a visor mounted on the helmet, the visor having a configurable optical characteristic that varies from substantially transmissive for viewing real images to substantially reflective for viewing display images;

at least one data capturing device mounted on the helmet, and configured to capture data to form a display image; and

at least a first projector mounted on the helmet, and configured to project the display image to the visor, such that the display image is overlapped with a real image according to an optical configuration of the visor.

11. The helmet according to claim 10, wherein the visor includes a waveguide holographic display.

12. The helmet according to claim 11, wherein the visor further comprises a first portion and a second portion configured to have different optical characteristics.

13. The helmet according to claim 12, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured according to a mask.

14. The helmet according to claim 13, further comprising:

a processor configured to process the captured data, and generate the display image and the mask for configuring the visor.

15. The helmet according to claim 11, wherein the first projector is configured to project a waveguide beam to configure the waveguide holographic display.

16. The helmet according to claim 10, wherein the data capturing device comprises at least one of a video camera, a night vision camera and a thermal vision camera.

17. The helmet according to claim 10, further comprising:

a battery power supply configured to switchably supply electrical power.

18. The helmet of claim 10, further comprising:

an infrared illuminator detachably mounted on the helmet, configured to illuminate an infrared signal onto an object, wherein the display image includes a generated icon for a position of the object.

19. The helmet of claim 10, further comprising:

a global positioning reception device detachably mounted on the helmet and configured to receive global positioning data corresponding to a location of the helmet, wherein the display image includes the global positioning data.

20. The helmet of claim 10, further comprising:

a mandible armor configured to protect at least the neck of a wearer of the helmet.

21. The helmet of claim 20, wherein the mandible armor comprises a microphone configured to receive audible outputs from the wearer of the helmet.

22. The helmet of claim 21, further comprising:

a communication unit detachably mounted onto an outer surface of the helmet and configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.

23. The helmet of claim 10, comprising:

two projectors respectively mounted on opposing sides of the helmet.

24. The helmet of claim 23, wherein the two projectors are each configured to project opposing halves of the display image projected onto the visor.