HEAD UP DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20120139817A1
• Filed: 08/10/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Inventors: Freeman, Jonathan Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/389,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20120139817A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• 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 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features

Abstract

A head up display apparatus is disclosed for projecting an image upon a screen. The apparatus comprises a signal processing system, comprising an image projector for projecting an image to a partially reflective screen, the screen being configured substantially in front of an eye of a user of the display apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a beam steering arrangement for steering the projected image substantially at an exit pupil of the system, upon the screen, and a pupil tracking arrangement for tracking a pupil of the users eye such that the projected image remains directed at the pupil of the user as the user adjusts their line of sight.

Claims

1. A head up display apparatus comprising a signal processing system,

the signal processing system comprising an image projector for projecting an image to a partially reflective screen, said screen being configured substantially in front of an eye of a user of the display apparatus,

the apparatus further comprising a beam steering arrangement for steering the projected image substantially at an exit pupil of the system such that the projected image becomes directed upon the screen, and a pupil tracking arrangement for tracking a pupil of the user'"'"'s eye,

the pupil tracking arrangement comprising at least one light detector and a mirror arrangement, and at least one mirror actuator which is responsive to signals from said at least one light detector to effect a repositioning of the mirror arrangement, such that the projected image remains directed at the pupil of the user as the user adjusts their line of sight.

2. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image projector comprises a spatial light modulator and control electronics for generating the image and projecting the image onto the screen.

3. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light detectors comprise linear detectors.

4. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light detectors comprise digital detectors.

5. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein beam steering is effected by the use of spatial light modulators.

6. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image projector comprises a processor and a wireless receiver for receiving data from a transmitting device.

7. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image projector is arranged to communicate with a transmitting device via a cable which couples the image projector to the transmitting device.

8. A head up display apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the transmitting device comprises a sensor for sensing data to be presented by the display apparatus.

9. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen comprises one of or both glasses of a pair of goggles, one of or both glasses of a pair eye glasses or a visor associated with an item of head gear.

10. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted upon a cockpit of a vehicle.

11. A head up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted upon an item of headgear.

13. A head up display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting device comprises a sensor for sensing data to be presented by the display apparatus.

12. A method of operating a head up display comprising a signal processing system, a beam steering arrangement, a screen and a pupil tracking arrangement comprising at least one light detector, a mirror arrangement and at least one mirror actuator, the method comprising the steps of:

projecting an image onto the screen

tracking the pupil of the user'"'"'s eye using the pupil tracking arrangement and steering the projected image substantially at an exit pupil of the system using the beam steering arrangement,

such that the projected image becomes directed upon the screen,

repositioning the mirror arrangement using the mirror actuators in response to signals received from the at least one light detector, such that the projected image remains directed at a pupil of the user as the user adjusts their line of sight.