NEAR-EYE DISPLAY SYSTEM HAVING A PELLICLE AS A COMBINER

• US 20170176751A1
• Filed: 04/09/2015
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Ouderkirk, Andrew J., Wong, Timothy L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,642,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/086 Auxiliary lenses located directly on a main spectacle lens or in the immediate vicinity of main spectacles

Abstract

Near-eye combiner displays are disclosed that utilize dichroic reflectors and/or reflective polarizers disposed as a pellicle positioned within a field of view of the eye. A secondary image can be reflected off of the reflective polarizer and/or dichroic layer towards the eye, and can be superimposed over a primary world-view image being viewed by the eye. The position and orientation of the pellicle can be independently adjusted as desired.

Claims

1. A near-eye display system, comprising:

a pellicle capable of being disposed at least partially within a field of view of an eye, the pellicle having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface; and

an image forming device positioned to project an image light beam toward the first major surface of the pellicle,

wherein the pellicle transmits a first light beam passing through the opposing second major surface toward the eye, and reflects at least a portion of the image light beam toward the eye.

2. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises a dichroic layer capable of reflecting at least a first wavelength range of light, and transmitting other wavelength ranges of light.

3. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises a dichroic layer capable of reflecting a first wavelength range of light and a second wavelength range of light, and transmitting other wavelength ranges of light.

4. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises a dichroic layer capable of reflecting a first wavelength range of light, a second wavelength range of light, and a third wavelength range of light, and transmitting other wavelength ranges of light.

5. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises a reflective polarizer capable of reflecting a first polarization state of light and transmitting an orthogonal second polarization state of light.

6. The near-eye display system of claim 5, wherein the image light beam comprises the first polarization state of light, and the first light beam comprises the orthogonal second polarization state of light.

7. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises a broadband partial mirror capable of reflecting about half of the image beam.

8. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises a magnifying reflective optic.

9. The near-eye display system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element positioned adjacent the second major surface.

10. The near-eye display system of claim 9, wherein the optical element comprises a lens, a partially light transmissive film or coating, a color enhancement film or coating, a contrast enhancement film or coating, a photochromic film or coating, a polarizing film or coating, or a combination thereof.

11. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the first light beam is a viewable portion of a world view image.

12. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle comprises an elastomeric protective edge.

13. The near-eye display system of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric protective edge comprises butyl rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane, and the like.

14. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the pellicle is removable and repositionable.

28. The near-eye display system of claim 1, further comprising a securing framework proximate the eye.

29. The near-eye display system of claim 1, wherein the image forming device comprises an emissive microdisplay.

30. The near-eye display system of claim 29, wherein the emissive microdisplay comprises an OLED display

15. A near-eye display system, comprising:

a reflective polarizer capable of being disposed at least partially within a field of view of an eye, the reflective polarizer being aligned to a first polarization direction and having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface;

an image forming device positioned to project an image light beam toward the first major surface of the reflective polarizer, the imaged light beam comprising light polarized in the first polarization direction;

an optical element positioned adjacent the reflective polarizer and opposite the image forming device, the optical element comprising;

a lens;

a reflective surface adjacent the opposing second major surface of the reflective polarizer, the reflective surface capable of transmitting a first light beam passing through the lens; and

a retarder positioned between the reflective surface and the reflective polarizer,

wherein the reflective polarizer, the retarder, and the reflective surface collectively are capable of directing a first portion of the imaged light beam and a second portion of the first light beam toward the eye.

16. The near-eye display system of claim 15, wherein the lens comprises a magnifying lens.

17. The near-eye display system of claim 15, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises a pellicle having a planar surface, a curved surface, or combination thereof.

18. The near-eye display system of claim 17, wherein the pellicle comprises an elastomeric protective edge.

19. The near-eye display system of claim 18, wherein the elastomeric protective edge comprises butyl rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane, and the like.

20. The near-eye display system of claim 17, wherein the pellicle is removable and repositionable.

21. The near-eye display system of claim 15, wherein the retarder is affixed to the second major surface of the reflective polarizer, affixed to the reflective surface, affixed to both the second major surface of the reflective polarizer and the reflective surface, or displaced from both the reflective polarizer and the reflective surface.

22. The near-eye display system of claim 15, wherein the retarder is a quarter-wave retarder having a fast axis aligned about 45 degrees to the first polarization direction.

23. The near-eye display system of claim 15, wherein the reflective surface comprises a dichroic reflector or a broadband partial mirror.

24. The near-eye display system of claim 23, wherein the dichroic reflector is capable of reflecting at least a first wavelength range of light, and transmitting other wavelength ranges of light.

25. The near-eye display system of claim 23, wherein the dichroic reflector is capable of reflecting a first wavelength range of light and a second wavelength range of light, and transmitting other wavelength ranges of light.

26. The near-eye display system of claim 23, wherein the dichroic reflector is capable of reflecting a first wavelength range of light, a second wavelength range of light, and a third wavelength range of light, and transmitting other wavelength ranges of light.

27. The near-eye display system of claim 15, wherein the lens further comprises a partially light transmissive film or coating, a color enhancement film or coating, a contrast enhancement film or coating, a photochromic film or coating, a polarizing film or coating, or a combination thereof.