High definition television head mounted display unit

• US 5,348,477 A
• Filed: 04/10/1992
• Issued: 09/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CAE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CAE USA Incorporated (CAE Incorporated)
• Inventors: Welch, Brian L., Weissman, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US07/866,420
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 434/43, 434/44, 358/87, 358/88, 358/91, 359/618, 359/629-631
• US Class Current: 434/43
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0136 with a single image source for both eyes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0143 the two eyes not being equipped with identical nor symmetrical optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/307 by helmet-mounted projector or display G09B9/36 takes precedence; optical parts of head-up displays G02B27/01

Abstract

An optical image is generated by an image source and is transmitted to an optical assembly by a fiber optic cable or cables. The optical assembly includes a transmission lens or lenses, rear projection screens and an eyepiece. By using a rear projection screen in the optical assembly, a non-pupil forming arrangement is provided.

Claims

1. A display system for producing a replica of an image for viewing by an observer, comprising:

A) means for generating said image;

B) an optical assembly comprising;

i) a rear projection screen means;

ii) eyepiece means disposed in front of the eyes of said observer;

C) fiber optic cable means for transmitting said image from said means for generating to said projection screen means; and

projection lens means between said fiber optic cable means and said projection screen means;

said projection screen means transmitting said image to said eyepiece means;

said projection lens means and said projection screen means being arranged to form a coaxial optical system;

whereby a non-pupil forming display of a replica of said image, which appears to originate from a great distance, is viewable by said observer.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for generating said image comprises a high definition television.

3. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said eyepiece means comprises a left eye portion and a right eye portion;

said rear projection screen means comprising a left rear projection screen means associated with said left eye portion and a right rear projection screen means associated with said right eye portion.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 and including relay lens means disposed between said high definition television and said fiber optic cable means.

5. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said fiber optic cable means comprises a right fiber optic cable and a left fiber optic cable;

beam splitter means between said high definition television and said right and left fiber optic cables whereby said replica of said image originating from said high definition television is provided to said right fiber optic cable and said left fiber optic cable;

the output of said right fiber optic cable being transmitted to said right rear projection screen, and the output of said left fiber optic cable being transmitted to said left rear projection screen.

6. A system as defined in claim 5 and wherein said projection lens means comprises a right projection lens between said right fiber optic cable and said right rear projection screen and a left projection lens between said left fiber optic cable and said left rear projection screen.

7. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said fiber optic cable means comprises a single fiber optic cable;

a beam splitter between said fiber optic cable and said right rear projection screen and said left rear projection screen;

whereby, the output of said fiber optic cable is transmitted to said right rear projection screen and said left rear projection screen.

8. A system as defined in claim 7 and including a projection lens between the output of said fiber optic cable and said beam splitter.

9. A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said fiber optic cable means comprises a right fiber optic cable and a left fiber optic cable;

and wherein said relay lens means comprises a right relay lens and a left relay lens;

said means for generating said image comprising a right image source and a left image source;

said image generated by said right image source being transmitted to said right fiber optic cable through said right relay lens and said image generated by said left image source being transmitted to said left fiber optic cable by said left relay lens;

and further including a right projection lens and a left projection lens;

said right projection lens being between the output of said right fiber optic cable and said right rear projection screen means and said left projection lens being between the output of said left fiber optic cable and said left rear projection screen means.