Vehicle projected display using deformable mirror device

• US 5,805,119 A
• Filed: 10/13/1992
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Erskine, James Christian, Partin, Dale Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Vivian
• Application Number:
  US07/960,148
• Time in Patent Office: 2,156 Days
• Field of Search: 340/705, 340/783, 359/630, 359/291, 359/850, 359/855, 359/224, 345/136, 345/135, 345/134, 345/133, 345/147, 345/7, 345/9
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0169 Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0814 used for selection purposes, e.g. logical AND for partial update
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0842 forming a memory circuit, e.g. a dynamic memory with one capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2018 by time modulation using two or more time intervals
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a light source and a deformable mirror device including a matrix of individually controllable mirrors, each controllable mirror having first state reflecting light from the light source into a light path and a second state reflecting light from the light source away from the light path. An optical element is disposed in the light path projecting a virtual image of the deformable mirror device wherein the virtual image conveys information to a viewer of the projected image.

Claims

1. A vehicle instrumentation apparatus comprising a deformable mirror device having a matrix of mirrors, each mirror in the matrix individually controllable between at least two states to provide information to a vehicle operator wherein a windshield projects an image of a display created by the deformable mirror device, wherein the image is projected as a double image due to reflection of the image off of both an inside reflecting surface and an outside reflecting surface of the windshield, the apparatus also comprising, means for modulating first mirrors of the array around a periphery of second mirrors of the array generating the display, thereby surrounding the periphery of the second mirrors on the deformable mirror device with the first mirrors that are activated a smaller fraction of the time than the second mirrors are activated, thereby softening the edges of the display and the projected image to reduce perception of the double image by the vehicle operator.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a light source;

a deformable mirror device comprising a matrix of individually controllable mirrors, each controllable mirror having first state reflecting light from the light source into a light path and a second state reflecting light from the light source away from the light path to form a display; and

an optical element disposed in the light path projecting a virtual image of the display formed by the deformable mirror device wherein the virtual image conveys information to a viewer of the projected image, wherein the optical element comprises a vehicle windshield, wherein the windshield projects the virtual image as a double image due to reflection of the virtual image off of both an inside reflecting surface and an outside reflecting surface of the windshield, the apparatus also comprising, means for modulating first mirrors of the array around a periphery of second mirrors of the array generating the display, thereby surrounding the periphery of the second mirrors on the deformable mirror device with the first mirrors that are activated a smaller fraction of the time than the second mirrors are activated, thereby softening the edges of the display formed by the deformable mirror device to reduce perception by the viewer of the double image.

3. A method of displaying information in an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving the information to be displayed;

generating data representing an image to be projected;

generating light;

reflecting the generated light off of a deformable mirror device comprising a matrix of deformable mirrors;

controlling the matrix of deformable mirrors responsive to the data to selectively activate mirrors to selectively reflect a portion of the generated light into a light path; and

projecting a virtual image with an optical element placed in the light path wherein the optical element projects the virtual image off of both an inside reflecting surface and an outside reflecting surface of the optical element, forming a double image, also comprising the step of softening the edges of the virtual image by modulating additional mirrors of the array around a periphery of the activated mirrors of the array generating the image, thereby surrounding the periphery of the activated mirrors on the deformable mirror device with the additional mirrors that are activated a smaller fraction of the time than the activated mirrors, thereby reducing perception of the double image.