Miniature synthesized virtual image electronic display

• US 5,973,845 A
• Filed: 10/29/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Compound Photonics Limited
• Original Assignee: Siliscape, Inc.
• Inventors: Kintz, Gregory J., Hildebrand, Alfred P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US09/182,952
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/633, 359/637, 345/7, 345/8
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0125 Field-of-view increase by wavefront division
• 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 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/008 comprising two or more lenses G02B25/004 - G02B25/007 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/027 comprising magnifying means G02B27/023, G02B27/025, G02B27/04, G02B27/06 and G02B27/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00

Abstract

A synthesized virtual image electronic display comprising a microdisplay for forming a source object a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image; an image synthesizing optic including an array of individual pixels upon which the real image is projected.

Claims

1. A synthesized virtual image electronic display comprising:

a microdisplay for forming a source object;

a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image;

an image synthesizing optic including an array of individual pixels upon which the real image is projected; and

a second stage magnification optic for providing a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the image synthesizing optic.

2. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the first and second stage magnification optics provide a combined magnification of at least about 20.

3. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the first stage magnification optic provides a magnification of between about 3 and 10.

4. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the second stage magnification optic provides a magnification of between about 4 and 7.

5. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the synthesized display is positionable within a volume of less than about 375 cubic centimeters.

6. A synthesized display according to claim 5 wherein the synthesized display is positionable within a volume of less than about 94 cubic centimeters.

7. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the second stage magnification optic provides an eye relief equal to or greater than 15 mm.

8. A synthesized display according to claim 7 wherein the second stage magnification optic provides an eye relief equal to or greater than 35 mm.

9. A synthesized display according to claim 8 wherein the source object is formed by an array of pixels on the microdisplay wherein each pixel has an area equal to or less than about 400 square microns.

10. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the first stage magnification optic has a focal length of between about 3.5 and 37.5 mm.

11. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the image synthesizing optic is light transmissive.

12. A synthesized display according to claim 11 wherein the light transmissive image synthesizing optic includes an array of individual pixels formed of light diffusive material separated from each other by an opaque barrier.

13. A synthesized display according to claim 11 wherein the image synthesizing optic includes a plurality of micro lenses about 5 to 10 microns in diameter.

14. A synthesized display according to claim 1 wherein the image synthesizing optic is reflective.

15. A synthesized display according to claim 14 wherein the reflective image synthesizing optic includes an array of individual pixels formed of light diffusive material separated from each other by an opaque barrier.

16. A synthesized display according to claim 14 wherein the image synthesizing optic includes a plurality of micro lenses about 5 to 10 microns in diameter.

17. An electronic device having a synthesized virtual image electronic display, the device comprising:

a synthesized virtual image electronic display, the synthesized display including a microdisplay for producing a source object, a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image, an image synthesizing optic including an array of individual pixels upon which the magnified real image is projected, and a second stage magnification optic for providing a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the image synthesizing optic; and

an electronic input electronically connected to the synthesized virtual image synthesized display for forming the source object.

18. An electronic device according to claim 17 wherein the first and second stage magnification optics provide a combined magnification of at least about 20.

19. An electronic device according to claim 17 wherein the first stage magnification optic provides a magnification of between about 3 and 10.

20. An electronic device according to claim 17 wherein the second stage magnification optic provides a magnification of between about 4 and 7.