Compact compound magnified virtual image display with a reflective/transmissive optic
First Claim
1. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
- a microdisplay for forming a source object;
a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic includinga reflective/transmissive surface positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where the source object is reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, at least a portion of the reflected source object being totally internally reflected, anda reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface;
anda second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image.
17 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compact virtual image display system is provided which includes a microdisplay; a first magnification optic consisting of three surfaces: a display input surface; a reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface; and a second magnification optic. Light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic at the display input surface. The light travels within the first magnification optic such that it is projected to an area on the reflective\transmissive surface that is at least partially within the full field of view provided by the second magnification optic. The light is directed to the reflective/transmissive surface at a first angle of incidence θSO relative to the reflective/transmissive surface such that the light is internally reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface and directed to the reflective first magnification element surface. The first magnification element surface internally reflects the light corresponding to the source object as a magnified virtual image. The magnified virtual image is then is conveyed within the first magnification optic back to the reflective/transmissive surface at a second angle of incidence θMVI relative to the reflective/transmissive surface such that the light is transmitted by the reflective/transmissive surface out of the first magnification optic. The second magnification optic is positioned to receive the magnified virtual image transmitted from the first magnification optic and transmit a compound magnified virtual image of the magnified virtual image of the source object to the observer.
143 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
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a microdisplay for forming a source object; a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic including a reflective/transmissive surface positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where the source object is reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, at least a portion of the reflected source object being totally internally reflected, and a reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface; and a second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
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a microdisplay for forming a source object; a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic including a reflective/transmissive surface positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where the source object is reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface; a second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image; and a reflective surface positioned in a light path between the microdisplay and the reflective/transmissive surface such that light forming the source image from the microdisplay is reflected off the reflective surface to the reflective/transmissive surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
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a microdisplay for forming a source object; a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic including a reflective/transmissive surface positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where the source object is reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface; and a second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image and form a compound virtual image; wherein an angle between a normal to the reflective first magnification element surface and a normal to a center of the compound virtual image is between about 10° and
25°
. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
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a microdisplay for forming a source object; a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic including a reflective/transmissive surface positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where the source object is reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface; and a second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image; wherein the light forming the source object is incident on the reflective/transmissive surface at an angle greater than about 20°
. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
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a microdisplay for forming a source object; a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic including a reflective/transmissive surface having a reflective coating and positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where a first portion of the source object is reflected by the coating and a second portion of the source object is totally internally reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface; and a second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A compact virtual image display system comprising:
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a microdisplay for forming a source object; a first magnification optic positioned such that light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic, the optic including a reflective/transmissive surface positioned such that light forming the source object travels within the first magnification optic to the reflective/transmissive surface where the source object is reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface positioned such that the reflected source object is magnified and reflected back to the reflective/transmissive surface as a magnified virtual image and transmitted though the reflective/transmissive surface; and a second magnification optic positioned relative to the first magnification optic to magnify the magnified virtual image; wherein one or more of the reflective first magnification element surface, the transmissive/reflective surface and the second magnification optic are decentered and tilted relative to an optical axis of the system. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification