Head mounted liquid crystal display system

• US 6,043,800 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Inventors: Spitzer, Mark B., Gale, Ronald P., Jacobsen, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Application Number:
  US08/471,538
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 345/6-8, 345/102, 345/92, 359/54, 359/55, 359/59, 349/11, 349/57
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• 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 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• 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 2027/0198 System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13336 Combining plural substrates to produce large-area displays, e.g. tiled displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133526 Lenses, e.g. microlenses or Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13454 Drivers integrated on the active matrix substrate G02F1/136277 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13473 for wavelength filtering or for colour display without the use of colour mosaic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13613 the semiconductor element being formed on a first substrate and thereafter transferred to the final cell substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1362 Active matrix addressed cells G02F1/134336, G02F1/134363 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136209 Light shielding layers, e.g. black matrix, incorporated in the active matrix substrate, e.g. structurally associated with the switching element
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136277 formed on a semiconductor substrate, e.g. of silicon
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/105 single crystal Si
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/01 transmissive
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 : Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0259 : with use of an analog or digital ramp generator in the column driver or in the pixel circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0233 : Improving the luminance or brightness uniformity across the screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/041 : Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/043 : Preventing or counteracting the effects of ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0464 : Positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/042 : for monitor identification
• 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 3/30 : using electroluminescent panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 : semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/36 : using liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3607 : for displaying colours or for displaying grey scales with a specific pixel layout, e.g. using sub-pixels display of colours in flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; grey scales specific for television H04N3/127
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3614 : Control of polarity reversal in general
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3648 : using an active matrix G09G3/367 - G09G3/3696 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/8221 : Three dimensional integrated circuits stacked in different levels
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2221/68359 : used as a support during manufacture of interconnect decals or build up layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2221/68363 : used in a transfer process involving transfer directly from an origin substrate to a target substrate without use of an intermediate handle substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/80001 : by connecting a bonding area directly to another bonding area, i.e. connectorless bonding, e.g. bumpless bonding
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/96 : the devices being encapsulated in a common layer, e.g. neo-wafer or pseudo-wafer, said common layer being separable into individual assemblies after connecting
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0756 : Stacked arrangements of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/0688 : Integrated circuits having a three-dimensional layout
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/12 : the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/1281 : by using structural features to control crystal growth, e.g. placement of grain filters
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/156 : two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/786 : Thin film transistors, i.e. transistors with a channel being at least partly a thin film transistors having only the source or the drain region on an insulator layer H01L29/0653; thin film FinFETs H01L29/785
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/78603 : characterised by the insulating substrate or support H01L29/78657 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/78612 : for preventing the kink- or the snapback effect, e.g. discharging the minority carriers of the channel region for preventing bipolar effect
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/78618 : characterised by the drain or the source properties, e.g. the doping structure, the composition, the sectional shape or the contact structure silicide contacts, electrodes in general H01L29/458
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/78633 : with a light shield
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/78648 : arranged on opposing sides of the channel
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00011 : Not relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01005 : Boron [B]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01006 : Carbon [C]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01013 : Aluminum [Al]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01015 : Phosphorus [P]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01023 : Vanadium [V]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01033 : Arsenic [As]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01047 : Silver [Ag]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01049 : Indium [In]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01052 : Tellurium [Te]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01072 : Hafnium [Hf]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01074 : Tungsten [W]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01077 : Iridium [Ir]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01082 : Lead [Pb]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/04953 : TaN
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/10329 : Gallium arsenide [GaAs]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12043 : Photo diode
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 : Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/14 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19041 : being a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/30105 : Capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3025 : Electromagnetic shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3511 : Warping
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/0062 : for devices with an active region comprising only III-V compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0217 : Removal of the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/423 : having a vertical cavity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/70 : Circuit details for electroluminescent devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 : the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7491 : of head mounted projectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/312 : Driving therefor driving of electronic spatial light modulators in displays other than projection devices G09G3/34, G09G3/36; control of liquid crystal elements G02F1/133; control of micromechanical modulators G02B26/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 : Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/12 : Light sources with substantially two-dimensional radiating surfaces

Abstract

A head mounted liquid crystal display system includes a high resolution active matrix display which reduces center of gravity offset in a compact design. The display system further includes an optically transparent substrate, a circuit panel, which comprises transistors and electrodes, and a adhesive layer between the substrate and circuit panel. A driver circuit formed in the circuit panel is connected to an array of pixel circuits and drives the display system to generate images.

Claims

1. A head mounted display system comprising:

a support frame for positioning on a user'"'"'s head;

a backlight source mounted on the support frame that directs light along an optical path to the user'"'"'s eye;

a liquid crystal display panel mounted on the support frame in the optical path to generate an image, the display panel having a layer of liquid crystal material, the display panel comprising;

an optically transparent substrate positioned along the optical path;

a circuit panel having an array of transistors in a single crystal silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulator structure and an array of electrodes having at least 200 column lines per centimeter and at least 200 row lines per centimeter, each electrode interconnected to a transistor such that each electrode is actuatable by a respective transistor to form the image;

an adhesive layer fixedly attaching the circuit panel to the substrate, the transistors being positioned between an insulating layer of the silicon-on-insulator structure and the substrate, the liquid crystal layer extending between the insulating layer and a counterelectrode such that light from the backlight source is transmitted through the substrate, the adhesive layer, the electrodes, the insulating layer that extends between the electrodes and the layer of liquid crystal material; and

a lens mounted to the support frame and positioned in the optical path between the display panel and the user'"'"'s eye to direct the image from the display onto the user'"'"'s eye, the lens being separated from the display panel by a distance of less than 2.5 centimeters.

2. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein a first display panel is positioned to direct an image onto the user'"'"'s left eye and a second display panel is positioned to direct light onto the user'"'"'s right eye.

3. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the circuit panel is formed with a thin film of single crystal silicon material on an insulating oxide layer.

4. The head mounted display system of claim 1 further comprising a driver circuit formed in the circuit panel and connected to the array of transistors.

5. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the the system is a color display system.

6. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the substrate is a curved surface secured to the support frames.

7. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the display panel is adapted to display video images.

8. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the display panel is adapted to display computer images.

15. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is optically transparent.

24. The head mounted display system of claim 1 wherein the active matrix array comprises a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines, the display having at least 400 row lines per centimeter and at least 400 column lines per centimeter.

9. A head mounted display system comprising:

a support frame for positioning on a user'"'"'s head;

a backlight source mounted to the support frame to direct light along an optical path to the user'"'"'s eye;

a liquid crystal display panel mounted on the support frame in the optical path to generate an image, the display panel comprising;

an optically transparent substrate positioned along the optical path;

a circuit panel in which an array transistors are formed in a thin film of single crystal silicon material on an insulating layer of a silicon-on-insulator structure, each transistor interconnected to a pixel electrode such that each pixel electrode is actuatable by a respective transistor to form the image;

a column driver circuit and a row driver circuit formed with the single crystal silicon material that extends over the insulating layer and electrically connected to each transistor, the column driver circuit having at least 200 column address lines per centimeter and the row driver circuit having at least 200 row address lines per centimeter;

an optically transparent adhesive layer fixedly attaching the circuit panel to the substrate, a liquid crystal material being positioned between the insulating layer and a counterelectrode such that light from the backlight source is directed through the substrate, the adhesive layer, the array of pixel electrodes and the insulating layer that extends between the adhesive layer and the liquid crystal material; and

a lens mounted to the support frame and positioned in the optical path between the display panel and the user'"'"'s eye to direct the image from the display panel onto the user'"'"'s eye.

10. The head mounted display system of claim 9 wherein a first display panel is positioned to direct an image onto the user'"'"'s left eye and a second display panel positioned to direct light onto the user'"'"'s right eye.

11. The head mounted display system of claim 9 wherein the column driver drives at least 400 column lines per centimeter and the row driver drives at least 400 lines per centimeter.

12. The head mounted display system of claim 9 wherein the display panel is adapted to display video images.

13. The head mounted display system of claim 9 wherein the display panel is adapted to display computer images.

14. The head mounted display system of claim 9 wherein the system is a color display system.

16. The head mounted display system of claim 9 wherein the lens is separated from the display panel by a distance of less than 2.5 centimeters.

17. A head mounted display system comprising:

a support frame for positioning on a user'"'"'s head;

a backlight source mounted to the support frame to direct light along an optical path to the user'"'"'s eye;

a liquid crystal display panel mounted on the support frame in the optical path to generate an image, the display panel comprising;

an optically transparent substrate positioned along the optical path;

a circuit panel in which a drive circuit and an active matrix array of pixel transistors are formed from a thin film of single crystal silicon material on an insulating layer, each pixel transistor interconnected to a pixel electrode such that each pixel electrode is actuatable by a respective pixel transistor under control of the drive circuit to generate the image, the circuit panel having at least 200 column lines per centimeter and at least 200 row lines per centimeter;

an optically transparent adhesive layer fixedly attaching the circuit panel to the substrate, the active matrix array of pixel transistors being positioned between the insulating layer and the substrate such that light from the backlight source is directed through the substrate, the adhesive layer, each pixel electrode, and the insulating layer that extends between each pixel electrode and the liquid crystal material; and

a lens mounted to the support frame and positioned in the optical path between the display panel and user'"'"'s eye to direct the image from the display panel onto the user'"'"'s eye.

18. The head mounted display system of claim 17 wherein the substrate comprises a plastic material.

19. The head mounted display system of claim 17 wherein the substrate has a curved surface to which the circuit panel is attached.

20. The head mounted display system of claim 17 wherein the pixel electrodes are fabricated of indium tin oxide.

21. The head mounted display system of claim 17 wherein the circuit panel generates a color image.

22. The head mounted display system of claim 17 wherein the lens is separated from the display panel by a distance of less than 2.5 centimeters.

23. The head mounted display system of claim 17 wherein the active matrix array comprises a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines, the display having at least 400 row lines per centimeter and at least 400 column lines per centimeter.