Beamsplitter display

• US 7,636,198 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Larson, Brent D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US11/690,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20080231689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 359/618, 359629-634, 359/638, 359/639, 359/376, 359/458, 359/462, 359/464, 359/465, 359/467, 359470-472, 345 4- 9, 345/31, 345/32, 345/589, 348/42, 348/51, 348/52, 348/832, 353/7, 353/8, 353/10, 353/20, 353/31, 353/94, 355/18, 355/22, 355/40
• US Class Current: 359/629
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/144 using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity G02B27/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/35 using reflective optical elements in the optical path between the images and the observer
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/12 using mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/39 the picture elements emitting light at places where a pair of light beams intersect in a transparent material

Abstract

A three dimensional viewing assembly includes a first display, a second display, and a beamsplitter. The first display is for displaying a first image. The second display is for displaying a second image. The beamsplitter is disposed at least partially between the first display and the second display, and is configured to receive, and to optically overlay, the first and second images. The beamsplitter comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a mirror. The first surface at least partially faces the first display, and the second surface at least partially faces the second display. The mirror is disposed between the first surface and the second surface.

Claims

1. A three dimensional viewing assembly comprising:

a first display for displaying a first image;

a second display for displaying a second image; and

a beamsplitter disposed at least partially between the first display and the second display, the beamsplitter configured to receive, and to optically overlay, the first and second images, the beamsplitter comprising;

a first surface at least partially facing the first display;

a second surface at least partially facing the second display; and

a mirror disposed between the first surface and the second surface.

2. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the mirror is at least substantially parallel to both the first surface and the second surface.

3. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 1, wherein the mirror is approximately equidistant from the first surface and the second surface.

4. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 1, wherein the mirror is laminated between a first portion of the beamsplitter, which is relatively closer to the first surface, and a second portion of the beamsplitter, which is relatively closer to the second surface.

5. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 1, wherein the beamsplitter is at least substantially flat.

6. A three dimensional viewing assembly comprising:

a first display for displaying a first image;

a second display for displaying a second image; and

a beamsplitter disposed at least partially between the first display and the second display, the beamsplitter configured to receive, and to optically overlay, the first and second images, the beamsplitter comprising;

a first beamsplitter component having a first surface, at least partially facing the first display, and a second surface, at least partially facing the second display; and

a second beamsplitter component disposed between the first beamsplitter component and the second display, the second beamsplitter component having a first surface, at least partially facing the first beamsplitter component, and a second surface, at least partially facing the second display; and

a mirror disposed between the first surface of the first beamsplitter component and the second surface of the second beamsplitter component.

7. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

an air gap disposed between the second surface of the first beamsplitter component and the first surface of the second beamsplitter component.

8. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, wherein the mirror is disposed against the second surface of the first beamsplitter component.

9. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, wherein the mirror is disposed against the first surface of the second beamsplitter component.

10. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, wherein the mirror is disposed between the first and second surfaces of the first beamsplitter component.

11. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, wherein the mirror is disposed between the first and second surfaces of the second beamsplitter component.

12. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the first beamsplitter component is approximately equal to the distance between the first and second surfaces of the second beamsplitter component.

13. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 6, wherein the beamsplitter is at least substantially flat.

14. A three dimensional viewing assembly comprising:

a first display for displaying a first image;

a second display for displaying a second image; and

a beamsplitter assembly disposed at least partially between the first display and the second display, the beamsplitter assembly configured to receive, and to optically overlay, the first and second images, the beamsplitter assembly comprising;

a beamsplitter; and

a controller coupled to at least one of the first display or the second display, the controller configured to stretch or compress at least a portion of the first image or the second image.

15. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 14, wherein the controller stretches or compresses a portion of the first image differently than a corresponding portion of the second image in order to reduce dipvergence in the simultaneous display of the first and second images on the first and second displays, respectively.

16. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 14, wherein the beamsplitter comprises:

a first surface, at least partially facing the first display;

a second surface, at least partially facing the second display; and

a mirror.

17. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 16, wherein the mirror is adjacent to the first surface.

18. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 16, wherein the mirror is adjacent to the second surface.

19. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 16, wherein the the mirror is disposed between the first and second surfaces.

20. The three dimensional viewing assembly of claim 14, wherein the beamsplitter is at least substantially flat.