Apparatus and method for generating full-color images using two light sources
First Claim
1. A miniature display system having a size suitable for hand-held and headgear-mounted use for displaying to a user'"'"'s eye a full-color, two-dimensional image, the image being generated by selectively combining light having wavelengths within a first color wavelength range and light having wavelengths within a second color wavelength range, the display system comprising:
- a first plurality of light-emitting elements aligned in a predetermined fashion, each of the light-emitting elements emitting light having wavelengths within the first color wavelength range;
a second plurality of light-emitting elements aligned in a predetermined fashion, each of the light-emitting elements emitting light having wavelengths within the second color wavelength range;
a mirror to reflect the light emitted by the first and second plurality of light-emitting elements to the users'"'"'s eye;
a means for repetitively moving the mirror through a predetermined range of movement; and
a means cooperating with the moving means for selectively illuminating the first plurality of light-emitting elements and the second plurality of light-emitting elements as the mirror moves; and
a means cooperating with the moving means for filtering the light emitted from the first plurality of light-emitting elements so that light transmitted through the filtering means falls within a first part of the first color wavelength range during a first portion of the mirror movement and the light transmitted through the filtering means falls within a second part of the first color wavelength range during a second portion of the mirror movement.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A miniature, full-color display includes two rows of light-emitting elements that are both selected to emit light in substantially non-overlapping wavelength ranges comprising a blue-green wavelength range and a red wavelength range. The light-emitting elements as well as a magnifying lens, and an oscillating mirror are placed in a light-tight box having an opening through which the mirror may be viewed. The light from the blue-green elements is filtered by a filter which transmits either blue or green light depending on the mirror movement. The light-emitting devices are selectively illuminated as the mirror moves to create a full-color, substantially planar, two-dimensional image. The light box may be sized to be hand-held, or may be capable of being mounted to a pair of glasses, a headband or similar device.
42 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A miniature display system having a size suitable for hand-held and headgear-mounted use for displaying to a user'"'"'s eye a full-color, two-dimensional image, the image being generated by selectively combining light having wavelengths within a first color wavelength range and light having wavelengths within a second color wavelength range, the display system comprising:
-
a first plurality of light-emitting elements aligned in a predetermined fashion, each of the light-emitting elements emitting light having wavelengths within the first color wavelength range; a second plurality of light-emitting elements aligned in a predetermined fashion, each of the light-emitting elements emitting light having wavelengths within the second color wavelength range; a mirror to reflect the light emitted by the first and second plurality of light-emitting elements to the users'"'"'s eye; a means for repetitively moving the mirror through a predetermined range of movement; and a means cooperating with the moving means for selectively illuminating the first plurality of light-emitting elements and the second plurality of light-emitting elements as the mirror moves; and a means cooperating with the moving means for filtering the light emitted from the first plurality of light-emitting elements so that light transmitted through the filtering means falls within a first part of the first color wavelength range during a first portion of the mirror movement and the light transmitted through the filtering means falls within a second part of the first color wavelength range during a second portion of the mirror movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for displaying to a user'"'"'s eye a full-color, two-dimensional image using a miniature display system having a size suitable for hand-held and headgear-mounted use, the method comprising the steps of:
-
oscillating a mirror with a repetitive movement; based on the movement of the mirror, selectively generating light having wavelengths within a first wavelength range; filtering, based on the movement of the mirror, the selectively generated light having wavelengths within a first wavelength range so that light having wavelengths within a first part of the first wavelength range falls on the mirror during a first portion of the mirror movement and light having wavelengths within a second part of the first wavelength range falls on the mirror during a second portion of the mirror movement; and based on the movement of the mirror, selectively generating light having wavelengths within a second wavelength range and transmitting the light to the mirror, so that the light falling on the mirror combines to generate a full color image which is reflected to the user'"'"'s eye. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A miniature display system having a size suitable for hand-held and headgear-mounted use for displaying to a user'"'"'s eye a full-color, two-dimensional image, the image being generated by selectively combining light having wavelengths within a first additive primary color wavelength range, light having wavelengths within a second additive primary color wavelength range and light having wavelengths within a third additive primary color wavelength range, the display system comprising:
-
a first linear array of light-emitting elements, each of the light-emitting elements being independently illuminable and emitting light having wavelengths within a first predetermined wavelength range encompassing wavelengths within the first and the second additive primary color wavelength ranges; a second linear array of light-emitting elements, each of the light-emitting elements being independently illuminable and emitting light having wavelengths within the third additive primary color wavelength range; a lens for generating an enlarged image of the first plurality of light-emitting elements and the second plurality of light-emitting elements; a mirror to reflect the enlarged image to the users'"'"'s eye; a means for oscillating the mirror; and a means cooperating with the oscillating means for selectively illuminating the light-emitting elements in the first array and the light-emitting elements in the second array as the mirror moves to form a two-dimensional raster image; and a means located between the first array and the mirror and cooperating with the oscillating means for filtering the light emitted from the light-emitting elements in the first array so that light transmitted through the filtering means falls within the first additive primary color wavelength range during a first portion of the mirror movement and the light transmitted through the filtering means falls within the second additive primary color wavelength range during a second portion of the mirror movement. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
-
Specification