Head-mounted display with image generator, fold mirror and mirror for transmission to the eye position of the user

• US 5,949,583 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: i-O Display Systems LLC (Ilixco, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: i-O Display Systems LLC (Ilixco, Inc.)
• Inventors: Conner, Arlie R., Amadon, C. Gregory, Rallison, Richard Dennis, Mack, Wolfgang Adam Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US08/484,857
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 359/633, 359/630, 359/631, 359/632
• US Class Current: 359/633
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0116 comprising devices for correcting chromatic aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• 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: G02B 6/08 with fibre bundle in form of plate

Abstract

A visual display device is provided for delivering a generated image, preferably combinable with environment light, to the eye of a user. Light from an image generator such as a CRT, LED or LCD is reflected from a fold mirror away from a user'"'"'s eye towards a combiner. The image is reflected from the combiner and magnified, optionally combined with light from the environment and passes back through the fold mirror towards the eye of the user. In one embodiment, an optical element such as a meniscus lens or PCX lens is used to present the user with a substantially flat focal field and/or a Fresnel lens or diffractive optical element is used to aim rays from the image to the field curvature corrective lens in order to maintain maximum contrast.

Claims

1. Transmissive head-mounted on-axis display apparatus for a user, comprising:

an image generator which outputs image light, said image generator defining an output plane;

a first partially reflective mirror positioned to receive image light from the image generator and to reflect at least a first portion of said image light in a first direction, wherein said image light impinges said first mirror at an angle of between about 40° and

about 50°

;

a second partially transmissive mirror defining a mirror centroid situated to receive at least some of said first portion of said image light from said first mirror and reflect at least a second portion of said image light combined with environmental light, to provide combined light, a tangent plane of said second partially transmissive mirror, at said centroid, positioned at an angle of between about 85° and

about 95°

with respect to said output plane of said image generator, wherein at least some of said combined light is transmitted through said first mirror in a second direction for ultimate transmission to the eye position of the user, providing an optical path from said image generator to said first mirror, to said second mirror, through said first mirror and to said eye position of the user.

2. Immersive head-mounted on-axis display apparatus for a user in an environment which provides environmental light, comprising:

an image generator which outputs image light, said image generator defining an output plane;

;

a first partially reflective mirror positioned to receive image light from the image generator and to reflect at least a first portion of said image light in a first direction, wherein said image light impinges said first mirror at an angle of between about 40° and

about 50°

;

a second mirror defining a mirror centroid situated to receive at least some of said first portion of said image light from said first mirror and reflect at least a second portion of said image light to provide second reflected light, wherein said second reflected light is provided substantially without combination with said environmental image light, a tangent plane of said second mirror, at said centroid, positioned at an angle of between about 85° and

about 95°

with respect to said output plane of said image generator, and wherein at least some of said second reflected light is transmitted through said first mirror in a second direction for ultimate transmission to the eye position of the user, providing an optical path from said image generator to said first mirror, to said second mirror, through said first mirror and to said eye position of the user.