Method of and apparatus for viewing an image

• US 6,407,724 B2
• Filed: 04/09/1998
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: DigiLens Inc
• Inventors: Waldern, Jonathan David, Popovich, Milan Momcilo, Storey, John James
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/057,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20010043163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/8
• US Class Current: 345/8
• 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 27/0103 comprising holographic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1885 Arranged as a periodic array
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2615 in physical contact, i.e. layered holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence

Abstract

Light from an image displayed on a display screen 10 is transmitted to an observer'"'"'s eye 11 by way of a dynamic optical element 12 (such as a spatial light modulator or an electrically switchable holographic composite) which acts as a lens. The characteristics of the dynamic optical element 12 can be altered so that it acts sequentially to direct light of different colors to the observer'"'"'s eye.

In one optional embodiment emitters 17 on the display screen 10 emit infra-red radiation which is projected by the dynamic lens 12 as a broad wash onto the eye 11. Infra-red radiation reflected back from the eye 11 is focussed by the dynamic lens 12 onto detectors 18 also provided on the display screen 10. The detectors 18 are thus able to sense the direction of eye gaze, and the dynamic lens 12 is controlled in dependence on this to create an area of high resolution in an area of interest centered on the direction of gaze, which is moved to follow the eye gaze as its direction alters. Other than in the area of interest, the dynamic lens 12 has a relatively low resolution.

Claims

1. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another, and;

a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye, wherein the image generator is configured off-axis from the general direction of view of the observer'"'"'s eye in use;

wherein the apparatus is embodied in a headset with a side portion arranged to be placed in the temple region of an observer'"'"'s head, the image generation generator being housed within the side portion.

2. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect to at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another, and a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

wherein the apparatus includes left and right image generators, left and right dynamic optical devices and left and right side portions within which said left and right image generator are housed, said left and right image generator being operative to project image light towards said left and right dynamic optical devices respectively, thereby displaying a binocular image.

3. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another, and a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

wherein the dynamic optical device acts upon image light received and transmitted there through, and the image generator is located on a side of the dynamic optical device remote from the intended position of the observer'"'"'s eye.

4. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another, and a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

wherein the dynamic optical device acts upon image light received and reflected thereby, and the image generator is at least partially light-transmitting and is located between the dynamic optical device and the intended position of the observer'"'"'s eye.

5. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another, and a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

wherein the dynamic optical device functions to correct aberration and/or distortions in the image light received from the image generator.

6. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect to at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gaze of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuit being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing a lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuit being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered;

wherein the first sensor comprises a radiation emitter operative to emit radiation for projection onto the observer'"'"'s eye and a detector operative to detect radiation reflected back from the eye;

wherein the radiation emitter and/or the detector are provided on a light-transmitting screen disposed between the image generator and the dynamic optical device.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the image generator is in the form of a display screen, and the radiation emitter and/or the detector are provided in or on the display screen.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the radiation emitter are provided in or on the display screen, a beam splitter device is disposed between the display screen and the dynamic optical device and is operative to deflect radiation reflected by the observer'"'"'s eye laterally of a main optical path through the apparatus, and the detector are displaced laterally from the main optical path.

9. Apparatus for viewing an image comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gas of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuit being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing a lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuit being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered;

wherein the first sensor comprises a radiation emitter operative to emit radiation for projection onto the observer'"'"'s eye and a detector operative to detect radiation reflected back from the eye

wherein the image generator produces a pixilated image, and the radiation emitter and/or detector are provided at pixel level within the field of view.

10. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuitry operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gaze of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuit being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing a lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuitry being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to the alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered;

wherein the first sensor utilizes infra-red radiation;

at least one optical element provided in tandem with the dynamic optical device, which acts upon infra-red light but not upon visible light.

11. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuitry being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gaze of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuitry being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing at lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuit being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered;

wherein the first sensor utilizes infra-red radiation

wherein the detector is provided on a light transmitting screen disposed between the image generator and the dynamic optical device.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a reflector is disposed between the image generator and the light-transmitting screen, and is operative to reflect the infra-red radiation whilst allowing transmission of visible light, such that the infra-red radiation after reflection by the observer'"'"'s eye passes through the dynamic optical device and the light-transmitting screen, and is reflected by said reflector back towards the screen.

13. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gaze of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuit being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing a lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuitry being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered

wherein the first sensor utilizes visible light;

wherein the visible light is utilized in short bursts.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the monolithic structure also includes a micro-optical device operative to perform initial beam shaping.

15. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuit operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuit being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gaze of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuit being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing a lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuit being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered

wherein the first sensor utilises visible light;

wherein the first sensor includes a light emitter means operative to emit light for projection onto the observer'"'"'s eye, the image generator produces a pixilated image, the emitter is provided at a pixel level within the field of view, and the wavelength of light emitted by the light emitter is matched to that of the surrounding pixels in the generated image.

16. Apparatus for viewing an image, comprising:

an image generator;

a dynamic optical device, the dynamic optical device being operative to create a modulation in respect of at least one of phase and amplitude in light of the image received thereby, said modulation being variable from one point or spatial region in the optical device to another;

a control circuitry operative to apply a stimulus to the dynamic optical device, whereby the modulation at any point or spatial region can be varied, the control circuitry being operative to alter periodically the characteristics of the dynamic optical device so that the device acts sequentially to direct received, modulated image light of different colors to an observer'"'"'s eye;

a first sensor operative to sense the direction of gaze of the observer'"'"'s eye, the control circuitry being operative on the dynamic optical device to create an area of relatively high resolution in said direction of gaze, the dynamic optical device providing a lesser degree of resolution of the image elsewhere, the control circuit being responsive to the first sensor and being operative to alter the characteristics of the dynamic optical device to reposition said area of relatively high resolution to include said direction of gaze as the latter is altered

wherein the first sensor utilizes visible light;

wherein the visible light is utilized in specific narrow band of wavelengths.