Imaging systems for eyeglass-based display devices

• US 7,969,657 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc. (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc. (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Cakmakci, Ozan, Rolland, Jannick P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/257,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20090180195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 359/631
• US Class Current: 359/631
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/102 for generating a colour image from monochromatic image signal sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/144 using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity G02B27/147 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed are imaging systems and eyeglass-based display devices. In one embodiment, an imaging system includes an image source that generates images, a optical element that manipulates the images, and a beam splitter positioned between the image source and the optical element that reflects the images onto an eye of a user of the imaging system, wherein each of the image source, optical element, and beam splitter are aligned along the same optical axis.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

an optical axis;

a microdisplay centered on the optical axis that generates images;

a spherical mirror that is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis that collimates the images; and

a partial mirror beam splitter centered on the optical axis and positioned between the image source and the optical element that reflects the collimated images onto an eye of a user of the imaging system.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the spherical mirror is spaced approximately 10 cm to 12 cm from the microdisplay.

3. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the spherical mirror is the only element of the imaging system that has optical power.

4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system comprises no elements beyond the microdisplay, the spherical mirror, and the beam splitter.

5. An eyeglass-based display device comprising:

an eyeglass frame having opposed first and second temples; and

an imaging system integrated into the eyeglass frame, the imaging system including an image source integrated into the first temple that generates images, a optical element integrated into the second temple that manipulates the images, and a beam splitter positioned between the image source and the optical element that reflects the images onto an eye of a user of the display device, wherein each of the image source, optical element, and beam splitter are aligned along the same optical axis.

6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the image source is a microdisplay.

7. The display device of claim 5, wherein the optical element is a spherical mirror.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the spherical mirror is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis.

9. The display device of claim 5, wherein the beam splitter comprises a partial mirror that transmits the images generated by the image source and reflects the images manipulated by the optical element.

10. The display device of claim 5, wherein the optical element is spaced approximately 10 cm to 12 cm from the image source.

11. The display device of claim 5, wherein each of the image source, optical element, and beam splitter are centered on the optical axis.

12. The display device of claim 5, wherein the optical element is the only element of the imaging system that has optical power.

13. An eyeglass-based display device comprising:

an eyeglass frame including opposed temples; and

an imaging system integrated into the eyeglass frame, the imaging system including an optical axis, a microdisplay centered on the optical axis and mounted to a first eyeglass frame temple that generates images, a spherical mirror that is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis and mounted to a second eyeglass frame temple that collimates the images, and a partial mirror beam splitter centered on the optical axis and positioned between the image source and the optical element that reflects the collimated images onto an eye of a user of the display device.

14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the spherical mirror is spaced approximately 10 cm to 12 cm from the microdisplay.

15. The display device of claim 13, wherein the spherical mirror is the only element of the imaging system that has optical power.

16. The display device of claim 13, wherein the imaging system comprises no elements beyond the microdisplay, the spherical mirror, and the beam splitter.