Visual display system using multiple image sources and heads-up-display system using the same
First Claim
1. A heads-up-display (HUD) system, comprising:
- a) an image producing system comprising a plurality of illumination and image sources, said plurality of illumination and image sources, comprising at least;
i) a HUD-symbology image source configured to produce a first image containing symbological information, said HUD-symbology image source comprising a non-cathode ray tube (non-CRT), vector drawing system; and
,ii) a HUD-video image source configured to produce a second image containing video information, said HUD-video image source comprising a digital system;
b) a projection optics assembly for projecting a resulting image from the image producing system; and
c) a see-through image combining element with partially reflective coatings and dioptric power operatively connected with the projection optics assembly and cooperating with said projection optics assembly for projecting light from said projection optics assembly to form an infinity focus, and directing the projected image from the projection optics assembly to a viewer'"'"'s line-of-sight and forming an image superimposed on a real scene as seen through said combining element by the viewer throughout the viewer'"'"'s field-of-view.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visual display system includes a first image source for producing a first image containing symbological information using a vector drawing system. A second image source produces a second image containing video, graphical, and/or symbology information with a brightness lower than the brightness of the first image. A light combining optical element combines the light from the first and the second image sources. An image forming optical system receives the combined light from the light combining optical element for forming a new image comprising a superimposition of the first image and the second image at a final image plane of the system. A light receiving element, located at the final image plane of the system, receives the new image from the image forming optical system and adjusts the characteristics of the light from the new image to generate a final image for direct or indirect viewing. The visual display system is particularly adaptable for use in a Heads-Up-Display (HUD) system.
96 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A heads-up-display (HUD) system, comprising:
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a) an image producing system comprising a plurality of illumination and image sources, said plurality of illumination and image sources, comprising at least; i) a HUD-symbology image source configured to produce a first image containing symbological information, said HUD-symbology image source comprising a non-cathode ray tube (non-CRT), vector drawing system; and
,ii) a HUD-video image source configured to produce a second image containing video information, said HUD-video image source comprising a digital system; b) a projection optics assembly for projecting a resulting image from the image producing system; and c) a see-through image combining element with partially reflective coatings and dioptric power operatively connected with the projection optics assembly and cooperating with said projection optics assembly for projecting light from said projection optics assembly to form an infinity focus, and directing the projected image from the projection optics assembly to a viewer'"'"'s line-of-sight and forming an image superimposed on a real scene as seen through said combining element by the viewer throughout the viewer'"'"'s field-of-view. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A heads-up-display (HUD) system, comprising:
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a) an image producing system comprising a plurality of illumination and image sources, said plurality of illumination and image sources, comprising at least; i) a HUD-symbology image source configured to produce a first image containing symbological information, said HUD-symbology image source comprising a non-cathode ray tube (non-CRT), vector drawing system; and
,ii) a HUD-video image source configured to produce a second image containing video information, said HUD-video image source comprising a digital system; b) a projection optics assembly for projecting a resulting image from the image producing system; and c) a see-through image combining element with partially reflective coatings and dioptric power operatively connected with the projection optics assembly and cooperating with said projection optics assembly for projecting light from said projection optics assembly to form an infinity focus, and directing the projected image from the projection optics assembly to a viewer'"'"'s line-of-sight and forming an image superimposed on a real scene as seen through said combining element by the viewer throughout the viewer'"'"'s field-of-view wherein, said HUD-symbology image source comprises; i) a first light source; ii) a symbology data generator for generating symbology input image data signals; iii) a first light modulating element operatively connected to said first light source for controlling intensity of said first light source using said symbology input image data signals; iv) a vector scanner controller for providing vector coordinates; v) a vector optical scanning device operatively associated with said first light modulating element for receiving modulated light therein and utilizing said vector coordinates to provide a scanning light beam; and
,vi) a beam focusing optical element for focusing said scanning light beam, and presenting light from said first image on a light combining optical element; and
,said HUD-video image source comprises; i) a second light source; ii) a graphic data generator for generating graphic input image data signals; iii) a second light modulating element controlled by said graphic input image data signals for modulating a light beam from said second light source, producing said second image; and
,iv) an image forming optical system for receiving the light from said second light modulating element for projecting light from said second image on said light combining optical element.
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Specification