Head Up Display Patents (Class 359/13)
  • Patent number: 8705177
    Abstract: A head mounted display (“HMD”) includes a frame assembly for wearing on a head of a user and an integrated display module mounted to the frame assembly within a peripheral viewing region of an eye of the user when the HMD is worn by the user. The integrated display module includes a display source for outputting a computer generated image (“CGI”), a lens system optically aligned with the display source to focus the CGI emitted from the integrated display module towards the eye, and an actuator coupled to adjust a focal distance of the lens system for changing an image depth of the CGI displayed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoyu Miao
  • Patent number: 8686924
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting an action associated with a power state transition of a head-mounted display (HMD) in the form of eyeglasses are disclosed. A signal may be received from a sensor on a nose bridge of the eyeglasses indicating if the HMD is in use. Based on the received signal, a first power state for the HMD may be determined. Responsive to the determined first power state, an action associated with a power state transition of the HMD from an existing power state to the first power state may be selected. The action may be selected from among a plurality of actions associated with a plurality of state transitions. Also, the action may be a sequence of functions performed by the HMD including modifying an operating state of a primary processing component of the HMD and a detector of the HMD configured to image an environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Max Braun, Ryan Geiss, Harvey Ho, Thad Eugene Starner, Gabriel Taubman
  • Patent number: 8659509
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a cartridge of a welding helmet having a function to display a welding operation time, which can protect the welder's face from intense light generated during a welding or cutting operation and also, enable automated light transmittance adjustment and operation time setting on a per operation basis, enabling a welding operation to be more efficiently performed. In the method including welding operation, cutting operation, grinding operation and X-mode operation steps, which are automatically performed in sequence according to preset conditions and a light transmittance and operation time of a liquid crystal screen of the cartridge, a control unit calculates an operation time of the liquid crystal screen indicating how long the liquid crystal screen is kept dark, and the calculated operation time is stored in a memory unit so as to be displayed on a display unit in a life mode step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Otos Wing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon Young Huh
  • Patent number: 8654420
    Abstract: A waveguide 112 includes a substrate of material 134 having optical layers 148, 152 applied to two external surfaces 146, 150. This reduces the critical angle c5 of the substrate of material 134 to provide greater interaction between image bearing light following a light path 140 and a grating element 142 and/or a greater total field of view 160, when compared to the total field of view 132 of a prior art waveguide 110, that is capable of being transmitted by the waveguide 112. Such a waveguide 112 can be used in a projection display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: Michael David Simmonds
  • Patent number: 8644673
    Abstract: Computer-implemented techniques for viewing a recorded presentation are described. The techniques include receiving by one or more computers a request from a user to view a recorded presentation, retrieving, by one or more computing systems, a segment of the recorded presentation that is comprised of plural segments and information specifying times of occurrences of trigger events associated with corresponding segments in the recorded presentation, retrieving by the one or more computers private information of the user relevant to a first segment of the recorded presentation based on a first trigger event, generating, by the one or more computing systems, a re-cast first segment of the recorded presentation, with the re-cast first segment including the private information of the user, and sending by the one or more computing systems, the re-cast segment to a computing device associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: FMR LLC
    Inventors: David Martin, James Grundner
  • Patent number: 8638483
    Abstract: A video image display device (1) is provided with an ocular optical system (12) that guides video image light from a display element (11) to the pupil of an observer through an ocular prism (21) and at the same time guides ambient light to the pupil of the observer through the ocular prism (21). The eyepiece optical system (12) has reflection planes set in the ocular prism (21) that are provided with three or more planes to fold down three or more times an optical path for the video image light from the display element (11), wherein an HOE (23) is formed on at least one plane of the reflection planes. The video image display device (1) satisfies a conditional equation that properly prescribes the relationship between an incident range of the video image light incident on the HOE (23) formed plane in the ocular prism (21) and a display screen size of the display element (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiko Yamada, Yoshie Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8629903
    Abstract: A method to represent graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle includes monitoring informational inputs describing the operational environment for the vehicle, processing the informational inputs to synthesize an operational environment model, monitoring data related to an occupant eye location, converting the model into the graphical images registering the critical information according the model upon the transparent windscreen head up display based upon the monitored data related to the occupant eye location, and displaying the graphical images upon the transparent windscreen head up display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba, Dehua Cui
  • Patent number: 8612187
    Abstract: A test platform (11) for facilitating the selection of a sound configuration that is suitable for a target audio system that has a limited processing power (Pmax). During an objective selection of the configurations, the platform (11) adopts—from among a set of possible configurations—the sound configurations that are compatible with the available power (Pmax) of the audio system. Next, the platform (11) makes it possible for an integrator to test the sound rendering of each configuration adopted by enabling the selection of the number of virtual loudspeakers and the order (14.2) of the HRTF filters. For this purpose, the integrator can select different types of sound sources to which to listen. After listening to the sound rendering of different sound configurations, the integrator can select the configuration that is most suitable to the target audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Arkamys
    Inventor: Frederic Amadu
  • Patent number: 8611015
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) may include an eye-tracking system, an HMD-tracking system and a display configured to display virtual images. The virtual images may present an augmented reality to a wearer of the HMD and the virtual images may adjust dynamically based on HMD-tracking data. However, position and orientation sensor errors may introduce drift into the displayed virtual images. By incorporating eye-tracking data, the drift of virtual images may be reduced. In one embodiment, the eye-tracking data could be used to determine a gaze axis and a target object in the displayed virtual images. The HMD may then move the target object towards a central axis. The HMD may also record data based on the gaze axis, central axis and target object to determine a user interface preference. The user interface preference could be used to adjust similar interactions with the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Joseph Wheeler, Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez, Hayes Solos Raffle
  • Patent number: 8593734
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for using a three-dimensional (3D) diffractive element (e.g., a 3D diffractive grating) for expanding in one or two dimensions the exit pupil of an optical beam in electronic devices. Various embodiments of the present invention can be applied, but are not limited, to forming images in virtual reality displays, to illuminating of displays (e.g., backlight illumination in liquid crystal displays) or keyboards, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Pasi Laakkonen
  • Patent number: 8582206
    Abstract: A virtual-image projector comprises a laser configured to form a narrow beam, first and second dilation optics, first and second redirection optics each having a diffraction grating, and a controller. The first dilation optic is arranged to receive the narrow beam and to project a one-dimensionally dilated beam into the second dilation optic. The second dilation optic is arranged to receive the one-dimensionally dilated beam and project a two-dimensionally dilated beam. The first and second redirection optics are each operatively coupled to a transducer. The first redirection optic is arranged to direct the narrow beam into the first dilation optic at a first entry angle. The second redirection optic is configured to direct the one-dimensionally dilated beam into the second dilation optic at a second entry angle. The controller is configured to bias the transducers to vary the first and second entry angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian Travis
  • Publication number: 20130265623
    Abstract: A display device includes: a light source; an illumination optical system; a diffraction pattern generation unit; a spatial modulation element that generates diffracted light; and a shielding unit that selectively enters a first state where a first and second partial areas are a transmitting and shielding areas, respectively, and a second state where the first and second partial areas are the shielding and transmitting areas, respectively. The spatial modulation element displays the fictive image on a first and second display areas corresponding to the first and second partial areas when the shielding unit is in the first and second states, respectively. The diffraction pattern generation unit generates a first and second portion diffraction patterns from an image in an area corresponding to the first and second display areas out of the original image when the shielding unit is in the first and second states, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji SUGIYAMA, Kenichi KASAZUMI
  • Publication number: 20130258431
    Abstract: An instrument cluster, in particular for a motor vehicle comprises a display screen to display information to the driver of the vehicle, a holographic memory containing the information stored in the form of holograms, and a light source to generate one or more reading light beams to extract the information to be displayed from the holographic memory and display the information extracted from the holographic memory on the display screen. A head-up display device is integrated in the instrument cluster and comprises a combiner that projects information extracted from the holographic memory into the head-up field of view of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG, DELPHI TECNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alain Guidi, Claude Simon, Hassan Moussa, Idriss El Hafidi, Thibaud Barillot
  • Patent number: 8547615
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device for generating reconstructions of three-dimensional representations including a frame, in which at least one light source, at least one optical system and at least one encodable light modulator are situated, wherein the light modulator with an encoding of a wavefront of the three-dimensional representation in the encoding area is positioned at the place of an observer window defined in an observer plane or the light modulator with an encoding of a hologram of the wavefront of the three-dimensional representation in the encoding area is positioned in the region closely in front of the observer window for transforming the hologram into the observer window. When the light modulators are illuminated, complex wavefronts of the three-dimensional representation are situated in the observer window and the reconstruction of the three-dimensional representation is visible in a visual cone spanned by the observer window and the light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Seereal Technologies S.A.
    Inventor: Norbert Leister
  • Publication number: 20130250380
    Abstract: A virtual image display apparatus includes an organic EL device that outputs light having one kind of wavelength band, a light guide member, and a reflection-type volume hologram that is disposed on a first face of the light guide member and diffracts and reflects light of a predetermined wavelength band of the light that has entered. The organic EL device includes an optical resonance structure that causes the above-mentioned light of one-kind wavelength band to resonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi FUJIKAWA, Osamu YOKOYAMA, Takehiko KUBOTA
  • Publication number: 20130182302
    Abstract: The present application discloses a see-through display device a light source configured to emit light, a projection optical system configured to project image light generated from the light; a transmissive hologram including a first surface which the image light enters from the projection optical system; and an interface configured to cause Fresnel reflection of the image light deflected by the hologram. The hologram includes a first interference fringe recorded by object light and reference light which are incident on the first surface by means of two-light flux interference. The image light incident on the first surface is deflected by the first interference fringe toward the interface. The interface reflects the image light toward the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Shinichi Shikii, Kenichi Kasazumi, Keiji Sugiyama, Kakuya Yamamoto, Akira Kurozuka
  • Patent number: 8488246
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content and a light source that directs light to a curved polarizing film of the optical assembly that reflects a portion of the light to illuminate a reflective image display. The optical assembly comprises an optically flat film that reflects the image light from the reflective image display to a curved partially reflecting mirror that reflects a portion of the image light and transmits a portion of the scene light from a see-through view of the surrounding environment, so that a combined image comprised of portions of the reflected image light and the transmitted scene light is transmitted through the optically flat film and provided to the user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Border, Joseph Bietry, Ralph F. Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8482859
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content, wherein the optical assembly comprises an optically flat film, disposed at an angle in front of a user's eye, that reflects and transmits a portion of image light and transmits scene light from a see-through view of the surrounding environment, so that a combined image comprised of portions of the image light and the transmitted scene light is provided to a user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Border, Joseph Bietry, Ralph F. Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8477425
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content, wherein the optical assembly comprises a partially reflective, partially transmitting optical element that reflects a portion of image light from the image source and transmits scene light from a see-through view of the surrounding environment, so that a combined image comprised of portions of the reflected image light and the transmitted scene light is provided to a user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Border, John D. Haddick, Ralph F. Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8477424
    Abstract: A method for producing a single-layer diffractive combiner for a head-up display having a projection unit with n light sources of ?i wavelength(s), where i=1 to n sending light towards the combiner at an angle ?p. The method includes forming interference fringes for each ?i wavelength on a photosensitive layer with an interference of two light beams from a single laser source of wavelength ?e, where the forming step is repeated n times, and each time the forming step is repeated an angle ?i between the two beams is determined according to ?i=arcsin ((?e/?i)*sin(?p)), one of the interfering beams being divergent and having a spherical wave front and the other being a plane wave, the interference of the beams generating a diffractive network with an adjustable pitch and curved contour fringe lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Moussa, Laurent Tupinier, Idriss El Hafidi, Mandiaye Ndao
  • Patent number: 8472120
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content, wherein the image source comprises a lighting system that directs light from a light source to a curved polarizing film that reflects a portion of the light to a reflective image display. The ratio of the height of the curved polarizing film to the width of the reflective image display is less than 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Border, John D. Haddick, Ralph F. Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8467133
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns an interactive head-mounted eyepiece with an integrated processor for handling content for display and an integrated image source for introducing the content to an optical assembly through which the user views a surrounding environment and the displayed content. The optical assembly includes a light transmissive wedge-shaped illumination system with angle selective coatings and an LED lighting system coupled to an edge of the wedge. An angled surface of the wedge directs light from the LED lighting system to uniformly irradiate a reflective image display to produce an image that is reflected through the illumination system to provide the displayed content to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8446676
    Abstract: Provided is a head-mounted display element, including: a first casing (11) which incorporates therein at least a display element (21), and has a light projection window (11a) for projecting image light from the display element (21); a second casing (12) which incorporates therein an eyepiece optical system (31) with a refractive power, and has a light receiving window (12a) for receiving incident image light projected through the light projection window (11a) and an eyepiece window (12b) for emitting the image light that has passed through the eyepiece optical system (31); and a coupling portion (13) for coupling the second casing (12) to the first casing (11) so as to make adjustable a length of an optical path between the light projection window (11a) and the light receiving window (12a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Ryohei Sugihara, Yoichi Iba, Seiji Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 8436952
    Abstract: A head-up display including a hybrid illumination system is provided. A light mixing unit provides a substantially homogenous light source to a reflective display unit. A concentrating optics unit collects ambient light and directs it towards the light mixing unit. At the same time, an electrically-powered light source emits light which is directed towards the light mixing unit. One or more optical elements direct the ambient light and the light source light into the light mixing unit for homogenization. A condensing unit receives the homogenized light mixture and outputs the condensed light to a polarizing beam splitter. A reflective display modulates the light from the polarizing beam splitter with information from a source of electrical information signals back towards the polarizing beam splitter. A projection unit projects the modulated light to create an image on a windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventor: Lo Ming Fok
  • Patent number: 8416153
    Abstract: A head mount display includes: an image display unit at which an image is displayed; an arm that supports the image display unit while allowing an orientation of the image display unit to be adjusted; a mounting unit that supports the arm and is used to attach the head mount display to a user; and a protective member extending from the arm to range on an outer side relative to the image display unit to protect the image display unit. The image display unit is positioned between the head of the user, to which the mounting unit is attached, and the protective member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8412413
    Abstract: A vehicle windshield display system for detecting obstruction of a vehicle operator's field of view by a windshield display. The system provides closed-loop feedback to perform a visual check of what is actually being displayed on a windshield display in order to avoid obstructing an operator's field of view. The system includes a windshield display configured to be installed into a vehicle and configured to display a graphic in a field of view of an operator of the vehicle, a camera configured to determine an image of the graphic displayed by the windshield display, and a controller configured to determine if the image indicates that field of view is obstructed. The camera is used to monitor the windshield display and provide feedback to the controller so that appropriate adjustments to the graphic being displayed can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kris R. Stark, Dwadasi H. R. Sarma, Frederick F. Kuhlman, Mark R. Vincen
  • Patent number: 8384617
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting an action associated with a power state transition of a head-mounted display (HMD) in the form of eyeglasses are disclosed. A signal may be received from a sensor on a nose bridge of the eyeglasses indicating if the HMD is in use. Based on the received signal, a first powers state for the HMD may be determined. Responsive to the determined first power state, an action associated with a power state transition of the HMD from an existing power state to the first power state may be selected. The action may be selected from among a plurality of actions associated with a plurality of state transitions. Also, the action may be a sequence of functions performed by the HMD including modifying an operating state of a primary processing component of the HMD and a detector of the HMD configured to image an environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Max Braun, Ryan Geiss, Harvey Ho, Thad Eugene Starner, Gabriel Taubman
  • Patent number: 8351123
    Abstract: A diffractive head up display device that includes a projection unit that uses a display to project an image through a projection window of an image mask, and towards a diffractive combiner. The display and the mask are moveable at right angles to the axis of the projection light beam, so that the adjustment of the position of the virtual image in the field of view of the observer, for example the driver of a vehicle, is obtained by translation of the display and of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Moussa, Idriss El Hafidi, Laurent Tupinier
  • Patent number: 8339710
    Abstract: A head up display device for a vehicle, includes a display, a reflective member, a stepping motor, and a control part. The reflective member reflects an image displayed by the display and projects the image onto a projection member, thereby displaying a virtual image. The stepping motor rotates the reflective member to adjust a display position of the virtual image. A stabilization point, at which detent torque of the stepping motor is maximized, is defined as a target rotation angle of a magnet rotor. The control part performs normal rotation control that controls amplitude of a drive signal to rotate the magnet rotor to the target rotation angle. After the control part performs the normal rotation control, the control part performs application continuation control that continues application of the drive signal for a predetermined period, with the amplitude of the drive signal at the target rotation angle being maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichirou Torii
  • Patent number: 8317338
    Abstract: An image display apparatus and method constantly maintain a desired image formation state on a retina. The apparatus includes a laser light source for emitting laser light, a focus position adjustment section for adjusting a focus position of the laser light, and a scanning section for scanning an area by using the adjusted laser light as scanning light. The apparatus also includes a light deflection section for leading the scanning light to a user's cornea, a light detection section having an optically conjugate relation with the cornea surface through the light deflection section, for detecting a part the scanning light reflected on the cornea surface and generating a detection signal, and a control section. The control section controls the focus position adjustment section to adjust the focus position of the laser light such that the detection signal agrees with an initial setting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Itoh, Kenichi Kasazumi
  • Patent number: 8320032
    Abstract: A diffractive beam expander (50) comprises a substantially planar waveguiding substrate, an input grating (10) to provide an in-coupled beam (B1) propagating within said substrate, and an output grating (30) to provide an out-coupled beam. The expander (50) comprises also four or more further grating portions to expand the height of the in-coupled beam (B1). A part of the in-coupled light is diffracted by a first deflecting grating portion (21a) to provide a first deflected beam. A part of the in-coupled light is diffracted by a second deflecting grating portion (22a) to provide a second deflected beam. The first deflected beam propagates downwards and the second deflected beam propagates upwards with respect to the in-coupled beam (B1). The first deflected beam impinges on a first direction-restoring grating portion (21b) and the second deflected beam impinges on a second direction-restoring grating portion (22b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Tapani Levola
  • Patent number: 8300315
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes: a double-sided display device displayed a image on a first side and a second side opposed the first side; a first optical system that forms the image displayed on the first side of the double-sided display device on one eye of a wearer; and a second optical system that forms the image displayed on the second side of the double-sided display device on the other eye of the wearer. The first optical system and the second optical system have switching mechanisms which make at least a part of view being different from the image displayed on the double-sided display devise visible in eyes of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8289229
    Abstract: A head-up display apparatus allows an occupant of a vehicle to visually perceive a virtual image of an image light reflected by a windshield after passing through a cylindrical lens. The cylindrical lens is inclined against the image light to thereby reflect outside light not to reach an eye range of the occupant. The cylindrical lens is placed in a light guide portion such that (i) an action axis direction for an optical action and (ii) a horizontal direction in the display image agree with each other. Of the cylindrical lens, an inclination angle and installation depth are so set that light incident at an angle equal to or greater than an interception upper-limit incident angle and reflected by a pass-through side of the cylindrical lens does not arrive at the eye range of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Ishikawa, Hiroshi Ando, Takayuki Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 8269692
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a left-eye light source (101) that outputs a left-eye image constituting an original image in whole or in part; a left-eye deflection unit (104) that deflects, toward a left eye of the user, the left-eye image outputted by the left-eye light source (101); a right-eye light source (110) that outputs a right-eye image constituting the original image in whole or in part; a right-eye deflection unit (107) that deflects, toward a right eye of the user, the right-eye image outputted by the right-eye light source (110); and a control unit (105, 111) that controls the left-eye light source (101) and the right-eye light source (110) such that the left-eye image and the right-eye image are outputted which are different from each other in at least one of pixel position, image shape, image size, image resolution, and display frame rate so that the user can recognize the original image from the left-eye image and the right-eye image by an image fusion effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Sugiyama, Kakuya Yamamoto, Akira Kurozuka
  • Patent number: 8254031
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for providing color separation in an exit pupil expander system that uses a plurality of diffractive elements for expanding the exit pupil of a display in an electronic device for viewing by introducing a selectively absorbing area or areas in the exit pupil expanders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Tapani Levola
  • Patent number: 8248324
    Abstract: A display device that includes a housing that houses a display, and a control panel. Control panel and display are connected to a controller disposed inside of the housing. A control device can also be attached to display device. The control device is configured to resemble a welding gun. The control device is also connected to the controller. A viewer, such as welding mask viewer, is be mounted to the housing of display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Nangle
  • Patent number: 8213065
    Abstract: An image display device includes an image forming device, collimating optical system, and optical device, with the optical device including a light guide plate, first diffraction grating member and second diffraction grating member which are made up of a volume hologram diffraction grating, and with central light emitted from the pixel of the center of the image forming device and passed through the center of the collimating optical system being input to the light guide plate from the near side of the second diffraction grating member with a certain angle. Thus, the image display device capable of preventing occurrence of color irregularities, despite the simple configuration, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mukawa
  • Patent number: 8213064
    Abstract: A system and method for providing extended field of view. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to provide extended field of view for a user of a personal display system. The system may include an image source coupled to relay optics, to redirecting unit and to reflecting unit, and may optionally be mounted in a helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Yona, Sasson Abraham, Shmuel Shalom, Aron Arlievsky, Oded Hamburger
  • Publication number: 20120162734
    Abstract: A heads up display (HUD) system that includes a light source configured to project an image, and a diffractive combiner. The diffractive combiner includes one or more reflective volume phase gratings (RVPG), each configured to reflect light from the light source having a distinct wavelength toward a HUD viewer. Each RVPG is also embossed with a pattern configured to diffract light at the distinct wavelength so the HUD viewer can see an image in a field of view that passes through the diffractive combiner. By forming a diffractive combiner with an RVPG embossed with a particular pattern, the occurrence of rainbow artifacts on the surface of the diffractive combiner caused by random sources of light is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: DAVID K. LAMBERT
  • Publication number: 20120140300
    Abstract: A head up display signal processing system is disclosed. The system comprises an image projector for projecting an image onto a screen, the screen being partially reflective and partially transmissive. The system is operable to provide a separate optical element at a plurality of locations upon the screen, wherein each element comprises an optical phase representative of the location of the element upon the screen, such that the combination of optical elements is arranged to produce an optical hologram upon the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul Freeman
  • Patent number: 8184350
    Abstract: The image display apparatus includes an image-forming element configured to form an original image, a first optical element configured to reflect a light flux from the image-forming element sequentially by plural reflective surfaces to cause the light flux to emerge from the first optical element, and an optical system configured to introduce the light flux from the first optical element to an exit pupil of the optical system. The optical system includes a diffractive optical element. In the optical system, a first portion closer to the exit pupil than the diffractive optical element has a negative optical power. No decentered surface having an optical power is provided between the diffractive optical element and the exit pupil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Saito
  • Patent number: 8179604
    Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, a wearable marker may be used for passive interaction with a wearable computing device. A wearable marker may take the form of a ring, a bracelet, an artificial fingernail configured to be affixed to a fingernail, a decal configured to be affixed to a fingernail, or a glove, among other possible wearable items. A wearable marker may further include an infrared (IR) reflective surface in the form of a surface pattern that is substantially optically invisible. A wearable computing device may include a head-mounted display (HMD) equipped with an IR camera device capable of detecting IR radiation reflected from the surface pattern on a wearable marker. The HMD and the IR camera device can function together to track position and motion of the wearable marker via reflection, and by doing so can recognize known patterns of motion that correspond to known hand gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez, Liang-Yu Chi
  • Publication number: 20120099170
    Abstract: A see-through display including a light source for emitting light, a projection optical system for projecting the light emitted by the light source, and a volume hologram for deflecting the light projected by the projection optical system. The volume hologram has a linear expansion coefficient of ? (/° C.) and interference fringes recorded with recording light having a wavelength of ? (nm). The wavelength of the light emitted by the light source has a temperature dependency of K (nm/° C.), and the wavelength ? (nm) and the temperature dependency K (nm/° C.) satisfy the relationship of 0?K/??2?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Shinichi Shikii, Keiji Sugiyama, Shinichi Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 8159417
    Abstract: An image display device includes: a display part, a measuring instrument, a determination unit, a detection unit, a decision unit, and a notification processing unit. The display part allows a user to visually recognize a display image by projecting an image light corresponding to the display image on an eye of the user in a state where some ambient light reaches at least either one of eyes of the user. The measuring instrument measures brightness of the ambient light. The determination unit determines brightness of the display image. The detection unit detects the difference between the brightness of the ambient light and the brightness of the display image. The decision unit decides timing of temporarily stopping the use of the display part. The notification processing unit performs notification which prompts the user to stop the use of the display part at the timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20120069413
    Abstract: A near-eye display projects virtual images from an image generator to an eyebox within which the virtual images can be seen by a viewer. A first optical path conveys image-bearing light from the image generator to a selectively reflective powered optic and a second optical path conveys the image-bearing light along a line of sight from the selectively reflective powered optic to the eyebox. First and second selectively reflective surfaces fold the first optical path with respect to the second optical path to locate the image generator out of the line of sight to the eyebox. The image generator is effectively inclined to the line of sight to the eyebox for reducing a thickness of the near-eye display. The selectively reflective powered optic is oriented normal to local overlapping portions of the first and second optical paths at the selectively reflective powered optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: VUZIX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8120828
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical reflection system with a reflection element for reflecting reconstruction light waves, an entry-side focal point, from which the reconstruction light waves come when they hit the reflection element, and an exit-side focal point, to which the reconstruction light waves propagate after being reflected from the reflection element. The invention further relates to a tracking system and a holographic projection system with such optical reflection system, and a corresponding holographic projection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: SeeReal Technologies S.A.
    Inventor: Armin Schwerdtner
  • Publication number: 20120002256
    Abstract: We describe optical techniques for replicating an image to expand the exit pupil of a head-up laser-based image display system. The system includes image replication optics to replicate an image carried by a substantially collimated beam, the image replication optics comprising a pair of substantially planar reflecting optical surfaces defining substantially parallel planes spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the parallel planes. The system is configured to launch the collimated beam into a region between the parallel planes such that the reflecting optical surfaces waveguide the beam between the surfaces in a plurality of successive reflections at front and rear optical surfaces. The front optical surface is configured to transmit a proportion of the collimated beam when reflecting the beam such that at each reflection of the collimated beam at the front optical surface a replica of the image is output from the image replication optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Lilian Lacoste, Alexander David Corbett, Dominik Stindt
  • Patent number: 8059063
    Abstract: A 3D image display device includes a display panel, a barrier, a controller, and a barrier driver. The barrier includes: a first substrate; a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the first substrate and extended in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes respectively disposed between adjacent first electrodes; a second substrate opposing the first substrate; a plurality of third electrodes disposed on the second substrate and extended in a second direction crossing the first direction; a plurality of fourth electrodes respectively disposed between adjacent third electrodes; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates. The barrier driver receives a barrier control signal from the controller, and applies a reference voltage to the first electrodes, the second electrodes, the third electrodes, and/or the fourth electrodes, and applies a liquid crystal driving voltage to one or more other ones of the first to fourth electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui Nam, Jang-Doo Lee, Hyoung-Wook Jang, Beom-Shik Kim, Myoung-Seop Song
  • Patent number: 8035872
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an image combiner and an image display device which can easily have a wide field of view and reduce a thickness of a substrate while reducing loss of light intensity by means of a PBS. An image combiner includes a substrate transparent to visible light; and a polarization beam splitter installed in the substrate to reflect a light flux introduced into the substrate from an image-display element and to make the light flux incident on an exit pupil outside the substrate. An exit angle ?0 at which a principal ray of the light flux emitted from a center of a display surface of the image-display element is emitted from a surface of the substrate toward a center of the exit pupil satisfies a condition of 3°??0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yumiko Ouchi
  • Patent number: RE42992
    Abstract: A compact chromatic display system to be used by a viewer to view a virtual image including: (a) an output optical device, which enables the viewer to see through it a chromatic virtual image. (b) an input optical device. (c) an optical arrangement for directing light from the input optical device to the output optical device and (d) a Shift Adjusted Display (SAD) device that radiates chromatic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mirage Innovations Ltd.
    Inventor: Yair David