Abstract: A head-up display including a combiner and a relay optics formed from a combination of optical elements and forming an intermediate image projected to infinity by the combiner of a symbology emitted in a given spectral band by an image source. The combiner forms an off-axis convergent mirror in the spectral band, and an angle of inclination of the off-axis convergent mirror is adjustable for a given type of equipment as a function of a position of the image source and in a given angular range that depends on the type of equipment. The relay optics is modular and includes a first module with at least one optical element fixed regardless of the type of equipment and a second module with at least one optical element for which a position is predefined as a function of an angular position of the combiner.

Abstract: A head-up display in which the light of an image-forming device (10) can be projected onto a projection surface (12) via at least one mirror (1), and the at least one mirror (1) can be rotated about a first axis of rotation (3) by an adjusting device (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), and so the position of an image that can be projected onto the projection surface (12) can be varied.

Abstract: A system and method for providing images for an operator of a vehicle include the capability to receive electrical signals representing electromagnetic radiation at an image source and to generate a visual image based on the electrical signals. The system and method further include the capability to reflect different portions of the visual image with a magnifying optical element for presentation at different viewing locations, the visual image appearing as a virtual image, wherein at least one dimension of the visual image is larger than the magnifying optical element can use to present an image at one of the viewing locations.

Abstract: A viewing device (10) adapted to be held at eye level by an apparatus (14) comprises a housing (16) designed to fit within a tray (12) of the apparatus (14), two eyepieces (22) mounted to a proximal end (24) of the housing, a magnification mechanism (26), and a focus mechanism (28). The device (10) also includes an objective lens (18) and a video screen (19) mounted to a distal end (20) of the housing (16). The housing (16) preferably includes a substantially flat bottom (30) and two substantially flat sides (32) and is preferably secured to the tray (12) by a threaded fastener (36). The eyepieces (22) are preferably flexible and padded to provide a comfortable fit. The eyepieces (22) may be either contoured or substantially flat. The contoured eyepieces (22) fit against a user's face. The substantially flat eyepieces (22) fit against the user's eyeglasses.

Abstract: The present invention is a head-mounted display device comprising a head holding holder that is proximate at least to the two sides of the head and to the front of the head, and a display unit that is deployed on that holder, at a position over either the left or right eye at the front of the head.

Abstract: An optical path splitting element for splitting a light beam from a single object into at least two optical paths is made compact in size by using a three-dimensional optical system and given a power to reduce the number of components thereof. An image display apparatus uses the optical path splitting element. The optical path splitting element has a prism member having an entrance surface through which the light beam from the object enters the prism member, at least one reflecting surface reflecting the light beam within the prism member, and an exit surface through which the light beam exits the prism member. The prism member has at least one rotationally asymmetric surface. At least one optical functional surface is a discontinuous surface formed from at least two surfaces adjacent to each other. The other optical functional surfaces are common to the at least two optical paths.

Abstract: A double-plate combiner for a head-up visor, including two substantially flat plates substantially parallel to each other, and held fixedly together by a holding structure that includes a central baseplate, two side flanks connected to the central baseplate, and two spacers respectively connected to the side flanks and tightly holding the two plates between them. An outer plate is tightly held between free ends of the spacers and an inner plate is tightly held between the free ends, connected to the side flanks, of the spacers. An assembly of the plates, the side flanks, and the spacers has a plane of symmetry substantially orthogonal to the mid-plane of the plates. A first dimension from one spacer to the other of the outer plate is greater than a second dimension from one spacer to the other of the inner plate. The mid-plane of each spacer is not orthogonal to the mid-plane of the plates.

Abstract: A head mounted virtual image display unit is provided which is compact in size and weight, and incorporates a high performance optical system offering a clear see-through capability. A sliding light shield may be incorporated for those instances when see-through capability is not desired. A focus adjustment may be incorporated to permit the focusing of the image, for example, at a distance of approximately 18 inches to infinity. An adjustable headband may be incorporated that adapts to fit the users head. A flexible boom structure may be incorporated to facilitate fine positional adjustment of the optical assembly. A slider and ball joint mechanism may also be incorporated to facilitate positional adjustment of the optical assembly. A built-in microphone may be incorporated to enable speech input by the user.

Abstract: A display source unit for a display device in a vehicle is provided, by which the driver is not given a physical or mental oppressive feeling to his or her head upon getting on and off the vehicle. The display source unit 9, which irradiates a light of a display image containing instrument information on a combiner 7 situated in front of an eye point I so that the irradiated light can be seen as a virtual image S from the eye point I, is provided with a cover member 13 consisting of: a front cover body 15 putting an optical element 21 for image magnification thereonto; and a rear cover body 17 hinged to the front cover body 15 with receiving a display device 23 therein. The cover member 13 is folded, thereby the light of the display image displayed on a display surface 23a of the display device 23 is reflected on a reflector 25 disposed in the cover member 13 to the optical element 21, passes through the optical element 21, and goes toward the eye point I after being reflected by the combiner 7.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to various arrangements of optical and electronic components to form a high-resolution helmet mounted display (HMD) or other compact display device. In particular, the current invention is designed in such a way as to allow it to operate utilizing several different kinds of image generation device and to incorporate many different features including the option of “eye tracking”.

Abstract: A one-eye viewing type head-mounted image display device (1) that is compact and comfortably wearable consists mainly of a viewer (2) and an elastic member (38). The viewer includes an LCD (13), a main prism (32), a see-through prism (33), a frame (10), and a microphone (18). The main prism conducts an image, which is displayed on the LCD, to make the image viewable with either the user's right eye or left eye. The see-through prism is bonded to the main prism, transmits extraneously light, and conducts the light to a users eye. The frame bears the LCD at a predetermined position relative to the prisms. The microphone is mounted in the frame. The elastic member includes a nose rest (38a) which supports the viewer so that the viewer will be located at a predetermined position in front of the user's eye.

Abstract: The apparatus moves back a combining screen into a dashboard of a vehicle when the combining screen is not used. The combining screen is used for receiving an image emitted from a displaying device to superpose the image on a foreground of the vehicle such that the superposed image is visible for a driver's eye. The displaying device is disposed in the dashboard. The combining screen is positioned above the dashboard and inclined by a predetermined angle relative to an upward direction of the vehicle at its operational position. The apparatus has an outer moving means for moving the combining screen along a straight line between an operational position and an intermediate position and has an inner moving means for moving the combining screen along a curve between the intermediate position and a stored position in the dashboard. The intermediate position is located in the dashboard and above the displaying device.

Abstract: A vehicle-use head-up display system is provided, which has: a luminous display unit to display an image including information about a vehicle; a reflecting means to reflect light of the display-image of the luminous display unit; a translucent reflecting means arranged on a windshield ahead of a driver's seat, reflecting the light of the display-image from the reflecting means, and having a driver look at a virtual image on the windshield; a moving means to linearly move the reflecting means in a back-and-forth direction of the vehicle; and a display-image moving means to upwardly move the display-image of the luminous display unit in accordance with a backward movement of the reflecting means by the moving means and to downwardly move the display-image of the luminous display unit in accordance with a forward movement of the reflecting means by the moving means, wherein a display position is adjusted such that a depression angle does not change when an eye point in an eye range changes.

Abstract: In the developed state of the combiner 13, the first arm 19 extends along a vertical line passing the center of gravity G of the combiner 13, and the second arm 21 and the third arm 23 are aligned on and extended along a line which couples the rear end of the base member 17 and the other end 19b of the first arm 19 and tilts from the vertical direction toward the horizontal direction so that the combiner 13 is arranged in front of the eye point I at a tilting angle of reflecting the image light of the displayed image emitted from the display device of the projector unit 9 toward the eye point I of the driver 3. In such a configuration, the virtual image of the displayed image on the combiner which is to be visually recognized from the eye point can be visually recognized stable with no shaking in a vehicle which is susceptible to the vibration from the road face.

Abstract: An image detection system comprises a camera (2) for generating an electrical output signal representative of the detected image. The camera is carried by a headset (1, 3) for attachment to the head of a user, and comprises a transducer (6; 106) for generating an electrical output in response to light incident thereon. Magnifying means (22) are situated in the path of light to the transducer, and is arranged to magnify the detected image. The transducer and magnifying means are positioned in such a way that, in use, the portion of the path of light passing through the magnifying means extends laterally across the front of the user's head, enabling the system to be of a relatively compact construction.

Abstract: A head-up display (HUD) uses reduced reflectivity projection optics to reduce the harmful effects of intense solar radiation on HUD components. In a HUD generally having a display, a mirror, and a combiner, an image is projected from the display to the combiner via the mirror. The reflectance of the mirror is reduced to prevent high thermal stress on HUD components. The light source is brighter than a conventional backlight, and thus compensates for the reduction in the reflectance of the mirror. Reduced mirror reflectance translates into a reduced thermal load on the display, lens, case, electronics, or wherever the solar radiation is directed.

Abstract: A collimating optical device utilizes a reflective beamsplitter in the form of a linear polarizing beamsplitter to achieve a wide field of view. One form of the wide-angle collimating optical device includes, in order from an image source, a first absorptive linear polarizer; a first quarter-wave plate; an optical doublet including a piano-concave singlet, a plano-convex singlet whose convex surface has the same curvature as the curvature of the concave surface, and a first reflective beamsplitter joining the concave surface of the plano-concave singlet to the convex surface of the plano-convex singlet; a second quarter-wave plate; and a second reflective beamsplitter. One of the reflective beamsplitters is a linear polarizing beamsplitter, most preferably a wire grid polarizer.

Abstract: Autostereoscopic images are produced by projecting a stereo pair of images onto a modified cube-corner retroreflective material. The cube-corner differs from that commonly available in that it has been altered to return the light to viewers eyes rather than directly back to the source of the projection.

Abstract: In a head-mounted image display apparatus (1) for viewing images on a liquid crystal display means virtually enlarged by an enlarging lens while worn on the head, main apparatus (10) comprises a front case (2), which is positioned at the frontal region side when said main apparatus is worn on the head, and a back case (3), which is positioned at the occipital region. In addition, an air bag (8), which inflates to cause the frontal region to contact a buffer pad affixed to the inside surface of the front case (2), is provided on the inside of the back case (3). The back case (3) is able to rotate on connecting member 5 to the front case (2). Adjustment mechanisms for moving the optical system in the pupil distance direction and in the direction of the optical axes is disposed inside main apparatus (10), and the knobs therefor are centrally disposed on the front of main apparatus (10).

Abstract: An optical path of image displaying light projected from an image displaying face of a display element is changed by a combiner, which is to be arranged in front of an observer. A virtual image, that is a subject of observation, is formed in front of the combiner. An optical component facing the image displaying face is provided so that the image displaying light is introduced to the combiner. The optical component is capable of diverging incident light.

Abstract: An image display apparatus allows an image from a single image display device to be led to two eyes without using a half-mirror, thereby allowing observation of a bright image, and facilitates correction of various aberrations. A viewing optical system includes a left ocular part, a right ocular part, and an optical path distributing part for leading a light beam from a single image display device to the left and right ocular parts. The left and right ocular parts each have at least two reflecting surfaces. The optical path distributing part has at least one pair of reflecting surfaces for left and right optical paths. These reflecting surfaces are formed from rotationally asymmetric curved reflecting surfaces having the function of correcting decentration aberrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of double-plate combiners for a head-up visor.

Abstract: A head-up display is provided which is suitable for a motorcycle. An image is present in peripheral fields outside a 90% center field. In the case where the image is located outside the 90% center field, it does not obstruct driving of the vehicle, and in the case where the image is located in the peripheral fields, it allows a driver to dimly see the shape of the image and thereby recognize the presence of the image. For this reason, the image is located in the peripheral fields. Since an image is located in a peripheral field, the presence of the image can be recognized by a driver while not obstructing a desirable visibility to the front side of the driver. The driver can recognize, on the basis of the presence or absence of the image, whether or not attention should be taken to drive the vehicle.

Abstract: A display device for a display wavelength range includes an image source, a relay group made of optical elements transparent to the display wavelength range, and a reflective combiner in facing relation to the relay group. The relay group includes a glass optical wedge, a glass lens, and a group of plastic lenses including a diffractive optical element. The group of plastic lenses is positioned between the glass optical wedge and the glass lens. The relay group has the optical wedge having a front face in facing relation to the image source, and a back face; an aspheric lens module having a front face in facing relation to the back face of the optical wedge, and a back face; and an aspheric lens having a front face in facing relation to the back face of the aspheric lens module, a back face, and an optical axis. The aspheric lens module is tilted and decentered with respect to the optical axis of the aspheric lens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-channel panoramic night vision goggle (PNVG) system having two monocular subassemblies, each having a first channel and a second channel, each channel having an optical axis. A mounting structure, having a right and a left side, and having two angled mounting shoes may be used to mount the monocular subassemblies. The angled mounting shoes permit a single monocular subassembly to be attached to either side of the mounting structure, yet permit an optical axis of one of the first or second channels to be substantially coaxial with a user's optical axis and permits the other of the first and second channels to be at an angle not coaxial or parallel with the user's optical axis. In addition, a multi-function control may be provided to enable adjustment of the monocular subassemblies along one or more orientation axes.

Abstract: A head-up display system (10) incorporates a combiner (16) which is movable to a stowed (i.e., out-of-use) position by rotation about an axis (C) in or parallel to the plane of image projection.

Abstract: A head-up display (HUD) uses reduced reflectivity projection optics to reduce the harmful effects of intense solar radiation on HUD components. In a HUD generally comprising a display, a mirror, and a combiner, an image is projected from the display to the combiner via the mirror. The reflectance of the mirror is reduced to prevent high thermal stress on HUD components. The light source is brighter than a conventional backlight, and thus compensates for the reduction in the reflectance of the mirror. Reduced mirror reflectance translates into a reduced thermal load on the display, lens, case, electronics, or wherever the solar radiation is directed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head-up display adaptable to different equipments of a given type, for example aircraft type, land vehicle type or helmets type. The display is used to project a symbology emitted within a given spectral range by an image source to infinity, and which is intended to be superposed on the outside surroundings observed by a pilot, by means of a convergent combiner and a relay optics.

Abstract: A head mounted display device which generates an image using a single image generating unit of a small display device and is capable of simulating a large screen, and an optical system for use in the HMD are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes an infrared imaging system, which has a collection device (22) that collects infrared radiation and supplies it through a cable (24) to a head-up display (27). The head-up display includes an image generator (41) which produces a visible image corresponding to information collected by the collecting device, a lens (43) through which the visible image passes, and a reflector (46). The reflector is a portion of the vehicle windshield (14), and reflects the visible image toward the eyes of a driver (11). The lens has on one side a Fresnel lens surface (56) with a rotationally symmetric power, and has on the opposite side a Fresnel lens surface (57) with a cylindrical power that compensates for asymmetric factors such as the curvature and tilt of the windshield.

Abstract: A compact, bright and high-performance viewing optical system and an image display apparatus using the same. The viewing optical system uses an ocular optical system, which is formed from a decentered prism, and a reflection type image display device. The image display device has a light source and an illuminating light guide prism for guiding a light beam from the light source so that the light beam is applied to the display surface from the front side thereof. The ocular optical system includes a prism having an entrance surface through which a light beam reflected from the display surface enters the prism after passing through the illuminating light guide prism. The prism further has a reflecting surface and an exit surface through which the light beam exits from the prism.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a reflective display device, an illumination light source for illuminating the display device, an illumination optical system for guiding light from the illumination light source to the display device, and a display optical system for guiding light from the display device to an eye of an observer.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having a three-dimensionally decentered optical path to attain a reduction in overall size of the apparatus and to place constituent members effectively in a dead space, thereby permitting the apparatus to be designed in a variety of ways. The apparatus includes an image display device and a viewing optical system for leading an image formed by the image display device to a pupil. The viewing optical system has at least a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface positioned closer to the pupil than the first reflecting surface along the optical path. A first plane defined by the optical axis incident on the first reflecting surface and the optical axis reflected therefrom and a second plane defined by the optical axis incident on the second reflecting surface and the optical axis reflected therefrom intersect each other at an arbitrary angle, thereby forming a three-dimensionally decentered optical path.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is useful for providing viewable images and sounds to persons undergoing medical treatments, including radiotherapy, cosmetic, and other surgeries. According to the invention, there is provided an image source means, a Fresnel lens and an enclosure which is adapted to contain the image source means and Fresnel lens, and which also includes a means for attaching the enclosure to existing equipment associated with a medical procedure, wherein the existing equipment includes a flat surface portion upon which the patient is intended to lay in either a supine or prone position. A device according to the invention is especially useful in rendering children immobile during radiotherapy without the need for administration of anesthetics which are otherwise necessary to keep the child from shifting position while the therapy is administered.

Abstract: An image display apparatus has a light source, a reflective display device, an illumination optical system for guiding light from the light source to the display device to illuminate the display device, and a display optical system for guiding the light reflected by the display device to the pupil of an observer to allow the observer to observe an image displayed on the display panel. The illumination optical system and the display optical system have an optical element shared in part or are arranged so as not to interfere with each other, thereby providing the image display apparatus of compact structure. Particularly, where the display optical system is a thin optical system having a plurality of decentered, reflecting, curved surfaces, the appropriate illumination optical system is arranged, thereby providing the thin image display apparatus using the reflective display device.

Abstract: A head-up display for a vehicle, the display is capable of projecting an imaging illumination from an image source and a night vision display from a night vision source. The display utilizes a beam-splitter which receives the projected image illumination and night vision display and the beam-splitter directs a combined output to a mirror and a combiner for producing a virtual image in front of the eyes of a vehicle operator.

Abstract: The object is to display an image projected by a display device, installed in a vehicle dashboard, for displaying an information data in the optimum field of vision for a driver and to make a driver recognize visually.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head mounted display that is constructed such that stereoscopic images can be seen on a liquid crystal display screen disposed adjacent to two human eyes.

Abstract: In the on-vehicle display unit 5, an indicated image on an indication surface 51a of the display 51 is reflected by a semi-transparent mirror 55 to be directed above a dashboard 1 through a window 59b formed in a cover plate 59a disposed on an upper surface 1a of the dashboard 1. Thereby, the image is projected on a windscreen 3. The semi-transparent mirror 55 is moved in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that the vertical position of a projection point P1 or P3 of the image S1 or S3 on the windscreen 3 is changed such that the image is superimposed over the foreground at which a driver of the vehicle is looking. The cover plate 59a is supported by a cover support construction 59c so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the upper surface 1a of the dashboard 1.

Abstract: A projector is disposed at a position that is optically conjugated to a position of eyes of an observer. The projector projects an image to a screen that has retroreflection function so as to provide information of virtual space to the observer. If a real object such as a tactile sense provision device that is to be shielded by the virtual space exists, a part or the whole of the real object is optically hidden from the projection of the projector by a shielding member having retroreflection function, for example, by placing a shielding screen on which a retroreflection material is coated, or by coating the retroreflection material.

Abstract: An apparatus for channel interleaving comprises a spatial birefringent element assembly and a reflector which is configured so as to direct light from the spatial birefringent element assembly back through the spatial birefringent element assembly. The spatial birefringent element assembly comprises at least one spatial birefringent element. Directing light from the spatial birefringent element assembly back through the spatial birefringent element assembly substantially mitigates cross-talk and/or dispersion of the apparatus for channel interleaving in communications.

Abstract: In order to visualize an active matrix liquid crystal image generator, it is illuminated in a prism system by a light source and a collimator directing light into the prism system and made linear polarized and reflected by a first half-mirror layer between two joined prism surfaces, the image generator differentially twisting pixelwise the polarization plane of reflected light therefrom, such that twisted light can traverse the first half-mirror layer and a second half-mirror layer for focusing by a concave mirrors, the second half-mirror then directing a virtual image toward an eye location, from which a natural scene may also be viewed. The prism system, as seen in a plan perpendicular to the viewing direction, includes two isosceles prisms and one of trapezium section, or preferably that of a parallelogram.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical apparatus, e.g. an image display apparatus, which enables observation of a clear image at a wide field angle with substantially no reduction in the brightness of the observation image, and which is extremely small in size and light in weight and hence unlikely to cause the observer to be fatigued. The optical apparatus has an image display device (6), and an ocular optical system (7) for leading an image of the image display device (6) to an observer's eyeball (1). The ocular optical system (7) includes, in order from the image side, a third surface (5) which forms an entrance surface, a first surface (3) which forms both a reflecting surface and an exit surface, and a second surface (4) which forms a reflecting surface. The first to third surfaces (3 to 5) are integrally formed with a medium put therebetween which has a refractive index larger than 1.

Abstract: In order to allow the user to see the surrounding area without obstructing the image so that he may use an operation unit or eat and drink while viewing the image while leaving an image viewing device mounted on the head, at least a part of the frame unit of the image viewing device has the property of allowing light of a specific wavelength to pass through it, and a light source for the light of said specific wavelength is mounted on, for example, containers as well as on the operation unit.

Abstract: A display device for a helmet-mounted visual system including an intensified image-taking device and a visor to combine the intensified images and an ambient scene before the pilot's eyes. The display device also includes an optical prism whose optical aberrations (image distortions, astigmatism) are capable of compensating for the aberrations created by the visor of the helmet, on the images given to the pilot.

Abstract: A combiner assembly 20 has an optical combiner 21 mounted to a housing 22 which is further arranged for mounting to a roof structure of a flight deck of an aircraft. The combiner 21 is mounted within a frame 23 which is mounted to the housing 22. The frame 23 has first pivot point 24 which is attached to a first arm 25 which is also attached to the housing 22 at a second pivot point 26 located at a position remote from the first pivot point 24. First arm 25 is arranged to allow the combiner 21 to rotate around the housing 22 between a deployed position and a stowed position. A second arm 27 is pivotally connected to the frame 22 at a third pivot point 28, at a position spaced from the first pivot point 24, and to the housing 22 at a fourth pivot point 29, located at a position remote from the third pivot point 28 and at a position spaced from the second pivot point 26.

Abstract: A virtual screen display apparatus includes a display arranged to generate display information and having an effective diagonal length DLC and an optical projecting element arranged to receive the display information from the display and to project and form an image, the optical projecting element having an effective F number which is defined by Fe=S1/PuD wherein S1 is a distance between the display and a principal point of the optical projecting element and PuD is a diameter of an exit pupil of the optical projecting element. A field optical element arranged to form an in-space image in a position of a virtual screen and to direct a divergent light flux from the virtual screen to a view region where the image is viewable to an observer.

Abstract: A compact, bright and high-performance viewing optical system capable of color display has a reflection type image display device, an ocular optical system and an illuminating device formed from a plurality of juxtaposed illuminating light sources of different colors. An illuminating light guide optical device is placed between the entrance pupil and the reflection type image display device. The ocular optical system includes a decentered prism formed from a medium surrounded by three optical surfaces and having a refractive index larger than 1. A chromatic aberration producing device is placed between the entrance pupil and the illuminating light guide optical device. The chromatic aberration producing device is arranged to superimpose the images of the plurality of illuminating light sources on one another in the exit pupil.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is useful for providing viewable images and sounds to persons undergoing medical treatments, including radiotherapy, cosmetic, and other surgeries. According to the invention, there is provided an image source means, a Fresnel lens and an enclosure which is adapted to contain the image source means and Fresnel lens, and which also includes a means for attaching the enclosure to existing equipment associated with a medical procedure, wherein the existing equipment includes a flat surface portion upon which the patient is intended to lay in either a supine or prone position. A device according to the invention is especially useful in rendering children immobile during radiotherapy without the need for administration of anesthetics which are otherwise necessary to keep the child from shifting position while the therapy is administered.

Abstract: The head mount type display device includes an optical system having a light emitting element, a display element illuminated by the light emitting element, and an image forming element 20 for producing an image. The display element is arranged between the image forming element and the first focal point of the image forming element at a position nearer to the first focal point of the image forming element. A virtual image of the display element is formed by the image forming element 20 and the light emitted by the light emitting element is focussed on a second focal point of the image forming element. It is designed such that the eye of an observer is located on the second focal point when use. In another form, the optical system includes first and second elliptical concave mirrors with respective ones of focal points arranged at a common position.