Abstract: A device is provided which comprises a device housing; a virtual image display positioned within the device housing, including a microdisplay which forms a source object and an optical system which magnifies the source object to form a magnified virtual image, the optical system including a viewing optic adjacent a side of the device housing through which a user can view the magnified virtual image; a finger controllable mechanism by which the user can control an operation of the virtual image display; a processor which receives electronic signals from the finger controllable mechanism corresponding to the user's operation of the finger controllable mechanism; and logic performable by the processor, the logic comprising logic for causing a source object to be displayed by the microdisplay, logic for modifying the displayed source object in response to the electronic signals from the finger controllable mechanism, logic for causing the microdisplay to display a keyboard having a plurality of user selectable ke

Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system including a beamsplitting magnification optic on which a source object is projected, the beamsplitting magnification optic having a refractive surface and a partially reflective surface for magnifying and reflecting the source object as a magnified virtual image, and a reflective element positioned for receiving and reflecting the magnified virtual image back to the beamsplitting magnification optic. The beamsplitting magnification optic receives the reflected magnified virtual image and magnifies and transmits it through the beamsplitting magnification optic as a compound magnified image of the magnified virtual image to an observer.

Abstract: A microdisplay system is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system includes headwear that is adapted for wearing on a head of a user. A display is coupled to the headwear. One or more corrective lenses are coupled to the headwear and positioned between the display panel and the head of the user. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a corrective lens device is provided for coupling to a microdisplay adapted for wearing near eyes of a user. The device includes a pair of corrective lenses that are spaced laterally and that each have an optical corrective prescription of the user. A mounting portion is operably coupled to the lenses for attaching the lenses to the microdisplay.

Abstract: A synthesized virtual image electronic display is provided that includes a microdisplay for forming a source object, a first magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image, an image synthesizing optic upon which the magnified real image is projected, and a second magnification optic for providing a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the synthesizing optic. The image synthesizing optic is a diffractive element which provides the display of the present invention with significant optical and ergonomic advantages over that which can be achieved using prior art simple magnification and compound magnification systems.

Abstract: A virtual image display system is provided which is made thinner through the use of an immersed beam splitter, and in one embodiment, total internal reflection. The display system includes an imaging surface on which a source object is formed, a first optical element having a reflective function and a magnification function, a second optical element having a magnification function and an immersed beam splitting element positioned between the first and second optical elements, the immersed beam splitting element including a beam splitter surrounded by an optically transparent material having a refractive index greater than air. An illumination source projects the source object formed at the imaging surface through the optically transparent material to the beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects the projected source object to the first optical element. The first optical element magnifies the projected source object and reflects a magnified virtual image of the projected source object to the beam splitter.

Abstract: A compact virtual image display system is provided which includes a microdisplay; a first magnification optic consisting of three surfaces: a display input surface; a reflective/transmissive surface, and a reflective first magnification element surface; and a second magnification optic. Light forming the source object enters the first magnification optic at the display input surface. The light travels within the first magnification optic such that it is projected to an area on the reflective.backslash.transmissive surface that is at least partially within the full field of view provided by the second magnification optic. The light is directed to the reflective/transmissive surface at a first angle of incidence .theta..sub.SO relative to the reflective/transmissive surface such that the light is internally reflected by the reflective/transmissive surface and directed to the reflective first magnification element surface.

Abstract: A synthesized virtual image electronic display comprising a microdisplay for forming a source object a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image; an image synthesizing optic including an array of individual pixels upon which the real image is projected.

Abstract: A virtual image display system is provided which is made thinner through the use of an immersed beam splitter, and in one embodiment, total internal reflection. The display system includes an imaging surface on which a source object is formed, a first optical element having a reflective function and a magnification function, a second optical element having a magnification function and an immersed beam splitting element positioned between the first and second optical elements, the immersed beam splitting element including a beam splitter surrounded by an optically transparent material having a refractive index greater than air. An illumination source projects the source object formed at the imaging surface through the optically transparent material to the beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects the projected source object to the first optical element. The first optical element magnifies the projected source object and reflects a magnified virtual image of the projected source object to the beam splitter.

Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system is provided which includes a microdisplay for producing a source object, one or more magnification optics, and a distance adjusting mechanism for adjusting a distance between the one or more magnification optics and each other or a reflective surface, the magnification of the compound magnified image relative to the source object being dependent on this distance. The system may include a distance sensing mechanism for sensing the distance between the beamsplitting magnification optic and the reflective element and communicating the distance to a control mechanism which modifies the source object in response. The system can also include a control mechanism for causing the distance adjusting mechanism to adjust the distance in response to the source object produced by the microdisplay. The system can also include a user selectable input for modifying the source object.

Abstract: A virtual image display system is provided which is made thinner through the use of an immersed beam splitter, and in one embodiment, total internal reflection. The display system includes an imaging surface on which a source object is formed, a first optical element having a reflective function and a magnification function, a second optical element having a magnification function and an immersed beam splitting element positioned between the first and second optical elements, the immersed beam splitting element including a beam splitter surrounded by an optically transparent material having a refractive index greater than that of air. An illumination source projects the source object formed at the imaging surface through the optically transparent material to the beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects the projected source object to the first optical element.

Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system including a beamsplitting magnification optic on which a source object is projected, the beamsplitting magnification optic having a refractive surface and a partially reflective surface for magnifying and reflecting the source object as a magnified virtual image, and a reflective element positioned for receiving and reflecting the magnified virtual image back to the beamsplitting magnification optic. The beamsplitting magnification optic receives the reflected magnified virtual image and magnifies and transmits it through the beamsplitting magnification optic as a compound magnified image of the magnified virtual image to an observer.

Abstract: A synthesized virtual image electronic display is provided that includes a microdisplay for forming a source object which preferably has a surface area less than about 100 mm.sup.2, a first stage magnification optic for magnifying the source object to produce a magnified real image, an image synthesizing optic upon which the magnified real image is projected, and a second stage magnification optic for providing a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the synthesizing optic. The image synthesizing optic provides the synthesized display of the present invention with significant optical and ergonomic advantages over that which can be achieved using prior art simple magnification and compound magnification systems.Also provided is an electronic device which includes the synthesized display. The synthesized display is intended as an inexpensive component which may be incorporated into any electronic device in which an electronic display is needed.

Abstract: A virtual image display system is provided which is made thinner through the use of an immersed beam splitter, and in one embodiment, total internal reflection. The display system includes an imaging surface on which a source object is formed, a first optical element having a reflective function and a magnification function, a second optical element having a magnification function and an immersed beam splitting element positioned between the first and second optical elements, the immersed beam splitting element including a beam splitter surrounded by an optically transparent material having a refractive index greater than air. An illumination source projects the source object formed at the imaging surface through the optically transparent material to the beam splitter. The beam splitter reflects the projected source object to the first optical element. The first optical element magnifies the projected source object and reflects a magnified virtual image of the projected source object to the beam splitter.

Abstract: A compact, virtual image electronic display system is provided for forming a compound magnified virtual image of a source object. The display system includes a microdisplay for producing the source object, a first reflective magnification optic, and a second magnification optic which, in combination with the first magnification optic, forms a compound magnified virtual image. The first and second magnification optics may be separate optics. Alternatively, a single beamsplitting magnification optic may be used as both the first and second magnification optic. When a single beamsplitting magnification optic is employed, the beamsplitting magnification optic serves as both a first, reflective magnification optic to produce a magnified virtual image and as a second, transmissive magnification optic to produce a compound magnified virtual image which is seen by the observer.

Abstract: A synthesized virtual image electronic display includes a microdisplay for forming a source object having an area less than about 100 mm.sup.2. A first stage magnification optic magnifies the source object to produce a magnified real image. A real image is projected on an image synthesizing optic. A second stage magnification optic provides a magnified virtual image of the magnified real image projected on the image synthesizing optic. The first and second stage magnification optics provide a combined magnification of at least about 20.

Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system is provided which includes a microdisplay for producing a source object. A first magnification optic magnifies the source object and reflects a magnified virtual image. A second magnification optic provides a compound magnified virtual image of the magnified virtual image to an observer. The source object is within the full field of view provided by the second magnification optic. A control mechanism provides control signals to the microdisplay which modify the source object produced by the microdisplay.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reading machine readable coded labels on merchandise at a check-out station. A window is associated with the check-out station, together with means for supporting merchandise for movement past the window. A laser source having an output beam focused at a plane slightly beyond the window produces multiple vertical beams V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3 having predetermined angular divergence and a horizontal beam H. Scanning optics, including a mirror wheel having a plurality of mirrors thereon, provides a raster location and a sub-raster location. Relay optics accept and inject the horizontal beam into the raster location movement of the wheel causing the horizontal movement of the H scan line at the window. The vertical beams impinge upon the sub-raster location from which the relay optics accept and inject the beams V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3 over to the raster location.