Abstract: A head up display can use a catadioptric collimating system. The head up display includes an image source. The head up display also includes a collimating mirror, and a polarizing beam splitter. The light from the image source enters the beam splitter and is reflected toward the collimating mirror. The light striking the collimating mirror is reflected through the beam splitter toward a combiner. A field lens can include a diffractive surface. A corrector lens can be disposed after the beam splitter.

Abstract: Systems and a related method for monitoring commercial off the shelf (COTS) display devices in an avionics display system ensure that the COTS display devices are compliant with hazard classifications by positioning transparent photodetectors in the optical path to monitor the images and components generated and projected by the COTS display devices. Transparent photodetectors are positioned downstream in the optical path to monitor image orientation, refresh rate, or brightness of displayed images and image elements. The system may include transparent image sensors for capturing scene content and monitoring image integrity by comparing the captured scene content to the displayed images. Transparent image sensors positioned proximate to camera cores of an enhanced vision system (EVS) may verify the alignment of individual component image streams combined into an image stream displayed via HDD, HUD, HWD, or a like display element.

Abstract: A display system includes a light pipe including elongated surfaces and an input coupler. The light pipe is configured to provide an image received by the input coupler and expand the image in a first direction through one of the elongated surfaces. The display also includes a waveguide including an output grating, a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface. The first surface and the second surface have a larger area than the side surface, the output grating being configured to provide the image expanded in a second direction. The second direction is different than the first direction. The image enters the waveguide from the one of the elongated surfaces at the side surface.

Abstract: A head up display includes a light pipe and a waveguide combiner. The light pipe is configured to expand a pupil in a first direction and includes an input grating and an output put grating. The light pipe also includes four elongated surfaces, and the input grating and the output grating are provided in one or more planes parallel to two of the elongated surfaces. The waveguide combiner is configured to expand the pupil in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first light pipe is disposed at an angle with respect to a waveguide combiner.

Abstract: A display system for providing multicolor light patches for illuminating display images includes at least one light source for providing a light, at least one light pipe having an input end and an output end for allowing the light to enter via the input end and exit via the output end, and at least one color interface coupled to the output end of the at least one light pipe. The at least one color interface includes at least one color material and each color material has a different color characteristic. Light passing through the color material creates an illumination patch associated with the color characteristic of the color material. The display system further includes an optical device coupled with the at least one color interface and configured to receive the illumination patches, combine the illumination patches, and cause a combined illumination patch to be projected as a display image.

Abstract: A head up display can use a catadioptric collimating system. The head up display includes an image source. The head up display also includes a collimating mirror, and a polarizing beam splitter. The light from the image source enters the beam splitter and is reflected toward the collimating mirror. The light striking the collimating mirror is reflected through the beam splitter toward a combiner. A field lens can include a diffractive surface. A corrector lens can be disposed after the beam splitter.

Abstract: A head up display can be used in an automotive application and provides information for viewing above a glareshield or dashboard. The head up display includes a waveguide combiner and a compact projector. The waveguide combiner is at least partially disposed above the glareshield or dashboard and can provide dual axis pupil expansion. The waveguide combiner can present conformal or near conformal information and vehicle instrumentation information.

Abstract: A system and method can mitigate or prevent contrast ratio issues due to bright light (e.g., light saturation) in a head up display (HUD). The head up display can include a waveguide combiner (or non-waveguide combiner) and a mitigator disposed to prevent or reduce bright light from being provided through the combiner. The bright light can be direct lunar light, direct solar light, or solar/lunar reflections. The mitigator dynamically selects and reduces bright background light which results in an increase of contrast ratio.

Abstract: A system and method for a head up display (HUD) can mitigate glare. The head up display can include a waveguide combiner including an input grating and an output grating and a glare mitigator disposed to prevent glare through the output grating from reaching an eye box. The glare mitigator can be a shade, a diffuser, a dimming element, or other device for mitigating glare. The glare mitigator can be an active or passive glare mitigator.

Abstract: A head up display can use a catadioptric collimating system. The head up display includes an image source. The head up display also includes a collimating mirror, and a polarizing beam splitter. The light from the image source enters the beam splitter and is reflected toward the collimating mirror. The light striking the collimating mirror is reflected through the beam splitter toward a combiner. A field lens can include a diffractive surface. A corrector lens can be disposed after the beam splitter.

Abstract: The head up display provides light from an image source. The head up display includes a waveguide assembly comprising a first waveguide for disposition at an angle with respect to a top surface of a glare shield and a second waveguide disposed at an angle with respect to the first waveguide. The first waveguide has a first diffractive coupler at a first end and a second waveguide has a second diffractive coupler at a second end. The first waveguide is positioned as a combiner and allows viewing of an outside scene and information from the image source. At least part of the first waveguide is disposed beneath the top surface of a glare shield.