Abstract: A beam combiner includes a first beam-input face, a beam-output face, and first and second reflectors. The first beam-input face receives first and second beams of electromagnetic energy respectively having a first and second wavelengths. The first reflector reflects the first received beam toward the beam-output face, and the second reflector passes the first beam from the first reflector and reflects the received second beam toward the beam-output face. In one alternative, the first beam-input face also receives a third beam of electromagnetic energy having a third wavelength, the beam combiner includes a third reflector that reflects the received third beam toward the beam-output face, and the first and second reflectors pass the third beam from the third reflector.

Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light emitter array having a plurality of light sources operable to emit diverging light and an array of collimating elements positioned so that each of the collimating elements receive at least a portion of the light emitted from a corresponding one of the light sources. Each of collimating elements is configured to substantially collimate the received light from at least one corresponding light source into respective beams. The scanned beam display is operable to scan the respective beams to provide an image to a viewer. The displayed image appears substantially fixed to a viewer as the viewer's eye moves relative to the array of collimating elements. In one embodiment, each of the collimating elements is a curved mirror. In other embodiments, each of the collimating elements includes at least one lens or a curved mirror/lens pair.

Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light and a curved mirror positioned to receive at least a portion of the light. The curved mirror is configured to substantially collimate the received light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source and the curved mirror relative to each other. Alternatively, the scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light, a curved mirror positioned to receive some of the light, and an optical element positioned to receive light reflected from the curved mirror. The optical element is configured to substantially collimate the reflected light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source, the curved mirror, and the optical element. Scanning mirror assemblies and methods of making are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aperture plate includes an opening and a surface adjacent to the opening. The opening passes electromagnetic energy such as light to a reflector that is aligned with the opening and that directs the electromagnetic energy to a location. The surface reflects incident electromagnetic energy away from the location in a direction that is outside of the range of directions. Such an aperture plate insures that electromagnetic energy, e.g., light, strikes only the desired portions of the reflector, and that peripheral light that is outside of the aperture opening is reflected away from the location, e.g., display screen, toward which the reflector directs the electromagnetic energy. Furthermore, because such an aperture plate is mounted near the reflector, the alignment tolerances are typically less stringent than for an aperture plate mounted near the energy source.

Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light emitter array having a plurality of light sources operable to emit diverging light and an array of collimating elements positioned so that each of the collimating elements receive at least a portion of the light emitted from a corresponding one of the light sources. Each of collimating elements is configured to substantially collimate the received light from at least one corresponding light source into respective beams. The scanned beam display is operable to scan the respective beams to provide an image to a viewer. The displayed image appears substantially fixed to a viewer as the viewer's eye moves relative to the array of collimating elements. In one embodiment, each of the collimating elements is a curved mirror. In other embodiments, each of the collimating elements includes at least one lens or a curved mirror/lens pair.

Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light and a curved mirror positioned to receive at least a portion of the light. The curved mirror is configured to substantially collimate the received light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source and the curved mirror relative to each other. Alternatively, the scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light, a curved mirror positioned to receive some of the light, and an optical element positioned to receive light reflected from the curved mirror. The optical element is configured to substantially collimate the reflected light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source, the curved mirror, and the optical element. Scanning mirror assemblies and methods of making are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beam combiner includes a first beam-input face, a beam-output face, and first and second reflectors. The first beam-input face receives first and second beams of electromagnetic energy respectively having a first and second wavelengths. The first reflector reflects the first received beam toward the beam-output face, and the second reflector passes the first beam from the first reflector and reflects the received second beam toward the beam-output face. In one alternative, the first beam-input face also receives a third beam of electromagnetic energy having a third wavelength, the beam combiner includes a third reflector that reflects the received third beam toward the beam-output face, and the first and second reflectors pass the third beam from the third reflector.