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.

Abstract: An image display system includes a polarized image projection device, a polarization preserving transmissive diffusiver, and a polarizing reflector element as a non-blocking mirror (referred to as a “combiner”). The combination of a polarization preserving transmissive diffuser or rear projection screen and a polarizing reflector results in a high brightness HUD for applications including automotive, aerospace, or other applications where HUD systems are used. The system also maintains the low haze and high transmittance of the windshield that will meet the requirement of standards of windshields for motor vehicles and similar applications.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, head-mountable display device is provided for transmitting an image to a user's eye. The device includes a projection system including a display attached at one end to a head-mountable support fixture. An eyepiece assembly is attached to a second end of the support fixture. The support fixture maintains the projection system and the eyepiece assembly in alignment along an optical path through free space between the projection system and the eyepiece assembly, with the projection system disposed to transmit the image on the optical path and the eyepiece assembly disposed to receive the image from the projection system and to direct the image to the user's eye.

Abstract: A light source includes at least one optical fiber having a length and first and second ends and at least one electromagnetic wave source disposed along at least a portion of the length of the fiber for transmitting electromagnetic waves through a side surface of the fiber. A reflective surface is disposed at the first end of the fiber for directing light generated within the fiber toward the second end. A heads-up display can make effective use of the light source.

Abstract: A holographic display system for a vehicle includes a projection unit (2), a holographic beam combiner (3), and a viewing mirror (4, 4?). The projection unit includes a light source for the emission of a luminous signal and a controllable imaging unit illuminated by the light source, with which image information can be modulated on the luminous signal. The modulated luminous signal can be directed against the holographic beam combiner. The viewing mirror (4, 4?) is provided in or on the vehicle, by which mirror light radiated from the holographic beam combiner (3, 3?) can be directed into the optical perception range of a user.

Abstract: A flat-panel projection display comprises a slab waveguide having a preferably embossed diffraction grating on one face, a lens for directing light into an edge of the waveguide, and in the focal plane of the lens a liquid-crystal modulator for modulating the intensity of the light as a function of lateral position and elevational direction of travel. The light is ejected from the slab waveguide by the grating at angles corresponding to the input angles, giving a virtual display. The light from the modulator can be expanded in one dimension by passing through a magnifying waveguide, followed by scattering in the plane by a screen and projection by a lens at the other end of the waveguide. Head-up and 3-D displays can be constructed using this principle.

Abstract: A band-pass filter has a reflecting optical element having a fixed reflection angle selection region for wavelengths of a given region, and has an optical path such that reflection is performed at least once and transmission is performed at least once at the reflecting optical element.

Abstract: The light from the image forming element 2 is reflected by the PBS 8, and is incident on the ?/4 plate 7 so that this light is converted into circularly polarized light. Subsequently, the light is subjected to a reflection/diffraction effect and image focusing effect by the reflective type HOE 6. Then, this light again passes through the ?/4 plate 7, and is transmitted through the PBS 8. As a result, the light enters the eye of the user after being synthesized with light from the outside world. The system is devised so that the relationships of ?5<?1<5 and |?1??2|<3 are established between the angle of incidence ?1 (°) at which the principal rays emitted from the center of the display part of the image forming means are incident on the reflective type holographic optical element, and the reflection/diffraction angle ?2 (°) when this light is diffracted/reflected by the reflective type holographic optical element.

Abstract: A plate part is positioned in front of the eye of the user. An image combiner causes light from an image display element to be superimposed on light that is transmitted through the plate part and conducts this light to the eye. The light from the image display element reaches the eye after being diffracted and reflected by a reflective type HOE inside the plate part. The wavelength at which the diffraction efficiency shows a maximum value when the chief rays that are emitted from the center of the display part of the image display element are diffracted and reflected by the reflective type HOE and the wavelength at which the diffraction efficiency shows a maximum value when the chief rays that are emitted from the peripheral portions of the display part in a specified direction are diffracted and reflected by the reflective type HOE are substantially different.

Abstract: A head-mounted audio/video playback system is provided which includes a main-body unit functioning as a pair of headphones worn on the head for playing back audio, to which a video playback unit having a video playback function, a battery unit having a power supplying function, and a protective cover are detachably connected. The main-body unit can be used alone, the video playback unit can be connected to only one of a left case and a right case of the main-body unit, or the video playback unit can be connected to one of the left case and the right case and the battery unit can be connected to the other.

Abstract: An image combiner causes light from an image display element to be superimposed on light that is transmitted through a plate-form part positioned in front of the eye of a user. The light from the image display element reaches the eye of the user after being diffracted and reflected by a reflective type HOE inside the plate-form part. The HOE has a third-order or higher phase conversion action that depends on the position on the hologram plane. The distance Rd (calculated in air) between the light source that is on the side of the eyes of the observer during end-use (of the two light sources used to expose the HOE during the manufacture of the HOE) and the HOE is substantially greater than the distance Pd (calculated in air) between the exit pupil of the image combiner and the HOE.

Abstract: A head-up display includes an image source, such as a laser scanner, a means for diffusing light and a transparent element that can include a holographic element. The laser scanner emits a visible light for generating an image. The means for diffusing light receives the visible light from the laser scanner to project the image thereon, and preferably apply gain thereto. The transparent element produces a virtual or a real image of the image from the means for diffusing light. In a vehicle, the head-up display is configured to reflect the image into the vehicle to provide a virtual image ahead of a driver.

Abstract: A see-around type head mounted display device is disclosed, which includes a display panel displaying an image restored from an image record medium, and tilted bar prism optics (TBPO) internally reflecting the light emitted from the display panel in total, and generating an enlarged virtual image in front of an observer.

Abstract: An image display element 1 and an observation optical system 2 which forms an exit pupil 4 for observation of an image displayed on the image display element are included, wherein the observation optical system 2 has at least one surface 21 that has a lens function, and the following condition (1) is satisfied: 0.1<P·PD·ZD<5??(1) where P is a pixel pitch (in ?m) of the image display element, PD is a diameter (in mm) of the exit pupil, and ZD is a distance (in mm) from the display surface of the image display element to the first surface having a lens function. Whereby, weight reduction is achieved while good image quality is maintained regarding an image display apparatus that is used for magnifying observation of an image on a display element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holographic viewing device that enables a given pattern to be properly viewed in place of light sources in a scene and is easy to fabricate and assemble with consistent characteristics, and a computer-generated hologram for the same. The invention provides a holographic viewing device in which computer-generated holograms 2 and 3 each constructed as a transmission Fourier transform hologram is fitted in a frame member 1. At least one of phase information and amplitude information recorded in a certain predetermined peripheral site of the computer-generated hologram 2, 3 relative to an input pattern reconstructible from the computer-generated hologram is removed.

Abstract: An image display apparatus has an image display device for displaying an image, an eyepiece optical system, including a holographic magnifying optical element, for magnifying and projecting the image, and a holographic filter, disposed either as part of the image display device or in the optical path between the image display device and the eyepiece optical system, for restricting the wavelength range of the image light.

Abstract: An information display device provided with a prism having at least two reflecting surfaces arranged in facing each other and a hologram surface formed of a reflection-type hologram. And at least one of the two reflecting surfaces is a light-beam-selective surface that selectively transmits or reflects light in accordance with its incident angle. An image light emitted from an image display means enters the prism, and is reflected between the reflecting surfaces, and then is diffractively reflected on the hologram surface, and, after being transmitted through the light-beam-selective surface, is directed to an observer's pupil.

Abstract: A vehicular navigation system which utilizes an optical arrangement installed in eyeglasses or on the vehicle window or windshield so as to impart improved guiding directions to the vehicle. The navigation system enables a user to display their positional coordinates through the intermediary of a global positioning system (GPS) which communicates with a computer of the system. An additional element to current GPS (Global Positioning Systems), which utilizes an optical system located either on the windshield of a vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, or on the eyeglasses of a driver, or possibly on the windshield of an aircraft, which mimics an arrow pointing in the direction in the driver should be traveling.

Abstract: A viewing optical system of an optical apparatus has an objective system for forming an image of an object and an eyepiece system for enlarging and directing the image to the pupil. The viewing optical system also has a hologram combiner comprising holograms of the volume type, phase type, and reflective type and having optical power for constructing a surface which is optically equivalent to the image surface at a different position than the image when viewed from the pupil. The system also includes an information display means for displaying information at the position of the equivalent surface, wherein the hologram combiner transmits light from the image and reflects light from the information display means so as to allow viewing of an image together with the information display overlaid onto the image.

Abstract: A device, such as a heads up display, includes equipment for generating a virtual image in the field of view of an observer. The equipment includes at least one light source having a wavelength range less than 2 nm. The light source can be a low pressure gas discharge lamp. The device also includes a holographic optical element that provides a virtual image. The device also includes an image source, such as a mask or an LCD. In one embodiment the holographic optical element combines an image on a display with an ambient image. The holographic element provides multiple colors undistorted in a virtual image appearing to the observer as converging from the same distance.

Abstract: A head-mounted display system includes an imaging camera for capturing a view of a workspace located below the head-mounted display system, the imaging camera positioned at a downward pitch angle for capturing an image of the workspace. The system further includes a tracking camera aligned in substantially the same yaw as the imaging camera, the tracking camera for capturing a tracking image including a marker structure, and a display which displays a view of the workspace captured by the imaging camera augmented by a virtual image generated by a processor and registered according to the tracking image.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display apparatus, includes an ocular optical member for leading an observation image formed by an observation image forming member to an exit pupil has a first prism member and a second prism member. The first prism member has a first entrance surface, a reflecting surface and a first exit surface disposed to face each other across a first prism medium. The second prism member has a second entrance surface and a second exit surface disposed to face each other across a second prism medium. The first and second prism members are cemented together with a holographic element interposed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The reflecting surface has a positive power. The first exit surface and the second entrance surface are each formed from a plane or cylindrical surface. The holographic element also has a plane of cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes an infrared imaging system (11). The system includes an infrared camera (12) positioned in the center of the front grille of the vehicle. The infrared camera includes a window (13) that has a holographic fringe pattern (14) which cooperates with visible light rays (27, 47, 52, 57) to generate an image (29) that is visible at a location spaced from the vehicle. The visible image may, for example, be a trademark or other symbol identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. Infrared radiation (31) passes through the element and the structure thereof without significant change, and is detected by an infrared detector (33). A visible image corresponding to the infrared radiation is ultimately displayed by a head up display (19) on a portion (16) of the vehicle windshield (17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a holographic viewing device that has a high diffraction efficiency, enables bright patterns with less noticeable conjugate or higher-order images to be viewed in place of light sources in a scene and is easy to fabricate with consistent characteristics. The holographic viewing device comprises a frame and a computer-generated hologram constructed as a transmission Fourier transform hologram and fitted in the frame. The computer-generated hologram 20 comprises minuscule cells having pitches &dgr;x and &dgr;y, with a reconstruction image area 30 defined by a range of spreading of ± first-order diffracted light of given wavelength from a diffraction grating having grating pitches 2&dgr;x and 2&dgr;y that are twice as large as the pitches of cells, and an input image pattern, reconstructed at that wavelength in a range of up to ⅔ of the reconstruction image area 30, is recorded in the computer-generated hologram.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) that is worn on a user's head to display an image. The head mounted display includes a display body to display the image, a frame to support the display body, the frame being worn on the user's head, and an adjusting portion to rotatably connect the display body with the frame, wherein the user adjusts a focal point of the image in accordance with a vertical position of the user's eyes by rotating the display body relative to the frame.

Abstract: An eyepiece optical member introduces into an exit pupil an observation image formed by an observation image forming member. The eyepiece optical member is configured so that a first prism that has a first entrance surface, a reflecting surface and a first exit surface arranged with a first prism medium between and a second prism that has a second entrance surface and a second exit surface arranged with a second prism medium between are joined to each other via a hologram element interposed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The reflecting surface is shaped as a concave surface to give a positive power for rays reflected therefrom. The first entrance surface and the second exit surface are shaped as curved surfaces, respectively, to give a power for rays transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical switch for transmitting or shutting down an input light signal in accordance with a set switching state. The optical switch comprises first and second optical amplifiers connected in cascade. When an optical fiber amplifier comprising EDFs (11 and 12) and pumping sources (31 and 32) is used as the first and second optical amplifiers, the switching is accomplished by switching on or off the pumping sources (31 and 32) in accordance with control signals supplied from a control circuit (300). One input light signal can be dropped through a first optical branch (51) located on the input side of the optical switch, while another input light signal can be added through a second optical branch (53).

Abstract: A planar substrate having a first diffractive element for coupling light waves of different colors into the substrate and guiding the light waves by successive internal reflections. A second diffractive element, disposed on the substrate, causes the guided light waves to be partially transmitted out of the substrate where the light waves encounter the second diffractive element. Because light waves of each color are reflected at different reflection angles, the light waves with smaller reflection angles encounter the second diffractive element at more locations than those with larger reflection angles, resulting in color non-uniformity in the light transmitted out from the substrate surface. One or more interfaces are provided between the surfaces of the substrate to selectively reflect the light waves having larger reflection angles toward the second diffraction element, so that light waves of different colors encounter the second diffraction element substantially at the same number of locations.

Abstract: A method, a mobile device and a central unit for supplying a mobile user with service information relating to real world objects viewed by him, picture data for at least one of the objects being captured and made visible to the user by a picture producing device worn or carried by the user in that picture signals corresponding to the picture data are projected directly on the retina of the user, the user selecting a picture segment from the made-visible picture data which is determined through eye positions of the user, picture segment data based on the picture segment being sent to a processing unit which is located in the mobile device or in the central unit and which determines the desired service information based on the picture segment data, for example a translation of the text information provided on the viewed objects or background information on the viewed objects, and this service information being reproduced for the user, for example in visible or audible form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit comprising a first display (3) with a dial face (4) and a pointer (5). In front of said first display (3), on the side facing the observer, a second display (7) is disposed and is transparent when not activated. Said second display is adapted to display information and is configured as a self-emitting display with negative representation. The second display (7) is a structural component that comprises an organic light-emitting substance (OLED).

Abstract: According to a mixed reality realizing system of the present invention, when a viewer wears a head mount display (HMD) including a video display and a CCD camera, and views an exhibit using an optical see-through type system, identification signals and position signals transmitted from infrared LEDs located around the exhibit are received to determine a position of the exhibit, and to superimpose contents such as explanations of the exhibit, which have been stored in advance in a portable computer, on a predetermined position on the video display where the exhibit is displayed.

Abstract: A head-up display system for representing an object of a space external to the vehicle, having a device for recording a position of a passenger of the vehicle and a device for the correct-location representation of the object with respect to the position of the driver. The head-up display system may be applied to navigation systems and to automatic cruise control systems.

Abstract: An optical device for a system presenting collimated images through an off-axis spherical concave mirror. An image can be presented to a user with correction of eccentric distortion caused by the off-axis spherical concave mirror without altering the quality of the image. A diffractive mirror is set in the neighborhood of an intermediate image, and preferably a second intermediate image. The extent of the neighborhood is limited by image resolution and, in the neighborhood, the correction by the diffractive mirror does not alter the resolution. The diffractive mirror may include a hologram which may be digital or made of a photosensitive material. A hologram substrate is preferably not planar to operate partly upon the correction, the residual correction being carried out by the hologram. Such a device may find application to an aircraft pilot's visor.

Abstract: A holographic element is a reflective holographic element formed on a substrate and constituted by a composite hologram having a plurality of patterns of interference fringes composed of interference fringes nonparallel to the substrate. The holographic element forms, out of image light having a predetermined wavelength width emanating from an image display element, a plurality of observation pupils at spatially different locations, and acts in such a way as to fulfill prescribed conditions for an identical incident ray over the entire area in which the image light is incident on the holographic element.

Abstract: A holographic element is a reflective holographic element formed on a substrate and constituted by a composite hologram having a plurality of patterns of interference fringes composed of interference fringes nonparallel to the substrate. The holographic element forms, out of image light having a predetermined wavelength width emanating from an image display element, a plurality of observation pupils at spatially different locations, and acts in such a way as to fulfill prescribed conditions for an identical incident ray over the entire area in which the image light is incident on the holographic element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light indicator, comprising an indicator element (2) illuminable by a light source (1). The indicator element is manufactured from a substantially transparent material provided with an informative indicator pattern. The indicator element (2) is designed as a waveguide panel, wherein light beams propagate with total reflection and get outcoupled therefrom with a diffractive outcoupling system (2u), such as a grating structure or the like, which is configured as an indcator pattern, for producing an indicator pattern (2a) activable in the indicator element (2) by the action of light, such that divergent recesses and/or grooves of various sizes and/or shape constitute divergent local gratings of various sizes and/or shapes, such as multi-shaped and/or binary pixels and/or units, the filling factor, shape, profile and/or size thereof being optimized in such a way that the difraction efficiency is a function of place.

Abstract: An imaging system for motor vehicles has a holographic screen, which scatters incident narrow band light at a predetermined solid angle, and a modulator and a lens to project images on the holographic screen. A holographic, transparent ray uniter, which allows broad band ambient light to pass through essentially unimpeded, guides the narrow band light, coming from the holographic screen to the viewer, whereby a virtual image is produced at the viewing location by means of an imaging function. Images from the outside of the motor vehicle are shot by means of a camera system and are faded as virtual images into the windshield of the motor vehicle in order to enable there additionally a view to the rear or to the side.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element for guiding a light having a color spectrum characterized by a plurality of wavelengths longer than a shortest wavelength, &lgr;B, and shorter than a longest wavelength, &lgr;R, the light striking the diffractive optical element at an angle greater than a first field-of-view angle, &agr;−FOV, and smaller than a second field-of-view angle, &agr;+FOV. The diffractive optical element comprising a linear grating being formed in a light-transmissive substrate. The linear grating is characterized by a pitch, d, selected so as to allow total internal reflection of a light having wavelength of &lgr;B and a striking angle of &agr;−FOV. The light-transmissive substrate is characterized by an index of refraction, ns, larger than a minimal index of refraction, nMIN, which is selected so as to allow total internal reflection of a light having wavelength of &lgr;R and a striking angle of &agr;+FOV.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display apparatus allows observation of a bright displayed image favorably corrected for aberrations and is easy to assemble, resistant to impact such as vibration, lightweight and compact. An ocular optical member for leading an observation image formed by an observation image forming member to an exit pupil has a first prism member and a second prism member. The first prism member has a first entrance surface, a reflecting surface and a first exit surface disposed to face each other across a first prism medium. The second prism member has a second entrance surface and a second exit surface disposed to face each other across a second prism medium. The first and second prism members are cemented together with a holographic element interposed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The reflecting surface has a positive power. The first exit surface and the second entrance surface are each formed from a plane or cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A vehicle-applied display unit is provided, wherein the image light of an inverted display image emitted from a display device in a dashboard and passed an opening of the dashboard is reflected toward an eye point I by means of a combiner standing from a recess of the dashboard positioned ahead of the eye point I. The combiner is arranged outside the forward sight from the eye point I and on an optical path of a portion, of outer light entering a vehicle-inside from a vehicle-outside, going toward the display device through the opening at least over a whole extent, in a vehicle-width direction, of the portion of the outer light for at least partially enclosing the opening over a front through both sides portions thereof, and a polarizing plate is coated on an inner surface of the combiner.

Abstract: A wide-field-of-view projection display comprises a circularly symmetric lens and an array of light emitters, positioned along the focal circumference of the circularly symmetric lens so that light from each of the light emitters is substantially collimated by the lens in a different direction. A ray-diverting means, such as a slab waveguide or a reflector, ejects the collimated light out of the plane of the lens to the viewer. The planar circularly symmetric lens has no aberration, allowing adjacent views to be seamlessly joined because they can all be diffused by the same angular amount.

Abstract: A partially collimated light beam (2) is sent through a substrate matrix of a plurality of nested individual joined geometrically shaped cells (301) wherein each of the cells is further comprised of subcells (502) contains containing a patterned volume holographic diffuser (302) which produces a transmitted diffused light beam (305) from each of the cells and then superimposes each transmitted diffused light beam from each of the cells to produce a combined resultant diffused light beam. The combined resultant diffused light beam has an angular luminance distribution profile curve (83) with sharply vertical profile slopes (81) at halfpeak points (20) and a substantially flat and wide peak (84), this resultant diffused light beam advantageously produces a uniform resultant luminance over a wide range of view angles with a predetermined beam spread and beam deflection angle at said predetermined viewer head box location (100).

Abstract: The use of a holographic video screen which appears black, gray or colored in ambient light as the display surface in a vehicle, wherein a driver can view the screen while driving without taking his eyes of the road. Additionally, the display system containing such a video screen permits the projection and viewing of multiple images on a single screen.

Abstract: An observation optical system includes an image display element, a relay optical system having a plurality of lenses 4 and a first reflection-type volume hologram element (HOE), and an eyepiece optical system having a second reflection-type HOE. The observation optical system is arranged along the face to the side head of the observer. The first reflection-type HOE has a power and is configured to compensate for chromatic aberrations. The plurality of lenses is configured to compensate for decentered aberrations and chromatic aberrations. The second reflection-type HOE is a configured to exert power on bundles of rays and to compensate for chromatic aberrations. A light-transmitting plate is sandwiched between the first reflection-type HOE and the second refection-type HOE.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display devices or an image pickup optical system, which can be used with high efficiency at a plurality of wavelengths and enables bright images to be viewed with satisfactory color reproducibility and well-corrected aberrations. The optical system comprises a first prism, a second prism and a volume hologram element disposed between them and cemented to them. The hologram element comprises a first volume hologram optimized in such a way as to effect diffraction at least at a first wavelength and a second hologram optimized in such a way as to effect diffraction at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The first and second holograms are identical with each other in terms of the shape and spacing of interference fringes on their surfaces but different from each other in terms of the spacing and tilt of interference fringes in their hologram media.

Abstract: A display device is achieved using a simplified optical system which generates an expanded exit pupil without compromising magnification or resolution. Modulated light from a source is converged toward a focal point by an optics subsystem. A scanning subsystem deflects the converging light, and thus the focal point, along a raster pattern to define a curved intermediate image plane. An exit pupil expanding apparatus defines a curved surface which coincides with the curved image plane. Impinging light rays at a given instant in time span a given incidence angle. Exiting light rays span a larger angle. As a result, the exiting light spans a larger surface area of an ensuing eyepiece. In turn an expanded exit pupil occurs beyond the eyepiece. Embodiments of the expanding apparatus include a curved diffractive optical element, fiber optic face plate, lens array and diffuser. The diffractive optical element generates multiple exit pupils, while the other embodiments generate enlarged exit pupils.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display apparatus, includes an ocular optical member for leading an observation image formed by an observation image forming member to an exit pupil has a first prism member and a second prism member. The first prism member has a first entrance surface, a reflecting surface and a first exit surface disposed to face each other across a first prism medium. The second prism member has a second entrance surface and a second exit surface disposed to face each other across a second prism medium. The first and second prism members are cemented together with a holographic element interposed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The reflecting surface has a positive power. The first exit surface and the second entrance surface are each formed from a plane or cylindrical surface. The holographic element also has a plane of cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A composite display apparatus keeps both optical density of display images formed by a display means and shutter speed of cameras such as a CCD in an optimum state relative to the external world light (see-through light), even in environments where the quantity of see-through light varies widely. The composite display apparatus includes a display optical system for guiding a light beam from a display means to the eyeballs of an observer; an image-pickup optical system for allowing an external light beam to form an image on an image-pickup means; and an optical path separating means provided in an optical path for allowing an ocular optical axis of the light beam of the display optical system entering the eyeballs of the observer, or an imaginary ocular optical axis which is an extension of the ocular optical axis, and an external world optical axis of the light beam entering the image-pickup optical system to substantially coincide.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable electronic video display. The display is configured to be worn on the arm or wrist of a user, or stored in a pocket or backpack. The display is raised to eye level and the user looks through an eyepiece to view the video display. Control buttons are located on the display for generating point and click type commands. The display is meant to be used remotely from a computer. The computer could be worn or carried by the person or simply be free standing, some distance away. The computer is configured to convert video signal into a serial data stream and then transmit that stream via an RF signal. The display then receives that signal and converts it back into a video signal, displaying it on a miniature electronic video display. That image is them magnified through various optics to present a final image to the user. The point and click commands are separately transmitted back to the computer, where they are received and acted upon.

Abstract: An image illumination apparatus for backlighting a portion of a liquid crystal display. The apparatus includes a light source generating an illuminating light, a light shielding medium located between the light source and a display grid, and an aperture formed in the light shielding medium for allowing the transmission of light generated by the light source to pass to a lighted portion of the display grid. The light shielding medium prevents light from being transmitted to a non-lighted portion of the display grid.