With Additional Reflector (e.g., Serial Reflections, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/633)
  • Patent number: 9291822
    Abstract: The sizes of the respective reflecting units vary in the image take-out section along the Z direction in association with the state of the total reflection angle in the light guide section. Thus, it becomes possible to keep the sufficient effective light beam width of the image light input thereto in all of the reflecting units. Therefore, the deterioration in the image light caused by the reflection in the reflecting units can be avoided, and as a result, the degradation of the resolution of the image due to the virtual image light thus emitted can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Totani, Masayuki Takagi, Toshiaki Miyao, Akira Komatsu, Takashi Takeda
  • Patent number: 9250441
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head-up display comprising a group of sub-screens (241, 242, . . . 245) the positions and dimensions of which are defined according to the length of the optical path (D) and the maximum authorized range of movement (B1) in a plane that is perpendicular to the optical path and located at a distance equal to the length of the optical path, such that information projected by the group of sub-screens is seen over the entire authorized movement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Umberto Rossini
  • Patent number: 9248616
    Abstract: There is provided an optical device, including a light waves-transmitting substrate having two major surfaces and edges, optical means for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection, and a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b) carried by the substrate wherein the partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b) are parallel to each other and are not parallel to any of the edges of the substrate, and wherein one or more of the partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b) is an anisotropic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LUMUS LTD.
    Inventor: Yaakov Amitai
  • Patent number: 9128285
    Abstract: Embodiments are described of a light guide including a proximal end, a distal end, a front surface and a back surface, an ambient input region on the front surface near the distal end, and an output region on the back surface near the distal end. A beamsplitter having a plurality of faces has one face optically coupled to the proximal end of the light guide, and a display is optically coupled to another face of the beamsplitter. A projector assembly is optically coupled to a face of the beamsplitter opposite the beamsplitter face that is optically coupled to the light guide. A reflecting element having optical power is positioned at the distal end of the light guide, and a distal optical element is positioned in the light guide near the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Martinez, Ehsan Saeedi, Babak Amirparviz
  • Patent number: 9120379
    Abstract: An adaptive instrument display includes an instrument cluster displaying a plurality of gauges. A steering wheel has at least one sensor, and there is at least one camera. A processor collects data from the at least one camera and steering wheel sensor and determines a steering wheel position and an occupant's line of sight. An obstructed portion of the instrument cluster is determined based on the steering wheel position and the occupant's line of sight, and the gauges on the instrument cluster are altered based on the obstructed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Wunsche
  • Patent number: 9116342
    Abstract: A light blocking member that is a light blocking structure disposed in an exit pupil position can remove in advance a light component of video image light that undergoes unintended reflection to avoid generation of ghost light and allows formation of a satisfactory image. Further, a projection lens and other components form an intermediate image in a prism, and the video image light totally reflected off at least two surfaces of the prism, a third surface, a first surface, and a second surface in this order, passes through the first surface and reaches an eye of a viewer, whereby the prism can be thin and the overall optical system can be compact and lightweight and provide wide angle, bright, high-performance display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Totani, Masayuki Takagi, Toshiaki Miyao, Akira Komatsu, Takashi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20150146301
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source, a display array, a light relay, a photodetector, and control circuitry. The light source is for providing lamp light during an ON-time of the light source. The display array is positioned to receive and selectively manipulate the lamp light. The light relay is positioned to receive the image light from the display array. Control circuitry is coupled to the light source for adjusting the light source and coupled to receive an output of the photodetector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Adrian Wong, Russell N. Mirov
  • Patent number: 9042041
    Abstract: An optoelectronic module 1 having at least a first 2A and a second 2B radiation-emitting source and a first optical element 5 including a cavity 10 wherein the surface 5A of the cavity 10 is able to reflect the radiation 3A, 3B of the at least two radiation sources. An outlet 15 in the optical element 5 is provided for coupling radiation out of the cavity 10, wherein the radiation emitted by the radiation sources 2A, 2B is reflected by the surface 5A of the cavity resulting in a mixing of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Osram GmbH
    Inventor: Alessandro Scordino
  • Publication number: 20150138646
    Abstract: An optical element includes a light guide plate that has therein a light transmissive flat plate member on which a transflective layer is formed, and a layer of a light transmissive adhesive or a light transmissive resin layer that uniformly covers the light guide plate. The refractive index of the layer of the adhesive or the resin layer is set to a refractive index different from that of the light guide plate. A first surface of the layer of the adhesive or the resin layer that is on the light exit surface side of the light guide plate is kept parallel with a second surface of the layer of the adhesive or the resin layer that is on the opposite side to the light exit surface side of the light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tatsugi
  • Publication number: 20150138647
    Abstract: An image display device includes an image generating device, a light guide unit which includes a light guide plate and first and second deflection sections, and a light beam extension device which extends light incident from the image generating device, along a Z direction when an incident direction of light incident on the light guide plate is set to be an X direction and a direction of propagation of light in the light guide plate is set to be a Y direction, and emits the light to the light guide unit, wherein the light beam extension device includes a first reflecting mirror on which light from the image generating device is incident, and a second reflecting mirror which emits light incident from the first reflecting mirror to the light guide unit, and each of the first and second reflecting mirrors has a light reflecting surface having a sawtooth-shaped cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Akutsu, Hirotaka Akao
  • Patent number: 9025253
    Abstract: An optical device, includes a light-transmitting substrate (20) having an input aperture and first and second major surfaces (26, 32) parallel to each other and edges, one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate which is non-parallel to the major surfaces of the substrate and an external optical arrangement having an output aperture for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection. The optical arrangement for coupling light having an output aperture optically attached to the input aperture of the substrate with the part of the substrate located next to the substrate input aperture, being substantially transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lumus Ltd.
    Inventors: Mali Hadad, Yaakov Amitai
  • Publication number: 20150103404
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to wearable display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide wearable augmented reality glasses incorporating projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images with optical delivery to the eye using transparent waveguides. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides wearable augmented reality glasses incorporating projector systems that utilize transparent waveguides and blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides wearable augmented reality glasses incorporating projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices with optical delivery to the eye using transparent waveguides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Rudy, James W. Raring, Eric Goutain, Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 9007694
    Abstract: A display apparatus including a display unit, a first reflector, a second reflector, a third reflector and a lens unit is provided. The display unit emits an image beam. The first reflector is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam. The second reflector is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam from the first reflector. The third reflector is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam from the second reflector. The lens unit is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam from the third reflector. The image beam emitted from the display unit passes through a space defined between the second reflector and the third reflector and is transmitted to the first reflector. Afterward, the image beam is sequentially reflected by the first reflector, the second reflector and the third reflector, and then passes through the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Chuang, Chih-Chieh Yu, Chih-Meng Wu
  • Publication number: 20150085372
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: an eyeglass-type frame worn by a head of a viewer; and an image display apparatus attached to the frame, wherein the image display apparatus includes an image formation device, and an optical device on which light that exits from the image formation device is incident, through which the light is guided, and out of which the light exits, the frame is formed of a front portion, two temple portions extending from both ends of the front portion, a nose pad, and an attachment member, the attachment member is attached to a central section of the front portion, the optical device is attached to the attachment member, and the nose pad is so attached to the attachment member that the nose pad is movable upward and downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Takaaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8988315
    Abstract: There is provided a head mounted display including a glasses-type frame to be worn on a head of an observer; two optical modules including two image creation devices, and two light guides having two light guide plates coupled one-to-one with the two image creation devices and placed closer to a center of a face of the observer than the image creation devices are as a whole, that guide light beams output from the image creation devices and output the light beams toward pupils of the observer; and an optical plate supporting the two light guides, wherein the optical plate is attached to a center part of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mukawa, Atsushi Kagawa, Satoshi Nakano, Keita Hibi, Yohei Fukuma, Tomoaki Takuma
  • Patent number: 8976452
    Abstract: A virtual image display device has a light guide device in which the half mirror layer (the semi-transmissive reflecting film) of the light guide member is formed on the partial area of the first junction surface, and the second junction surface of the light transmitting member is bonded to the first junction surface in at least the exceptional area. Therefore, it is possible to increase the bonding strength of the first junction surface and the second junction surface, namely the strength of the light guide device composed of the light guide member and the light transmitting member combined with each other even in the case in which the attachment force of the half mirror layer (the semi-transmissive reflecting film) with respect to the first junction surface is not sufficiently strong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takagi, Takahiro Totani, Toshiaki Miyao, Akira Komatsu, Takashi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8976423
    Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanning member having at least one reflective surface and at least one light source for emitting at least one light beam to be incident on the at least one reflective surface of the scanning member during a scanning operation. At least one curved synchronization mirror deflects and focuses at least a portion of the at least one light beam that is deflected by the scanning member to indicate at least one of a start and an end of a scan line operation of the scanning operation. A sensor receives the at least one light beam deflected and focused by the at least one curved synchronization mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Brent Steven Dupree
  • Patent number: 8976453
    Abstract: An image display device includes an image generating device, a light guide unit which includes a light guide plate and first and second deflection sections, and a light beam extension device which extends light incident from the image generating device, along a Z direction when an incident direction of light incident on the light guide plate is set to be an X direction and a direction of propagation of light in the light guide plate is set to be a Y direction, and emits the light to the light guide unit, wherein the light beam extension device includes a first reflecting mirror on which light from the image generating device is incident, and a second reflecting mirror which emits light incident from the first reflecting mirror to the light guide unit, and each of the first and second reflecting mirrors has a light reflecting surface having a sawtooth-shaped cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Akutsu, Hirotaka Akao
  • Patent number: 8965152
    Abstract: A projection display 210 arranged to display an image to an observer 212 use waveguide techniques to generate a display defining a large exit pupil at the point of the observer 212 and a large field of view, while using a small image-providing light source device. The projection display 210 uses two parallel waveguides 214, 216 made from a light transmissive material. One waveguide 214 stretches the horizontal pupil of the final display and the other waveguide 216 stretches the vertical pupil of the final display and acts as a combiner through which the observer 212 views an outside world scene 220 and the image overlaid on the scene 220. In a color display, each primary color is transmitted within a separate channel R, G, B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bae Systems PLC
    Inventor: Michael David Simmonds
  • Patent number: 8953248
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first display panel configured to display game images of a game, the first display panel including a screen facing downward; a plurality of first beam splitters disposed under the first display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the first the display panel into a forward direction; a background image generator disposed rear to the first beam splitters and generating background images, the background images from the background image generator passing through the first beam splitters toward the forward direction to overlap the game images; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the first display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • Patent number: 8941924
    Abstract: A head-up display device which can be applied to various types of vehicles is provided without causing cost increase. A head-up display device which makes a virtual image to be formed by projecting display light on a windshield of a vehicle includes a housing, an indicator which is provided in the housing, and a reflector which is provided in the housing, and includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces which are arranged in parallel with each other and inclined at the same angle so that the display light which is irradiated from the indicator is reflected by the reflecting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Go Nakamura, Kunimitsu Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150022898
    Abstract: A head-up display device and a self-checking method therefor are provided, which are able to suppress the direct output of a laser beam to outside. A reflecting means reflects an image generated by a scanning means and projects the image outside of a case, and an angle-adjusting means adjusts the reflecting means to a desired angle. After the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on, a light-emitting means outputs a scanning laser beam, and the value of the current flowing to the light-emitting means is detected, or a first light intensity, which is the light intensity of the scanning laser beam, is detected. For a period extending at least from the output of the scanning laser beam by the light-emitting means to the establishment of a predetermined condition, the angle-adjusting means is controlled such that the reflecting means is set to a non-visible position at which the scanning laser beam is reflected inside the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamakawa, Tsuyoshi Nakahara, Makoto Hada, Shun Sekiya, Kazuyoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150009575
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first display panel configured to display game images of a game, the first display panel including a screen facing downward; a plurality of first beam splitters disposed under the first display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the first the display panel into a forward direction; a background image generator disposed rear to the first beam splitters and generating background images, the background images from the background image generator passing through the first beam splitters toward the forward direction to overlap the game images; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the first display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • Publication number: 20150002941
    Abstract: An eyepiece includes a first end for receiving display light, an end reflector, and a viewing region including a partially reflective surface to redirect at least a portion of the display light out of an eye-ward side of the eyepiece along an emission path. The partially reflective surface is obliquely angled to cause the emission path to have a first oblique angle in a first dimension relative to a first normal vector of the eye-ward side. The end reflector is tilted to cause the emission path to have a second oblique angle in a second dimension relative to the first normal vector of the eye-ward side. The first and second dimensions are orthogonal to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Anurag Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140368923
    Abstract: A substrate housing portion stores a circuit substrate that outputs an image signal. The optical unit generates and projects an image based on the image signal output from the circuit substrate. The image is projected onto a combiner. The optical unit has an optical unit main body that includes a light source and an image display element, and a projection unit that is attached to the optical unit main body and that determines a projection direction. The projection unit is provided with an intermediate image screen that images an intermediate image and is freely removed from or installed in the optical unit main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaru Segawa
  • Patent number: 8908280
    Abstract: A head-mounted display that guides image light displayed by an image formation unit and focuses the image light on a viewer's side includes a light guide member that angularly converts the image light incident from the image formation unit based on reflection at a plurality of transflective layers, and a light absorption layer is disposed on each of the transflective layers. The light guide member has a light incident surface through which the image light is introduced into the light guide member, a prism reflection surface that is disposed at an end of the light guide member, serves as one of the plurality of transflective layers, and reflects the image light introduced through the light incident surface, and the light absorption layers disposed between the light guide member and the prism reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140327971
    Abstract: Image-intensifying devices (for example, glasses, goggles, etc.) suitable for certain commercial and entertainment applications by virtue of their light weight, small size, and economical production are disclosed. In one embodiment, input light passes through an Amici reflector, which is used to adjust the orientation of the intensified image to register it with the real world. In another embodiment, input light passes through at least two Amici reflectors, which are used to adjust the orientation of the intensified image to register it with the real world. In alternate embodiments, at least one Amici reflector folds the light at a non-perpendicular angle and/or input light is rotated by an angle other than (180°). Other embodiments include a field-flattening lens disposed in front of an image intensifier. The intensified image is then sent through a projective lens assembly to reach the viewer's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Lillian Filipovich
  • Patent number: 8879156
    Abstract: A head-up display device includes a light source, a reflector, a reflector control unit, and a surface. The light source provides a light signal that corresponds to display data. The reflector is disposed rotatably in a first optical path of the light signal. The reflector control unit receives a control signal corresponding to the display data and controls rotation of the reflector about a rotational center. The surface is disposed in a second optical path. When the reflector is rotated for a predetermined rotational angle by the reflector control unit according to the control signal, the light signal reflected by the reflector is projected on the surface to display an image corresponding to the display data on a predetermined region of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-An Lin
  • Patent number: 8873149
    Abstract: Technology is described for a projection optical system which optically couples image light from an image source to a near-eye display (NED) of a wearable near-eye display device. The projection optical system and the image source make up a projection light engine. Light from the image source is directed to a birdbath reflective optical element which is immersed in high index glass. The image light is reflected and collimated by the birdbath element and travels outside a housing of the projection light engine forming an external exit pupil, meaning the exit pupil is external to the projection light engine. A waveguide optically couples the image light of the external exit pupil. An example of a waveguide which can be used is a surface relief grating waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Ned Nestorovic, Steve J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 8873148
    Abstract: An eyepiece for a head mounted display includes a light relay body, a total internal reflection (“TIR”) interface, and a focusing lens. The light relay body has a first end coupled to receive CGI light from an image source and a second end including a viewing region from which the CGI light is emitted. The TIR interface is disposed in the viewing region at an oblique angle relative to an eye-ward side of the light relay body through which the CGI light is emitted from the eyepiece. The TIR interface is oriented to redirect the light towards the eye-ward side of the light relay body. The focusing lens is disposed along the eye-ward side of the light relay body in alignment with the TIR interface to bring the CGI light into focus for a near-to-eye arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Sumit Sharma
  • Patent number: 8867139
    Abstract: An eyepiece includes a display module for providing display light, a concave end reflector, and a viewing region including a partially reflective surface to redirect at least a portion of the display light out of an eye-ward side of the eyepiece along an emission path. The partially reflective surface is obliquely angled with an offset from 45 degrees relative to the eye-ward side to cause the emission path to have a first oblique angle in a horizontal dimension relative to a first normal vector of the eye-ward side. The concave end reflector is tilted such that a second normal vector from a center point of the concave end reflector is obliquely angled relative to a top or bottom surface of the eyepiece to cause the emission path to have a second oblique angle in a vertical dimension relative to the first normal vector of the eye-ward side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 8854281
    Abstract: A Head Up Display (HUD), comprising: an image display unit, to generate input images; a virtual image generation unit, to receive said input images and generate at least a virtual image; a rotation mechanism, used to make said virtual image generation unit to change its projection angle, to project virtual images to a plurality of transmission mirrors; and a plurality of transmission mirrors, used to receive said virtual images and reflect them into a large area virtual image. Advantage of said HUD is that, size of lens and mirrors is reduced, so said HUD is miniaturized, while realizing large area image display, such that information frame of vehicle match that of outside view, hereby solving problems of single optical route display device of the prior art, that is only capable of displaying a small area image rather than a large area image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Test Center
    Inventors: Kevin Ho, Jih-Tao Hsu, Chih-Bin Chiang
  • Patent number: 8854735
    Abstract: A thickness of a tapered part provided at the deeper side (?X side) in a light guide direction of a light transmission member is smaller toward the deeper side, and thus, a reflection angle of ghost light that has passed through a fourth reflection surface provided with a half mirror layer and reached the light transmission member gradually becomes smaller within the tapered part and no longer satisfies a total reflection condition, and the light is ejected to the outside in the position diverging from an eye of an observer. That is, the tapered part may prevent the ghost light from reaching the eye and good see-through observation can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Totani, Masayuki Takagi, Toshiaki Miyao, Akira Komatsu, Takashi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8848289
    Abstract: An eyepiece for a HMD includes a waveguide, an ambient light polarizer, and a wire grid polarizer with a diffraction lens having a lens function patterned into the wire grid polarizer. Polarized image light is guided between eye-ward and ambient sides of the waveguide from a display source to a viewing region of the waveguide where the polarized image light is directed out of the waveguide through the eye-ward side. The viewing region passes ambient light incident on the ambient side through to the eye-ward side. The ambient light polarizer is disposed adjacent to the ambient side to polarize the ambient light into polarized ambient light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The wire grid polarizer is disposed adjacent to the eye-ward side along the viewing region. The wire grid polarizer is oriented to applying the lens function to the polarized image light via diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Amirparviz, Chia-Jean Wang
  • Publication number: 20140268336
    Abstract: A virtual image display apparatus (head mounted display) that is worn around a head of a viewer and displays a virtual image includes a projection optical section that projects light that forms an image, a lens barrel that accommodates the projection optical section, a light-transmissive light guide member that causes the light from the projection optical section to be internally reflected and guided to an eye of the viewer to allow the viewer to visually recognize the image as a virtual image, and a blocking section that blocks a gap created between the light guide member and the lens barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Hiraide
  • Publication number: 20140254024
    Abstract: In a virtual image display device, since the frame section has the support section for detachably fixing the auxiliary mounting member, which is disposed adjacent to the optical members, on the observer side of the optical members, by providing a variety of functions such as an optical function to the auxiliary mounting member, the usefulness of the virtual image display device can be enhanced. Specifically, in the case of, for example, providing the auxiliary mounting member with a diopter correction function, it is possible for any observers with a variety of levels of vision to observe the image obtained by the video display element in a good condition without blur without using eyeglasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Hiraide, Takeshi Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 8830569
    Abstract: Image-intensifying or night vision glasses are suitable for certain commercial and entertainment applications by virtue of their light weight, small size, and economical production, compared to certain other night vision products. In one embodiment, input light passes through two Amici prisms and a field-flattening lens to reach an image intensifier. The intensified image it produces is reflected off a first folding mirror, passes through a lens, reflects off a curved mirror, and passes back through the lens the other way. The intensified image then passes through two additional, non-doublet lenses, between which an intermediate image exists. The intensified image then reflects off the “lens” or visor of the glasses and proceeds to the pupil of the eye of the wearer. Alternative embodiments use a helmet visor, mirror, or other (at least partially) reflective surface for the final reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Danny Filipovich, Jack C. Fiore, Eric Ford, Asaf Ashkenazi
  • Patent number: 8830588
    Abstract: A display (for example, a head up display (HUD)) includes a substrate waveguide. The substrate waveguide can act as a combiner. The substrate waveguide receives collimated light an input and provides the collimated light to an output. The collimated light travels from the input to the output within the substrate waveguide by total internal reflection. An input diffraction grating is disposed in the first area at the input and an output diffraction grating is disposed in the second area at the output. A plate covers at least a portion of the second area. The plate can protect the diffraction grating and reflect transmitted order light from the diffraction grating to improve efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Kurt A. Stahl
  • Patent number: 8830589
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating optical systems and devices that enable a mobile device (e.g., smartphone or other mobile phone, personal media player, and/or other personal electronic device) to be coupled with an optical device (e.g., a riflescope, spotting scope, etc.) such that information shown on the display of the mobile device is viewable to a user looking into the eyepiece of the optical device. Additionally or alternatively, an image from the optical device can be communicated to the mobile device. A modular design can utilize an apparatus configured to encase a mobile device, which can be coupled with the optical device via and optical and/or electrical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Thomas, Mahyar Dadkah
  • Publication number: 20140247500
    Abstract: A light guide member which guides video light includes a peripheral area forming portion extending to the outside of an effective light flux guide portion which is an area through which an effective light flux of the video light passes, and thus for example, even when ghost light resulting from components generated by unintended reflection or scattering in a position such as a side surface forming portion of the light guide member may be generated, the side surface forming portion can be separated from the effective light flux guide portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi TAKEDA, Takahiro TOTANI, Masayuki TAKAGI, Akira KOMATSU, Toshiaki MIYAO
  • Publication number: 20140240843
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to optical systems for augmented reality display systems. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a near-eye display system including a prism having a light input interface side configured to receive light from an image source, the prism being configured to first internally reflect the light from the image source and then emit the light from the image source out of a light output interface side of the prism after internally reflecting the light from the image source. The optical system also includes a reflective combiner positioned to receive the light emitted from the light output interface side of the prism, and to reflect the light back through the prism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Joel S. Kollin
  • Patent number: 8810914
    Abstract: There is provided a light-guide, compact collimating optical device, including a light-guide having a light-waves entrance surface, a light-waves exit surface and a plurality of external surfaces, a light-waves reflecting surface carried by the light-guide at one of the external surfaces, two retardation plates carried by light-guides on a portion of the external surfaces, a light-waves polarizing beamsplitter disposed at an angle to one of the light-waves entrance or exit surfaces, and a light-waves collimating component covering a portion of one of the retardation plates. A system including the optical device and a substrate, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lumus Ltd.
    Inventor: Yaakov Amitai
  • Patent number: 8804247
    Abstract: A transmissive display device includes: a light source which outputs light; a display part which receives the light from the light source and generates display light representing an image; a deflecting element which changes a direction of the display light emitted from the display part; and a transmissive reflector which reflects, towards a user, light of a wavelength included in the display light emitted from the display part, and transmits light of other wavelengths. An angle formed by a straight line, which extends between an upper edge of an incident area of the display light on the transmissive reflector and a lower portion of an eyebox which is defined as a visible range of the reflected light from the transmissive reflector, with respect to a horizontal line is smaller than a difference between an emission angle and an incident angle of the display light at the transmissive reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Sugiyama, Kenichi Kasazumi, Kakuya Yamamoto, Akira Kurozuka, Tatsuo Itoh, Shinichi Shikii
  • Publication number: 20140211322
    Abstract: Technology is described for a projection optical system which optically couples image light from an image source to a near-eye display (NED) of a wearable near-eye display device. The projection optical system and the image source make up a projection light engine. Light from the image source is directed to a birdbath reflective optical element which is immersed in high index glass. The image light is reflected and collimated by the birdbath element and travels outside a housing of the projection light engine forming an external exit pupil, meaning the exit pupil is external to the projection light engine. A waveguide optically couples the image light of the external exit pupil. An example of a waveguide which can be used is a surface relief grating waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Ned Nestorovic, Steve J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 8792178
    Abstract: A thickness of a tapered part provided at the deeper side (?X side) in a light guide direction of a light transmission member is smaller toward the deeper side, and thus, a reflection angle of ghost light that has passed through a fourth reflection surface provided with a half mirror layer and reached the light transmission member gradually becomes smaller within the tapered part and no longer satisfies a total reflection condition, and the light is ejected to the outside in the position diverging from an eye of an observer. That is, the tapered part may prevent the ghost light from reaching the eye and good see-through observation can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Totani, Masayuki Takagi, Toshiaki Miyao, Akira Komatsu, Takashi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20140204465
    Abstract: A head-up display device includes a projector, a screen component and a prism component. The prism component integrally has an incidence surface into which laser light enters from the projector, a mirror surface which reflects the laser light entering inside the prism component from the incidence surface, and an exit surface which emits the laser light reflected by the mirror surface toward the screen component outside of the prism component, as optical surface on an optical path, and each of the incidence surface and the exit surface constructs a lens surface such that that the laser light is formed into an image relative to the screen component in a spot state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8780447
    Abstract: In a virtual image display device, a mirror layer has a thickness of 50 nm or more to perform non-transparent reflection in a second ridge line vicinity area on a third reflection face side in a ridge line portion extending between the third reflection face and a second reflection face. Accordingly, reflectance of image light can be prevented from being decreased by the second ridge line vicinity area (that is, a peripheral portion on a light guide unit in the third reflection face), and thus stripe-shaped brightness unevenness extending in a longitudinal direction can be prevented from occurring on the viewed image. That is, in the image display device, it is possible to secure sufficient reflection even in the peripheral portion close to a boundary with the second reflection face with respect to the third reflection face, and also to display a bright image with little brightness unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takagi, Takahiro Totani, Toshiaki Miyao, Akira Komatsu, Takashi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8767306
    Abstract: An optical system has an aperture through which virtual and real-world images are viewable along a viewing axis. The optical system may be incorporated into a head-mounted display (HMD). By illuminating a viewing location with an infrared light source, an eye pupil may be illuminated. Infrared light is reflected from the viewing location and is collected with a proximal beam splitter. An image former is configured to reflect at least a portion of the visible light pattern generated by the display panel to form the virtual image and transmit at least a portion of the collected infrared light. The transmitted infrared light may be imaged by a camera. The HMD may use images from the camera to provide, for example, context-sensitive virtual images to a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Miao, Adrian Wong, Babak Amirparviz, Mark Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20140160577
    Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of optical guides for collimated images comprising a first and a second image conductor functioning by total reflection, each conductor comprising a plurality of plates that are planar, semi-reflective, mutually parallel and inclined with respect to the plane of the external faces of the image conductors. The two conductors are arranged so as to deliver a collimated image to a large pupil. The optical guide according to the invention comprises an optical beam doubler element having substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. In its basic version, it comprises four external planar facets, two internal semi-reflective planar mirrors, said mirrors being mutually perpendicular, a planar entrance face intended to receive a collimated image, and an exit face adhesively bonded to the injection section of one of the image conductors. The invention also relates to the whole of the display device associated with this optical guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Johanna DOMINICI, Philippe AUGEREAU, Philippe CONI
  • Patent number: 8743464
    Abstract: A waveguide with embedded mirrors includes an in-coupling region for receiving input light into the waveguide and an out-coupling region for emitting output light from the waveguide. The mirrors include a plurality of in-coupling mirrors disposed within the in-coupling region of the waveguide and orientated to reflect the input light down the waveguide towards the out-coupling region as guided light. The mirrors further include a plurality of out-coupling mirrors disposed within the out-coupling region of the waveguide and orientated to reflect the guided light out of the waveguide as the output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Babak Amirparviz