Virtual retinal display with expanded exit pupil
US5701132A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/0172
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.