EP2856242A2

EP2856242A2 - Compact and energy-efficient head-up display

Info

Publication number: EP2856242A2
Application number: EP13728501.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Umberto Rossini
Original assignee: Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Current assignee: Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Priority date: 2012-05-28
Filing date: 2013-05-27
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Also published as: FR2991060A1; US9541759B2; FR2991060B1; WO2013178924A3; US20150301335A1; CA2873662A1; WO2013178924A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a head-up display comprising a group of optical sub-systems (26₁, 26 ₂ _, 26₃) formed in a single plane and having dimensions that diminish moving away from the main optical axis of the display. The display also comprises sub-screens (24₁, 24₂, 24₃), the positions and dimensions of which are defined according to: the length of the optical path (D), the dimensions of the optical sub-systems, and a maximum authorised length of movement in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and located at a distance equal to the length of the optical path, such that the information projected by the group of sub-screens can be seen along the entire authorised length of movement.

Description

HEAVY DUTY HIGH COMPACT HEAD VISITOR WITH LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a head-up display, also called head-up display, head-up collimator or head-up display system, compact and having a large exit pupil. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a viewfinder whose energy consumption is reduced.

Presentation of the prior art

The head-up displays, also known as the HUD, of the English Head-Up Display, are augmented reality display systems that integrate visual information on a real scene seen by an observer. In practice, such systems can be placed in the visor of a helmet, in the cockpit of an aircraft or within the cabin of a vehicle. They are thus positioned at a small distance from the eyes of the user, for example a few centimeters or tens of centimeters.

Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, the operation of such a device.

A semitransparent blade 10 is placed between the eye of the user 12 and a scene to be observed 14. The objects of the scene to be observed are generally located at infinity or at an angle important distance from the observer. The semi-transparent blade

10 is placed at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the axis between the scene 14 and the observer 12, so as to transmit the information from the scene 14 to the observer 12, without altering this information.

To project an image seen at the same distance as the actual image of the scene and superimpose it on it, a projection system is planned. This system comprises an element for displaying an image 16, for example a screen, located at the focal point object of an optical system 18. The image displayed on the screen is thus infinitely collimated by the optical system 18. The user does not have to make an effort of accommodation, which limits the visual fatigue of the latter.

The projection system is placed perpendicular to the axis between the scene and the observer so that the beam from the optical system 18 reaches the semi-transparent plate perpendicular to this axis. The beam from the optical system 18 thus reaches the semi-transparent plate 10 at an angle of 45 ° with respect to its surface.

The semi-transparent plate 10 combines the image of the scene 14 and the image resulting from the projection system 16-18, from which

As a result, the observer 12 displays an image comprising the projected image superimposed on the image of the scene 14.

In order to visualize the image projected by the projection system 16-18, the observer's eye must be placed in the reflection zone of the beam coming from the optical system 18 on the plate 10. An important constraint to be respected is to hold account possible movements of the head of the user in front of the projector, and therefore to provide a beam output of the optical system 18 as wide as possible. In other words, it is necessary to provide an optical system 18 whose output pupil is large, for example between a few centimeters and a few tens of centimeters, so that the head movements of the observer do not imply a loss of light. projected information. Another constraint of head-up systems is to provide a relatively compact device. Indeed, significant congestion constraints weigh on these devices, especially when used in aircraft cockpits or car interiors of limited volume. To limit the size of head-up systems, it is necessary to provide devices whose focal length is reduced.

Thus, it is sought to obtain devices having an output aperture, that is to say the ratio between the object focal distance of the system and the diameter of the exit pupil of the device, very low. It is known that the complexity of an optical system depends on the output aperture thereof. More particularly, the lower the opening of a device, the more complex the device. The more complex the optical system, the greater the number of optical elements it contains, especially to limit the various aberrations. This increase in the number of elementary optical elements increases the volume and the cost of the complete device, which is not desired.

In addition, it is necessary to provide devices with low energy consumption.

summary

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a compact head-up viewfinder having a large exit pupil.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide such a device whose power consumption is reduced.

Thus, an embodiment of the present invention provides a head-up viewfinder, comprising a set of optical subsystems formed in the same plane and whose dimensions decrease with one distance from the main optical axis of the viewfinder, further comprising subscreens whose positions and dimensions are defined according to the the length of the optical path, the dimensions of the optical subsystems and a maximum allowed movement length in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and at a distance equal to the length of the optical path, so that the projected information by all sub-screens is seen over the entire authorized movement length.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the positions and the dimensions of the subscreens are further defined according to the average deviation between the two eyes of a person.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical subsystems are of the same focal length, the subscreens being placed in the object focal plane of the optical subsystems.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical subsystems are regularly distributed in a plane perpendicular to the main optical axis of the viewfinder.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the projected information is an image that is distributed over all subscreens.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sub-screens are defined on the surface of a substrate.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the subscreens are disjoint.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, along a first axis, the length of the maximum permissible movement is zero and the observer's vision is mono ^¬ cular, the sub-screens are placed symmetrically on either side of main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length along the first axis equal to fL-j_ / D, L-j_ being the length of the optical subsystem of rank i on either side of the axis main optical device, the edge of a sub-screen of rank i being remote from the edge of a sub-screen of rank i-1 by a distance equal to (L-j_ + L-j__ _] _) / 2 , f being the distance focal length of the optical subsystems, where D is the length of the optical path.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, along a first axis, the maximum allowed movement length is non-zero and the view of the observer is monocular, the sub-screens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, the center of a sub-screen of rank i on either side of the main optical axis of the device being placed relative to the center of the sub-screen of rank i-1 at an equal distance to (L _j _ + L- _j __ _] _) / 2 + f / 2D (L _j _ + L- _j __ _] _), each sub-screen having a length along the first axis equal to f / D (L - _j _ + B), in the limit of an area, centered on the optical axis of the associated optical subsystem, of a dimension equal to:

the sum above being the sum of the dimensions of the optical subsystems used in the sub-projector, f and Lj being, respectively, the focal length and the width of the optical subsystem of rank i, where D is the length of the path optical.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, according to the first axis, the maximum allowed movement length is zero and the view of the observer is binocular, the subscreens being placed symmetrically on either side of the axis. main viewfinder lens, each subscreen having a length along the first axis equal to fL-j_ / D, except the sub-screens farthest from the main optical axis having a length equal to f / D (L- _j _ + y / 2), the center of a sub-screen of rank i on either side of the main optical axis of the device being placed relative to the center of the subsystem of rank i-1 at a distance of distance equal to (L _j _ + L- _j __ _] _) / 2 + f / 2D (L _j _ + L- _j __ _] _), f and L _j _ being, respectively, the focal length and the width of the subsystem of rank i, where D is the length of the optical path. According to one embodiment of the present invention, along a first axis, the maximum allowed movement length is equal to an average difference between the two eyes of a person and the view of the observer is binocular, the subscreens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length along the first axis equal to fL-j_ / D, the center of a sub-screen of rank i of part and other than the main optical axis of the device being placed in relation to the center of the sub-screen of rank i-1 at a distance equal to (L _j _ + L- _j __ _] _) / 2 + f / 2D ( L _j + L _j _ _{__]} _), _ _j f and L being respectively the focal length and the width of the optical subsystem of rank i, where D is the optical path length.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, along a first axis, the maximum allowed movement length is greater than an average difference between the two eyes of a person and the view of the observer is binocular, the subscreens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length along the first axis equal to f / D (L-j_ + By), within one zone, centered on opti ^¬ axis of the associated optical subsystem, a dimension equal to:

½ (Σ ¾).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each sub-screen consists of a matrix of organic light-emitting diode cells.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other objects, features, and benefits will be discussed in detail in the following description particular embodiments made in a non-limiting manner in relation to the attached figures among which:

Figure 1, previously described, illustrates the principle of operation of a head-up display;

Figure 2 illustrates the principle of operation of a head-up display according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate different observations made using the devices of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate optical structures for determining geometric rules for designing a screen of an improved head-up display; and

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the subscreen distribution according to one embodiment of the present invention.

For the sake of clarity, the same elements have been designated with the same references in the different figures and, moreover, as is customary in the representation of the optical systems, the various figures are not drawn to scale.

detailed description

In order to obtain a compact head-up viewfinder, that is to say comprising a projection system having a space of less than a few tens of centimeters and having a large exit pupil, it is planned to dissociate the projection system into several sub-planes. elementary projection systems, each projection subsystem operating in the same way and projecting a portion of an image to be superimposed on a real image.

Figure 2 schematically shows a head-up viewfinder according to one embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the device comprises a semitransparent plate 10 which is placed between the observer 12 and a scene to be observed 14. The surface of the semi-transparent plate 10 forms an angle, for example of 45.degree. axis between the stage and The observer, and does not disturb the arrival of rays from the scene to the observer. It should be noted that the semitransparent plate can be replaced by an interference filter performing the same function as a semi-transparent plate.

A projection system of an image to be superimposed on the image of the scene is planned. It comprises an image source 24, for example a screen, associated with an optical system 26. The projection system is placed here perpendicularly to the axis between the scene and the observer, and the beam that comes from the optical system 26 reached the semi-transparent plate perpendicular to this axis.

The semi-transparent plate 10 combines, i.e. superimposes, the image of the scene 14 and the projected image from the optical system 26, whereby the observer views the superimposed projected image to the real image of the scene 14. The system of Figure 2 operates in the same way as the system of Figure 1.

The optical system 26 comprises a set of optical subsystems 26A, 26B and 26C of the same focal length object. The image source 24 is placed at a distance from the optical system 26 equal to the object focal length of each of the optical subsystems 26A to 26C.

The image source 24, for example a screen, is divided into several subscreens. In the sectional view of FIG. 2, three sub-screens 24A, 24B and 24C are shown. Note that this number may be more or less important. Each sub-screen 24A, 24B and 24C is associated with an optical subsystem 26A, 26B, 26C. Contrary to what is shown, the subscreens can be shifted from the optical axes of the associated optical subsystems, as will be seen below.

We will call here the set consisting of a sub-screen and an optical sub-system a sub-projector. The projection system therefore comprises a plurality of sub-projectors.

By forming several parallel sub-projectors, one can obtain a complete device having a pupil of total output (sum of pupil sizes of each of the sub-projectors) large, while forming simple and compact optical subsystems.

Indeed, each optical subsystem has an opening, called elemental, "moderate". The elementary aperture of an optical subsystem is defined as the ratio of its own focal distance to the size of its own exit pupil. The parallel association of the sub-projectors thus makes it possible to obtain an optical system whose opening is particularly weak insofar as, for the same distance between screen and projection optics, a large total exit pupil is obtained. , equal to the sum of the exit pupils of each optical subsystem. The optical system thus has a small opening while being formed of simple elementary optical structures. The compactness of the complete device is thus ensured.

The screen 24 is provided so that each sub-screen 24A, 24B, 24C displays part of the information, the complete information being recombined by the brain of the observer. For this, the image that we want to project in augmented reality is divided into blocks that are distributed over the different subscreens.

By way of example, the screen 24 may consist of a matrix of cells comprising organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs).

Emitting Diode), or even a matrix of LCD or cathode sub-screens.

In an OLED screen, one or more layers of organic materials are formed between two conductive electrodes, the assembly extending on a substrate. The upper electrode is transparent or semi-transparent and is usually made of a thin layer of silver whose thickness may be of the order of a few nanometers. When a suitable voltage is applied between the two electrodes, a phenomenon of electroluminescence appears in the organic layer.

However, with an OLED type screen, a problem of access to the electrodes can arise. In fact, to obtain a good visibility of the projected information, because of the weaknesses in transmission of the devices that may be placed at the output of the screen, it is necessary to reach a luminance at the output of the subscreens of the screen. order of 20000 Cd / m2. To obtain such luminance, it is necessary to send large currents into the upper electrode of the OLED structure, typically of the order of a few amperes to about ten amperes. However, a silver layer a few nanometers thick can not withstand such amperage.

Thus, it is sought to reduce the amount of current to be provided to an OLED screen, or to form a reduced surface screen. Here it is intended to form devices in which the subscreens are placed relative to the optical subsystems and are dimensioned in an optimized manner to ensure the practical realization of the projection system of the head-up display.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate different observations made using the devices of Figures 1 and 2.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated an image 30 which is displayed on a screen such as the screen 16 of FIG. 1 (thus with a single-shot optic). A frame 32, which surrounds the image 30, schematically represents the exit pupil of the projection device 18 of FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 3, the exit pupil 32 is slightly wider than the displayed image. by the screen 30. In this case, the observer observes all the information contained in the image 30, as long as the observer's head remains in what is called the "eye box" the device (in English eye-box or head motion box).

This "eye box" is defined as the space where the observer can move his head while receiving the entirety of the projected information. In other words, as long as the observer's head remains in the eye box, he receives all the projected information.

FIG. 4 illustrates the view of the information by an observer, in the case where the head-up viewfinder comprises a single-pupillary optics (case of FIG. 1), when the head of the observer leaves the eye box. . In this case, the exit pupil 34 (portion seen by the observer) is shifted with respect to the image 30, which implies that only a portion 30 'of the image 30 is seen by the observer.

In Figure 5 is illustrated the vision of the information by an observer, in the case where the head-up viewfinder has a multi-pupil optical (Figure 2), when the head of the observer out of the eye box. In this case, the exit pupil 36 seen by the observer is shifted with respect to the image 30, which implies that only a portion 30 "of the image 30 is accessible to the observer. of the multi-pupillary structure of Figure 2, the portion 30 "is viewed in a fragmented manner. Indeed, in the case of a multi-pupillary optics, the image being projected by a set of sub-projectors, each sub-projector has its own eye box. Thus, when the observer leaves the overall eye box of the device, it also leaves the eye box of each of the sub-projectors, causing fragmentation of the image seen by the observer. As a result, the final image seen by the observer consists of a set of vertical bands 30 "(in the case of a lateral displacement of the observer's head) of portions of the image 30.

Thus, the positioning and the size of the sub-screens of a head-up viewfinder with multi-pupil optics must be adapted according to a predefined desired eye box. Various cases will be described below, starting from an eye box of zero size (only one position of the observer ensures the reception of all the information), the projected image filling the whole of the surface of the exit pupil. Figures 6 to 8 illustrate optical structures for determining geometric rules for enhanced placement of OLED subscreens.

In Figure 6, it is considered an optical system under- ing two sub-screens _24] _ and 242 placed on a single substrate 40, opposite two optical subsystems _26] _ and 262- The subscreens are placed focal plane object of the optical subsystems (the distance separating the optical subsystems and the subscreens is equal to the object focal length f of the optical subsystems). In this example, the sub-screens _24] _ and 242 and optical subsystems _26] _ and 262 extend symmetrically on either side of the principal optical axis of the device.

In this figure, the goal is to determine the area of each subscreen useful when the observer closes an eye (monocular vision), that is to say the portion of each subscreen seen by the eye, if the eye is placed on the main optical axis of the device at a distance D of optical subsystems _26] _, 262- the distance D between the optical subsystems _26] _ and 262 and the observer is called path optical. It will be noted that, in the case of a head-up viewfinder such as that of FIG. 2, the optical path, and hence the distance D that will be considered later, corresponds to the light path between the optical subsystems. 26 _] _ and 262 and the observer, for example through the semi-reflective plate 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, only a portion 42 of a subscreen 24 _] is seen by the observer's eye. Thus, if we consider an immobile observer such as that of FIG. 6 (eye box of zero size and monocular vision), only the portion 42 of the subscreen is a portion useful for observation. The remainder of the screen can thus be disconnected, or the screen 24 _] _ can be reduced to the single portion 42, for the same visibility of the information (by projecting all the information on the portion 42 of the screen 24 _] _). This idea is at the basis of the sizing of the subscreens proposed here.

The portion 42 of the sub-screen 24 _] accessible by the eye has a dimension fL / D, L being the diameter of the optical subsystem 26 _] _, the edge of the portion 42 being located at a distance d = L / 2 of the main optical axis.

In the example of FIG. 7 is shown a device comprising three sub-projectors consisting of three sub-screens 24 ' _] , 24 * 2 and 24 * 3, formed on a substrate 40, opposite three optical subsystems 26 ' _] , 26 * 2 and 26 * 3. The substrate 40 is placed in the object focal plane of the optical subsystems 26 ' _] , 26 * 2 and 26 * 3. The central sub-projector (24 '2, 26 * 2) has its optical axis coincident with the main optical axis of the device and the peripheral sub-projectors extend symmetrically with respect to the main optical axis of the device. Here, we consider the portion 42 'of a peripheral sub-screen accessible in monocular vision by an eye placed on the main optical axis of the device, at a distance D from the optical system 26.

In this case, it is obtained that the portion 42 'of the peripheral sub-screen 24' _] accessible to the eye has a dimension equal to fL / D, L being the diameter of the optical subsystem 26 ' _] _, the edge of the portion 42 'being located at a distance of = L + fL / 2D from the main optical axis, L being the diameter of the optical subsystems 26'] _, 26 * 2, 26 * 3.

In addition, regardless of the position of a sub-screen in a device comprising an even or odd number of sub-screens, the surface of this sub-screen visible by an eye (monocular vision) placed on the main optical axis of the device is equal to fL / D.

FIG. 8 shows the case of FIG. 6 with a projector comprising two sub-projectors each consisting of a sub-screen 24 _] , 242 ^and an optical subsystem 26 _]. to the subscreen region which is accessible to an observer in binocular vision. In our case, in top view, the two eyes of the observer R and L are placed on either side of the main optical axis of the device, at a distance y / 2 of this main optical axis (thus being there gap between the two eyes of the observer).

In this case, the right eye R, respectively the left eye L, sees a portion 42R, respectively 42L, of the sub-screen 24 _] _ of an area equal to fL / D, with the same references as before. However, due to the superposition of the regions seen by the two eyes, the useful surface of the sub-screen 24 _] , that is to say the surface of the screen 24 which is seen at least by one eye of the user, has a width equal to fL / D + fy / 2D.

Here it is planned to limit the size of the screens to the useful size, that is to say actually seen by the observer. It can thus reduce the consumption of the device.

In order to define the useful area of each of the subscreens in operation, it must be taken into account that the head of the observer is likely to move, according to a maximum amplitude that is predefined. Note that, vertically, the head of an observer is less subject to movement and vision is monocular. However, the following teachings apply as much to authorized vertical movement of the head as to lateral movement.

Subsequently, the maximum accepted movement length of the head (equal to the size of the eye box along a first axis, for example horizontal) will be called B. B thus corresponds to the maximum peak-to-peak amplitude in motion of the accepted head. Subscreen positioning rules are defined below so that if the observer's head moves in a direction a distance of less than or equal to

B / 2, or in an opposite direction by a distance less than or equal to B / 2, the vision of the information given by all subscreens is always complete, ie each pixel each sub-screen is seen at least by one of the two eyes of the observer when describing the entire eye box. As will be seen below, the rules of dimen ^¬ sionnement and positioning of each of the subscreens vary depending on whether one wishes a range of motion allowed null or not, and that one places oneself in binocular vision or monocular (eg binocular vision horizontally, monocular vertically). In particular, the inventor has shown that the reasoning leading to the sizing of the sub-screens in a direction in which the vision is monocular with a non-zero eye box also applies to the case where the vision is binocular with an eye box B is greater than the distance between the two eyes y of the observer.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate rules for positioning and sizing sub-screens and optical subsystems according to one embodiment.

In these two figures, there is provided a device comprising a number Q = 5 subscreens 24-j_ (i being the rank of the sub-screen on either side of the main optical axis of the device) placed next to five optical subsystems 26 of the same focal length f.

Here, besides dimensioning the sub-screens at their minimum surface, it is expected that the vision of the information will be complete regardless of the placement of the user in front of the optical system (total movement length accepted B is ie maximum amplitude of movement equal to B / 2), to use optical sub-systems adapted to their location in the device. More particularly, the further one moves away from the main optical axis of the device, the more the optical sub-systems work under extreme lighting conditions. It is planned here to reduce the opening constraints of the optical subsystems in a progressive manner when moving away from the main optical axis of the device. For this, it is expected to reduce the size L-j of the optical subsystems in a progressive manner as we move away from the main optical axis of the device (i being the rank of the subsystem optically on either side of the main optical axis of the projection system).

Thus, the optical subsystems 26 (i being the rank of the sub-projector from the main optical axis of the projection system), in the case of FIGS. 9 and 10, have decreasing dimensions as a function of their distance from the main optical axis of the device. Note that the definitions below apply equally to an even or odd number of projection subsystems. In the case of an odd number of subsystems, the rank i = 1 corresponds to the projection subsystem whose optical axis coincides with the main optical axis of the device.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the sub-screens 24], 242 ^and 243 (on either side of the main optical axis of the device) are placed in the object focal plane of optical subsystems 26 _]. , 262, 263 having the same focal length so that, in monocular vision, the reconstituted image fills the entire exit pupil. Thus, in this case, the eye box has a dimension B zero (the slightest movement of the head of the observer implies a loss of information). A simple calculation makes it possible to obtain that the sub-screens have a length in the plane of the figures equal to fL-j_ / D, where L-j_ is the dimension of the associated optical subsystem and the sub-screen of rank i is separated. of the sub-screen of rank i-1 by a distance equal to <¾_ = (L-j_ + L-j __] _) / 2, that is to say equal to half the sum of the size of the optical subsystem of the same rank as the sub-screen and the size of the lower rank optical subsystem (adjacent towards the main optical axis of the projection system).

In the case of FIGS. 9 and 10, the sub-screens are more or less offset from the optical axis of the associated optical subsystem, as a function of their distance from the main optical axis of the projection system. In these figures are shown for illustration regions 50 _] _, 502 and 5Ο3 which are placed in the object focal plane optical subsystems 26 _] _, 262 and 263 and which are centered on the optical axis of the optical subsystems 26j_ to 263. Each region 50 (i being the rank of the sub-projector on either side of the main optical system of the device) has a length equal to:

the sum in the above value being the sum of the dimensions of all the optical subsystems used in the sub-projector, in this case f (L _] _ + 2L2 + 2L3) / D. In this case, it can be seen that each sub-screen 24 _] to 243 is placed opposite a portion of the region 50j_ to 5Ο3 corresponding to its rank, that is to say that the subscreens located at the ends of the device are placed at the ends of the regions 50j_ to 5Ο3 on either side of the device. In addition, the illustration of the regions 50j_ to 5Ο3 makes it possible to represent the part of the image that the corresponding sub-screen must display: the sub-screens at the periphery thus display a peripheral portion of the image.

In Figure 9, an eye box is desired to obtain, always by monocular vision at a distance D of the projection device, a dimension equal to _B] _ relatively low. In this figure, the solid lines delimit the zone of the visible focal plane when the eye moves to the left in the figure (by a distance B _] _ / 2) and the dashed lines delimit the zone of the visible focal plane when the 'eye moves right in the figure (from a distance B _] _ / 2).

If you want to see a complete image irrespective of the position of the eye in the eye box, the subscreen must be positioned and sized to match the field of view of visible regions at both ends of the eye box . However, to avoid the phenomena of fragmentation presented in relation to FIG. 5, the subscreens must be magnified by a distance fB / 2D on either side of the subscreen, here with B = B _] _.

In Figure 10, there is provided an eye box, still in monocular vision at a distance D from the projection device, a dimension equal to B2 relatively large. In this figure, the solid line delimits the limit of the visible focal plane when the eye moves to the left in the figure (from a distance B2 / 2) and the dashed line delimits the limit of the visible focal plane when the eye moves right in the figure (from a distance B2 / 2).

In the case of the size B2 eye box, if we plan to increase the size of the subscreens on each side of fB / 2D, here with B = B2, we see in this case that, for one of the sides, it is not worthwhile to swell as the sub-screen, the portion of the sub screen 24 protruding from the region 50 corres ponding ^¬ being unnecessary. Thus, the peripheral subscreens (in our case the subscreens 243) should only grow in one direction.

It should be noted that, in a case where the vision is considered to be monocular with a nonzero eyebox, or in the case where the vision is considered to be binocular with an eyebox greater than y, each sub-screen has a dimension greater than fL-j / D. The image to be superimposed on the real image is in these two cases distributed over portions of each of the sub-screens of dimensions equal to fL-j / D. The information displayed on the rest of the subscreens is redundant with the neighboring subscreens, which ensures the dimensions of the desired eye boxes.

Figures 9 and 10 provide the following sizing and positioning rules. It is chosen to form a matrix of QxQ 'sub-projectors, Q and Q' which can be odd or even. In both directions of the projector, the sub-projectors are arranged symmetrically with respect to the main optical axis of the projector.

In monocular vision, for example along the vertical axis of the observer, if a zero-eye box (B = 0) is desired, the sub-screens are placed symmetrically with respect to the main optical axis of the device, have dimensions equal to fL-j_ / D and are spaced edge-to-edge by a distance (L- _j _ + L- _j __ _] _) / 2 (the center of the sub-screen of rank i is thus distant from the center of the sub-screen of rank i-1 by a distance equal to f / 2D (L ^ L- ^) + (L ^ L- ^) / 2).

If you want a nonzero eyebox (B ≠ 0), the sub-screens are placed symmetrically and are centered in the same way as in the case of a null eyebox (the center of the sub-screen of rank i is placed at a distance from the center of the sub-screen of rank i-1 equal to f / 2D (L- _j _ + L- _j __ _] _) + (L- _j _ + L- _j __ _] _) / 2), but have increased dimensions of fB / 2D on each side with respect to the case where B = 0. Thus, the subscreens have dimensions equal to f / D (L-j + B). The edge-to-edge distance of the subscreens is then less than (L-j_ + L-j__ _] _) / 2. The magnification of the subscreens is made so as not to leave an area, centered on the optical axis of the associated optical subsystem, of a dimension equal to:

the sum in the value above being the sum of the dimensions of the optical subsystems used in the sub-projector.

In binocular vision, for example along the horizontal axis of the observer, if a zero-eye box is desired (B = 0), the subscreens have dimensions equal to fL-j_ / D and are distant from the edge. on board a distance (L-j_ + _{L-j__]} _) / 2. Thus, sub-screens of the centers are spaced apart by a distance equal to f / 2D (L- _j _ _j + L _{__]} _) + (L + L- _j _ _j _{__]} _) / 2). The peripheral sub-screens have a dimension equal to (L-j + y / 2) f / D, where y is the difference between the two eyes of a person. Note that, in the literature, the average difference _mQ there are between the two eyes of a person is between 60 and 70 mm, typically of the order of y _mQ y = 65 mm. So, in practice, we can take y ⁼ Ymoy

If an eye box is desired equal to the distance y between the eyes of the observer, all sub-screens have dimensions equal to fL-j / D and are distant from each other by a distance (L- j_ + _{L-j__]} _) / 2. The centers of the subscreens are thus separated by a distance:

f / 2D (L _j _ + L-j __] _) + (L + L- _j _ _j _{__]} _) / 2). If an eye box is desired greater than the distance y between the eyes of the observer, the subscreens are centered in the same way as above (the centers of the subscreens are placed at a distance from each other). other equal to f / 2D (L- _j _ _j + L _{__]} _) + (L- _j _ _j + L _{__]} _) / 2) but to grow (by) f / 2D on both 'other. The subscreens therefore have a dimension equal to (L-j_ + By) f / D. The edge-to-edge distance of the subscreens is therefore less than (L-j_ + L-j__ _] _) / 2. The magnification of the subscreens occurs so as not to exceed an area, centered on the optical axis of the associated optical subsystem, of a dimension equal to:

It will be noted that the dimensions L 1, decreasing as a function of the distance of the optical subsystems from the main optical axis of the device, can be defined by means of ray tracing software as a function of optical performance. expected in terms of resolution. Indeed, optical aberrations have two origins that accumulate: the paraxiality coming from the opening of the optics (size of the optical subsystem) and that coming from the decentering of the subscreen. The dimensions L-j_ are defined to compensate for the aberration provided by the decentering, while attenuating the aberration originating from the size of the optical subsystems.

Advantageously, the formation of subscreens defined in the above manner makes it possible to limit the active screen area on the surface of the substrate 40, and therefore the total consumption of the screen, while ensuring visibility of the recombined image. throughout the area of a movement of amplitude B / 2 on either side of the head of the observer. In addition, the reduction of the size of the optical subsystems as a function of their distance from the main optical axis of the device avoids a bad use of these devices. Particular embodiments of the present invention have been described. Various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, it will be noted that the invention has been presented here with sub-screens consisting for example of OLED, but it will be understood that the invention also applies to projection systems in which the screens consist of different elements of OLED diodes, as long as the dimensions of each of the sub-screens proposed above are respected.

In addition, various embodiments with various variants have been described above. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to combine various elements of these various embodiments and variants without demonstrating inventive step.

It will further be noted that the embodiment of the projection system proposed here is also compatible with other embodiments in which the optical subsystems have increasing focal lengths with their distance from the main optical axis of the device.

Claims

1. Head-up viewfinder, comprising a set of optical subsystems (26]_, 262, 263) formed in the same plane and whose dimensions decrease with distance from the main optical axis of the viewfinder, further comprising subscreens (24 _] _, 242, 243) whose positions and dimensions are defined according to the length of the optical path (D), the dimensions of the optical subsystems and a maximum allowed movement length (B ) in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and located at a distance equal to the length of the optical path, so that the information projected by all the sub-screens is seen over the entire length of authorized movement.

2. Viewfinder according to claim 1, in which the positions and dimensions of the sub-screens (24 _] _, 242, 243) are further defined as a function of the average distance between the two eyes (y) of a person .

3. Viewfinder according to claim 1 or 2, in which the optical subsystems (26 _] _, 262, 263) are of the same focal length, the subscreens being placed in the object focal plane of the optical subsystems.

4. Viewfinder according to claim 3, in which the optical subsystems (26 _] _, 262, 263) are distributed ^regularly in a plane perpendicular to the main optical axis of the viewfinder.

5. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the projected information is an image which is distributed over all of the sub-screens (24 _] _, 242, 243).

6. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the sub-screens (24 _] _, 242, 243) are defined on the surface of a substrate (40).

7. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the sub-screens (24 _] _, 242, 243) are disjoint.

8. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 2 to 7, in which, along a first axis, said length of maximum authorized movement (B) is zero and the observer's vision is monocular, the sub-screens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length following said first axis equal to fL-j_/D, L-j_ being the length of the optical subsystem of rank i on either side of the main optical axis of the device, the edge of a subscreen of rank i being distant from the edge of a subscreen of rank i-1 by a distance equal to (Lj_+L-j__ _] _) /2, f being the focal distance of the optical subsystems, D being the length of the optical path .

9. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 2 to 7, in which, along a first axis, said maximum authorized movement length (B) is non-zero and the observer's vision is monocular, the sub-screens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, the center of a sub-screen of row i on either side of the main optical axis of the device being placed relative to the center of the sub-screen screen of rank i-1 at a distance equal to (L _j _+L- _j __ _] _) /2+f/2D (L _j _+L- _j __ _] _), each subscreen having a following length said first axis equal to f/D (L-j_+B), within the limit of a zone, centered on the optical axis of the associated optical subsystem, of a dimension equal to:

the above sum being the sum of the dimensions of the optical subsystems used in the subprojector, f and Lj_ being, respectively, the focal length and the width of the optical subsystem of rank i, D being the length of the path optical.

Viewfinder according to any one of claims to 7, in which, along the first axis, said maximum authorized movement length (B) is zero and the observer's vision is binocular, the sub-screens being placed symmetrically on either side and other side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length along said first axis equal to fL-j_/D, except the most sub-screens distant from the main optical axis which have a length equal to f/D (L- _j _+y/2), the center of a sub-screen of rank i on either side of the main optical axis of the device being placed relative to the center of the sub-screen of rank i-1 at a distance equal to (L _j _+L- _j __ _] _) /2+f/2D (L _j _+L- _j __ _] _), f and L _j _ being, respectively, the focal distance and the width of the subsystem of rank i, D being the length of the optical path.

11. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 2 to 7, in which, along a first axis, said maximum authorized movement length (B) is equal to an average distance between the two eyes (y) of a person and the vision of the observer is binocular, the sub-screens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length along said first axis equal to fL- _j _/D, the center of a sub-screen of rank i on either side of the main optical axis of the device being placed relative to the center of the sub-screen of rank i-1 at a distance equal to (L _j _+ L- _j __ _] _) /2+f/2D (L _j _+L- _j __ _] _), f and L _j _ being, respectively, the focal length and the width of the optical subsystem of rank i, D being the length of the optical path.

12. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 2 to 7, in which, along a first axis, said length of maximum authorized movement (B) is greater than an average distance between the two eyes (y) of a person and the vision of the observer is binocular, the sub-screens being placed symmetrically on either side of the main optical axis of the viewfinder, each sub-screen having a length along said first axis equal to f/D (L-j_ +By), within the limit of a zone, centered on the optical axis of the associated optical subsystem, of a dimension

the above sum being the sum of the dimensions of the optical subsystems used in the subprojector, f and Lj_ being, respectively, the focal length and the width of the subprojector. optical system of rank i, D being the length of the optical path.

13. Viewfinder according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which each sub-screen (24 _] _, 242, 243) consists of a matrix of cells with organic ^{electroluminescent} diodes.