EP0694178A1 - Visual display apparatus - Google Patents

Visual display apparatus

Info

Publication number
EP0694178A1
EP0694178A1 EP92915460A EP92915460A EP0694178A1 EP 0694178 A1 EP0694178 A1 EP 0694178A1 EP 92915460 A EP92915460 A EP 92915460A EP 92915460 A EP92915460 A EP 92915460A EP 0694178 A1 EP0694178 A1 EP 0694178A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
coating
image generator
observer
dichroic coating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP92915460A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0694178A4 (en
Inventor
Dan Moran
Yonatan Gerlitz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0694178A4 publication Critical patent/EP0694178A4/en
Publication of EP0694178A1 publication Critical patent/EP0694178A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G02B27/0172—Head mounted characterised by optical features
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/0101—Head-up displays characterised by optical features
    • G02B2027/0123—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising devices increasing the field of view
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/0101—Head-up displays characterised by optical features
    • G02B2027/0143—Head-up displays characterised by optical features the two eyes not being equipped with identical nor symmetrical optical devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/20—Filters
    • G02B5/26—Reflecting filters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to visual display apparatus and more particularly to displays which are superimposed on a transparent surface.
  • HUDs Head-Up Displays
  • Conventional head up displays are relatively complex and expensive. These typically include high brightness CRTs and may employ a holographic combiner for providing relatively high optical quality and contrast with respect to background. The cost and complexity of conventional head up displays renders them unsuitable for most civilian applications and impracticable for mass market consumer applications.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a relatively inexpensive and simple superimposed display which, due to its simplicity and cost effectiveness is suitable for a wide range of applications .
  • display apparatus comprising a generally transparent injection moldable plastic substrate, a dichroic coating associated with the substrate, a solid state image generator operatively associated with the substrate and the dichroic coating, such that the image generated by the solid state image generator in a given wavelength range is reflected from the substrate to an observer while light of wavelengths outside of the given wavelength range passes through the substrate to the observer.
  • the substrate has optical power for reflection and the image generator is disposed in the focal plane of the substrate.
  • the dichroic coating is formed directly on the substrate.
  • the dichroic coating is formed on a coating substrate which is in turn associated with the substrate.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of display apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2A is a graph illustrating transparency/reflection of a dichroic coating formed on a polycarbonate visor for red illumination at an angle of incidence of 15 degrees
  • Fig. 2B is a graph illustrating transparency/reflection of a dichroic coating formed on a polycarbonate visor for green illumination at an angle of incidence of 15 degrees
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of display apparatus for an automobile windshield constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of display apparatus for an automobile windshield constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates schematically imaging apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
  • a substrate 10 typically formed of a plastic material such as polycarbonate, defines goggles or a visor, which is shown in section in Fig. 1.
  • a dichroic coating 12 is formed on the substrate 10, preferably on an inner surface thereof, either by direct vacuum deposition using a technique available from Denton Vacuum of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S.A. or alternatively by means of a dichroic coated substrate, such as a film of polycarbonate which is adhered as by transparent adhesive to substrate 10.
  • the substrate 10 is configured to have optical power for reflection but no optical power for transmission and may be formed with spheric or aspheric curvature as appropriate.
  • An image generator 14 is arranged out of the line of sight between the user's eye or eyes and the substrate and so as to display an image which is reflected by the dichroic coating 12 back to the user's eye or eyes .
  • a preferred image generator 14 may be a solid state high brightness green or red x 7 dot matrix such as model numbers HDSP2002 or HDSP2003 manufactured by Hewlett Packard.
  • the image generator preferably provides a peak luminous intensity per LED of approximately 1000 microcandle, with a duty cycle of 20 % for a LED area of 5-8 x 10 " ? square feet, providing an average brightness of lO ⁇ OFt Lm.
  • the transmission/reflection curves of two suitable dichroic coatings are set forth in Figs. 2A and 2B.
  • This average brightness is low compared with an average brightness of 5 ⁇ 00FtLm which can be realized from a cathode ray tube. It is a particular feature of the present invention that by use of the dichroic coating on the substrate 10 and by avoiding any attenuation through elimination of optics between the coating 12 and the image generator 1 , acceptable contrast is provided even against clear sky.
  • the configuration and arrangement of the substrate 10 with respect to the eye or eyes of the user are such that the image reflected from the image generator 14 by the dichroic coating 12 to the eye or eyes of the user arrives at the user's eyes in generally parallel rays, as if coming from infinity and thus does not require constant refocusing of the user's eyes to see the reflected images.
  • FIG. 3. illustrates display apparatus for an automobile windshield constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention and comprising a windshield 30 typically formed of polycarbonate optical plastic having a spherical or aspheric curvature, such as an off-axis parabolic curvature.
  • a dichroic coating 32 is formed on the windshield 30.
  • An image generator 34 which may be identical to the image generator 14 described hereinabove, is located preferably in the focal plane of the windshield, such that the images generated thereby are reflected by dichroic coating 3 to the eyes of a driver in parallel rays so as to appear to come from infinity.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative arrangement of display apparatus wherein the dichroic coating is not formed directly on the window or windshield but rather on a second substrate 40 which is adhered by any suitable means onto the windshield.
  • Fig. 4 The arrangement of Fig. 4 is particularly useful for retrofit applications and for applications where coating of a large substrate is impractical or unacceptably costly.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Instrument Panels (AREA)

Abstract

Display apparatus comprising a generally transparent injection moldable plastic substrate, a dichroic coating associated with the substrate, a solid state image generator operatively associated with the substrate and the dichroic coating, such that the image generated by the solid state image generator in a given wavelength range is reflected from the substrate to an observer while light of wavelengths outside of the given wavelength range passes through the substrate to the observer.

Description

VISUAL DISPLAY APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to visual display apparatus and more particularly to displays which are superimposed on a transparent surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of displays exist wherein information is superimposed on the user's view of the outside world. Generally, such displays are known as Head-Up Displays or HUDs and are commonly employed in aircraft to enable a pilot to obtain necessary information without removing his eyes from the outside and needing to refocus his eyes in doing so. Conventional head up displays are relatively complex and expensive. These typically include high brightness CRTs and may employ a holographic combiner for providing relatively high optical quality and contrast with respect to background. The cost and complexity of conventional head up displays renders them unsuitable for most civilian applications and impracticable for mass market consumer applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a relatively inexpensive and simple superimposed display which, due to its simplicity and cost effectiveness is suitable for a wide range of applications .
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention display apparatus comprising a generally transparent injection moldable plastic substrate, a dichroic coating associated with the substrate, a solid state image generator operatively associated with the substrate and the dichroic coating, such that the image generated by the solid state image generator in a given wavelength range is reflected from the substrate to an observer while light of wavelengths outside of the given wavelength range passes through the substrate to the observer.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate has optical power for reflection and the image generator is disposed in the focal plane of the substrate.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dichroic coating is formed directly on the substrate. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dichroic coating is formed on a coating substrate which is in turn associated with the substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of display apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2A is a graph illustrating transparency/reflection of a dichroic coating formed on a polycarbonate visor for red illumination at an angle of incidence of 15 degrees; Fig. 2B is a graph illustrating transparency/reflection of a dichroic coating formed on a polycarbonate visor for green illumination at an angle of incidence of 15 degrees; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of display apparatus for an automobile windshield constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of display apparatus for an automobile windshield constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which illustrates schematically imaging apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment. A substrate 10, typically formed of a plastic material such as polycarbonate, defines goggles or a visor, which is shown in section in Fig. 1. A dichroic coating 12 is formed on the substrate 10, preferably on an inner surface thereof, either by direct vacuum deposition using a technique available from Denton Vacuum of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S.A. or alternatively by means of a dichroic coated substrate, such as a film of polycarbonate which is adhered as by transparent adhesive to substrate 10.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the substrate 10 is configured to have optical power for reflection but no optical power for transmission and may be formed with spheric or aspheric curvature as appropriate.
An image generator 14 is arranged out of the line of sight between the user's eye or eyes and the substrate and so as to display an image which is reflected by the dichroic coating 12 back to the user's eye or eyes . A preferred image generator 14 may be a solid state high brightness green or red x 7 dot matrix such as model numbers HDSP2002 or HDSP2003 manufactured by Hewlett Packard. The image generator preferably provides a peak luminous intensity per LED of approximately 1000 microcandle, with a duty cycle of 20 % for a LED area of 5-8 x 10"? square feet, providing an average brightness of lOΘOFt Lm.
The transmission/reflection curves of two suitable dichroic coatings are set forth in Figs. 2A and 2B. This average brightness is low compared with an average brightness of 5Θ00FtLm which can be realized from a cathode ray tube. It is a particular feature of the present invention that by use of the dichroic coating on the substrate 10 and by avoiding any attenuation through elimination of optics between the coating 12 and the image generator 1 , acceptable contrast is provided even against clear sky.
It is a particular feature of the present invention that due to the fact that no optics are required or provided between coating 12 and the image generator l4, an extremely wide exit pupil 15 is provided, whose size is limited only by the size of the substrate area covered by coating 12. As a result, the user is free to move his head within a relatively large volume, while still obtaining a good image of the displayed information.
The configuration and arrangement of the substrate 10 with respect to the eye or eyes of the user are such that the image reflected from the image generator 14 by the dichroic coating 12 to the eye or eyes of the user arrives at the user's eyes in generally parallel rays, as if coming from infinity and thus does not require constant refocusing of the user's eyes to see the reflected images.
Reference is now made to Fig. 3. which illustrates display apparatus for an automobile windshield constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention and comprising a windshield 30 typically formed of polycarbonate optical plastic having a spherical or aspheric curvature, such as an off-axis parabolic curvature. A dichroic coating 32 is formed on the windshield 30. An image generator 34, which may be identical to the image generator 14 described hereinabove, is located preferably in the focal plane of the windshield, such that the images generated thereby are reflected by dichroic coating 3 to the eyes of a driver in parallel rays so as to appear to come from infinity.
Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which illustrates an alternative arrangement of display apparatus wherein the dichroic coating is not formed directly on the window or windshield but rather on a second substrate 40 which is adhered by any suitable means onto the windshield.
The arrangement of Fig. 4 is particularly useful for retrofit applications and for applications where coating of a large substrate is impractical or unacceptably costly.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

C L A I M S
1. Display apparatus comprising: a generally transparent injection moldable plastic substrate; a dichroic coating associated with said substrate; and a solid state image generator operatively associated with the substrate and the dichroic coating, such that the image generated by the solid state image generator in a given wavelength range is reflected from the substrate to an observer while light of wavelengths outside of the given wavelength range passes through the substrate to the observer.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said substrate has optical power in reflection and the image generator is disposed in the focal plane of the substrate.
3- Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said dichroic coating is formed directly on the substrate.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said dichroic coating is formed directly on the substrate.
5- Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said dichroic coating is formed on a coating substrate which is in turn associated with the substrate.
6. Apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said dichroic coating is formed on a coating substrate which is in turn associated with the substrate.
7• An automobile comprising: a windshield; a dichroic coating associated with said windshield; and a solid state image generator operatively associated with the windshield and the dichroic coating, such that the image generated by the solid state image generator in a given wavelength range is reflected from the windshield to an observer while light of wavelengths outside of the given wavelength range passes through the windshield to the observer.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein no optical elements are interposed between said image generator and said coating, thereby providing a wide exit pupil.
9 . Apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein no optical elements are interposed between said image generator and said coating, thereby providing a wide exit pupil.
10. Apparatus according to claim ~ and wherein no optical elements are interposed between said image generator and said coating, thereby providing a wide exit pupil.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein the arrangement of the image generator and the coating is such that the resulting exit pupil is effectively limited only by the area of the substrate that is coated by said coating.
12. Apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein the arrangement of the image generator and the coating is such that the resulting exit pupil is effectively limited only by the area of the substrate that is coated by said coating.
13 • Apparatus according to claim 7 and wherein the arrangement of the image generator and the coating is such that the resulting exit pupil is effectively limited only by the area of the substrate that is coated by said coating.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein the displayed image appears to an observer as being located at infinity.
15- Apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein the displayed image appears to an observer as being located at infinity.
16. Apparatus according to claim ~ and wherein the displayed image appears to an observer as being located at infinity.
EP92915460A 1992-04-02 1992-04-02 Visual display apparatus Withdrawn EP0694178A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1992/002708 WO1993020472A1 (en) 1992-04-02 1992-04-02 Visual display apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0694178A4 EP0694178A4 (en) 1994-12-20
EP0694178A1 true EP0694178A1 (en) 1996-01-31

Family

ID=22230951

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92915460A Withdrawn EP0694178A1 (en) 1992-04-02 1992-04-02 Visual display apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0694178A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH08500909A (en)
AU (1) AU2334992A (en)
WO (1) WO1993020472A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2718855A1 (en) * 1994-04-18 1995-10-20 Boisse Serge Optical information device e.g. for virtual reality spectacles, earphones, helmet
JPH11231115A (en) * 1997-12-02 1999-08-27 Canon Inc Optical element
US7085063B2 (en) 2004-05-14 2006-08-01 3M Innovative Properties Company Multi-directional optical element and an optical system utilizing the multi-directional optical element
GB2415266A (en) * 2004-06-19 2005-12-21 Francis * Snape Richard Head up display
US7411734B2 (en) 2005-11-10 2008-08-12 3M Innovative Properties Company Color-splitting optical element and an optical system utilizing the color-splitting optical element
DE202006018992U1 (en) * 2006-12-16 2007-04-05 Kennametal Inc. Cutting insert for processing one-sided cover surface, has chip-shaped units formed at wall sections and arranged at same distance to one another, where chip-shaped units have roof area and flanks that are inclined to chip-shaped base

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1989003059A2 (en) * 1987-09-18 1989-04-06 Flight Dynamics, Inc. Automobile head-up display system

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3887273A (en) * 1973-07-27 1975-06-03 Friedemann Conrad J Speedometer optical projection system
US3899241A (en) * 1973-12-11 1975-08-12 Ppg Industries Inc Visual display windshield
EP0329110B1 (en) * 1988-02-16 1994-05-18 K.W. Muth Company, Inc. Multiple object viewing system
IL86001A0 (en) * 1988-04-07 1988-09-30 Yonatan Gerlitz Motorcycle data display apparatus
EP0422583A3 (en) * 1989-10-09 1991-12-11 Asahi Glass Company Ltd. Combiner for head-up display and glass with durable reflective coating

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1989003059A2 (en) * 1987-09-18 1989-04-06 Flight Dynamics, Inc. Automobile head-up display system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9320472A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH08500909A (en) 1996-01-30
AU2334992A (en) 1993-11-08
WO1993020472A1 (en) 1993-10-14
EP0694178A4 (en) 1994-12-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10754160B2 (en) See-through curved eyepiece with patterned optical combiner
CA1318528C (en) Compact see-through night vision goggles
US7397606B1 (en) Meniscus head up display combiner
US7095562B1 (en) Advanced compact head up display
US7751122B2 (en) Substrate-guided optical device particularly for vision enhanced optical systems
US5856811A (en) Visual display and helmet assembly
US7158095B2 (en) Visual display system for displaying virtual images onto a field of vision
EP1664899B1 (en) Substrate-guided optical devices
US8582209B1 (en) Curved near-to-eye display
US4269476A (en) Helmet-mounted display system
US5355224A (en) Apparatus including a mangin mirror for superimposing variable graphical and alphanumeric information onto the image plane of an optical viewing device
EP0834097B1 (en) Head gear display system
EP0389403A2 (en) A helmet mounted display having dual interchangeable optical eyepieces
JPS63256706A (en) Helmet mount mold display apparatus
JPS63177108A (en) Helmet mounted type display device, visor mounted thereon and manufacture thereof
JPH0339925A (en) Fixture to helmet used for display unit
US5291316A (en) Information display system having transparent holographic optical element
GB2240853A (en) Head-up display
EP0694178A1 (en) Visual display apparatus
WO2008156675A1 (en) Viewing system for augmented reality head mounted display
US11175483B2 (en) Wide field of view head mounted display
CN118311776A (en) Head-up display device and control method thereof
CN110824694A (en) Enhancement mode night-vision goggles visual system based on color separation membrane
IL173452A (en) Substrate-guided optical device particularly for vision enhanced optical systems

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched
AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT SE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19941004

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19961114

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19970527