EP1259850A1 - Unite de separateur de faisceau optique et dispositif d'affichage binoculaire contenant cette unite - Google Patents

Unite de separateur de faisceau optique et dispositif d'affichage binoculaire contenant cette unite

Info

Publication number
EP1259850A1
EP1259850A1 EP00981504A EP00981504A EP1259850A1 EP 1259850 A1 EP1259850 A1 EP 1259850A1 EP 00981504 A EP00981504 A EP 00981504A EP 00981504 A EP00981504 A EP 00981504A EP 1259850 A1 EP1259850 A1 EP 1259850A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
planoparallel
unit
plate
plates
light
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Withdrawn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
EP00981504A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Laszlo Holakovszky
Endre Nagykalnai
Laszlo Kezi
Karoly Endrei
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.)
EMD Ltd (Eyeglasses Mounted Display Limited)
Primex Ltd
Original Assignee
EMD Ltd (Eyeglasses Mounted Display Limited)
Primex Ltd
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
Priority claimed from HU0000621A external-priority patent/HU0000621D0/hu
Priority claimed from HU0003910A external-priority patent/HUP0003910A2/hu
Priority claimed from HU0004480A external-priority patent/HUP0004480A2/hu
Application filed by EMD Ltd (Eyeglasses Mounted Display Limited), Primex Ltd filed Critical EMD Ltd (Eyeglasses Mounted Display Limited)
Publication of EP1259850A1 publication Critical patent/EP1259850A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • 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
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/14—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
    • G02B27/144—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity
    • 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
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G02B27/0176—Head mounted characterised by mechanical 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
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/14—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
    • G02B27/149—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only using crossed beamsplitting surfaces, e.g. cross-dichroic cubes or X-cubes
    • 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
    • G02B2027/0132—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising binocular systems
    • 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
    • G02B2027/0132—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising binocular systems
    • G02B2027/0136—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising binocular systems with a single image source for both eyes
    • 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
    • G02B2027/0178—Eyeglass type
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/30—Polarising elements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an optical beam-splitter unit and to a display device containing such a beam-splitter unit.
  • the utilisation of mirrors, prisms and semitransparent mirrors for splitting or uniting light beams has been known of for a long time.
  • the subject of USA patent No. ' 4,924,853, (Jones et al.), is a device uniting two optical paths, containing two prisms one after the other and the reflective surfaces of these direct the beams coming from different directions onto the same optical path.
  • Hungarian patent No. 186 558 also shows a device uniting two optical paths, where a mirror and a semitransparent reflective mirror, one after the other, direct the beams coming from different directions onto the same optical path.
  • a common feature of the known binocular devices is that they all contain a beam-splitter unit which splits the beam starting from the object source, such as a computer display fitted on the head, into two and directs it towards the left eye and the right eye.
  • the beam splitting devices are the reflective surfaces of mirrors or prisms, which surfaces can be completely reflective or semitransparent.
  • a beam can be split in two ways.
  • the first sections of the two light paths from the object source to the left eye-ground and from the object source the right eye-ground form an angle, because they are travelling, for example, towards two non-transparent reflective surfaces placed next to each other in a V shape, reflecting the beams in different directions.
  • the first sections of the light paths coincide, and then the splitter unit, which is a semitransparent surface, lets through a part of the beams and reflects the rest in a different direction.
  • a device representing the first case above, is the subject of Japanese patent description No. 06110013 (Tosaki et al); of the Japanese patent description No. 07287185 (Akishi et al); and USA patent description No.
  • the task of the invention is to provide an optical beamsplitter unit which overcomes the disadvantages of the other, presently known solutions designed for solving the same task and which has the smallest possible mass, which can be practically placed as close to the object source as desired, is capable of reflecting any point of the object source in two directions; and the light intensity distribution of a picture projected with the help of this unit is the same as that of the object source.
  • a further task of the invention is to provide binocular picture display devices made by the use of the above optical beam-splitter unit that are free of the imperfections of the other, presently known devices detailed earlier, and the mass and dimensions of which are small enough , to be suitable to be used comfortably as a binocular screen-display fitted on the head.
  • the beam-splitter unit according to the invention is based on the recognition that two infinitely thin semitransparent mirrors crossing each other in an X- shape are theoretically suitable for the simultaneous solving of the above enumerated four tasks, because they perfectly split and direct in two directions the light beam arriving parallel with their bisector plane and at right angles to their intersection line, partly by transmitting and partly by reflecting it.
  • the beam-splitter unit according to the invention is based further on the recognition that for certain applications - using an adequate holder assuring satisfactory safety against breaking - the beam-splitter unit can be made of planoparallel plates of minimum thickness, assembled together into one unit, X-shaped in projection, which makes the above mentioned shadow band negligible or practically not, or hardly noticeable and in this way it does not disadvantageously influence the proper functioning of"" the given unit, and at the same time adequately resists breaking or bending.
  • the binocular picture display unit according to our invention is based on the recognition that it can be constructed with minimal dimensions and mass if
  • the light beam starting at the screen of the microdisplay is split by two reflecting surfaces with dimensions corresponding to the screen, that cross each other in an X-shape, because these direct the beam to the left and to the right in the same volume;
  • the optical beam-splitter unit with the smallest mass is that according to this patent application, because the light planoparallel plates have two continuous reflective surfaces;
  • the largest degree of enlargement of the microdisplay screen and at the same time the most compact arrangement can be achieved by focusing units placed into the light path near to the two opposite sides of the optical beam-splitter unit;
  • the dimensions of the focusing elements are minimal, if their shape is a parallelepiped corresponding to the cross-section of the prism or pyramid shaped light path coming from the parallelepiped shaped screen, and the shape of the mirrors in front of the eyes is a trapezium corresponding to the oblique cross-section of the pyramid shaped light path;
  • the mirrors with minimal dimensions in front of the eyes should be placed exactly in front of the pupil, otherwise the complete picture cannot be seen in them;
  • the direction of their horizontal setting should be the optical axis of the focusing elements;
  • the external size of the device is the smallest when only the microdisplay unit, the X-mirror optical beamsplitter unit and the focusing elements are surrounded with a casing, to which the mirrors in front of the eyes are attached with brackets;
  • the size of the device when not in use the size of the device can be further reduced by folding in the jointed mirrors;
  • the device that can be miniaturised with the above measures can- be so small, that it can be placed crossways in the housing of a portable telephone; and its weight can be so small, that a carrying device is not needed (for example, a helmet, a headband, or spectacle-frame or nose clip.) for mounting it to the head, but it can be fixed to the bridge of the nose with a clip.
  • a carrying device for example, a helmet, a headband, or spectacle-frame or nose clip.
  • the device that may be clipped to the bridge of the nose is not in use it is most favourable to wear it as a medallion on a retaining loop similar to a necklace, in this case the device is always "at hand”, similarly to a wristwatch we will be always carrying it, and if necessary it can be put on in one movement;
  • the retaining loop By forming the retaining loop as an electric cable and fitting it with two earphones fitted on opposing sections a device providing pictures and sound may be created in the simplest way, because in such a case the mechanical supporting instrument of the earphones is the electric connection cable itself;
  • a microdisplay drive circuit for the purpose of wireless connection with external sound, data and video signals (e.g. by mobile telephone, portable computer, game console, DVD player, digital television transmitter);
  • the device may be used as an information technology device terminal or as an independent information technology device; according to our recognition in this way we get a personal communicator that may be worn continuously and which may reach the sensing organs on the head in the following way:
  • a./ one of the earphones is placed into an ear, and you talk into the microphone at your neck (mobile telephone function);
  • both earphones are placed into the ears (the sound heard has better acoustic properties; stereo sound possibility), you talk into the microphone at your neck or one held in front of your mouth;
  • c./ the display unit is clipped onto the bridge of the nose (virtual monitor function); d./ the display unit is clipped onto the bridge of the nose, one or both of the earphones are placed into the ears (video glasses function, with mono, more acoustic or stereo sound).
  • the display unit may also be supplemented with a miniature video camera, which extends the functions further.
  • optical beam-splitter unit which contains transparent planoparallel plates starting at a common intersection line with light reflecting surfaces that diverge towards the light beam to be split, and which optical beam-splitter unit is characterised by that
  • At least one such body made of transparent material abuts the planoparallel plates which contain(s) a semitransparent reflective surface, or a surface composed of a semitransparent reflective part and of a completely reflective part and which surface is in the plane of the end faces and start(s) from these end faces continuing them.
  • optical beam-splitter unit has further second and third planoparallel plates which lie in the continuation of the first and second planoparallel plates with light reflecting surfaces diverging towards the light beam to be split and which abut the first and second planoparallel plates as transparent bodies.
  • planoparallel plates are made of the same material with equal thickness and refractive index and they are oblate parallelepiped shaped and they join each other along edges parallel to each other and they form, in the section at right angles to the joining edges, an X-shaped unit.
  • this beam-splitter unit if the following parts of this beam-splitter unit are semitransparent reflective surfaces: the lateral face of the first planoparallel plate towards the neighbouring second planoparallel plate and a section of its opposite lateral face advantageously with a width of
  • the thickness of the planoparallel plates is v, and the refractive index of their material n; the lateral face of the second planoparallel plate towards the first planoparallel plate and a section of its opposite lateral face advantageously with a width s according to the above formula measured from its edge abutting the third planoparallel plate, the lateral face of the third planoparallel plate towards the neighbouring second planoparallel plate, except for its section advantageously with a width s according to the above formula measured from its edge abutting the second planoparallel plate, the lateral face of the fourth planoparallel plate towards the neighbouring first planoparallel plate, except for its section advantageously with a width s according to the above formula measured from its edge abutting the first planoparallel plate and
  • a semitransparent surface is to be understood as a surface that partly transmits and partly reflects natural or polarized light.
  • the above defined construction of the optical beamsplitter unit contains a first, a second, a third and a fourth planoparallel plate of thickness v and refractive index n, arranged in an X shape in a way that the two lateral faces of the first and the third planoparallel plate are each bordered by the same planes, and similarly the two lateral faces of the second and the fourth planoparallel plate are each bordered by the same planes, the first end face of the first planoparallel plate towards the third planoparallel plate is in the same plane as the lateral faces of the second and fourth planopajallel plate towards the first planoparallel plate, and it is an optically flat surface, the second end face of the second planoparallel plate towards the fourth planoparallel plate is in the same plane as the lateral faces of the third planoparallel plate towards the second planoparallel plate, and it is an optically flat surface.
  • the lateral face of the first planoparallel plate towards the second planoparallel plate, the lateral face of the second planoparallel plate towards the first planoparallel plate, the lateral face of the third planoparallel plate towards the second planoparallel plate and the lateral face of the fourth planoparallel plate towards the first planoparallel plate are semitransparent reflective surfaces.
  • the first end face makes the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the second planoparallel plate and the fourth planoparallel plate continuous reflective surfaces
  • the second end face makes the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the first planoparallel plate and the third planoparallel plate continuous reflective surfaces, because being optically flat surfaces they prismaticly reflect the beams falling onto them under the limit angle of total internal reflection.
  • the direction which falls in the bisector plane of the planes of the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the first planoparallel plate and the second planoparallel plate and is at right angles to the intersection line of the above semitransparent reflective surfaces and points towards the intersection line is called the receiving direction
  • the X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit described above splits the beam coming from this direction perfectly
  • the rectangular area between the external parallel edges of the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the first planoparallel plate and the second planoparallel plate, with a plane at right angles to the receiving direction is called the receiving side, because the object source can be placed here or further away from here.
  • the subject of this invention also consists of an optical beam-splitter unit with transparent planoparallel plates starting at a common intersection line with light reflecting surfaces that diverge towards the light beam to be split, the essence of which is that it has four planoparallel plates, each is thinner than 0,4 mm, which form, in the cross- section at right angles to the intersection line, an X-shaped unit, where the neighbouring planoparallel plates form an angle of 90° ⁇ 20° with respect to each other and the planoparallel plates or traditional semitransparent mirrors, or polarisers that completely transmit the light component polarised in the one direction and partly transmit and partly reflect the light component polarised in the other direction. Since" ? the crossing zone is very thin, its shadow is shown blurred, so it is not disturbing, in the case of sufficiently thin planoparallel plates it can not even be seen.
  • Another optical beam-splitter unit has transparent planoparallel plates starting at a common intersection line with light reflecting surfaces that diverge towards the light beam to be split, and characteristic of this unit is that it has three planoparallel plates, each thinner than 0.4 mm, which form, in the cross-section at right angles to the intersection line, an X-shaped unit, where end faces of the two planoparallel plates that are shorter that the third are butted up to the middle parts of the faces of the third planoparallel plate so that they form a continuation of each other on each side of the third planoparallel plate, and in which unit (22) the angle between the longer thin planoparallel plate and the shorter thin planoparallel plates is individually 90° ⁇ 20° with respect to each other and the reflector plates or traditional semitransparent mirrors, or polarisers that completely transmit the light component polarised in the one direction and partly transmit and partly reflect the light component polarised in the other direction.
  • a further subject of the invention is a binocular picture display device, which has an optical beam-splitter unit, and, furthermore, contains focusing elements and mirrors in front of the eyes, and which is characterised by that its beam-splitter unit is an X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit according to the invention and that two focusing elements are positioned at two opposite sides of the optical beam splitter unit as *' seen from the direction of the light beam arriving to the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the optical beam-splitter unit - i.e.
  • the receiving direction - and the common optical axis of these focusing elements is at right angles to the receiving direction, and on both sides, mirrors in front of the eyes are positioned outside these focusing elements, and the reflective surfaces of these mirrors are at an angle ⁇ of 45° ⁇ 15° to the mentioned optical axis, and the intersection line of the planes of the reflective surfaces of these mirrors is parallel to the intersection line of the mirror-crossing intersection line of the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the optical beamsplitter.
  • the optical beam-splitter unit, the focusing elements and the mirrors in front of the eyes are encased with a cover which contains a light admitting opening in front of the mirrors in front of the eyes and at the receiving side of the optical beam-splitter unit.
  • the optical beamsplitter unit and the focusing elements are fitted in a housing which has a light admitting opening for the focusing elements and which is covered by a cover-plate, and the mirrors in front of the eyes are attached to a first slider and a second slider the stems of which protruding into the housing are toothed racks, which are parallel to each other, and in between them there is a cogwheel that connects them and can move them in opposite directions.
  • the device contains an object source that can be, for example, the screen of a microdisplay.
  • an object source that can be, for example, the screen of a microdisplay.
  • the plane of the microdisplay unit's screen is parallel to the plane determined by the mirror-crossing intersection line and by the optical axis, and is placed at the receiving side of the optical beam-splitter unit, and it is also favourable if the device contains at least one light source lighting the screen of the microdisplay unit, such as an LED, which is placed between the meeting point of the planoparallel plates of the optical beam-splitter unit and the device casing.
  • the device contains two clip plates which for a single unit with the device casing.
  • Another realisation of the picture display device is characterised by that on the side of the device casing closer to the head of the user of the device there are two hook rails made as one with the device casing, and their generators are parallel to each other; favourably the device contains a clip adapter fitted in between the hook rails, which clip adapter practically consists of a bent plate following the curve of a dent in the device casing, and two clip plates and wing plates the span width of which is equal to the distance between the hook rails.
  • the device contains a bearing frame which consists of two spectacle side-arms, a bridge connecting them and, attached to them with joint structures, nose supporting arms attached to the . bridge and a device fixing unit; it is advantageous if the bridge is a narrow plate the upper surface of which coincides or is parallel to the plane laid on the spectacle side-arms, and the maximum thickness of which is 1.7 mm, and it is also favourable if the above nose support consists of two nose supporting arms which point downwards, are parallel to each other and are situated at the same distance from the centre of bridge, and of two nose supporting pads attached to the end of these, and the device fixing unit consists of two U-profile fixing rails which point downwards, are closed at the bottom, are parallel to each other and are situated at the same distance from the centre of the bridge.
  • Another realisation of the picture display unit is characterised by that it contains at least one microdisplay drive circuit, and/ or a radio frequency receiver- transmitter circuit, and/or a power source and/or a microprocessor.
  • a CCD picture recording chip sensitive to the infrared range
  • a front lens is placed in a way that the third optical axis of the front lens is at right angles to the detecting surface of the CCD picture recording chip.
  • a reflecting element reflective in the infrared range, transparent in the visible light wavelength range is placed in the light path between the right eye and the detecting surface.
  • an infraLED infraLED, and its light is guided towards the reflecting element.
  • a picture recording CCD chip with a detecting surface in a plane parallel to the plane determined by the optical axis of the focusing elements and the mirror- crossing intersection line, and in front of it, above the microdisplay unit there is a second front lens with an optical axis at right angles to the detecting surface.
  • a reflective microdisplay which needs to be illuminated at right angles to the plane of the screen.
  • the light reflecting surfaces of the X-mirror shaped • beam-splitter unit are optical layers that partly reflect and partly transmit the polarised light, in such a case the number of optical surfaces or elements that cause a large degree of light intensity loss is reduced, and due to this as compared to the that of the previous example the intensity of the light reaching the eye is increased by many times, or we can attain the same light intensity with a much smaller capacity light source consuming much less power.
  • two ends of a flexible retaining loop are fixed to the opposite ends of the console containing the eye mirrors of the display unit containing the micro display, the optical beam-splitting unit, the focussing elements, the eye mirrors, the display housing and the bridge of the nose clip, in which loop there are electric cables, and to which there is an earphone fixed per branch mechanically and electrically.
  • the length of the retaining loop is longer than the diameter of the wearer's head taken at nose level.
  • control unit containing the electronics for the microdisplay drive, a power supply, a microprocessor, a radio frequency transceiver circuit and a digital television receiving circuit, in which the one branch of the retaining loop is fixed permanently and the other branch is fixed so that is may be disconnected.
  • Figure 1 the left reflection beam path of three semitransparent mirrors intersecting in an X shape
  • Figure 2 the right reflection beam path of known intersecting semitransparent mirrors
  • Figure 3 a cross-section sketch of one example of the possible realisations of the optical beam-splitter unit according to the invention
  • Figure 4 view of one detail of another realisation form of the optical beam-splitter in cross section showing the left reflection beam path;
  • Figure 5 sketch of the angle and distance conditions necessary for determining the band of emergent light beams
  • Figure 6 a further construction example of the beamsplitter unit according to the invention that is similar to that shown in figure 4., showing the geometric arrangement of the planoparallel plates, in perspective;
  • Figure 7-8 show further examples of the realisation possibilities of the optical beam-splitter unit in exploded perspective
  • Figure 9a an optical beam-splitter unit according " to the invention consisting of four thin planoparalle plates formed by semitransparent mirrors thinner than 0.4 mm in perspective;
  • Figure 9b an optical beam-splitter unit the same as that in figure 9a but consisting of three s;
  • Figure 9c the enlarged middle part of the unit according to figure 9b in cross-section perpendicular to the face of the plate;
  • Figure 10 sketch of the arrangement of one realisation of the binocular display unit
  • Figure 11 the device as in figure 10, but in perspective
  • Figure 12 sketch view of a further realisation of the binocular device according to the invention from above without a casing;
  • Figure 13 the device according to figure 12, with fixed mirrors in front of the eyes, in a compact casing, viewed from the receiving direction, in perspective;
  • Figure 14 Another example of the binocular display device with adjustable mirrors in front of the eyes, in exploded perspective;
  • Figure 15 the moving mechanism of the sliders of the device in figure 14 viewed from above;
  • Figure 16 the device in figure 15, assembled, in perspective
  • Figure 17 the arrangement sketch of another realisation of the binocular display device in perspective
  • Figure 18 the clip adapter used with the device shown in figure 17, in perspective
  • Figure 19 shows a realisation of the binocular display device with its eye mirrors folded in towards the focusing elements, fitted in a camcorder;
  • Figure 20 the device like in figure 19, also fitted in a camcorder, with its eye mirrors folded out;
  • Figure 21 a further realisation of the binocular display device according to the invention, fitted in a mobile telephone, with its eye mirrors folded out, in perspective, shown during use;
  • Figure 22 sketch of a realisation of the device containing a reflective microdisplay unit and LCD shutters, viewed from above;
  • Figure 23 a realisation of the device connected to a spectacle-frame-like holder
  • Figure 24 a realisation of the optical beam-splitter device according to the invention, with a microdisplay driving circuit, radio frequency receiver-transmitter circuit, a power source and a microprocessor; in front-view;
  • Figure 25 a realisation of the device with an eye movement detecting system, in perspective
  • Figure 26 a vision aid and night vision device realised according to the invention in perspective
  • Figure 27 shows a sketch from above of a realisation of the binocular device according to the invention, containing a reflective microdisplay and the elements illuminating it from the front;
  • Figure 28 shows the device as in figure 27 in side view
  • Figure 29 shows the binocular display device that can be worn as a necklace while being worn, on the wearer's head and neck, in perspective.
  • an X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit has been constructed from planoparallel plates 1, 2, 3 with transparent and semitransparent surfaces as shown by the figures in a cross section perpendicular to the intersection line 4 of the mirror crossing.
  • the figures show only the crossing zone of these reflecting surfaces.
  • the planoparallel plates 2, 3 with their uneven, rough, thin surfaces 2a, 3a produced during normal cutting processes abut the wide lateral faces of planoparallel plate 1 perpendicularly to these lateral faces. If realised this way, then a zone with a width t, as shown in the pictures 1 and 2, does not take part in the reflection of the light beam denoted by the number 5 and an arrow.
  • figure 1 shows only light beams a-k going to the left, figure 2 those going to the right.
  • Beam e reaches the semitransparent reflective surface of plate 2 first, and it is partly reflected back at right angles towards plate 1 and from there towards the object source, and after being refracted it partly goes inside plate 2, and disperses on the uneven and rough, that is, not optically flat surface of the end face 2a of plate 2.
  • Beams f and g have the same beam path.
  • beams h, i, j and k reach the semitransparent reflective surface of plate 2, they are partly reflected back with half intensity towards plate 1 and from there towards the object source, and partly after being refracted they go inside plate 2 with half intensity, and then after being refracted again they exit from there and reach the semitransparent reflective surface of plate 1, where they are partly reflected back with quarter intensity and exit, and partly after being refracted they go inside plate 1 with quarter intensity.
  • beams g, f, e arriving in the range between beams d and h do not take part in the picture display on the left, which means a screening - a shadow zone - with width t in the picture.
  • body 10 must not fill the space between the end faces 6b, 7b, this can be empty, too, because, as we well see later, the surfaces of body 10 that abut end faces 6b, 7b - if body 10 is transparent - do not play any role.
  • the construction example of the optical beam-splitter unit according to the invention shown in figure 4 has been constructed, in this case, from four transparent planoparallel plates of equal width y, from a first, a second, a third and a fourth planoparallel plate 11, 12, 13, and 14.
  • Plate 11 corresponds to the above mentioned first, plate 12 to the second, plate 13 to the third, and plate 14 to the fourth planoparallel plate according to the definition of these elements.
  • the optical beamsplitter unit shown in figure 4 differs from that shown in figure 3 in that instead of the transparent body 10 here the above mentioned planoparallel plates 13, 14 join along their edges 15c, 15e to edge 15d of the first planoparallel plate 11, or to edge 15f of the third planoparallel plate 13.
  • the second and third planoparallel plates 13, 14 abut each other along their edges 15g, 15h, and the end faces 13b, 14b of them are not ground, they must not be optically flat, but their lateral faces 13a, 13b falling in the same plane as the lateral face 12a and end face 12b, have a semitransparent, reflective surface, marked in the figure by dots.
  • Space 8 is empty, and filled, for example, with air.
  • Figure 4 shows the crossing zone of the planoparallel plates 11-14 in a section perpendicular to the edges 15a, 15b, and to the others mentioned above.
  • the light beam arrives at the unit according to figure 4 also from the direction of arrow 5 - from the object source -, surfaces 11a, 12a are facing the object source.
  • Beams a-d are reflected back from the semitransparent reflective surface of the lateral face 12a of plate 12 at an angle of 90°, and they continue their path with half intensity till the surface 11a of plate 11. After being refracted they enter plate 11 with quarter intensity, and after being refracted again they exit at right angles to the receiving direction 5.
  • beam e After being refracted on the semitransparent reflective surface 11a of the lateral face of plate 11, beam e enters plate 11 with half intensity, and without loss it is reflected back from the optically flat internal surface of the end face l ib of plate 11, and exits at the opposite lateral face 11a' after being again refracted.
  • This exit direction (the direction of the light paths is clearly shown by the arrows drawn on lines a - 1) coincides exactly with the exit direction of light beams a-d at any value of refractive index n, since angle ⁇ enclosed by the lateral faces 11a, 11a' of the planoparallel plate 11 with the end face l ib equals 90°, light beam e arrives at the same angle to the lateral face 11a' as the angle at which it entered the from the lateral face 11a into plate 11. Due to this fact light beams d, e, £ g and h also take part in the picture display, and as a result of this the disturbing shadow line in the middle of the picture as mentioned in connection with figures 1 and 2, is eliminated.
  • a section 11a' with a width s - emphasised by the thick black line - of the lateral surface 14a of the fourth planoparallel plate 14 towards the first planoparallel plate 11 is provided with a completely reflective coating, so the above mentioned beams i, j and k are reflected from this mirror surface 14a' practically without any loss, they exit with a quarter intensity and they take part in the picture display.
  • the beam path of the beams arriving from the receiving direction marked by arrow 5 and leaving towards the right hand side in figure 4 (not shown in the figure), that is the picture display on the right hand side, will be similar to the picture display on the left hand side like a mirror image; the 12a" and 13a' zones on the lateral faces 12a. and 13a have been marked accordingly (section 12a" has a semitransparent reflective surface, while the surface of section. 13a' is completely reflective).
  • Figure 5 shows those angle and distance conditions on the basis of which width s can be expressed with the thickness v of plate 11 and the refractive index n of its material.
  • beam h reaches the semitransparent reflective surface of the lateral face 11a of the first plate 11 at an angle of arrival ⁇ , it continues its path at a refracting angle ⁇ ', and as these are alternate angles, it reaches the meeting point of the opposite lateral face 11a' of the first planoparallel plate 11 and the first end face 15 at the same angle.
  • Figure 6 shows the complete optical beam-splitter unit according to the invention constructed as in figure 4, but shown in smaller scale, in perspective; the reference numbers have been used according to their previous meaning.
  • the planoparallel plates 11, 12, 13 and 14 are rectangular bodies raised on the lateral sides of an ABCD A'B'C'D' quadratic prism.
  • the first one of the two continuous reflective surfaces crossing each other in an X shape (for the sake of lucidity here it is not accentuated by technique of drawing and it is not numbered, but clearly shown in figure 4 and well explained in the text)
  • Figure 7 shows a possible practical way of attaching the planoparallel plates 11-14 - made of a transparent material, e.g. glass - of the optical beam-splitter unit 22, X-shaped as seen from above, according to the construction shown in figures 4-6 to each other.
  • the X-shaped unit fits into the X-shaped slots 18 engraved into the surfaces of bearing plates 17 and 19 with thickness y_'>v (only slot 18 made on the surface of bearing plate 17 is shown in the picture).
  • Bearing plates 17 and 19 are parallel to each other, and the slots are engraved in their surfaces facing each other.
  • the width of the slots is practically the same as the width v of plates 11-14, and their depth fits also the size of the plates fitting into them.
  • the planes of bearing plates 17 and 19 are perpendicular to the planes of the ' planoparallel plates.
  • bearing plates 17, 19 serves as base plate, the upper as cover plate.
  • Plates 11-14 can be stuck in the slots 18 - falling geometrically into the diagonals of the bearing plates - along the surfaces of their end faces perpendicular to their reflecting surfaces.
  • plates 11-14 join along edges 9 in a way that the four planoparallel plates touch each other along one edge each, and their end faces encase an empty quadratic prism shaped area 8, a penetration prism.
  • Figure 8 shows the possibility of the realisation of a further practical construction of the optical beam-splitter unit.
  • plates 11 and 13 as well as the planoparallel plates 12 and 14 are made in one piece in a way that they are connected at one of their ends by a part 20 of width y, length v, depth v, made of the same material as the plates itself.
  • This construction results in a downward open gap 20a of vvv cross-sectional size between plates 12 and 14, while an upward open gap of the same size 20b is created between plates 11 and 13. (Of course, gaps 20a and 20b are open also at their sides).
  • the lateral sides of the two pairs of plates created in one piece are in one plane in pairs, and they are at a distance v from each other, connected by a part 20 of a size of vvv.
  • the pairs of plates 11, 13 , and 12, 14 with the gaps 20a and 20b are guided into each other and fixed to each other by a tight fit or stuck to each other in a known way on their touching surfaces.
  • a part of the optical beam-splitter unit created in this way and shown in the lower part of figure 8, with width y measured from the edge surfaces at right angles to the mirror crossing intersection line 4 does not take part in the picture display, because the part of the prismaticly reflective second end face 16 of the second planoparallel plate 12 and the prismaticly reflecting first end face 15 of the first planoparallel plate 11 remaining free after the plates have been guided into each other is only m-v long.
  • the square shaped planoparallel plates made of a transparent material are injection moulded plastic plates, and on their edge surfaces at right angles to the intersection line of the reflective surfaces they have locking pins with an axis parallel to the above intersection line, and so they can be fitted into the holes on the receiving optical device.
  • planoparallel plates of the optical beam-splitter unit There are many other ways of attaching the planoparallel plates of the optical beam-splitter unit according to the invention to each other. If the thickness of the planoparallel plates is significantly smaller than the diameter of the pupil, then the edges with a width s of the planoparallel plates do not need to be made reflective or provided with a semitransparent reflective coating, because instead of the above mentioned bright line only a slightly lighter line will appear in the picture, and in certain applications this is not so disturbing that it would question the applicability of the device.
  • planoparallel plates which are so thin, one or two tenths of a millimetre thick at the maximum, they are very fragile, they can be fixed, for example, between rigid bearing and cover plates with slots as shown in figure 7. Such a construction is shown in figure 9a.
  • FIG. 9a shows plates 11', 12', and 13' fitted, held in the x-shaped slots in the lateral faces of plates 17, 19, facing each other.
  • FIG 9b the crossing zone of the planoparallel plates 11', 12' and 13' according to figure 9a has been shown enlarged in cross- section perpendicular to the mirror-crossing intersection line.
  • the bean-splitter unit according to the invention consists of three plates, in such a way that the end faces of planoparallel plates 11' and 13' are butted up against the middle part of the thin planoparallel 12', which is twice as long as the others, so that they are on opposites sides and are a continuation of each other.
  • Figures 10 and 11 show the optical beam-splitter unit 22, which is X-shaped in top view, constructed from four transparent planoparallel plates as can be seen, for example, in figures 4 and 6, and denoted here by a single reference number.
  • the semitransparent reflective surfaces of unit 22 are marked with dotted line.
  • the common optical axis 23 of the first focusing elements 24 crosses the mirror-crossing intersection line 4 of the planoparallel plates, and it falls into the bisector plane of the semitransparent reflective surfaces.
  • the first focusing elements 24 are multi-element composite achromatic lens systems - in this particular case they have four elements, from the direction of their optical axis 23 they are rectangular, that is they are bordered by planes, and these planes coincide with the overall planes of the X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit 22 parallel to the optical axis 23 of the first focusing elements 24.
  • Two mirrors in front of the eyes 25 are positioned on the two sides of the first focusing elements 24, and the reflective surfaces of the mirrors are at an angle of 45° ⁇ 15° to their optical axis 23.
  • the intersection line of the planes of the reflective surfaces of these mirrors (not shown in the figures, it is outside the surface of the drawing) is parallel to the mirror-crossing intersection line 4.
  • figure 10 we marked the path of an incident beam a which is guided by the semitransparent surfaces of the X-mirror optical beamsplitter unit 22 (see also figure 4) to the left eye 26 and to the right eye 27 of the person using the device partly by transmission and partly by reflection.
  • the lenses of the focusing element 24 forming a four-element achromatic lens system can be attached to each other by sticking them together.
  • the first focusing elements 24 are rectangular from the direction of their optical axis 23, that is they are bordered by planes, and these planes coincide with the two edges of the optical beam-splitter unit 22 that are the closest to the receiving side and also with its two edges that are most distant from the receiving side, and also with the lower and upper border surfaces that are perpendicular to the mirror crossing intersection line 4.
  • the mirrors in front of the eyes 25 are plane glass mirrors with their faces towards the first focusing elements 24 being mercurated. Their shape is a trapezoid to fit the shape of the light path, their two edges are parallel to the mirror-crossing intersection line 4, their other edges are convergent in the direction of the edge closer to the eye.
  • the binocular picture display unit according to figures 10 and 11 due to its small space demand, small weight and compact construction, can be used favourably as a binocular display unit for instruments and optical devices based on enlarging, such as endoscopes, laparoscopes, microscopes and telescopes.
  • the elements of the device are attached to each other practically, either with their own frame or case, or with the frame or case of the above mentioned instruments and optical devices.
  • the picture display tool according to figures 12 and 13 has also an X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit 22 (figures 4 and 6) with two first focusing elements 24 on its both sides, and a further mirror in front of the eyes 25 on both sides similarly to the construction shown in figures 10 and 11.
  • a casing 28 which has light admitting openings 28a, 28b of a size corresponding to the size of the light path, located in front of the mirrors that are in front of the eyes 25 and on the side of the X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit 22 facing the receiving direction 5.
  • a focusing element 29 In the light admitting opening 28a there is a focusing element 29.
  • the casing 28 encases the optical elements of the device in a compact way; the position of the openings 28a and 28b can be seen well also in figure 13.
  • the device shown in figures 12, 13 is a binocular loupe according to its characteristics, and looking in its light admitting openings 28a, 28b the user can see with both eyes the enlarged picture of the object source being at the focal length or closer in the receiving direction in the trajectory of the light.
  • the object source that is exactly at the focal length seems to be infinitely distant, and reducing the distance the virtual distance of the virtual picture is also reduced and any desired virtual picture distance, for example, the usual half meter used for viewing objects in the hands, can be set.
  • the centres of the mirrors in front of the eyes should be approximately equal to the distance between the pupils of the person using the device in order to avoid distortion and to be able to see the whole picture, and for this purpose one needs devices with different eye mirror distances, according to the changing distance of the human pupils that is in most of the cases between 55 and 70 mm.
  • An advantage of this construction is that it does not contain any moving parts, it does not need to be adjusted, the disadvantage is that it has to be produced in six different sizes and the same device cannot be used by persons of different pupil distance.
  • the device according to figures 14-16 is a binocular loupe where the X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit 22, as shown, for example, in figures 4 and 6, with pairs of first focusing elements 24 on its both sides is encased in a casing 30 which has light admitting openings at its two ends and in the middle of one of its longer sides, and there are ledges 31 on its internal side walls made by wall- thinning, at the ends of the side walls there are threaded fixing holes 32.
  • the X-mirror optical beamsplitter unit 22 and the first focusing elements 24 are closed with an insert plate 33 supported on the ledges with its projections, and in the centre of the insert plate 33 there is a hole 34, and on its two opposing sides there are two pegs 35.
  • On the internal sides of the first slider 37 and the second slider 38 facing each other the constraint path is created by a cogwheel 39 and the pegs 35 of the insert plate 33.
  • the cogwheel 39 When the cogwheel 39 turns, it engages into the tooth racks 40 made in the stems of the first slider 37 and the second slider 38, and it moves the first slider 37 in one direction and the second slider 38 in the opposite direction.
  • the cogwheel 39 has one axle, and it is made in one piece with the grooved wheel 41 the axle 42 of which fits into the hole 34 of the insert plate 33 downwards, and into the blind hole situated in the centre of the cover plate 43, not marked here, upwards.
  • the cover plate 43 is of the same size as the housing 30, the four open-end holes 44 in its four corners have the same axes as the four holes 32 of the housing 30, and with the screws 45 the cover plate 43 can be fixed to the housing 30.
  • the cogwheel 39 made in one piece with it moves the first slider 37 in the second direction 47 and the second slider 38 in the third direction 48.
  • the movement is stopped by the projection at the end of the tooth racks 40 in the one direction, and by the stubs 34 at the tapered ends of the first slider 37 and the second slider 38 in the other direction.
  • the cover plate 43 of the assembled device leaves the edge of the grooved wheel 41 free on certain sections, and if it is turned by the tip of a finger, the mirrors in front of the eyes 25 fitted on the first slider 37 and the second slider 38 move at the same time either towards the housing 30, or in the opposite direction.
  • the mirrors in front of the eyes are mounted onto sliders inside the casing, which makes the adjustment of the distance between the mirrors in front of the eyes possible according to the pupil distance, along the direction parallel to the optical axis of the focusing elements, so the same device can be used by everybody.
  • the sliders are cogwheels with their axes parallel to each other, forced to a rectilinear motion by a constraint path, and connected to each other by a cogwheel with an axle fixed to the casing, and placed in between the cogged sides of the cogwheels to form a system, and by means of this by turning the adjusting grooved wheel on the same axle as the cogwheel the' two sliders and with them the two eye mirrors move parallel to each other, but in opposite directions, facilitating the positioning of both mirrors in front of the eyes.
  • the semitransparent reflective surfaces of the optical beamsplitter unit reduce the light intensity to a quarter of the original one, it is practical to illuminate the object source for compensating the reduction and to ensure better illumination, so it is favourable if the device contains a light source directed at the object source, for example, a white light emitting LED and a small sized power source.
  • a binocular loupe is more advantageous than the use of a monocular one, because it better suits the human way of seeing using two eyes, you do not need to close one eye, or squint with it, so you can work comfortably with this binocular device when performing long or often-repeated medical, cosmetic investigations and precision-mechanical work.
  • a binocular loupe used especially for work purposes is best used fitted to the head of the person using it, with the help of a headband, spectacle frame or nose-bridge clip. It is advantageous if the binocular loupe is connected to the headband or spectacle frame with an articulated mechanism, so in breaks from using the device it can be pushed up over the forehead.
  • This object source is located in front of the receiving side of the X-mirror optical beamsplitter unit according to the invention, in a plane at right angles to the receiving direction.
  • the object source can be non-transparent, translucent or transparent, lit or lit through by the external environmental light, lit or lit through by a light source or luminous by itself. According to its concrete effective form it can be a microfilm frame, diapositive film frame, paper picture, drawing or printed text, electronic screen or other object source.
  • a microdisplay unit 49 as an object source with a light emitting screen, 49a, and the unit 22 is enclosed from two sides by two focusing elements on each side, and outside the focusing elements there is one mirror in front of each eye, arranged as in the construction examples in figures 10 and 11, 12 and 13, as well as in figures 14-16.
  • the plane of the screen 49a is parallel to the mirror-crossing intersection line 4.
  • the screen 49a is supplied with the necessary voltage and electric signals through a cable 50, from a voltage and video-signal source not shown here.
  • the X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit 22, the first focusing elements 24 and the microdisplay unit 49 are built in a device casing 51 which contains light admitting openings 51a, 51b between mirrors 25 and the pairs of first focusing elements 24, and on its side opposite the microdisplay unit 49 between the planoparallel plates of unit 22 opposite to the microdisplay 49, there is a dent 52 using the space not falling in the light path, to suit the bridge of the nose.
  • hook rails 53 On the two sides of the dent 52 there are hook rails 53 the generator of which is parallel to the mirror-crossing intersection line 4 of the X- mifror optical beam-splitter unit 22, and due to these hook rails 53 the device can be put on a bearing plate, not shown here, with a width suiting the distance between the bays of the hook rails 53.
  • the mentioned bearing plate is in the middle of a spectacle frame, the device can be pulled onto this, and if it fits exactly, the device can be moved up and down the bearing plate and it can be stopped anywhere, for example, exactly in front of the pupils.
  • the mirrors in front of the eyes 25 are each attached to a mirror holding unit 54, which are connected to the sliders 56 by the help " -of joints having axes parallel to the mirror- crossing intersection line 4 of unit 22, which joints are moved by the cogwheel-toothed rack mechanism that can be studied in detail in figures 14 and 15 and also explained above in details (not shown here), if the grooved wheel 57 is turned with the tip of a finger of the user of the device.
  • the mirror-holding units 54 with the brackets stretching before the eyes, connected to joints 55 can be folded in together with the mirrors 25 on them towards the first focusing elements 24, thus significantly reducing the volume of the device.
  • the real dimensions of the device with its mirrors folded in can be so small (e.g. 1.5x2.5x3.5 cm) that it can be placed after usage in the hollow made in the casing of any of the video signal sources (not shown here) for this purpose, or it can be connected to the connector made on the casing 51.
  • the clip adapter shown in figure 18, and marked as one unit with the reference number 58 consists of a bent plate 59 following the curve of the dent 52 in the device casing 51 according to figure 17, clip plates 60 continuing this curve, and elastic wing plates 61 protruding on two sides towards the hook rails 53.
  • the clip adapter 58 is attached to the device casing 51 so that the ends of the wing plates 61 are guided in between the hook rails 53.
  • the position of the clip plates 60 with respect to the user's bridge of the nose is shown with a broken line, the clip adapter can be fixed by forcing open the elastic plates.
  • the clip plates 60 in their position drawn by dotted lines fit tightly to the bridge of the nose from both sides due to their elasticity like a pince-nez.
  • the clip plates 60 can also be made in one piece with the device casing 51, in this case the clip adapter 58 and the stud 53 are not needed.
  • a light emitting object source can be built into the device according to figure 17 as a virtual display unit, in front of the receiving side of the X-mirror optical beamsplitter unit, such as an AMEL (active-matrix electroluminescent), OLED (organic light-emitting diode), FED (field-emission display), AMOLEP (active-matrix organic light-emitting polymer), OEL (organic electroluminescent) or VFOS (vacuum-fluorescent-on- silicon) micro display unit, which is supplied with the voltage and the electric signals needed for its operation through a cable 50 - as mentioned before - from a video- signal source carried by the person using it (mobile telephone, communicator, palmtop computer, DVD player, video-game, video-camera recorder, digital camera, etc.).
  • AMEL active-matrix electroluminescent
  • OLED organic light-emitting diode
  • FED field-emission display
  • AMOLEP active-matrix organic light-emit
  • the device according to the invention can also be built into the above video-signal sources, in this case the person using the device must lift the video-signal source to his/her eye ' s and look into the eye mirrors of the binocular display unit.
  • the use of a combined solution can be advantageous when the binocular display unit can also be viewed fixed to the video signal source, and when taken out of it, can also be attached to the head, especially in the case of mobile telephones, video cameras and digital cameras.
  • FIG. 19 and 20 Such a construction is shown in figures 19 and 20, where the device according to the invention as shown in figures 10 and 11 is applied as a viewfinder, as a monitor, built in the end of a palmcorder 62 video-camera opposite to the objective 63, so that the optical axis 23 of the first focusing elements 24 (figure 20), not shown here, is at right angles to the second optical axis 64 of the objective 63.
  • the binocular picture display device is placed in a hollow made inside the camera casing, with the mirrors in front of the eyes 25 folded in, and this hollow is closed by a cover 65.
  • the picture display device can be used as a viewfinder/ monitor in video cameras and their versions that also contain a picture- recording device (camcorders).
  • two types of viewfinder are used: one of them is a normal one eye monitor where the microdisplay screen built in the video-camera is to be viewed with one eye through a front lens, which is not natural, tiring and makes the other eye squint.
  • the casing of the video-camera there is a flat panel monitor which can be folded out, but it is small in order to suit the size of the portable video-camera, it can be as big as half of a palm at the maximum, and it cannot be seen very well, the details of the pictures can hardly be seen.
  • the picture of the device can be viewed locally by opening out the mirrors in front of the eyes, or the device can also be taken out of the video-camera and fixed on the head.
  • the device can also be taken out of the video-camera and fixed on the head.
  • modern palm- sized video-cameras (palmcorders) are thinner than the distance between the pupils, when such a video- camera is lifted up in between the two eyes it cannot be seen with both eyes at the same time, as you should go cross-eyed to do that, only the eye mirrors with their bearing piece folded out in front of the eyes are screening for both eyes.
  • the device according to the invention as a viewfinder, is built in the end of a mobile telephone 67, in other words the device is the viewfinder of a mobile telephone.
  • the virtual picture is displayed after the mirrors in front of the eyes 25 have been opened completely mechanically or by a motor.
  • the mobile telephone's own small screen is suitable for displaying only little picture or text information, for example an Internet web-site or a whole E-mail page cannot be read at this size.
  • the device is placed in the end of the mobile telephone with the mirror in front of the eyes folded in, and by folding out the mirrors in front of the eyes and lifting them up in front of the eyes it can be viewed locally, or it can be taken out of the casing of the mobile telephone and attached onto the head.
  • the construction of the picture display device according to the invention shown in figure 22 contains an emissive type, for example, an OLED 49 microdisplay. This construction is similar to that shown in figure 17, so the reference numbers used there are also used in figure 22.
  • an emissive type for example, an OLED 49 microdisplay.
  • This construction is similar to that shown in figure 17, so the reference numbers used there are also used in figure 22.
  • liquid crystal shutters 69 which become dark or transparent influenced by the voltage, with the picture frequency of the microdisplay unit 49, in alternating phases.
  • a picture display device favourably the device according figure 17 is attached onto the user's head with the help of a bearing frame 70, which consists of two metal spectacle side-arms 71, a metal bridge 73 connecting and attached to them with joint structures 72, two nose supporting arms 74 soldered to the bridge 73, two nose supporting pads 75 attached to the end of the nose supporting arms 74, and two U-profile clamping rails 76 closed at the bottom, soldered to bridge 73, in which the two overhanging ends of the lateral face of the device casing 51 opposite the microdisplay unit 49 can be guided and slid up and down.
  • a bearing frame 70 which consists of two metal spectacle side-arms 71, a metal bridge 73 connecting and attached to them with joint structures 72, two nose supporting arms 74 soldered to the bridge 73, two nose supporting pads 75 attached to the end of the nose supporting arms 74, and two U-profile clamping rails 76 closed at the bottom, soldered to bridge 73, in which the two overhanging ends of the lateral
  • the bridge 73 is a narrow plate of a similar material and profile to that of the spectacle side-arms 71, its upper surface coincides with or is parallel to the plane laid on the spectacle side-arms 71, and due to this, when it is worn by the user, it is seen edgeways, the plate is maximum 1.7 mm thick, and as it is smaller than the diameter of the pupil, it causes only a translucent shadow line, which does not disturb the view.
  • the nose supporting arms 74 are tubular shafts of adjustable length, not shown here, and with their help the distance of the nose supporting pads 75 and the bridge 73 can be set, and by this the device attached to the bridge 73 and its mirrors in front of the eyes 25 can be set in front of the eyes vertically.
  • FIG 24 between the X-mirror optical beam-splitter unit 22 according to the invention (figures 4 and 6) or the pairs of first focusing elements 24 and the device casing 51 there is a microdisplay driving circuit 77, a radio frequency receiver- transmitter circuit 78, a power source 79 and a microprocessor 80.
  • the device can be as compact as possible, no wires are needed for connecting it to the control signal, video signal and power sources and the necessary computations, picture processing and other tasks can be solved locally.
  • the device equipped with a system detecting the movements of the eye corresponds basically to the device in figure 17, with the exception that here above one end of the casing 51 there is a CCD picture recording chip 81 sensitive in the infrared range, and above its other end a front lens 82 is placed in a way that the third optical axis 83 of the front lens 82 is at right angles to the detecting surface 84 of the CCD picture recording chip 81.
  • a reflecting element 85 reflective in the infrared range, light-admitting in the visible light wavelength range is placed, made in one unit with the mirror in front of the eye 25, in a size and at an angle so that it reflects the beams starting from the pupil 86, iris 87 and sclera 88 of the right eye 27 onto the detecting surface 84 through the front lens 82.
  • an infraLED 89 placed at an angle that the infrared beam starting from it is projected onto the reflecting element 85, and after it is. reflected back from there, it is projected onto the right eye 27.
  • the CCD picture recording chip 81, the front lens 82 and the infraLED 89 are encased with a casing, not shown here, which contains a light admitting opening at the front lens 82, and which is combined with the device casing 51.
  • the picture detected by the CCD chip 81 is analysed with the help of a picture processing program by a microprocessor built into the device or connected to it with a cable, and from the movement and position of the contour of the iris and/ or the pupil it calculates the point on the screen of the microdisplay unit where the eye looks, and displays a cursor there, and it also detects the momentary hiding of the contour of the iris and /or the pupil by the eyelid (blinking) 5 , and it clicks interpreting it as a command.
  • the iris and its immediate environment should be preferably lit with infrared light, because the users do not see it, they are not disturbed by it.
  • the construction example presented in figure 26 is a vision aid and night vision device and is basically the device according to figure 17, but here on top of the device casing 51, above the dent 52 created for the nose, there is a CCD picture recording chip 90, above the microdisplay unit 49 there is a front lens 91 placed in a way that the optical axis 92 of the front lens 91 is at right angles to the detecting surface 93 of the CCD chip 90.
  • the CCD picture recording chip 90 and the front lens 91 is encased with a cover, not shown here, which contains a light admitting opening at the front lens 91 and is combined with the device casing 51.
  • the detecting surface of the picture recording CCD chip 90 falls in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the optical axis of the first focusing elements 24 and the mirror- crossing intersection line of the beam-splitter unit 22 (see intersection line 4 in figure 17).
  • the picture recorded by the CCD chip 90 appears on the screen 49a of the microdisplay 49 (not shown in figure 26) with a light intensity that - depending on the actual setting - is multiple of the original intensity, and in this case the utilisation of this device is advantageous for people with reduced vision capability, who cannot adequately orient themselves under weak illumination conditions, for example, in the evenings or in half-light.
  • the CCD is sensitive in the near infrared range
  • displaying this infrared picture on the screen of the microdisplay makes the orientation possible of the person using the device even in total darkness provided that the area is irradiated by an infrared light source.
  • the microdisplay 49 placed at the receiving side of the element 22 made of very thin semitransparent mirrors is a reflective type, the display screen 49a of which is illuminated from the front by the Fresnel lens 94 located on the other side (as seen from the display) of the element 22, the greater part of which or all of it is located in the space between planoparallel plates 13 and 14 and this Fresnel lens 94 makes the light-beam of the LED 95 parallel and projects it to the screen 49a through the first polariser 96 and the semitransparent surfaces of element 22.
  • the light beam arrives from the screen 49a to the eye through the X-mirror element 22, the second polariser 97a or third polariser 97b, the first focusing element 24 and the eye mirror 25.
  • FIG. 29 view of a binocular display unit which contains eye mirrors 25a, a microdisplay 49b placed between the eye mirrors 25a, a beam- splitting unit 22a, focusing elements 24a, a display housing 56a, a microphone 108, a nose clip 60a and a flexible retaining loop 105 that is longer than the diameter of the head of the wearer at nose level it contains.
  • the retaining loop 105 is formed in part of wholly as electric cable, contains two earphones 106, a control unit 107, and either the control unit 107 or the display housing 56a contains any of the following: the microdisplay drive electronics, a radio frequency transceiver circuit, a digital television receiving circuit, a microprocessor and a power source.
  • optical beam-splitter unit has a minimal space demand and minimal mass, that it can be placed as close to the object source, as you like, and the picture of the device is of exceptional quality.
  • the advantages of the binocular picture display device are similarly its small space demand and its small mass, that it is simple to manufacture and the very many application possibilities.
  • the invention is not restricted to the construction examples of the unit, or of the device cited here, but in the area of the protected solutions defined by the claims many different constructions of it can be realised. So, for example, in the interest of enlarging the image further focusing elements and semitransparent or completely transparent mirrors may be placed.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • Microscoopes, Condenser (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité de séparateur de faisceau optique contenant des plaques (6, 7) transparentes parallèles en plan croisées à partir d'une ligne (4) d'intersection commune, qui présentent des surfaces réflectrices divergeant en direction du faisceau lumineux à diviser. L'invention concerne aussi un dispositif d'affichage d'images binoculaire qui contient une unité de séparateur de faisceau, et dans lequel des premiers éléments (24) de focalisation et des miroirs sont situés en face des yeux (25). Ce dispositif est caractérisé en ce qu'il est équipé de l'unité de séparateur de faisceau décrite plus haut ; et les premiers éléments (24) de focalisation sont placés sur deux côtés opposés par rapport à la direction du faisceau incident sur les surfaces réflectrices semi-transparentes de l'unité (22) de séparateur de faisceau optique, c.-à-d. à partir de la direction de réception (5) ; et l'axe (23) optique commun des premiers éléments (24) de focalisation est à angle droit par rapport à la direction de réception. Outre les premiers éléments (24) de focalisation situés sur deux côtés, un miroir est placé en face de chaque oeil, et les surfaces réflectrices semi-transparentes de ces miroirs forment un angle (δ) de 45° ± 15° avec l'axe (23) optique mentionné, et la ligne d'intersection de ces surfaces réflectrices est parallèle à la ligne (4) d'intersection des surfaces réflectrices semi-transparentes qui coupe le miroir.
EP00981504A 2000-02-11 2000-11-22 Unite de separateur de faisceau optique et dispositif d'affichage binoculaire contenant cette unite Withdrawn EP1259850A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HU0000621 2000-02-11
HU0000621A HU0000621D0 (en) 2000-02-11 2000-02-11 Optical beam splitter with an x-shaped mirror and binocular display apparatus
HU0003910 2000-10-05
HU0003910A HUP0003910A2 (hu) 2000-10-05 2000-10-05 Optikai sugárnyaláb-osztó elem, valamint ilyen elemet tartalmazó binokuláris képmegjelenítő készülék
HU0004480 2000-11-14
HU0004480A HUP0004480A2 (en) 2000-11-14 2000-11-14 Optical beam splitter as well as binocular display apparatus
PCT/HU2000/000119 WO2001059507A1 (fr) 2000-02-11 2000-11-22 Unite de separateur de faisceau optique et dispositif d'affichage binoculaire contenant cette unite

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1259850A1 true EP1259850A1 (fr) 2002-11-27

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EP00981504A Withdrawn EP1259850A1 (fr) 2000-02-11 2000-11-22 Unite de separateur de faisceau optique et dispositif d'affichage binoculaire contenant cette unite

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Country Link
EP (1) EP1259850A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003522974A (fr)
KR (1) KR20020086521A (fr)
CN (1) CN1452725A (fr)
AU (1) AU1873801A (fr)
BR (1) BR0017118A (fr)
CA (1) CA2399698A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA02007705A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001059507A1 (fr)

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US10976551B2 (en) 2017-08-30 2021-04-13 Corning Incorporated Wide field personal display device

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US10976551B2 (en) 2017-08-30 2021-04-13 Corning Incorporated Wide field personal display device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1452725A (zh) 2003-10-29
JP2003522974A (ja) 2003-07-29
WO2001059507A1 (fr) 2001-08-16
MXPA02007705A (es) 2004-09-10
AU1873801A (en) 2001-08-20
BR0017118A (pt) 2003-01-07
KR20020086521A (ko) 2002-11-18
CA2399698A1 (fr) 2001-08-16

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