JP2007524856A - Optical configuration for head-mounted display - Google Patents

Abstract

  A head mounted display is disclosed that uses a single video display screen to transmit images to both eyes. The image on the display screen is focused to reduce the split volume, and then split by a plurality of reflective surfaces located near the focus of the image.

Description

  This application is related to US application Ser. No. 10 / 716,192, filed Nov. 18, 2003, entitled “MULTIPLE IMAGEING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAYS”, co-pending, co-pending, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. This disclosure is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention relates generally to visual displays and, more particularly, to the optical configuration of head mounted systems that use a single display.

  Head Mounted Display (HMD) [Head Mounted Display] is a class of images that can be used to display images from televisions, digital versatile discs (DVDs), computer applications, game consoles and similar applications. An image display device. The HMD may be monocular (single image viewed with one eye), binocular (single image viewed with both eyes), or binocular (different images viewed with each eye). Further, the image projected onto one (or both) eyes is viewed by the user as complete or superimposed on the user's external field of view. The design of the HMD includes image resolution, distance from the eye to the virtual image, the size of the virtual image (or the angle of the virtual image), distortion of the virtual image, the distance between the left and right pupils of the user (eye width (IPD)), Parameters such as diopter correction, light loss from splitting and transmitting the image, power consumption, weight, and price must be taken into account. Ideally, a single HMD will account for these parameters for different users and will display images regardless of whether they are stereoscopic or simple monoscopic binocular images. Can be displayed.

  When the resolution of the image on the internal display of the HMD is 800 × 600 pixels, the allowable size of the virtual image generated by the optical system of the HMD is about 1.5 m in diameter of the virtual image at a distance of 2 m. (52 inches to 56 inches), which corresponds to a viewing angle of about 36 °. In order to fit the human head and eyes, the IPD should be variable between 45 mm and 75 mm. In order to compensate for myopia and hyperopia, a correction of at least ± 3 diopters is necessary.

  Having only one small display (instead of using one for each eye) in the HMD dramatically reduces the price of the device. Typically, in such a unit configuration, the microdisplay is positioned between the user's eyes. The generated image is then segmented, magnified, and transmitted separately to each eye. Many designs are known in the art for splitting a beam in a single display HMD with a display mounted in the center, but there is a solution that is cheap, lightweight, compact and capable of displaying all the various images. What is offered is not known.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, the image generated by one display screen is focused, and the image is divided in the vicinity of the focal point, thereby dividing the divided volume of the head-mounted display ( decrease the splitting volume). The separate sub-images are then focused and propagated through multiple sub-light paths to deliver the images to different locations.

  Certain embodiments use an asymmetric V-mirror splitter that may consist of a partially reflective surface and a fully reflective surface located near the focal point of the image. A portion of the light containing the image information is then reflected by this partially reflective surface and directed to one eye, and the remaining portion of this light is reflected by the fully reflective surface and directed to the other eye.

  In certain embodiments, a diffuser is also used to form a real image of the display thereon. Real images are projected onto the diffuser by transition optics with a low numerical aperture, and these images are transmitted to the user's eye by an optical system with a higher numerical aperture.

  In certain embodiments, a rotating reflector may also be used. By reflecting the split images from multiple reflectors, the path of these images can be modified so that these embodiments can adjust the eye width of different users. In another embodiment, synchronized movement of multiple optical blocks is used to adjust the eye width of different users.

  In another embodiment, a light source that illuminates the display may also be used. One possible configuration may include individual light sources with a narrow wavelength range of light configured to approximate one broadband light source.

  The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be understood that the concepts and specific embodiments disclosed herein can be modified to achieve the same objectives of the present invention and can be readily used as a basis for designing other structures. It should also be understood that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to characterize the invention in terms of the organization and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages, will be better understood when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the figures are provided for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to define the limitations of the invention.

  For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

  FIG. 1 shows a top view of a head mounted device 100 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A sub-image creation section 101 in the device 100 generates and sends a plurality of sub-images from one image source to a plurality of sub-optical paths. Display 110 may be any suitable device or screen operable to display a visual image of data, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The display 110 is located along the display axis 111, and in the illustrated embodiment, the display axis 111 is perpendicular to the screen of the display 110 and is orthogonal to the user's face 170. Display 110 is designed to project a display image along optical path 112. In the configuration of portion 101, optical path 112 extends along display axis 111. The display lens 115 is disposed along and orthogonal to the optical path 112 and has a display lens focal point 124. The display lens focus 124 is on the optical path 112 and the portion 101 is positioned such that the display lens focus 124 is in the splitter 120. By focusing the display image before it is divided, the divided volume of the sub-image generating unit 101 can be considerably reduced. Smaller split volumes allow the use of smaller and lighter split elements in embodiments, and advantageous configurations and additions to HMD designs that can improve image quality and increase the size of the image observed by the user Optical elements can be included. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is configured such that an image is generated by (almost) collimated light emitted by (or reflected from) the display 110 so that the splitter 120 is in the vicinity of the display lens focus 124. Be placed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. This is because the splitter 120 should be placed in the most appropriate position for the image to be focused. For example, if the display 110 emits, transmits, and reflects non-collimated light, the display image is focused on a “point” that is not the display lens focus 124, and in some embodiments, in this focal area. The splitter 120 is arranged at a position in the vicinity.

  In an embodiment using the configuration of portion 101, splitter 120 is an asymmetric V-mirror splitter made up of partially reflective surface 121 and fully reflective surface 122. The proximity of the surfaces 121 and 122 depends on the size of the splitter 120 and the amount of splitter volume reduction made to occur by the portion 101. Portion 101 is further configured such that surface 121 and surface 122 share a common edge and are asymmetric about display axis 111. Thus, the portion 101 can divide the display image of the display 110 into two separate display sub-images. The term sub-image is used to describe multiple images of a display produced by various embodiments of the present invention. Although the sub-image of FIG. 1 includes all information on the display, the sub-image used in some embodiments may include only a portion of the image.

  After hitting the partially reflective surface 121, a portion of the display image is reflected along the left eye sub-optical path 140 to become the left eye sub-image. A portion of the display image that is not reflected by the partially reflecting surface 121 passes, hits the fully reflecting surface 122 to become a right eye sub-image, and is reflected along the right eye sub optical path 130. As a result, the same left eye sub-image and right eye sub-image including the same image information are obtained in the opposite direction.

  The left-eye sub-image follows the sub-optical path 140 and is guided to the user's left eye 146. A left eye reflector 142 is disposed along the sub optical path 140. The left eye reflector 142 is a completely reflective surface arranged so as to enter the left eyepiece optical system 145 by changing the left-eye auxiliary optical path 140 by 90 °. The right-eye sub-image follows the sub-optical path 130 and is guided to the user's right eye 136. A right eye reflector 132 is disposed along the sub optical path 130. The right eye reflector 132 is a completely reflecting surface arranged so as to enter the right eyepiece optical system 135 by changing the right eye sub-optical path 130 by 90 °. The right eyepiece optical system 135 and the left eyepiece optical system 145 appropriately enlarge the right eye subimage observed by the user's right eye 136 and the left eye subimage observed by the user's left eye 146, respectively. It can be a designed single lens or a combination of several lenses.

  Although the eyepiece optics 135 and 145 are adjustable single lenses, in other embodiments, multiples that properly focus the right and left eye sub-images observed by the right eye 136 and the left eye 146, respectively. Lenses or any other configuration may be used. Furthermore, although the reflectors 142, 132 of the device 100 are shown as mirrors, embodiments are not limited to using a mirror to redirect the secondary optical path. Rather, the secondary optical path can be redirected using prisms, partially reflective surfaces, polarizing beam splitters, or any other suitable configuration.

  The device 100 can also make adjustments for different IPDs of different users by moving the optical elements synchronously. The right eyepiece optical system 135 and the left eyepiece optical system 145 can be shifted by movements 152 and 151, respectively, when the portion 101 is shifted by movement 155, resulting in IPD 150a and IPD 150b. As IPD distance 150a changes to IPD 150b, portion 101 is simultaneously shifted toward face 170 in motion 155 (downward in FIG. 1). When IPD 150b changes to 150a, portion 101 simultaneously shifts away from surface 170 (upward in FIG. 1). With these synchronized movements, device 100 accommodates the entire range of IPDs 150a and 150b while keeping the distance along sub-paths 130 and 140 between surfaces 121, 122 and eyepiece optics 135, 145 constant, respectively. Can be adjusted to. The device 100 can also correct the diopter by additional adjustment of the movement 153 of the left eyepiece optical system 145 and the movement 154 of the right eyepiece optical system 135.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a head mounted device 200 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The head mount device 200 includes the portion 101 described in connection with FIG. Portion 101 divides the display image of display 110 into a left-eye sub-image that travels along a left-eye optical sub-path 140 and a right-eye sub-image that travels along right-eye sub-light path 130. To work. In the device 200, the left eye transition optics 243 is disposed along the left eye sub-optical path 140 to adjust the left eye sub image, and the left eye sub image is reflected by the left eye reflector 142 to diffuse the left eye. To the vessel 244. The left-eye sub-image hits the left-eye diffuser 244, and a real image of the display is generated on the diffuser surface. Next, the left eyepiece compound optical system 245 appropriately enlarges this real image with respect to the left eye 146.

  In the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a diffuser is used to project a real image onto it, thereby forming an image. Transition optics with a small numerical aperture project a real image onto the diffuser surface, and eyepiece optics with a large numerical aperture transmit this image to the user's eye. However, any suitable means can be used, including microlens arrays, diffraction gratings and other diffractive surfaces. For the purposes of the present invention, the “diffuser” used to describe embodiments of the present invention is all used to convert incident angular power density to an appropriate output angular power density. It should be understood that it refers to the means.

  In FIG. 2, the right eye sub-image follows the right-eye optical sub-path 130 and enters the right eye transition optics 233. The right eye transition optics 233 appropriately adjusts the right eye display sub-image to be reflected by the right eye reflector 132 and directed to the right eye diffuser 234. The right-eye sub-image hits the right-eye diffuser 234, and a real image is generated. This real image is appropriately adjusted by the right eyepiece compound optical system 235 for the right eye 136. The device 200 can correct the diopter by the movement 253 of the left eye compound optical system 245 and the movement 254 of the right eye compound optical system 235.

  The device 200 can also adjust the IPD by multiple synchronized movements. The IPD 150 can be shortened by shifting the left eye compound optical system 234 to the right by movement 251 and shifting the right eye compound optical system 235 to the left by movement 252. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the section 240 of the secondary optical path 140 is between the transition optics 243 and the diffuser 244, and the section 230 of the secondary optical path 130 is between the transition optics 233 and the diffuser 234. Therefore, the central portion 201 should be shifted away from the face 170 when the compound optical systems 235 and 245 shift with movements 252 and 251 and the distance 150 decreases. Although the embodiment of FIG. 2 describes one combination in which IPD is adjusted as a result of synchronized motion, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the synchronized motion of FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a head mount device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The head mount device 300 includes the portion 101 described in connection with FIG. The portion 101 divides the display image of the display 110 into a left-eye sub-image that travels along the left-eye sub-optical path 140 and a right-eye sub-image that travels along the right-eye sub-optical path 130. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the left-eye display sub-image follows the left-eye sub-optical path 140, passes through the left-eye real image reflector 342 and strikes the left-eye reflective diffuser 343, thereby producing a real image. This real image is then reflected by the left eye real image reflector 342 and enters the left eyepiece optical system 145. The left eyepiece optical system 145 appropriately adjusts the reflected real image with respect to the left eye 146. The right-eye display sub-image follows the right-eye sub-optical path 130, passes through the right-eye real image reflector 332, hits the right-eye reflective diffuser 333, and a real image is thereby generated. This real image is reflected by the right eye real image reflector 332 and enters the right eyepiece optical system 135. The right eyepiece optical system 135 appropriately adjusts the reflected real image with respect to the right eye 136.

  Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is described as using a reflective diffuser to form a real image thereon, the present invention is not limited to using one type of diffuser. . Rather, in embodiments, any suitable diffuser described above may be used. These diffusers can be any suitable shape, such as spherical, planar, or aspheric.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 can also correct the diopter by the movement 153 of the left eyepiece optical system 145 and the movement 154 of the right eyepiece optical system 135. The left eye real image reflector 342 and the left eyepiece optical system 145 together constitute the left eyepiece 360. The right eye real image reflector 332 and the right eyepiece optical system 135 together constitute a right eyepiece 361.

  In the device 300, the IPD can be adjusted by a plurality of simultaneous operations. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the left eyepiece 360 and right eyepiece 361 are moved simultaneously by movement 351 and movement 352, respectively, to set the correct IPD. At the same time, the movement 153 of the left eyepiece optical system 145 and the movement 154 of the right eyepiece optical system 135 are for maintaining the optical path length between the eyepiece optical systems 145 and 135 and the reflective diffusers 343 and 333.

  In the device 300, the left-eye real image reflector 342 and the right-eye real image reflector 332 are partially reflective surfaces, but the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure. Rather, embodiments provide prisms or polarized beams that appropriately reflect light to eyepiece optics 135 and 145, respectively, and that appropriately transmit light from optical paths 130 and 140 toward reflective diffusers 333 and 343, respectively. -Can be easily adapted to any configuration, such as one that uses a splitter.

  4A and 4B show perspective views of a head mount device 400 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The head mount device 400 generates a plurality of display sub-images from one image source using a right angle sub-image creation section 401. Similar to the portion 101 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the portion 401 displays the display image of the display 110 as a left-eye sub-image that travels along the left-eye sub-optical path 140 and a right-eye sub-path that travels along the right-eye sub-optical path 130. Divide into images. In the portion 401, the display 110 and the display optical system 115 are rotated by 90 ° from the portion 101 of FIGS. Display 110 projects a display image along optical path 112 where the display image is focused by display optics 115. The display image then strikes the display reflector 416, which changes the light path 112 by 90 °. Reflector 416 directs the focused display image to splitter 120. By redirecting the optical path with the reflector 416, the total volume of the portion 401 is reduced. This volume can be further reduced by adding additional similar reflectors. In portion 401, splitter 120 is configured such that partially reflective surface 121 and fully reflective surface 122 are parallel to display axis 111 and reflective focal point 424 of display optical system 115 is within splitter 120. A part of the display image is reflected by the partially reflecting surface 121 as a left-eye display sub-image and follows the left-eye sub-optical path 140 and hits the left-eye reflector 142. The portion of the display image that is not reflected by the partially reflecting surface 121 is reflected by the fully reflecting surface 122 as a right eye sub-image and strikes the right eye reflector 132 along the right eye sub optical path 130.

  Device 400 uses a “real” image in a manner similar to device 200 of FIG. In device 400, the left eye display sub-image is reflected to the left eye diffuser 243 where a real image is formed. This real image is then transmitted to the left eye 146 by a left eyepiece optical system 145 designed to properly focus the left eye sub-image viewed by the left eye 146. The right-eye display sub-image is reflected to the right-eye diffuser 234 where a real image is formed. This real image is transmitted to the right eye 136 by a right eyepiece optical system 135 designed to properly focus the right eye sub-image observed by the right eye 136. The device 400 can correct the diopter by the movement 153 of the left eyepiece optical system 145 and the movement 154 of the right eyepiece optical system 135.

  FIG. 4B shows the IPD correction capability of the device 400. In this embodiment, the fully reflective surface 122 and the partially reflective surface 121 are rotatable about the splitter axis 423 and relative to each other. When the fully reflective surface 122 rotates clockwise about the axis 423 and the partially reflective surface 121 rotates counterclockwise, the right eye sub-optical path 130 and the left eye sub optical path 140 are out of plane and are not 180 degrees from each other. When the right eye side optical path 130 and the left eye side optical path 140 are deflected by an angle theta (θ) and theta dash (θ ′), the device 400 adjusts the IPD 450 as a result. The eyepieces 460 and 461 rotate inward simultaneously with the rotation of the surfaces 121,122. The eyepiece 460 rotates counterclockwise and follows the downward deflection of the secondary path 140, and the eyepiece 461 rotates clockwise and follows the downward deflection of the secondary path 130. As a result of their simultaneous rotation, the IPD 450 is adjusted.

  5A and 5B show perspective views of a head mounted display 500 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the head-mounted device 500, the right eye traveling along the left-eye sub-image and the right-eye sub-optical path 130 using the portion 101 in this case as well, the display image of the display 110 traveling along the left-eye sub-optical path 140. Divide into sub-images. In the display 500, the left-eye display sub-image hits the left-eye reflector 142, thereby changing the left-eye sub-optical path 140 by 90 °. The left-eye display sub-image then hits the second left-eye reflector 543, thereby again changing the left-eye sub-optical path 140 by 90 °. The left eye reflector 142 and the second left eye reflector 543 are disposed along a common left eye reflector axis 541. The left-eye display sub-image is reflected by the second left-eye reflector 543, then reflected by the third left-eye reflector 544, and redirected to the left-eye diffuser 243.

  Similarly, the right-eye display sub-image hits the right-eye reflector 132, thereby changing the right-eye sub-light path 130 by 90 °. The right-eye display sub-image then strikes the second right-eye reflector 533, thereby again changing the right-eye sub-light path 130 by 90 °. The right eye reflector 132 and the second right eye reflector 533 are disposed along a common right eye reflector axis 531. The right-eye display sub-image is reflected by the second right-eye reflector 533 and then reflected by the third right-eye reflector 534 and redirected to the right-eye diffuser 233.

  The real image generated on the left eye diffuser 243 is transmitted to the left eye 146 by the left eyepiece optical system 145. The left eyepiece 560 includes a second left eye reflector 543, a third left eye reflector 544, a left eye diffuser 243, and a left eye eyepiece optical system 145. The real image generated on the right eye diffuser 233 is transmitted to the right eye 136 by the right eyepiece optical system 135. The right eyepiece 561 includes a second right eye reflector 533, a third right eye reflector 534, a right eye diffuser 233, and a right eye eyepiece optical system 135. The device 500 can correct the diopter by the movement 153 of the left eyepiece optical system 145 and the movement 154 of the right eyepiece optical system 135.

  Device 500 may adjust IPD 150 as shown in FIG. 5B. In the device 500, the left eyepiece 560 is rotatable with respect to the left eye reflector 142 about the axis 541. When the left eyepiece 560 rotates counterclockwise around the left eye reflector axis 541, the sub optical path 140 is deflected by an angle phi (φ) from the previous path. Similarly, right eyepiece 561 is rotatable with respect to right eye reflector 132 about axis 531. When the right eyepiece 561 rotates clockwise around the right eye reflector axis 531, the secondary optical path 130 is deflected by an angle phi dash (φ ') from the previous path. As a result of these deflections, the left eyepiece 560 and right eyepiece 561 rotate in the plane of the user's face relative to the adjusted IPD 550.

  FIG. 6 shows a top view of a portion of a head mounted device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Although FIGS. 1 to 5 show the embodiments using the sub-image generation units 101 and 401, the embodiments are not limited to these configurations. In FIG. 6, the sub-image generation unit 600 includes a display 110 that is arranged perpendicular to the display axis 111. The display 110 projects a display image along the optical path 112. The display image may then be focused by a display lens 115 having a lens focus 124. Splitter 620 is a symmetric V mirror splitter that consists of a right fully reflective surface 622 and a left fully reflective surface 621 that share a common edge and are arranged symmetrically about display axis 111. Although FIG. 6 has been shown and described with a fully reflective surface, such a configuration can also be easily adapted to use a polarizing beam splitter or partially reflective surface. The configuration of portion 601 results in a display image projected by display 110 that is focused by display lens 115 and split into two display sub-images, one in right eye sub-light path 130. And the other is reflected along the left-eye sub-optical path 140.

  Collimated (or nearly collimated) light can be used to further optimize various embodiments of the present invention. A display that generates (substantially) collimated light, reflects collimated light, and is illuminated by collimated light can improve image quality and simplify device configuration. There are numerous ways to generate collimated light and provide the collimated light to different aspects of the HMD, and embodiments are not limited to any of them.

  FIG. 7 shows a top view of a portion of a head mounted device constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the sub-image generation unit 700, the display 110 is disposed perpendicular to the display axis 111. Display lens 115 is inserted between display 110 and splitter 620. Splitter 620 is configured as a symmetric V-mirror splitter with a fully reflective surface 621 and a fully reflective surface 722. The focal point 124 of the lens 115 is in the vicinity of the splitter 620. Display 110 is illuminated by light sources 708 and 709. Light from these light sources is reflected by a light source reflector 707, which can be a polarization splitter, or a partially reflecting mirror, or other suitable reflector. The light sources 708 and 709 are disposed adjacent to the display axis 111 and in a plane including the reflective focal point 124R. The sub-image generated by light source 708 and display 110 is focused by lens 115 and is incident on reflective surface 722 of splitter 620. When display 110 is illuminated by light source 709, another display sub-image is generated and focused by lens 115. Since the light source 709 is positioned below the reflective focal point 124R, the sub-image generated by the light source 709 and the display 110 is focused by the lens 115 and is incident on the reflective surface 621 of the splitter 620.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 7, two complete and independent images of display 110 (also referred to as sub-images) are generated, each sub-image being a complete image of display 110. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the splitter 620 does not split one image so that a sub-image is generated, but splits the angular space of reflection of the display so that the generated image is independently routed into separate paths. Along the direction.

  FIG. 8 shows a top view of a portion of a head-mounted device 800 configured according to an embodiment of the present invention that uses the sub-image generator 101. The blue light source 801 is disposed along the light source optical path 806, preferably at or near the reflective focal point 124R of the display optical system 115. The blue light source 801 may be any light source that can generate blue light, such as a Nichia NSCx100 series light emitting diode (LED). Light from the blue light source 801 is disposed at an appropriate angle with respect to the optical path, and passes through a first color filter 804 that is selected to transmit blue light and reflect green light. The green light source 802 is disposed adjacent to the light source optical path 806 and is disposed so that light is reflected from the first color filter 804 as if the green light source 802 was placed at the same place as the blue light source 801. The blue light and the reflected green light follow the light source optical path 806 and pass through the second color filter 805 disposed at an appropriate angle with respect to the light source optical path 806.

  The second color filter 805 is selected to transmit blue and green light but reflect red light. The red light source 803 is disposed adjacent to the light source optical path 806 so that the light is reflected from the second color filter 805 as if the red light source 803 was placed at the same place as the blue light source 801. Next, the blue light, the reflected green light, and the reflected red light follow the light source optical path 806 and are reflected by the light source light reflector 807. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source light reflector 807 may be a polarizing reflector disposed about the display axis 111 and along the optical path 112. The combined light of blue, green, and red becomes polarized light, is reflected from the light source light reflector 807, and passes through the display optical system 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the display optics 115 is a lens selected to have a focal point 124 (and a reflective focal point 124R). As it passes through the display optics 115, the combined blue, green, and red light is collimated and illuminates the display 110. Although FIG. 8 illustrates illuminating the display 110 from a single direction, embodiments are not limited to a single direction. Rather, the illumination system of FIG. 8 can be easily adapted to multi-directional illumination as in FIG.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the image splitter is disposed in the vicinity of the focal point of the focusing optical system. Rather, in embodiments of the present invention, the split volume for various applications can be reduced by positioning the image splitter to split the focused display image in a small area.

  FIG. 9 shows a reduced split volume generated by an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the display 110 is illuminated, thereby producing a display image. This display image propagates along an optical path 112 disposed along the display axis 111. A display lens 115 having a display lens focus 124a focuses the display image so that the divided volume is small. The point at which the divided volume is minimized depends on the light that illuminates the display.

  When display 110 is illuminated by light source 908a positioned at reflective display lens focus 924a, display lens 115 will collimate the light reflected from light source reflector 707. As a result, the display lens 115 provides a display image that is substantially focused on the display lens focal point 124a. When the display 110 is illuminated by a light source 908b positioned at a point 924b closer to the display axis 111, the light reflected from the light source 707 will diverge when it strikes the display 110. Therefore, the display image is focused on the point 124c. When the display 110 is illuminated by a light source 908c positioned at a point 924c farther from the display axis 111, the light reflected from the light source reflector 707 will converge when it strikes the display 110. . Therefore, the display image is focused on the point 124b. As described above, the embodiment of the present invention can be configured to divide the display image at the most appropriate point in any point.

  Having described the invention and its advantages in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made to the specification without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. I want to be. Furthermore, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments of the processes, machines, fabrication, material compositions, means, methods, and steps described herein. As will be readily appreciated from this disclosure, currently present or later developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same results as the corresponding embodiments described herein. Process, machine, fabrication, material composition, means, method, or step can be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

1 is a top view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a top view of a portion of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of a head mounted display configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Claims (61)

A method of transmitting an image from one video display to both eyes of a user,
Focusing the image of the display to reduce the split volume;
Splitting the image in the reduced split volume.   The method of claim 1, wherein the image of the display is focused by a lens.   The method of claim 2, wherein the lens is made of glass.   The method of claim 2, wherein the lens is in the vicinity of the display. A head-mounted device that transmits an image of one video display to both eyes of the user,
An optical system for focusing the image of the display and reducing a divided volume;
Means for splitting the focused image within the reduced volume.   The device of claim 5, wherein the optical system is a lens.   The device of claim 5, wherein the dividing means includes a partially reflective surface and a fully reflective surface.   6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the dividing means comprise a first fully reflective surface and a second fully reflective surface configured as symmetrical V-shaped mirrors.   The device of claim 5, wherein the optical system is a lens in the vicinity of the display.   The device of claim 9, wherein the lens is configured to collimate light that illuminates the display. A method of guiding a displayed image,
Projecting the displayed image along an optical path;
Positioning a lens for focusing the displayed image at a point on the optical path;
Dividing the displayed image in the vicinity of the point into a plurality of sub-images, each sub-image following one of a plurality of sub-light paths.   The method of claim 11, wherein the point is a focal point of the lens.   The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning at least one reflector along the optical path to reduce a distance between the display lens and the point.   The method of claim 11, further comprising splitting the display image with a plurality of reflective surfaces disposed about a display axis.   The method of claim 14, wherein the eye width can be adjusted utilizing rotation of the reflective surface.   The method of claim 11, further comprising forming a real image on a diffuser along at least one of the plurality of secondary optical paths.   The method of claim 16, wherein eye movement can be adjusted utilizing movement of the diffuser.   The method of claim 11, further comprising redirecting the secondary light path with a first reflector along at least one of the plurality of secondary light paths.   The method according to claim 18, wherein the eye width can be adjusted using the movement of the first reflector.   19. The method of claim 18, wherein the secondary light path is redirected by a second reflector, the second reflector is rotatable, and the eye width can be adjusted using the rotation.   The method of claim 11, further comprising illuminating the display with a broadband radiation source.   The method of claim 21, wherein the broadband radiation source comprises a plurality of narrow band radiation sources that project radiation along a common radiation source path.   23. The method of claim 22, further comprising forming a virtual location of the radiation source using a color filter.   The method of claim 21, wherein the lens collimates the illumination. A device for guiding the displayed image,
Means for projecting an image along the optical path;
Means for focusing the image;
Means for dividing the image into a plurality of display sub-images in the vicinity of the focal point of the image, each of the sub-images following one of a plurality of sub-optical paths;
The device, wherein the focusing means is inserted between the projection means and the dividing means.   26. The device of claim 25, wherein the dividing means includes a plurality of means for reflecting the image. The dividing means includes
Means for partially reflecting the image;
26. The device of claim 25, comprising: means for completely reflecting the image.   27. The device of claim 26, wherein the means for partially reflecting the image and the means for fully reflecting the image are orthogonal to each other.   28. The device of claim 27, wherein the means for partially reflecting the image and the means for fully reflecting the image are arranged asymmetrically about the display axis.   27. The device of claim 26, wherein the means for partially reflecting the image and the means for fully reflecting the image are rotatable, and the rotation can be utilized to adjust the eye width. A method of guiding a displayed image,
Projecting an image of the display along the optical path;
Dividing the image into a plurality of display sub-images, each sub-image following one of a plurality of sub-light paths, the method further comprising:
Focusing the image with a focusing element, the projection image being focused to a location in the vicinity of the point at which the image is split.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the image is projected by generally collimated light and the location is approximately the focal point of the focusing element.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the image is projected by generally convergent light and the location is between the display and the focus of the focusing element.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the image is projected by diverging light and the focus of the focusing element is between the display and the location.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the projected image is a reflected image of the display when the display is illuminated by light collimated by the lens. A system for guiding a displayed image,
A display that projects an image along the optical path;
A lens for focusing the image;
A splitter for generating a plurality of display sub-images in the vicinity of the focal point of the image, each of the sub-images following one of a plurality of sub-light paths, the system further comprising:
A system comprising means for forming a real image along at least one of the plurality of the secondary optical paths.   37. The system of claim 36, wherein the eye width can be adjusted utilizing movement of the forming means.   The system of claim 36, wherein the forming means is a spherical diffuser.   The system of claim 36, wherein the forming means is a diffraction grating.   37. The system of claim 36, wherein the forming means is a microlens array. A system for guiding a displayed image,
A display that projects an image along the optical path;
A lens for focusing the image;
A splitter for generating a plurality of display sub-images in the vicinity of the focal point of the image, each of the sub-images following one of a plurality of sub-light paths, the system further comprising:
A system comprising means for redirecting at least one of the plurality of secondary optical paths.   42. The system of claim 41, wherein the direction changing means is a mirror.   42. The system according to claim 41, wherein the eye width can be adjusted using the movement of the first direction changing means.   44. The second direction changing means is rotatable about an axis common to the first and second direction changing means, and the eye width can be adjusted using the rotation. System. A head mounted display,
A display screen operable to generate a display image along the optical path;
A display optical system in the vicinity of the display screen, the optical system focusing the image on a point, and the head mounted display further comprises:
A head mounted display comprising a splitter that divides the display image into a plurality of display sub-images in the vicinity of the point, each sub-image traveling along one of a plurality of sub-light paths.   46. A head mounted display according to claim 45, wherein the partially reflective surface and the fully reflective surface are arranged as an asymmetric V-mirror splitter.   46. The head mounted display of claim 45, further comprising a diffuser that forms a real image along at least one of the plurality of secondary light paths.   48. The head mounted display of claim 47, wherein the diffuser is a spherical surface.   46. The head mounted mount according to claim 45, wherein the display screen, the optical system, and the splitter are configured as fixed parts that move in synchronization with at least one eyepiece, thereby adjusting a user's eye width. display. A head mounted display,
A display screen operable to generate an image along the optical path;
A display optical system in the vicinity of the display screen, the optical system focusing the image on a point, and the head mounted display further comprises:
A splitter disposed in the vicinity of the point and dividing the display image into a plurality of display sub-images, each sub-image traveling along one of a plurality of sub-light paths, the head mounted display further comprising ,
A head-mounted display comprising a reflector disposed along at least one of the plurality of sub optical paths.   51. The head mounted display according to claim 50, further comprising a diffuser inserted between the reflector and the eyepiece optical system.   51. A head mounted display according to claim 50, wherein the reflector is movable.   51. The head mount of claim 50, further comprising a second reflector disposed along the at least one of the plurality of secondary optical paths and redirecting the at least one of the plurality of secondary optical paths. display.   54. The head according to claim 53, wherein the second reflector is rotatable about an axis common to the first and second reflectors, and an eye width of a user can be adjusted by the rotation.・ Mount display. A system for guiding a displayed image,
A display operable to generate a display image along the optical path;
Display optics in the vicinity of the display, the display optics having a focal point, and the system further comprises:
A broadband radiation source for projecting radiation onto the display;
A splitter disposed in the vicinity of the focal point, the splitter being operable to divide the display image into a plurality of display sub-images, each sub-image along one of a plurality of sub-light paths Go ahead, the system.   56. The system of claim 55, wherein the broadband projector comprises a plurality of narrowband radiation sources arranged to simulate a broadband projector. The broadband radiation source is:
First and second filters;
First, second, and third narrowband projectors,
The first narrowband projector is positioned to project radiation along a common source path via the first filtering means;
The second narrowband projector is positioned to project radiation onto the first filter, the first filter passing through the second filtering means into the common source path to the second narrowband projector. Positioned to reflect the radiation from the projector;
The third narrowband projector is positioned to project radiation onto the second filtering means, and the second filter reflects radiation from the third projector into the common radiation source path. 56. The system of claim 55, wherein the system is positioned.   58. The system of claim 57, wherein the first, second, and third narrowband projectors project visible light having a wavelength corresponding to red, green, or blue. A system for guiding a displayed image,
The system comprises a sub-image generator that focuses a display image and generates at least two sub-images using the display image, each sub-image being oriented along one of the two sub-paths, further,
Comprising at least one eyepiece interposed along each of the secondary paths;
The sub-image generation unit and the eyepiece unit adjust the eye width by synchronized movement.   60. The system of claim 59, wherein the length of each secondary path is kept constant by the synchronized movement.   60. The system of claim 59, wherein the movement of the eyepiece is in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the sub-image generator.

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