WO1999031543A1 - Appareil d'affichage d'image binoculaire - Google Patents

Appareil d'affichage d'image binoculaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999031543A1
WO1999031543A1 PCT/GB1998/003744 GB9803744W WO9931543A1 WO 1999031543 A1 WO1999031543 A1 WO 1999031543A1 GB 9803744 W GB9803744 W GB 9803744W WO 9931543 A1 WO9931543 A1 WO 9931543A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
display apparatus
eyepiece
image
beamsplitter
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/003744
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ian Marshall
Original Assignee
Retinal Display Cayman Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Retinal Display Cayman Limited filed Critical Retinal Display Cayman Limited
Publication of WO1999031543A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999031543A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
    • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
    • G02B7/12—Adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/332—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD]
    • H04N13/339—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD] using spatial multiplexing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/332—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD]
    • H04N13/344—Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD] with head-mounted left-right displays
    • 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
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/30—Polarising elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
    • H04N13/30—Image reproducers
    • H04N13/398—Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Definitions

  • This invention relates to display apparatus of the type which permits of binocular viewing of an image.
  • it is concerned with display apparatus for viewing video or computer generated information.
  • a display apparatus which incorporates a single display, such as a reflective liquid crystal display, and a beamsplitter arrangement to divide light issuing from the display into two eyepieces.
  • the beamsplitter arrangement consists of two semi-reflecting beamsplitting elements disposed one above the other and mutually inclined at an angle of substantially 90°.
  • a satisfactory display is achieved by displacing the apparatus relative a reference, such as a casing for the apparatus, sot that the exit pupils produced by the beamsplitter arrangement and subsequent eyepieces are arranged to overlay the user's eyes, so that the user can clearly see the whole field of view.
  • a display apparatus comprising: a frame for retaining the apparatus in place relative to the head of a user, image generating means for generating an image for viewing by a user,
  • optical system for projecting an image in use to the eyes of a user, the optical system comprising:
  • beamsplitting means for directing light from an image of the image generating means into left and right paths, the beamsplitting means comprising left and right semi- reflecting devices, said devices being mutually inclined and disposed adjacent one another, beam deflecting means for projecting light from the image generating means to the beamsplitting means, and
  • left and right eyepieces for viewing images relayed along the left and right paths respectively, wherein the left semi-reflecting device and the left eyepiece are together rotatable relative to the image generating means, and the right semi-reflecting device and the right eyepiece are together rotatable relative to the image generating means and the left semi-reflecting device and the left eyepiece.
  • the distance between the left and right eyepieces can be varied, rendering the apparatus capable of accommodating a wide range of inte ⁇ upillary distance of users.
  • the apparatus can be adjusted so that small exit pupils are viable, since they can overlay the eyes of a user.
  • the above provides the potential for less massive and bulky displays, and optical components, and therefore to greater comfort for the user.
  • the left and right semi reflecting devices are disposed substantially horizontally adjacent one another.
  • the beam deflecting means comprises a concave mirror.
  • each eyepiece has an optical axis, the optical axes of the eyepieces being substantially parallel with the principal optical axis of the concave mirror.
  • each eyepiece and respective semi reflecting device is rotatable about the principal optical axis of the concave mirror.
  • Each eyepiece is preferably provided with magnifying/collimating means for magnifying/collimating a relayed image in use for viewing at a respective exit pupil.
  • the image generating means may comprise a liquid crystal display.
  • the liquid crystal display is of the reflective type.
  • the image generating means may further comprise illumination means, including an illumination beamsplitter.
  • the illumination beamsplitter is interposed between the liquid crystal display and the beamsplitting means.
  • the image generating means may comprise an electroluminescent panel.
  • One or more lenses may be interposed between the image generating means and the concave mirror.
  • Each eyepiece may comprise one or more lenses. Moreover, the eyepiece may comprise one or more holographic lenses.
  • the beam deflecting means may include several refracting means, and a reflecting surface.
  • An exemplary embodiment may include a Mangin mirror.
  • the beam deflecting means may comprise left and right concave mirrors, each corresponding to respective eyepiece and beamsplitting means.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of the left hand half of a display apparatus in accordance with a specific embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a side elevational view of illumination optics of the display apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the illumination optics of figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a raytrace diagram of the part of the display apparatus illustrated in figure 1, in a plane including the principal optical axes of the convex mirror and the left hand eyepiece;
  • Figure 5 is a raytrace diagram of the complete display apparatus of the specific embodiment, in a plane as indicated in figure 6 by line N-N;
  • Figure 6 is an end view of the display apparatus of Figure 1, adapted for use by a person having average interpupillary distance;
  • Figure 7 is an end view of the display apparatus of Figure 1, adapted for use by a person having large interpupillary distance;
  • Figure 8 is an end view of the display apparatus of Figure 1, adapted for use by a person having small interpupillary distance.
  • a reflective liquid crystal display (LCD) 6 is provided, adjacent which is a polarising beamsplitter 5 concerned with the illumination of the LCD 6 as described further below.
  • Adjacent the beamsplitter 5 is a field lens 7 and two beamsplitters 8a, 8b, one of which, 8a, is illustrated in figure 1.
  • Adjacent the beamsplitters 8a, 8b is a concave mirror 9. All of the above described components are arranged along a principal optical axis 17 of the concave mirror.
  • the LCD 6 preferably has an image diagonal in the region of 10mm (0.4").
  • the illumination optics for use with the LCD, and including the beamsplitter 5 will now be described with reference to figures 2 and 3.
  • the polarising beamsplitter 5 includes two right angle prisms 5a, 5b, having their hypotenuse surfaces adhered together with a polarising thin film coating interposed there between.
  • the beamsplitter is commonly called a "cube", although it may have a rectangular cross section as shown in figures 2 and 3.
  • a light source 1 comprising an array of LED's of three colours that are illuminated sequentially, is spaced from the upper surface of the illuminating beamsplitter 5. Between the light source 1 and the beamsplitter 5, a diffuser 2, a Fresnel lens 3 to collimate the light, and a linear polariser 4 are provided, to ensure that the light incident on the LCD 6 is in an appropriate form as to ensure a clear image is generated in the LCD 6.
  • the diffuser 2 may be a moulded plastic or fire polished glass optic with a specular rough surface.
  • the linear polariser 4 may comprise a plastics film, preferably of polyvinylene.
  • the array of LCD's is triggered by a series of electronic timing signals, corresponding timing signals being sent to the LCD 6, thus allowing the development of a colour image on the LCD 6.
  • the beamsplitters 8a, 8b are arranged adjacent one another, and at an angle.
  • the beamsplitters 8a, 8b are relatively thin, and preferably a barrier such as a piece of black plastic is interposed there between so as to eliminate ghost reflections and refractions between the beamsplitters 8a, 8b.
  • the apparatus further comprises a pair of eyepieces 10a, 10b, of which one is shown in figure 1.
  • Each eyepiece 10a, 10b includes two moulded plastic aspheric lenses 13 a, 13b and 15 a, 15b, and a holographic lens 14a, 14b.
  • light from the light source 1 passes through the diffuser 2, the Fresnel lens 3 and the linear polariser 4, is reflected off the boundary between the two prisms 5a, 5b of the illuminating beamsplitter 5 to the LCD 6, which causes an image to be generated on the LCD 6.
  • Light reflected from the LCD 6 then passes back through the beamsplitter 5, generally without being reflected at the boundary due to the polarisation of the light, and through the field lens 7 and the beamsplitters 8a, 8b to the concave mirror 9. The light is then directed back to the beamsplitters 8a, 8b, which reflect the light outwards in two beams towards the eyepieces 10a, 10b.
  • a fold mirror 12a, 12b is provided at the end of each eyepiece 10a, 10b to deflect the beam of light back to the principle optical axis of the eyepiece 10a, 10b, which is substantially parallel with the principal optical axis of the concave mirror 9.
  • the eyepiece serves to project an exit pupil 1 la, 1 lb.
  • Each eyepiece 10a, 10b, with corresponding fold mirror 12a, 12b and beamsplitter 8a, 8b, are brought together as an eyepiece sub-assembly 16a, 16b.
  • Each eyepiece sub-assembly 16a, 16b is independently rotatable about the principal optical axis 17 of the concave mirror, relative the LCD 6.
  • the sub-assemblies 16a, 16b and a central assembly 18 housing the LCD 6 and the concave mirror 9 are geared together suitably that rotation of the one sub-assembly 16a relative the central assembly 18 is complemented by identical and opposite rotation of the other subassembly 16b relative the central assembly 18, to maintain the perceived orientation of an image developed in the LCD 6.
  • Table 1 describes the geometry of the optical surfaces of the components of the display apparatus
  • table 2 describes the global coordinates of the components
  • table 3 describes the aspheric nature of certain of the optical components
  • table 4 describes the properties of the holographic lens 14
  • table 5 describes refractive indices of materials used in optical components
  • table 6 describes the data necessary to generate ray coordinates to trace from the exit pupils to the display.
  • Note 1 in table 1 refers to the fact that the clear apertures of the plane mirrors and beamsplitters are complex shapes due to the compound rotation of the surfaces in relation to the field of view and the exit pupils. It will be understood that these clear apertures can be calculated by constracting an optical model from the tabulating data and raytracing across the whole field of view and exit pupil. The intersections of the rays with the plane mirrors and the beamsplitter surfaces will define their clear apertures.
  • Note 2 in table 1 refers to the fact that the dummy surface is added to the optical model so that the centres of the concave mirror, field lens and the display are modelled on the same axis. It serves to cancel out the mathematical operation of tilting the beamsplitter.
  • Table 1 describes the optical surfaces of the apparatus by defining a series of surface poles in space, the optical surfaces being define from those poles which are treated as local origins for the surface data.
  • Each optical surface has a shape defined by the radius of curvature and any associated aspheric coefficients. The surface extends over the clear aperture specified.
  • the Cartesian coordinates are measured relative a global origin, taken as the centre of the nominal exit pupil.
  • the X axis is horizontal, being parallel to the modelled optical axis of the concave mirror, the Y axis is vertical, and the Z axis is also horizontal.
  • the convention used in table 3 is that the aspheric coefficients define a change to the surface sag according to the normal rotationally symmetrical equation.
  • the A4 coefficient (in mm-') adds a term proportional to aperture radius to the power 4, the A6 coefficient (in mm- 1 ) to the power 6, and the A8 coefficient (in mm- 1 ) to the power 8.
  • FIGS 6 to 8 demonstrate how the display assembly can be adjusted to permit use by people with different interpupillary distances.
  • the concave mirror can readily be replaced by a pair of concave mirrors, each being associated with one of the eyepiece sub-assemblies, m that case, each concave mirror must be arranged to rotate with its respective sub-assembly, for inte ⁇ upillary adjustment.
  • a combination of refracting and reflecting surfaces may be used, such as a Mangin mirror, i.e. a mirror with internally reflecting surfaces and an external refracting surface.
  • a series of one or more lenses in front of a mirror the lenses projecting the image onto the mirror, which then reflects the image back through the lenses.
  • the lenses may include a holographic lens.
  • the illumination optics may be constructed as an alternative such that the illumination light is transmitted through the polarising beamsplitter and the displayed image is reflected off the polarising beamsplitter, the combinations of polarising components may be modified by rotating their polarising axes to match the alternate polarising characteristics of the abovedescribed beamsplitter arrangement.
  • the above alternative may be combined with the left and right concave mirror arrangement described earlier.
  • Wavelength used for calculation 0.58756 microns.
  • the holographic lens focal length is 222.956mm (converging)
  • the exit pupils are nominally rectangles with width 14 mm and height 7 mm, centred on the optical axis of the eyepiece lenses.
  • the field of view is 38 degrees wide and is modelled with an f-tan theta mapping function over a 4:3 aspect ratio. It's height is 28 degrees.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)

Abstract

Selon cette invention, la lumière, provenant du générateur (1) d'image d'un appareil d'affichage d'image binoculaire porté comme un casque, traverse une paire de diviseurs de faisceaux (8a, 8b) formant un angle, cette lumière devant être déviée vers ces diviseurs par un déflecteur de faisceau tel qu'un miroir (9) concave. La lumière est ensuite déviée par les diviseurs de faisceaux (8a, 8b) dans des voies gauche et droite vers des oculaires (10a, 10b) qui permettant à l'utilisateur d'observer l'image produite par le générateur (1). Le diviseur de faisceau gauche (8a) et l'oculaire gauche (10a) tournent mutuellement par rapport au générateur (1) d'image, tandis que le diviseur de faisceau droit (8b) et l'oculaire droit (10b) tournent mutuellement, d'une part, par rapport au générateur (1) d'image, d'autre part, par rapport au diviseur de faisceau gauche (8a) et à l'oculaire gauche (10a) de façon à régler la distance entre les pupilles des utilisateurs.
PCT/GB1998/003744 1997-12-15 1998-12-14 Appareil d'affichage d'image binoculaire WO1999031543A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9726413.9 1997-12-15
GBGB9726413.9A GB9726413D0 (en) 1997-12-15 1997-12-15 Display apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999031543A1 true WO1999031543A1 (fr) 1999-06-24

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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WO (1) WO1999031543A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001027684A2 (fr) * 1999-10-09 2001-04-19 Optimize Incorporated Afficheur sur monture de lunettes a module d'ajustement personnalise
WO2005062105A1 (fr) * 2003-12-12 2005-07-07 Headplay, Inc. Schemas optiques destines aux afficheurs montes sur la tete
US6989935B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2006-01-24 Headplay, Inc. Optical arrangements for head mounted displays
CN110596898A (zh) * 2019-09-29 2019-12-20 深圳纳德光学有限公司 一种一屏双目式头戴显示光学系统及设备

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1985004961A1 (fr) * 1984-04-16 1985-11-07 Hughes Aircraft Company Affichage binoculaire holographique monte sur un casque
EP0381449A2 (fr) * 1989-02-01 1990-08-08 Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. Système tête-haute pour lunette de vision nocturne
EP0395570A2 (fr) * 1989-04-24 1990-10-31 United Technologies Corporation Dispositif d'affichage monté sur un casque afin de l'utiliser comme simulateur
EP0579506A1 (fr) * 1992-07-17 1994-01-19 KAISER AEROSPACE & ELECTRONICS CORPORATION Système d'affichage binoculaire monté sur casque
US5418584A (en) * 1992-12-31 1995-05-23 Honeywell Inc. Retroreflective array virtual image projection screen

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1985004961A1 (fr) * 1984-04-16 1985-11-07 Hughes Aircraft Company Affichage binoculaire holographique monte sur un casque
EP0381449A2 (fr) * 1989-02-01 1990-08-08 Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. Système tête-haute pour lunette de vision nocturne
EP0395570A2 (fr) * 1989-04-24 1990-10-31 United Technologies Corporation Dispositif d'affichage monté sur un casque afin de l'utiliser comme simulateur
EP0579506A1 (fr) * 1992-07-17 1994-01-19 KAISER AEROSPACE & ELECTRONICS CORPORATION Système d'affichage binoculaire monté sur casque
US5418584A (en) * 1992-12-31 1995-05-23 Honeywell Inc. Retroreflective array virtual image projection screen

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001027684A2 (fr) * 1999-10-09 2001-04-19 Optimize Incorporated Afficheur sur monture de lunettes a module d'ajustement personnalise
WO2001027684A3 (fr) * 1999-10-09 2001-11-22 Optimize Inc Afficheur sur monture de lunettes a module d'ajustement personnalise
US6480174B1 (en) 1999-10-09 2002-11-12 Optimize Incorporated Eyeglass-mount display having personalized fit module
US6989935B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2006-01-24 Headplay, Inc. Optical arrangements for head mounted displays
US7057824B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2006-06-06 Headplay, Inc. Multiple imaging arrangements for head mounted displays
US7414792B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2008-08-19 Headplay (Barbados) Inc. Method of changing the inter-pupilar distance of a head mounted display while maintaining a constant optical path length
US7430078B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2008-09-30 Headplay (Barbados), Inc. Multiple imaging arrangements for head mounted displays
US7764431B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2010-07-27 Headplay (Barbados), Inc. Multiple imaging arrangements for head mounted displays
WO2005062105A1 (fr) * 2003-12-12 2005-07-07 Headplay, Inc. Schemas optiques destines aux afficheurs montes sur la tete
CN100437200C (zh) * 2003-12-12 2008-11-26 海德佩(巴巴多斯)公司 用于头戴显示器的光学装置
CN110596898A (zh) * 2019-09-29 2019-12-20 深圳纳德光学有限公司 一种一屏双目式头戴显示光学系统及设备
CN110596898B (zh) * 2019-09-29 2024-03-12 深圳纳德光学有限公司 一种一屏双目式头戴显示光学系统及设备

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