Optical systems for see-through displays

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9366867-B2
Application number	US-201414325991-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2014
Priority date	Jul 8, 2014
Publication date	Jun 14, 2016
Grant date	Jun 14, 2016

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for providing a high quality display images in see-through head-worn optics.

First claim

We claim:

1. An optical system for a head-worn computer, comprising:
a polarized light source positioned within the head-worn computer and adapted to project polarized light towards a partially reflective partially transmissive surface such that the polarized light reflects through a field lens and towards a reflective display forming image light, wherein the polarized light is converted to a different polarization state after reflecting off a surface of the reflective display,
wherein the image light is then transmitted through the field lens and then through the partially reflective partially transmissive surface to an eye image display optical system adapted to present the image light to an eye of a user wearing the head-worn computer, and
wherein the reflective display is a monochrome reflective display and the polarized light source provides sequential illumination of red, green and blue light to provide a perceived full color image to the eye of the user.

2. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein a path of the polarized light is folded once in the head worn computer.

3. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the polarized light and the image light both pass through the field lens but in opposite directions.

4. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein the eye image display optical system includes a forward facing reflective surface and a reflective optic with optical power, wherein the reflective optic with optical power reflects the image light towards the user's eye.

5. The optical system of claim 4 , wherein the forward facing reflective surface includes a beam splitter plate and the reflective optic with optical power includes a curved partial mirror.

6. The optical system of claim 5 , wherein the image light is provided from behind the rotationally curved partial mirror.

7. The optical system of claim 5 , wherein the image light is provided from the side of the rotationally curved partial mirror.

8. The optical system of claim 5 , wherein the image light is folded twice in the reflective optic.

9. An optical system for a head-worn computer, comprising:
a polarized light source positioned within the head-worn computer and adapted to project polarized light towards a partially reflective partially transmissive surface such that the polarized light reflects through a field lens and towards a reflective display forming image light, wherein the polarized light is converted to a different polarization state after reflecting off a surface of the reflective display,
wherein the image light is then transmitted through the field lens and then through the partially reflective partially transmissive surface to an eye image display optical system adapted to present the image light to an eye of a user wearing the head-worn computer, and
wherein the partially reflective partially transmissive surface is a reflective polarizer film that includes a flat surface.

10. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein a path of the polarized light is folded once in the head worn computer.

11. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein the polarized light and the image light both pass through the field lens but in opposite directions.

12. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein the eye image display optical system includes a forward facing reflective surface and a reflective optic with optical power, wherein the reflective optic with optical power reflects the image light towards the user's eye.

13. The optical system of claim 12 , wherein the forward facing reflective surface includes a beam splitter plate and the reflective optic with optical power includes a curved partial mirror.

14. The optical system of claim 13 , wherein the image light is provided from behind the rotationally curved partial mirror.

15. The optical system of claim 13 , wherein the image light is provided from the side of the rotationally curved partial mirror.

16. The optical system of claim 13 , wherein the image light is folded twice in the folded reflective optic.

17. An optical system for a head-worn computer, comprising:
a polarized light source positioned within the head-worn computer and adapted to project polarized light towards a partially reflective partially transmissive surface such that the polarized light reflects through a field lens and towards a reflective display, wherein the polarized light is converted to a different polarization state after reflecting off a surface of the reflective display, forming image light,
wherein the image light is then transmitted through the field lens and then through the partially reflective partially transmissive surface to an eye image display optical system adapted to present the image light to an eye of a user wearing the head-worn computer,
wherein the partially reflective partially transmissive surface is a thin reflective polarizer film of approximately 80 microns.

18. The optical system of claim 17 , wherein a path of the polarized light is folded once in the head worn computer.

19. The optical system of claim 17 , wherein the polarized light and the image light both pass through the field lens but in opposite directions.

20. The optical system of claim 17 , wherein the eye image display optical system includes a forward facing reflective surface and a reflective optic with optical power, wherein the reflective optic with optical power reflects the image light towards the user's eye.

21. The optical system of claim 20 , wherein the forward facing reflective surface includes a beam splitter plate and the reflective optic with optical power includes a curved partial mirror.

22. The optical system of claim 21 , wherein the image light is provided from behind the rotationally curved partial mirror.

23. The optical system of claim 21 , wherein the image light is provided from the side of the rotationally curved partial mirror.

24. The optical system of claim 21 , wherein the image light is folded twice in the folded reflective optic.

Assignees

• Osterhout Group Inc

Inventors

• Border John N
• Bietry Joseph
• Haddick John D

Classifications

• G02B27/0176

  characterised by mechanical features · CPC title

• G02B5/30

  Polarising elements (light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00) · CPC title

• G02B2027/0118

  comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility · CPC title

• G02B2027/0152

  involving arrangement aiming to get lighter or better balanced devices · CPC title

• G02B27/0172 Primary

  characterised by optical features · CPC title