Compact proximity display utilizing image transfer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9720233-B2
Application number	US-201414535968-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 7, 2014
Priority date	Nov 7, 2014
Publication date	Aug 1, 2017
Grant date	Aug 1, 2017

Abstract

A compact proximity display system and method that employs an image transfer device is provided. The system and method employs an image transfer device, such as a fiber optic device, which enables remotely locating an image generating source from the display assembly that is mounted on, or proximate to, the helmet bubble, thereby reducing the amount of components located proximate to the helmet bubble. The system and method minimize the intrusion of the entire display system into user's viewing area, and increase safety.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A display system for a helmet, the display system comprising:
an image transfer device configured to receive an image at a first location that is remote from the helmet and provide the image at a second location that is proximate to the helmet;
a display assembly configured to receive the image at the second location and redirect the image in focus at a configurable predetermined virtual image distance when viewed from a predetermined eyebox, the display assembly comprising:
a first display device coupled proximately to the helmet and to the image transfer device;
a first mirror ( 304 ); and
a second mirror ( 306 ); and
wherein the first mirror is configured to receive the image from the image transfer device at the second location and redirect the image as image light rays to the second mirror, the second mirror (i) configured to directly receive the image light rays from the first mirror and cause exiting image light rays to spread out, and (ii) direct the exiting light rays to the first display device; and

an image source comprising a second display device for generating the image, wherein the second display device is a micro display device.

2. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the image transfer device is a fiber optic bundle.

3. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first display device comprises a rear projection screen.

4. The display system of claim 3 , wherein the first mirror is flat.

5. The display system of claim 4 , wherein the second mirror is curved.

6. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the helmet comprises a helmet bubble and wherein the first display device comprises a projection coating coupled to a predetermined area on the helmet bubble.

7. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the image source further comprises:
a processor coupled to the second display device and configured to command the second display device to generate the image; and
a lens oriented to (i) clarify the image and (ii) direct the clarified image to the image transfer device at the first location.

8. The display system of claim 7 , wherein the lens comprises a collimating lens, configured to receive image light rays on an input surface and produce substantially parallel light rays at an output surface.

9. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the image comprises a three dimensional, moving image.

10. A method for displaying an image at a predetermined location relative to a helmet, the method comprising:
generating an image by an image source comprising a micro display device, the image source at a first location that is remote from the helmet;
transferring, by an image transfer device, the image from the first location to a second location that is external and proximate to the helmet;
at the second location:
receiving the image from the image transfer device at the second location by a first mirror;
redirecting the received image as image light rays by the first mirror;
directly receiving the image light rays from the first mirror by a second mirror;
causing the image light rays to spread out, creating an enlarged image by the second mirror; and
displaying the enlarged image such that it is in focus at a configurable predetermined virtual image distance when viewed from a predetermined eyebox within the helmet.

11. The display method of claim 10 , wherein transferring comprises:
receiving the image by a fiber optic bundle at the first location; and
presenting the image at the second location by the fiber optic bundle.

12. The display method of claim 10 , further comprising displaying the enlarged image on a rear projection screen.

13. A display system for a helmet, the display system comprising:
an image transfer device configured to receive an image at a first location that is remote from the helmet and provide the image at a second location that is proximate to the helmet;
a display assembly configured to receive the image at the second location and redirect the image in focus at a configurable predetermined virtual image distance when viewed from a predetermined eyebox, the display assembly comprising:
a first display device, comprising a rear projection screen, coupled proximately to the helmet and to the image transfer device;
a first mirror; and
a second mirror; and
wherein the first mirror is configured to receive the image from the image transfer device at the second location and redirect the image as image light rays to the second mirror, the second mirror (i) configured to directly receive the image light rays from the first mirror and cause exiting image light rays to spread out, and (ii) direct the exiting light rays to the first display device; and

an image source comprising a second display device for generating the image, wherein the second display device is a micro display device.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Dopilka David J
• Fletcher Mitch
• Schuck Daryl

Classifications

• G02B27/017

  Head mounted · CPC title

• G02B27/0172 Primary

  characterised by optical features · CPC title

• G02B6/06

  the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images · CPC title