Abstract:
A primary waveguide (12) and a coupling waveguide (14) are arranged soa user (16) can view light from a forward scene (18) through the primary waveguide (12). An image source (20) generates an image which isdiffractivelycoupled into the primary waveguide (12) and internally reflected to an exit area (34) for diffraction towards the user (16). Light from the forward looking scene (18) isdiffracted into the primary waveguide (12) to be internally reflected and coupled to a image intensifier tube assembly (42). The image intensifier tube assembly (42) enhances light from the forward looking scene (18) and drives the image source (20) such that an image of the enhanced light is overlaid on light from a forward scene (18) at exit area (34).
Abstract:
A helmet mounted display (30) includes a display source (31) arranged to be directly imaged by a primary relay optical arrangement (32) having relay optical elements (33A, 33B and 33C). Light exiting the primary relay optical (5) arrangement (32) indicated by ray traces (34A, 34B and 34C) continue towards a visor (35) which is arranged to reflect incident light to a exit pupil located in a convenient position for a viewer (36). The display source (31) includes a light source, beam splitter, reflective liquid (10) crystal display and a display source relay optical arrangement to provide an output image at an output diffuser screen. The image at the output screen is then directly imaged by the primary relay optical arrangement (32). Should the reflective liquid crystal display require modification or replacement (15) with a newer model, then the display source (31) can be redesigned to accommodate the new reflective liquid crystal display rather than re-engineering the primary relay optical arrangement (32) at greater expense.
Abstract:
A display assembly (105) for mounting on a head-worn device such as a helmet, and having a partially reflective surface located in a field of view of a user, a display projector (40, 50, 200) for projecting light towards the user via the partially reflective surface, a sensor (60, 210) for use in tracking an eye of the user, and a partially reflective imaging surface (120, 220, 225) located in the field of view. The sensor is aligned to receive light forming an image of an eye reflected by the partially reflective imaging surface, the image being for use in the eye-tracking. By using a reflected image, the camera location can be arranged to improve the potentially conflicting needs of keeping the field of view clear, and of having an image from directly in front of the eye, and of limiting the weight and size and imbalance of the helmet. The visor may be used as the partially reflective surface. IR Illumination may be provided by the display projector.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for producing an optical display comprising an optical waveguide (1) and a pair (10, 16) of switchable diffraction gratings that are switchable between a diffractive state and a non-diffractive state. A pair of non-switchable diffraction gratings (2, 14) is arranged to receive diffract light from one switchable grating for guided propagation along the optical waveguide and out to the other switchable grating for viewing. The pair of non-switchable gratings are tuned to a first operating wavelength of light, while the pair of switchable gratings are tuned to a different operating wavelength of light to diffract that light into/from a field of view in common with that of the non-switchable gratings such that light of two wavelengths occupies the same field of view.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a waveguide for a display apparatus comprising providing a planar optical waveguide part (20), depositing upon the optical waveguide part a fluid material (11) curable to form an optically transparent solid, impressing (30) upon the fluid material an impression defining an input diffraction grating region, an intermediate diffraction grating region and an output diffraction grating region wherein the fluid material of the intermediate diffraction grating region is continuous with the fluid material of at least the input diffraction grating region, curing (45) the impressed fluid material to solidify said impression. The physical location of the input diffraction grating is located wholly within the geographical area of the intermediate grating, and the grating vectors of the input diffraction grating and the intermediate diffraction grating are oriented in different respective directions.
Abstract:
A waveguide for a display apparatus comprising a planar optical waveguide part (20) for guiding light to be displayed, an input diffraction grating (21) to diffract received light (7) along the optical waveguide part for guiding thereby, an intermediate diffraction grating (22) to receive diffracted light from the input diffraction grating and to expand the received light in a first dimension by diffraction (8), and an output diffraction grating (23) to receive the expanded light and to output the received expanded light (10) from the optical waveguide part by diffraction for display. The input diffraction grating is positioned so as to be located wholly within the geographical area of the intermediate grating, and the grating vectors of the input diffraction grating and the intermediate diffraction grating are oriented in different respective directions.