Optics: image projectors – Composite projected image – Multicolor picture
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-21
2001-11-06
Dowling, William (Department: 2851)
Optics: image projectors
Composite projected image
Multicolor picture
C359S618000, C345S008000, C345S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312129
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to image projection systems. More particularly it relates to a head mounted image projection system that is compact, simple and easily implemented.
(b) Description of Related Art
A variety of image projection systems are known in the art. In general, such systems use a variety of lens and other optics to project a relatively small conventional screen image onto a substantially larger screen. One of the best known examples of this type of system is projection television.
Head mounted image projection systems are particularly advantageous. They are often used in virtual reality systems for entertainment and non-entertainment applications (e.g., training and simulation). A typical flight simulation system includes a computer that executes software programs that create the flight simulation images. These images are coupled via a video cable to floor-mounted light value projectors, which in turn feed the image to fiber optic image guides. The fiber optic image guides couple the image to an optics configuration mounted on a helmet or other headgear. The user places the headgear on his/her head, and the optics configuration projects the image onto a screen located in front of the user. Alternatively, the user may view a magnified virtual image by using a simple magnifier or an eyepiece, as used in microscopes and telescopes (one such system is available under the trademark “Fiber-Optic Helmet Mounted Display” and is marketed by CAE Electronics Ltd. Of Saint-Laurent Quebec, Canada). Other projection systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,347,508; 4,922,550; 5,416,876; 4,439,157; and 5,319,490.
The above-described systems have several shortcomings. For example, the floor mounted projector is large, consumes several kW of power, relatively immobile and expensive. The fiber optic image guide, when provided in sufficient length to provide the user with some mobility, can be cumbersome, lossy in terms of luminance and resolution, expensive and relatively heavy. The optics configuration can become extremely complicated, large and expensive depending on the size of the projected image and the desired image resolution which is defined as the smallest discernible or measurable detail in the image. The excessive weight on the head can be a significant deviation from the operational environment being simulated.
Accordingly, there is a need for a head mounted image projection system that is compact, lightweight, inexpensive and relatively easy to design and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a head mounted projection systems that has several advantages over known head mounted projection systems. In particular, the present invention provides an image projection system that is compact, lightweight, inexpensive and relatively easy to design and maintain.
An apparatus embodying the present invention includes a head-mount unit capable of being mounted to a headgear for use in connection with a head mount projection system. The head-mount unit includes a first image source, a first tapered relay that receives an image output from said first image source, and an optics system that relays an image output from said first tapered relay to a screen.
In an alternative embodiment, the above-described unit further includes a second image source, and a second tapered relay that receives an image output from said second image source, wherein the optics system relays an image output from the second tapered relay to the screen. The image output from the first image source is larger than the image output from said first tapered relay, the image output from the second image source is larger than the image output from the second tapered relay, and the image output from the first tapered relay is larger than the image output from the second tapered relay. The image output from the first tapered relay has a lower resolution than the image output from the second tapered relay. Alternatively, the image output from the first tapered relay can have a higher resolution than the image output from the second tapered relay.
The present invention may also be embodied in a head mount projection system having an image generator coupled to a head-mount unit mounted to a headgear. The image generator generates a primary image that is provided to the head-mount unit. The head-mount unit includes a first image source that receives at least a portion of the primary image, a first tapered relay that receives an image output from the first image source, and an optics system that relays an image output from the first tapered relay to a screen.
In an alternative embodiment, the above-described head-mount unit further includes a second image source that receives at least a portion of the primary image, and a second tapered relay that receives an image output from the second image source, wherein the optics system relays an image output from the second tapered relay to the screen. The image output from the first image source can be larger than the image output from the first tapered relay. The image output from the second image source can be larger than the image output from the second tapered relay, and the image output from the first tapered relay can be larger than the image output from the second tapered relay. The image output from the first tapered relay can have a higher resolution than the image output from the second tapered relay. Alternatively, the image output from the first tapered relay can have a lower resolution than the image output from the second tapered relay.
The present invention may also be embodied in a method of projecting a primary image onto a screen using a head mount projection system. The steps of the method include generating a primary image, providing the primary image to a head mounted unit having a first tapered fiber optic relay and an optics system, reducing at least a portion of the primary image using the first tapered fiber optic relay, and relaying the reduced primary image to a screen using the optics system.
In an alternative embodiment of the above-described method, the head mounted unit further includes a second tapered fiber optic relay, and the second tapered fiber optic relay is used to reduce at least a portion of the primary image. The optics system relays an image output from the second tapered relay to the screen. The primary image can be larger than the image output from the first tapered relay. The primary image can be larger than the image output from the second tapered relay. The image output from the first tapered relay could be larger than the image output from the second tapered relay. The image output from the first tapered relay can have a higher resolution than the image output from the second tapered relay. Alternatively, the image output from the first tapered relay can have a lower resolution than the image output from the second tapered relay.
The invention itself, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5526184 (1996-06-01), Tokuhashi et al.
patent: 5596339 (1997-01-01), Furness, III et al.
patent: 5606458 (1997-02-01), Fergason
patent: 5680257 (1997-10-01), Anderson
patent: 5808589 (1998-09-01), Fergason
patent: 5886822 (1999-03-01), Spitzer
Sisodia Ashok
Yaffe Roger E.
Dowling William
L-3 Communications Corp.
Tiajoloff Andrew L.
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