US3737212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diffraction optics head up display
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-12-14
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1990-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A head up display for combining a direct view as for example that of an aircraft pilot with superimposed light from another source by use of diffraction optics as a combining and collimating element. A specific implementation of an optical combining element and a secondary projector is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 A Antonson
- 👤 J Bigelow
- 👤 C Stein
- 👤 Horn J Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; G02B27/0103; G02B5/00; G02B5/32; G02B2027/0105; G02B2027/0107; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A combining glass for head up display equipment comprising an optical element having light diffracting properties in the form of systematically place deviations in optical properties which cause light diffraction for projecting the image of a separately presented object on one side of the glass at a position on the other side of the glass, said combining glass being substantially spherical in shape to correct optical aberrations due to different orientations and locations of projected light with spherical surface having curvature defined by X2 + Y2 4.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A combining glass for head up display equipment comprising an optical element having light diffracting properties in the form of systematically place deviations in optical properties which cause light diffraction for projecting the image of a separately presented object on one side of the glass at a position on the other side of the glass, said combining glass being substantially spherical in shape to correct optical aberrations due to different orientations and locations of projected light with spherical surface having curvature defined by X2 + Y2 4.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
In head up display equipment having a first optical element interposed between a viewer and his real world view and a second optical component including means on one side of said first optical component for projecting light directly onto said first optical element whereby said light and said first optical element cooperate to create for the viewer a secondary image superimposed on said real world view, the improvement comprising use of a diffracting optical element as said first optical element for projecting a secondary image on the other side of said first optical element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
In head up display equipment having a first optical element interposed between a viewer and his real world view and a second optical component including means on one side of said first optical component for projecting light directly onto said first optical element whereby said light and said first optical element cooperate to create for the viewer a secondary image superimposed on said real world view, the improvement comprising use of a diffracting optical element as said first optical element for projecting a secondary image on the other side of said first optical element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combining glass of claim 1 wherein said element is also a collimator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved heads up display equipment of claim 2 wherein said diffracting optical element used as said first optical element is a diffraction lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combining glass of claim 1 wherein said element constitutes a zone plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combining glass of claim 1 wherein said systematically placed deviations constitute a holographic recording of a light source and the projection of light therethrough from a source on one side of said glass collimates said light in the form of said source to focus the image of said source at a near distance on the other side of said glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved equipment of claim 4 wherein said means for projecting light includes means for emitting controlled frequency lighT of single or multiple frequencies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improved equipment of claim 2 wherein said first optical element is substantially transparent to the real world view but contains systematically placed deviations in optical properties so as to cause diffraction phenomena in the light projected from said means for projecting and to cause one order of diffraction of said light to create said secondary image in superimposition on said real world view.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The equipment of claim 8 wherein said deviations are in the form of a holographic recording of a light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The equipment of claim 8 wherein said first optical element is curved to correct optical aberrations due to different orientations and locations of the said projected light and said second component includes a cathode ray tube having a curved face.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The equipment of claim 10 wherein the concave sides of said combining glass and said curved face are mutually facing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The equipment of claim 11 wherein said combining glass is substantially spherical and said face is substantially paraboloidal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The equipment of claim 12 wherein said curvatures of said combining glass and said face are related as approximately X2 + Y2 4 and Y 0.05485 X2.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The equipment of claim 9 wherein said light source, of which said deviations are a holographic recording, is a point source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The equipment of claim 9 wherein said light source, of which said deviations are a holographic recording, is of the shape of an object whereby a shaped secondary image may be created by projection of a point source by said means for projecting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |