US4261635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical apparatus
Assignee: Qioptiq Ltd
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Filing: 1979-05-02
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Granted: 1981-04-14
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Expires: 1999-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Optical apparatus, such as head-up display apparatus, for superimposing visual information on an observer's view of a scene or object comprises a substantially flat transmission hologram through which the observer views the scene or object, the hologram being disposed substantially orthogonally to and midway along an axis between the observer's eye position and projection optics so as to deviate light from an image produced by the projection optics to the observer's eye position with minimal field aberrations.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael H. Freeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; G02B27/0103; G02B2027/0105; G02B2027/0107; G02B2027/0145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Optical apparatus for superimposing displayed visual information on an observer's view comprising a display source, projection optics arranged to produce in an image plane an image of visual information displayed by the display source, and a transmission hologram arranged to receive light from that image and deviate such light towards the observer's eye position, while the observer is looking through the transmission hologram, wherein the transmission hologram is substantially flat and is disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis extending from the observer's eye position to the projection optics at a location substantially midway along that axis such that the distance between the projection optics and the transmission hologram is substantially the same as the distance between the transmission hologram and the observer's eye position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Optical apparatus for superimposing displayed visual information on an observer's view comprising a display source, projection optics arranged to produce in an image plane an image of visual information displayed by the display source, and a transmission hologram arranged to receive light from that image and deviate such light towards the observer's eye position, while the observer is looking through the transmission hologram, wherein the transmission hologram is substantially flat and is disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis extending from the observer's eye position to the projection optics at a location substantially midway along that axis such that the distance between the projection optics and the transmission hologram is substantially the same as the distance between the transmission hologram and the observer's eye position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
Head-up display apparatus comprising a display source, projection optics arranged to produce in an image plane an image of visual information displayed by the display source, and a combiner arranged to receive light from that image and direct such light to an observer's eye position to superimpose the displayed visual information on the observer's view of the outside through the combiner, wherein the combiner comprises a transmission hologram which is substantially flat and disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis extending from the observer's eye position to the projection optics at a location substantially mid-way along that axis such that the distance between the projection optics and the transmission hologram is substantially the same as the distance between the transmission hologram and the observer's eye position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
Head-up display apparatus comprising a display source, projection optics arranged to produce in an image plane an image of visual information displayed by the display source, and a combiner arranged to receive light from that image and direct such light to an observer's eye position to superimpose the displayed visual information on the observer's view of the outside through the combiner, wherein the combiner comprises a transmission hologram which is substantially flat and disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis extending from the observer's eye position to the projection optics at a location substantially mid-way along that axis such that the distance between the projection optics and the transmission hologram is substantially the same as the distance between the transmission hologram and the observer's eye position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said image plane is located substantially mid-way between the projection optics and the transmission hologram whereby the hologram collimates the light deviated by transmission through the hologram so that the image of the displayed visual information seen by the observer appears at infinity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 including means to locate an observer's head with his eyes at the required eye position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 including means to locate an observer's head with his eyes at the required eye position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-04-13 | 1984-10-13 | 1985-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-13 | 1988-10-13 | 1989-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-13 | 1992-10-13 | 1993-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |