US5293271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retrocollimator optical system
Assignee: Virtual Reality Inc
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Filing: 1992-04-15
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2012-04-15
Abstract
Abstract An optical system for use in helmet mounted displays that consists of an image source, electronics that predistort the image emanating from the projector, a means for correcting for optical aberration that may be a lens or a fiber optic taper, and a reflective surface composed of a plurality of reflective surface elements with conic geometries. Light from the projector, corrected for optical aberrations, is directed into the first reflective surface element. Light from the first reflective surface element is reflected into a second reflective surface element and thereafter into the eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Nelson A. Merritt
- 👤 Arden Strasser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0176; G02B27/0172; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/30; G09B9/307; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/011; G02B2027/0132; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0159; G02B2027/0178; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A mountable optical system, comprising: (a) a retrocollimator optic with a clamshell geometry formed by two curved surfaces with conic section cross sections which intersect at a curved line thus forming a continuous inner surface mounted so as to intercept an optical image and thereafter reflect the image into the eye of the observer; and (b) a means for projecting an optical image into said retrocollimator optic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A mountable optical system, comprising: (a) a retrocollimator optic with a clamshell geometry formed by two curved surfaces with conic section cross sections which intersect at a curved line thus forming a continuous inner surface mounted so as to intercept an optical image and thereafter reflect the image into the eye of the observer; and (b) a means for projecting an optical image into said retrocollimator optic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mountable optical system as described in claim 1 wherein said means for projecting an optical image is a projector, comprising: (a) an optical image; (b) an electronically encoded image; and (c) a means for converting said electronically encoded image into an optical image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mountable optical system as described in claim 1 wherein a means for correcting optical aberrations is mounted in such a manner as to intercept said optical image from said projector, creating a corrected image for projection into said retrocollimator optic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mountable optical system as recited in claim 1 wherein said retrocollimator optic is formed by paraboloidal and spherical surfaces which intersect at a curved line mounted to intercept said corrected image and thereafter reflect the image into the eye of the observer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mountable optical system as recited in claim 1 wherein said retrocollimator optic is formed by paraboloidal surfaces which Intersect at a curved line mounted to intercept said corrected image and thereafter reflect the image into the eye of the observer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mountable optical system as recited in claim 1 wherein said retrocollimator optic is formed by spherical surfaces which Intersect at a curved line mounted to intercept said corrected image and thereafter reflect the image into the eye of the observer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mountable optical system as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for correcting optical aberrations is a corrective lens.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |