Vertical-cavity surface emitting laser assay display system

Claim 2

A visual display system comprising: a plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, each of said lasers emitting radiation; and means for displaying an image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers within the field of view of an observer.

Claim 3

The visual display system of claim 1 having a size suitable for headgear-mounted use.

Claim 4

The visual display system of claim 2 wherein said means for displaying includes means for creating a virtual image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, and a rotating mirror for displacing said virtual image over a desired field-of-view.

Claim 5

The visual display system of claim 1 further comprising means for selectively modulating the intensity of the radiation from each of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers so that said image substantially represents a predetermined visual display.

Claim 6

The visual display system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers emit radiation at a predetermined wavelength so that said image is monochrome.

Claim 7

The visual display system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers emit radiation at a plurality of wavelengths so that said image is in color.

Claim 8

The visual display system of claim 6 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are aligned in sets of three lines, said vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in each line emitting radiation at a different predetermined wavelength.

Claim 9

The visual display system of claim 7 wherein vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in a first line of said sets emit in the visible red region of the electromagnetic spectrum, vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers in a second line of said sets emit in the visible green region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in a third line of said sets emit in the visible blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Claim 10

The visual display system of claim 8 wherein said vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in said first, second and third lines are staggered with respect to each other.

Claim 11

The visual display system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are aligned in a substantially one-dimensional array.

Claim 12

The visual display system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are aligned in a substantially two-dimensional array.

Claim 13

The visual display system of claim 1 wherein said means for displaying comprises imaging means for creating a virtual image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, and means for reflecting said virtual image into the field of view of the observer.

Claim 14

The visual display system of claim 12 wherein said means for reflecting includes a mirror.

Claim 15

The visual display system of claim 12 wherein said means for reflecting includes a partially transmissive, partially reflective faceplate such that the observer can simultaneously view the image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and external visual information directed to the observer.

Claim 16

The visual display system of claim 12 further comprising means for adjusting the location of said virtual image from infinity to a distance close to the observer.

Claim 17

The visual display system of claim 15 wherein said means for adjusting includes a mechanical servo for displacing said plurality of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers.

Claim 18

The visual display system of claim 1 further comprising micro-lenslets for directing the propagation of the radiation from said plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 19

A visual display system for displaying an image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers aligned substantially in at least a first 1×N array, said lasers emitting radiation; means for creating an image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image.

Claim 20

A visual display system for displaying an image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers aligned substantially in at least a first 1×N array, said lasers emitting radiation; means for creating an image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image.

Claim 21

The visual display system of claim 18 wherein said image is a virtual image.

Claim 22

The visual display system of claim 18 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers emit radiation at a predetermined wavelength so that said M×N image is monochrome.

Claim 23

The visual display system of claim 18 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers emit radiation at a plurality of wavelengths so that said image is in color.

Claim 24

The visual display system of claim 21 wherein said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are aligned in three lines of 1×N arrays, said vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in each line emitting radiation at a different predetermined wavelength.

Claim 25

The visual display system of claim 22 wherein vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in a first line of said 1×N arrays emit in the visible red region of the electromagnetic spectrum, vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers in a second line of said 1×N arrays emit in the visible green region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in a third line of said 1×N arrays emit in the visible blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Claim 26

The visual display system of claim 18 further comprising micro-lenslets for directing the propagation of the radiation from said plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 27

The visual display system of claim 18 wherein vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers within said 1×N arrays are staggered with respect to one another.

Claim 28

A visual display system for displaying an image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of visible emitting lasers aligned substantially in a K×L array, said lasers emitting radiation; means for creating an image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image, where M and N are greater than K and L, respectively.

Claim 29

A visual display system for displaying an image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of visible emitting lasers aligned substantially in a K×L array, said lasers emitting radiation; means for creating an image of said plurality of visible emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image, where M and N are greater than K and L, respectively.

Claim 30

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein said visible emitting lapsers are vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 31

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein said visible emitting lasers are light emitting diodes.

Claim 32

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein said visible emitting lasers are edge-emitting laser diodes.

Claim 33

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein said image is a virtual image.

Claim 34

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein said plurality of visible emitting lasers emit radiation at a predetermined wavelength so that said M×N image is monochrome.

Claim 35

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein said plurality of visible emitting lasers emit radiation at a plurality of wavelengths so that said image is in color.

Claim 36

The visual display system of claim 26 wherein 1×L arrays of said K×L arrays of said plurality of visible emitting lasers are aligned in three lines, said visible emitting lasers in each line emitting radiation at a different predetermined wavelength.

Claim 37

The visual display system of claim 33 wherein visible emitting lasers within said 1×L arrays are staggered with respect to one another.

Claim 38

The visual display system of claim 33 wherein said visible emitting lasers in a first line of said 1×L arrays emit in the visible red region of the electromagnetic spectrum, vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers in a second line of said 1×L arrays emit in the visible green region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in a third line of the said 1×L arrays emit in the visible blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Claim 39

The visual display system of claim 26 further comprising micro-lenslets for directing the propagation of the radiation from said plurality of visible emitting lasers.

Claim 40

A visual display system for displaying a desired image within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a laser array including a plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and light emitting diodes, said vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and light emitting diodes emitting radiation in the visible electromagnetic spectrum; means for creating an optical image of said laser array; means for repetitively displacing the position of said optical image within the field of view of the observer; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from said laser array as the position of said optical image is displaced to create the desired image.

Claim 41

A visual display system for displaying a desired image within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a laser array including a plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and light emitting diodes, said vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and light emitting diodes emitting radiation in the visible electromagnetic spectrum; means for creating an optical image of said laser array; means for repetitively displacing the position of said optical image within the field of view of the observer; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from said laser array as the position of said optical image is displaced to create the desired image.

Claim 42

A visual display system for displaying a desired image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting lasers aligned substantially in K 1×L arrays, said 1×L arrays being arranged in groups of two or more lasers; a plurality of lenslet pairs having an optical axis substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of radiation emitted from said lasers, each lenslet pair for imaging lasers within a group to corresponding groups of reduced image size such that the inter-group spacing for the groups of reduced image size is greater than that for said groups of lasers; means for creating an image of said groups of reduced image size; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer so as to generate sub-picture elements between the groups of reduced image size; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image, where M and N are greater than K and L, respectively.

Claim 43

A visual display system for displaying a desired image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting lasers aligned substantially in K 1×L arrays, said 1×L arrays being arranged in groups of two or more lasers; a plurality of lenslet pairs having an optical axis substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of radiation emitted from said lasers, each lenslet pair for imaging lasers within a group to corresponding groups of reduced image size such that the inter-group spacing for the groups of reduced image size is greater than that for said groups of lasers; means for creating an image of said groups of reduced image size; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer so as to generate sub-picture elements between the groups of reduced image size; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image, where M and N are greater than K and L, respectively.

Claim 44

The visual display system of claim 38 wherein said surface-emitting lasers are vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 45

The visual display system of claim 38 wherein said surface-emitting lasers are light emitting diodes.

Claim 46

The visual display system of claim 38 wherein said surface-emitting lasers are edge-emitting laser diodes.

Claim 47

A visual display system for displaying a desired image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting lasers aligned substantially in a 1×L array, said 1×L array being arranged in groups of two or more lasers; a plurality of lenslet pairs having an optical axis substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of radiation emitted from said lasers, each lenslet pair for imaging lasers within a group to corresponding groups of reduced image size such that the inter-group spacing for the groups of reduced image size is greater than that for said groups of lasers; means for creating an image of said groups of reduced image size; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer so as to generate sub-picture elements between the groups of reduced image size and picture elements along first and second directions, respectively, of said image; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image, where M and N are greater than K and L, respectively.

Claim 48

A visual display system for displaying a desired image having M×N picture elements within the field of view of an observer, said visual display system comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting lasers aligned substantially in a 1×L array, said 1×L array being arranged in groups of two or more lasers; a plurality of lenslet pairs having an optical axis substantially collinear with the direction of propagation of radiation emitted from said lasers, each lenslet pair for imaging lasers within a group to corresponding groups of reduced image size such that the inter-group spacing for the groups of reduced image size is greater than that for said groups of lasers; means for creating an image of said groups of reduced image size; means for repetitively displacing the position of said image within the field of view of the observer so as to generate sub-picture elements between the groups of reduced image size and picture elements along first and second directions, respectively, of said image; and means for selectively controlling the intensity of the radiation emitted from each of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers as the position of said image is displaced to create the desired M×N image, where M and N are greater than K and L, respectively.

Claim 49

The visual display system of claim 42 wherein said surface-emitting lasers are vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 50

The visual display system of claim 42 wherein said surface-emitting lasers are light emitting diodes.

Claim 51

The visual display system of claim 42 wherein said surface-emitting lasers are edge-emitting laser diodes.

Claim 52

A scanning configuration comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting lasers substantially aligned in at least a 1×N array along a first direction, said 1×N array having an inter-element spacing, d, and each of said lasers corresponding to a picture element; means for creating an image of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers; and means for repetitively displacing the image of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers by a distance less than the inter-element spacing, d, along said first direction so as to generate sub-picture elements between the images of adjacent lasers.

Claim 53

A scanning configuration comprising: a plurality of surface-emitting lasers substantially aligned in at least a 1×N array along a first direction, said 1×N array having an inter-element spacing, d, and each of said lasers corresponding to a picture element; means for creating an image of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers; and means for repetitively displacing the image of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers by a distance less than the inter-element spacing, d, along said first direction so as to generate sub-picture elements between the images of adjacent lasers.

Claim 54

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein said surface emitting lasers are vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 55

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein said surface emitting lasers are light emitting diodes.

Claim 56

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein said surface emitting laser are edge-emitting laser diodes.

Claim 57

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein surface-emitting lasers within said 1×N array are staggered with respect to one another.

Claim 58

The scanning configuration of claim 46 further comprising means for respectively displaying the image of said plurality of surface-emitting lasers along a second direction, said second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.

Claim 59

The scanning configuration of claim 51 wherein said plurality of surface-emitting lasers emit radiation at a plurality of wavelengths so that said image is in color.

Claim 60

The scanning configuration of claim 51 wherein said plurality of surface-emitting lasers are aligned in three lines of 1×N arrays, said surface-emitting lasers in each line emitting radiation at a different predetermined wavelength.

Claim 61

The scanning configuration of claim 53 wherein surface-emitting lasers in a first line of said 1×N arrays emit in the visible red region of the electromagnetic spectrum, surface-emitting lasers in a second line of said 1×N arrays emit in the visible green region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and surface emitting lasers in a third line of said 1×N arrays emit in the visible blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Claim 62

The scanning configuration of claim 46 further comprising micro-lenslets for directing the propagation for radiation from said plurality of surface-emitting lasers.

Claim 63

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein said means for creating an image includes an optical lens system.

Claim 64

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein said means for repetitively displacing said image includes a resonating mirror.

Claim 65

The scanning configuration of claim 46 wherein said means for repetitively displacing said image includes a rotating mirror.

Claim 66

The scanning configuration of claim 58 wherein said rotating mirror has N sides, each side having a vertical tilt with respect to each other.