US5363241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focusable virtual image display
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1992-04-07
•
Granted: 1994-11-08
•
Expires: 2012-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A focusable virtual image display system employing a focusable image source such as a cathode ray tube and imaging optics to provide a virtual image. The virtual image is viewable by a user and its effective range may be changed without changing the apparent field of view or resolution. By placing the focus point of the imaging optics at the design eye, the image source is moved backwards and forwards, thus effectively changing the range of the virtual image observed by the user without changing the apparent field of view or resolution. The present invention allows the user to adjust the focus position of the virtual image of the image source by moving it relative to the imaging optics, while maintaining the size and resolution of the image. If the user wants to move the image further away, when the image source is moved, the imaging optics moves the virtual image further away and magnifies the image such that the angular field of view stays the same. The user cannot distinguish between the sizes, although the focus will be more comfortable for a particular accommodation range. The relative cost of the virtual image display system is relatively less expensive than large screen monitors due to the nature and complexity of the smaller components. By including a focus adjustment mechanism, the focusable virtual image display monitor has an added feature that a conventional large screen monitor does not provide.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald G. Hegg
- 👤 Mao-Jin Chern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B25/00; G02B25/002; G02B25/008; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/302; H04N13/322; G02B1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A focusable virtual image display optical system that is adapted to enlarge an image of an image source viewed by a user, said system comprising: a movable cathode ray tube image source; and imaging optics disposed along an optical path between the movable cathode ray tube image source and the user, and that is adapted to produce a virtual magnified image of the movable cathode ray tube image source at the location of the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A focusable virtual image display optical system that is adapted to enlarge an image of an image source viewed by a user, said system comprising: a movable cathode ray tube image source; and imaging optics disposed along an optical path between the movable cathode ray tube image source and the user, and that is adapted to produce a virtual magnified image of the movable cathode ray tube image source at the location of the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 1 wherein the imaging optics comprises a convex lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 1 wherein the imaging optics comprises a concave mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 1 wherein the imaging optics further comprises a variable focus relay lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 1 wherein the imaging optics comprises a convex lens and a variable focus relay lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 1 wherein the movable cathode ray tube image source comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
A focusable virtual image display optical system that is adapted to enlarge an image of an image source viewed by a user, said system comprising: a movable liquid crystal display image source; and imaging optics disposed along an optical path between the movable liquid crystal display image source and the user, and that is adapted to produce a virtual magnified image of the movable liquid crystal display image source at the location of the user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A focusable virtual image display optical system that is adapted to enlarge an image of an image source viewed by a user, said system comprising: a movable liquid crystal display image source; and imaging optics disposed along an optical path between the movable liquid crystal display image source and the user, and that is adapted to produce a virtual magnified image of the movable liquid crystal display image source at the location of the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 7 wherein the imaging optics comprises a convex lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 7 wherein the imaging optics comprises a concave mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 7 wherein the imaging optics further comprises a variable focus relay lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 7 wherein the imaging optics comprises a convex lens and a variable focus relay lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative postion of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics, wherein the magnification change is achieved by moving the position of the image source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative postion of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics, wherein the magnification change is achieved by moving the position of the image source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 12 wherein the magnifying optics comprises a plurality of optical elements and wherein magnification change is achieved by moving the relative position of at least one of the optical elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 12 wherein the imaging optics further comprises variable focal length optics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics, wherein the optics comprises a convex lens and a variable focus relay lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics, wherein the optics comprises a convex lens and a variable focus relay lens.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 15 wherein the magnifying optics comprises a plurality of optical elements and wherein magnification change is achieved by moving the relative position of at least one of the optical elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 15 wherein the imaging optics further comprises variable focal length optics.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
76 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source comprising a small screen cathode ray tube: and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source comprising a small screen cathode ray tube: and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 18 wherein the magnifying optics comprises a plurality of optical elements and wherein magnification change is achieved by moving the relative position of at least one of the optical elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 18 wherein the imaging optics further comprises variable focal length optics.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source comprising a liquid crystal display; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an image source comprising a liquid crystal display; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 21 wherein the magnifying optics comprises a plurality of optical elements and wherein magnification change is achieved by moving the relative position of at least one of the optical elements.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 21 wherein the imaging optics further comprises variable focal length optics.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
70 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an alphanumeric image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: an alphanumeric image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 24 wherein the magnifying optics comprises a plurality of optical elements and wherein magnification change is achieved by moving the relative position of at least one of the optical elements.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 24 wherein the imaging optics further comprises variable focal length optics.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: a segmented image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
A virtual image display optical system having variable magnification comprising: a segmented image source; and magnifying optics disposed along an optical path between the image source and a user, and that is adapted to produce variable magnification of the image source, and wherein the variable magnification is achieved by providing a selected combination of relative motion of the image source and relative position of optical elements comprising the magnifying optics.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 27 wherein the magnifying optics comprises a plurality of optical elements and wherein magnification change is achieved by moving the relative position of at least one of the optical elements.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The virtual image display optical system of claim 27 wherein the imaging optics further comprises variable focal length optics.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4953958A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-07 | 1998-05-09 | 1998-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-07 | 2002-05-09 | 2002-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-05-09 | 2006-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |