US5369415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct retinal scan display with planar imager
Assignee: NXP USA Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-29
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2012-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A display which writes an image directly on the retina of an eye. The display includes a laser which produces a collimated light beam that is modulated with video information and is then scanned and directed through the eye pupil to produce an image on the retina. The scanning uses micro-machined mirrors, electro-optic or acousto-optic devices which are extremely small and require very low power.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred V. Richard
- 👤 Michael S. Lebby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:23
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/02; G09G3/025; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0172; G09G3/001; G02B2027/0178
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A direct write planar imager including an inlet for receiving a collimated beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions and intensity modulated, an outlet for directing the light beam into the eye of an operator and a redirection diffractive optical element for creating a virtual image only on the retina of the eye, the beam of light being directed from the inlet, along a path through the planar imager to the outlet, with the redirection diffractive optical element being positioned in the path, and the path from the inlet to the outlet providing angular magnification, whereby the scanning in two orthogonal directions required to write an image on the retina of the eye is substantially reduced because of the angular magnification in the planar imager.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A direct write planar imager including an inlet for receiving a collimated beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions and intensity modulated, an outlet for directing the light beam into the eye of an operator and a redirection diffractive optical element for creating a virtual image only on the retina of the eye, the beam of light being directed from the inlet, along a path through the planar imager to the outlet, with the redirection diffractive optical element being positioned in the path, and the path from the inlet to the outlet providing angular magnification, whereby the scanning in two orthogonal directions required to write an image on the retina of the eye is substantially reduced because of the angular magnification in the planar imager.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
220 words
A direct retinal scan display comprising: a light source for providing a directed beam of light, the light source including modulating means positioned to receive the beam of light for modulating video information onto the beam of light; deflection means positioned to receive the modulated beam of light and deflecting the beam of light in two orthogonal directions; a planar imager including an inlet for receiving the beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions and modulated, an outlet for directing the beam of light into the eye of an operator and a redirection diffractive optical element for creating a virtual image from the beam of light on the retina of the eye, the beam of light being directed from the inlet, along a path through the planar imager to the outlet, with the redirection diffractive optical element being positioned in the path, and the path from the inlet to the outlet providing angular magnification; and electronic means coupled to the modulating means and the deflection means for controlling the modulating means and the deflection means to, write an image only on the retina of the eye of the operator, whereby the deflecting in two orthogonal directions required to write an image on the retina of the eye is substantially reduced because of the angular magnification in the planar imager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
A direct retinal scan display comprising: a light source for providing a directed beam of light, the light source including modulating means positioned to receive the beam of light for modulating video information onto the beam of light; deflection means positioned to receive the modulated beam of light and deflecting the beam of light in two orthogonal directions; a planar imager including an inlet for receiving the beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions and modulated, an outlet for directing the beam of light into the eye of an operator and a redirection diffractive optical element for creating a virtual image from the beam of light on the retina of the eye, the beam of light being directed from the inlet, along a path through the planar imager to the outlet, with the redirection diffractive optical element being positioned in the path, and the path from the inlet to the outlet providing angular magnification; and electronic means coupled to the modulating means and the deflection means for controlling the modulating means and the deflection means to, write an image only on the retina of the eye of the operator, whereby the deflecting in two orthogonal directions required to write an image on the retina of the eye is substantially reduced because of the angular magnification in the planar imager.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the planar imager includes an elongated optical waveguide with a plurality of reflection areas positioned between the inlet and outlet for extending the path of the beam of light and providing angular magnification.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light source includes a laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 3 wherein the laser power entering the eye is no stronger than approximately 20 microwatts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 including in addition mounting means for positioning the display on the head of an operator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 6 wherein the mounting means includes eye glass frames.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light source further includes means for producing a collimated beam of light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the deflection means includes an acousto-optic scanner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the modulating means includes an acousto-optic modulator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the redirection diffractive optical element of the planar imager is constructed to converge the deflected beam of light at a convergence point within the eye substantially at an axis of rotation of the eye.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of forming a direct retinal scan display comprising the steps of: providing a directed beam of light modulated to impress video information onto the beam of light; deflecting the modulated beam of light in two orthogonal directions; providing a planar imager including an inlet for receiving a beam of light, an outlet for directing the received beam of light into the eye of an operator and a redirection diffractive optical element for creating a virtual image from the received beam of light on the retina of the eye, the received beam of light being directed from the inlet, along a path through the planar imager to the outlet, with the redirection diffractive optical element being positioned in the path, and the path from the inlet to the outlet providing angular magnification; and directing the modulated beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions into the inlet of the planar imager, along the path through the planar imager and from the outlet of the planar imager into the eye of an operator, the modulated beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions writing an image only on the retina of the eye of the operator, whereby the deflecting in two orthogonal directions required to write an image on the retina of the eye is substantially reduced because of the angular magnification in the planar imager.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of forming a direct retinal scan display comprising the steps of: providing a directed beam of light modulated to impress video information onto the beam of light; deflecting the modulated beam of light in two orthogonal directions; providing a planar imager including an inlet for receiving a beam of light, an outlet for directing the received beam of light into the eye of an operator and a redirection diffractive optical element for creating a virtual image from the received beam of light on the retina of the eye, the received beam of light being directed from the inlet, along a path through the planar imager to the outlet, with the redirection diffractive optical element being positioned in the path, and the path from the inlet to the outlet providing angular magnification; and directing the modulated beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions into the inlet of the planar imager, along the path through the planar imager and from the outlet of the planar imager into the eye of an operator, the modulated beam of light scanned in two orthogonal directions writing an image only on the retina of the eye of the operator, whereby the deflecting in two orthogonal directions required to write an image on the retina of the eye is substantially reduced because of the angular magnification in the planar imager.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of forming a direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of providing a directed beam of light includes providing a collimated directed beam of light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of forming a direct retinal scan display as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of directing the beam of light into the eye of an operator includes converging the deflected beam of light at a convergence point within the eye substantially at an axis of rotation of the eye.
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) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |