US5900976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display system including a polarizing beam splitter
Assignee: Citizen Fine Device Co Ltd
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Filing: 1998-02-20
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Granted: 1999-05-04
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Expires: 2018-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A virtual image display system includes a reflective mode spatial light modulator, a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator, and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area. The optics arrangement includes an overall polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitter has three layers of materials. The first layer is a layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization. The second layer is another layer of polarizing beam splitting material. The third layer is a layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials. The first, second, and third layers of materials act together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Handschy
- 👤 Noel A. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/13362; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/30; G02B5/3025; G02B5/3033; G02F1/133528; G02F1/133536; G02F1/13355
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A virtual image display system comprising: a reflective spatial light modulator; a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator; and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area, the optics arrangement including an overall polarizing beam splitter, the polarizing beam splitter having a first layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization, a second layer of polarizing beam splitting material, and a third layer of material configured to absorb at least a portion of any light passing through the third layer positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials, the first, second, and third layers of materials acting together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A virtual image display system comprising: a reflective spatial light modulator; a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator; and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area, the optics arrangement including an overall polarizing beam splitter, the polarizing beam splitter having a first layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization, a second layer of polarizing beam splitting material, and a third layer of material configured to absorb at least a portion of any light passing through the third layer positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials, the first, second, and third layers of materials acting together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display system according to claim 1 wherein the second layer of polarizing beam splitting material is configured to reflect light of the first polarization and transmit light of the second polarization.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display system according to claim 2 wherein the third layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials preferentially absorbs light of the first polarization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A display system according to claim 2 wherein the third layer of material positioned between the first and the second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials is a layer of polarizing material configured to absorb light of a given polarization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A display system according to claim 4 wherein the layer of polarizing material has a primary axis parallel to the given polarization of light the layer of polarization material absorbs, wherein the given polarization of light the layer of polarization material absorbs is light of the first polarization which is reflected by the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting material, and wherein the layer of polarizing material is positioned such that the primary axis of the layer of polarizing material is parallel to the first polarization of light such that the layer of polarizing material absorbs substantially all of the light of the first polarization which leaks through either the first or the second layer of polarizing beam splitting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display system according to claim 1 wherein the third layer of material is a layer of isotropic absorbing film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A display system according to claim 1 wherein the spatial light modulator is a reflective mode liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A display system according to claim 7 wherein the spatial light modulator is a reflective mode ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A display system according to claim 1 wherein the optics arrangement further includes a reflective magnifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display system according to claim 9 wherein the reflective magnifier includes an optical element for converting any light directed into the reflective magnifier from its initial polarization to its opposite polarization.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
173 words
A virtual image display system comprising: a reflective spatial light modulator; a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator; and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area, the optics arrangement including an overall polarizing beam splitter, the polarizing beam splitter having a first layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization, a second layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of the second polarization and transmit light of the first polarization, a third layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials configured to act as a wave plate capable of changing the polarization of light passing through the wave plate, the first, second, and third layers of material acting together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
173 words
A virtual image display system comprising: a reflective spatial light modulator; a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator; and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area, the optics arrangement including an overall polarizing beam splitter, the polarizing beam splitter having a first layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization, a second layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of the second polarization and transmit light of the first polarization, a third layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials configured to act as a wave plate capable of changing the polarization of light passing through the wave plate, the first, second, and third layers of material acting together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display system according to claim 11 wherein the wave plate is configured to act as a half wave plate for light passing through the wave plate between the first and second polarizing beam splitting layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A display system according to claim 11 wherein the spatial light modulator is a reflective mode liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A display system according to claim 13 wherein the spatial light modulator is a reflective mode ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A display system according to claim 11 wherein the optics arrangement further includes a reflective magnifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display system according to claim 15 wherein the reflective magnifier includes an optical element for converting any light directed into the reflective magnifier from its initial polarization to its opposite polarization.
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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) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |