WO2001002893A1 - Head-mounted display - Google Patents

Head-mounted display Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001002893A1
WO2001002893A1 PCT/EP2000/005949 EP0005949W WO0102893A1 WO 2001002893 A1 WO2001002893 A1 WO 2001002893A1 EP 0005949 W EP0005949 W EP 0005949W WO 0102893 A1 WO0102893 A1 WO 0102893A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plate
head
mounted display
polarization
radiation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2000/005949
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Willem G. Ophey
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority to EP00951308A priority Critical patent/EP1110118A1/en
Priority to US09/786,103 priority patent/US6421183B1/en
Priority to JP2001508635A priority patent/JP2003504663A/en
Priority to KR1020017002627A priority patent/KR20010073072A/en
Publication of WO2001002893A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001002893A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G02B27/0172—Head mounted characterised by optical features
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/30—Polarising elements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a head-mounted display provided with an image display device and an optical system comprising a semi-transmissive mirror, a lens element, a polarization-dependent mirror and two ⁇ /4 plates for combining light beams so as to project an image to be formed by the image display device on a user's retina.
  • a device of the type described above is known from European patent application EP 0 803 756.
  • a head-mounted display described in this document an image is formed by means of a liquid crystalline display panel, which image is projected by means of the optical system on the user's retina via the exit pupil of the head-mounted display.
  • the exit pupil coincides with an eye pupil of a user of the head-mounted display, so that an image is formed on the retina.
  • a user may wear the head-mounted display for displaying, for example, TV or video images, or images which are associated with portable information and communication systems, computer games or computer simulations.
  • the optical system viewed from the image display device, consecutively comprises a polarization-dependent mirror, a lens element, a first ⁇ /4 plate, a semi-transmissive mirror, a second ⁇ /4 plate and a polarizer. It is achieved by the polarization-dependent reflection that radiation of the image to be formed effectively passes the lens element three times.
  • the first surface of the polarization-dependent mirror may be curved so as to reduce optical imaging errors.
  • a polarization-dependent layer is provided on the curved surface.
  • the device according to the invention is characterized in that, viewed from the image display device, the first ⁇ /4 plate, the semi- transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second ⁇ /4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror are placed one behind the other. Due to this order of the optical elements, it is also achieved that the lens element is passed three times by the radiation which ultimately forms the image.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror may be formed as a hollow mirror. The advantage of the configuration is that the hollow mirror may be coated with a semi- transmissive layer which can be provided in a conventional and simple manner.
  • the polarization-dependent layer may be provided on a flat plate in a simple manner. This arrangement of the optical elements simplifies the production of the head-mounted display, which has a cost-saving effect.
  • a further advantage as compared with the known device is that a polarizing element placed in the known device as the first element, viewed from the user's side, is not necessary in the head-mounted display according to the invention.
  • a particular embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that an optical axis of the first ⁇ /4 plate is transverse to an optical axis of the second ⁇ /4 plate.
  • a further embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that the head-mounted display comprises an integrated optical part in which the semi-transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second ⁇ /4 plate and the polarization- dependent mirror are integrated. Integration of optical components in an optical part simplifies the assembly of the head-mounted display during production.
  • a further embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that the head-mounted display comprises at least an optical element having an aspherical surface.
  • the use of optical elements with aspherical surfaces reduces imaging errors such as coma, astigmatism and curvature of the field.
  • a further embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that the second ⁇ /4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror have curved surfaces. Consequently, the second ⁇ /4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror can be simply integrated in an optical part, together with the semi-transmissive mirror and the lens element.
  • Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a head-mounted display according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a head-mounted display according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a head-mounted display according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a head-mounted display 100 in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 1 only shows a segment of the head-mounted display, comprising an image display device, for example a transmissive liquid crystalline image display panel 101 with an illumination unit (not shown), and an optical system.
  • the optical system comprises consecutively a first ⁇ /4 plate 103, a semi- transmissive, preferably hollow, mirror 105, a lens element 107, a second ⁇ /4 plate 109, and a polarization-dependent mirror 111.
  • the polarization-dependent mirror 111 comprises, for example, a reflective polaroid of the type Double Brightness Enhancement Film (DEBF), as supplied by 3MTM.
  • DEBF Double Brightness Enhancement Film
  • the optical system projects an image to be formed by the transmissive liquid crystalline image display panel 101 on a user's retina.
  • Fig. 1 shows the radiation path of a pixel of the image display panel.
  • This first ⁇ /4 plate 103 converts the radiation, polarized in a first direction, into circularly polarized radiation, for example, dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the semi-transmissive mirror 105.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror 105 passes a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the second ⁇ /4 plate 109 via the lens element 107.
  • the second ⁇ /4 plate 109 converts the dextrorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in a second direction, which second direction of polarization is transverse to the first direction of polarization.
  • the radiation polarized in the second direction is subsequently incident on the reflective polaroid 111.
  • the reflective polaroid 111 reflects all radiation polarized in the second direction back towards the second ⁇ /4 plate 109. Since the reflective polaroid 111 reflects all of the radiation polarized in the second direction, a further polarizer for enhancing the contrast, as is used in the known head-mounted display, is not necessary.
  • the second ⁇ /4 plate 109 converts the radiation polarized in the second direction into dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the hollow semi-transmissive mirror 105 via the lens element 107.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror 105 reflects a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the second ⁇ /4 plate 109 via the lens element 107 and changes dextrorotatory polarization into levorotatory polarization.
  • the levorotatory polarized radiation is incident on the second ⁇ /4 plate 109 which converts the levorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in the first direction.
  • the radiation polarized in the first direction is subsequently incident again on the reflective polaroid 111.
  • the reflective polaroid 111 passes the radiation which is now polarized in the first direction to a user's eye (not shown).
  • the optical axes of both the first and the second ⁇ /4 plate extend at an angle of 45° to the first direction of polarization.
  • the ⁇ /4 plates 103, 109 may be arranged in such a way that the optical axis of the first ⁇ /4 plate 103 is transverse to the optical axis of the second ⁇ /4 plate 109.
  • This arrangement of the optical axes of the first and the second ⁇ /4 plate 103, 109 is known per se from the quoted European patent application EP 0 803 756.
  • An embodiment in which the ⁇ /4 plates are arranged in such a way that the optical axis of the first ⁇ /4 plate is transverse to the optical axis of the second ⁇ /4 plate is shown in Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 2 shows a segment 200 of a head-mounted display in which the arrangement of the optical elements 201-211 is analogous to the arrangement of the elements 101-111, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the optical axes of the first and the second ⁇ /4 plate are situated transversely to each other.
  • radiation of a pixel of the image formed by the liquid crystalline image display panel 201 will be incident on the first ⁇ /4 plate 203.
  • the angle between the optical axis of the first ⁇ /4 plate 203 and the first direction of polarization is, for example, +45°.
  • This ⁇ /4 plate 203 converts the radiation polarized in a first direction into circularly polarized radiation, for example, dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the semi-transmissive mirror 205.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror 205 passes a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the second ⁇ /4 plate 209 via the lens element 207.
  • the optical axis of the second ⁇ /4 plate extends at an angle of -45° with respect to the first direction of polarization and is thus transverse to the optical axis of the first ⁇ /4 plate 203.
  • the second ⁇ /4 plate 209 converts the dextrorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in a first direction.
  • the radiation polarized in the first direction is subsequently incident on the reflective polaroid 211.
  • the reflective polaroid 211 reflects all radiation polarized in the first direction back towards the second ⁇ /4 plate 209.
  • the second ⁇ /4 plate 209 converts the radiation polarized in the first direction into dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the hollow semi- transmissive mirror 205 via the lens element 207.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror 205 reflects a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation back towards the second ⁇ /4 plate 209 via the lens element 207 and changes dextrorotatory polarization into levorotatory polarization.
  • the second ⁇ /4 plate 209 converts the levorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in the second direction which is transverse to the first direction of polarization.
  • the radiation polarized in the second direction is subsequently incident again on the reflective polaroid 211.
  • the reflective polaroid 211 now passes the radiation polarized in the second direction to a user's eye (not shown).
  • an achromatic first ⁇ /4 plate and an achromatic second ⁇ /4 plate may be used alternatively, with the direction of the optical axes enclosing an angle of +45° with the first direction of polarization.
  • Achromatic ⁇ /4 plates are supplied by, for example, "Bernhard Halle Nachf. GmbH & Co.”.
  • a plurality of the curved surfaces of the optical elements in the above-described embodiments of the head-mounted display are preferably given an aspherical shape.
  • a plurality of optical elements for example, the semi-transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second ⁇ /4 plate and a polarization-dependent mirror may be integrated in an optical part. Both the ⁇ /4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror may then be curved.
  • Fig. 3 shows an example of a segment 300 of a head-mounted display in accordance with the invention, comprising an image display device, for example, a transmissive liquid crystalline panel 301, and an optical system.
  • the optical system comprises a first ⁇ /4 plate 303 and an integrated optical part 302 in which, in this order, along the optical axis of the optical system, the semi-transmissive mirror 305, a first lens element 307, a second ⁇ /4 plate 309, a second lens element 310 and the polarization-dependent mirror 311 are integrated.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror 305 is formed by a semi-transmissive layer provided on a first surface of the first lens element 307.
  • the second ⁇ /4 plate 309 comprises, for example, a ⁇ /4 foil which is provided on a second surface of the first lens element 307.
  • a first surface of the second lens element 310 adjoins the ⁇ /4 foil 309.
  • the polarization-dependent mirror 311 is arranged on a second surface of the second lens element 307, for example, by providing a reflective polaroid of the type DBEF on said second surface.
  • both the first and the second lens element 307, 310 may be made of glass or polycarbonate.
  • the first ⁇ /4 plate 303 converts the radiation polarized in a first direction into circularly polarized radiation, for example, dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the semi-transmissive mirror 305.
  • the semi-transmissive mirror 305 passes a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the ⁇ /4 foil 309 via the first lens element 307.
  • the optical axis of the ⁇ /4 foil 309 extends at an angle of -45° with respect to the first direction of polarization, hence transverse to the optical axis of the first ⁇ /4 plate 303.
  • the ⁇ /4 foil 309 converts the dextrorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in a first direction.
  • the radiation polarized in the first direction passes through the second lens element 310 and is subsequently incident on the reflective polaroid 311.
  • the reflective polaroid 311 reflects all of the radiation polarized in the first direction back towards the ⁇ /4 foil 309 via the second lens element 310.
  • the ⁇ /4 foil 309 converts the radiation polarized in the first direction into dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the hollow semi-transmissive mirror 305 via the lens element 307.
  • the semi- transmissive mirror 305 reflects a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation back towards the ⁇ /4 foil 309 via the lens element 307 and changes dextrorotatory polarization into levorotatory polarization.
  • the ⁇ /4 foil 309 converts the levorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in the second direction which is transverse to the first direction of polarization.
  • the radiation polarized in the second direction is subsequently incident again on the reflective polaroid 311 via the second lens element 310.
  • the reflective polaroid 311 now passes the radiation polarized in the second direction to a user's eye (not shown).
  • a transmissive liquid crystalline image display panel in the embodiments of the head-mounted display described above, a reflective liquid crystalline image display panel with an associated illumination system may be used alternatively.
  • a cathode ray tube in combination with a linear polarizer, which has its director in the first direction, may also be used.

Abstract

The invention relates to a head-mounted display provided with an image display device (201) and an optical system. The optical system comprises a first μ/4 plate (203), a semi-transmissive mirror (205) a lens (207), a second μ/4 plate (209) and a polarization-dependent mirror (211), disposed in the described order from the incident side, for projecting an image to be formed by the image display device on a user's retina.

Description

Head-mounted display.
The invention relates to a head-mounted display provided with an image display device and an optical system comprising a semi-transmissive mirror, a lens element, a polarization-dependent mirror and two λ/4 plates for combining light beams so as to project an image to be formed by the image display device on a user's retina.
A device of the type described above is known from European patent application EP 0 803 756. In a head-mounted display described in this document, an image is formed by means of a liquid crystalline display panel, which image is projected by means of the optical system on the user's retina via the exit pupil of the head-mounted display. During use, the exit pupil coincides with an eye pupil of a user of the head-mounted display, so that an image is formed on the retina. A user may wear the head-mounted display for displaying, for example, TV or video images, or images which are associated with portable information and communication systems, computer games or computer simulations.
In the known head-mounted display, the optical system, viewed from the image display device, consecutively comprises a polarization-dependent mirror, a lens element, a first λ/4 plate, a semi-transmissive mirror, a second λ/4 plate and a polarizer. It is achieved by the polarization-dependent reflection that radiation of the image to be formed effectively passes the lens element three times. Moreover, the first surface of the polarization-dependent mirror may be curved so as to reduce optical imaging errors. To obtain the polarization- dependent mirror, a polarization-dependent layer is provided on the curved surface.
The provision of a polarization-dependent foil on such a curved surface may be a cumbersome process.
It is an object of the invention to provide a head-mounted display which can be manufactured in a relatively simple manner. To this end, the device according to the invention is characterized in that, viewed from the image display device, the first λ/4 plate, the semi- transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror are placed one behind the other. Due to this order of the optical elements, it is also achieved that the lens element is passed three times by the radiation which ultimately forms the image. Moreover, the semi-transmissive mirror may be formed as a hollow mirror. The advantage of the configuration is that the hollow mirror may be coated with a semi- transmissive layer which can be provided in a conventional and simple manner. The polarization-dependent layer may be provided on a flat plate in a simple manner. This arrangement of the optical elements simplifies the production of the head-mounted display, which has a cost-saving effect. A further advantage as compared with the known device is that a polarizing element placed in the known device as the first element, viewed from the user's side, is not necessary in the head-mounted display according to the invention.
A particular embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that an optical axis of the first λ/4 plate is transverse to an optical axis of the second λ/4 plate. As a result, an achromatic transmission suppression is obtained so that the contrast of the image is enhanced. This measure is known per se from the quoted European patent application EP 0 803 756.
A further embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that the head-mounted display comprises an integrated optical part in which the semi-transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second λ/4 plate and the polarization- dependent mirror are integrated. Integration of optical components in an optical part simplifies the assembly of the head-mounted display during production.
A further embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that the head-mounted display comprises at least an optical element having an aspherical surface. The use of optical elements with aspherical surfaces reduces imaging errors such as coma, astigmatism and curvature of the field.
A further embodiment of the head-mounted display according to the invention is characterized in that the second λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror have curved surfaces. Consequently, the second λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror can be simply integrated in an optical part, together with the semi-transmissive mirror and the lens element.
These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a head-mounted display according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a head-mounted display according to the invention, and
Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a head-mounted display according to the invention.
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a head-mounted display 100 in accordance with the invention. Fig. 1 only shows a segment of the head-mounted display, comprising an image display device, for example a transmissive liquid crystalline image display panel 101 with an illumination unit (not shown), and an optical system. Viewed from the image display panel 110, the optical system comprises consecutively a first λ/4 plate 103, a semi- transmissive, preferably hollow, mirror 105, a lens element 107, a second λ/4 plate 109, and a polarization-dependent mirror 111. The polarization-dependent mirror 111 comprises, for example, a reflective polaroid of the type Double Brightness Enhancement Film (DEBF), as supplied by 3M™. The optical system projects an image to be formed by the transmissive liquid crystalline image display panel 101 on a user's retina. Fig. 1 shows the radiation path of a pixel of the image display panel. When the head-mounted display is operative and is worn by the user, radiation of the image formed by the liquid crystalline image display panel 110 will be incident on the first λ/4 plate 103. This first λ/4 plate 103 converts the radiation, polarized in a first direction, into circularly polarized radiation, for example, dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the semi-transmissive mirror 105. The semi-transmissive mirror 105 passes a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the second λ/4 plate 109 via the lens element 107. The second λ/4 plate 109 converts the dextrorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in a second direction, which second direction of polarization is transverse to the first direction of polarization. The radiation polarized in the second direction is subsequently incident on the reflective polaroid 111. The reflective polaroid 111 reflects all radiation polarized in the second direction back towards the second λ/4 plate 109. Since the reflective polaroid 111 reflects all of the radiation polarized in the second direction, a further polarizer for enhancing the contrast, as is used in the known head-mounted display, is not necessary. The second λ/4 plate 109 converts the radiation polarized in the second direction into dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the hollow semi-transmissive mirror 105 via the lens element 107. The semi-transmissive mirror 105 reflects a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the second λ/4 plate 109 via the lens element 107 and changes dextrorotatory polarization into levorotatory polarization. The levorotatory polarized radiation is incident on the second λ/4 plate 109 which converts the levorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in the first direction. The radiation polarized in the first direction is subsequently incident again on the reflective polaroid 111. However, the reflective polaroid 111 passes the radiation which is now polarized in the first direction to a user's eye (not shown). The optical axes of both the first and the second λ/4 plate extend at an angle of 45° to the first direction of polarization.
To obtain an achromatic suppression of transmission for enhancing the contrast of the image, the λ/4 plates 103, 109 may be arranged in such a way that the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate 103 is transverse to the optical axis of the second λ/4 plate 109. This arrangement of the optical axes of the first and the second λ/4 plate 103, 109 is known per se from the quoted European patent application EP 0 803 756. An embodiment in which the λ/4 plates are arranged in such a way that the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate is transverse to the optical axis of the second λ/4 plate is shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 shows a segment 200 of a head-mounted display in which the arrangement of the optical elements 201-211 is analogous to the arrangement of the elements 101-111, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the optical axes of the first and the second λ/4 plate are situated transversely to each other. When the head-mounted display is operative and is worn by the user, radiation of a pixel of the image formed by the liquid crystalline image display panel 201 will be incident on the first λ/4 plate 203. The angle between the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate 203 and the first direction of polarization is, for example, +45°. This λ/4 plate 203 converts the radiation polarized in a first direction into circularly polarized radiation, for example, dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the semi-transmissive mirror 205. The semi-transmissive mirror 205 passes a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the second λ/4 plate 209 via the lens element 207. The optical axis of the second λ/4 plate extends at an angle of -45° with respect to the first direction of polarization and is thus transverse to the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate 203. The second λ/4 plate 209 converts the dextrorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in a first direction. The radiation polarized in the first direction is subsequently incident on the reflective polaroid 211. The reflective polaroid 211 reflects all radiation polarized in the first direction back towards the second λ/4 plate 209. The second λ/4 plate 209 converts the radiation polarized in the first direction into dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the hollow semi- transmissive mirror 205 via the lens element 207. The semi-transmissive mirror 205 reflects a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation back towards the second λ/4 plate 209 via the lens element 207 and changes dextrorotatory polarization into levorotatory polarization. The second λ/4 plate 209 converts the levorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in the second direction which is transverse to the first direction of polarization. The radiation polarized in the second direction is subsequently incident again on the reflective polaroid 211. However, the reflective polaroid 211 now passes the radiation polarized in the second direction to a user's eye (not shown).
Instead of a head-mounted display, in which the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate is transverse to the optical axis of the second λ/4 plate, an achromatic first λ/4 plate and an achromatic second λ/4 plate may be used alternatively, with the direction of the optical axes enclosing an angle of +45° with the first direction of polarization. Achromatic λ/4 plates are supplied by, for example, "Bernhard Halle Nachf. GmbH & Co.".
To reduce image errors such as coma, astigmatism and curvature of the field, a plurality of the curved surfaces of the optical elements in the above-described embodiments of the head-mounted display, for example, the curved surfaces of the semi-transmissive hollow mirror 205, are preferably given an aspherical shape.
To further simplify the assembly of the head-mounted display, a plurality of optical elements, for example, the semi-transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second λ/4 plate and a polarization-dependent mirror may be integrated in an optical part. Both the λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror may then be curved. Fig. 3 shows an example of a segment 300 of a head-mounted display in accordance with the invention, comprising an image display device, for example, a transmissive liquid crystalline panel 301, and an optical system. The optical system comprises a first λ/4 plate 303 and an integrated optical part 302 in which, in this order, along the optical axis of the optical system, the semi-transmissive mirror 305, a first lens element 307, a second λ/4 plate 309, a second lens element 310 and the polarization-dependent mirror 311 are integrated. The semi-transmissive mirror 305 is formed by a semi-transmissive layer provided on a first surface of the first lens element 307. The second λ/4 plate 309 comprises, for example, a λ/4 foil which is provided on a second surface of the first lens element 307. Moreover, a first surface of the second lens element 310 adjoins the λ/4 foil 309. The polarization-dependent mirror 311 is arranged on a second surface of the second lens element 307, for example, by providing a reflective polaroid of the type DBEF on said second surface. Moreover, both the first and the second lens element 307, 310 may be made of glass or polycarbonate. When the head-mounted display is operative and is worn by the user, radiation of a pixel of the image formed by the liquid crystalline image display panel 301 will be incident on the first λ/4 plate 303. The angle between the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate 303 and the first direction of polarization is, for example, +45°. The first λ/4 plate 303 converts the radiation polarized in a first direction into circularly polarized radiation, for example, dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the semi-transmissive mirror 305. The semi-transmissive mirror 305 passes a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation to the λ/4 foil 309 via the first lens element 307. The optical axis of the λ/4 foil 309 extends at an angle of -45° with respect to the first direction of polarization, hence transverse to the optical axis of the first λ/4 plate 303. The λ/4 foil 309 converts the dextrorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in a first direction. The radiation polarized in the first direction passes through the second lens element 310 and is subsequently incident on the reflective polaroid 311. The reflective polaroid 311 reflects all of the radiation polarized in the first direction back towards the λ/4 foil 309 via the second lens element 310. The λ/4 foil 309 converts the radiation polarized in the first direction into dextrorotatory polarized radiation which is incident on the hollow semi-transmissive mirror 305 via the lens element 307. The semi- transmissive mirror 305 reflects a part of the dextrorotatory polarized radiation back towards the λ/4 foil 309 via the lens element 307 and changes dextrorotatory polarization into levorotatory polarization. The λ/4 foil 309 converts the levorotatory polarized radiation into radiation polarized in the second direction which is transverse to the first direction of polarization. The radiation polarized in the second direction is subsequently incident again on the reflective polaroid 311 via the second lens element 310. However, the reflective polaroid 311 now passes the radiation polarized in the second direction to a user's eye (not shown).
Instead of a transmissive liquid crystalline image display panel in the embodiments of the head-mounted display described above, a reflective liquid crystalline image display panel with an associated illumination system may be used alternatively. A cathode ray tube in combination with a linear polarizer, which has its director in the first direction, may also be used.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A head-mounted display provided with an image display device and an optical system comprising a semi-transmissive mirror, a lens element, a polarization-dependent mirror and two λ/4 plates for combining light beams so as to project an image to be formed by the image display device on a user's retina, characterized in that, viewed from the image display device, the first λ/4 plate, the semi-transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror are placed one behind the other.
2. A head-mounted display as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an optical axis of the first λ/4 plate is transverse to an optical axis of the second λ/4 plate.
3. A head-mounted display as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the head- mounted display comprises an integrated optical part in which the semi-transmissive mirror, the lens element, the second λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror are integrated.
4. A head-mounted display as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the head- mounted display comprises at least an optical element having an aspherical surface.
5. A head-mounted display as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second λ/4 plate and the polarization-dependent mirror have curved surfaces.
PCT/EP2000/005949 1999-07-02 2000-06-27 Head-mounted display WO2001002893A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00951308A EP1110118A1 (en) 1999-07-02 2000-06-27 Head-mounted display
US09/786,103 US6421183B1 (en) 1999-07-02 2000-06-27 Head-mounted display
JP2001508635A JP2003504663A (en) 1999-07-02 2000-06-27 Head mounted display
KR1020017002627A KR20010073072A (en) 1999-07-02 2000-06-27 Head-mounted display

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99202150 1999-07-02
EP99202150.1 1999-07-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001002893A1 true WO2001002893A1 (en) 2001-01-11

Family

ID=8240398

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2000/005949 WO2001002893A1 (en) 1999-07-02 2000-06-27 Head-mounted display

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6421183B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1110118A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003504663A (en)
KR (1) KR20010073072A (en)
CN (1) CN1316063A (en)
WO (1) WO2001002893A1 (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1096293A2 (en) * 1999-10-26 2001-05-02 Agilent Technologies Inc Folded optical system adapted for head-mounted displays
EP1258771A1 (en) * 2001-05-15 2002-11-20 Thales Space saving optical architecture for wide field of view helmet visor
US9557568B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-01-31 3M Innovative Properties Company Head-mounted display
AU2015268733A1 (en) * 2015-07-13 2017-02-02 Shenzhen Dlodlo Technologies Co., Ltd Short-distance optical amplification module and near-eye display optical module using the same
WO2017136448A1 (en) * 2016-02-01 2017-08-10 Kopin Corporation Embedded reflective eyepiece
WO2018163035A1 (en) * 2017-03-08 2018-09-13 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
EP3308213A4 (en) * 2016-03-02 2019-07-24 Facebook Technologies, LLC Field curvature corrected display
EP3410173A4 (en) * 2016-01-28 2019-09-18 Shenzhen Dlodlo New Technology Co., Ltd. Short-distance optical amplification module, amplification method and amplification system
WO2019244141A1 (en) * 2018-06-18 2019-12-26 Facebook Technologies, Llc Optical assembly with curved reflective polarizer for head mounted display
US20200142276A1 (en) * 2018-11-02 2020-05-07 Gary Sharp Innovations, Llc Compact polarization-based multi-pass optical architectures
US10691198B1 (en) 2017-09-21 2020-06-23 Facebook Technologies, Llc Attenuation of Narcissus effect in pancake lens assembly
WO2022266181A1 (en) * 2021-06-15 2022-12-22 Meta Platforms Technologies, Llc Dual-reflector optical component

Families Citing this family (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7242524B2 (en) * 2003-11-25 2007-07-10 Pc Mirage, Llc Optical system for forming a real image in space
CN100451729C (en) * 2005-10-12 2009-01-14 中国科学院长春光学精密机械与物理研究所 Eyes-shielded hemlet display system
TW200736748A (en) * 2006-03-30 2007-10-01 Daxon Technology Inc Brightness enhancing film, method of making same and liquid crystal display module
US9690100B1 (en) 2011-09-22 2017-06-27 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Wireless communication system with a liquid crystal display embedded in an optical lens
JP5458080B2 (en) * 2011-09-28 2014-04-02 株式会社東芝 Display device
JP5496166B2 (en) * 2011-11-02 2014-05-21 三菱電機株式会社 Display device
CN103728728B (en) * 2014-01-02 2016-03-09 杭州科汀光学技术有限公司 Dress the optical system of display
EP3129822A4 (en) * 2014-04-09 2017-11-15 3M Innovative Properties Company Head mounted display and low conspicuity pupil illuminator
CN108700743A (en) 2016-01-22 2018-10-23 康宁股份有限公司 Wide visual field individual's display
CN105572894B (en) * 2016-01-28 2018-05-04 深圳多哚新技术有限责任公司 A kind of short distance optical amplifier module, amplification method and amplification system
CN105629472A (en) * 2016-01-28 2016-06-01 深圳多哚新技术有限责任公司 Short-distance optical amplification module group, amplification method, and amplification system
EP3410176A4 (en) * 2016-01-28 2019-09-18 Shenzhen Dlodlo New Technology Co., Ltd. Short-distance optical amplifier module, amplification method and amplification system
CN105676477B (en) * 2016-03-21 2018-08-14 深圳多哚新技术有限责任公司 Short distance optical amplifier module, glasses, the helmet and VR systems
CN105652460B (en) * 2016-03-21 2018-08-14 深圳多哚新技术有限责任公司 Short distance optical amplifier module, glasses, the helmet and VR systems
CN105629494B (en) * 2016-03-21 2018-08-14 深圳多哚新技术有限责任公司 A kind of short distance optical amplifier module, glasses, the helmet and VR systems
US10197802B2 (en) * 2016-07-29 2019-02-05 Intevac, Inc. Biocular compact collimation apparatus
US10203489B2 (en) * 2016-08-02 2019-02-12 Apple Inc. Optical system for head-mounted display
CN114740621A (en) * 2016-08-02 2022-07-12 苹果公司 Optical system for head-mounted display
CN106707510A (en) * 2016-12-14 2017-05-24 浙江舜通智能科技有限公司 Contact lens type optical system and head-mounted display equipped with same
KR20180074940A (en) * 2016-12-26 2018-07-04 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 Head mounted display
US10545347B2 (en) * 2017-02-23 2020-01-28 Google Llc Compact eye tracking using folded display optics
CN110506228B (en) * 2017-03-31 2021-12-14 3M创新有限公司 Optical system
US10976551B2 (en) 2017-08-30 2021-04-13 Corning Incorporated Wide field personal display device
CN114296173A (en) * 2017-10-25 2022-04-08 3M创新有限公司 Optical system
US11054622B1 (en) 2017-11-20 2021-07-06 Facebook Technologies, Llc Folded viewing optics with an optical retarder on a simple surface
CN108169904A (en) * 2017-12-28 2018-06-15 重庆爱奇艺智能科技有限公司 A kind of component for being used to carry out presentation of information
CN109991743A (en) * 2017-12-30 2019-07-09 深圳多哚新技术有限责任公司 A kind of virtual reality device optical module
US11022784B1 (en) * 2018-08-17 2021-06-01 Facebook Technologies, Llc Use of folded optics to reduce volume in a virtual-reality system
TWI668471B (en) * 2018-09-14 2019-08-11 量子光電股份有限公司 Head mounted display and optical device thereof
US11372239B1 (en) 2018-11-01 2022-06-28 Facebook Technologies, Llc Enabling eye tracking in pancake lens optics
CN110955052A (en) * 2019-12-18 2020-04-03 业成科技（成都）有限公司 Optical imaging module and VR electronic equipment
CN110927974B (en) * 2019-12-18 2022-05-10 业成科技（成都）有限公司 Optical imaging module and VR electronic equipment
CN115698785A (en) * 2020-06-01 2023-02-03 富士胶片株式会社 Optical element, image display device, virtual reality display device, electronic viewfinder, and polarizer manufacturing method
JP2022063533A (en) 2020-10-12 2022-04-22 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイ Display device
JP2022063534A (en) 2020-10-12 2022-04-22 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイ Display device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0515175A2 (en) * 1991-05-23 1992-11-25 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Heads-up projection display
FR2693004A1 (en) * 1992-04-03 1993-12-31 Thomson Csf Optical collimator for visor of protective helmet etc. - comprises sequence of linear polariser, spherical mirror, slide and flat mirror, with reflection of mirrors controlled by surface coatings
EP0718645A2 (en) * 1994-12-19 1996-06-26 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Optical device and head-mounted display using said optical device
EP0803756A1 (en) * 1996-04-24 1997-10-29 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Viewing device for head mounted display
US5818641A (en) * 1995-10-16 1998-10-06 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5572343A (en) * 1992-05-26 1996-11-05 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Visual display having see-through function and stacked liquid crystal shutters of opposite viewing angle directions
US6318868B1 (en) * 1997-05-01 2001-11-20 Larussa Joseph A. Interactive virtual image store window
US6271969B1 (en) * 1998-12-11 2001-08-07 Agilent Technolgoies, Inc. Folded optical system having improved image isolation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0515175A2 (en) * 1991-05-23 1992-11-25 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Heads-up projection display
FR2693004A1 (en) * 1992-04-03 1993-12-31 Thomson Csf Optical collimator for visor of protective helmet etc. - comprises sequence of linear polariser, spherical mirror, slide and flat mirror, with reflection of mirrors controlled by surface coatings
EP0718645A2 (en) * 1994-12-19 1996-06-26 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Optical device and head-mounted display using said optical device
US5818641A (en) * 1995-10-16 1998-10-06 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Image display apparatus
EP0803756A1 (en) * 1996-04-24 1997-10-29 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Viewing device for head mounted display

Cited By (68)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1096293A2 (en) * 1999-10-26 2001-05-02 Agilent Technologies Inc Folded optical system adapted for head-mounted displays
EP1096293A3 (en) * 1999-10-26 2001-12-05 Agilent Technologies, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) Folded optical system adapted for head-mounted displays
US6400493B1 (en) 1999-10-26 2002-06-04 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Folded optical system adapted for head-mounted displays
EP1258771A1 (en) * 2001-05-15 2002-11-20 Thales Space saving optical architecture for wide field of view helmet visor
FR2824921A1 (en) * 2001-05-15 2002-11-22 Thomson Csf OPTICAL ARCHITECTURE WITH REDUCED ENCLOSURE FOR GREAT FIELD HELMET VIEWFINDER
US6747802B2 (en) 2001-05-15 2004-06-08 Thales Compact optical architecture for wide-field helmet-mounted display
AU2015268733A1 (en) * 2015-07-13 2017-02-02 Shenzhen Dlodlo Technologies Co., Ltd Short-distance optical amplification module and near-eye display optical module using the same
US9690097B2 (en) 2015-07-13 2017-06-27 Shenzhen Dlodlo Technologies Co., Ltd. Short-distance optical amplification module and near-eye display optical module using the same
US9759915B2 (en) 2015-07-13 2017-09-12 Shenzhen Dlodlo Technologies Co., Ltd. Short-distance optical amplification module and near-eye display optical module using the same
US10007043B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-06-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of making optical films and stacks
US10338393B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2019-07-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system and magnifying device
US9581827B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-02-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US9581744B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-02-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical stack and optical system
WO2017039710A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Head-mounted display
WO2017039715A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical stack and optical system
WO2017039713A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
WO2017039718A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Magnifying device
WO2017039719A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Camera
WO2017039720A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Beam expander with a curved reflective polarizer
WO2017039717A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of making optical films and stacks
WO2017039714A1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
CN106501932A (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-15 3M创新有限公司 Optical system
CN106501935A (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-15 3M创新有限公司 Head mounted display
CN106501933A (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-15 3M创新有限公司 Optical system
US9599761B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-03-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Thermoformed multilayer reflective polarizer
WO2017040875A3 (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-04-27 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US9715114B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-07-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical stack and optical system
US9829616B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-11-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Magnifying device
US9835777B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-12-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Head-mounted display
US9945998B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-04-17 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system including curved reflective polarizer
US9945999B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-04-17 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US9952371B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-04-24 3M Innovative Properties Company Convex multilayer reflective polarizer
US9995939B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-06-12 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical stack and optical system
US10007035B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-06-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Head-mounted display
US9557568B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-01-31 3M Innovative Properties Company Head-mounted display
US10078164B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-09-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10302950B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2019-05-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Head-mounted display
US10330930B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2019-06-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US9555589B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-01-31 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of making optical films and stacks
US10338380B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2019-07-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical stack and optical system
US11787137B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2023-10-17 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US11325330B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2022-05-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10921594B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2021-02-16 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of making optical films and stacks
US10444496B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2019-10-15 3M Innovative Properties Company Convex multilayer reflective polarizer
US10838208B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-11-17 3M Innovative Properties Company Beam expander with a curved reflective polarizer
US10754159B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-08-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10747003B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-08-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system and head-mounted display
US10564427B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-02-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10747002B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-08-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10678052B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-06-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10663727B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-05-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Camera
US10670867B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2020-06-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical stack and optical system
EP3410173A4 (en) * 2016-01-28 2019-09-18 Shenzhen Dlodlo New Technology Co., Ltd. Short-distance optical amplification module, amplification method and amplification system
WO2017136448A1 (en) * 2016-02-01 2017-08-10 Kopin Corporation Embedded reflective eyepiece
US10571692B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2020-02-25 Facebook Technologies, Llc Field curvature corrected display
US11327311B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2022-05-10 Facebook Technologies, Llc Field curvature corrected display
EP3308213A4 (en) * 2016-03-02 2019-07-24 Facebook Technologies, LLC Field curvature corrected display
CN110383135A (en) * 2017-03-08 2019-10-25 3M创新有限公司 Optical system
WO2018163035A1 (en) * 2017-03-08 2018-09-13 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
CN110383135B (en) * 2017-03-08 2022-12-20 3M创新有限公司 Optical system
US11630290B2 (en) 2017-03-08 2023-04-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US11899192B2 (en) 2017-03-08 2024-02-13 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical system
US10691198B1 (en) 2017-09-21 2020-06-23 Facebook Technologies, Llc Attenuation of Narcissus effect in pancake lens assembly
WO2019244141A1 (en) * 2018-06-18 2019-12-26 Facebook Technologies, Llc Optical assembly with curved reflective polarizer for head mounted display
US11378811B2 (en) 2018-06-18 2022-07-05 Facebook Technologies, Llc Optical assembly with curved reflective polarizer for head mounted display
US20200142276A1 (en) * 2018-11-02 2020-05-07 Gary Sharp Innovations, Llc Compact polarization-based multi-pass optical architectures
US11740536B2 (en) * 2018-11-02 2023-08-29 Meta Platforms Technologies, Llc Compact polarization-based multi-pass optical architectures
WO2022266181A1 (en) * 2021-06-15 2022-12-22 Meta Platforms Technologies, Llc Dual-reflector optical component

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1316063A (en) 2001-10-03
EP1110118A1 (en) 2001-06-27
US6421183B1 (en) 2002-07-16
JP2003504663A (en) 2003-02-04
KR20010073072A (en) 2001-07-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6421183B1 (en) Head-mounted display
US6710928B2 (en) Head-mounted display with a polarization-dependent mirror
US20220179221A1 (en) Substrate-guide optical device
US10073264B2 (en) Substrate-guide optical device
US7133207B2 (en) Micro-display engine
US6487021B1 (en) Head-mounted display
JP3524569B2 (en) Visual display device
US6724353B2 (en) Display device
KR20010096886A (en) Optical system for head mount display
EP0710865A1 (en) Optical collimating device
JPH08136856A (en) Device and method for optical collimation
KR19990069146A (en) Single Head Mounted Display Units

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 00801242.3

Country of ref document: CN

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CN JP KR US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2000951308

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 09786103

Country of ref document: US

Ref document number: 1020017002627

Country of ref document: KR

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2001 508635

Country of ref document: JP

Kind code of ref document: A

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2000951308

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1020017002627

Country of ref document: KR

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 2000951308

Country of ref document: EP

WWR Wipo information: refused in national office

Ref document number: 1020017002627

Country of ref document: KR