G - Physics – 02 – B
Patent
G - Physics
02
B
296/39, 40/57
G02B 27/00 (2006.01) G02B 27/01 (2006.01)
Patent
CA 1333659
A compact, inexpensive and mass-producible optical display system for an automobile creates a highly visible and sharp, high contrast and pleasing, multi-color magnified virtual image of a primary instrument cluster at a viewing distance which is greater than the actual optical distance between the dashboard and the driver's eyes in order to enhance instrument readability, minimize driver eye strain, and reduce eye focus problems which are associated with transitioning between the far range viewing used for watching the road ahead and the near range viewing used for glancing at the instruments. A non-pupil forming display system uses a single off-axis aspherical mirror with power to create a virtual image of a miniaturized, multi-color passive image source, such as a segmented LCD panel, which is backlighted by a small filament incandescent light bulb. The aspheric surface is optimized to minimize aberrations and reduce vertical disparity and field curvature. The image source is pre-distorted to compensate for distortion in the off-axis configuration. A holographic diffusing screen element laminated onto the image source provides uniform high brightness and uniform contrast over the entire field-of-view which is visible from an eyellipse sufficient to accomodate most of the driver population, minimizes the visual impact of any optical aberrations near the edge of the viewing area, and provides the non-pupil forming system with some of the desirable optical properties of a pupil forming system. The incandescent bulb is positioned at a remote location selected to minimize heat in the region of the image source and to facilitate replacement of the bulb in case of failure. The light emitted by the bulb is collected and focused into the aperture of a fiber optic bundle which splits into a number of ends behind the LCD panel. Ambient reflections are reduced and controlled by a curved and tilted glare shield and a black surface light trap.
577244
Chern Mao-Jin
Ferrer John J.
Hegg Ronald G.
Smith Ronald T.
Hughes Aircraft Company
Sim & Mcburney
LandOfFree
Automotive instrument virtual image display does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Automotive instrument virtual image display, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automotive instrument virtual image display will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFCA-PAI-O-1178083