Projector configuration with subdivided optical aperture for near-eye displays, and corresponding optical systems

A projector configuration for delivering illumination corresponding to an image from an effective aperture of length L and width W via a light-guide optical element to an eye of a user, the projector configuration comprising:

• at least three adjacent optical arrangements, each optical arrangement comprising:
• (a) a spatial light modulator component generating an output image corresponding to at least a part of the image;
• and
• (b) collimating optics deployed for projecting said output image as a collimated image via the light-guide optical element to an eye of the user, said collimating optics having an exit aperture,
• wherein said exit apertures of said optical arrangements cooperate to span the length L of the effective aperture, and to deliver into the light-guide optical element an entirety of the illumination required for displaying the image to the observer,
• wherein said collimating optics of each of said at least three adjacent optical arrangements comprises at least a first lens and at least a second lens, and wherein said first lenses for said at least three adjacent optical arrangements are integrally formed into a first lens array and said second lenses for said at least three adjacent optical arrangements are integrally formed into a second lens array,
• and further comprising a baffle arrangement formed with a plurality of opaque baffles, said baffle arrangement being interposed between said first lens array and said second lens array so as to reduce cross-talk between said collimating optics of said at least three adjacent optical arrangements.

A projector configuration for delivering illumination corresponding to an image from an effective aperture of length L and width W via a light-guide optical element to an eye of a user, the projector configuration comprising:

• at least three adjacent optical arrangements, each optical arrangement comprising:
• (a) a spatial light modulator component generating an output image corresponding to at least a part of the image;
• and
• (b) collimating optics deployed for projecting said output image as a collimated image via the light-guide optical element to an eye of the user, said collimating optics having an exit aperture,
• wherein said exit apertures of said optical arrangements cooperate to span the length L of the effective aperture, and to deliver into the light-guide optical element an entirety of the illumination required for displaying the image to the observer,
• further comprising a light-guide optical element having two major parallel surfaces, wherein said at least three adjacent optical arrangements are optically couple to said light-guide optical element so as to introduce said output images into said light-guide optical element so as to propagate within said light-guide optical element by internal reflection at said major parallel surfaces to a coupling-out region where at least part of said illumination is coupled out towards the eye of the user,
• and wherein said length L of said effective optical aperture extends parallel to said major parallel surfaces.