Personal Display Using an Off-Axis Illuminator

Abstract

Certain embodiments include a head mounted display for displaying images that can be viewed by a wearer when the display is worn on the wearer's head. The display can include a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels selectively adjustable for producing spatial patterns. The array of pixels can define a substantially planar reflective surface on the spatial light modulator. The display can further include a light source. The display can also include illumination optics disposed to receive light from the light source and direct light onto the planar reflective surface of the spatial light modulator at an angle with respect to the surface normal of the planar reflective surface. The display can include imaging optics disposed with respect to the spatial light modulator to receive light from the spatial light modulator. The display can further include a curved reflector disposed to reflect light from the imaging optics so as to form a virtual image such that the image may be viewed by an eye of the wearer. The display can also include headgear for supporting the spatial light modulator, imaging optics, and reflector. In certain embodiments, only rays of light incident on the planar reflective surface of the spatial light modulator at an angle with respect to the surface normal of the planar reflective surface contribute to the virtual image viewable by the eye.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.