Personal visual display system

A head-mounted visual display apparatus for a user, comprising:

• an image generator having an output surface with a first perimeter, which outputs image light;
• a backlight for said image generator;
• a first mask between said backlight and said image generator defining a window with edges substantially congruent to said first perimeter;
• a second mask, spaced from said first mask, between said image generator and said optics;
• wherein said image generator outputs an image having an output image height and an output image width and wherein said second mask defines an aperture having a height which is about equal to or greater than said output image height and a width which is about equal to or greater than said output image width;
• and
• optical elements configured to receive said image light from said image generator and provide said image to the eye position of the user.

A head-mounted visual display apparatus for a user, comprising:

• image generator means for outputting image light;
• optical means for receiving said image light from said image generator and providing said image to the eye position of the user;
• a holder configured to mount the image generator and optical elements to the user's head's and
• substantially opaque shield means coupled to said holder so as to be movable between a first position wherein said shield substantially prevents mixing of environmental light with said image light and a second position which allows combination of said image light with environmental light to provide the user with at least a partial view of the environment simultaneously with a view of the image light.

A head-mounted visual display apparatus for a user, comprising:

• image generator means for outputting image light;
• optical means for receiving said image light from said image generator and providing said image to the eye position of the user;
• a holder configured to mount the image generator and optical elements to the user's head's and
• substantially opaque shield means coupled to said holder so as to be movable between a first position wherein said shield substantially prevents mixing of environmental light with said image light and a second position which allows combination of said image light with environmental light to provide the user with at least a partial view of the environment simultaneously with a view of the image light, wherein said shield means comprises a detachable opaque shield, with coupling means comprising a pivot to provide a flip-up shield.

A head-mounted visual display apparatus for a user comprising:

• an image generator which outputs image light;
• optical elements configured to receive said image light from said image generator and provide said image to the eye position of the user;
• a holder configured to mount the image generator and optical elements to the user's head;
• user-activatable means, coupled to said head-mounted display for interrupting said output of said image light wherein said user-activatable means is mounted on said holder;
• a substantially opaque shield movable between a first position wherein said shield substantially prevents mixing, of environmental light with said image light, and a second position wherein said image light is allowed to combine with environmental light to provide the user with at least a partial view of the environment simultaneously with a view of said image light.

A head-mounted visual display apparatus for a user comprising:

• an optical generator which outputs image light;
• optical elements configured to receive said image light from said image generator and provide said image to the eye position of the user;
• a holder configured to mount the image generator and optical elements to the user's's head;
• a tracking module for outputting an indication of the motion or position of the user's head;
• and
• means for mounting said tracking module on said head-mounted display so as to permit user removal thereof.

A method for providing head-mounted visual display of an image to a user comprising:

• providing an image generator which outputs image light in at least a first direction;
• receiving said image light by a fold mirror and reflecting at least a first portion of said image light in a second directions;
• receiving said image light from said fold mirror and magnifying said image light by reflecting said image light in a direction towards the eye position of the user;
• positioning a color shutter for providing color image light;
• mounting at least said fold mirror and reflective combiner on a shroud having at least a lower surface and a side surface;
• positioning a backlight adjacent said image generator;
• positioning a first mask between said backlight and said image generator;
• positioning a second mask between said image generator and said fold mirror;
• positioning said holder on the head of a user wherein said shroud is spaced at least one inch from said user's eye position to accommodate eyeglasses;
• mounting at least one speaker with respect to said holder, for providing sound;
• activating a button mounted on said holder for muting at least ore of said sound and said image light;
• and
• removably mounting a tracking module for outputting an indication of the motion or position of the user's head.