US 6,388,641 B2 · Scanned beam display with adjustable accommodation

Abstract

A scanning beam display controls the curvature of scanning light wave impinging on the eye to simulate image points of differing depth. To simulate an object at a far distance the generated light waves are flatter. To simulate closer objects, the light wave curvature increases. When changing the curvature of the light waves, the eye responds by altering its focus. The curvature of the light waves thus determines the apparent focal distance from the eye to the virtual object. To vary the curvature, either a variable focus lens or a variable index of refraction device is used. Alternatively, a moving point source is used. The generated apparent distance of a virtual object is correlated to a detected distance in a background field of view. Intensity of the virtual object is correlated to detected intensity of background light.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A scanning display apparatus, comprising:

an image signal source operative to produce an image signal;
a focal control signal source generating a focal control signal;
a light emitter coupled to the image signal source and responsive to the image signal to emit light;
a lens which receives light from the light emitter and which passes exiting light, the exiting light having a focal distance;
and
a controller responsive to the focal control signal for controlling distance between the light emitter and the lens by moving the lens relative to the light emitter without deforming the lens, wherein the focal distance of the light exiting the lens varies with the distance between the light emitter and the lens.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Scanned beam display with adjustable accommodation

Life of this patent

Scanned beam display with adjustable accommodation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16