Advanced compact head up display

A head up display system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a compact image source for projecting an image, said compact image source being positioned behind a dashboard of the vehicle;
• and;
• a combiner for reflecting said projected image with optical power toward an observer for observation, said combiner being positioned so that said observer, in a line of sight, sees a visual exterior view of an outside scene through said combiner and said projected image in said combiner, wherein said combiner comprises a meniscus combiner, comprising:
• a meniscus lens;
• a multilayer dichroic coating formed on a first surface of said meniscus lens;
• and;
• an anti-reflection coating formed on a second, opposite surface of said meniscus lens.

A head up display system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a compact image source for projecting an image, said compact image source, comprising and illumination system, comprising:
• i. a light emitting diode (LED) array assembly;
• ii. a Fresnel lens array operatively associated with said LED array assembly for receiving light produced by said LED and providing a nearly collimated light output;
• and,
• iii. a spatial light modulator for receiving said nearly collimated light output, said spatial light modulator comprising an LCD;
• and,
• a combiner for reflecting said projected image with optical power toward an observer for observation, said combiner being positioned so that said observer, in a line of sight, sees a visual exterior view of an outside scene through said combiner and said projected image in said combiner, said combiner, comprising a meniscus combiner, comprising:
• a meniscus lens;
• a multi-layer dichoric coating formed on a first surface of said meniscus lens;
• and,
• an antireflection coating formed on a second, opposite surface of said meniscus lens.