US5416876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic ribbon subminiature display for head/helmet mounted display
Assignee: Hughes Training Inc
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Filing: 1994-01-28
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2014-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight fiber optic television subminiature display for helmet mounted display systems. A one dimensional array of pixels such as a fiber optic (FO) ribbon (64) has an input end (62) which receives input light illuminating the pixels so as to create a first dimension of the display. The output end (64B) of the FO ribbon is moved relative to the observer to create a second dimension. At the helmet (66), the FO ribbon is clamped by a clamp (68) and vibrated by a driver (70) so that the output end of the ribbon is moved to obtain the second dimension. The dimensions of the FO ribbon are selected to provide a natural resonant frequency equal to the television field rate, and the driver vibrates the section (64A) of the ribbon between the clamp and the ribbon output end at the ribbon resonant frequency. The clamp and driver can be very lightweight, thereby reducing the weight of the display elements mounted on the helmet.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Ansley
- 👤 Ashok Sisodia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/103; G02B27/017; G02B27/0172; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3129; H04N9/3132; H04N9/3138; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/014; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0152; G02B2027/0154; G02B5/00; G02B5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A two-dimensional head/helmet mounted fiber optic display, comprising: a one-dimensional array of flexible light conductors arranged in a ribbon having an input end and an output end; means for injecting light into said input end of said ribbon to create a first dimension of said two-dimensional display; means for moving said output end of said ribbon in relation to an observer's eye, said means comprising: clamping means for clamping said ribbon at a location spaced from said output end to create a cantilevered ribbon section; and driver means for vibrating said cantilevered ribbon section to deflect said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A two-dimensional head/helmet mounted fiber optic display, comprising: a one-dimensional array of flexible light conductors arranged in a ribbon having an input end and an output end; means for injecting light into said input end of said ribbon to create a first dimension of said two-dimensional display; means for moving said output end of said ribbon in relation to an observer's eye, said means comprising: clamping means for clamping said ribbon at a location spaced from said output end to create a cantilevered ribbon section; and driver means for vibrating said cantilevered ribbon section to deflect said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said cantilevered ribbon section is characterized by a natural resonant frequency, and said driver means vibrates said ribbon section substantially at said resonant frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display of claim 2 wherein length, width and thickness dimensions of said ribbon section are selected so as to provide said natural resonant frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display of claim 3 wherein said display is characterized by a television field rate, and said driver means comprises means for vibrating said ribbon section at said television field rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display of claim 4 wherein said natural resonant frequency of said cantilevered ribbon section is substantially equal to said television field rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said display is characterized by a television field rate, and said driver means comprises means for vibrating said ribbon section at said television field rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The display of claim 6 further comprising means for sensing said deflection of said output end of said ribbon and means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said driver means to synchronize said deflection to operation of said light injecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display of claim 7 wherein said sensing means comprises a photodetector disposed to receive light from said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said light conductors comprise optical fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display of claim 9 wherein said optical fibers are high numerical aperture fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said light injecting means comprises means for scanning a modulated light beam across said ends of said light conductors at said input end of said ribbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The display of claim 11 wherein said light injecting means further comprises a laser for generating a laser light beam and means for amplitude modulating said beam to produce said modulated light beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The display of claim 1 further comprising an optical combiner disposed in front of the observer's eye, and a projection optics assembly to project light emitted from said output end of said ribbon onto said optical combiner for reflection to the observer's eye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said cantilevered ribbon section is characterized by a center of mass location which moves as said ribbon section is vibrated, and wherein said driver means has a driver mass associated therewith, said driver means being operated so as to move said driver mass in a direction opposite to movement of said center of mass location of said ribbon, thereby reducing vibration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display of claim 14 wherein said center of mass location is moved along an arc during said vibration of said ribbon section, and wherein said driver mass is moved along an arc during operation thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display of claim 1 further comprising a screen scattering coating applied at said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display of claim 1 further comprising a counterbalancing mass, and means for vibrating said counterbalancing mass in antiphase to vibrational movement of said cantilevered ribbon section to reduce vibration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The display of claim 17 wherein said counterbalancing mass has a mass value substantially equal to a mass value associated with said ribbon section, and said counterbalancing mass is supported for swinging movement about a pivot point in an equal and opposite movement to vibrational movement of a center of mass of said cantilevered ribbon section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said output end of said ribbon is mounted on a helmet, said means for moving said output end is mounted on said helmet, and said helmet is worn by the observer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
101 words
A two-dimensional fiber optic display, comprising: a one-dimensional array of flexible light conductors arranged in a ribbon having an input end and an output end; means for injecting light into said input end of said ribbon to create a first dimension of said two-dimensional display; and means for moving said output end of said ribbon in relation to an observer's eye, said means comprising: clamping means for clamping said ribbon at a location spaced from said output end to create a cantilevered ribbon section; and driver means for vibrating said cantilevered ribbon section to deflect said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A two-dimensional fiber optic display, comprising: a one-dimensional array of flexible light conductors arranged in a ribbon having an input end and an output end; means for injecting light into said input end of said ribbon to create a first dimension of said two-dimensional display; and means for moving said output end of said ribbon in relation to an observer's eye, said means comprising: clamping means for clamping said ribbon at a location spaced from said output end to create a cantilevered ribbon section; and driver means for vibrating said cantilevered ribbon section to deflect said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display of claim 20 wherein said cantilevered ribbon section is characterized by a natural resonant frequency, and said driver means vibrates said ribbon section substantially at said resonant frequency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display of claim 21 wherein length, width and thickness dimensions of said ribbon section are selected so as to provide said natural resonant frequency.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display of claim 22 wherein said display is characterized by a television field rate, and said driver means comprises means for vibrating said ribbon section at said television field rate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display of claim 23 wherein said natural resonant frequency of said cantilevered ribbon section is substantially equal to said television field rate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display of claim 20 wherein said display is characterized by a television field rate, and said driver means comprises means for vibrating said ribbon section at said television field rate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
The display of claim 25 further comprising means for sensing said deflection of said output end of said ribbon and means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said driver means to synchronize said deflection to operation of said light injecting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display of claim 26 wherein said sensing means comprises a photodetector disposed to receive light from said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The display of claim 20 wherein said light conductors comprise optical fibers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display of claim 28 wherein said optical fibers are high numerical aperture fibers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display of claim 20 wherein said light injecting means comprises means for scanning a modulated light beam across said ends of said light conductors at said input end of said ribbon.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The display of claim 30 wherein said light injecting means further comprises a laser for generating a laser light beam and means for amplitude modulating said beam to produce said modulated light beam.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
The display of claim 20 further comprising an optical combiner disposed in front of the observer's eye, and a projection optics assembly to project light emitted from said output end of said ribbon onto said optical combiner for reflection to the observer's eye.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
67 words
The display of claim 32 wherein said cantilevered ribbon section is characterized by a center of mass location which moves as said ribbon section is vibrated, and wherein said driver means has a driver mass associated therewith, said driver means being operated so as to move said driver mass in a direction opposite to movement of said center of mass location of said ribbon, thereby reducing vibration.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display of claim 33 wherein said center of mass location is moved along an arc during said vibration of said ribbon section, and wherein said driver mass is moved along all arc during operation thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display of claim 20 further comprising a screen scattering coating applied at said output end of said ribbon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display of claim 20 further comprising a counterbalancing mass, and means for vibrating said counterbalancing mass in antiphase to vibrational movement of said cantilevered ribbon section to reduce vibration.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
56 words
The display of claim 36 wherein said counterbalancing mass has a mass value substantially equal to a mass value associated with said ribbon section, and said counterbalancing mass is supported for swinging movement about a pivot point in an equal and opposite movement to vibrational movement of a center of mass of said cantilevered ribbon section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |