Colour display system

0001This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for producing multi-color displays, and, more particularly, to a field sequential color head-up display system.

0002It is well known in the prior art that an apparently monochromatic source, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), can provide a multi-color display. From the earliest experiments in color television which used a rotating color wheel together with a CRT, it was possible to place images on the screen in synchronism with the color wheel so that a number of colors could be visualized. This phenomenon was as much a product of the persistence of the displayed image in the human eye as it was of the synchronization of certain displayed images with the concurrent presentation of a filter of preselected color.

0003The subsequent development of the shadow mask tube and the use of triads of monochromatic phosphors were deemed preferable improvements over the electromechanical color wheel and, as a result, the color television industry abandoned the electromechanical approach to color displays. It has been found in the past that a polychromatic source of light which appears to be monochromatic (from the mixing of colors) can provide images in both the principal colors and in colors which result from a mixture of the principal colors.

0004As early approach to an electronic field sequential color television system is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,781,465 to Ernstoff et al. That patent shows a monochromatic cathode ray tube with a tri-color liquid crystal assembly that included red, blue and green cells. Electronic circuitry switches the three cells sequentially in a preselected order to provide a series of single color images in rapid succession that, due to image persistence in the human eye, give the appearance of being in full color.

0005A different approach in described in U.S. Patent No. 4,003,081 to Hilsum et al. The approach in this reference is to select the cathode ray tube as a source of light that produces an image in at least two colors that are subsequently combined by an electrically controlled filter element. The active component of the filter is a liquid crystal material capable of separating an transmitting different colors through the filter depending upon the energizing control signals applied to control the filter element. In a preferred embodiment, video images from a first data source, such as radar, were to appear in one color while video images from a second data source, such as a computer, were presented in a second color. Alternative embodiments include a field sequential color display which includes a third filter so that a three color combination is possible.

0006U.S. Patent 4,385,806 to Fergason, teaches a liquid crystal light shutter device used in combination with retarding wave plates to compensate for retardation in the light shutter device while it is operating under a control bias. By utilizing a control bias, the reference suggests that the operation of the liquid crystal light shutter device is speeded up, and that the retardation plates are compensated to account for the normal birefringence effects of the liquid crystal cells comprising the light shutter device.

0007In U.S. Patent 4,436,376 to Fergason, a pair of liquid crystal cells are operated similar to a "push-pull" amplifier, in that each liquid crystal cell functions to impart its own phase shift to a passing optical beam. The application of a control bias to electrodes in each liquid crystal cell, aligns a preponderance of the liquid crystals in each of the cells, except for those liquid crystal layers immediately adjacent the electrodes. The reference states that application of incremental electrical signals across the conducting surfaces of the liquid crystal cell achieves a rapid on-off cycle for the cell. The cells thus taught are utilized as part of a communications link to modulate a light beam by means of applied electrical signals to the cells. Control signals that are 180° out of phase are applied to the two liquid crystal cells for "push-pull" operation.

0008The general idea of using a "black and white" cathode ray tube in conjunction with liquid crystal cells and color polarizers is described by Brinson et al in IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 22, No. 5 of October, 1979. In order to provide a full three color capability, a first liquid crystal cell is followed by a first color polarizer and a second liquid crystal cell is followed by a second color polarizer. Essentially "white" light is transmitted through a linear polarizer and, depending upon the state of the first cell, either cyan or red is passed to the second cell. Depending on the state of this second cell, either blue or yellow is passed to the observer. The net output of the combination to an observer is then either blue, red, green, or black at any instant of time. During operation, the net colors would be "mixed" by having images persist through more than one output color phase to provide a substantially full palette of colors to the observer.

0009A slightly different approach was disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,328,493 to Shanks et al. A cathode ray tube which emits at least two different colors is combined with first and second color selective polarizers, a liquid crystal cell and a neutral linear polarizer. The liquid crystal cell in one condition rotates the plane of applied polarized light and in a second condition transmits the light without rotation. The cell is the switched in synchronism with the presentation of the images that are to be seen in color. Because the cells cannot be switched between states in the time available during television transmissions, only one half of the cell is switched at a time and the electrodes are driven accordingly.

0010In the published U.K. patent application of Bos et al, GB 2 139 778 A, published November 14, 1984, corresponding to a U.S. Application, Serial Number 493,106, filed May 9, 1983, a field sequential color system is disclosed. In this reference, a liquid crystal cell functions as a variable optical retarder in a polarizing system and includes pleochroic filters which selectively transmit a first or a second color, depending upon the polarization of the light. A color sensitive polarizing means are placed in front of a cathode ray tube which is capable of emitting light of at least two colors. A first absorption axis passes linearly polarized light of the first color and a second absorption axis passes linearly polarized light of the second color. The liquid crystal cell is followed by a linear polarizer.

0011When the liquid crystal cell is driven by a first signal, it provides a half wave retardation to applied light. When driven by a second signal, substantially no retardation is experienced by the impinging light. With substantially no retardation of light, only light of one of the two colors can pass through the linear polarizer. With half wave retardation, only light of the other of the two colors can pass through the polarizer.

0012A specially designed liquid crystal cell functions as the variable optical retarder. The preferred cell is a nematic liquid crystal cell designed to be disinclination-free and to switched in a "bounce-free" manner as it is switched between its two states which alter the orientation of the surface non-contacting directors of the liquid crystal material in the cell.

0013There have been a number of attempts to modify the above described color technology for application to image generation and display systems, such as for use in head-up display systems.

0014In general, many vehicles, such as aircraft, have been fitted with optical systems that project an image which to the vehicle operator appears to be a part of the exterior scene that is viewed by the operator from the interior of the vehicle.

0015The earliest applications of this concept were gun sight aiming systems in which a target reticle was provided the vehicle operator for use in aligning the vehicle with a target thereby simultaneously aiming the vehicle's weapons systems at the selected target.

0016In recent years, with the advent of more sophisticated computer systems and symbol generation techniques, head up display systems have been used to place additional information in the field of view of the vehicle operator or pilot so that it becomes less necessary for the operator to look away from the exterior scene normally visible through the windscreen in order to glance at the instrument panel. Providing the head up display enables the pilot to pay more attention to the situation around him and avoids the need to refocus his eyes which would otherwise be required if the instrument panel were to be read.

0017Accordingly, in recent years, head-up display systems have become a vital part of the cockpit of fighter and attack aircraft, and, to a lesser extent, in commercial aircraft. Special head-up displays have been employed in some spacecraft and are in use in the space shuttle.

0018Prior art head-up displays, such as that shown in U.S. patent 4,001,499 to Dowell, include electronic image generating means which create a visible image on a cathode ray tube. Because of the crowded conditions in the instrument panel and the generally elongated shape of the cathode ray tube, the display assembly is usually packaged in a substantially rectangular box that is placed with its long axis generally parallel the axis of the aircraft. The image produced on the face of the cathode ray tube will then be somewhat below the line of the pilot's normal view through the windscreen.

0019The image thus generated by this display system is then projected vertically to a semi-reflective combiner screen through which the pilot views the windscreen and the scene exterior thereto. To the pilot's eye the exterior scene then appears with the generated images superimposed thereon.

0020EP-A-351,967 discloses a color head up display system having the features of the precharacterising portion of claim 1.

0021In spite of all the prior art known to the applicant and that discussed above, no prior art reference discloses a field sequential color head up display system that is sufficiently compact in size and flexible enough to be controlled or modified through programmable software. Similarly, no prior art reference teaches a multi-color cathode ray tube having sufficient brightness and resolution to provide a practical image generation source of light for use in field sequential color head up display systems.

0022The present invention discloses a practical and successful field sequential color head up display system that remedies the shortcomings of the prior art.

0023According to the present invention, a color display system is characterised by the characterising features of Claim 1.

0024In general, in a field sequential color head up display system, the present invention provides image generating means having a source of light of at least two different wavelengths. Light polarizing means are in optical communication with this light source. A color selective polarizing filter, having first and second substantially orthogonally oriented absorption axes, is included in the light polarizing means. The first absorption axis of the color selective polarizing filter passes linearly polarized light of a first color and the second absorption axis passing linearly polarized light of a second color.

0025Circular polarizing means are in optical communication with the light polarizing means for selectively transmitting light of a color determined by the amount by which the light emitted by the source is optically retarded. Variable optical retarding means are disposed between the color selective polarizing filter and the circular polarizing means for retarding light applied to the circular polarizing means. Control means are coupled to the variable optical retarding means for controlling the amount of optical retardation imposed by the retarding means upon light transmitted therethrough, whereby the retarding means, is capable of at least first and second retardations resulting in the emission of light of at least first and second colors.

0026Image collimating means are in optical communication with the circular polarizing means for applying an image generated by the image generating means to an image combining means positioned in the line of sight between an observer and a scene to provide a superposition of a generated image over the scene visible to the observer. Optical wavelength enhancement means are in optical communication with the image collimating means and the image combining means for enhancement of the reflectivity on the image combining means of the wavelengths of light generated by the light source, whereby generated images appear to the observer as if they were located at infinity so that scenes visible to the observer through the image combining means appear to include the generated image.

0027The novel features of construction and operation of the invention will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein has been illustrated preferred form of the device of the invention and wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the drawing.

0028FIG. 1 is a developed diagrammatic view of the elements of a field sequential color head-up display constructed in accordance with the present invention.

0029A field sequential color head-up display system 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention, would include image generating 11 means such as a dual phosphored cathode ray tube 12 that provides a source of light of at least two separated wavelengths in the visible spectrum. One preferred dual phosphored cathode ray tube uses a mixture of P53 and P56 phosphors. The writing rate of a preferred cathode ray tube as described immediately preceding, would be approximately 7,500 inches (190.5m) per second, but could be varied depending on the phosphors used in the cathode ray tube chosen for the system.

0030Light polarizing means 14 are in optical communication with cathode ray tube 12. Light polarizing means 14 preferably include a color selective polarizing filter 16 having first and second substantially orthogonally oriented absorption axes. The first absorption axis of filter 16 passes linearly polarized light of a first color and the second absorption axis passes linearly polarized light of a second color.

0031Circular polarizing means 18 are in optical communication with light polarizing means 14, for selectively transmitting light of a color determined by the amount by which the light emitted by cathode ray tube 12 is optically retarded.

0032Variable optical retarding means 20 are disposed between color selective polarizing filter 16 and circular polarizing means 18 for retarding light applied to circular polarizing means 18. Variable optical retarding means 20 includes a liquid crystal light valve means 22. Preferably, liquid crystal light valve means 22 comprise first and second liquid crystal cells 46 and 48 and may be fabricated of dichroic, cholesteric or any of the known chemicals having the required light polarizing and retarding characteristics necessary.

0033Control means 24 are coupled to variable optical retarding means 20 for controlling the amount of optical retardation imposed by variable optical retarding means 20 upon light transmitted therethrough. Likewise, control means 24 includes preferably a source of electric potential at preselected first and second levels, as well as means for applying to each of cell 46 and 48 the preselected electric potential levels in order to control the amount of optical retardation imposed by each of cells 46 and 48.

0034In this preferred arrangement, variable optical retarding means 20 are capable of at least first and second retardations resulting in the emission of light of at least first and second colors.

0035With the above described preferred embodiment, the source of light from cathode ray tube 12 is adapted to be modulated in synchronism with control means 24 by switching between the first and second colors of light at a rate higher than the flicker threshold of a human eye, about 50 Hertz or 20 milliseconds. In this manner the images generated by the cathode ray tube 12 source of light appear to an observer to be constant and contain both of the first and second colors.

0036Image collimating means 26 are in optical communication with the circular polarizing means 18 for applying an image generated by image generating means 11 to an image combining means 28.

0037Preferably, image combining means 28 have a diffractive combiner means 30 positioned in the line of sight between an observer 32 and a scene 34 to provide a superposition of a generated image over the scene 34 visible to the observer 32.

0038Optical wavelength enhancement means 36 is in optical communication with image collimating means 26 and with image combining means 28 for enhancement of the reflectivity on image combining means 28 of the wavelengths of light generated by the cathode ray tube 12 light source.

0039In the preferred embodiment of the invention, optical wavelength enhancement means 36 include a tuned holographic means 38 in optical communication with image collimating means 26 for enhancing the reflectivity on the diffractive combiner means 30 of the wavelengths of light generated by the cathode ray tube 12 source of light. The use of tuned holographic means 38 enhances the reflectivity of specific wavelengths of light generated by cathode ray tube 12 on diffractive combiner means 30, and thereby generated images appear to the observer 32 as if they were located at infinity, so that scenes visible to the observer 32 through the image combining means 28 appear to include the generated images.

0040While image combining means 28 may include a single screen, it preferably includes first and second screens, 42 and 44 respectively, each having a surface shape adapted to reflect images generated by image generating means 11 and to allow transmission of ambient light therethrough. First and second screens 42 and 44 are optically tuned to reflect light of at least one of the wavelengths produced by the cathode ray tube 12 source of light efficiently.

0041As there may preferably be more than one screen in image combining means 28, there may also be more than one tuned hologram in the tuned holographic means 38. Each of the holograms would be associated with one of the screens of image combining means 28 and "tuned" to optically enhance a specific desired wavelength of light while not affecting the pass-through of other wavelengths of light from the scene 34.

0042Filter means 40 in the optical path between cathode ray tube 12 acting as a source of light and the output of image collimating means 26 limit emitted light to the first and second colors of light at the image combining means 28. The purpose of filter means 40 is to eliminate or attenuate unwanted colors of light from the output of the image collimating means 26 and to improve display contrast by reducing reflected ambient light without substantially affecting display brightness.

0043Light ray directing means 50, such as a prism 52, may be used in the system 10 to direct the desired output of the cathode ray tube 12 or any of the subsequent devices to the desired viewing location.

0044The invention described above is, of course, susceptible to many variations, modifications and changes, all of which are within the skill of the art. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.