IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,446,941
Granted Patent B2
US 7,446,941 · App. 11/523,549 · Granted Nov 4, 2008

Display apparatus

Assignee: Sony Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,446,941
App. No.
11/523,549
Granted
Nov 4, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A display apparatus includes an image display unit having a plurality of pixels arranged on a predetermined curved surface; and a plurality of microlenses arranged on the predetermined curved surface such that they correspond to and face the plurality of pixels on the image display unit. Light rays that exit from the plurality of microlenses are collected into the eye so that a virtual image is placed at a position apart from the eye by at least a distance of distinct vision.

Claims (16)

1. A display apparatus, comprising:

image display means having a plurality of pixels arranged on a predetermined curved surface, the predetermined curved surface being an approximately spherical surface;

means for modifying the curved surface to change the radius of curvature of the approximately spherical surface; and

a plurality of microlenses arranged on the predetermined curved surface such that they correspond to and face the plurality of pixels on the image display means,

wherein light rays that exit from the plurality of microlenses are collected into the eye, so that a virtual image is placed at a position apart from the eye by at least a distance of distinct vision.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pixels are self-luminous display elements.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the self-luminous display elements are based on organic electroluminescence.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image display means has light emitting portions and a plurality of pixels that control whether the light rays are transmitted or blocked, or control the amount of light transmission, each light emitting portion corresponding to one of the plurality of pixels and illuminating the one pixel.

5. The display apparatus to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pixels are liquid crystal display elements.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the curved surface is a spherical surface in which the radius of curvature is constant across the surface.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an optical lens is disposed between the microlenses and the eye.

8. A display apparatus, comprising:

an image display unit having a plurality of pixels arranged on a predetermined curved surface, the predetermined curved surface being an approximately spherical surface; and

a plurality of microlenses arranged on the predetermined curved surface such that they correspond to and face the plurality of pixels on the image display unit,

wherein light rays that exit from the plurality of microlenses are collected into the eye, so that a virtual image is placed at a position apart from the eye by at least a distance of distinct vision;

whereby the curved surface can be modified to change the radius of curvature of the approximately spherical surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2007
From: FUKUDA, KAZUHIRO
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018879/0826 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP P2005-276159 · Sep 22, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080239499A1 · Oct 2, 2008