A head-up display is configured to project an image on a transparent reflection member to cause an observer to visually recognize a virtual image, and includes a display device configured to display the image, and a projection optical system configured to project the image displayed by the display device as the virtual image for the observer. The projection optical system is configured to form the image as an intermediate image, and includes a first optical element configured to condense light, a first lens configured to condense light, and a second optical element configured to diffuse light. The first optical element, the first lens, and the second optical element are disposed in this order along an optical path from the display device.

In one example, an on-mirror adaptive optics system may include a substrate including a deformable surface, a controller and a plurality of pockets defined in a substrate. Each of the pockets may include a an electrooptical sensor and an actuator. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the electrooptical sensor and the actuator. The controller may be configured to generate control voltages based on signals received from the electrooptical sensor to deform a portion of the deformable surface proximate a corresponding pocket of the plurality of pockets.

A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the housing, allowing placement of the housing directly on the object when obtaining images of it.

A head-up display projects an image on a windshield to allow a viewer to visually observe a virtual image. The head-up display includes a display device, a relay optical system, and a projection optical system. The display device displays an image. The relay optical system provides the image displayed by the display device as an intermediate image. The projection optical system reflects the intermediate image provided by the relay optical system to project the intermediate image on the windshield.

An optical element of an embodiment includes an optical element made of a material transparent to light, the optical element including: a back surface facing the front surface; and a connection surface. The front surface includes a recessed surface in a region facing the connection surface. The recessed surface has a point closest to the connection surface as a closest point, and has a first singular point other than the closest point.

A display device has a display to generate a real image. An optical system has lenslets, each generating a virtual sub-image from a respective partial real image on the display, by each lenslet projecting light from the display to an eye position. The sub-images combine to form a virtual image viewable from the eye position. At least one of the lenslets is an RXIR lenslet, in which the light rays from the display to the eye position are deflected sequentially at least four times by a refraction (R), a reflection (X), a total internal or metallic reflection (I), and a refraction (R) in that order.

A display device has a display, operable to generate a real image, and an optical system. In the optical system are at least two free-form reflective surfaces, S I and S2. At least one of the reflective surfaces is convex in one direction at substantially all points of its optically active area. Light rays from the display are reflected on SI before they are reflected on S2. The reflective surfaces SI and S2 are arranged to generate a virtual image from the real image on the display, by projecting light from the display to an eye position. The field of view occupied by the virtual image as seen from the eye position is greater than 50 degrees in at least one direction, preferably the direction linking the two eyes of an intended user.

A given image is displayed by generating a succession of partial real images, each representing part of the given image and together representing the given image, and at least some of the partial real images occupying overlapping positions. The partial real images are successively imaged to form a sub-image viewable from an eye position. The sub-images combine spatially and temporally to form a virtual image viewable from the eye position so that said overlapping portions of different partial real images form different portions of the virtual image. The partial real images may be displayed on a digital or other display, and imaged by optical channels each using one or more lenslets.

A display device has a display, operable to generate a real image, and an optical system with one or more lenslets arranged to generate a virtual sub-image from a respective partial real image on the display, by each lenslet projecting light from the display to an eye position. The sub-images combine to form a virtual image viewable from the eye position. A radial focal length distribution of the optical system decreases with increasing radial angle at radial angles greater than 20 from the frontward direction.

In one example, an on-mirror adaptive optics system may include a substrate including a deformable surface, a controller and a plurality of pockets defined in a substrate. Each of the pockets may include a an electrooptical sensor and an actuator. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the electrooptical sensor and the actuator. The controller may be configured to generate control voltages based on signals received from the electrooptical sensor to deform a portion of the deformable surface proximate a corresponding pocket of the plurality of pockets.