Patent ID: 11874477
Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC F  G

Claim 0:
1. A data display comprising:
a light source configured to provide collimated light modulated with image information for projection into a multiplicity of directions across a field of view (FOV);
a first light guide supporting a first array comprising one column containing M grating elements switchable between diffracting and non- diffracting states;
a second light guide supporting a second array comprising N columns and M rows of grating elements switchable between diffracting and non-diffracting states, wherein the first and second arrays are formed on one or more common substrates;
a first coupler for directing light from said light source into a first total internal reflection (TIR) light path within said first light guide; and
a second coupler for optically connecting each grating element of said first array to a corresponding first grating element of a row of grating elements of said second array, wherein the second coupler includes a passive grating parallel to the one or more common substrates; wherein:
a grating element of said first array in its diffracting state is configured to direct light via said second coupler into a second TIR path along a row of said second array;
a grating element of said second array in its diffracting state is configured to direct light out of said second light guide; and
each combination of an element of said first array in its diffracting state and an element of said second array In Its diffracting state provides a path for light projected into a unique portion of said FOV.