Patent ID: 8436952

Claim:
A hybrid illumination system configured to provide a substantially homogenous light source having a controlled spreading angle to a reflective display unit of a head-up display, the system comprising: a concentrating optics unit for collecting and redirecting ambient light to form a first light component so that the first light component falls within a cone angle narrower than that of the ambient light; an electrically-powered light source for emitting a second light component; a light mixing unit for mixing the first light component and the second light component so as to form a substantially homogenous light beam, and further controlling spreading angle of the substantially homogenous light beam such that when the substantially homogenous light beam with controlled spreading angle is used as the light source provided to the reflective display unit of the head-up display, the reflective display unit is operable to generate image light for a video signal by reflecting the substantially homogenous light beam with controlled spreading angle according to the video signal; and one or more optical elements for directing the first light component and the second light component towards the light mixing unit such that both light components are substantially incident on the light mixing unit.