Patent ID: 6869183

Claim:
An autostereoscopic optical apparatus for viewing a stereoscopic virtual image, said stereoscopic virtual image comprising: a left image for viewing by an observer at a left viewing pupil, said left image formed by a left image generation system that provides a left curved intermediate image that is projected toward a curved mirror by a left ball lens segment; a right image viewing by said observer at a right viewing pupil, said right image formed by a right image generation system that provides a right curved intermediate image that is projected toward said curved mirror by a right ball lens segment; each said image generation system comprising: (a) an image source for providing image-bearing light along an axis; (b) a relay lens for directing said image-bearing light toward a curved diffusive surface; (c) a field lens for redirecting off-axis image-bearing light toward the center of curvature of said curved diffusive surface; and each said image generation system thereby forming said curved intermediate image on its respective said curved diffusive surface.