US Patent 11506903 Wearable near-to-eye display with unhindered primary field of view

An optical apparatus has an electroluminescent display energizable to emit image-bearing light along an optical axis. A reflective polarizer reflects light of a first polarization state and transmit light of a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. A quarter wave plate in the path of transmitted light of the second polarization state imparts retardance to conveyed light. A curved, partially reflective surface transmits incident light. An exit lens directs light from the curved, partially reflective surface to an exit pupil, with an eye relief of less than the focal length of an eye, wherein the optical apparatus forms an image with a field of view exceeding 40 degrees horizontally and 20 degrees vertically. The optical apparatus is configured for seating directly against the face of the viewer, to form the image peripheral to a primary field of view.