US Patent 6864861 Image generator having a miniature display device

An image generator having an illuminator, a reflective display device (in one embodiment) and a beamsplitter which produces a virtual image of an image created in a light modulating medium on said reflective display device. In one embodiment, the image generator is a miniature image generator for a relatively small, lightweight head-mounted display which provides a magnified virtual image which is viewed by a viewer. The beamsplitter is optically coupled to the reflective display device. The beamsplitter comprises a film having a plurality of layers including at least a first layer which comprises an oriented birefringent material. The beamsplitter has a wide angle of acceptance.