An optical system includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (10) having mutually-parallel first and second major external surfaces (11, 12) for guiding light by internal reflection, and a projector (100) that projects illumination corresponding to a collimated image from an aperture (101). The projector injects light in to the LOE via a coupling prism (30) attached to the first major external surface (11) that projects an image injection surface. A reflective polarizing beam splitter (51) is deployed at an interface between the major external surface (11) and the coupling prism (30) parallel to the major external surfaces, to selectively transmit illumination from the coupling prism into the LOE while trapping light already within the LOE so as to propagate within the LOE by internal reflection.
A projector for projecting an image includes an LED array (2) having separately-controllable LEDs for illuminating a spatial light modulator (SLM) (10) via illumination optics (8) with a converging beam. Projection optics (12) projects the image generated by the SLM. A reflective arrangement (16) typically having four planar reflectors, is deployed between the LED array (2) and the illumination optics (8) so that light from each of LED illuminates a first region of the SLM by direct transmission from the LED via the illumination optics and additional regions of the SLM via reflection in the planar reflectors.
A stack has first and second faces and multiple LOEs that each has two parallel major surfaces and a first plurality of parallel internal facets oblique to the major surfaces. A first block has third and fourth faces and a second plurality of parallel internal facets. The first block and the stack are bonded such that the second face joins the third face and the first and second facets are non-parallel, forming a second block. The second block is cut at a plane passing through the first face, forming a first structure having an interfacing surface. A third block has fifth and sixth faces and a plurality of parallel internal reflectors. The third block and the first structure are bonded such that fifth face joins the interfacing surface and the internal reflectors are non-parallel to all the facets, forming a second structure. Compound LOEs are sliced-out from the second structure.
An image projector employing a laser scanning illumination arrangement to illumination a spatial light modulator (SLM), where an angular beam spreader element, typically a diffuser or a micro-lens array (MLA), adjacent to, or in a conjugate plane with, the SLM, enhances filling of the exit aperture while minimizing impact on the precision of scanning of the laser illumination on the SLM. Also disclosed are various schemes for synchronous rolling update of the SLM during scanned illumination, and systems employing binary-switchable SLMs.
A method for generating an image in a near-eye display may include dividing an image into first and second sub-images, sequentially transmitting the first sub-image and the second sub-image through a channel, extracting light corresponding to the first sub-image in a first polarization and light corresponding to the second sub-image in a second polarization, deflecting a first order of the light in the first polarization in a first direction, and deflecting an opposite order of the light in the second polarization in a opposite direction different from the first direction. The resulting image width corresponding to a wider field of view.
An optical system has a hollow mechanical body having first and second ends. An optical assembly has a plurality of optical components arranged in a stack configuration. Each of the optical components has a set of engagement configurations. For each pair of adjacent optical components in the stack configuration, at least some of the engagement configurations of a first optical component in the pair engage with at least some of the engagement configurations of a second optical component in the pair. Some of the engagement configurations of the optical component at a first end of the stack configuration engage with corresponding engagement configurations of the hollow mechanical body at the first end of the hollow mechanical body to position the other optical components of the stack configuration within the hollow mechanical body. An emissive display device is deployed at the second end of the hollow mechanical body.
A light-transmitting substrate is deployed with a first of two major surfaces in facing relation to an eye of a viewer and guides light by internal reflection between the two major surfaces. An optical coupling-out configuration couples image light, that corresponds to a collimated image and that is guided by internal reflection between the two major surfaces, out of the light-transmitting substrate. A first optical coupling configuration collimates light from the eye to produce collimated light, and couples the collimated light into the light-transmitting substrate for guiding by internal reflection. A second optical coupling configuration couples the collimated light out of the light-transmitting substrate toward an optical sensor that senses the coupled-out light. A processing system derives current gaze direction of the eye by processing signals from the optical sensor.
Head-mounted display with an eye-tracking system and including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having two major surfaces and edges, optical means for coupling light into said substrate (20) by total internal reflection, partially-reflecting surfaces (22a-22c) carried by the substrate (20) that are not parallel with the major surfaces of the substrate (20), a near-infrared light source (78) and a display source (92) projecting within the photopic spectrum, wherein light from the light source (78) and light from the display source (92) are coupled into the substrate (20) by total internal reflection.
G02B 27/14 - Systèmes divisant ou combinant des faisceaux fonctionnant uniquement par réflexion
G02B 27/00 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes ,
A61B 3/113 - Appareils pour l'examen optique des yeux; Appareils pour l'examen clinique des yeux du type à mesure objective, c. à d. instruments pour l'examen des yeux indépendamment des perceptions ou des réactions du patient pour déterminer ou enregistrer le mouvement de l'œil
9.
OPTICAL-BASED VALIDATION OF ORIENTATIONS OF SURFACES
Disclosed herein is an optical-based method for validating angles between external, flat surfaces of samples. The method includes: (i) providing a sample including an external, flat first surface and an external, flat second surface nominally inclined at a nominal angle relative to the first surface; (ii) generating a first incident light beam (LB), directed at the first surface, and a second incident LB parallel to the first incident LB; (iii) obtaining a first returned LB by reflection of the first incident LB off the first surface; (iv) obtaining a second returned LB by folding the second incident LB at the nominal angle, reflecting the folded LB off the second surface, and folding the reflected LB at the nominal angle; (v) measuring a first angular deviation between the returned LBs; and (vi) deducing an actual inclination angle between the first second surfaces, based at least on the measured first angular deviation.
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to select a light source from a plurality of lights sources based at least in part on a location of a pupil of an eye relative to an eye motion box. The selected light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the eye motion box that corresponds to the location of the pupil with a light beam. The at least one processor is further configured to activate the selected light source to illuminate the portion of the eye motion box.
In one method, a display source aligned with an illumination prism assembly is displaced along a displacement axis to adjust the distance between the display source and a collimating prism assembly. The display source, the illumination prism assembly, and an illumination module are translationally moved in unison in a plane normal to the displacement axis. In another method, a component of an optical device is coupled to a mechanical assembly at a known orientation. The mechanical assembly has a test pattern at a known orientation. An image sensor is aligned with the test pattern, and the image sensor captures an image of the test pattern. The captured image is analyzed to determine an estimated orientation of the test pattern. An orientation parameter of the image sensor is adjusted based on a comparison between the known orientation of the test pattern and the estimated orientation of the test pattern.
A method for generating an image in a near-eye display may include operating a light source to emit the image as incident light. The light source may be configured such that incident light as received by the light reflecting elements compensates for the chromatic reflectance of the light reflecting elements. The method may include coupling the incident light into a light-transmitting substrate, thereby trapping the light between first and second major surfaces of the light-transmitting substrate by total internal reflection and coupling the light out of the substrate by the light reflecting elements having chromatic reflectance.
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target coupling-out facet, identify an optical path to the target coupling-out facet, identify an active wave plate corresponding to the optical path, determine a target state of the active wave plate that corresponds to the optical path, set the active wave plate to the identified target state and cause a projection device to project a light beam comprising an image field of view component along the identified optical path.
Disclosed herein is a method including: providing a light guiding arrangement (LGA) configured to redirect light, incident thereon in a direction perpendicular to an external surface of the sample, into or onto the sample, such that light impinges on an internal facet of the sample nominally normally thereto; generating a first incident light beam (LB), directed at the external surface normally thereto, and a second incident LB, parallel to the first incident LB and directed at the LGA; obtaining a first returned LB by reflection of the first incident LB off the external surface, and a second returned LB by redirection by the LGA of the second incident LB into or onto the sample, reflection thereof off the internal facet, and inverse redirection by the LGA; measuring an angular deviation between the returned LBs and deducing therefrom an actual inclination angle of the internal facet relative to the external surface.
An optical system (100) for directing an image towards a user for viewing includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (10) having parallel major external surfaces (11a, 11b) for supporting propagation of an image by internal reflection, a coupling-out arrangement for coupling out the image towards an eye of the user, and a coupling-in aperture. An image projector (114) includes an image generator (32) for generating an image, collimating optics (31) for collimating the image, and an image conjugate generator (20, 33, 34). The image projector is coupled to the coupling-in aperture so as to introduce both the collimated image and its conjugate image into the LOE prior to the images impinging on either of major external surfaces. The image conjugate generator may be a second image generator (33), or may employ one or more reflecting surface (22, 23, 24, 34) non-contiguous with the major external surfaces of the LOE.
A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a lightguide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target portion of an eye motion box and to identify a facet of a light-guide optical element that is configured to direct a light beam comprising at least a portion of an image field of view toward the target portion of the eye motion box. The at least one processor is configured to identify a display region of an image generator that is configured to inject the light beam into the light-guide optical element at an angle that, in conjunction with the identified facet, is configured to direct the light beam toward the target portion of the eye motion box. The at least one processor is configured to selectively activate the identified facet and the identified display region to direct the light beam toward the target portion of the eye motion box.
G02F 1/01 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de l'intensité, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la couleur
G09G 3/00 - Dispositions ou circuits de commande présentant un intérêt uniquement pour l'affichage utilisant des moyens de visualisation autres que les tubes à rayons cathodiques
18.
Optical system with compact coupling from a projector into a waveguide
An optical system includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (10) having mutually-parallel first and second major external surfaces (11, 12) for guiding light by internal reflection, and a projector (100) that projects illumination corresponding to a collimated image from an aperture (101). The projector injects light in to the LOE via a coupling prism (30) attached to the first major external surface (11) that projects an image injection surface. A reflective polarizing beam splitter (51) is deployed at an interface between the major external surface (11) and the coupling prism (30) parallel to the major external surfaces, to selectively transmit illumination from the coupling prism into the LOE while trapping light already within the LOE so as to propagate within the LOE by internal reflection.
A transparent substrate has two parallel faces and guides collimated image light by internal reflection. A first set of internal surfaces is deployed within the substrate oblique to the parallel faces. A second set of internal surfaces is deployed within the substrate parallel to, interleaved and in overlapping relation with the first set of internal surfaces. Each of the internal surfaces of the first set includes a first coating having a first reflection characteristic to be at least partially reflective to at least a first subset of components of incident light. Each of the internal surfaces of the second set includes a second coating having a second reflection characteristic complementary to the first reflection characteristic to be at least partially reflective to at least a second subset of components of incident light. The sets of internal surfaces cooperate to reflect all components of light from the first and second subsets.
An optical assembly for optical aperture expansion combines facet reflective technology with diffractive technology. At least two diffractive components having opposite optical power (matching) are used, so that chromatic dispersion introduced by the first diffractive component will then be cancelled by the second diffractive component. The two diffractive components are used in combination with a reflective optical component to achieve more efficient aperture expansion (for near eye display), reducing distortions and noise, while also reducing design constraints on the system and individual components, as compared to conventional techniques. The assembly eliminates and/or reduces the need for polarization management, while enabling wider field of view. In addition, embodiments can have reduced nonuniformity, as compared to conventional single technology implementations, since the distortion patterns of the two technologies do not correlate.
G02B 6/00 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage
G02B 27/00 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes ,
G02B 6/34 - Moyens de couplage optique utilisant des prismes ou des réseaux
G02B 27/10 - Systèmes divisant ou combinant des faisceaux
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
An optical system including a light-guide optical element (LOE) with first and second sets (204, 206) of mutually-parallel, partially-reflecting surfaces at different orientations. Both sets of partially-reflecting surfaces are located between parallel major external surfaces. A third set of at least partially-reflecting surfaces (202), deployed at the coupling-in region, receive image illumination injected from a projector (2) with an optical aperture having a first in-plane width and direct the image illumination via reflection of at least part of the image illumination at the third set of at least partially-reflective facets towards the first set of partially-reflective facets with an effective optical aperture having a second width larger than the first width.
An optical system has a hollow mechanical body having first and second ends. An optical assembly has a plurality of optical components arranged in a stack configuration. Each of the optical components has a set of engagement configurations. For each pair of adjacent optical components in the stack configuration, at least some of the engagement configurations of a first optical component in the pair engage with at least some of the engagement configurations of a second optical component in the pair. Some of the engagement configurations of the optical component at a first end of the stack configuration engage with corresponding engagement configurations of the hollow mechanical body at the first end of the hollow mechanical body to position the other optical components of the stack configuration within the hollow mechanical body. An emissive display device is deployed at the second end of the hollow mechanical body.
There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate having at least two major surfaces parallel to each other edges, and an optical device for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection. The device includes a polarization sensitive reflecting surface.
An optical system for directing image illumination injected at a coupling-in region to an eye-motion box for viewing by an eye of a user, including a light-guide optical element (LOE) formed from transparent material that includes: a first region containing a first set of planar, mutually-parallel, partially-reflecting surfaces having a first orientation; a second region containing a second set of planar, mutually-parallel, partially-reflecting surfaces having a second orientation non-parallel to the first orientation; a set of mutually-parallel major external surfaces extending across the first and second regions, and an optical retarder deployed between the first region and the second region so as to rotate a polarization of light deflected by the first set of partially-reflecting surfaces prior to reaching the second set of partially-reflecting surfaces.
A stack has first and second faces and multiple LOEs that each has two parallel major surfaces and a first plurality of parallel internal facets oblique to the major surfaces. A first block has third and fourth faces and a second plurality of parallel internal facets. The first block and the stack are bonded such that the second face joins the third face and the first and second facets are non-parallel, forming a second block. The second block is cut at a plane passing through the first face, forming a first structure having an interfacing surface. A third block has fifth and sixth faces and a plurality of parallel internal reflectors. The third block and the first structure are bonded such that fifth face joins the interfacing surface and the internal reflectors are non-parallel to all the facets, forming a second structure. Compound LOEs are sliced-out from the second structure.
Disclosed herein is an optical assembly for generating a color image using white light as source. The optical assembly includes a broadband white light source array, a color filter assembly configured to allow selectively filtering therethrough light in each of three additive primary colors, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to actuate light sources in the light source array according to three intensity maps. Each of the intensity maps corresponds to one of the three additive primary colors. The control unit is further configured to synchronize operations of the light source array and the color filter arrangement such that, when light sources in the light source array are actuated according to one of the three intensity maps, the color filter arrangement filters therethrough light at the additive primary color to which the intensity map corresponds.
G09G 3/34 - Dispositions ou circuits de commande présentant un intérêt uniquement pour l'affichage utilisant des moyens de visualisation autres que les tubes à rayons cathodiques pour la présentation d'un ensemble de plusieurs caractères, p.ex. d'une page, en composant l'ensemble par combinaison d'éléments individuels disposés en matrice en commandant la lumière provenant d'une source indépendante
G09G 3/00 - Dispositions ou circuits de commande présentant un intérêt uniquement pour l'affichage utilisant des moyens de visualisation autres que les tubes à rayons cathodiques
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
An optical aperture multiplier includes a first optical waveguide (10) having a rectangular cross-section and including partially reflecting surfaces (40) at an oblique angle to a direction of elongation of the waveguide. A second optical waveguide (20), also including partially reflecting surfaces (45) at an oblique angle, is optically coupled with the first optical waveguide (10). An image coupled into the first optical waveguide with an initial direction of propagation at an oblique coupling angle advances by four-fold internal reflection along the first optical waveguide, with a proportion of intensity of the image reflected at the partially reflecting surfaces so as to be coupled into the second optical waveguide, and then propagates through two-fold reflection within the second optical waveguide, with a proportion of intensity of the image reflected at the partially reflecting surfaces so as to be directed outwards from one of the parallel faces as a visible image.
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
G02B 5/30 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES Éléments optiques autres que les lentilles Éléments polarisants
G02B 6/10 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage du type guide d'ondes optiques
G02F 1/295 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de la position ou de la direction des rayons lumineux, c. à d. déflexion dans une structure de guide d'ondes optique
H04N 5/74 - Dispositifs de projection pour reproduction d'image, p.ex. eidophor
28.
Optical system including selectively activatable facets
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target portion of an eye motion box and to identify a facet of a light-guide optical element that is configured to direct a light beam comprising at least a portion of an image field of view toward the target portion of the eye motion box. The at least one processor is configured to identify a display region of an image generator that is configured to inject the light beam into the light-guide optical element at an angle that, in conjunction with the identified facet, is configured to direct the light beam toward the target portion of the eye motion box. The at least one processor is configured to selectively activate the identified facet and the identified display region to direct the light beam toward the target portion of the eye motion box.
G02F 1/01 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de l'intensité, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la couleur
G09G 3/00 - Dispositions ou circuits de commande présentant un intérêt uniquement pour l'affichage utilisant des moyens de visualisation autres que les tubes à rayons cathodiques
29.
OPTICAL ELEMENT FOR COMPENSATION OF CHROMATIC ABERRATION
An optical element (24) for compensating for chromatic aberration includes two wedge components (26, 28), each having different refractive indices and Abbe numbers. The two wedge components have the same wedge angle, and are bonded together oriented such that the outer surfaces are parallel to each other. The optical element (24) can be integrated in the optical path between an image projector (14) and a waveguide (12) in order to compensate for linear chromatic aberration introduced by a face-curve angle and/or pantoscopic tilt of the waveguide of a near-eye display.
A head-mounted augmented reality device (10) includes a pair of optical modules (12) for the right and left eyes of the user, each having a collimating display source (14) optically coupled to a light guide (16) for directing image illumination towards an eye of the user. A support structure (20) is supported by the head of the user. An optical bench (22) provides a first set of alignment features (26, 28, 32, 74) for aligning and affixing the right optical module and a second set of alignment features (26, 28, 32, 74) for aligning and affixing the left optical module. A suspension arrangement suspends the optical bench relative to the support structure. The optical bench (22) provides the sole mechanical connection between the pair of optical modules (12) and the support structure (20).
A method of polishing a target surface of a waveguide to achieve perpendicularity relative to a reference surface is disclosed. The method includes i) providing a polishing apparatus having a polishing plate with a flat surface defining a reference plane, and an adjustable mounting apparatus configured to hold the waveguide during polishing at a plurality of angular orientations; ii) positioning an optical alignment sensor and a light reflecting apparatus such that a first collimated light beam is reflected off of a surface parallel to the reference plane, and a second perpendicular collimated light beam is reflected off of the reference surface; iii) aligning the waveguide within the polishing apparatus such that the reflections received by the optical alignment sensor align within the optical alignment sensor, thereby being indicative of perpendicularity between the reference plane and the reference surface; and iv) polishing the target surface of the aligned waveguide.
B24B 13/015 - Machines ou dispositifs conçus pour meuler ou polir les surfaces optiques des lentilles ou les surfaces de forme similaire d'autres pièces; Accessoires à cet effet d'écrans de tube-image pour télévision, de réflecteurs de phares ou similaires
B24B 13/005 - Dispositifs de blocage, supports ou similaires; Dispositifs d'alignement
B24B 49/12 - Appareillage de mesure ou de calibrage pour la commande du mouvement d'avance de l'outil de meulage ou de la pièce à meuler; Agencements de l'appareillage d'indication ou de mesure, p.ex. pour indiquer le début de l'opération de meulage impliquant des dispositifs optiques
G01B 11/27 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour tester l'alignement des axes pour tester l'alignement des axes
A method of moderating chromaticity of ambient light in an environment reflected back into the environment by a component comprised in a lens of glasses through which a user of views the environment, the method comprising: determining a first set of tristimulus values that characterizes ambient light reflected by the component surface as a function of angle of reflection Θ in a bounded span of angles of reflection; determining a second set of tristimulus values for angles in the bounded span of angles so that light characterized by the second set of tristimulus values combined with light reflected by the component would be perceived substantially as white light; and providing an optical coating that reflects ambient light from the environment so that the reflected light is substantially characterized by the second set of tristimulus values.
A field of view (FOV) expansion device for use in a near-eye display includes a first surface which receives incident illumination from a projector of departure of the near-eye display. The incident illumination, which may consist of a multiplicity of incident illumination fields is characterized by an incident angular aperture. The expansion device is adjacent to a non-sequential (NS) optical element which projects output light to an observer. The refractive index of the device is greater than that of the NS optical element. A FOV expansion ratio, which is equal to the ratio between a projected angular aperture of the output light and an incident angular aperture of the incident illumination, is greater than or equal to a pre-determined threshold value. The first surface of the FOV expansion device is transparent in one embodiment and reflective in another.
G02B 27/18 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes , pour projection optique, p.ex. combinaison de miroir, de condensateur et d'objectif
34.
Method of fabrication of compound light-guide optical elements
A method of fabricating a compound light-guide optical element (LOE) is provided. A bonded stack of a plurality of LOE precursors and a plurality of transparent spacer plates alternating therebetween is bonded to a first optical block having a plurality of mutually parallel obliquely angled internal surfaces. The block is joined to the stack such that first plurality of partially reflective internal surfaces of the block is non-parallel to the internal surfaces of the LOE precursor. After bonding, a second optical is thereby formed. At least one compound LOE is sliced-out of the second optical block by cutting the second block through at least two consecutive spacer plates having a LOE precursor sandwiched therebetween.
An optical device includes a first waveguide, having parallel first and second faces and parallel third and fourth faces forming a rectangular cross-section, that guides light by four-fold internal reflection and is associated with a coupling-out configuration that couples light out of the first waveguide into a second waveguide. The first or second face is subdivided into first and second regions having different optical characteristics. The optical device also includes a coupling-in configuration having a surface that transmits light into the first waveguide. The surface is deployed in association with a portion of the third or fourth face adjoining the second region such that an edge associated with the surface trims an input collimated image in a first dimension, and a boundary between the first and second regions trims the input collimated image in a second dimension to produce a trimmed collimated image that advances by four-fold internal reflection.
An optical system includes a partial-internal-reflection rectangular light guide (PRLG) (10) having three surfaces supporting internal reflection and a partially-reflecting fourth surface (34) with which a second light guide portion (30) is associated. A light beam redirecting arrangement, typically including a set of embedded partially-reflecting surfaces (12), in light guide portion (30) redirects light emerging from the PRLG towards a third light guide portion (20) that includes a coupling-out configuration (122), such as a further set of partially-reflecting surfaces (28), coupling-out light beams of an image towards the eye of a user.
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target coupling-out facet, identify an optical path to the target coupling-out facet, identify an active wave plate corresponding to the optical path, determine a target state of the active wave plate that corresponds to the optical path, set the active wave plate to the identified target state and cause a projection device to project a light beam comprising an image field of view component along the identified optical path.
A display for providing an image to an eye of a user has a compound light-guide arrangement formed from juxtaposed first and second slab waveguides (10, 20). Image illumination from a projector (100) is introduced, part into each waveguide, so as to propagate by internal reflection within the waveguide. A coupling-out configuration of the first waveguide (10) includes a first set of obliquely-angled internal partially-reflecting surfaces (11) in a first region of the compound light-guide arrangement for coupling-out a first part of the field of view, and a coupling-out configuration of the second waveguide (20) includes a second set of obliquely-angled internal partially-reflecting surfaces (21) in a second region of the compound light-guide arrangement, at least partially non-overlapping with the first region, for coupling-out a second part of the field of view.
A method for generating an image in a near-eye display may include operating a light source to emit the image as incident light. The light source may be configured such that incident light as received by the light reflecting elements compensates for the chromatic reflectance of the light reflecting elements. The method may include coupling the incident light into a light-transmitting substrate, thereby trapping the light between first and second major surfaces of the light-transmitting substrate by total internal reflection and coupling the light out of the substrate by the light reflecting elements having chromatic reflectance.
G02B 6/00 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
A method of fabricating an optical aperture multiplier is provided. A slice and a first optical structure are obtained. The slice has external faces including a pair of parallel faces, and a first plurality of partially reflective internal surfaces oblique to the pair of parallel faces. The first optical structure has external surfaces including a planar coupling surface, and a second plurality of partially reflective internal surfaces oblique to the coupling surface. The slice is optically coupled with the first optical structure such that one of the faces of the pair of parallel faces is in facing relation with the coupling surface to form a second optical structure. At least one optical aperture multiplier is sliced from the second optical structure by cutting the second optical structure through at least two cutting planes perpendicular to the coupling surface. The optical aperture multiplier is preferably part of a near eye display augmented reality system.
G02F 1/295 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de la position ou de la direction des rayons lumineux, c. à d. déflexion dans une structure de guide d'ondes optique
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
G02B 27/00 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes ,
An optical system employs a waveguide including a first set of partially-reflecting surfaces (“facets”) for progressively redirecting image illumination propagating from a coupling-in region towards a second region, and a second set of facets in the second region for progressively coupling-out the redirected image illumination towards the eye of a viewer. The first set of facets includes at least a first facet close to the coupling-in region, a third facet fare from the coupling-in region, and a second facet located on a medial plane between the first and the third facets. The second facet is located in a subregion of the medial plane such that image illumination propagating from the coupling-in region to the third facet passes through the medial plane without passing through the second facet.
A vehicular head-up display (HUD) for displaying an image to a user of a vehicle having a windshield (15) includes an image projector (14) outputting a collimated image and an optical aperture expander. The optical aperture expander includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (10) having two major external surfaces (30a, 30b). The image projector (14) injects the collimated image so as to propagate within the LOE by internal reflection at the major external surfaces. The LOE also has a set of parallel partially-reflecting internal surfaces (12) which progressively couple out the image illumination from the LOE. The optical aperture expander is deployed such that the image illumination coupled-out of the LOE (12) follows a light path including a reflection from a surface associated with the windshield (15) of the vehicle so as to be visible to the user while the user looks at a scene beyond the windshield.
An image projector includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a two dimensional array of pixel elements controllable to modulate a property of light transmitted or reflected by the pixel elements. An illumination arrangement delivers illumination to the SLM. A collimating arrangement collimates illumination from the SLM to generate a collimated image directed to an exit stop. The illumination arrangement is configured to sequentially illuminate regions of the SLM, each corresponding to a multiple pixel elements. A controller synchronously controls the pixel elements and the illumination arrangement so as to project a collimated image with pixel intensities corresponding to a digital image.
A transparent substrate has two parallel faces and guides collimated image light by internal reflection. A first set of internal surfaces is deployed within the substrate oblique to the parallel faces. A second set of internal surfaces is deployed within the substrate parallel to, interleaved and in overlapping relation with the first set of internal surfaces. Each of the internal surfaces of the first set includes a first coating having a first reflection characteristic to be at least partially reflective to at least a first subset of components of incident light. Each of the internal surfaces of the second set includes a second coating having a second reflection characteristic complementary to the first reflection characteristic to be at least partially reflective to at least a second subset of components of incident light. The sets of internal surfaces cooperate to reflect all components of light from the first and second subsets.
Specific management of configuration of overlap of facets reduces non-uniformity in an image outcoupled toward a nominal point of observation. A waveguide including at least two parallel surfaces, first, middle, and last partially reflecting facets are configured such that in a geometrical projection of the facets onto one of the surfaces the facets overlap, preferably with adjacent facets overlapping and non-adjacent facets starts and ends coinciding along at least a portion of the waveguide.
An optical system including a light-guide optical element (LOE) with a first set of mutually-parallel, partially-reflecting surfaces and a second set of mutually-parallel, partially-reflecting surfaces at a different orientation from the first set. Both sets of partially-reflecting surfaces are located between a set of mutually-parallel major external surfaces. Image illumination introduced at a coupling-in location propagates along the LOE, is redirected by the first set of partially-reflecting surfaces towards the second set of partially-reflecting surfaces, where it is coupled out towards the eye of the user. The first set of partially-reflecting surfaces are implemented as partial surfaces located where needed for filling an eye-motion box with the required image. Additionally, or alternatively, spacing of the first set of partially-reflecting surfaces is varied across a first region of the LOE. Additional features relate to relative orientations of the projector and partially reflecting surfaces to improve compactness and achieve various adjustments.
An optical system has a hollow mechanical body having first and second ends. An optical assembly has a plurality of optical components arranged in a stack configuration. Each of the optical components has a set of engagement configurations. For each pair of adjacent optical components in the stack configuration, at least some of the engagement configurations of a first optical component in the pair engage with at least some of the engagement configurations of a second optical component in the pair. Some of the engagement configurations of the optical component at a first end of the stack configuration engage with corresponding engagement configurations of the hollow mechanical body at the first end of the hollow mechanical body to position the other optical components of the stack configuration within the hollow mechanical body. An emissive display device is deployed at the second end of the hollow mechanical body.
There is disclosed an optical device, including a light-transmitting substrate having an input aperture, an output aperture, at least two major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate by total internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located between the two major surfaces of the light-transmitting substrate for partially reflecting light waves out of the substrate, a first transparent plate, having at least two major surfaces, one of the major surfaces of the transparent plate being optically attached to a major surface of the light-transmitting substrate defining an interface plane, and a beam-splitting coating applied at the interface plane between the substrate and the transparent plate, wherein light waves coupled inside the light-transmitting substrate are partially reflected from the interface plane and partially pass the through.
Disclosed herein is a method including: providing a light guiding arrangement (LGA) configured to redirect light, incident thereon in a direction perpendicular to an external surface of the sample, into or onto the sample, such that light impinges on an internal facet of the sample nominally normally thereto; generating a first incident light beam (LB), directed at the external surface normally thereto, and a second incident LB, parallel to the first incident LB and directed at the LGA; obtaining a first returned LB by reflection of the first incident LB off the external surface, and a second returned LB by redirection by the LGA of the second incident LB into or onto the sample, reflection thereof off the internal facet, and inverse redirection by the LGA; measuring an angular deviation between the returned LBs and deducing therefrom an actual inclination angle of the internal facet relative to the external surface.
An image delivery system (IDS) comprising: a first waveguide comprising an input aperture for receiving an input virtual image provided by a display engine and a first plurality of first facets positioned to reflect light from the received input virtual image out from the first waveguide; a second waveguide configured to receive the light reflected out from the first waveguide and comprising a second plurality of second facets positioned to reflect the received light out from the second waveguide to project an output virtual image responsive to the input into an eye motion box (EMB); and a partially reflective coating formed on each facet selected from a number of different partially reflective coatings less than a total number of facets equal to a sum of the number of facets in the first and second pluralities; wherein the output virtual image exhibits a fidelity of 80% or better.
Optical sample characterization facilitates measurement and testing at any angle in a full range of angles of light propagation through an optical sample, such as a coated glass plate, having a higher than air index of refraction. A rotatable assembly includes a cylinder having a hollow, and a receptacle including the hollow. The receptacle also contains a fluid with a known refractive index. An optical light beam is input normal to the surface of the cylinder, travels through the cylinder, then via the fluid, to the optical sample, where light beam is transmitted and/or reflected, then exits the cylinder and is collected for analysis. Due at least in part to the fluid surrounding the optical sample, the optical sample can be rotated through a full range of angles (±90°, etc.) for full range testing of the optical sample.
A method of moderating chromaticity of ambient light in an environment reflected back into the environment by a component comprised in a lens of glasses through which a user of views the environment, the method comprising: determining a first set of tristimulus values that characterizes ambient light reflected by the component surface as a function of angle of reflection Θ in a bounded span of angles of reflection; determining a second set of tristimulus values for angles in the bounded span of angles so that light characterized by the second set of tristimulus values combined with light reflected by the component would be perceived substantially as white light; and providing an optical coating that reflects ambient light from the environment so that the reflected light is substantially characterized by the second set of tristimulus values.
A near-eye display for displaying an image to a viewer has enhanced laser efficiency and enhanced eye-safety features. The display includes a laser source which generates one or more laser spots and a scan driver which scans the laser spots across an image field. The electrical energy consumption is minimized by modulating the laser source at 3 power levels—a near-zero level, a near-threshold level, and a lasing level—and by synchronizing the modulation with the scan driver. In another embodiment, the laser module generates two or more laser spots which scan non-overlapping lines on the image field. The scanning is configured to prevent the light intensity at the eye of a viewer from exceeding eye-safety levels, even in the event of a scanning malfunction.
An image projector with a high optical efficiency projects an image at an arbitrary distance from an observer. The image projector includes an illumination module having at least one spatially coherent light source; a phase image generator with an array of optical phase shifting elements; an electronic image controller connected electrically to the phase image generator; and a waveguide which includes at least one embedded partial reflector. The waveguide may be positioned either between the illumination module and the waveguide, or between the waveguide and the observer. The phase image generator may include phase shifts for canceling speckle, correcting optical aberrations, and/or compensating interference caused by light rays having different optical path lengths.
An optical system including a light-guide optical element (LOE) with first and second sets (204, 206) of mutually-parallel, partially-reflecting surfaces at different orientations. Both sets of partially-reflecting surfaces are located between parallel major external surfaces. A third set of at least partially-reflecting surfaces (202), deployed at the coupling-in region, receive image illumination injected from a projector (2) with an optical aperture having a first in-plane width and direct the image illumination via reflection of at least part of the image illumination at the third set of at least partially-reflective facets towards the first set of partially-reflective facets with an effective optical aperture having a second width larger than the first width.
A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.
G09G 5/00 - Dispositions ou circuits de commande de l'affichage communs à l'affichage utilisant des tubes à rayons cathodiques et à l'affichage utilisant d'autres moyens de visualisation
An optical waveguide combiner having an output coupler comprising an array of embedded partially reflective dielectric mirrors expanding and coupling a virtual, optionally color, image generated by a laser display engine into a user EMB, wherein the dielectric mirrors are configured having a wavelength band for each lasing band of the laser display engine that includes wavelengths of light in the lasing band and in a range of wavelengths over which the lasing band is expected to drift, a reflectivity angular range exhibiting a first reflectivity, a transmittance angular range exhibiting a second reflectivity less than the first reflectivity, and a see-thru angular transmittance range having high transmittance for natural light incident on the facets.
A method of polishing a target surface of a waveguide to achieve perpendicularity relative to a reference surface is disclosed. The method includes i) providing a polishing apparatus having a polishing plate with a flat surface defining a reference plane, and an adjustable mounting apparatus configured to hold the waveguide during polishing at a plurality of angular orientations; ii) positioning an optical alignment sensor and a light reflecting apparatus such that a first collimated light beam is reflected off of a surface parallel to the reference plane, and a second perpendicular collimated light beam is reflected off of the reference surface; iii) aligning the waveguide within the polishing apparatus such that the reflections received by the optical alignment sensor align within the optical alignment sensor, thereby being indicative of perpendicularity between the reference plane and the reference surface; and iv) polishing the target surface of the aligned waveguide.
B24B 13/015 - Machines ou dispositifs conçus pour meuler ou polir les surfaces optiques des lentilles ou les surfaces de forme similaire d'autres pièces; Accessoires à cet effet d'écrans de tube-image pour télévision, de réflecteurs de phares ou similaires
B24B 13/005 - Dispositifs de blocage, supports ou similaires; Dispositifs d'alignement
B24B 49/12 - Appareillage de mesure ou de calibrage pour la commande du mouvement d'avance de l'outil de meulage ou de la pièce à meuler; Agencements de l'appareillage d'indication ou de mesure, p.ex. pour indiquer le début de l'opération de meulage impliquant des dispositifs optiques
G01B 11/27 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour tester l'alignement des axes pour tester l'alignement des axes
Based on a rotational axis of symmetry for an output of a lightpipe coinciding with an input axis for projection optics, the lightpipe can be rotated around the rotational axis, in order to align the lightpipe with a frame of associated glasses, or correspondingly the temple of a wearer of the glasses. Thus, an improved or optimal aesthetic look of a display system can be approached. The lightpipe of the display system can be aligned with the frame of the glasses, or even hidden within the frame, depending on implementation details and requirements for image projection components. If a pantoscopic tilt of the lens (waveguide) changes, a rotation of the lightpipe can be applied to the lightpipe to bring the lightpipe in a position aligned with the temple again, thus avoiding the need for a lightpipe redesign.
A method of fabricating a compound light-guide optical element (LOE) is provided. A bonded stack of a plurality of LOE precursors and a plurality of transparent spacer plates alternating therebetween is bonded to a first optical block having a plurality of mutually parallel obliquely angled internal surfaces. The block is joined to the stack such that first plurality of partially reflective internal surfaces of the block is non-parallel to the internal surfaces of the LOE precursor. After bonding, a second optical is thereby formed. At least one compound LOE is sliced-out of the second optical block by cutting the second block through at least two consecutive spacer plates having a LOE precursor sandwiched therebetween.
An optical system for directing image illumination injected at a coupling-in region towards a user for viewing includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (12) with a pair of parallel major external surfaces (24). A first region (16) of the LOE contains a first set of partially-reflecting surfaces (17) oriented to redirect image illumination propagating within the LOE towards a second region of the LOE (18), which contains a second set of partially-reflecting surfaces (19) oriented to couple out the image illumination towards the user. The first set of partially-reflecting surfaces (17) extend across at least 95 percent of a thickness of the LOE, while the second set of partially-reflecting surfaces (19) are contained within a subsection of the thickness spanning less than 95 percent of the thickness, so that the second set of partially-reflecting surfaces (19) are excluded from one or both surface layers of the second region (18).
An optical system includes an image redirecting arrangement with at least two reflectors to direct a collimated image from an image projector so as to propagate within a light-guide optical element (LOE) in first and second directions, to be subsequently reflected by corresponding first and second sets of partially-reflecting internal surfaces towards a coupling-out optical arrangement. A part of a field of view (FOV) adjacent to the right side of the collimated image propagating in the first direction crosses a plane of one of the sets of partially-reflecting internal surfaces or a plane parallel to the major external surfaces, thereby forming self-overlap of a part of the collimated image in a region of the field of view which does not reach the eye of a user.
A light-guide optical element (LOE) includes a transparent substrate having two parallel major external surfaces for guiding light within the substrate by total internal reflection (TIR). Mutually parallel internal surfaces within the LOE are provided with a structural polarizer which is transparent to light polarized parallel to a primary polarization transmission axis, and is partially or fully reflective to light polarized perpendicular to the primary polarization transmission axis. By suitable orientation of the polarization axis of successive internal surfaces together with the polarization mixing properties of TIR and/or use of birefringent materials, it is possible to achieve the desired proportion of coupling-out of the image illumination from each successive facet.
A display for displaying an image to a viewer includes an image generator having an illumination subsystem generating illumination of at least a first color, the image generator employing the illumination to generate an image. Projection optics projects illumination from the image for display to the viewer. The illumination subsystem includes a first laser generating a first laser beam of the first color with a first polarization and a second laser generating a second laser beam of the first color with a second polarization. The first and second polarizations are orthogonal at at least one location within the projection optics, thereby projecting a quasi-unpolarized image.
An optical waveguide has at least two major external surfaces and is configured for guiding light by internal reflection, and is deployed with one of the two major external surfaces in facing relation to a scene. An optical coupling-out configuration is associated with the optical waveguide and is configured for coupling a proportion of light, guided by the optical waveguide, out of the optical waveguide toward the scene. An illumination arrangement is deployed to emit light for coupling into the optical waveguide that is collimated prior to being coupled in the optical waveguide. A detector is configured for sensing light reflected from an object located in the scene in response to illumination of the object by light coupled out of the optical waveguide by the optical coupling-out configuration. A processing subsystem is configured to process signals from the detector to derive information associated with the object.
A transparent substrate has two parallel faces and guides collimated image light by internal reflection. A first set of internal surfaces is deployed within the substrate oblique to the parallel faces. A second set of internal surfaces is deployed within the substrate parallel to, interleaved and in overlapping relation with the first set of internal surfaces. Each of the internal surfaces of the first set includes a first coating having a first reflection characteristic to be at least partially reflective to at least a first subset of components of incident light. Each of the internal surfaces of the second set includes a second coating having a second reflection characteristic complementary to the first reflection characteristic to be at least partially reflective to at least a second subset of components of incident light. The sets of internal surfaces cooperate to reflect all components of light from the first and second subsets.
An optical device has a light-transmitting substrate, an optical coupling-out configuration, and an optical arrangement. The light-transmitting substrate has at least two major surfaces and guides light by internal reflection between the major surfaces. The optical coupling-out configuration couples the light, guided by internal reflection, out of the light-transmitting substrate toward an eye of a viewer. The optical arrangement is associated with at least one of the two major surfaces, and has a first optical element and a second optical element. The optical elements are optically coupled to each other to define an interface region associated with at least a portion of the coupling-out configuration. The interface region deflects light rays that emanate from an external scene that are incident to the optical arrangement at a given range of incident angles.
G02B 6/00 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage
G02B 6/34 - Moyens de couplage optique utilisant des prismes ou des réseaux
G02B 6/10 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage du type guide d'ondes optiques
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
A laser package is described, the laser package comprising a plurality of laser diodes separately attached to at least one sub-mount having respective connecting pads, wherein, during operation, each of the laser diodes emits light having a fast axis and a slow axis defining a fast axis plane and a slow axis plane, wherein the fast axis planes of all laser diodes are parallel to each other and the distance between the fast axis planes of at least two laser diodes is smaller than the lateral distance between these laser diodes. Furthermore, a system with at least two laser packages is described.
H01S 5/02255 - Découplage de lumière utilisant des éléments de déviation de faisceaux lumineux
H01S 5/023 - Supports; Boîtiers Éléments de montage, p.ex. embases
H01S 5/40 - Agencement de plusieurs lasers à semi-conducteurs, non prévu dans les groupes
H01S 5/02335 - Montage à orientation directe, p.ex. montage à côté épitaxial au-dessus ou montage à jonction au-dessus
H01S 5/0234 - Montage à orientation inversée, p.ex. puce retournée [flip-chip], montage à côté épitaxial au-dessous ou montage à jonction au-dessous
H01S 5/02257 - Découplage de lumière utilisant des fenêtres optiques, p.ex. spécialement adaptées pour réfléchir de la lumière sur un détecteur à l’intérieur du boîtier
b) of transparent material is bonded to the stack. The resulting precursor structure (52, 52′) is sliced along parallel planes to form slices, each containing a part of the stack for the active region of the LOE and a part of the block.
A light-guide optical element (LOE) and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The LOE includes a transparent substrate having a first refractive index, the substrate having a pair of parallel external surfaces along a length thereof, and a plurality of mutually parallel at least partially reflective internal surfaces, the mutually parallel internal surfaces being angled obliquely relative to the pair of external surfaces; and a transparent polymer resin encapsulating at least a part of the substrate to form an encapsulated structure, the polymer resin having a second refractive index that is matched to the first refractive index; wherein the encapsulated structure comprises a pair of parallel external surfaces of optical quality formed from the resin.
An optical system has a hollow mechanical body having first and second ends. An optical assembly has a plurality of optical components arranged in a stack configuration. Each of the optical components has a set of engagement configurations. For each pair of adjacent optical components in the stack configuration, at least some of the engagement configurations of a first optical component in the pair engage with at least some of the engagement configurations of a second optical component in the pair. Some of the engagement configurations of the optical component at a first end of the stack configuration engage with corresponding engagement configurations of the hollow mechanical body at the first end of the hollow mechanical body to position the other optical components of the stack configuration within the hollow mechanical body. An emissive display device is deployed at the second end of the hollow mechanical body.
Optical Systems and Methods for Eye Tracking Based on Redirecting Light from Eye Using an Optical Arrangement Associated with a Light-Guide Optical Element
A light-transmitting substrate has at least two major surfaces and is deployed with a first of the major surfaces in facing relation to an eye of a viewer. A light redirecting arrangement is associated with the light-transmitting substrate and deflects light from the eye toward an optical sensor that senses light, such that the light deflection occurs at the light-transmitting substrate and the deflected light that reaches the optical sensor is unguided by the light-transmitting substrate. A processor derives current gaze direction of the eye by processing signals from the optical sensor.
A display system (500) for displaying an image to an eye of a user includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (506) and an image projector (512) projecting image illumination of a collimated image into the LOE. The image projector includes an electrically-controllable variable lens (10, 13, 71, 77, 58A, 58B, 59, 58C, 58D, 58E, 58F1, 58F2, 58G1, 58G2, 58H, 1223). A controller (18) determines a current region of interest of the image, either from tracking of the user's eye or by analysis of the image content, and controls the variable lens so as to reduce aberrations in the current region of interest at the expense of increased aberration in at least one area of the image outside the current region of interest.
G02F 1/1335 - Association structurelle de cellules avec des dispositifs optiques, p.ex. des polariseurs ou des réflecteurs
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
G02B 27/00 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes ,
G02F 1/01 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de l'intensité, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la couleur
G02F 1/29 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de la position ou de la direction des rayons lumineux, c. à d. déflexion
G06F 3/01 - Dispositions d'entrée ou dispositions d'entrée et de sortie combinées pour l'interaction entre l'utilisateur et le calculateur
G06V 10/25 - Détermination d’une région d’intérêt [ROI] ou d’un volume d’intérêt [VOI]
H04N 9/31 - Dispositifs de projection pour la présentation d'images en couleurs
A compact projector for use in a head-mounted display device consists of an illumination section, a relay section, and a numerical aperture expander (NAE). The illumination section includes one or more illumination sources, a scanner, and a focusing lens which converges light onto an image plane. The NAE receives light from the illumination section, expands the average numerical aperture of the light, and transmits the light to the relay section. The relay section includes optical elements which collimate light from the image plane onto an exit pupil. The projector may also be fitted with lateral-axis and/or vertical-axis stops which prevent stray light from passing through the exit pupil.
An optical aperture multiplier includes a first optical waveguide (10) having a rectangular cross-section and including partially reflecting surfaces (40) at an oblique angle to a direction of elongation of the waveguide. A second optical waveguide (20), also including partially reflecting surfaces (45) at an oblique angle, is optically coupled with the first optical waveguide (10). An image coupled into the first optical waveguide with an initial direction of propagation at an oblique coupling angle advances by four-fold internal reflection along the first optical waveguide, with a proportion of intensity of the image reflected at the partially reflecting surfaces so as to be coupled into the second optical waveguide, and then propagates through two-fold reflection within the second optical waveguide, with a proportion of intensity of the image reflected at the partially reflecting surfaces so as to be directed outwards from one of the parallel faces as a visible image.
G02F 1/295 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de la position ou de la direction des rayons lumineux, c. à d. déflexion dans une structure de guide d'ondes optique
F21V 8/00 - Utilisation de guides de lumière, p.ex. dispositifs à fibres optiques, dans les dispositifs ou systèmes d'éclairage
G02B 6/10 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage du type guide d'ondes optiques
A light-guide device includes a light guiding element (13) with a number of faces, including two parallel faces (26), for guiding light by internal reflection. A transparent optical element (19) has an interface surface for attachment to a coupling surface (14) of the light guiding element, and is configured such that light propagating within the transparent optical element passes through the interface surface and the coupling surface (14) so as to propagate within the light guiding element (13). A non-transparent coating (15) is applied to at least part of one or more faces of the light guiding element (13), defining an edge (17) adjacent to, or overlapping, the coupling surface (14) of the light guiding element (13). A quantity of transparent adhesive is deployed between the coupling surface and the interface surface so as to form an optically transmissive interface. An overspill region 31 of the adhesive extends to, and overlaps, the edge (17).
A light-transmitting substrate has parallel surfaces deployed with a first of the parallel surfaces in facing relation to an eye. An optical element is associated with the first surface and applies optical power to incident light of a first type so as to collimate the incident light, and applies substantially no optical power to incident light of a second type. An optical coupling configuration is associated with the substrate and is configured for coupling-in a proportion of collimated light of the first type incident on the first surface so as to propagate within the substrate, and for coupling-out a proportion of light of the second type propagating within the substrate. Optics associated with the substrate convert collimated light of the first type into converging beams of light, which are sensed by an optical sensor. A processor derives current gaze direction of the eye by processing signals from the optical sensor.
A light pipe includes at least two optical structures having different refractive indices. An interface between the two optical structures is oblique to a longitudinal axis of the light pipe such that an output ray from an output surface at a distal end of the light pipe is non-parallel to an input ray that is parallel to the longitudinal axis at an input surface at a proximal end of the light pipe. Light refracts inside the light pipe between the (at least) two optical structures altering the direction of an optical path of the light through the light pipe, thereby allowing higher degrees of freedom for the selection of the angle of deviation (folding angle) of the light pipe. By optimizing various parameters of the light pipe, a desired output optical axis angle (i.e., folding angle) can be achieved that suits the desired optical engine envelope.
Coated surfaces arranged in a stack assume a periodic formation having a sequence of segments including a first segment. The first segment has first, second, and third coated surfaces, and is repeated a set number of times to form the periodic formation. The stack is sliced to form a slice having two major external surfaces and adjacent sections each having coated surfaces from one segment between the two major external surfaces. The slice is cut to form at least one substrate from each section. Each substrate has two major surfaces and coated surfaces from a single segment of the periodic formation between the two major surfaces. In certain embodiments, the first coated surface reflects a first light color, the second coated surface transmits the first light color and reflects a second light color, and the third surface reflects a third light color and transmits the first and second light colors.
An optical device includes a lightguide having a first pair of external surfaces parallel to each other, and at least two sets of facets. Each of the sets including a plurality of partially reflecting facets parallel to each other, and between the first pair of external surfaces. In each of the sets of facets, the respective facets are at an oblique angle relative to the first pair of external surfaces, and at a non-parallel angle relative to another of the sets of facets. The optical device is particularly suited for optical aperture expansion.
a) so as to propagate within the LOE. Focusing optics (106) associated with LOE (120) converts sets of parallel light rays propagating within the LOE into converging beams of captured light which are sensed by an optical sensor (125). A processing system (108) processes signals from the optical sensor (125) to derive a current gaze direction of the eye. Despite the aperture-combining effect of the LOE, retinal images can be effectively recovered as the only image information brought to focus on the optical sensor.
A61B 3/113 - Appareils pour l'examen optique des yeux; Appareils pour l'examen clinique des yeux du type à mesure objective, c. à d. instruments pour l'examen des yeux indépendamment des perceptions ou des réactions du patient pour déterminer ou enregistrer le mouvement de l'œil
A61B 3/12 - Appareils pour l'examen optique des yeux; Appareils pour l'examen clinique des yeux du type à mesure objective, c. à d. instruments pour l'examen des yeux indépendamment des perceptions ou des réactions du patient pour examiner le fond de l'œil, p.ex. ophtalmoscopes
G02B 27/00 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes ,
1(x,φ) of the optical system, such that the light output at the exit pupil of the optical system and indicative of the image, has a modulated intensity map which is observed by the viewer with improved intensity uniformity.
A laser device comprises a plurality of laser diodes, each laser diode emitting a light beam having a fast axis and a slow axis and a beam direction; and one or more optical components configured to modify a divergence of the light beams in a fast axis plane and/or in a slow axis plane such that the light beams have a same focal plane in the fast axis plane and in the slow axis plane.
A system for uniform optical illumination of an image light provider in a smaller (compact) configuration than conventional implementations includes a lightguide having: a first external surface and a second external surface mutually parallel, and a first sequence of facets, at least a portion of which are: a plurality of parallel, partially reflecting, and polarization selective surfaces, at an oblique angle relative to the first and second external surfaces, and between the first and second external surfaces, and a front-lit reflective polarization rotating image modulator: deployed to spatially modulate light coupled-out from the first external surface, outputting reflected light corresponding to an image, and deployed such that the reflected light traverses the lightguide from the first external surface via the first sequence of facets to the second external surface.
A head-mounted display apparatus configured to be worn by a viewer. The apparatus includes a pair of display modules moveably coupled to a curved rail, the display modules configured to project stereoscopic images toward the viewer, wherein a first one of the display modules projects a first stereoscopic image and a second one of the display modules projects a second stereoscopic image, the first and second stereoscopic images creating a single unified virtual stereo image that converges at a predetermined convergence distance in front of the viewer. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism configured to move each of the display modules along the curved rail symmetrically about a midpoint of the rail, thereby varying a distance between the display modules while maintaining the predetermined convergence distance.
A method of fabricating a light-guide optical element having a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of transparent plates, each plate polished on two opposite surfaces such that the surfaces are parallel to each other, coating a first of the surfaces of a subset of plates with a first coating, coating a second of the surfaces of the subset of plates with a second coating; bonding together the plurality of transparent plates to form a stack, and cutting the stack along parallel planes obliquely angled to the faces of the transparent plates so as to form the optical element, wherein the first coating is a partially reflective coating have a first set of mechanical properties, and the second coating is selected from the group consisting of: a coating similar to the first coating and a non-reflective coating having a second set of mechanical properties substantially similar to the first set of mechanical properties.
A near-eye display comprised of a projector having an exit aperture through which is transmitted a plurality of rays including a first and second extreme ray defining opposite ends of an image angular field of view and the physical exit aperture, and a chief ray defining a midpoint of the image angular field view. The near-eye display further includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) having first and second parallel surfaces along a length thereof, and a reflector angled obliquely relative to the pair of parallel surfaces. The near eye display is arranged such that each of the plurality of rays follows a light path comprised of entering the LOE through the first parallel surface at a predetermined entry point, reflecting off the LOE's first parallel surface at a predetermined reflection point, and subsequently undergoing total internal reflection within the LOE, wherein the reflection point of the first extreme ray is located beyond the entry point of the second extreme ray.
G02B 27/18 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes , pour projection optique, p.ex. combinaison de miroir, de condensateur et d'objectif
88.
LASER PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A LASER PACKAGE
A laser package is described, the laser package comprising at least a first laser diode set having at least two laser diodes emitting light beams of a first color, at least a second laser diode set having at least two laser diodes emitting light beams of a second color, and a beam combiner.
A collimated image projector that receives light from an illuminating source and propagates the light along a light path towards an exit pupil, the projector comprising: a first homogeneous dielectric polarizing beam splitter (PBS) deployed along the light path and defining a first transition from a first light path segment to a second light path segment; a second homogeneous dielectric PBS deployed parallel to the first PBS along the second light path segment and defining a second transition from the second light path segment to a third light path segment; and collimating optics deployed along the light path after the second PBS so as to direct a collimated image towards the exit pupil; wherein the first and second PBSs are deployed such that either the first and second transitions are both performed via transmission, or the first and second transitions are both performed via reflection.
An optical system for displaying an image includes a waveguide (10) having two major surfaces (12, 14) that support propagation of image illumination by internal reflection. A coupling-out configuration (16, 18) couples out image illumination towards the eye of the user. An image projector (20) is coupled so as to introduce image illumination into the waveguide so as to propagate by internal reflection. The waveguide also contains a symmetrical beam multiplier region, distinct from the coupling-out region, having one or more beam splitters (24) internal to the waveguide and parallel to its major surfaces. The symmetrical beam multiplier may be used to fill in a conjugate image after a compact coupling-in configuration, and/or may be used to fill the waveguide with the image as an intermediate stage (36) between two optical aperture expansion configurations (32, 34).
G02B 6/10 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage du type guide d'ondes optiques
A display for providing an image to an eye of an observer is disclosed. An image generator provides image illumination corresponding to the image to a substrate having mutually-parallel major external surfaces for propagation within the substrate. An intermediate optical arrangement including at least one astigmatic optical element directs the image illumination from the image generator so as to propagate within the substrate in a first in-plane direction by internal reflection. A reflective optical arrangement having cylindrical optical power reflects the image illumination so as to propagate in a second in-plane direction by internal reflection. A coupling-out arrangement couples out the collimated image illumination towards an eye of an observer. The intermediate optical arrangement includes an element deployed to generate a corrective optical aberration that at least partially cancels out with a characteristic aberration introduced by the reflective optical arrangement.
An optical assembly for optical aperture expansion combines facet reflective technology with diffractive technology. At least two diffractive components having opposite optical power (matching) are used, so that chromatic dispersion introduced by the first diffractive component will then be cancelled by the second diffractive component. The two diffractive components are used in combination with a reflective optical component to achieve more efficient aperture expansion (for near eye display), reducing distortions and noise, while also reducing design constraints on the system and individual components, as compared to conventional techniques. The assembly eliminates and/or reduces the need for polarization management, while enabling wider field of view. In addition, embodiments can have reduced nonuniformity, as compared to conventional single technology implementations, since the distortion patterns of the two technologies do not correlate.
G02B 6/34 - Moyens de couplage optique utilisant des prismes ou des réseaux
G02B 6/00 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage
G02B 27/10 - Systèmes divisant ou combinant des faisceaux
G02B 27/28 - Systèmes ou appareils optiques non prévus dans aucun des groupes , pour polariser
Optical sample characterization facilitates measurement and testing such as transmittance or reflectance at any discrete angle in a full range of angles of light propagation through a coated glass plate having a higher than air index of refraction. A rotatable assembly includes a cylinder having a hollow, and a receptacle including the hollow. The receptacle also contains a fluid having a refractive index matching the refractive index of the cylinder and coated plate. An optical light beam is input normal to the surface of the cylinder, travels through the cylinder, then via the index matching fluid through the coating, the coated glass plate, the fluid, the other side of the cylinder, and is collected for analysis. Due at least in part to the index matching fluid surrounding the coated plate, the plate can be rotated through a full range of angles (±90°, etc.) for full range testing of the coating.
An optical system includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) with a pair of parallel major external surfaces for guiding image light by internal reflection and a lateral coupling-in surface. An image projector includes a prism with a first surface associated with an illumination arrangement, a second surface associated with a reflective spatial light modulator (SLM), a third surface having a quarter-wave plate and a reflective collimating lens, and a fourth surface optically coupled to the coupling-in surface of the LOE. A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) is arranged within the prism to define a light path from the illumination arrangement via the SLM and the collimating lens to the coupling-in surface of the LOE. A fifth surface of the prism forms a continuation of one of the major external surfaces of the LOE.
An optical system provides two-stage expansion of an input optical aperture for a display based on a light-guide optical element. A first expansion is achieved using two distinct sets of mutually-parallel partially-reflecting surfaces, each set handing a different part of an overall field-of-view presented to the eye. In some cases, a single image projector provides image illumination to two sets of facets that are integrated into the LOE. In other cases, two separate projectors deliver image illumination corresponding to two different parts of the field-of-view to their respective sets of facets.
An optical system for displaying an image includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) having a coupling-in region and a propagation region, a coupling-out configuration associated with the propagation region of the LOE, an image projector for generating image illumination corresponding to a collimated image, and a beam-multiplication configuration external to the LOE. The beam-multiplier is a transparent plate bonded to the LOE adjacent to the coupling-in region. The transparent plate has a partially-reflective surface between the LOE and the plate, and a reflector at the opposite surface. The partially-reflective surface and the reflector multiply the beam from the projector so as to fully illuminate the propagation region of the LOE with both the collimated image and a conjugate of the collimated image.
A symmetric light guide optical element (“LOE”) and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of transparent plates, each plate having two parallel surfaces, stacking a first subset of the plurality of plates on a transparent base block to form a first stack of plates, forming a sloped surface on one side of the first stack plates and the base block, stacking a second subset of the plurality of plates on the sloped surface to form a second stack of plates, and extracting a slice of the first stack, the base block, and the second stack, such that the slice includes at least a part of the base block interposed between plates of the first stack and plates of the second stack.
There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate having at least two major surfaces parallel to each other edges, and an optical device for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection. The device includes a polarization sensitive reflecting surface.
An image projector includes an illumination arrangement with a number of illumination sources and a tilt-mirror assembly, all operating under control of a controller. An optical arrangement directs illumination from the illumination sources towards the mirror and on to an image plane. A collimating arrangement collimates the illumination from the image plane to generate a collimated image directed to an exit stop. The controller (830) modulates an intensity of each of the illumination sources (808) synchronously with tilt motion of the mirror (814) according to the content of the digital image. In certain implementations, the illumination sources (808) are spaced apart. Although the tilt motion brings each illumination source to scans across only part of a dimension of the field of view, all of the illumination sources together scans across the entirety of the one dimension.
A lightguide optical element (LOE) configured for polarization scrambling is provided. The LOE includes a transparent substrate having a first refractive index, the substrate having a pair of parallel external surfaces configured to propagate light within the LOE through total internal reflection (TIR), and a plurality of mutually parallel partially reflective internal surfaces, those being non-parallel to the pair of parallel external surfaces and configured to couple out said light to a viewer. The LOE further includes a first coating on at least one external surface of the substrate, the first coating being of a coating material having a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index; The LOE further includes an antireflective (AR) coating on at least one external surface of the substrate over the first coating.
G02B 6/10 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage du type guide d'ondes optiques
G02B 6/00 - OPTIQUE ÉLÉMENTS, SYSTÈMES OU APPAREILS OPTIQUES - Détails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p.ex. des moyens de couplage
G02B 6/27 - Moyens de couplage optique avec des moyens de sélection et de réglage de la polarisation
G02F 1/01 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p.ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulation; Optique non linéaire pour la commande de l'intensité, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la couleur
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