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 device may include a first waveguide to receive and expand in a first dimension a first portion of guided image beams based on a first image field and provide a first plurality of expanded image beams; a second waveguide to receive and expand in the first dimension one of a second portion of guided image beams and a transmitted second portion of guided image beams corresponding to a second image field that is different from the first image field and to provide a second plurality of expanded image beams, the second waveguide to receive the first plurality of expanded image beams and provide a transmitted first plurality of expanded image beams; and a third waveguide to receive and expand in a second dimension the transmitted first plurality of expanded image beams and the second plurality of expanded image beams to provide a third plurality of expanded image beams.
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 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.
An arrangement for achieving beam spreading without impacting the image quality from a reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) such as an LCOS matrix (10) includes a polarization- selective dispersive element (70) overlying the SLM. The polarization- selective dispersive element (70) is configured to be dispersive for light of a first polarization corresponding to the illumination polarization, while being non dispersive for light of a second polarization corresponding to the image light. In an alternative embodiment, a modified LCOS matrix is provided in which surfaces of the pixel electrodes (112) and/or an overlay (113) between the pixel electrodes and a layer of liquid crystal (110) are shaped to provide a reflective beam- spreading effect such that collimated illumination incident on each pixel electrode (110) is reflected as diverging pixel image light.
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.
An optical system may include a light-guide having a light input and mutually- parallel first and second major external surfaces for guiding the light by internal reflection, a projector configured to project light corresponding to an image from an aperture, the light exiting the aperture with a chief ray defining an optical axis of the projector and with an angular field about the chief ray, and a prism disposed adjacent the light input and having an image injection surface and a partially reflective surface parallel to the first and second major external surfaces, the projector being associated with the image injection surface and oriented such that the chief ray and at least some of the angular field about the chief ray are injected through the image injection surface, some rays corresponding to the angular field partially reflected and some partially transmitted by the partially reflective surface prior to entering the light-guide.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
A display includes a lightguide arrangement in which at least part of the image light is not coupled-out from the lightguide during a first pass of a coupling-out arrangement, and is recirculated so as to pass repeatedly the coupling-out arrangement. In one set of embodiments, recirculation of light is performed via a separate lightguide. In another set of embodiments, light is recirculated within a single lightguide, employing polarization management to avoid unwanted interactions between the light and the coupling-out arrangement.
An image projector for injecting a collimated image into an entrance aperture of a lightguide employs collimating optics including a polarizing catadioptric arrangement to provide enhanced proximity of the principal plane of the collimating optics to the entrance aperture of the lightguide, thereby reducing the size of the optics or allowing an enlarged field of view for optics of a given size. Disclosed embodiments employ a front- lit polarization-modifying spatial light modulator (SLM) illuminated via a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) prism with a 30-degree or 45-degree PBS angle, laser scanning illumination arrangements, with or without an SLM, and active-matrix image generators combined via a dichroic combiner cube.
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.
Examining a light optical element (LOE) may include placing a first slit optically between a projector configured to emit light and the LOE's first major surface and placing a second slit optically between the LOE's second major surface and a detector. Facet parallelism between two facets may be deduced based on a shift of the image reflected from the first facet to the second facet relative to light transmitted normal to the first and second major surfaces through a portion of the substrate not including a facet. Facet refractive index homogeneity or deviation may be deduced based on the light transmitted through the facet relative to light transmitted normal to the first and second major surfaces through a portion of the substrate not including a facet.
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
G02B 6/00 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
According to an example, an optical device may include a light-guide optical element having a front surface and a rear surface that are parallel to each other; a reflector configured to receive a plurality of guided image beams and reflect a plurality of reflected guided image beams, the plurality of guided image beams and plurality of reflected guided image beam being propagated within the light-guide optical element between the front surface and the rear surface; a first aperture expander having a first plurality of partially reflecting parallel facets configured to expand the plurality of reflected guided image beams and provide a first plurality of expanded image beams; and a second aperture expander having a second plurality of partially reflecting parallel facets configured to expand the first plurality of expanded image beams and provide a second plurality of expanded image beams configured to exit from the rear surface.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
13.
Image projector with laser scanning over spatial light modulator
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.
An optical device may include a coupling assembly configured to receive a collimated image beam and provide a first output image beam and a second output image beam; an image pipe configured to receive the first output image beam at an image pipe input and provide at least one propagated image beam at an image pipe output; a first waveguide having a first waveguide rear surface, the first waveguide configured to receive the second output image beam and emit a first expanded output image beam from the first waveguide rear surface; and a second waveguide having a second waveguide rear surface, the second waveguide configured to receive the at least one propagated image beam and emit a second expanded output image beam from the second waveguide rear surface.
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.
A near eye display optical system may include a lens extending along an arrangement axis and having (a) an input plane and (b) first and second major surfaces generally extending along the arrangement axis, the lens may be configured to receive collimated light to an image via the input plane, the lens comprising a set of partially reflective internal surfaces disposed along the arrangement axis at angles relative to the arrangement axis, a first partially reflective internal surface from the set having partial reflectance such that at least some of the collimated light is reflected out of the lens by the first partially reflective internal surface without previously having reflected off the first or second major surfaces.
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 - Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
G02B 27/00 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups ,
A61B 3/113 - Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients perceptions or reactions for determining or recording eye movement
In some implementations, the device may include a first optical system corresponding to a first eye of the user and a second optical system corresponding to a second eye of the user, each of the first and second optical systems having: a projection unit configured to project light corresponding to an image; a lens operably including an optical element configured to direct the light from the projection unit to a respective eye motion box of the user. In addition, the device may include where the lens of the first optical system and the lens of the second optical system are symmetrically disposed about a mid-sagittal plane corresponding to a center of the nose bridge of the user, and where the first and second optical systems are geometrically asymmetric about the mid-sagittal plane.
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 light projecting system may include a discrete light source matrix for emitting light corresponding to an image. The system may also include a waveguide formed from transparent material and having a coupling-in interface for coupling in the light corresponding to the image into the waveguide, and a coupling-out interface for coupling out the image out of the waveguide. The system may include an inner partially reflective surface and one or more partial lenses for enhancing color uniformity of the light projecting system.
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.
Optical systems including an optical structure, and methods for forming the optical structure, are described. The optical structure can include a lightguide having two major surfaces. The optical structure can further include a transparent plate, a first polymer later, and a second polymer layer. The first polymer layer can be arranged on one of the two major surfaces of the lightguide. A material of the first polymer layer can maintain total internal reflectance at the lightguide, and a refractive index of the first polymer layer can be less than a refractive index of the lightguide. The second polymer layer can be arranged between the first polymer layer and the transparent plate. A material of the second polymer layer can have a Young's modulus lower than a Young's modulus of the first polymer layer, and can have a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the first polymer layer.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
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.
An optical system may include (1) a light-guide optical element formed from transparent material and having at least first and second mutually-parallel major external surfaces for supporting propagation of an image by internal reflection, and (2) a mediating layer adjacent at least one of the at least first and second mutually-parallel major external surfaces, the mediating layer configured such that (1) reflectivity, averaged over the visible spectrum, of light coupled into the LOE and transmitted between the at least first and second mutually-parallel major external surfaces at angles below the critical angle is higher than the reflectivity that would have been expected absent the mediating layer and (2) reflectivity of purely white light lies closer to a purely white color point for an angular range from angles below the critical angle to the critical angle than the reflectivity that would have been expected absent the mediating layer.
G02F 1/01 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
G02B 27/18 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for optical projection, e.g. combination of mirror and condenser and objective
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
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 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
G09G 3/00 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
33.
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.
An apparatus for delivering an image to a human eye (30) and deriving a gaze direction includes an image-output lightguide (20), visible and non-visible illumination coupling-out arrangements (22V, 24V), a receiving lightguide (50), and a filter layer (56, 56a, 56b). The image-output lightguide guides light by internal reflection. The visible-image coupling-out arrangement couples out visible light corresponding to a visible image, while the non-visible- illumination coupling-out arrangement couples out non-visible illumination of at least one wavelength. The receiving lightguide (50) has a coupling-in configuration (52V) for non-visible illumination reflected from the eye. The filter layer (56, 56a, 56b) blocks non-visible light from passing to the eye except in the non-visible-light coupling-out area (57a, 57b), which is smaller than an image coupling-out area (53).
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.
A display includes a lightguide (10, 110) with mutually-parallel major surfaces and at least two image projectors (2a, 2b, 2c) outputting collimated light of at least first and second colors, respectively. In one embodiment, the two image projectors introduce the collimated light so as to propagate within the lightguide along the same in-plane direction. Interference of one of the coupling-in arrangements with internal reflection of the other color is avoided by providing a dichroic reflector (9al, 9b 1, 9a2, 9b2, 9a3) coplanar with a major surface of the lightguide. Alternatively, or additionally, the two colors may be introduced so as to propagate in two non parallel directions, and are combined by a dichroic reflector (12a, 12b) embedded within the lightguide. Also disclosed is a display with an optical relay (66a, 66b) for transferring images between two non-parallel lightguides (110a and 110b, 10).
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 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix by control of light from an independent source
G09G 3/00 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
F21V 8/00 - Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
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.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
G02F 1/295 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection in an optical waveguide structure
H04N 5/74 - Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
45.
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 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
G09G 3/00 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
46.
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 or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor of televison picture tube viewing panels, headlight reflectors or the like
B24B 13/005 - Blocking means, chucks or the like; Alignment devices
B24B 49/12 - Measuring or gauging equipment for controlling the feed movement of the grinding tool or work; Arrangements of indicating or measuring equipment, e.g. for indicating the start of the grinding operation involving optical means
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of 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 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for optical projection, e.g. combination of mirror and condenser and objective
51.
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.
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.
G02F 1/29 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
G02F 1/313 - Digital deflection devices in an optical waveguide structure
G02F 1/315 - Digital deflection devices based on the use of controlled total internal reflection
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.
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 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection in an optical waveguide structure
F21V 8/00 - Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
G02B 27/00 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups ,
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 optical system includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) formed from transparent material and having parallel major external surfaces. A projector is configured to project illumination corresponding to a collimated image into the LOE via a reflective coupling-in configuration that includes an image injection surface coplanar with the first major external surface, a reflector surface obliquely angled to the major external surfaces, and a partially-reflecting surface parallel to the reflector surface. A first part of the intensity of the illumination of the collimated image is reflected by the partially-reflecting surface and a second part of the intensity of the illumination of the collimated image is reflected by the reflector surface and transmitted by the partially- reflecting surface. Both parts of the intensity contribute to image illumination coupled into the LOE so as to propagate within the LOE by internal reflection at the major external surfaces.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
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.
A projector (200) has a scanning illumination subsystem, reflective converging optics (18) that focuses the scanned light beam to form a real image with convex field curvature at a non-planar focal surface, a transmissive beam-spreading configuration (20) conforming to the non-planar focal surface, and a refractive optical arrangement (22) collimating light from the transmissive beam-spreading configuration so as to emerge as a collimated image from an output optical aperture (24). The refractive optical arrangement has a concave field curvature which at least partially cancels out with the convex field curvature of the reflective converging optics.
G03B 21/00 - Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
A device having an active occlusion subsystem having a liquid crystal panel configured to operate in one of a normally on mode to pass light or a normally off mode to block light, and one or more processors configured to determine a direction of light rays from a light source, and control, based on the direction of light rays received, at least one specific portion of the liquid crystal panel to switch from the normally on mode to block light and/or the at least one specific portion to switch from the normally off mode to pass light.
G02F 1/13 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
G02F 1/15 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on an electrochromic effect
H04N 13/322 - Image reproducers for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays using varifocal lenses or mirrors
G02F 1/01 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
H04N 13/344 - Displays for viewing with the aid of special glasses or head-mounted displays [HMD] with head-mounted left-right displays
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.
An optical system may include (a) a light-guide optical element (LOE) formed from transparent material and having at least first and second mutually-parallel major external surfaces for supporting propagation of an image by internal reflection at the first and second major external surfaces, the LOE having a coupling-out arrangement for coupling out the image towards an eye of the user, the LOE having a coupling-in arrangement; and (b) an image projector comprising an image generator for generating an image and an image conjugate generator for generating a conjugate image, the image generator and the image conjugate generator disposed such as to project the image and the conjugate image, respectively, from directions not directly in front of the LOE.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
G02B 27/18 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for optical projection, e.g. combination of mirror and condenser and objective
71.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BONDING OF OPTICAL SURFACES BY ACTIVE ALIGNMENT
Disclosed herein is a system for producing a composite prism having a plurality of planar external surfaces by aligning and bonding two or more prism components along bonding surfaces thereof, the system includes: an infrastructure configured to bring the bonding surfaces of the first prism component and the second prism component into close proximity or contact; a controllably rotatable mechanical axis configured to align at least one first surface of the first prism component and at least one second surface of the second prism component; a light source configured to project at least one collimated incident light beam on the at least one first surface and the at least one second surface; one or more detectors configured to sense light beams reflected from the first and second surfaces; a computational module configured to determining an average actual relative orientation between the at least one first surface and the at least one second surface based on the sensed data and if a difference between the weighted average actual relative orientation and an intended relative orientation between the at least one first surface and the at least one second surface is below an accuracy threshold, determine a correction angle for the controllably rotatable mechanical axis, wherein one or more of the prism components are transparent or semi-transparent.
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.
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.
G02B 6/00 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
G02B 6/122 - Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
G02B 6/25 - Preparing the ends of light guides for coupling, e.g. cutting
74.
VIRTUAL IMAGE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR NEAR EYE DISPLAYS
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.
G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
G01N 21/01 - Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
G02B 27/00 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups ,
nomnomnom; (iii) positioning the sample and the prism, such that the surface of the sample is parallel and adjacent to the second surface of the prism; (iv) projecting on the first surface of the prism, substantially normally thereto an incident light beam; (v) sensing light returned from the prism following reflection off the internal facets; and (vi) computing deviation from parallelism between the internal facets.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
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.
An optical device has an LOE formed from a light-transmitting material having a first refractive index. A pair of parallel major external surfaces of the LOE guide image illumination within the LOE by TIR. At least one optical coupling configuration of the LOE deflects a proportion of the image illumination that is guided within the LOE by TIR. An optical material includes at least one transparent material directly attached to the LOE at least at the major external surfaces so as to be in direct contact with the major external surfaces and so as to at least partially encapsulate the LOE. The optical material has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index to maintain conditions of TIR at the major external surfaces. In certain embodiments, the TIR-guided image illumination is incident to the major external surfaces at angles greater than a critical angle, including shallow angles.
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
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.
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 or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor of televison picture tube viewing panels, headlight reflectors or the like
B24B 13/005 - Blocking means, chucks or the like; Alignment devices
B24B 49/12 - Measuring or gauging equipment for controlling the feed movement of the grinding tool or work; Arrangements of indicating or measuring equipment, e.g. for indicating the start of the grinding operation involving optical means
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of 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.
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.
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 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
G02B 6/34 - Optical coupling means utilising prism or grating
G02B 6/10 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
F21V 8/00 - Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
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.
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.
