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.
An optical system (1) includes a lightguide (100) and an image projector (200). A coupling-in configuration includes a first planar reflector (250) forming an acute angle [3 with a major surface (101) of the lightguide and extending across a thickness h of the lightguide, and a second planar reflector (271) external to the lightguide and inclined at an angle 2|3 thereto. Light rays passing through a first part (Di) of the projector exit aperture impinge directly on the first planar reflector (250) and are reflected to impinge on major surface (101) of the lightguide at a first angle of incidence and light rays passing through a second part (D2) of the projector exit aperture impinge on the second planar reflector (271), are reflected towards the first planar reflector (150) and impinge on the second major surface (102) at the same angle of incidence.
G02B 6/10 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
G02B 6/42 - Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
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).
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.
A waveguide system for a near-eye display may include a first waveguide section and a second waveguide section. The first waveguide section may include a first set of at least partially reflecting surfaces configured to couple light corresponding to the image out of the first waveguide section so as to expand the aperture in a first dimension. The second waveguide section may be disposed on a side of the first waveguide section and configured to receive light from the first waveguide section and including a second set of partially reflecting surfaces configured to couple out light corresponding to the image so as to expand the aperture in a second dimension nonparallel to the first dimension.
G02B 6/10 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
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 display (100) includes a lightguide optical element (102) with internal partially reflecting surfaces (106) for delivering an image from an image projector (100) to the eye of a viewer. Chromatic variations in the appearance of white pixels across the output image are reduced by using a bro ad- spectrum white light source (114W) to provide at least part of the illumination for the white pixels. Additionally, or alternatively, chromatic corrections for groups of white pixels, or for individual pixels, are provided by delivering corresponding white-balance corrective illumination from red, blue and/or green light sources (114R, 114G, 114B). The corrections are derived from maps of chromatic variations for the display when activated to deliver a uniform white image as calculated, or preferably measured, at one or more locations within an eye-motion box (108) from which the image is to be viewed.
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 device is fabricated by obtaining at least one optical element and a frame. The at least one optical element is arranged within the frame according to a spatial configuration that defines a position of the at least one optical element in the frame and an orientation of the at least one optical element relative to the frame. The at least one optical element is bonded to the frame to fix the spatial configuration, and regions of the frame unoccupied by the at least one optical element are filled with a transparent optical material.
A light-guide optical element (LOE) for simultaneous viewing, of a real scene and of a projected image introduced into the LOE, having a transparent block along which light conveying a projected image propagates by internal reflection, and a plurality of internal partially reflecting surfaces obliquely oriented and configured so as to couple-out a part of said light, wherein the reflectance of each of the partially reflecting surfaces is such that the total power of the light that is coupled out is less than one third of the total power of the light that is introduced into the LOE. In some embodiments, the light of the projected image is polarized and the reflectance of the partially reflecting surfaces for light polarized in an orthogonal orientation is substantially reduced. In some embodiments, the reflectance of the partially reflecting surfaces for light not reaching the viewer is substantially reduced.
An optical system (100, 111, 125, 126, 127, 128) includes an aperture-expanding lightguide optical element (LOE) (106) with major surfaces (103a, 103b) separated by a first thickness Tl. The LOE (106) includes redirecting configurations for progressively redirecting light within the LOE and coupling it out towards a viewer. A coupling-in arrangement includes a coupling lightguide element (CLE) (104) with mutually parallel surfaces separated by a second thickness T2 that is no more than half of the first thickness TL CLE (104) is bonded to major surface (103a) at an interface (105) provided with a beam splitter coating having a reflectivity of at least 50%. The coupling-in arrangement also includes an input coupler deployed to couple light corresponding to a collimated image into the CLE.
G02B 6/10 - Light guidesStructural 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
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 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
H04N 9/31 - Projection devices for colour picture display
13.
LIGHT-GUIDE OPTICAL ELEMENTS WITH EMBEDDED BEAM SPLITTER OVERLAPPING COUPLING-OUT REGION
An optical system has a light-guide optical element (LOE) with a pair of parallel major external surfaces that support propagation of image illumination within the LOE by internal reflection at the major external surfaces. A plurality of mutually-parallel partially reflecting surfaces is deployed within a coupling-out region of the LOE obliquely to the major external surfaces, and couples out at least part of the image illumination from the LOE towards an eye- motion box. In an embodiment, a planar homogenizer is internal to the LOE and parallel to the major external surfaces, and at least partially extends into the coupling-out region so as to overlap with some but not all of the mutually-parallel partially reflecting surfaces. In another embodiment, the LOE includes a second plurality of mutually-parallel partially reflecting surfaces, and the homogenizer is alternatively deployed in overlapping relation with the second plurality of mutually-parallel partially reflecting surfaces.
A near-eye display includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (10) having first and second major external surfaces (11A, 11B) that are planar and mutually parallel. An image projector (2) introduces into the LOE illumination corresponding to an image so that the illumination propagates within said LOE by internal reflection at the major external surfaces. A coupling-out arrangement couples the illumination out of the LOE towards the eye of the observer. The coupling-out arrangement may be a set of mutually-parallel, partially-reflective surfaces (12A) deployed at an oblique angle within the LOE. Various arrangements for suppressing reflections of ambient light sources include obstructing baffles oriented so as to avoid reduction of peripheral field of view, various non-reflective coatings and various deployments of polarization filters.
An optical waveguide is described herein that includes a pair of major surfaces and an aperture configured to receive an input beam. The waveguide also includes a first set of facets disposed along a first axis that are configured to reflect the input beam along a second axis. The waveguide further includes an iris matched to the aperture that is configured to block rays outside of the aperture from entering the optical waveguide. A first dimension of the aperture (and, thus, the iris) corresponds to a pitch of the first set of facets and a second dimension of the aperture (and, thus, the iris) corresponds to aspects of the waveguide corresponding to the second axis. By using the iris, overexposure of the waveguide and, thus, non-uniformity in a projected image, may be minimized.
An optical system includes a lightguide and an image projecting arrangement. The image projecting arrangement includes a polarizing-beam-splitter prism having a diagonal polarizing beam splitter surface reflecting light from an image-generating matrix to reflective collimating optics. A coupling prism is deployed between the polarizing beam splitter surface and a lightguide entrance, providing a coupling surface that is coplanar with, or parallel to, one of the parallel major surfaces of the lightguide. A reference length RL is defined as a distance along the optical axis from a principal plane of the collimating optics to the polarizing beam splitter surface. Both a first light path from the image plane to the principal plane and a second light path from the principal plane to the lightguide entrance have a length less than 3xRL.
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.
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.
G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
G01C 9/06 - Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
A method for manufacturing lightguide optical elements (LOEs) having an embedded retarder inclined at an oblique angle includes forming a first stack (560) of a plurality of planar retarder elements interspaced with, and bonded to, a plurality of transparent plates (562). This first stack is then sliced along slicing planes (566) obliquely angled to the retarder elements to form a tilted retarder plate (569) containing obliquely angled portions (570) of the retarder elements. The tilted retarder plate (569) is then combined into a second stack (571) bonded between a first precursor block (572) and a second precursor block (574). This second stack is then sliced along slicing planes (578) to form LOEs (510) each containing an obliquely angled embedded retarder (526).
G02B 6/10 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
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.
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 therethrough.
An optical system includes a prism (36) having a planar input surface (38, 44a, 44b, 54) for injection of a laser beam, the prism integrated with a lightguide (10, 220). A fast-scanning mirror (32) is deployed in facing relation to a scanner interface surface (12) of the prism. A laser beam introduced via the input surface passes through the prism and the scanner interface surface, impinging on the fast-scanning mirror to generate a scanned reflected beam that scans an angular field of view, passing through the prism so as to enter the lightguide. One side of the lightguide entrance aperture has an optical cutoff edge (24a) that trims an edge of the scanned reflected beam for both a first beam direction (102) at a first extremity of the angular field of view and for a second beam direction (104) at a second extremity of the angular field of view.
Disclosed herein is a method for validating parallelism of internal facets of a sample. The method includes: (i) providing a sample including a light transmissive substrate and internal facets, nominally parallel and nominally inclined at an angle μnom relative to a flat surface of the sample; (ii) providing a prism having a substantially same refractive index as the substrate and including a flat, first surface and a flat, second surface, opposite to the first surface and inclined relative thereto at substantially the angle μnom; (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.
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes
24.
OPTICAL APERTURE MULTIPLIERS HAVING A RECTANGULAR WAVEGUIDE
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.
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.
G09G 3/00 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
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 modulatingNon-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
An optical device may include a waveguide having a front surface and a parallel rear surface; a first aperture expander configured to receive an input image beam and provide a first plurality of expanded image beams, the first plurality of expanded image beams configured to propagate and reflect between the front and rear surfaces; a leaky image pipe configured to receive a first portion of the first plurality of expanded image beams and provide a plurality of transmitted image beams, the first portion of the first plurality of expanded image beams configured to partially reflect within the leaky image pipe; and a second aperture expander within the waveguide and configured to receive a second portion of the first plurality of expanded image beams and the plurality of transmitted image beams, the second aperture expander configured to provide a second plurality of expanded image beams configured to exit through the rear surface.
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.
Systems and methods test optical plates for blemishes. An optical plate has first and second end surfaces and a pair of mutually-parallel major external surfaces that support propagation of light through the optical plate by internal reflection at the major external surfaces. A light source generates light and is deployed proximate the optical plate such that the light generated by the light source enters the optical plate proximate the first end surface and propagates through the optical plate toward the second end surface by internal reflection at the major external surfaces. A detector arrangement has at least a first detector that is deployed in association with the first of the major external surfaces and detects light generated by the light source that exits the optical plate through the first of the major external surfaces due to blemish induced scattering of the light propagating through the optical plate by internal reflection.
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 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.
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 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 27/28 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for polarising
32.
Light-Guide Optical Element Employing Polarized Internal Reflectors
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.
The waveguide includes a pair of major surfaces that are parallel to one another and an aperture configured to receive a plurality of beams. The aperture includes a pair of sub-apertures that are co-planar and offset in one dimension. The waveguide also includes a first set of facets that are configured to receive the beams from the aperture and at least partially reflect the beams towards a second set of facets. The second set of facets are configured to receive the beams from the first set of facets and at least partially reflect the beams out of the lightguide. The sub-apertures are offset in the one dimension by an offset distance that corresponds to a projected distance along the one dimension that the beams travel while the beams traverse one trip between the major surfaces between the first set of facets and the second set of facets.
G02B 6/10 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
G02B 30/60 - Optical systems or apparatus for producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images involving reflecting prisms and mirrors only
34.
LIGHT-GUIDE OPTICAL ELEMENT EMPLOYING COMPLEMENTARY COATED PARTIAL REFLECTORS, AND LIGHT-GUIDE OPTICAL ELEMENT HAVING REDUCED LIGHT SCATTERING
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.
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for optical testing, the apparatus includes an assembly including: a first portion having a solid cylinder section, a second portion including a receptacle, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned forming a cylinder or a cylinder-like configuration and defining a void therebetween, the void is configured to be filled with fluid and to retain the sample in proximity to the first portion; and an optical arrangement including an optical source configured to emit an optical light beam normal to a surface area of the first portion of the assembly, and an optical detector configured to detect an output signal from the assembly, the output signal including reflection and/or transmission of the light beam emitted from the sample; wherein the reflection detected by the optical detector is deducted or devoid of signals emitted from a first or a second sample/liquid interface.
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.
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 guidesStructural 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 modulatingNon-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
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.
An arrangement for forming an image of an eye of a user for tracking eye motion includes a lightguide (20) containing an obliquely-angled internal reflector (21), an image sensor (10) and a lens (11) associated with the lightguide for focusing light reflected from the eye of the user and reflected by the internal reflector onto the image sensor. A width of the internal reflector, an effective aperture of the lens and deployment of the image sensor are such that light from different areas of the eye and reflected by the internal reflector reaches the lens via one of at least three distinct paths, resulting in discrete non-overlapping image regions on the image sensor. The sub-images derived from these regions of the sensor can be manipulated and combined to form an image of the eye.
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).
Disclosed herein is a method including: (i) providing a light transmissive sample including nominally parallel internal facets, which are about perpendicular to an external surface of the sample; (ii) providing an optical element having a refractive index about equal to that of the sample and including an external first surface and an external second surface acutely inclined relative thereto; (iii) positioning the second surface of the optical element adjacent to the first surface of the sample; (iv) impinging light beams on the first surface of the optical element, about normally thereto; (v) sensing light beams, which exit out of the sample following passage of the impinging light beams via the optical element, transmission thereof into the sample, reflection once off the internal facets, and exit out of the sample; and (vi) based on the sensed data, computing a deviation from parallelism between the internal facets.
G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
nom; (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.
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes
43.
CHARACTERIZING OPTICAL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WITH A COLOR CAMERA
A device, system, and method are provided for processing an output of a color camera, such that the color camera may be used to measure color uniformity and resolution of an optical system. The processing includes converting an output of the color camera into an XYZ color space using a conversion matrix. The conversion matrix is generated by capturing color images and colorimeter measurements of three different wavelength ranges of light. The processing also includes overcoming the deBayering effect of the color camera to measure a resolution of the optical system using an optical test target displayed by the optical system. The optical test target has a uniform appearance along a direction of homogeneity. The resolution is determined based on a one-dimension image generated by performing a mathematical operation along the direction of homogeneity.
G01J 3/46 - Measurement of colourColour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
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 modulatingNon-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
G01N 21/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
G02F 1/00 - 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 modulatingNon-linear optics
A method of manufacturing waveguides for head mount displays may include bonding a first set of waveguide elements with one or more adhesives sensitive to thermal or chemical removal and a second set of waveguide elements with one or more adhesives insensitive to thermal or chemical removal to form a waveguide stack, cutting the waveguide stack to form waveguide structures with embedded facets or diffractive elements, and removing portions corresponding to the first set of waveguide elements using a thermal or chemical removal while portions corresponding to the second set of waveguide elements remain bonded.
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.
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.
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.
G02B 6/10 - Light guidesStructural 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 modulatingNon-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
48.
Optical devices and systems with dichroic beamsplitter color combiner
A first dichroic beamsplitter is deployed in a first prism on a plane oblique to a light-wave entrance surface. A second dichroic beamsplitter is deployed in a second prism on a plane oblique to a light-wave entrance surface such that polarized light in a first polarization state relative to the first dichroic beamsplitter is in a second polarization state relative to the second dichroic beamsplitter. The first dichroic beamsplitter transmits polarized light of a first color in the first polarization state relative to the first dichroic beamsplitter, and reflects polarized light of a second color in the first polarization state relative to the first dichroic beamsplitter. The second dichroic beamsplitter transmits polarized light of the first and second colors in a second polarization state relative to the second dichroic beamsplitter, and reflects polarized light of a third color in the first polarization state relative to the second dichroic beamsplitter.
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).
An image projector integrated with a lightguide (10) has a reflective or reflective- refractive (catadioptric) lens (150) deployed on a surface (11) of the lightguide itself, or on a prism surface which is parallel to, or coplanar with, a surface of the lightguide (10). In some cases, a polarizing beam splitter (158) deflects light reflected from the collimating lens so as to directly couple collimated image light into the lightguide (10) so as to propagate within the lightguide. In some cases, the collimating lens (150) is associated with the surface of the lightguide or the prism via an internal-reflection-maintaining interface (154) so that at least part of the image light coupled in to the lightguide is reflected at the internal-reflection-maintaining interface.
A display (10) includes a flat light-guide optical element (LOE) (100) having first and second progressive deflection arrangements associated with first and second regions (110, 120) of the LOE. A support arrangement (106), such as a glasses frame, supports the LOE in facing relation to the eye of the user. An image projector (200) injects a collimated image into the LOE via a reflective coupling-in surface (131). The reflective coupling-in surface is preferably obliquely oriented to both the major horizontal and vertical axes of the LOE. A multi-component wedge (132) is preferably used to compensate for chromatic aberration.
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.
An LOE has a first region with a first set of facets, and a second region with a second set of facets at a different orientation from the first set. Both sets of facets are located between a set of parallel major external surfaces. An intermediate region between the faceted regions has a diffractive optical aperture expansion configuration. Image illumination introduced into the LOE from an image projector propagates along the LOE, is redirected by the first set of facets to the intermediate region to expand an optical aperture of the image projector in a first dimension, where the image illumination is deflected to the second region by the diffractive optical aperture expansion configuration such that the optical aperture is further expanded in the first dimension. The image illumination is then coupled out of the LOE by the second set of facets, expanding the optical aperture in a second dimension.
G02B 6/12 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
An optical device may include a first and second polarization-selective surfaces, each configured to reflect a first polarization of incident light and transmit a second polarization of incident light orthogonal to the first polarization, the first polarization- selective surface disposed between first and second optical input surfaces at a first angle α relative to an optical axis of the device and the second polarization-selective surface disposed between the first and second optical input surfaces at a second angle β relative to the optical axis.
G02F 1/1335 - Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
F21V 8/00 - Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
G02B 23/04 - Telescopes, e.g. binocularsPeriscopesInstruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodiesViewfindersOptical aiming or sighting devices involving prisms or mirrors for the purpose of beam splitting or combining, e.g. fitted with eyepieces for more than one observer
55.
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 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 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 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.
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 modulatingNon-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
H04N 9/31 - Projection devices for colour picture display
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 guidesStructural 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 measuring angles or tapersMeasuring 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 guidesStructural 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 guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
70.
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.
c) 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.
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
G02B 27/00 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups ,
G02B 27/14 - Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
G02B 27/28 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for polarising
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.
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.
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.
G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
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.
G02B 7/18 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for prismsMountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for mirrors
G02B 7/00 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
81.
UNIFORMITY ENHANCEMENT OF A COLOR MIXING COMPACT IMAGE PROJECTOR
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.
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 ,
G02B 27/28 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for polarising
84.
Optical-based validation of orientations of internal facets
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.
G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
G01C 9/06 - Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
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 guidesStructural 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 modulatingNon-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 guidesStructural 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.
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 modulatingNon-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
90.
Light-guide optical element employing complementary coated partial reflectors, and light-guide optical element having reduced light scattering
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 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 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.
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 guidesStructural 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 modulatingNon-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
