Microvision, Inc.

Christian Dean DeJong

Mark O Freeman

Joshua Mark Hudman

Karlton David Powell

Markus Stefan Duelli

Joshua Owen Miller

Randall Brian Sprague

Gregory T Gibson

Alban N Lescure

Mark Alan Champion

Margaret K Brown

Jacques P Lincoln

In imaging system (), a spatial light modulator () is configured to produce images () by scanning a plurality light beams (). A first optical element () is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path () defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element () is disposed between the spatial light modulator and a waveguide (). The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane () is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light () from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil () at an input of the waveguide.

Scanned image projection system employing intermediate image plane

A display system includes a substrate guided relay and a scanning projector. The scanning projector exhibits a brightness variation on a resonant scanning axis, and the substrate guided relay exhibits a brightness variation along a length of an output coupler. The scanning projector includes a brightness compensation circuit to compensate for both the brightness variation caused by the resonant scanning and the brightness variation along the length of the output coupler.

Substrate guided relay with image compensation

A substrate guided relay includes multiple output couplers and multiple light valves positioned between the substrate and the output couplers. The number of light valves may be equal to the number of output couplers, or may be more or less than the number of output couplers. The light valves may be enabled sequentially, or may be enabled based on the position of a user's eye. The light valves may include liquid crystal material.

Wide field of view substrate guided relay

In imaging system (), a spatial light modulator () is configured to produce images () by scanning a plurality light beams (). A first optical element () is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path () defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element () is disposed between the spatial light modulator and an output of the imaging system. The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane () is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light () from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil () on the other side of the second optical element relative to the spatial light modulator.

A laser-based imaging system () is configured to reduce perceived speckle in images (). The imaging system () includes one or more laser sources (), a light modulator () configured to produce the images () with light () from the laser sources (), and one or more active polarization switches () disposed in an optical path of the imaging system (). The active polarization switch () is configured to alternate a polarization orientation of the light in synchrony with an image refresh cycle of the system. The active polarization switch can be clocked in accordance with a clocking angle to optimize speckle reduction. Additionally, one or more light preconditioners () may be used to help optimize speckle reduction.

Active polarization switch for speckle reduction in laser projection sources

Briefly, in accordance with one more embodiments, a substrate guided relay for a photonics module includes a slab guide having a first end and a second end, and a first surface and a second surface. An input coupler disposed at the first end of the slab guide at an interface between the input coupler and the slab guide receives an input beam and feeds the input beam into the slab guide which generates multiple copies of the input beam. An output coupler disposed on the first surface of the slab guide causes the multiple copies of the input beam to exit the slab guide via the output coupler as an output. A homogenizer disposed on the second surface of the slab guide reflects at least some of the multiple copies of the input beam to increase uniformity of the output.

Substrate guided relay having a homogenizing layer

Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an input device may be utilized in conjunction with a scanned beam display or the like, or may be based on the scanning platform as used in a scanned beam display such as a MEMS based scanner. An input event such as illumination of a photodetector or reflection of a scanned beam off of a retroreflector may be correlated with a timing event of the scanning platform such as a refresh signal, or a horizontal and vertical sync signals. The correlation of the timing event may be representative of an X-Y location, and in some embodiments of a Z location, that may be utilized to provide input data back to a host device.

Input device for a scanned beam display

Briefly, in accordance with one more embodiments, a substrate guided relay comprises a slab guide having an absorbing edge at a first end of the slab guide. An input coupler is disposed on a surface of the slab guide at an angle with respect to a first edge of the slab guide. An output coupler is disposed on the surface at a second end of the slab guide. Light rays that enter the slab guide toward the first end are absorbed by the absorbing edge, and light rays that enter the slab guide toward the output coupler exit the slab guide via the output coupler. The absorbing edge on the first edge of the slab guide allows the input coupler to be placed on the slab guide without regard to alignment of the input coupler with the first end of the slab guide.

Substrate guided relay having an absorbing edge to reduce alignment constraints

A encoded image projection system () is configured to determine the proximity of the system to a projection surface (). The encoded image projection system () includes a light encoder () that scans a non-visible light beam () on the projection surface () selectively when scanning visible light to create an image. A detector () is then configured to receive reflections of the non-visible light beam () from the projection surface (). A control circuit () is configured to determine the distance () between the projection surface () and the system from, for example, intensity data or location data received from the detector (). Where the distances () are below a threshold, the control circuit () can either reduce the output power of the system or turn the system off.

Scanned proximity detection method and apparatus for a scanned image projection system

A optical apparatus () for use in an laser imaging system () is provided. The optical apparatus () includes one or more optical elements () that are configured to create an intermediate image plane () in the laser imaging system (). A diffractive optical element () is then disposed at the intermediate image plane () to reduce speckle. The diffractive optical element () includes a periodically repeating phase mask () that can be configured in accordance with steps, vortex functions, Hermite-Gaussian functions, and so forth. Smooth grey-level phase transitional surface () can be placed between elements () to improve brightness and image quality. The periodically repeating phase mask () makes manufacture simple by reducing alignment sensitivity, and can be used to make applicable safety standards easier to meet as well.

Diffractive optical element having periodically repeating phase mask and system for reducing perceived speckle

An optical substrate guided relay () includes an optical substrate () having at least one major face (), an output coupler () coupled to a major face (), and an input coupler () coupled to a major face (). The input coupler () is configured to reflect, via internal layers (), portions of received light to the optical substrate. The input coupler () includes either one or more internal layers () or a contoured face () with surfaces configured as reflectors that expand the received light and direct it into the optical substrate (). The output coupler () expands a pupil of light in one direction and directs the expanded light away from the optical substrate guided relay.

Substrate guided relay with pupil expanding input coupler

Substrate-guided relays that employ light guiding substrates to relay images from sources to viewers in optical display systems. The substrate-guided relays are comprised of an input coupler, an intermediate substrate, and an output coupler. In some embodiments, the output coupler is formed in a separate substrate that is coupled to the intermediate substrate. The output coupler may be placed in front of or behind the intermediate substrate, and may employ two or more partially reflective surfaces to couple light from the coupler. In some embodiments, the input coupler is coupled to the intermediate substrate in a manner that the optical axis of the input coupler intersects the optical axis of the intermediate substrate at a non-perpendicular angle.

Optical device for use with scanned beam light sources

Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a buried numerical aperture expander may be utilized to provide a head-up or virtual display at a larger field of view without requiring a larger amount of space, larger sized display, or larger sized optics. The buried numerical aperture expander is capable of selectively reflecting light emanating from a display such that the reflected light is expanded into a larger field of view, while simultaneously allowing other light to be transmitted through the buried numerical aperture expander without expansion so that the buried numerical aperture expander may be deployed in conjunction with a windshield or window without adversely affecting the ability to see through buried numerical aperture expander.

Buried numerical aperture expander having transparent properties

A substrate guided relay () includes an input coupler (), an output coupler (), and an optical substrate (). Light is delivered from the input coupler () to the optical substrate (), and then to the output coupler (). Partially reflective coatings can be used at interfaces () between components. Partially reflective coatings or other devices () can be also used to create one or more copies of light. Light polarization alteration devices () can be used within the substrate guided relay (), alone or in combination, to tailor the polarization of light to the designer's needs. Such devices, such as half-wave plates, provide the designer with increased flexibility regarding the design and manufacture of the substrate guided relay ().

Substrate guided relay with polarization rotating apparatus

An optical relay system () includes a scanned light source () and a substrate guided relay (). The substrate guided relay () includes an input coupler (), an output coupler (), and an optical substrate () disposed therebetween. A light homogenizing relay device () is disposed between the scanned light source () and the substrate guided relay (). The light homogenizing relay device () is configured to receive a light beam () from the scanned light source (). The light homogenizing relay device () makes at least one copy () of the light beam (), and delivers the light beam () and the at least one copy () to a light receiving surface () of the input coupler (), thereby effectively creating a larger input beam while retaining the angular spread of the initial light beam ().

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Sammamish, WA, United States of America

Christian Dean DeJong