Abstract: A method includes providing frames of video data for being displayed by a head mounted display (HMD). Pixel data is encoded in a pixel of at least some of the video data frames, the encoded pixel data defining a focal state of an optics block of the HMD for displaying the respective frame of the video data to a user. The predetermined focal state is determined from a plurality of available focal states of the optics block, each focal state corresponding to a different focal plane of a virtual image generated based on the video data. The pixel used for encoding may be disposed outside a region of the frame that is displayable by the HMD.

Abstract: A first type of stacked LC structure includes at least two liquid crystal (LC) cells arranged in optical series that share a common substrate between adjacent LC cells. A second type of stacked LC structure includes at least two LC cells arranged in optical series that share a common electrode layer between adjacent LC cells. An optical assembly for use in a head mounted display (HMD) may include one or more stacked LC structures configured to transmit light in successive optical stages to provide a varifocal optical display assembly having adjustable optical power. By sharing a common substrate or a common electrode layer between adjacent LC cells, the total thickness of a stacked LC structure may be reduced, which may lead to a corresponding reduction in size and weight and improvement in user comfort for an HMD.

Abstract: A display system includes a source of unpolarized image light, and a stack of polarization-selective optical elements operable to switchably convert the unpolarized image light into two orthogonally polarized light beams, each of which being switchable in at least one beam characteristic. An output polarizer selects one of the two orthogonally polarized light beams for providing to a user. A depolarizer may be disposed between an electronic display emitting polarized light and the stack. The depolarizer may be in the form of an LC bilayer with randomized in-plane optic axis.

Abstract: A system for making a holographic medium includes a light source configured to provide light and a beam splitter configured to separate the light into a first portion of the light and a second portion of the light that is spatially separated from the first portion of the light. The system also includes a first set of optical elements configured to transmit the first portion of the light for providing a first wide-field beam onto an optically recordable medium, a second set of optical elements configured to transmit the second portion of the light through for providing a second wide-field beam, and a plurality of lenses optically coupled with the second set of optical elements configured to receive the second wide-field beam and project a plurality of separate light patterns onto the optically recordable medium for forming the holographic medium.

Abstract: A method includes providing light from a light source and separating the light into a first portion of the light and a second portion of the light that is spatially separated from the first portion of the light. The method also includes transmitting the first portion of the light through a first set of optical elements to provide a first wide-field beam, transmitting the second portion of the light through a second set of optical elements to provide a second wide-field beam that is spatially separated from the first wide-field beam, and transmitting the second wide-field beam through a third set of optical elements to provide a plurality of separate light patterns. The method further includes concurrently projecting the first wide-field beam and the plurality of separate light patterns onto an optically recordable medium to form a holographic medium.

Abstract: A scene presented by a headset is adjusted to correct for distortion from optical errors of an optics block in the headset. To correct for the distortion, the scene is pre-distorted when presented based on previously modeled distortion of the optics block, so distortion from the optics block corrects the pre-distortion. To model the distortion, the headset displays calibration image including features and images of the calibration image are captured from multiple positions. Differences between locations of features in the calibration images and locations of corresponding features in captured images of the calibration image are identified and a distortion correction is determined based on the differences.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes an electronic display configured to emit an image. The HMD also includes an eye tracking module configured to determine a position of an eye of a user of the HMD, and a varifocal block. The varifocal block includes a stacked liquid crystal (LC) structure that has a tunable optical power. The varifocal block is configured to present the image to the user of the HMD at an adjustable focal distance that is determined by the tunable optical power and is based in part on the determined position of the eye.

Abstract: A system for making a holographic medium for use in generating light patterns for eye tracking includes a light source configured to provide light and a beam splitter configured to separate the light into a first portion of the light and a second portion of the light that is spatially separated from the first portion of the light. The system also includes a first set of optical elements configured to transmit the first portion of the light for providing a first wide-field beam onto an optically recordable medium and one or more diffractive optical elements configured to receive the second portion of the light and project a plurality of separate light patterns onto the optically recordable medium for forming the holographic medium.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes one or more lenses and a display configured to provide visual data through the one or more lenses. The head-mounted display device also includes a direct-current (DC) motor mechanically coupled to the display, and the DC motor is configured to move the display along an axis by rotating a rotatable component of the DC motor. The head-mounted display device further includes: position sensor(s) configured to determine a position of the display, and electronic controller(s) in communication with the position sensor(s). The electronic controller(s) are configured to: (i) receive, from the position sensor(s), the determined position of the display as a first position of the display, (ii) receive information identifying a second position of the display, and (iii) generate electrical signal(s) that cause the DC motor to move the display from the first position to the second position along the axis.

Abstract: An example device may include an electronic display configured to generate an augmented reality image element and an optical combiner configured to receive the augmented reality image element along with ambient light from outside the device. The optical combiner may be configured to provide an augmented reality image having the augmented reality image element located within a portion of an ambient image formed from the ambient light. The device may also include a dimmer element configured to selectively dim the portion of the ambient image in which the augmented reality image element is located.

Abstract: A multiplanar head mounted display (HMD) includes two or more artificial display planes for each eye located at optical distances that can be dynamically adjusted based on a location within a scene presented by the HMD that the user views. For example, a scene is presented on two or more electronic display elements (e.g., screens) of the HMD. A focal length of an optics block that directs image light from the electronic display elements towards the eyes of a user is adjusted using a varifocal system (e.g., an element that mechanically changes a distance between a lens system in the optics block and the electronic display element, an element that changes shape of one or more lenses in the lens system in the optics block, etc.) based on a location or object within the scene where the user is looking.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes an optics block and an electronic display. A varifocal actuation block included in the HMD adjusts a location of an image plane by adjusting a position of the optics block or the electronic display. Responsive to the varifocal actuation block being powered down or a determination that the HMD is not being worn, the varifocal actuation block changes focus of light directed towards the electronic display by the optics block so the light is not focused on the electronic display. For example, the varifocal actuation block maximizes defocusing of light on the electronic display by the optics block. Additionally, when the HMD is powered on, the varifocal actuation block may also reposition the optics block and the electronic display relative to other so light directed towards the electronic display by the optics block illuminates different areas of the electronic display at different times.

Abstract: An example device may include an electronic display configured to generate an augmented reality image element and an optical combiner configured to receive the augmented reality image element along with ambient light from outside the device. The optical combiner may be configured to provide an augmented reality image having the augmented reality image element located within a portion of an ambient image formed from the ambient light. The device may also include a dimmer element configured to selectively dim the portion of the ambient image in which the augmented reality image element is located.

Abstract: A system for making a holographic medium includes a light source configured to provide light, and a beam splitter configured to separate the light into a first portion of the light and a second portion of the light that is spatially separated from the first portion of the light. The system also includes a first set of optical elements configured to transmit the first portion of the light for providing a first wide-field beam onto an optically recordable medium, a second set of optical elements configured to transmit the second portion of the light for providing a second wide-field beam, and a plurality of prisms optically coupled with the second set of optical elements and configured to receive the second wide-field beam and project a plurality of separate light patterns onto the optically recordable medium for forming the holographic medium.

Abstract: An optical lens assembly and a head-mounted display (HMD) is provided. The optical lens assembly includes a first optical element including a partial reflector and a quarter-wave plate, a second optical element including a reflective polarizer, and a varifocal lens disposed inside a cavity formed by the first optical element and the second optical element. The varifocal lens is a liquid crystal (LC) lens stack including a plurality of LC lenses. An LC lens of the plurality of the LC lenses has a plurality of optical states including an additive state that adds optical power to the varifocal lens and a subtractive state that removes optical power from the varifocal lens. The plurality of optical states provides a range of adjustment of optical power for the optical lens assembly.

Abstract: An optical lens assembly and an optical system is provided. The optical lens assembly includes a first optical element including a partial reflector and a quarter-wave plate and a second optical element including a reflective polarizer. The first optical element and the second optical element form a cavity. The pancake lens assembly further includes a varifocal lens having an adjustable optical power, and the varifocal lens is disposed inside or outside the cavity.

Abstract: An eye-tracking system includes a holographic illuminator and a detector. The holographic illuminator includes a light source configured to provide light and a holographic medium optically coupled with the light source. The holographic medium is configured to receive the light provided from the light source and concurrently project a plurality of separate light patterns toward an eye. The detector is configured to detect a reflection of at least a subset of the plurality of separate light patterns, reflected off the eye, for determining a location of a pupil of the eye. Also disclosed is a method for determining a location of a pupil of an eye with the eye-tracking system that includes the holographic illuminator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may receive current eye-tracking data associated with a user of a head-mounted display. The system may dynamically adjust a focal length of the head-mounted display based on the current eye-tracking data. The system may generate an in-focus image of a scene and a corresponding depth map of the scene. The system may generate a circle-of-confusion map for the scene based on the depth map. The circle-of-confusion map encodes a desired focal surface in the scene. The system may generate, using a machine-learning model, an output image with a synthesized defocus-blur effect by processing the in-focus image, the corresponding depth map, and the circle-of-confusion map of the scene. The system may display the output image with the synthesized defocus-blur effect to the user via the head-mounted display having the adjusted focal length.

Abstract: A near eye display (NED) includes an eye tracking system and a steering element. The eye tracking system tracks the location of a very small eyebox that is approximately the size of a user's pupil or smaller and provides this information to the steering element (e.g., MEMS, plurality of sources, liquid crystal prism, etc.). The very small eyebox provides for a very wide field of view and is optically efficient. The steering element adjusts the direction of light output (i.e., the exit pupil) from the NED such that it is directed toward the tracked location (i.e., a relatively small eyebox).

Abstract: A multifocal test system is described herein. The system includes a plurality of displays located at different focal distances. Each display includes a plurality of pixels with pixel intensity values. The system includes an eye tracking system that determines eye tracking information about a position of an eye relative to the displays. A controller is configured to determine pixel intensity values based on decomposition of a scene across the plurality of displays, and the position of the eye.