Patents Assigned to NORTH INC.
  • Patent number: 10782527
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify lenses of head-wearable apparatus are disclosed. Example glasses disclosed herein include a frame and an image generator coupled to the frame. A first lens is removably carriable by the frame. The first lens has a first identifier to provide a first code representative of a first optical characteristic of the first lens. The image generator is to project an image toward the first lens when the first lens is carried by the frame. A reader is to read the first code when the first lens is carried by the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NORTH INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Michel Olivieri, Gerard McGlew, Michel Combes
  • Patent number: 10762810
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter involves a head worn device (HWD) for viewing augmented reality, or virtual images. A projector coupled to the HWD may use a microelectromechanical systems projector and project onto a holographic lens of the HWD. Images may be projected into an eyebox area that is deemed comfortable to the user, the eyebox area located in one of a plurality of vertically adjacent recording zones. The recording zone for projection may be selected by the user, or be automatically selected based on configuration parameters of the HWD. Horizontal correction of the eyebox may be included. In an embodiment, multiple horizontal images are displayed in the selected recording zone, in different wavelengths. Another embodiment adjusts horizontal shift of the projected image based on user inputs. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NORTH INC.
    Inventor: Nicolas Abele
  • Patent number: 10749251
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for eyeglasses frames and eyeglasses frames assemblies for wearable electronic devices, and particularly systems, devices, and methods that employ an antenna in eyeglasses frames and eyeglasses frames assemblies for wearable heads-up displays, the systems, devices and methods including a pair of eyeglasses having a first arm housing a radio and an antenna, wherein the antenna has a principal axis and main lobe extending outward therefrom and a power source is coupled to the first arm or a second arm and electrically coupled to the radio via an electrically conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Moore, Kai Zhang, George Shaker
  • Patent number: 10747000
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for holographic optical elements are described. A holographic optical element includes a first layer of holographic material and a second layer of holographic material. The first layer of holographic material includes a first hologram responsive to light in a first waveband and a second hologram responsive to light in a second waveband. The second layer of holographic material includes a third hologram responsive to light in a third waveband and may include a fourth hologram responsive to light in a fourth waveband. The first, second, third, and fourth wavebands are distinct and may comprise light of red, blue, green, and infrared wavelengths, respectively. Distribution of the three or four holograms on two layers of holographic material allows each hologram to have an index modulation of greater than 0.016, a diffraction efficiency of greater than 15%, and an angular bandwidth of greater than 12°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Alexander, Liang Yuan
  • Patent number: 10718945
    Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods that integrate photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses are described. One or more hologram(s) may be recorded into/onto the photopolymer film to enable the lens to be used as a transparent holographic combiner in a wearable heads-up display employing an image source, such as a microdisplay or a scanning laser projector. The methods of integrating photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses include: positioning photopolymer film in a lens mold and casting the lens around the photopolymer film; sandwiching photopolymer film in between two portions of a lens; applying photopolymer film to a concave surface of a lens; and/or affixing a planar carrier (with photopolymer film thereon) to two points across a length of a concave surface of a lens. Respective lenses manufactured/adapted by each of these processes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Frederick Holland, Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 10718951
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for beam combining within laser projectors are described. A laser projector includes first, second, and third laser diodes to generate red, green, and blue laser light respectively, a controllable scan mirror, and a heterogeneous beam splitter system. The red, green, and blue laser light have distinct maximum powers. The heterogeneous beam splitter system splits at least one of the red, green, and blue laser light and combines respective first portions of all three into an aggregate beam. Second portions of laser light are excluded from the aggregate beam. At the maximum power of each laser light the aggregate beam is white as defined by a target white point. The heterogeneous beam splitter system directs the aggregate beam towards the controllable scan mirror which scans the beam onto a projection surface. Decreasing the power of the laser light post-generation provides a larger range of aggregate beam colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Frederick Holland, Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 10705329
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical designs for MEMS scanning mirrors are described. In various embodiments, a driving coil may be situated on a reflective portion of a MEMS mirror. In some embodiments, a sensing coil may be situated partially or entirely on an outer frame portion of the MEMS mirror. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Julien Gamet, Alexandre Fotinos, Nicholas Abele
  • Patent number: 10705342
    Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods that integrate photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses are described. One or more hologram(s) may be recorded into/onto the photopolymer film to enable the lens to be used as a transparent holographic combiner in a wearable heads-up display employing an image source, such as a microdisplay or a scanning laser projector. The methods of integrating photopolymer film with eyeglass lenses include: positioning photopolymer film in a lens mold and casting the lens around the photopolymer film; sandwiching photopolymer film in between two portions of a lens; applying photopolymer film to a concave surface of a lens; and/or affixing a planar carrier (with photopolymer film thereon) to two points across a length of a concave surface of a lens. Respective lenses manufactured/adapted by each of these processes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Frederick Holland, Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 10700481
    Abstract: A magnetic connector system includes a connector receptacle having a connector pin in coaxial arrangement with a magnetic ground return and a connector insert having a power contact in coaxial arrangement with a magnetic sleeve. A power and/or data connection is formed between the power contact and the connector pin when an end face of the magnetic ground return is magnetically latched to an end face of the magnetic sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Jaehong Choi
  • Patent number: 10691180
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body defining an aperture therethrough, sized and shaped to receive a digit of a user. The wearable electronic device may include a processor housed in the body and an input device at least partially extending from an outer surface of the body to receive input from another digit of the user. The input device has an actuating surface that is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuating surface between the first position and second position provides an input to the processor. The wearable electronic device includes a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to send electronic transmissions to an external electronic device, the electronic transmissions corresponding to the inputs received from the user, and a power source for providing power to the processor, the input device, and the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehong Choi, Marie Stipancik, Jennifer Anne Pretti, Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10678391
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device is provided herein. The wearable electronic device includes a body defining an aperture therethrough. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive a finger of a user. The wearable electronic device further includes a computer processor and an input device at least partially extending from an inner surface of the body. The input device is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the input device between the first position and second position provides an input to the processor. The electronic wearable device also includes a transmitter coupled to the computer processor and configured to send electronic transmissions to an external electronic device. The electronic transmissions correspond to the input. The electronic wearable device also includes a power source for providing power to the computer processor, the input device and the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10678058
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for embedding a diffractive element in an eyeglass lens are described. A method of embedding a diffractive element in an eyeglass lens includes applying a protective layer to a diffractive element, applying an interface layer to the protective layer, and applying a lens layer to the interface layer. The interface layer and the lens layer are each comprised of a resin material that hardens when cured. The interface layer is of a shape and thickness that adheres well to the protective layer after the interface layer is cured. The lens layer is of a shape and thickness that achieves the desired component shape of the lens after the lens layer is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Nils Johan Fransson, Eric J. Caliston, Arnett Weber, Michael A. T. Fowler, Robin W. Tsen, Darren Ihmels
  • Patent number: 10672349
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a projection device, which is configured to project an image which is co-operable with images projected by one or more other projection devices, wherein the projection device comprises a detector operable to detect characteristics of images projected on a display surface by the projection device and one or more other projection devices, and a controller operable to adjust the projection device and/or to adjust one or more of the other projection devices, based on the characteristics of the images detected by the detector, such that the images projected by each projection device co-operate on the display surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Lucio Kilcher
  • Patent number: 10673203
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of assembling projectors, and more particularly, to methods of aligning laser diodes in laser projectors. Implementations of the present disclosure include positioning an alignment beam and a photodetector in an optical path of the projector. The alignment beam propagates from an alignment light source through a location where a laser diode is to be mounted. A laser diode is then initially positioned in the optical path with a laser cavity of the diode acting as a passive waveguide during the assembly process. The laser diode is then fixed in place at a position and, or, an orientation that corresponds to light from the alignment beam passing through a laser cavity of the diode to be aligned and registering at least a minimum threshold value of a measure at the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Raymond Dykaar
  • Patent number: 10672310
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods to provide a display including a projection system and a lens including a holographic optical element to receive light and reflect the light to an exit pupil. The projection system is adapted to move the image projected onto the lens based on a location of the HOE within the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gerard McGlew, Nicolas Abele, Alexandre Fotinos
  • Patent number: 10670818
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Photonic integrated circuits having grating or edge couplers thereon may be used to wavelength multiplex beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. A waveguide medium having one or more directly written waveguides may couple light from laser diodes to a photonic integrated circuit, and may optionally hermetically or partially hermetically seal the laser diodes, eliminating the need for a separate seal. Such optical engines may have advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Jörg Pierer, Rony Jose James, Stefan Mohrdiek, Martin Joseph Kiik, Syed Moez Haque, Douglas Raymond Dykaar
  • Patent number: 10663732
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for beam combining are described. A monolithic beam combiner includes a solid volume of optically transparent material having a planar input surface, an output surface, a planar reflector physically coupled to the solid volume, and at least a first planar dichroic reflector within the solid volume. Multiple light sources input light into the solid volume through the planar input surface such that each light beam from a respective source is initially incident on one of the planar reflector and the at least a first planar dichroic reflector. The light is reflected by and transmitted through the reflectors and an aggregate beam is created. Because the reflectors are within an optically transparent material the beam combiner can be made more compact than a conventional beam combiner. This monolithic beam combiner is particularly well suited for use laser projectors and in wearable heads-up displays that employ laser projectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Frederick Holland, Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 10656353
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Photonic integrated circuits having grating or edge couplers thereon may be used to wavelength multiplex beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. A waveguide medium having one or more directly written waveguides may couple light from laser diodes to a photonic integrated circuit, and may optionally hermetically or partially hermetically seal the laser diodes, eliminating the need for a separate seal. Such optical engines may have advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Jörg Pierer, Rony Jose James, Stefan Mohrdiek, Martin Joseph Kiik, Syed Moez Haque, Douglas R. Dykaar
  • Patent number: 10656822
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods that enable sophisticated and inconspicuous interactions with content displayed on a head-mounted display are described. A head-mounted display includes an eye-tracker and the user also carries/wears a wireless portable interface device elsewhere on their body, such as a ring. The wireless nature of the portable interface device enables a small and unobtrusive form factor. The portable interface device includes an actuator that, when activated by the user, causes the portable interface device to wirelessly transmit a signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal or a sonic signal). A selection operation performed by the user is defined as the user activating the actuator of the portable interface device while the user is substantially concurrently gazing at a displayed object (as detected by the eye-tracker). In response to the selection operation, the head-mounted display displays a visual effect to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Bailey, Stefan Alexander
  • Patent number: 10657856
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture of a photosensor fusion system for lens detection are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a projector, a photosensor having a filter and a lens detector to compare an output from the photosensor to a threshold, and a projector controller to selectively enable or disable the projector based on the comparison between the output from the photosensor and the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Gatien Cosendey, Nicolas Abele