Patents Assigned to NORTH INC.
  • Patent number: 10471467
    Abstract: A lighting system with a laser light source for radiating light; a wavelength conversion element for receiving the radiated light from the light source and for re-emitting wavelength converted white light; and a reflector element for reflecting the light received from the wavelength conversion element is disclosed. The reflector element comprises a reflective surface and a micro-patterned surface comprising an array of micro-focal elements. Each micro-focal elements is configured to converge or diverge incident light from the wavelength conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Lucio Kilcher
  • Patent number: 10466488
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for narrow waveband laser diodes are described. The conventional coating on the output facet of a laser diode is replaced with a notch filter coating that is reflective of wavelengths within a narrow waveband around the nominal output wavelength of the laser diode and transmissive of other wavelengths. The notch filter coating ensures the laser diode will lase at the nominal wavelength and not lase for wavelengths outside of the narrow waveband. The notch-filtered laser diode provides a narrow waveband output that is matched to the playback wavelength of at least one hologram in a transparent combiner of a wearable heads-up display, and thereby reduces or eliminates display aberrations that can result from wavelength sensitivity of the playback properties of the hologram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas R. Dykaar
  • Patent number: 10468838
    Abstract: A magnetic connector includes a connector insert having a magnetic sleeve and a power contact received in a central opening of the magnetic sleeve. The magnetic sleeve has an end face to magnetically latch onto a magnetic ground return of a connector receptacle. The power contact has a spring contact end to contact a connector pin of the connector receptacle when the end face of the magnetic sleeve is magnetically latched onto the magnetic ground return of the connector receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehong Choi, Victor Nobre
  • Patent number: 10459222
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for laser projectors with variable luminance that are well-suited for use in a wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) are described. Such laser projectors include a laser light source(s) and a scan mirror(s) to generate an image in the field of view of a user, and a liquid crystal element between the light source(s) and the scan mirror(s) to adjust the luminance of the image. The liquid crystal element is on an optical path between the laser light source(s) and the scan mirror and is communicatively coupled to a controller that modulates an opacity of the liquid crystal element. The opacity of the liquid crystal element determines the luminance of the image and may be altered in response to different factors, such as ambient light. Particular applications of the laser projector systems, devices, and methods in a wearable heads-up display are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Alexander, Ken Wu, Vance R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 10459220
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods that use elements of a scanning laser projector (“SLP”) to determine the gaze direction of a user of a wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) are described. An infrared laser diode is added to an RGB SLP and an infrared photodetector is aligned to detect reflections of the infrared light from the eye. A scan mirror in the SLP sweeps through a range of orientations and the intensities of reflections of the infrared light are monitored by a processor to determine when a spectral reflection or “glint” is produced. The processor determines the orientation of the scan mirror that produced the glint and maps the scan mirror orientation to a region in the field of view of the eye of the user, such as a region in visible display content projected by the WHUD, to determine the gaze direction of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Idris S. Aleem, Mayank Bhargava
  • Patent number: 10459221
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for laser projectors with variable luminance that are well-suited for use in a wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) are described. Such laser projectors include a laser light source(s) and a scan mirror(s) to generate an image in the field of view of a user, and a liquid crystal element between the light source(s) and the scan mirror(s) to adjust the luminance of the image. The liquid crystal element is on an optical path between the laser light source(s) and the scan mirror and is communicatively coupled to a controller that modulates an opacity of the liquid crystal element. The opacity of the liquid crystal element determines the luminance of the image and may be altered in response to different factors, such as ambient light. Particular applications of the laser projector systems, devices, and methods in a wearable heads-up display are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Alexander, Ken Wu, Vance R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 10459495
    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: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10459223
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for laser projectors with variable luminance that are well-suited for use in a wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) are described. Such laser projectors include a laser light source(s) and a scan mirror(s) to generate an image in the field of view of a user, and a liquid crystal element between the light source(s) and the scan mirror(s) to adjust the luminance of the image. The liquid crystal element is on an optical path between the laser light source(s) and the scan mirror and is communicatively coupled to a controller that modulates an opacity of the liquid crystal element. The opacity of the liquid crystal element determines the luminance of the image and may be altered in response to different factors, such as ambient light. Particular applications of the laser projector systems, devices, and methods in a wearable heads-up display are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Alexander, Ken Wu, Vance R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 10451881
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for preventing eyebox degradation in wearable heads-up displays (“WHUDs”) are described. A WHUD may provide an eyebox defined by multiple spatially-separated exit pupils, where the size of the eyebox is influenced by the spacing between the exit pupils. A larger eyebox is achieved with larger spacing between the exit pupils but a larger spacing between exit pupils is susceptible to the formation of gaps or blind spots in the eyebox (eyebox degradation) if bright environmental light causes the user's pupil to constrict to a size that is smaller than the spacing between the exit pupils. A material of variable chromism is included in the user's field of view to reduce the perceived brightness of environmental light and thereby prevent the user's pupil from constricting to a size smaller than the spacing between the exit pupils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 10444516
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example head-worn display apparatus includes a frame to support a lens and a housing having an image generator. The housing couples the image generator to the frame and is to project an image adjacent the lens. The apparatus includes a stem having a first end and a second end. The first end of the stem is to couple to the housing of the image generator and the second end of the stem to project from the image generator. The stem has a non-flexed use position and a flexed use position, where at least a portion of the stem between the first end and the second end is to move relative to the housing of the image generator when the stem moves between the non-flexed position and the flexed position while a position of the image generator remains in a fixed relationship relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Eastwood
  • Patent number: 10444610
    Abstract: Laser safety systems, devices, and methods for use in laser projectors are described. A laser projector includes any number of laser diodes that each emit laser light, a laser diode power source, a current sensor to detect a magnitude of the electric current output by the power source, a photodetector to detect a power/intensity of the laser light, a beam splitter to direct a first portion of the light towards the photodetector and a second portion of the light towards an output on the projector, and first and second laser safety circuits responsive to signals from the photodetector and the current sensor, respectively. The laser safety circuits selectively electrically couples/uncouples the laser diodes from the power source depending on signals from the photodetector and/or the current sensor. Particular applications of the laser safety systems, devices, and methods in a wearable heads-up display are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Kai Xu
  • Patent number: 10444608
    Abstract: Laser safety systems, devices, and methods for use in laser projectors are described. A laser projector includes any number of laser diodes that each emit laser light, a laser diode power source, a current sensor to detect a magnitude of the electric current output by the power source, a photodetector to detect a power/intensity of the laser light, a beam splitter to direct a first portion of the light towards the photodetector and a second portion of the light towards an output on the projector, and first and second laser safety circuits responsive to signals from the photodetector and the current sensor, respectively. The laser safety circuits selectively electrically couples/uncouples the laser diodes from the power source depending on signals from the photodetector and/or the current sensor. Particular applications of the laser safety systems, devices, and methods in a wearable heads-up display are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Kai Xu
  • Patent number: 10444609
    Abstract: Laser safety systems, devices, and methods for use in laser projectors are described. A laser projector includes any number of laser diodes that each emit laser light, a laser diode power source, a current sensor to detect a magnitude of the electric current output by the power source, a photodetector to detect a power/intensity of the laser light, a beam splitter to direct a first portion of the light towards the photodetector and a second portion of the light towards an output on the projector, and first and second laser safety circuits responsive to signals from the photodetector and the current sensor, respectively. The laser safety circuits selectively electrically couples/uncouples the laser diodes from the power source depending on signals from the photodetector and/or the current sensor. Particular applications of the laser safety systems, devices, and methods in a wearable heads-up display are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Kai Xu
  • Publication number: 20190313249
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods establish encrypted communications between wearable electronic devices. In response to a physical contact between a first wearable electronic device and a second wearable electronic device respective impact sensors of the first and second wearable electronic devices generate sensor signals. A first identity signal is transmitted from the first wearable device and received at the second wearable device. The second wearable device determines that at least a portion of the first identity signal corresponds to at least a portion of an expected identity signal and, if so, uses the at least a portion of the first identity signal and the at least a portion of the expected identity signal as encryption keys to provide encrypted communications. The first identity signal and/or the expected identity signal may be at least partially based upon or derived from the sensor signal(s) generated by the impact sensor(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: North Inc.
    Inventors: Jason T. Griffin, Steven Henry Fyke
  • Patent number: 10437325
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with retinal see through display are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a retinal see through display wearable by a user; a target luminance calculator to determine a required luminance level; and a display power controller to determine a power level for the retinal see through display, based at least in part on a pupil size of the user and the determined required luminance level. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Le Gros, Gatien Cosendey
  • Patent number: 10437067
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for preventing eyebox degradation in wearable heads-up displays (“WHUDs”) are described. A WHUD may provide an eyebox defined by multiple spatially-separated exit pupils, where the size of the eyebox is influenced by the spacing between the exit pupils. A larger eyebox is achieved with larger spacing between the exit pupils but a larger spacing between exit pupils is susceptible to the formation of gaps or blind spots in the eyebox (eyebox degradation) if bright environmental light causes the user's pupil to constrict to a size that is smaller than the spacing between the exit pupils. A material of variable chromism is included in the user's field of view to reduce the perceived brightness of environmental light and thereby prevent the user's pupil from constricting to a size smaller than the spacing between the exit pupils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 10440336
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of reducing speckle in a primary light spot which is projected onto a surface by a projection device which comprises a laser, wherein a primary light spot is defined by two or more secondary light spots, the method comprising the steps of (a) consecutively providing the laser with “n” different input currents so that the laser consecutively outputs “n” different light beams, wherein each one of the “n” different light beams defines a secondary light spot on the surface, wherein “n” is an integer value greater than one; and (b) superposing the secondary light spots. There is further provided a corresponding method of projecting a pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Le Gros, Nicolas Abele
  • Patent number: 10437073
    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: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Frederick Holland, Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 10437074
    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: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Frederick Holland, Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 10437071
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods to provide a display including a projection system and a removable lenses including a holographic optical element to receive light and reflect the light to an exit pupil. Each of the removable lenses may comprise a holographic optical element in a different position of the lens to change the position of the exit pupil. The projection system may project an image onto the holographic optical element to project the image to the exit pupil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: North Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Tremblay, Mickael Guillaumee, David Ziegler, Christophe Moser, Philippe De Gol