Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) receiving, via a social networking system, a request from a user to participate in a discovery service designed to facilitate connections between users of the social networking system who share common attributes, (2) obtaining, from the user, data representative of at least one desired user attribute, possessed by the user, for new user connections, (3) identifying, within the social networking system, at least one additional user who is both a participant in the discovery service and who also possesses the desired user attribute, and (4) providing a visual indication to the user, when representing the additional user within a user interface of the social networking system, that the additional user is a participant in the discovery service and that the additional user possesses the desired user attribute. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) system includes a console an imaging device, a head mounted display (HMD) and a user input device. The console includes a virtual reality (VR) engine, a tracking module and an application store. The HMD includes a display element configured to display content to a user wearing the HMD. The virtual reality engine is configured to determine a vector for a virtual object thrown at a target in response to physical input from the user, a gaze vector for the eyes of the user and a virtual object position vector for the target and modify the vector for the virtual object based on at least one of the gaze vector and the virtual object position vector.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for a network-based clock for time distribution across a wireless network, are disclosed. One system includes a network that includes a time distributor, a time receiver, and a plurality of network elements providing one or more network connections between the time distributor and the time receiver. The plurality of network elements includes an ingress network element and an egress network element. The time distributor receives and synchronizes to a first clock. Two or more of the plurality of network elements receives and synchronize to a second clock. A forward network transit delay is determined between the ingress network element and the egress network element and a backward network transit delay is determined between the egress network element and the ingress network element. The time receiver time synchronizes to the time distributor using the forward network transit delay and the backward network transit delay.

Abstract: The present technology relates to artificial reality systems. Such systems provide projections a user can create to specify object interactions. For example, when a user wishes to interact with an object outside her immediate reach, she can use a projection to select, move, or otherwise interact with the distant object. The present technology also includes object selection techniques for identifying and disambiguating between objects, allowing a user to select objects both near and distant from the user. Yet further aspects of the present technology include techniques for interpreting various bimanual (two-handed) gestures for interacting with objects. The present technology further includes a model for differentiating between global and local modes for, e.g., providing different input modalities or interpretations of user gestures.

Abstract: A processor system comprises one or more logic units configured to receive a processor instruction identifying a first floating point number to be multiplied with a second floating point number. The floating point numbers are each decomposed into a group of a plurality of component numbers, wherein a number of bits used to represent each floating point number is greater than a number of bits used to represent any component number in each group of the plurality of component numbers. The component numbers of the first group are multiplied with the component numbers of the second group to determine intermediate multiplication results that are summed together to determine an effective result that represents a result of multiplying the first floating point number with the second floating point number.

Abstract: A display system comprises a light source assembly, a display assembly, a camera assembly, and a controller. The light source assembly is configured to generate visible light and infrared light. The display assembly is configured to generate image light using the visible light and to generate tracking light using the infrared light. The tracking light and the image light pass through a beam splitter prior to being projected into a local area. The camera assembly is configured to capture one or more images of the local area illuminated with the tracking light. The images are illuminated with the tracking light that passes through the beam splitter prior to be being captured by the camera assembly. The controller is configured to calculate depth information for objects in the local area using the one or more images.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to enabling access to a game instance through a messenger application. A client-side player component facilitates communication between a game instance on the client device and a backend server of a social networking system. The communication information can be stored in or retrieved from a social graph of the social networking system. The game instance can be initialized from a social platform of the social networking system, and the game can be played without leaving the messenger application.

Abstract: A video encoder may be put in a starve mode during a low latency operation in which the video encoder may be operated in a mode that allows video frames to be encoded without any interdependencies such as motion compensation. At least one encoding parameter of the video encoding is selected such that, for each resulting encoded video frame, the video frame fits in exactly one application layer packet.

Abstract: An artificial reality system can display notifications in various configurations including in a minimized version or a maximized version. The artificial reality system can initially display a minimized version of the notification. Upon identifying a first trigger event, such as the user's gaze resting on the minimized version of the notification or a rotation of a user's wrist, the artificial reality system can change the display of the notification from the minimized version to the maximized version. The artificial reality system can identify a second trigger event, such as the user's gaze not being directed to the maximized version of the notification or a rotation of the wrist in an opposite direction from the first wrist rotation. In response to the second trigger event, the artificial reality system can stop display of the maximized version of the notification.

Abstract: An online system receives impression data from one or more content publishers. The impression data describes impressions provided to users of the online system on behalf of an agent. The online system selects a randomly selected number of impressions in the received impression data. The online system generates an impressions block by encrypting impression data that describes the selected set of impressions using a unique cypher, and adds the impressions block to a blockchain. The online system further generates a cypher block by encrypting the cypher and an identifier of the impressions block to which the cypher applies using a public key provided by the agent to the online system. The online system adds the cypher block to the blockchain. The agent can recover the cypher from the cypher block based on a private key, and the agent can then recover the impression data using the recovered cypher.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for prioritizing digital user content in a graphical user interface may include (i) for each user account within a group of user accounts maintained by a social networking platform, (1) maintaining a user content pod, comprising a digital container for posts posted to the social networking platform by the user account, and (2) generating a scrollable pod display comprising visual representations of other user content pods being followed by the user account, (ii) receiving, from a first user account corresponding to a first user content pod, user input designating a post within the first user content pod as a broadcasted post, and (iii) in response to receiving the user input, prioritizing, within a scrollable pod display of a second user account, a visual representation of the first user content pod over visual representations of user content pods that do not contain broadcasted posts. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An online system receives information describing events corresponding to actions associated with a third party system performed by an individual. The received information describes event types and times at which the events occurred. The online system generates nodes of a directed graph associated with the third party system, in which each node corresponds to an event type. For each event, a node count associated with a node corresponding to the event's type is incremented by the online system. Pairs of consecutively occurring events are identified based on times at which the events occurred and an edge describing each transition from one event to another is generated by the online system. The online system determines an edge count for each transition indicating a number of edges describing the transition as well as a sequential order of event types based on one or more node counts and one or more edge counts.

Abstract: An acoustic element includes a nanovoided polymer layer having a first nanovoid topology in an unactuated state and a second nanovoid topology different than the first nanovoid topology in an actuated state. Capacitive actuation of the nanovoided polymer layer, for instance, can be used to reversibly control the size and shape of the nanovoids within the polymer layer and hence tune its sound damping characteristics or sound transduction behavior, e.g., during operation of the acoustic element. An acoustic element may be configured for passive or active sound attenuation. Various other apparatuses, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that include aligning processing of audio samples collected by multiple audio sensors or microphones. In one example, this disclosure describes a method comprising enabling a first microphone; processing, by an audio processor and using a first processing pipeline, audio data samples collected by the first microphone; enabling a second microphone a period of time after enabling the first microphone; processing, by the audio processor and using a second processing pipeline, a sample of audio data collected by the second microphone by synchronizing starting times for the first and second processing pipelines.

Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method may include receiving a media item for encoding via a content optimized encoding algorithm. The method may also include determining, in accordance with the content optimized encoding algorithm, an overall error model for the media item. The overall error model may include (1) a rate-distortion model for the media item, and (2) a downsampling-distortion model for the media item. The method may also include determining, based on the overall error model, a bitrate cost associated with streaming of the media item within a bitrate lane. The method may further include adjusting the overall error model based on the bitrate cost associated with streaming of the media item within the bitrate lane and encoding the media item for streaming within the bitrate lane based on the adjusted overall error model.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating network resources are described. The method includes receiving a plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns for a network. A representative subset of the plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns is selected based on an analysis of the plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns using a topology of the network. The selected representative subset of the plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns is used to determine a resource allocation for the network.

Abstract: A design system generates a design for an eyewear frame customized for a user. The eyewear frame provides audio content to the user. The design system captures anthropometric data of the user. Using machine learning techniques, the design system determines features of the user from the anthropometric data and generates a three dimensional (3D) geometry of the portion of the user's head. A design for the customized eyewear frame is generated based on the 3D geometry of the portion of the user's head. The design of the customized eyewear frame includes design parameters that describe a shape of a coupling element that ensures the eyewear frame is customized to the user's head.

Abstract: A method to suppress a rainbow effect and an optical device thereof are provided. The method includes receiving, by a dimming element, a light from a real world. The method further includes attenuating, by the dimming element, an intensity of the light with a degree of attenuation growing with an incidence angle. The dimming element includes a liquid crystal (LC) dimming element.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines depth information. The DCA projects a dynamic structured light pattern into a local area and captures images including a portion of the dynamic structured light pattern. The DCA determines regions of interest in which it may be beneficial to increase or decrease an amount of texture added to the region of interest using the dynamic structured light pattern. For example, the DCA may identify the regions of interest based on contrast values calculated using a contrast algorithm, or based on the parameters received from a mapping server including a virtual model of the local area. The DCA may selectively increase or decrease an amount of texture added by the dynamic structured light pattern in portions of the local area. By selectively controlling portions of the dynamic structured light pattern, the DCA may decrease power consumption and/or increase the accuracy of depth sensing measurements.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide, a projector, a reflective display, and an in-coupler. The waveguide has a first side and an opposing second side. The projector is configured to project illumination light toward the first side of the waveguide. The reflective display is configured to receive the illumination light and to output image light toward the second side of the waveguide. The in-coupler is configured to receive the image light output by the reflective display and redirect a portion of the image light so that the portion of the image light undergoes total internal reflection inside the waveguide.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system may access a codec that encodes an appearance associated with a subject and comprise codec portions that respectively correspond to body parts of the subject. The system may generate a training codec that comprises a first subset of the codec portions (a first set of body parts) and a modified second subset of the codec portions (muted body parts). The system may decode the training codec using a machine-learning model to generate a mesh of the subject. The system may transform the mesh of the subject based on a predetermined pose. The system may update the machine-learning model based on a comparison between the transformed mesh and a target mesh of the subject having the predetermined pose. The system in the present application can train a machine-learning model to render an avatar with a pose using uncorrelated codec portions corresponding to different body parts.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to identify a similarity in public sentiments for each pair from a plurality of entities from a second computing device, where the request includes names of the plurality of entities, accessing a table of word vector relationships, where the table of word vector relationships includes a plurality of unique n-grams and their corresponding word vectors, and where each of the word vectors represents a semantic context of a corresponding n-gram as a point in a d-dimensional embedding space, looking up word vectors corresponding to each of the names using the table, calculating, for each of the word vectors, a similarity metric to each of the word vectors, and sending a response message to the second computing device, where the response message includes calculated similarity metrics corresponding to all the pairs of the word vectors.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of and apparatus for predictive tracking for a head mounted display. The method comprises obtaining one or more three-dimensional angular velocity measurements from a sensor monitoring the head mounted display and setting a prediction interval based upon the one or more three-dimensional angular velocity measurements such that the prediction interval is substantially zero when the head mounted display is substantially stationary and the prediction interval increases up to a predetermined latency interval when the head mounted display is moving at an angular velocity of or above a predetermined threshold. The method further includes predicting a three-dimensional orientation for the head mounted display to create a predicted orientation at a time corresponding to the prediction interval, and generating a rendered image corresponding to the predicted orientation for presentation on the head mounted display.

Abstract: A method to untarget users of an online service for advertising includes embedding first code corresponding to a first pixel and second code corresponding to a second pixel in a version of a webpage and providing the version of the webpage for loading by a client device. Loading of the version of the webpage by the client device triggers execution of the first code and the second code by the client device. Furthermore, execution of the first code by the client device signals an advertising platform to forgo providing one or more advertisements for a service associated with the server system to the client device. Additionally, execution of the second code by the client device provides a signal to the server system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can provide at least one frame of a content item to a saliency prediction model, the saliency prediction model being trained to identify salient points of interest that appear in content items. Information describing at least a first salient point of interest that appears in the at least one frame can be obtained from the saliency prediction model. The first salient point of interest can be predicted to be of interest to users accessing the content item. A view-based projection can be applied to a region corresponding to the first salient point of interest, wherein the view-based projection enhances a quality in which the region is presented.

Abstract: An online system generates content feature entries, with each content feature entry describing a content item from a third party system. The online system generates user feature entries, each user feature entry describing a user. The online system generates a combination score for a target user and a selected content item by computing a combination of the content feature entries associated with the selected content item and the user feature entries associated with the target user using a combining function. The combination score indicates an estimated increase in value for the third party system when the target user is presented with the selected content item. The online system selects content items to transmit to a client device of a target user of the online system for presentation to the target user based on the combination score for the content items and the target user.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus comprises: a lens assembly comprising one or more polymer layers, each layer including a lens portion and an extension portion and an image sensor positioned below the lens assembly and bonded to the lens assembly via a bonding layer and configured to sense light that passes through the lens portion of the one or more polymer layers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can acquire a video resource at a first level of a tiered architecture. A first video representation can be generated, based on the video resource, at a second level of the tiered architecture. The first video representation can be associated with a first publisher. It can be detected that at least a first post and a second post are utilizing the first video representation. The first post and the second post can be representable at a third level of the tiered architecture and can be initiated by the first publisher. Data analytics for the first video representation can be aggregated based on the first post and the second post.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes a system accessing an image, which may comprise covered and uncovered portions, and an overlay image comprising opaque pixels. The covered portion may be configured to be covered by the opaque pixels of the overlay image. The system may generate a data structure comprising data elements associated with pixels of the image. Each of the data elements associated with a covered pixel in the covered portion of the image may be configured to identify an uncovered pixel in the uncovered portion of the image that is closest to the covered pixel. Each covered pixel in the covered portion of the image may be modified by accessing the data element associated with the covered pixel, determining a distance between the covered pixel and an associated closest uncovered pixel using the accessed data element, and modifying a color of the covered pixel based on the distance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for tracking includes capturing a first frame of the environment using a first camera, identifying, in the first frame, a first patch that corresponds to the first feature, accessing a first local memory of the first camera that stores reference patches identified in one or more previous frames captured by the first camera, and determining that none of the reference patches stored in the first local memory corresponds to the first feature. The method further includes receiving, from a second camera through a data link connecting the second camera with the first camera, a reference patch corresponding to the first feature. The reference patch is identified in a previous frame captured by the second camera and of the second camera. The method may then determine correspondence data between the first patch and the reference patch, and tracks the first feature in the environment based on the determined correspondence data.

Abstract: An image processing system enables a user wearing a head-mounted display to experience a virtual environment combined with a representation of a real-world object. The image processing system receives a captured scene of a real-world environment that includes a target object. The image processing system identifies the target object in the captured scene and generates a representation of the target object. In some cases, the image processing system may include a graphical overlay with the representation of the target objet. The image processing system can generate a combined scene that includes the target object and the virtual environment. The combined scene is presented to the user, thereby allowing the user to interact with the real-world target object (or a representation thereof) in combination with the virtual environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for substantially real-time detection of spike events in neuromuscular data. The method comprises receiving a plurality of neuromuscular signals from a plurality of neuromuscular sensors arranged on one or more wearable devices worn by a user, detecting, based on the plurality of neuromuscular signals or information derived from the plurality of neuromuscular signals, at least one spike event corresponding to firing of an action potential in at least one motor unit, determining, based on the plurality of neuromuscular signals or the information derived from the plurality of neuromuscular signals, a biological source of the detected at least one spike event, and generating at least one output based, at least in part, on the detected at least one spike event and/or the determined biological source of the detected at least one spike event.

Abstract: A near eye display (NED) includes an electronic display configured to output image light. Further, the NED includes an eye tracking module and multiple optical elements that are combined to form an optical system to allow for changes in position of one or both eyes of a user of the NED. Various types of such optical elements, which may have optical states that are switchable, may be used to steer a light beam toward the user's eye. A direction of the steering may be based on eye tracking information measured by the eye tracking module.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes a system building a first machine-learning module and one or more secondary machine-learning modules for operating with an application. The first and second modules may be configured to utilize, in operation, particular types of processing hardware, respectively. The system may receive from a client device a request to download the application, and in response send to the device the application with the first module. The system may then receive another request to download a selected one of the secondary modules, which may be selected based on a determination by the application running on the device that the associated type of processing hardware is available. In response, the system may send the selected module to the device. The application may be configured to selectively use the first module or the selected module to perform an operation.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes accessing a first rendered frame generated based on a first viewing direction of a user. The first rendered frame may be generated at a first frame rate. The method includes generating, based on the first rendered frame, one or more sub-frames at a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate. A first sub-frame of the one or more sub-frames is generated by determining a second viewing direction of the user based on sensor data and applying one or more transformations to the first frame based on the second viewing direction. The method includes outputting the one or more sub-frames for display at the second frame rate.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method of fabricating a nano-sized structure in a resin element by nanoimprint lithography (NIL). The method reduces adhesive failure during NIL demolding by inhibiting polymerization at the interface between the resin element and the template. The template includes a polymerization inhibiting compound. The method includes pressing the template onto the resin element (or the resin element onto the template) to form the nano-sized structure in the resin element. The method also including diffusing the polymerization inhibiting compound from the template to the resin element, e.g., by holding them together for a period of time. A layer of the polymerization inhibiting compound is therefore formed at an interface of the template and resin element. The polymerization inhibiting compound inhibits polymerization at the interface. After the diffusion, the resin element is cured. Then the template is removed from the resin element.

Abstract: A transparent optical element includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, an electroactive layer disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, and a control system operably coupled to at least one of the primary electrode and the secondary electrode and adapted to provide a drive signal to actuate the electroactive layer within an aperture of the transparent optical element.

Abstract: A liquid lens architecture includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based membrane overlying at least a portion of the transparent substrate, and a liquid layer disposed between and abutting the transparent substrate and the multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane-based membrane. The TPU-based membrane may exhibit a reversible elastic response to imposed strains of up to approximately 2% and is configured to limit the transpiration of fluid to less than approximately 10?2 g/m2/day.

Abstract: Various of the present embodiments convert structured data to a channel-based representation facilitating pattern recognition by a compression utility. The channels may include a key channel, a number channel, a type channel, a length channel, etc. These channels reflect the same information as the structured data, but reorganized based upon the structured data's hierarchic structure. The encoder and decoder may include rule sets specifying the relations between the channels to deconstruct/construct the JSON file. Memoization, length encoding, and type encoding extensions may also be applied as part of the encoding/decoding process to further improve compression.

Abstract: A waveguide display includes a substrate transparent to visible light and a projector configured to generate display light for an image, where the display light includes display light for a first field of view (FOV) of the image and display light for a second FOV of the image. The waveguide display also includes a first input coupler configured to couple the display light for the first FOV into the substrate, a first set of gratings configured to couple the display light for the first FOV out of the substrate at a first two-dimensional array of locations of the substrate, a second input coupler configured to couple the display light for the second FOV into the substrate, and a second set of gratings configured to couple the display light for the second FOV out of the substrate at a second two-dimensional array of locations of the substrate.

Abstract: A manufacturing system performs a deposition of an etch-compatible film over a substrate. The etch-compatible film includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The manufacturing system performs a partial removal of the etch-compatible film to create a surface profile on the first surface with a plurality of etch heights relative to the substrate. The manufacturing system performs a lithographic patterning of a photoresist deposited over the created profile in the etch-compatible film to obtain the plurality of etch heights and one or more duty cycles corresponding to the etch-compatible film deposited over the substrate.

Abstract: A device includes a body portion and a moveable fastener extension coupled to the body portion. The moveable fastener extension is configured to be inserted in an opening of an electrical ground lug and an opening of an object to be grounded. The device further includes a handle coupled to the moveable fastener extension and configured to be operated by hand to manipulate the moveable fastener extension to secure the electrical ground lug to the object via the device.

Abstract: The disclosed system may include (1) a light projector with multiple pixels, (2) a waveguide optically coupled to the light projector, where the waveguide is configured to in-couple light from the light projector and out-couple the in-coupled light toward an eyebox of the system, (3) a light detector that is configured to receive light from the light projector, and (4) a controller that (a) causes the light projector to project light from at least one of the multiple pixels, (b) receives information from the light detector based on light received from the at least one of the multiple pixels, and (c) causes an alteration in an alignment of the light from the light projector relative to the optical waveguide based on the information. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A varifocal optical assembly includes a plurality of optical elements configured to transmit light in successive optical stages. Each respective optical stage of the successive optical stages includes at least one respective optical element of the plurality of optical elements and is configurable to be in one of a first state and a second state. The respective optical stage in the first state has a first respective optical power for light of a first polarization and a second respective optical power for light of a second polarization. The respective optical stage in the second state has a third optical power for light of the first polarization and a fourth optical power for light of the second polarization. The optical power of varifocal optical assembly is adjustable by changing the states of one or more of the successive optical stages.

Abstract: The present technology relates to artificial reality systems. Such systems provide projections a user can create to specify object interactions. For example, when a user wishes to interact with an object outside her immediate reach, she can use a projection to select, move, or otherwise interact with the distant object. The present technology also includes object selection techniques for identifying and disambiguating between objects, allowing a user to select objects both near and distant from the user. Yet further aspects of the present technology include techniques for interpreting various bimanual (two-handed) gestures for interacting with objects. The present technology further includes a model for differentiating between global and local modes for, e.g., providing different input modalities or interpretations of user gestures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for dynamically transitioning a digital video file between encoding states of video data encodings. For example, upon receiving an uploaded digital video file, the disclosed systems can generate an initial set of video data encodings for the digital video file in an initial state. The disclosed systems further determine a virality score associated with the digital video file. Based on the virality score, the disclosed systems determine the virality score satisfies a threshold for transitioning the digital video file from the initial state to the upgraded state and generate premium encodings for the digital video file. Similarly, based on an updated virality score or a time-based trigger, the disclosed systems can transition the digital video file from the upgraded state (or the initial state) to the maintenance state by purging one or more video data encodings.

Abstract: A method for providing imagery to a user on a display includes receiving eye tracking data. The method also includes determining a gaze location on the display and at least one of a confidence factor of the gaze location, or a speed of the change of the gaze location using the eye tracking data. The method also includes establishing multiple tiles using the gaze location and at least one of the confidence factor or the speed of the change of the gaze location. The method also includes providing a foveated rendered image using the multiple tiles.

Abstract: An apparatus for directional acoustic sensing may include a wearable dimensioned to be donned by a user of an artificial reality system. The wearable may include a signal generator that propagates an acoustic wave via a body of the user toward a specific body part. The wearable may also include an acoustic sensor that detects an acoustic reflection of the acoustic wave propagated by the signal generator. The wearable may further include at least one processing device that is communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The processing device may determine that the specific body part has made physical contact with an object based at least in part on the acoustic reflection. In response, the processing device may generate an input command for the artificial reality system that accounts for the specific body part making physical contact with the object. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for transferring an image to a subpixel array may include generating a set of subframes in which each subframe contains a fraction of the range of intensities of the image. The bit-depth of the subframes may be reduced from the bit-depth of the image. The computer-implemented method may include (1) receiving image data for an image including a set of intensities in one or more channels, (2) processing the image data into subframe data for a plurality of subframes, each subframe including a fractional range of intensities that are a subset of the set of intensities of the image, and (3) temporally multiplexing the plurality of subframes generated from the subframe data to reconstitute the image in a viewing region using an optical system having a light deviator that laterally shifts light from an emissive array. Various other apparatus, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical waveguide, a micro light emitting diode (micro-LED) configured to emit at least partially polarized light, and a waveguide coupler configured to couple the at least partially polarized light from the micro-LED into the optical waveguide with a coupling efficiency higher than a coupling efficiency of the waveguide coupler for unpolarized light. The micro-LED includes a substrate including a hexagonal lattice and having a first surface parallel to a semi-polar plane of the hexagonal lattice, and a plurality of layers grown on the first surface. The plurality of layers includes an active layer that includes a III-nitride material and has a top surface parallel to the semi-polar plane and the first surface of the substrate, such that the light emitted by the micro-LED is at least partially polarized and can be more efficiently coupled into the optical waveguide.