Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for eyebox expansion in wearable heads-up displays (WHUD) are described. A WHUD includes a support structure, a scanning laser projector (SLP), a split mirror, an optical splitter, and a holographic combiner. When the WHUD is worn on the head of a user the holographic combiner is positioned in a field of view of the user. The SLP scans light signals onto the split mirror which reflects the light signals onto the optical splitter. The optical splitter redirects the light signals towards the holographic combiner such that subsets of the light signals originate from spatially-separated virtual positions. The holographic combiner redirects the light to the eye resulting in spatially-separated exit pupils. The spatial separation of the exit pupils results in an expanded eyebox. The indirect path of light from SLP to optical splitter enables a smaller and therefore more aesthetically desirable design for the WHUD.

Abstract: An optical device that provides a broadened circular scanning pattern. The device includes a reflector system dimensioned to form a coupled oscillator with two modes of oscillation for circular tilt motion, a first mode oscillation in a first resonance frequency and a second mode of oscillation in a second resonance frequency that is different from the first resonance frequency. A signal processing element is configured to control the actuation signals to maintain a first amplitude in the first mode of oscillation, and a second amplitude in the second mode of oscillation.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical waveguide includes a volume of optically transparent material, a first holographic optical element (HOE) and a second holographic optical element, wherein the first HOE and the second HOE are carried by the volume of optically transparent material, and the first HOE is positioned across a width of the volume of optically transparent material from the second HOE. Light enters the optical waveguide and is propagated down a length of the waveguide by reflection between the first HOE and the second HOE. Propagation of the light within the optical waveguide does not require total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may include means to in-couple the light into the waveguide and means to out-couple the light from the waveguide. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for high quality speckle-free phase-only computer-generated holographic image projection. The present invention more particularly relates to a holographic image display system comprising a spatial light modulator to phase modulate light from at least one light source configured to illuminate said spatial light modulator and to provide a phase hologram and projection optics to project said phase modulated light to generate an image formed by said displayed hologram onto an image plane.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical waveguide includes a volume of optically transparent material, a first holographic optical element (HOE) and a second holographic optical element, wherein the first HOE and the second HOE are carried by the volume of optically transparent material, and the first HOE is positioned across a width of the volume of optically transparent material from the second HOE. Light enters the optical waveguide and is propagated down a length of the waveguide by reflection between the first HOE and the second HOE. Propagation of the light within the optical waveguide does not require total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may include means to in-couple the light into the waveguide and means to out-couple the light from the waveguide. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.

Abstract: A virtual reflective 3D volumetric display device and a method for creating virtual reflective 3D volumetric imagery are disclosed to present virtual 3D volumetric object imagery without head tracking or tracking a person's view or eye positions, and which neither presents refractive images nor requires VR goggles or headsets, but instead presents pure volumetric object imagery appearing in the three-dimensional shapes of objects, which can be simultaneously viewed by multiple viewers who each view the shapes of the virtual 3D volumetric object imagery from their own point of view. The three-dimension volumetric reflection display adapter and standalone screen delivers the appearance of volumetric effect with ease.

Abstract: A scanning microelectromechanical reflector system comprising a reflector with a reflector body, a first cavity vertically aligned with the reflector body above the device plane and a second cavity vertically aligned with the reflector body below the device plane. The reflector also comprises a central attachment point located within a central opening in the reflector body. One or more flexures extend from the sidewalls of the central opening to the central attachment point. The flexures allow the central attachment point to remain stationary in the device plane when actuator units tilt the reflector body out of the device plane. The reflector system comprises a central support structure which extends through the cavity to the central attachment point of the reflector.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling camera exposure to augment a wiper system of a sensor enclosure. The computer implemented method can detect a presence of a wiper in one or more images captured by one or more cameras. An exposure time of the one or more cameras can be adjusted. Wiper speed can be adjusted such that wipers move in and out of one or more field of views of the one or more cameras while the one or more cameras are capturing images.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a laser emitting device configured to emit laser beams emitted from a plurality of laser light-emitting elements; an optical fiber array including a plurality of optical fibers provided corresponding to the laser light-emitting elements and configured to guide the laser beams emitted from the laser light-emitting elements to a recording object that relatively moves with respect to the laser emitting device, laser emitting portions of the respective optical fibers being arrayed in an array form in a predetermined direction; and an image recording unit configured to control the laser emitting device so as to irradiate the recording object which relatively moves with respect to the laser emitting device in a direction different from the predetermined direction, with laser beams via the optical fiber array, to heat the recording object and record an image.

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.

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.

Abstract: A scanning type display device includes a light source that includes multiple rows and columns of light emitters. The display device also includes a rotatable mirror that projects light to different areas of an image field as the mirror rotates. There can be a redundant number to light emitters in the light source to increase the brightness of the pixels in the image field. A data driver may replicate and shift data values among light emitters of the same columns. The light emitters may operate in conjunction with the mirror in a synchronized manner. Owing to the shift in data value and the rotation of the mirror, the mirror may first project light from a first light emitter to a pixel and may then project light from a second light emitter with the same brightness level to the same pixel. The shifting may continue for additional light emitters.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a mirror support including a first surface and a second surface, a mirror for reflecting a laser beam being formed on the first surface; a driving beam that includes a beam extending in a direction orthogonal to a predetermined axis and is connected to the mirror support; a driving source that is formed on a surface of the beam and causes the mirror support to rotate around the predetermined axis; and a rib formed on the second surface of the mirror support at a position corresponding to the mirror. The first surface of the mirror support includes an area where the mirror is formed and an exposed area where the first surface is exposed.

Abstract: An illustrative example detection device includes a source of radiation, at least one mirror that reflects radiation from the source along a field of view having a first width, at least one optic component that is configured to refract radiation reflected from the at least one mirror, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component between a first position and a second position. In the first position the optic component is outside of the field of view and does not refract any of the radiation reflected from the at least one mirror. In the second position the optic component is in the field of view and refracts at least some of the radiation reflected from the at least one mirror. The field of view has a second, larger width when the at least one optic component is in the second position.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure includes at least first and second metal vias. Each of the first and second metal vias includes a respective planar metal layer having a first thickness and a respective post formed from the planar metal layer. The post has a sidewall, and the sidewall has a second thickness greater than 14% of the first thickness.

Abstract: Embodiments of optical scanners, optical projection systems, and methods of scanning optical waveguides and projecting images are described. The disclosed devices, systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the compactness, robustness, simplicity, and reliability of optical scanners and optical projection systems by implementing a thermally driven actuator for inducing oscillations of a cantilever within the optical scanners and optical projection systems. The stability and accuracy of optical scanners and optical projection systems are further enhanced using capacitive sensing, feedback, and phase correction techniques described herein.

Abstract: A door mirror apparatus for a vehicle is provided in which an electric motor is housed within an actuator case disposed within a mirror housing, and the actuator case includes a case member fixed to the mirror housing and a cover member that has a holder support part swingably supporting the mirror holder and is joined to the case member, wherein a motor shaft projects from one end portion along an axial direction of a motor housing of the electric motor, and an end face support projection part that is in line contact with one end portion among opposite end faces in the axial direction of the motor housing is provided integrally with one of the case member and the cover member. This makes it difficult for vibration of the electric motor to be transmitted to the actuator case, thus enabling reduction in noise when operating the electric motor.

Abstract: An actuator device includes at least one stationary unit, with at least one electromagnetic actuator element which is movable relative to the stationary unit, and with at least one shape-memory element which is implemented at least partly of a shape-shiftable shape-memory material, wherein the shape-memory element is configured, in at least one operation state, to at least partly hinder a movement of the actuator element in a first movement direction and in a second movement direction that differs from the first movement direction, at least via a mechanical deformation.

Abstract: The disclosed optical lens assemblies may include a deformable element, a structural support element, a substantially transparent deformable medium positioned between the deformable element and the structural support element, a compliant peripheral component positioned between peripheral portions of the deformable element and the structural support element, and an actuator configured to displace at least a portion of the compliant peripheral component to deform the deformable element and change at least one optical property of the optical lens assembly. Related head-mounted displays and methods of fabricating such optical lens assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body of the vehicle and a sensing system coupled to the body. The sensing system includes optical componentry and a glass material, where the glass material at least in part houses the optical componentry and the glass material is at least partially transparent to light at the wavelength of the optical componentry. Further the glass material has mechanical and performance properties that allow the sensing system to be positioned particularly low on the vehicle, at a position that may be of higher risk for damage from debris.