Patents by Inventor Brian T. Schowengerdt

Brian T. Schowengerdt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10788675
    Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole Elizabeth Samec, John Graham Macnamara, Christopher M. Harrises, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt
  • Publication number: 20200301149
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved diffraction structure for 3D display systems. The improved diffraction structure includes an intermediate layer that resides between a waveguide substrate and a top grating surface. The top grating surface comprises a first material that corresponds to a first refractive index value, the underlayer comprises a second material that corresponds to a second refractive index value, and the substrate comprises a third material that corresponds to a third refractive index value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Robert D. TEKOLSTE, Michael A. KLUG, Paul M. GRECO, Brian T. SCHOWENGERDT
  • Patent number: 10775628
    Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole Elizabeth Samec, John Graham Macnamara, Christopher M. Harrises, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Rony Abovitz, Mark Baerenrodt
  • Publication number: 20200284967
    Abstract: An eyepiece for projecting an image to an eye of a viewer includes a waveguide configured to propagate light in a first wavelength range, and a grating coupled to a back surface of the waveguide. The grating is configured to diffract a first portion of the light propagating in the waveguide out of a plane of the waveguide toward a first direction, and to diffract a second portion of the light propagating in the waveguide out of the plane of the waveguide toward a second direction opposite to the first direction. The eyepiece furthers include a wavelength-selective reflector coupled to a front surface of the waveguide. The wavelength selective reflector is configured to reflect light in the first wavelength range and transmit light outside the first wavelength range, such that the wavelength-selective reflector reflects at least part of the second portion of the light back toward the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Dianmin Lin, Pierre St. Hilaire
  • Patent number: 10767986
    Abstract: A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Rony Abovitz, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Matthew D. Watson
  • Publication number: 20200271840
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a liquid crystal device including depositing a layer of liquid crystal material on a substrate and imprinting a pattern on the layer of liquid crystal material using an imprint template are disclosed. The liquid crystal material can be jet deposited. The imprint template can include surface relief features, Pancharatnam-Berry Phase Effect (PBPE) structures or diffractive structures. The liquid crystal device manufactured by the methods described herein can be used to manipulate light, such as for beam steering, wavefront shaping, separating wavelengths and/or polarizations, and combining different wavelengths and/or polarizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Klug, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Michael Nevin Miller, Vikramjit Singh, Christophe Peroz, Pierre St. Hilaire, Jie Sun
  • Patent number: 10755481
    Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Mathew D. Watson, David Tinch, Ivan Li Chuen Yeoh, John Graham Macnamara, Lionel Ernest Edwin, Michael Anthony Klug, William Hudson Welch
  • Publication number: 20200265650
    Abstract: A method for displaying virtual content to a user, the method includes determining an accommodation of the user's eyes. The method also includes delivering, through a first waveguide of a stack of waveguides, light rays having a first wavefront curvature based at least in part on the determined accommodation, wherein the first wavefront curvature corresponds to a focal distance of the determined accommodation. The method further includes delivering, through a second waveguide of the stack of waveguides, light rays having a second wavefront curvature, the second wavefront curvature associated with a predetermined margin of the focal distance of the determined accommodation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventor: Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Publication number: 20200257025
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved diffraction structure for 3D display systems. The improved diffraction structure includes an intermediate layer that resides between a waveguide substrate and a top grating surface. The top grating surface comprises a first material that corresponds to a first refractive index value, the underlayer comprises a second material that corresponds to a second refractive index value, and the substrate comprises a third material that corresponds to a third refractive index value. According to additional embodiments, improved approaches are provided to implement deposition of imprint materials onto a substrate, which allow for very precise distribution and deposition of different imprint patterns onto any number of substrate surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. TEKOLSTE, Michael Anthony KLUG, Paul M. GRECO, Brian T. SCHOWENGERDT
  • Patent number: 10732417
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved diffraction structure for 3D display systems. The improved diffraction structure includes an intermediate layer that resides between a waveguide substrate and a top grating surface. The top grating surface comprises a first material that corresponds to a first refractive index value, the underlayer comprises a second material that corresponds to a second refractive index value, and the substrate comprises a third material that corresponds to a third refractive index value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Tekolste, Michael A. Klug, Paul M. Greco, Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Patent number: 10732404
    Abstract: A multi-element fiber scanner for scanning electromagnetic imaging radiation includes a base having a base plane and a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane and a fiber link passing through the base in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fiber link is operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic radiation source. The multi-element fiber scanner also includes a retention collar disposed a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis from the base and a first set and a second set of piezoelectric tubes. First and second piezoelectric tubes of the first set are joined to the base and extends from the base and first and second piezoelectric tubes of the second set are joined to the retention collar and extend from the retention collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Mathew D. Watson, Charles David Melville, William Andrew Lee
  • Patent number: 10723653
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable, focusing a laser beam at a predetermined location inside the fiber optic cable, and creating a damage site at the predetermined location. The method also includes focusing the laser beam at a series of additional predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable and creating a plurality of additional damage sites at the additional predetermined locations. The damage site and the additional damage sites define a variable diameter profile. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the damage site and the plurality of additional damage sites, and separating a portion of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Mathew D. Watson, Charles David Melville, An-Shyang Chu, Timothy Mark Dalrymple, Vaibhav Mathur, Alejandro Lopez, Aaron Mark Schuelke
  • Patent number: 10725223
    Abstract: An eyepiece for projecting an image to an eye of a viewer includes a waveguide configured to propagate light in a first wavelength range, and a grating coupled to a back surface of the waveguide. The grating is configured to diffract a first portion of the light propagating in the waveguide out of a plane of the waveguide toward a first direction, and to diffract a second portion of the light propagating in the waveguide out of the plane of the waveguide toward a second direction opposite to the first direction. The eyepiece furthers include a wavelength-selective reflector coupled to a front surface of the waveguide. The wavelength selective reflector is configured to reflect light in the first wavelength range and transmit light outside the first wavelength range, such that the wavelength-selective reflector reflects at least part of the second portion of the light back toward the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Dianmin Lin, Pierre St. Hilaire
  • Patent number: 10715794
    Abstract: An eye tracking system includes a pair of glasses including two frames and a light scanning projector coupled to the pair of glasses and operable to scan a beam of light. The eye tracking system also includes an eyepiece mounted in one of the two frames and optically coupled to the light scanning projector. The eyepiece includes an exit pupil expander operable to direct at least a portion of the beam of light towards an eye of a user. The eye tracking system further includes one or more photodetectors coupled to the pair of glasses and a processor coupled to the light scanning projector and the one or more photodetectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Mathew D. Watson, Samuel Scott Frank, Charles David Melville
  • Patent number: 10690826
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a liquid crystal device including depositing a layer of liquid crystal material on a substrate and imprinting a pattern on the layer of liquid crystal material using an imprint template are disclosed. The liquid crystal material can be jet deposited. The imprint template can include surface relief features, Pancharatnam-Berry Phase Effect (PBPE) structures or diffractive structures. The liquid crystal device manufactured by the methods described herein can be used to manipulate light, such as for beam steering, wavefront shaping, separating wavelengths and/or polarizations, and combining different wavelengths and/or polarizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Klug, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Michael Nevin Miller, Vikramjit Singh, Christophe Peroz, Pierre St. Hilaire, Jie Sun
  • Patent number: 10677969
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved diffraction structure for 3D display systems. The improved diffraction structure includes an intermediate layer that resides between a waveguide substrate and a top grating surface. The top grating surface comprises a first material that corresponds to a first refractive index value, the underlayer comprises a second material that corresponds to a second refractive index value, and the substrate comprises a third material that corresponds to a third refractive index value. According to additional embodiments, improved approaches are provided to implement deposition of imprint materials onto a substrate, which allow for very precise distribution and deposition of different imprint patterns onto any number of substrate surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Tekolste, Michael A. Klug, Paul M. Greco, Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Patent number: 10678055
    Abstract: A method and system for increasing dynamic digitized wavefront resolution, i.e., the density of output beamlets, can include receiving a single collimated source light beam and producing multiple output beamlets spatially offset when out-coupled from a waveguide. The multiple output beamlets can be obtained by offsetting and replicating a collimated source light beam. Alternatively, the multiple output beamlets can be obtained by using a collimated incoming source light beam having multiple input beams with different wavelengths in the vicinity of the nominal wavelength of a particular color. The collimated incoming source light beam can be in-coupled into the eyepiece designed for the nominal wavelength. The input beams with multiple wavelengths take different paths when they undergo total internal reflection in the waveguide, which produces multiple output beamlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Lionel Ernest Edwin, Ivan Li Chuen Yeoh, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Kevin Richard Curtis, William Hudson Welch, Pierre St. Hilaire, Hui-Chuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 10643392
    Abstract: A method for displaying virtual content to a user, the method includes determining an accommodation of the user's eyes. The method also includes delivering, through a first waveguide of a stack of waveguides, light rays having a first wavefront curvature based at least in part on the determined accommodation, wherein the first wavefront curvature corresponds to a focal distance of the determined accommodation. The method further includes delivering, through a second waveguide of the stack of waveguides, light rays having a second wavefront curvature, the second wavefront curvature associated with a predetermined margin of the focal distance of the determined accommodation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Patent number: 10641603
    Abstract: A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Rony Abovitz, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Matthew D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10629004
    Abstract: A system for displaying virtual content to a user includes at least one light source to multiplex a plurality of light beams to display a respective plurality of light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides to receive the plurality of light beams and to direct the plurality of light beams toward an exit pupil, wherein the plurality of waveguides are stacked along an optical axis of the user. The system further includes at least one optical element to modify a focus of a light beam of the plurality of light beams directed by the plurality of waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian T. Schowengerdt