Abstract: A device and method for cursor motion control, calibration of the motion control, and object selection and computer command input.

Abstract: In a scanning display apparatus an image signal source produces an image signal. A light emitter is coupled to the image signal source and responsive to the image signal to emit light. A lensing system receives light from the light emitter and passes exiting light. A scanner scans the image light. A light sensor detects intensity of background light. A controller adjusts intensity of the image light in response to the detected background light intensity.

Abstract: A display device is achieved using a simplified optical system which generates an expanded exit pupil without compromising magnification or resolution. Modulated light from a source is converged toward a focal point by an optics subsystem. A scanning subsystem deflects the converging light, and thus the focal point, along a raster pattern to define a curved intermediate image plane. An exit pupil expanding apparatus defines a curved surface which coincides with the curved image plane. Impinging light rays at a given instant in time span a given incidence angle. Exiting light rays span a larger angle. As a result, the exiting light spans a larger surface area of an ensuing eyepiece. In turn an expanded exit pupil occurs beyond the eyepiece. Embodiments of the expanding apparatus include a curved diffractive optical element, fiber optic face plate, lens array and diffuser. The diffractive optical element generates multiple exit pupils, while the other embodiments generate enlarged exit pupils.

Abstract: In a scanning display apparatus an image signal source produces an image signal. A light emitter is coupled to the image signal source and responsive to the image signal to emit light. A lensing system receives light from the light emitter and passes exiting light. A scanner scans the image light. A light sensor detects intensity of background light. A controller adjusts intensity of the image light in response to the detected background light intensity.

Abstract: A device for image transmission includes a first scanner at a first location and a second scanner at a second location, with an optical fiber linking the scanners. The first scanner scans the first location and couples light from the first location to the optical fiber. The fiber transmits the light to the second location where the second scanner constructs an image of the second location from the light. The two scanners are synchronized so that the constructed image corresponds directly to the scanned scene. The second scanner may be part of a retinal scanner, so that the image is formed directly on the user's retina. In another embodiment, the each of the scanners acts as a transceiver so that imaging is bi-directional.

Abstract: Light emitted from a virtual retinal display light source passes through a beamsplitter to a scanning subsystem and on to an eyepiece and the viewer's eye. Some of the light is reflected from the viewer's eye passing back along the same path. Such light however is deflected at the beamsplitter toward a photodetector. The reflected light is detected and correlated to the display scanner's position. The content of the reflected light and the scanner position for such sample is used to generate a map of the viewer's retina. Such map includes ‘landmarks’ such as the viewer's optic nerve, fovea, and blood vessels. The map of the viewer's retina is stored and used for purposes of viewer identification. The viewer's fovea position is monitored to track where the viewer is looking.

Abstract: In a scanning display apparatus an image signal source produces an image signal. A light emitter is coupled to the image signal source and responsive to the image signal to emit light. A lens receives light from the light emitter and passes exiting light, the exiting light having a focal distance. A controller alters the index of refraction of lens to alter the focal distance of the exiting light.

Abstract: A scanned beam tracking system is included in a virtual retinal display. An infrared light source generates light for scanning the viewer's environment in the direction the viewer is looking. A visible light source generates visible light which is scanned on a viewer's retina to generate a virtual image. A common scanning system is used to scan both the non-visible light and the visible light. The visible light is directed into the viewer's eye. The non-visible light is directed away from the viewer's eye into the environment. Infrared reflectors are positioned in the environment. When the infrared light from the virtual retinal display scans over a reflector the reflector directs the infrared light back toward the virtual retinal display. The current pixel of the scanning cycle when the infrared return light is detected corresponds to the position of the reflector.

Abstract: An method for stabilized photonic transmission is described. A light source of limited coherence length is wavelength shifted, stabilized, and data encoded to provide a stabilized photonic signal. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation techniques are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation technique. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: Apparent distance of a pixel within an optical field of view is determined. Incoming light is scanned along a raster pattern to direct light for a select pixel onto a light distance detector. The distance is sampled for each pixel or for a group of pixels. The light distance detector includes a concentric set of rings sensors. The larger the spot of light corresponding to the pixel, the more rings are impinged. The diameter of the spot is proportional to the distance at which the light originated (e.g., light source or object from which light was reflected). Alternatively, a variable focus lens (VFL) adjusts focal length for a given pixel to achieve a standard spot size. The distance at which the light originated correlates to the focal length of the VFL.

Abstract: Apparent distance of a pixel within an optical field of view is determined. Incoming light is scanned along a raster pattern to direct light for a select pixel onto a light distance detector. The distance is sampled for each pixel or for a group of pixels. The light distance detector includes a concentric set of rings sensors. The larger the spot of light corresponding to the pixel, the more rings are impinged. The diameter of the spot is proportional to the distance at which the light originated (e.g., light source or object from which light was reflected). Alternatively, a variable focus lens (VFL) adjusts focal length for a given pixel to achieve a standard spot size. The distance at which the light originated correlates to the focal length of the VFL.

Abstract: A scanned beam tracking system is included in a virtual retinal display. An infrared light source generates light for scanning the viewer's environment in the direction the viewer is looking. A visible light source generates visible light which is scanned on a viewer's retina to generate a virtual image. A common scanning system is used to scan both the non-visible light and the visible light. The visible light is directed into the viewer's eye. The non-visible light is directed away from the viewer's eye into the environment. Infrared reflectors are positioned in the environment. When the infrared light from the virtual retinal display scans over a reflector the reflector directs the infrared light back toward the virtual retinal display. The current pixel of the scanning cycle when the infrared return light is detected corresponds to the position of the reflector.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilized photonic transmission is described. A light source of limited coherence length is wavelength shifted, stabilized, and data encoded to provide a stabilized photonic signal. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation devices are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation device. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: An apparatus for photonic wavelength shifting and stabilization is described. The apparatus receives a photonic signal, comprised of one or more channels, and provides a wavelength shifted, stabilized, and channelized photonic signal. Data encoding is also supported. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation devices are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation device. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: A method for photonic wavelength shifting and stabilization is described. The method receives a photonic signal, comprised of one or more channels, and provides a wavelength shifted, stabilized, and channelized photonic signal. Data encoding is also supported. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation techniques are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation technique. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: An apparatus for photonic wavelength shifting and stabilization is described. The apparatus receives a photonic signal, comprised of one or more channels, and provides a wavelength shifted, stabilized, and channelized photonic signal. Data encoding is also supported. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation devices are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation device. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: Light emitted from a virtual retinal display light source passes through a beamsplitter to a scanning subsystem and on to an eyepiece and the viewer's eye. Some of the light is reflected from the viewer's eye passing back along the same path. Such light however is deflected at the beamsplitter toward a photodetector. The reflected light is detected and correlated to the display scanner's position. The content of the reflected light and the scanner position for such sample is used to generate a map of the viewer's retina. Such map includes ‘landmarks’ such as the viewer's optic nerve, fovea, and blood vessels. The map of the viewer's retina is stored and used for purposes of viewer identification.

Abstract: In a scanning display apparatus an image signal source produces an image signal. A light emitter is coupled to the image signal source and responsive to the image signal to emit light. A lens receives light from the light emitter and passes exiting light, the exiting light having a focal distance. A controller alters the index of refraction of lens to alter the focal distance of the exiting light.

Abstract: A method for photonic wavelength shifting and stabilization is described. The method receives a photonic signal, comprised of one or more channels, and provides a wavelength shifted, stabilized, and channelized photonic signal. Data encoding is also supported. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation techniques are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation technique. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: A scanning beam display controls the curvature of scanning light wave impinging on the eye to simulate image points of differing depth. To simulate an object at a far distance the generated light waves are flatter. To simulate closer objects, the light wave curvature increases. When changing the curvature of the light waves, the eye responds by altering its focus. The curvature of the light waves thus determines the apparent focal distance from the eye to the virtual object. To vary the curvature, either a variable focus lens or a variable index of refraction device is used. Alternatively, a moving point source is used. The generated apparent distance of a virtual object is correlated to a detected distance in a background field of view. Intensity of the virtual object is correlated to detected intensity of background light.