Abstract: A wearable display system includes a light projection system having one or more emissive micro-displays, e.g., micro-LED displays. The light projection system projects time-multiplexed left-eye and right-eye images, which pass through an optical router having a polarizer and a switchable polarization rotator. The optical router is synchronized with the generation of images by the light projection system to impart a first polarization to left-eye images and a second different polarization to right-eye images. Light of the first polarization is incoupled into an eyepiece having one or more waveguides for outputting light to one of the left and right eyes, while light of the second polarization may be incoupled into another eyepiece having one or more waveguides for outputting light to the other of the left and right eyes. Each eyepiece may output incoupled light with variable amounts of wavefront divergence, to elicit different accommodation responses from the user's eyes.

Abstract: An illustrative system includes one or more processors configured to perform a process. The process may comprise obtaining a distortion factor representative of an amount of distortion imparted by one or more optical elements of an image viewer of a computer-assisted surgical system on images displayed by way of the image viewer; obtaining image data representative of an image that is displayable by way of the image viewer; modifying, based on the distortion factor, the image data to correct for the distortion imparted by the one or more optical elements of the image viewer, the modifying resulting in modified image data representative of the image; and directing the computer-assisted surgical system to display, based on the modified image data, the image by way of the image viewer.

Abstract: Head-mounted virtual and augmented reality display systems include a light projector with one or more emissive micro-displays having a first resolution and a pixel pitch. The projector outputs light forming frames of virtual content having at least a portion associated with a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The projector outputs light forming a first subframe of the rendered frame at the first resolution, and parts of the projector are shifted using actuators, such that physical positions of light output for individual pixels occupy gaps between the old locations of light output for individual pixels. The projector then outputs light forming a second subframe of the rendered frame. The first and second subframes are outputted within the flicker fusion threshold. Advantageously, an emissive micro-display (e.g., micro-LED display) having a low resolution can form a frame having a higher resolution by using the same light emitters to function as multiple pixels of that frame.

Abstract: A head-mounted apparatus include an eyepiece that include a variable dimming assembly and a frame mounting the eyepiece so that a user side of the eyepiece faces a towards a user and a world side of the eyepiece opposite the first side faces away from the user. The dynamic dimming assembly selectively modulates an intensity of light transmitted parallel to an optical axis from the world side to the user side during operation.

Abstract: An example head-mounted display device includes a light projector, an optical assembly arranged to direct light from a light projector to a user, and an actuator module. The optical assembly includes a variable focus lens assembly including a rigid refractive component, a shaper ring defining an aperture, and a flexible lens membrane between the shaper ring and the rigid refractive component and covering the aperture. The refractive component, the shaper ring, and the lens membrane are arranged along an axis. The refractive component and the lens membrane define a chamber containing a volume of fluid. The actuator module is configured to adjust an optical power of the variable focus lens by moving the shaper ring relative to the refractive component along the axis, such that a curvature of the lens membrane in the aperture is modified.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes one or more nanowire LED micro-displays. The nanowire micro-LED displays may be monochrome or full-color. The nanowire LEDs forming the arrays may have an advantageously narrow angular emission profile and high light output. Where a plurality of nanowire LED micro-displays is utilized, the micro-displays may be positioned at different sides of an optical combiner, for example, an X-cube prism which receives light rays from different micro-displays and outputs the light rays from the same face of the cube. The optical combiner directs the light to projection optics, which outputs the light to an eyepiece that relays the light to a user's eye. The eyepiece may output the light to the user's eye with different amounts of wavefront divergence, to place virtual content on different depth planes.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side. During use, a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the wearable display system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user's field of view of the user's environment. The system also includes an optical attenuator arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack, the optical attenuator having a layer of a birefringent material having a plurality of domains each having a principal optic axis oriented in a corresponding direction different from the direction of other domains. Each domain of the optical attenuator reduces transmission of visible light incident on the optical attenuator for a corresponding different range of angles of incidence.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an augmented reality system includes at least one waveguide that is configured to receive and redirect light toward a user, and is further configured to allow ambient light from an environment of the user to pass therethrough toward the user. The augmented reality system also includes a first adaptive lens assembly positioned between the at least one waveguide and the environment, a second adaptive lens assembly positioned between the at least one waveguide and the user, and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first and second adaptive lens assemblies. Each lens assembly of the augmented reality system is selectively switchable between at least two different states in which the respective lens assembly is configured to impart at least two different optical powers to light passing therethrough, respectively.

Abstract: An optical device may include a wedge-shaped light turning element, a first surface that is parallel to a horizontal axis, a second surface opposite to the first surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal axis by a wedge angle, and a light module including light emitters. The light module can be configured to combine light emitted by the emitters. The optical device can further include a light input surface that is between the first and the second surfaces and disposed with respect to the light module to receive light emitted from the emitters. The optical device may include an end reflector disposed on a side opposite the light input surface. Light coupled into the light turning element may be reflected by the end reflector and/or reflected from the second surface towards the first surface.

Abstract: Illuminations systems that separate different colors into laterally displaced beams may be used to direct different color image content into an eyepiece for displaying images in the eye. Such an eyepiece may be used, for example, for an augmented reality head mounted display. Illumination systems may be provided that utilize one or more waveguides to direct light from a light source towards a spatial light modulator. Light from the spatial light modulator may be directed towards an eyepiece. Some aspects of the invention provide for light of different colors to be outcoupled at different angles from the one or more waveguides and directed along different beam paths.

Abstract: Disclosed are dimming assemblies and display systems for reducing artifacts produced by optically-transmissive displays. A system may include a substrate upon which a plurality of electronic components are disposed. The electronic components may include a plurality of pixels, a plurality of conductors, and a plurality of circuit modules. The plurality of pixels may be arranged in a two-dimensional array, with each pixel having a two-dimensional geometry corresponding to a shape with at least one curved side. The plurality of conductors may be arranged adjacent to the plurality of pixels. The system may also include control circuitry electrically coupled to the plurality of conductors. The control circuitry may be configured to apply electrical signals to the plurality of circuit modules by way of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A head-mounted apparatus include an eyepiece that include a variable dimming assembly and a frame mounting the eyepiece so that a user side of the eyepiece faces a towards a user and a world side of the eyepiece opposite the first side faces away from the user. The dynamic dimming assembly selectively modulates an intensity of light transmitted parallel to an optical axis from the world side to the user side during operation.

Abstract: An optical device may include a light turning element. The optical device can include a first surface that is parallel to a horizontal axis and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The optical device may include a light module that includes a plurality of light emitters. The light module can be configured to combine light for the plurality of emitters. The optical device can further include a light input surface that is between the first and the second surfaces and is disposed with respect to the light module to receive light emitted from the plurality of emitters. The optical device may include an end reflector that is disposed on a side opposite the light input surface. The second surface may be inclined such that a height of the light input surface is less than a height of the side opposite the light input surface. The light coupled into the light turning element may be reflected by the end reflector and/or reflected from the second surface towards the first surface.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side, wherein during use a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user's view of the user's environment. The wearable display system also includes an angularly selective film arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack. The angularly selective film includes a polarization adjusting film arranged between pair of linear polarizers. The linear polarizers and polarization adjusting film significantly reduces transmission of visible light incident on the angularly selective film at large angles of incidence without significantly reducing transmission of light incident on the angularly selective film at small angles of incidence.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side. During use, a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the wearable display system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user's field of view of the user's environment. The system also includes an optical attenuator arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack, the optical attenuator having a layer of a birefringent material having a plurality of domains each having a principal optic axis oriented in a corresponding direction different from the direction of other domains. Each domain of the optical attenuator reduces transmission of visible light incident on the optical attenuator for a corresponding different range of angles of incidence.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an augmented reality system includes at least one waveguide that is configured to receive and redirect light toward a user, and is further configured to allow ambient light from an environment of the user to pass therethrough toward the user. The augmented reality system also includes a first adaptive lens assembly positioned between the at least one waveguide and the environment, a second adaptive lens assembly positioned between the at least one waveguide and the user, and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first and second adaptive lens assemblies. Each lens assembly of the augmented reality system is selectively switchable between at least two different states in which the respective lens assembly is configured to impart at least two different optical powers to light passing therethrough, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed are dimming assemblies and display systems for reducing artifacts produced by optically-transmissive displays. A system may include a substrate upon which a plurality of electronic components are disposed. The electronic components may include a plurality of pixels, a plurality of conductors, and a plurality of circuit modules. The plurality of pixels may be arranged in a two-dimensional array, with each pixel having a two-dimensional geometry corresponding to a shape with at least one curved side. The plurality of conductors may be arranged adjacent to the plurality of pixels. The system may also include control circuitry electrically coupled to the plurality of conductors. The control circuitry may be configured to apply electrical signals to the plurality of circuit modules by way of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: Illuminations systems that separate different colors into laterally displaced beams may be used to direct different color image content into an eyepiece for displaying images in the eye. Such an eyepiece may be used, for example, for an augmented reality head mounted display. Illumination systems may be provided that utilize one or more waveguides to direct light from a light source towards a spatial light modulator. Light from the spatial light modulator may be directed towards an eyepiece. Some aspects of the invention provide for light of different colors to be outcoupled at different angles from the one or more waveguides and directed along different beam paths.

Abstract: An eyepiece for projecting an image light field to an eye of a viewer for forming an image of virtual content includes a waveguide, a light source configured to deliver a light beam to be incident on the waveguide, a controller coupled to the light source and configured to modulate an intensity of the light beam in a plurality of time slots, a dynamic input coupling grating (ICG) configured to, for each time slot, diffract a respective portion of the light beam into the waveguide at a respective total internal reflection (TIR) angle corresponding to a respective field angle, and an outcoupling diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to diffract each respective portion of the light beam out of the waveguide toward the eye at the respective field angle, thereby projecting the light field to the eye of the viewer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include monitoring eye orientations of a user of a display system based on detected sensor information. A fixation point is determined based on the eye orientations, the fixation point representing a three-dimensional location with respect to a field of view. Location information of virtual objects to present is obtained, with the location information indicating three-dimensional positions of the virtual objects. Resolutions of at least one virtual object is adjusted based on a proximity of the at least one virtual object to the fixation point. The virtual objects are presented to a user by display system with the at least one virtual object being rendered according to the adjusted resolution.