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: 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: 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 optical device includes two or more light sources configured for providing input light beams having different wavelengths. The optical device also has a curved reflective element configured to receive the input light beams to provide two or more reflected light beams. The optical device also has a cylindrical lens for each of the reflected light beams configured to transmit each of the reflected light beams to provide a corresponding collimated output light beam.

Abstract: Examples of light projector systems for directing input light from a light source to a spatial light modulator are provided. For example, an optical device is disclosed which includes a first surface having a diffractive optical element, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a third surface arranged at an angle to the second surface. The third surface may be a beam splitting surface that is reflective to light of a first state and transmissive to light of a second state. The diffractive optical element may receive an input beam made up of light having the first state, and may convert the input beam into at least a first diffracted beam at a first diffraction angle such that the first diffracted beam is directed toward the second surface, is reflected by the second surface toward the third surface via total internal reflection, and is reflected by the third surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

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: Examples of light projector systems and methods of use. A method can include providing an optical device having a first surface, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a third surface arranged at an angle to the second surface. The third surface can be reflective to light of a first state and transmissive to light of a second state. An input beam having the first state can be normally incident on the first surface. A transmissive diffractive optical element on the first surface can convert the input beam into at least a first diffracted beam directed toward the third surface, where it is reflected by the third surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface. The reflected first diffracted beam can be modulated with image information using a spatial light modulator to produce a modulated light beam having the second state.

Abstract: Described are optical fibers and scanning fiber displays comprising optical fibers. The disclosed optical fibers include a plurality of mass adjustment regions, such as gas-filled regions, positioned between a central waveguiding element and an outer periphery for reducing a mass of the optical fiber as compared to an optical fiber lacking the plurality of mass adjustment regions.

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: Examples of light projector systems for directing input light from a light source to a spatial light modulator are provided. For example, an optical device is disclosed which includes a first surface having a diffractive optical element, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a third surface arranged at an angle to the second surface. The third surface may be a beam splitting surface that is reflective to light of a first state and transmissive to light of a second state. The diffractive optical element may receive an input beam made up of light having the first state, and may convert the input beam into at least a first diffracted beam at a first diffraction angle such that the first diffracted beam is directed toward the second surface, is reflected by the second surface toward the third surface via total internal reflection, and is reflected by the third surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface.

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: 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: Examples of light projector systems for directing input light from a light source to a spatial light modulator are provided. For example, an optical device is disclosed which includes a first surface having a diffractive optical element, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a third surface arranged at an angle to the second surface. The third surface may be a beam splitting surface that is reflective to light of a first state and transmissive to light of a second state. The diffractive optical element may receive an input beam made up of light having the first state, and may convert the input beam into at least a first diffracted beam at a first diffraction angle such that the first diffracted beam is directed toward the second surface, is reflected by the second surface toward the third surface via total internal reflection, and is reflected by the third surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: Examples of light projector systems for directing input light from a light source to a spatial light modulator are provided. For example, an optical device is disclosed which includes a first surface having a diffractive optical element, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a third surface arranged at an angle to the second surface. The third surface may be a beam splitting surface that is reflective to light of a first state and transmissive to light of a second state. The diffractive optical element may receive an input beam made up of light having the first state, and convert the input beam into at least a first diffracted beam at a first diffraction angle such that the first diffracted beam is directed toward the third surface and is reflected by the third surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface.

Abstract: Described are optical fibers and scanning fiber displays comprising optical fibers. The disclosed optical fibers include a plurality of mass adjustment regions, such as gas-filled regions, positioned between a central waveguiding element and an outer periphery for reducing a mass of the optical fiber as compared to an optical fiber lacking the plurality of mass adjustment regions.

Abstract: Described are optical fibers and scanning fiber displays comprising optical fibers. The disclosed optical fibers include a plurality of mass adjustment regions, such as gas-filled regions, positioned between a central waveguiding element and an outer periphery for reducing a mass of the optical fiber as compared to an optical fiber lacking the plurality of mass adjustment regions.

Abstract: A light bar includes a plurality of first color light emitting LEDs including a first subset of first color light emitting LEDs and a second subset of first color light emitting LEDs, a plurality of second color light emitting LEDs, where the second color is different from the first color, and a plurality of third color light emitting LEDs, where the third color is different from the first and the second colors. The second subset of first color light emitting LEDs are electrically connected in series with a larger electrical load than the first subset of first color light emitting LEDs. This light bar electrical configuration allows compensation and correction for locations on the light guide plate used in back light units where imperfect mixing of the 3 primary colors provided by the individual LED emitters on the light bar occurs.

Abstract: An optical device comprising 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 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.