Abstract: A display for displaying an image to a viewer includes an image generator having an illumination subsystem generating illumination of at least a first color, the image generator employing the illumination to generate an image. Projection optics projects illumination from the image for display to the viewer. The illumination subsystem includes a first laser generating a first laser beam of the first color with a first polarization and a second laser generating a second laser beam of the first color with a second polarization. The first and second polarizations are orthogonal at at least one location within the projection optics, thereby projecting a quasi-unpolarized image.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an image to a human eye (30) and deriving a gaze direction includes an image-output lightguide (20), visible and non-visible illumination coupling-out arrangements (22V, 24V), a receiving lightguide (50), and a filter layer (56, 56a, 56b). The image-output lightguide guides light by internal reflection. The visible-image coupling-out arrangement couples out visible light corresponding to a visible image, while the non-visible-illumination coupling-out arrangement couples out non-visible illumination of at least one wavelength. The receiving lightguide (50) has a coupling-in configuration (52V) for non-visible illumination reflected from the eye. The filter layer (56, 56a, 56b) blocks non-visible light from passing to the eye except in the non-visible-light coupling-out area (57a, 57b), which is smaller than an image coupling-out area (53).

Abstract: A light-guide optical element (LOE) includes a transparent substrate having two parallel major external surfaces for guiding light within the substrate by total internal reflection (TIR). Mutually parallel internal surfaces within the LOE are provided with a structural polarizer which is transparent to light polarized parallel to a primary polarization transmission axis, and is partially or fully reflective to light polarized perpendicular to the primary polarization transmission axis. By suitable orientation of the polarization axis of successive internal surfaces together with the polarization mixing properties of TIR and/or use of birefringent materials, it is possible to achieve the desired proportion of coupling-out of the image illumination from each successive facet.

Abstract: A light-guide optical element (LOE) includes a transparent substrate having two parallel major external surfaces for guiding light within the substrate by total internal reflection (TIR). Mutually parallel internal surfaces within the LOE are provided with a structural polarizer which is transparent to light polarized parallel to a primary polarization transmission axis, and is partially or fully reflective to light polarized perpendicular to the primary polarization transmission axis. By suitable orientation of the polarization axis of successive internal surfaces together with the polarization mixing properties of TIR and/or use of birefringent materials, it is possible to achieve the desired proportion of coupling-out of the image illumination from each successive facet.

Abstract: An image projector employing a laser scanning illumination arrangement to illumination a spatial light modulator (SLM), where an angular beam spreader element, typically a diffuser or a micro-lens array (MLA), adjacent to, or in a conjugate plane with, the SLM, enhances filling of the exit aperture while minimizing impact on the precision of scanning of the laser illumination on the SLM. Also disclosed are various schemes for synchronous rolling update of the SLM during scanned illumination, and systems employing binary-switchable SLMs.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.

Abstract: A light-guide optical element (LOE) includes a transparent substrate having two parallel major external surfaces for guiding light within the substrate by total internal reflection (TIR). Mutually parallel internal surfaces within the LOE are provided with a structural polarizer which is transparent to light polarized parallel to a primary polarization transmission axis, and is partially or fully reflective to light polarized perpendicular to the primary polarization transmission axis. By suitable orientation of the polarization axis of successive internal surfaces together with the polarization mixing properties of TIR and/or use of birefringent materials, it is possible to achieve the desired proportion of coupling-out of the image illumination from each successive facet.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.

Abstract: An image projector employing a laser scanning illumination arrangement to illumination a spatial light modulator (SLM), where an angular beam spreader element, typically a diffuser or a micro-lens array (MLA), adjacent to, or in a conjugate plane with, the SLM, enhances filling of the exit aperture while minimizing impact on the precision of scanning of the laser illumination on the SLM. Also disclosed are various schemes for synchronous rolling update of the SLM during scanned illumination, and systems employing binary-switchable SLMs.

Abstract: A display includes a light-guide optical element (LOE) (20) and a projector arrangement (10a) for injecting an image into the LOE so as to propagate within the LOE by internal reflection at a pair of major faces. The image is coupled out from the LOE by a coupling-out arrangement, exemplified here as internal partially-reflecting surfaces (22b). The image is coupled out from the LOE in a direction away from the eye of the observer (24b), and a reflector (30) reflects the coupled-out image back through the LOE (32), towards the eye of the observer (26). Reflector (30) is preferably a selective partial reflector, and may be convex to provide a desired apparent image distance.

Abstract: An optical system for displaying an image includes a waveguide (10) having two major surfaces (12, 14) that support propagation of image illumination by internal reflection. A coupling-out configuration (16, 18) couples out image illumination towards the eye of the user. An image projector (20) is coupled so as to introduce image illumination into the waveguide so as to propagate by internal reflection. The waveguide also contains a symmetrical beam multiplier region, distinct from the coupling-out region, having one or more beam splitters (24) internal to the waveguide and parallel to its major surfaces. The symmetrical beam multiplier may be used to fill in a conjugate image after a compact coupling-in configuration, and/or may be used to fill the waveguide with the image as an intermediate stage (36) between two optical aperture expansion configurations (32, 34).

Abstract: An image projector employing a laser scanning illumination arrangement to illumination a spatial light modulator (SLM), where an angular beam spreader element, typically a diffuser or a micro-lens array (MLA), adjacent to, or in a conjugate plane with, the SLM, enhances filling of the exit aperture while minimizing impact on the precision of scanning of the laser illumination on the SLM. Also disclosed are various schemes for synchronous rolling update of the SLM during scanned illumination, and systems employing binary-switchable SLMs.

Abstract: An image projector employing a laser scanning illumination arrangement to illumination a spatial light modulator (SLM), where an angular beam spreader element, typically a diffuser or a micro-lens array (MLA), adjacent to, or in a conjugate plane with, the SLM, enhances filling of the exit aperture while minimizing impact on the precision of scanning of the laser illumination on the SLM. Also disclosed are various schemes for synchronous rolling update of the SLM during scanned illumination, and systems employing binary-switchable SLMs.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a lightguide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.

Abstract: A display for displaying an image to a viewer includes an image generator having an illumination subsystem generating illumination of at least a first color, the image generator employing the illumination to generate an image. Projection optics projects illumination from the image for display to the viewer. The illumination subsystem includes a first laser generating a first laser beam of the first color with a first polarization and a second laser generating a second laser beam of the first color with a second polarization. The first and second polarizations are orthogonal at at least one location within the projection optics, thereby projecting a quasi-unpolarized image.

Abstract: A light-guide optical element (LOE) includes a transparent substrate having two parallel major external surfaces for guiding light within the substrate by total internal reflection (TIR). Mutually parallel internal surfaces within the LOE are provided with a structural polarizer which is transparent to light polarized parallel to a primary polarization transmission axis, and is partially or fully reflective to light polarized perpendicular to the primary polarization transmission axis. By suitable orientation of the polarization axis of successive internal surfaces together with the polarization mixing properties of TIR and/or use of birefringent materials, it is possible to achieve the desired proportion of coupling-out of the image illumination from each successive facet.

Abstract: A display and method for providing an image to an eye of a viewer is provided. The display comprises at least two projector assemblies. Each projector assembly comprises a light-guide optical element (LOE), and an image projector arrangement for generating a partial image and being deployed to introduce the partial image into the LOE for coupling out towards the eye of the viewer. The at least two projector assemblies cooperate to display the image to the eye of the viewer with partial overlap. The display further comprises a controller associated with the image projector arrangements and configured to reduce a pixel intensity of selected pixels in a region of partial overlap between the first and second part of the image so as to enhance a perceived uniformity of the image.