Abstract: Architecture and designs of modulating both amplitude and phase at the same time in spatial light modulation are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, light propagation is controlled in two different directions (e.g., 0 and 45 degrees) to perform both amplitude modulation and phase modulation at the same time in liquid crystals. In one embodiment, a mask is used to form a pattern, where the pattern includes an array of alignment cells or embossed microstructures, a first group of the cells are aligned in the first direction and a second group of the cells are aligned in the second direction. Depending on applications, two cells from the first group and the second group may correspond to a single pixel or two neighboring pixels, resulting in amplitude modulation and phase modulation within the pixel or within an array of pixels.

Abstract: A transceiver based on at least one optical source is provided to facilitate wireless communication in a wearable display device, where the wearable display device is embedded with one or more planar antennas. The transceiver operates in terahertz and may be coupled to two different antennas, one for transmission and the other for reception.

Abstract: Architecture and designs of modulating both amplitude and phase at the same time in spatial light modulation are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, light propagation is controlled in two different directions (e.g., 0 and 45 degrees) to perform both amplitude modulation and phase modulation at the same time in liquid crystals. In one embodiment, a mask is used to form a pattern, where the pattern includes an array of alignment cells or embossed microstructures, a first group of the cells are aligned in the first direction and a second group of the cells are aligned in the second direction. Depending on applications, two cells from the first group and the second group may correspond to a single pixel or two neighboring pixels, resulting in amplitude modulation and phase modulation within the pixel or within an array of pixels.

Abstract: Techniques for holographic display by modulating optical images in amplitude and phase via a layer of liquid crystals are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a voltage being applied or coupled across the layer of liquid crystals is controlled by gradually increasing the voltage from a low level to a high level to perform the AM in a first range and the PM in second range, where the characteristics of the liquid crystals is significant, for example, by increasing the thickness or optical birefringence of the layer of liquid crystals.

Abstract: Architecture and designs of modulating both amplitude and phase at the same time in spatial light modulation are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, nano-imprinting lithograph (NIL) and E-beam are used to create micro structures (transparent) as alignment cells. A first group of the alignment cells are oriented in a first direction and a second group of the alignment cells are oriented in a second direction, light going through the first group of the alignment cells is modulated in amplitude thereof and the light going through the second group of the alignment cells is modulated in phase thereof, all via the liquid crystals and at the same time.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying holograms in wearable display devices are described. An image source projects holographic images sequentially in three primary colors into a waveguide, where the images are modulated in amplitude and phase in spatial light modulator (SLM). Depending on implementation, the image source may be located next to the waveguide or an end of optical fibers, where the optical fibers are provided to transport the holographic images near the waveguide for projection thereof into the waveguide.

Abstract: Techniques for holographic display by modulating optical images in amplitude and phase via a layer of liquid crystals are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a voltage being applied or coupled across the layer of liquid crystals is controlled by gradually increasing the voltage from a low level to a high level to perform the AM in a first range and the PM in second range, where the characteristics of the liquid crystals is significant, for example, by increasing the thickness or optical birefringence of the layer of liquid crystals.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying holograms in wearable display devices are described. An image source projects holographic images sequentially in three primary colors into a waveguide, where the images are modulated in amplitude and phase in spatial light modulator (SLM). Depending on implementation, the image source may be located next to the waveguide or an end of optical fibers, where the optical fibers are provided to transport the holographic images near the waveguide for projection thereof into the waveguide.

Abstract: Techniques for modulating both amplitude and phase via a layer of liquid crystals are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a voltage being applied or coupled across the layer of liquid crystals is controlled by gradually increasing the voltage from a low level to a high level to perform the AM in a first range and the PM in second range, where the characteristics of the liquid crystals is significant, for example, by increasing the thickness or optical birefringence of the layer of liquid crystals.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing weight on wearable display devices are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, a wearable display device includes no electronic components and is coupled to an enclosure by a transmission line including only one or more optical fibers, where the fiber is responsible for transporting the content or an optical image from one end of the optical fiber to another end thereof by total internal reflections within the fiber. The optical image is picked up by a focal lens from a microdisplay in the enclosure. The optical image is in lower resolution but received by the optical fiber at a twice speed as the normal refresh rate (e.g., 120 Hz vs. 60 Hz). Two successive images in lower resolution are combined at or near the other end of the optical fiber to generate a combined image at higher resolution, where the combined image is refreshed and perceived at the normal refresh rate.

Abstract: Architecture and designs of wearable devices for viewing multimedia in 3D are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a display device is made in form of a pair of glasses. A separate enclosure is provided to generate content for display on the glasses. The content is optically picked up by an optical cable and transported by one or more optical fibers in the optical cable to the glasses, where an image polarizer, deposed on or included in the bridge of the glasses, receives the content and produces an alternating polarized content sequence.

Abstract: Designs of optical image generators are described, where an optical image generator is to produce images of light intensities from image data. According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary optical image generator includes a microdisplay comprising one or more display panels. All of the panels are formed by dividing an array of such elements into corresponding groups, hence all are self aligned. Elements in each of the groups are covered with a layer of homogeneous colored pigments or color filter. Three groups of the elements produce three colored images that are then converted into optical images for being projected into a light waveguide.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing weight on wearable display devices are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, a wearable display device includes no electronic components and is coupled to an enclosure by a transmission line including only one or more optical fibers, where the fiber is responsible for transporting the content or an optical image from one end of the optical fiber to another end thereof by total internal reflections within the fiber. The optical image is picked up by a focal lens from a microdisplay in the enclosure. The optical image is in lower resolution but received by the optical fiber at a twice speed as the normal refresh rate (e.g., 120 Hz vs. 60 Hz). Two successive images in lower resolution are combined at or near the other end of the optical fiber to generate a combined image at higher resolution, where the combined image is refreshed and perceived at the normal refresh rate.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying an input image in improved perceived resolution are described. In one aspect, a circuit is designed to include a set of memory cells, a horizontal decoder and a vertical decoder. An input image is received at an interface to the memory, the input is expanded into two separate frames in the memory, where the size of each of the two frames is identical to that of the input image. Image data in at least one of the two frames are modulated in amplitude and/or in phase. The first and second frames are then read out or displayed alternatively at twice the refresh rate originally set for the input image to achieve the perceived resolution.

Abstract: Designs of display devices using an integrated lens are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, an integrated lens includes at least one planar lens and at least one liquid lens. The planar lens includes at least a substrate and a plurality of nanosized studs while the liquid lens includes a liquid layer (e.g., liquid crystals) and two (electrodes sandwiching the liquid layer. Depending on the implementation, the studs may be in different heights, spaced evenly or unevenly and oriented towards or outwards a focal point. One of the two electrodes is patterned per a predefined pattern to have an array of small electrodes. Together with another one of the two electrodes and the planar lens, the affected electric field applied across the liquid layer achieves desired optical characteristics to allow a viewer a media advantageously through the integrated lens.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing weight on wearable display devices are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an active optical cable is used to transmit image data as well as control signals along with various instructions. The active optical cable is used between a wearable device and a control box (portable device) or extended all the way to a frame holding an integrated lens via a temple. An exemplary active optical cable includes one or more optical fibers for transporting control signals, image data and various instructions while a minimum number of wires are used (e.g., for power and ground).

Abstract: Architecture and designs of wearable devices for displaying images or videos are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a display device is made in form of a pair of glasses and includes a minimum number of parts to reduce the complexity and weight thereof. Image data along with control signals (including instruction data) is optically transported by an active optical cable all the way through a temple to a microdisplay embedded and deposed near one end of the temple of the glasses. Optical images produced by the microdisplay are captured and projected into an integrated lens or an added light waveguide on a lens for displaying the optical images before the eyes of a wearer.

Abstract: Designs of display devices using an integrated lens are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, an integrated lens includes at least one planar lens and at least one liquid lens. The planar lens includes at least a substrate and a plurality of nanosized studs while the liquid lens includes a liquid layer (e.g., liquid crystals) and two (electrodes sandwiching the liquid layer. Depending on the implementation, the studs may be in different heights, spaced evenly or unevenly and oriented towards or outwards a focal point. One of the two electrodes is patterned per a predefined pattern to have an array of small electrodes. Together with another one of the two electrodes and the planar lens, the affected electric field applied across the liquid layer achieves desired optical characteristics to allow a viewer a media advantageously through the integrated lens.

Abstract: Architecture and designs of wearable display devices are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one optical conduit is embedded in or integrated with a temple of the wearable display device. The optical conduit is used to transport an optical image from one end to another end, where the optical image is generated in an image source (e.g., microdisplay) in accordance with image data. The microdisplay is powered and receives the image data and control signals via an active optical cable.

Abstract: Architecture and designs of modulating both amplitude and phase at the same time in spatial light modulation are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, light propagation is controlled in two different directions (e.g., 0 and 45 degrees) to perform both amplitude modulation and phase modulation at the same time in liquid crystals. In one embodiment, a mask is used to form a pattern, where the pattern includes an array of alignment cells or embossed microstructures, a first group of the cells are aligned in the first direction and a second group of the cells are aligned in the second direction. Depending on applications, two cells from the first group and the second group may correspond to a single pixel or two neighboring pixels, resulting in amplitude modulation and phase modulation within the pixel or within an array of pixels.