Patents by Inventor Evan M. Richards

Evan M. Richards has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180157053
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device including a backlight with an LED assembly. The LED assembly includes a dichroic combiner and two or more different color LEDs. A substrate of the dichroic combiner receives color light from multiple color LEDs at different input regions and propagating in different directions. Dielectric layers within the substrate selectively reflect or transmit the color light to spatially superimpose the color light, and output the color light in a particular direction at a light output region of the substrate. The light output regions of LED assemblies are arranged behind an LCD panel, along one or more edges, to illuminate the LCD panel. The LED assembly provides edge-lighting without requiring LED placement along the one or more edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Shie Ping Jeffrey Tseng, Jianru Shi, Yue Shi
  • Publication number: 20180120497
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device including a backlight with vertically stacked light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LCD device includes an LCD panel and a backlight for illuminating the LCD panel. The backlight includes a plurality of LEDs and a light guide. The plurality of LEDs are stacked vertically and disposed behind the LCD panel along one or more edges of the LCD panel. The plurality of LEDs include at least a first color LED and a second color LED emitting first light and second light at a first direction, respectively, at a first wavelength and a second wavelength, respectively. The light guide is disposed behind the LCD panel and adjacent to the plurality of LEDs. The light guide is configured to combine the first light and the second light received from the plurality of LEDs into combined light to illuminate the LCD panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Jianru Shi, Evan M. Richards, Yue Shi, Shie Ping Jeffrey Tseng
  • Patent number: 9905168
    Abstract: A method for correcting non-uniformities of one or more display panels of a HMD (e.g., a VR headset or an AR headset) is disclosed, where the method is based on a luminance level of content being displayed. The method includes obtaining the calibration data for correcting non-uniformity of a display panel of the HMD at various brightness levels and storing the data. In response to receiving a request for providing content to be presented on the HMD, the host applies the calibration data based on a luminance level of content being rendered to correct for any non-uniformities of the one or more display panels while rendering the content for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Andrew T. Forsyth, Shizhe Shen
  • Patent number: 9859527
    Abstract: An electronic display includes a substrate and a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer deposited on a top surface of the substrate. The TFT layer includes a plurality of driving TFTs that are configured to provide current to one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The electronic display also includes an emission layer deposited on a top surface of the TFT layer. The emission layer includes emission areas and non-emission areas that separate the emission areas. The emission areas include a plurality of OLEDs and each of the OLEDs are configured to be driven by one or more of the TFTs to emit light. The electronic display also includes a reflective layer formed on a bottom surface of the substrate. The reflective layer is configured to reflect at least some of the light emitted from the OLEDs toward the non-emission areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Shizhe Shen, Evan M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170343732
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) including an electronic display. The electronic display is configured to output image light. The electronic display includes a display panel including a surface configured to emit image light, and a fiber optic taper. The fiber optic taper includes a mounting surface and a display surface. The mounting surface is formed to, and affixed to, the surface of the display panel to receive the image light from the display panel. The display surface has a shape configured to output the image light corrected for optical distortion in the image light received from the cylindrically curved display panel. The HMD includes an optics block configured to optically direct the corrected image light to an exit pupil of the HMD corresponding to a location of an eye of a user of the HMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Evan M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170309234
    Abstract: Example embodiments of disclosed configurations include a liquid crystal display with segmented backlight units that can be controlled individually. In one or more embodiments, the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystals grouped into a plurality of liquid crystal portions, and a backlight coupled to the liquid crystal layer. The backlight includes a plurality of backlight units, where each backlight unit faces a corresponding liquid crystal portion and is configured to project light towards the corresponding liquid crystal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Evan M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170308161
    Abstract: A head mounted display system includes a display device and an eyetracking device. The display device includes a liquid crystal (LC) panel comprising a plurality of rows of pixels, a back light unit (BLU), and a data driver. The BLU emits light during an illumination period of a frame period from an illumination start time and does not emit light for a remaining portion of the frame period. The eyetracking device determines an eye gaze area of a user in a pixel area of the display device. The illumination start time varies based on a location of the eye gaze area of the user. Liquid crystal material in a row of pixels of the LC panel outside the eye gaze area of the user transitions during the illumination period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Jianru Shi, Fenglin Peng
  • Publication number: 20170309233
    Abstract: Example embodiments of disclosed configurations include a display device with a liquid crystal layer and an organic light emitting diode backlight. In one or more embodiments, the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystals grouped into a plurality of liquid crystal portions, and the organic light emitting diode backlight coupled to the liquid crystal layer. The organic light emitting diode backlight includes a plurality of OLED backlight portions, where each OLED backlight portion faces a corresponding liquid crystal portion and is configured to project light towards the corresponding liquid crystal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nirav Rajendra Patel, Evan M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170309245
    Abstract: A display device that includes a liquid crystal (LC) panel, a back light unit (BLU), a first data driver, and a second data driver. The back light unit (BLU) emits light during an illumination portion of a frame period and does not emit light during a remaining portion of the frame period. A first data driver writes data to a first portion of the pixels of the LC panel. A second data driver writes data to a second portion of the pixels of the LC panel. The first and second data drivers write data at an overlapping time during a write portion of the frame period. The write portion overlaps in time with the remaining portion of the frame period during which the BLU does not emit light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Nirav Rajendra Patel
  • Publication number: 20170287409
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystals in a pixel area and a backlight unit coupled to the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of pixels are disposed in the pixel area. The backlight unit is configured to project light towards the entire pixel area of the liquid crystal layer during an illumination time period of a frame time, and not to project the light towards any of the pixel area of the liquid crystal layer during a non-illumination time period of the frame time. By enabling the backlight unit for the illumination time period less than the frame time, image streaking and latency can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Nirav Rajendra Patel, Jianru Shi
  • Patent number: 9778414
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) including an electronic display. The electronic display is configured to output image light. The electronic display includes a display panel including a surface configured to emit image light, and a fiber optic taper. The fiber optic taper includes a mounting surface and a display surface. The mounting surface is formed to, and affixed to, the surface of the display panel to receive the image light from the display panel. The display surface has a shape configured to output the image light corrected for optical distortion in the image light received from the cylindrically curved display panel. The HMD includes an optics block configured to optically direct the corrected image light to an exit pupil of the HMD corresponding to a location of an eye of a user of the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventor: Evan M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20160343315
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes an electronic display element and an optics block. The electronic display element includes a plurality of display panels that together output image light. The plurality of panels including a first display panel and a second display panel. The first display panel includes a first plurality of sub-pixels that are separated from each other by a non-emission area. The second panel includes a second plurality of sub-pixels. The second display panel is positioned offset from the first display panel such that the second plurality of sub-pixels emit light through the non-emission area of the first display panel. The optics block configured to direct the image light to an exit pupil of the HMD corresponding to a location of an eye of a user of the HMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Shizhe Shen, Atman Jacob Binstock
  • Publication number: 20160341953
    Abstract: An eyecup assembly includes an electronic display element of a head-mounted display (HMD), a transparent plastic frame, an eyecup of the HMD, and a coupling interface. The plastic frame is laminated to the electronic display element and includes a center portion and a peripheral portion. The center portion includes an optical component and the peripheral portion including at least two protruding alignment structures. The eyecup includes alignment structures coupled to the at least two protruding alignment structures on the frame. The coupling interface interfaces with an alignment system. The alignment system is configured to align the eyecup assembly to the electronic display by adjusting a position of the electronic display relative to the eyecup so that a test image displayed by the electronic display after transmission through the optical component in the frame and an aperture of the eyecup is within a threshold value of a reference image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Shie Ping Jeffrey Tseng, Evan M. Richards, Shizhe Shen
  • Publication number: 20160334562
    Abstract: A lightguide assembly including structures to provide for outcoupling of light from an internal reflection structure. In an embodiment, a lightguide assembly includes light transmissive bodies forming respective corrugations which are coupled to one another. Optical coatings are variously disposed between the respective corrugations, wherein the optical coatings provide for redirection of light from the lightguide assembly. In another embodiment, optical coatings are each applied to a respective one of alternate facets of a corrugation. Polymer film portions provide mechanical support for the optical coatings during application to the corrugation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Anurag Gupta, Ozan Cakmakci
  • Patent number: 9494485
    Abstract: A system for measuring transparent optical elements includes a beam generator, optomechanics, an imaging module, and a logic unit. The beam generator is driven to emit a beam directed at a transparent optical element that is aligned by optomechanics. An image is captured of the beam after the beam reflects off of surfaces of the transparent optical element. The image is analyzed to measure tolerances of the transparent optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Anurag Gupta
  • Publication number: 20160320559
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) including an electronic display. The electronic display is configured to output image light. The electronic display includes a display panel including a surface configured to emit image light, and a fiber optic taper. The fiber optic taper includes a mounting surface and a display surface. The mounting surface is formed to, and affixed to, the surface of the display panel to receive the image light from the display panel. The display surface has a shape configured to output the image light corrected for optical distortion in the image light received from the cylindrically curved display panel. The HMD includes an optics block configured to optically direct the corrected image light to an exit pupil of the HMD corresponding to a location of an eye of a user of the HMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: Evan M. Richards
  • Patent number: 9470633
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing transmittance includes a sample unit to position a material under test. The material under test is disposed between respective flat surfaces of a first mount and a second mount, which are positioned in the sample unit for a test round. The sample unit defines a first volume and a second volume, wherein arc shapes, variously formed by respective surfaces of the first and second volume, conform to an imaginary circle. During the test round, a rotation unit successively changes an angular position of the MUT relative to a light source. A light detector receives light from the light source which has been transmitted through the first volume, the MUT and the second volume. Based on the received light, a transmittance signature of the MUT is determined for a range of incidence angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 9465215
    Abstract: An optical apparatus for a head wearable display includes a lightguide, in-coupling holograms, and an out-coupling optical element. The lightguide includes an in-coupling region for receiving display light into the lightguide, an out-coupling region for emitting the display light out of the lightguide, and a relay region for guiding a path of the display light from the in-coupling region to the out-coupling region. A first of the in-coupling holograms is disposed at the in-coupling region to redirect the path of the display light by a first angle. A second of the in-coupling holograms is disposed across from the first in-coupling hologram at the in-coupling region to redirect the path of the display light by a second angle such that the path of the display light enters a total internal reflection condition in the relay region after redirection by the first and second in-coupling holograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, John D. Perreault
  • Publication number: 20160268551
    Abstract: An electronic display includes a substrate and a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer deposited on a top surface of the substrate. The TFT layer includes a plurality of driving TFTs that are configured to provide current to one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The electronic display also includes an emission layer deposited on a top surface of the TFT layer. The emission layer includes emission areas and non-emission areas that separate the emission areas. The emission areas include a plurality of OLEDs and each of the OLEDs are configured to be driven by one or more of the TFTs to emit light. The electronic display also includes a reflective layer formed on a bottom surface of the substrate. The reflective layer is configured to reflect at least some of the light emitted from the OLEDs toward the non-emission areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Shizhe Shen, Evan M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20160259168
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) includes a sparse projection system configured to generate a plurality of clusters using one or more diffractive optical elements. Each generated cluster has a unique configuration that corresponds to a unique location in a virtual mapping of a local area. The sparse projection system projects the generated clusters throughout the local area. A VR console receives a series of images of the local area from the imaging device, with at least one image includes at least one cluster. The VR console determines a location of a VR headset within the virtual mapping of the local area based at least in part on a configuration of the at least one cluster included in the series of images. Content is generated based at least in part on the determined location of the VR headset and is provided to the VR headset for presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Dov KATZ, Palmer Freeman LUCKEY, Samuel Redmond D'AMICO, Evan M. RICHARDS, Shizhe SHEN, Jennifer Leigh DOLSON