Abstract: An imaging system includes a light source configured to generate a light beam. The system also includes first and second light guiding optical elements having respective first and second entry portions, and configured to propagate at least respective first and second portions of the light beam by total internal reflection. The system further includes a light distributor having a light distributor entry portion, a first exit portion, and a second exit portion. The light distributor is configured to direct the first and second portions of the light beam toward the first and second entry portions, respectively. The light distributor entry portion and the first exit portion are aligned along a first axis. The light distributor entry portion and the second exit portion are aligned along a second axis different from the first axis.

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.

Abstract: A beamsplitter can include a first surface with a diffractive optical element, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a beam splitting surface arranged at an angle to the second surface that is less than 45 degrees. The beamsplitter may be configured to illuminate the entire second surface in response to an input beam at the first surface.

Abstract: Images perceived to be substantially full color or multi-colored may be formed using component color images that are distributed in unequal numbers across a plurality of depth planes. The distribution of component color images across the depth planes may vary based on color. In some embodiments, a display system includes a stack of waveguides that each output light of a particular color, with some colors having fewer numbers of associated waveguides than other colors. The stack of waveguides may include by multiple pluralities (e.g., first and second pluralities) of waveguides, each configured to produce an image by outputting light corresponding to a particular color. The total number of waveguides in the second plurality of waveguides is less than the total number of waveguides in the first plurality of waveguides, and may be more than the total number of waveguides in a third plurality of waveguides, in embodiments where three component colors are utilized.

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: Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a scanning device for scanning one or more frames of image data. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to an image source to receive the image data. The system may further comprise a variable focus element (VFE) operatively coupled to the scanning device for focusing the one or more frames of image data on an intermediate image plane, wherein the intermediate image plane is aligned to one of a plurality of switchable screens. The plurality of switchable screens may spread light associated with the intermediate image plane to specific viewing distances. The system may also comprise viewing optics operatively coupled to the plurality of switchable screens to relay the one or more frames of image data.

Abstract: An artifact mitigation system includes a projector assembly and a set of imaging optics optically coupled to the projector assembly. The artifact mitigation system also includes an eyepiece optically coupled to the set of imaging optics. The eyepiece includes a diffractive incoupling interface. The artifact mitigation system further includes an artifact prevention element disposed between the set of imaging optics and the eyepiece. The artifact prevention element includes a linear polarizer, a first quarter waveplate disposed adjacent the linear polarizer, and a color select component disposed adjacent the first quarter waveplate.

Abstract: Images perceived to be substantially full color or multi-colored may be formed using component color images that are distributed in unequal numbers across a plurality of depth planes. The distribution of component color images across the depth planes may vary based on color. In some embodiments, a display system includes a stack of waveguides that each output light of a particular color, with some colors having fewer numbers of associated waveguides than other colors. The stack of waveguides may include by multiple pluralities (e.g., first and second pluralities) of waveguides, each configured to produce an image by outputting light corresponding to a particular color. The total number of waveguides in the second plurality of waveguides is less than the total number of waveguides in the first plurality of waveguides, and may be more than the total number of waveguides in a third plurality of waveguides, in embodiments where three component colors are utilized.

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: 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 artifact mitigation system includes a projector assembly and a set of imaging optics optically coupled to the projector assembly. The artifact mitigation system also includes an eyepiece optically coupled to the set of imaging optics. The eyepiece includes a diffractive incoupling interface. The artifact mitigation system further includes an artifact prevention element disposed between the set of imaging optics and the eyepiece. The artifact prevention element includes a linear polarizer, a first quarter waveplate disposed adjacent the linear polarizer, and a color select component disposed adjacent the first quarter waveplate.

Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a spatial light modulator operatively coupled to an image source for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, and a variable focus element (VFE) for varying a focus of the projected light such that a first frame of image data is focused at a first depth plane, and a second frame of image data is focused at a second depth plane, and wherein a distance between the first depth plane and the second depth plane is fixed.

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.

Abstract: An optical system for an augmented reality head mounted display eyepiece that is configured to deliver images to the eye wherein the optical system includes optics. The optics are disposed so as to receive light output from the light source. The optics further arranged with respect to a spatial light modulator such that the light received from the light source passes through the optics and illuminates the spatial light modulator. The light illuminating the spatial light modulator is redirected back through the optics and is coupled into at least one waveguide through at least one in-coupling optical element. At least a portion of the coupled light is ejected from at least one waveguide by at least one out-coupling optical element and directed to the eye of the user.

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 comprising may include a wedge-shaped 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 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal axis by a wedge angle. 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.

Abstract: An eyepiece unit for projecting an image to an eye of a viewer includes an eyepiece having a world side and a viewer side opposite the world side. The eyepiece includes an input coupling diffractive optical element, an orthogonal pupil expander diffractive optical element, and an exit pupil expander diffractive optical element. The eyepiece unit also includes a curved cosmetic lens disposed adjacent the world side of the eyepiece and a polarizer disposed adjacent the world side of the eyepiece.

Abstract: An optical system for an augmented reality head mounted display eyepiece that is configured to deliver images to the eye wherein the optical system includes optics. The optics are disposed so as to receive light output from the light source. The optics further arranged with respect to a spatial light modulator such that the light received from the light source passes through the optics and illuminates the spatial light modulator. The light illuminating the spatial light modulator is redirected back through the optics and is coupled into at least one waveguide through at least one in-coupling optical element. At least a portion of the coupled light is ejected from at least one waveguide by at least one out-coupling optical element and directed to the eye of the user.

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 eyepiece for projecting an image to an eye of a viewer includes a first planar waveguide positioned in a first lateral plane, a second planar waveguide positioned in a second lateral plane adjacent the first lateral plane, and a third planar waveguide positioned in a third lateral plane adjacent the second lateral plane. The first planar waveguide includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) coupled thereto and disposed at a first lateral position. The second planar waveguide includes a second DOE coupled thereto and disposed at a second lateral position. The third planar waveguide includes a third DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the second lateral position. The eyepiece further includes an optical filter positioned between the second planar waveguide and the third planar waveguide at the second lateral position.