Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) device is described with a display system configured to adjust an apparent distance between a user of the AR device and virtual content presented by the AR device. The AR device includes a first tunable lens that change shape in order to affect the position of the virtual content. Distortion of real-world content on account of the changes made to the first tunable lens is prevented by a second tunable lens that changes shape to stay substantially complementary to the optical configuration of the first tunable lens. In this way, the virtual content can be positioned at almost any distance relative to the user without degrading the view of the outside world or adding extensive bulk to the AR device. The augmented reality device can also include tunable lenses for expanding a field of view of the augmented reality device.

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 waveguide includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) coupled thereto and disposed at a lateral position. The second waveguide includes a second DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The third waveguide includes a third DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The eyepiece further includes a first optical filter disposed between the first waveguide and the second waveguide at the lateral position, and a second optical filter positioned between the second waveguide and the third waveguide at the lateral position.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system and an input material that overcomes that need to heat and extrude solidifying materials to create a three-dimensional structure. The system arranges subunits of the input material into repeating, interlinked subunits that can be arranged to manufacture a three-dimensional structure that is flexible but also has sufficient structural integrity to retain a desired shape during the additive manufacturing process or post-manufacturing usage. During the additive manufacturing process, the flexible input material can be manipulated and reformed to match the shape and structure of a target three-dimensional structure, upon which the manufactured three-dimensional structure is based. As elongated units of the input material are received by the additive manufacturing machine, the machine assembles the input material into the interlinked, repeating subunits, thereby removing the need to heat and extrude an input material to create a structure.

Abstract: Examples of a light field metrology system for use with a display are disclosed. The light field metrology may capture images of a projected light field, and determine focus depths (or lateral focus positions) for various regions of the light field using the captured images. The determined focus depths (or lateral positions) may then be compared with intended focus depths (or lateral positions), to quantify the imperfections of the display. Based on the measured imperfections, an appropriate error correction may be performed on the light field to correct for the measured imperfections. The display can be an optical display element in a head mounted display, for example, an optical display element capable of generating multiple depth planes or a light field display.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing dynamic digitized wavefront resolution, i.e., the density of output beamlets, can include receiving a single collimated source light beam and producing multiple output beamlets spatially offset when out-coupled from a waveguide. The multiple output beamlets can be obtained by offsetting and replicating a collimated source light beam. Alternatively, the multiple output beamlets can be obtained by using a collimated incoming source light beam having multiple input beams with different wavelengths in the vicinity of the nominal wavelength of a particular color. The collimated incoming source light beam can be in-coupled into the eyepiece designed for the nominal wavelength. The input beams with multiple wavelengths take different paths when they undergo total internal reflection in the waveguide, which produces multiple output beamlets.

Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to continuous and/or binocular time warping methods to account for head movement of the user without having to re-render a displayed image. Continuous time warping allows for transformation of an image from a first perspective to a second perspective of the viewer without having to re-render the image from the second perspective. Binocular time warp refers to the late-frame time warp used in connection with a display device including a left display unit for the left eye and a right display unit for the right eye where the late-frame time warp is performed separately for the left display unit and the right display unit. Warped images are sent to the left and the right display units where photons are generated and emitted toward respective eyes of the viewer, thereby displaying an image on the left and the right display units at the same time.

Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.

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: A method and system for increasing dynamic digitized wavefront resolution, i.e., the density of output beamlets, can include receiving a single collimated source light beam and producing multiple output beamlets spatially offset when out-coupled from a waveguide. The multiple output beamlets can be obtained by offsetting and replicating a collimated source light beam. Alternatively, the multiple output beamlets can be obtained by using a collimated incoming source light beam having multiple input beams with different wavelengths in the vicinity of the nominal wavelength of a particular color. The collimated incoming source light beam can be in-coupled into the eyepiece designed for the nominal wavelength. The input beams with multiple wavelengths take different paths when they undergo total internal reflection in the waveguide, which produces multiple output beamlets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to continuous and/or binocular time warping methods to account for head movement of the user without having to re-render a displayed image. Continuous time warping allows for transformation of an image from a first perspective to a second perspective of the viewer without having to re-render the image from the second perspective. Binocular time warp refers to the late-frame time warp used in connection with a display device including a left display unit for the left eye and a right display unit for the right eye where the late-frame time warp is performed separately for the left display unit and the right display unit. Warped images are sent to the left and the right display units where photons are generated and emitted toward respective eyes of the viewer, thereby displaying an image on the left and the right display units at the same time.

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 unit also includes a polarizer disposed adjacent the world side of the eyepiece. In an example, the polarizer comprises a wire grid polarizer. In some embodiments, the wire grid polarizer is operable to transmit p-polarized light and reflect s-polarized light. In some embodiments, the polarizer can include an absorptive polarizer.

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 waveguide includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) coupled thereto and disposed at a lateral position. The second waveguide includes a second DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The third waveguide includes a third DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The eyepiece further includes a first optical filter disposed between the first waveguide and the second waveguide at the lateral position, and a second optical filter positioned between the second waveguide and the third waveguide at the lateral position.

Abstract: A display system includes a head-mounted display configured to project light, having different amounts of wavefront divergence, to an eye of a user to display virtual image content appearing to be disposed at different depth planes. The wavefront divergence may be changed in discrete steps, with the change in steps being triggered based upon whether the user is fixating on a particular depth plane. The display system may be calibrated for switching depth planes for a main user. Upon determining that a guest user is utilizing the system, rather than undergoing a full calibration, the display system may be configured to switch depth planes based on a rough determination of the virtual content that the user is looking at. The virtual content has an associated depth plane and the display system may be configured to switch to the depth plane of that virtual content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to continuous and/or binocular time warping methods to account for head movement of the user without having to re-render a displayed image. Continuous time warping allows for transformation of an image from a first perspective to a second perspective of the viewer without having to re-render the image from the second perspective. Binocular time warp refers to the late-frame time warp used in connection with a display device including a left display unit for the left eye and a right display unit for the right eye where the late-frame time warp is performed separately for the left display unit and the right display unit. Warped images are sent to the left and the right display units where photons are generated and emitted toward respective eyes of the viewer, thereby displaying an image on the left and the right display units at the same time.

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 waveguide includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) coupled thereto and disposed at a lateral position. The second waveguide includes a second DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The third waveguide includes a third DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The eyepiece further includes a first optical filter disposed between the first waveguide and the second waveguide at the lateral position, and a second optical filter positioned between the second waveguide and the third waveguide at the lateral position.

Abstract: A head-mounted display system is configured to project light to an eye of a user wearing the head-mounted display system to display content in a vision field of said user. The head-mounted display system comprises at least one diffusive optical element, at least one out-coupling optical element, at least one mask comprising at least one mask opening, at least one illumination in-coupling optical element configured to in-couple light from at least one illumination source into a light-guiding component, an image projector configured to in-couple an image and an at least one illumination source is configured to in-couple light into at least one illumination in-coupling optical element, an eyepiece, a curved light-guiding component, a light-guiding component comprising a portion of a frame, and/or two light-guiding components disposed on opposite sides of at least one out-coupling optical element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for operating a head-mounted display system based on user perceptibility. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes by presenting the content with different amounts of wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include obtaining an image captured by an imaging device of the display system. Whether a threshold measure or more of motion blur is determined to be exhibited in one or more regions of the image. Based on a determination that the threshold measure or more of motion blur is exhibited in one or more regions of the image, one or more operating parameters of the wearable display are adjusted. Example operating parameter adjustments comprise adjusting the depth plane on which content is presented (e.g., by switching from a first depth plane to a second depth plane), adjusting a rendering quality, and adjusting power characteristics of the system.

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 waveguide includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) coupled thereto and disposed at a lateral position. The second waveguide includes a second DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The third waveguide includes a third DOE coupled thereto and disposed at the lateral position. The eyepiece further includes a first optical filter disposed between the first waveguide and the second waveguide at the lateral position, and a second optical filter positioned between the second waveguide and the third waveguide at the lateral position.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system and an input material that overcomes that need to heat and extrude solidifying materials to create a three-dimensional structure. The system arranges subunits of the input material into repeating, interlinked subunits that can be arranged to manufacture a three-dimensional structure that is flexible but also has sufficient structural integrity to retain a desired shape during the additive manufacturing process or post-manufacturing usage. During the additive manufacturing process, the flexible input material can be manipulated and reformed to match the shape and structure of a target three-dimensional structure, upon which the manufactured three-dimensional structure is based. As elongated units of the input material are received by the additive manufacturing machine, the machine assembles the input material into the interlinked, repeating subunits, thereby removing the need to heat and extrude an input material to create a structure.