Abstract: An apparatus for providing an optical display includes an optical substrate for propagating light received from a light source, a first set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate, and a second set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate. Each diffractive element in the second set corresponds to a diffractive element in the first set. Each of the diffractive elements in the first and second sets is configured to switch between on and off states. One of the states is for diffracting light and the other state for allowing light to pass through. Each of the first set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light at an angle for propagation in the substrate. Each of the second set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light for display.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an optical display includes an optical substrate for propagating light received from a light source, a first set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate, and a second set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate. Each diffractive element in the second set corresponds to a diffractive element in the first set. Each of the diffractive elements in the first and second sets is configured to switch between on and off states. One of the states is for diffracting light and the other state for allowing light to pass through. Each of the first set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light at an angle for propagation in the substrate. Each of the second set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light for display.

Abstract: A head mountable apparatus is described for transmitting an image to the user's eye using switchable holographic optical elements. In one embodiment, an optical system is provided that is configured to receive an image provided by an image generator and which forms a light path along which light is transmitted from the image generator to an eye of the user. The optical system includes a first switchable holographic optical element configured to operate in an active state or an inactive state, wherein the first switchable holographic optical element is configured to diffract the image light incident thereon when the first switchable holographic optical element operates in the active state, and wherein the first switchable holographic optical element transmits the image light incident thereon without substantial alteration when the first switchable holographic optical element operates in the inactive state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for producing colored light and an image generating apparatus including such a device. The device includes a switchable light-directing apparatus configured to receive light and a first control circuit coupled to the switchable light-directing apparatus. The first control circuit provides control signals to the switchable light-directing apparatus. In response to the switchable light-directing apparatus receiving a control signal, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a first portion of the received light to a first region of a plane. Additionally, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a second portion of the received light to a second region of the plane, and directs a third portion of the received light to a third region of the plane. The second region is positioned between the first and third regions of the plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of illuminating an image display via an electrically switchable holographic optical element. The method includes a first electrically switchable holographic optical element (ESHOE) receiving illumination light. The first ESHOE comprises oppositely facing front and back surfaces. The first ESHOE focuses a first component (e.g., p-polarized blue light) of the illumination light while transmitting the remaining components of the illumination light without substantial alteration. An image display is provided and receives the focused first component. In response to receiving the focused first component, the image display emits image light. The first ESHOE receives and transmits this image light without substantial alteration. In one embodiment, the focused first component emerges from the first ESHOE at the back surface thereof, and the first ESHOE receives the image light at the back surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for producing colored light and an image generating apparatus including such a device. The device includes a switchable light-directing apparatus configured to receive light and a first control circuit coupled to the switchable light-directing apparatus. The first control circuit provides control signals to the switchable light-directing apparatus. In response to the switchable light-directing apparatus receiving a control signal, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a first portion of the received light to a first region of a plane. Additionally, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a second portion of the received light to a second region of the plane, and directs a third portion of the received light to a third region of the plane. The second region is positioned between the first and third regions of the plane.

Abstract: Switchable holographic optical elements (HOEs) can used in systems and methods for projecting three-dimensional images, or for projecting two-dimensional tiled images with increased size and/or resolution. One of the methods may include sequentially displaying first, second, and third color components of a first two-dimensional image at an object plane. The first two dimensional image represents a first slice of a three-dimensional image. As the first, second, and third color components are displayed, first, second and third HOEs may be activated so that the activated first switchable HOE focuses the first color component of the first two-dimensional image onto a first image plane, the activated second switchable HOE focuses the second color component of the first two-dimensional image onto the first image plane, and the wherein the activated third switchable HOE focuses the third color component of the first two-dimensional image onto the first image plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination system using optical feedback to maintain a predetermined illumination output. The illumination system employs an electrically controllable optical filter for filtering light incident thereon. The illumination system also includes a light detector for detecting at least a portion of the light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter. The light detector is in data communication with the electrically controllable optical filter. Some or all light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter is detected by the light detector, which, in turn generates a corresponding signal that is compared to at least one predetermined value. If the signal generated by the light detector differs when compared to the at least one predetermined value, one or more filtering characteristics of electrically controllable optical filter are varied which, in turn, varies the amount of light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for producing colored light and an image generating apparatus including such a device. The device includes a switchable light-directing apparatus configured to receive light and a first control circuit coupled to the switchable light-directing apparatus. The first control circuit provides control signals to the switchable light-directing apparatus. In response to the switchable light-directing apparatus receiving a control signal, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a first portion of the received light to a first region of a plane. Additionally, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a second portion of the received light to a second region of the plane, and directs a third portion of the received light to a third region of the plane. The second region is positioned between the first and third regions of the plane.

Abstract: An optical system and an imaging and display system using the optical system. The optical system has at least first and second optical elements aligned on a common axis. In one embodiment, each of the first and second optical elements can operate in an active state or in inactive state and comprise a photopolymer and liquid crystal combination. Each of the first and second optical elements is configured to transmit incident light substantially unaltered when each of the first and second optical elements operates in the inactive state. In the active state, however, each of the first and second optical elements does not transmit incident light substantially unaltered. Rather each of the first and second optical elements substantially alters light incident thereon when each of the first and second optical elements operates in the active state.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a system are disclosed. The system includes a display device comprising a plurality of display regions, each region configured for displaying a color component of the image. A display controller is coupled to the display device and is operable to activate the regions of the display device to display portions of the image. A plurality of light directing devices are positioned to receive light from regions of the display device and direct light towards an image plane. The system further includes a light directing controller coupled to the light directing devices to direct light received thereby to different areas of the image plane. The areas of the image plane generally correspond to the different portions of the image displayed by the regions of the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of illuminating an image display via an electrically switchable holographic optical element. The method includes a first electrically switchable holographic optical element (ESHOE) receiving illumination light. The first ESHOE comprises oppositely facing front and back surfaces. The first ESHOE diffracts a first component (e.g., p-polarized blue light) of the illumination light while transmitting the remaining components of the illumination light without substantial alteration. An image display is provided and receives the diffracted first component. In response to receiving the diffracted first component, the image display emits image light. The first ESHOE receives and transmits this image light without substantial alteration.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of illuminating an image display via an electrically switchable holographic optical element. The method includes a first electrically switchable holographic optical element (ESHOE) receiving illumination light. The first ESHOE comprises oppositely facing front and back surfaces. The first ESHOE diffracts a first component (e.g., p-polarized blue light) of the illumination light while transmitting the remaining components of the illumination light without substantial alteration. An image display is provided and receives the diffracted first component. In response to receiving the diffracted first component, the image display emits image light. The first ESHOE receives and transmits this image light without substantial alteration.

Abstract: Switchable holographic optical elements (HOEs) can used in systems and methods for projecting three-dimensional images, or for projecting two-dimensional tiled images with increased size and/or resolution. One of the methods may include sequentially displaying first, second, and third color components of a first two-dimensional image at an object plane. The first two dimensional image represents a first slice of a three-dimensional image. As the first, second, and third color components are displayed, first, second and third HOEs may be activated so that the activated first switchable HOE focuses the first color component of the first two-dimensional image onto a first image plane, the activated second switchable HOE focuses the second color component of the first two-dimensional image onto the first image plane, and the wherein the activated third switchable HOE focuses the third color component of the first two-dimensional image onto the first image plane.

Abstract: Holographic optical elements (HOEs) can be used in systems and methods for providing illumination and for projecting images. The HOEs may be switchable HOEs, whose diffractive properties can be controlled. Described herein is a method of combining light from two or more illumination sources. In one embodiment, a reflection-type HOE is illuminated by the first illumination source. The HOE diffracts light from the first illumination source into an output direction. Light from the second illumination source is transmitted through the HOE and onto a reflective optical element, which reflects the light back through the HOE and into the same output direction. Also described is a projection system that uses two or more HOEs to combine two or more colors of light for use by a single image display. The system includes one or more light sources, an image display (such as a reflective or transmissive LCD display or a MEMS display, for example), and a first and a second HOE.

Abstract: A projection system and a method of displaying a projected input image on a projection screen of the system utilize one or more reconfigurable holographic optical elements (HOEs) to optically manipulate propagating light in the system. The reconfigurable HOEs may be configured to perform simple optical functions that are commonly associated with traditional optical devices, such as lenses, prisms and mirrors. However, the reconfigurable HOEs may also be configured to perform sophisticated optical manipulations, such as varying the light intensity toward a specific direction and generating virtual (holographic) images. Each reconfigurable HOE includes a hologram that is sandwiched between two electrode layers. The hologram is a holographic photopolymeric film that has been combined with liquid crystal. The hologram has an optical property that changes in response to an applied electrical field.

Abstract: A head-mounted display system and a method of displaying scenes within the system include two or more reconfigurable holographic optical elements (HOEs) in a holographic diffuser of the system. The reconfigurable HOEs may be configured to perform simple optical functions that are commonly associated with traditional optical devices, such as lenses, prisms and mirrors. However, the reconfigurable HOEs may also be configured to perform sophisticated optical manipulations, such as optimally diffusing light with respect to intensity toward a predefined direction. Each reconfigurable HOE includes a hologram that is sandwiched between two electrode layers. The hologram is a holographic photopolymeric film that has been combined with liquid crystal. The hologram has an optical property that changes in response to an applied electrical field.

Abstract: Holographic optical elements (HOEs) can be used in systems and methods for providing illumination and for projecting images. The HOEs may be switchable HOEs, whose diffractive properties can be controlled. Described herein is a method of combining light from two or more illumination sources. In one embodiment, a reflection-type HOE is illuminated by the first illumination source. The HOE diffracts light from the first illumination source into an output direction. Light from the second illumination source is transmitted through the HOE and onto a reflective optical element, which reflects the light back through the HOE and into the same output direction. Also described is a projection system that uses two or more HOEs to combine two or more colors of light for use by a single image display. The system includes one or more light sources, an image display (such as a reflective or transmissive LCD display or a MEMS display, for example), and a first and a second HOE.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3-dimensional computer graphics system in which an operator can effectively interact with a virtual model generated and displayed by a computer. In one embodiment the operator wears a helmet fitted with means which enable both the location of his head and its coordinates relative to the virtual model to be monitored and the information sent to computer. The helmet carries miniature VDUs which direct separate images to his individual eyes so that the image is perceived stereoscopically. The movement of the operator's eyes is also monitored by means mounted within housings of the helmet and data representing the operator's direction of vision sent to the computer. The data transmitted to the computer is used to modify the image of the model as perceived by the operator to enhance its realism.