Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a display panel (such as a liquid crystal display), an optics system for focusing a portion of the display onto an eye of a user, a light guide, a plurality of extraction features positioned on a surface of the light guide, and at least one laser diode for directing light into the light guide. The light guide is sized and dimensioned to illuminate only a portion of the display that is focused by the optics system; with the plurality of light extraction features configured to diffuse light toward the display panel for back illuminating the display panel.

Abstract: Using electrically-controllable lenses to provide a head-mounted display (HMD) with a diopter adjustment capability is disclosed. The electrically-controllable lenses may be coupled, or couplable, to a pair of lens tubes of the HMD and configured to direct light emitted by a display panel(s) of the HMD toward eyes of a user wearing the HMD. A processor(s) may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in memory to provide a control signal(s) to the electrically-controllable lens(es) to adjust an optical power of the electrically-controllable lens(es).

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.

Abstract: An eye tracking system for a head-mounted display (HMD) device. The system includes a lens assembly, an optical tube assembly, and an optical light guide. The optical tube assembly is coupled to the lens assembly, supporting the lens assembly and ensuring optical alignment with a display panel of the HMD device. The lens assembly is positioned close to the front end of the optical tube assembly, which is near the user's eye during use. The optical light guide transports light and is coupled to the optical tube assembly. The optical light guide includes a light input feature positioned rearward of the front end of the optical tube assembly that is configured to receive light from a light source. The optical light guide also includes a plurality of light output features positioned proximate to the front end of the optical tube assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an optical system in a head-mounted display (HMD) that is operable to modify virtual image light to correct for one or more vision conditions of a user's eyes. The optical system includes a left optical subsystem for the left eye and a right optical system for the right eye. Each optical subsystem includes at least one correction portion having a diffractive optical element assembly. Selective electrical or mechanical control or adjustment of the diffractive optical element assembly provides for the correction of vision conditions in the user's eyes.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating generally to information displays, and more particularly to systems and methods for backlight assemblies for information displays that include light expanding structures. A backlight assembly may include light expander structures that include a plurality of layer sets, wherein each layer set includes a reflective polarizer layer and a wave retarder layer. The layer sets may together be operative transform point light source, such as a laser light beam, into a surface light source for use as a backlight for various types of information displays.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of a head-mounted display (HMD) system component. The HMD component may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors that are able to detect the angle of light emitted from a light source. The HMD component may include one or more scatter detectors that detect whether light has been scattered or reflected, so such light can be ignored. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of angle sensitive detectors. The processor may process the sensor data and scatter detector data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of the HMD component. An angle sensitive detector may include a spatially-varying polarizer having a position-varying polarizing pattern and one or more polarizer layers that together are operative to detect the angle of impinging light.

Abstract: Calibrating an eye tracking system based at least in part on a user interface element(s) presented on a display panel(s) of a head-mounted display (THMID) is disclosed. A processor(s) may present a user interface element on a display panel(s) of a HMD, and may receive, from a handheld controller, user input data indicating that a user wearing the H/ID has provided user input associated with the user interface element via the handheld controller. In response to the receiving of the user input data from the handheld controller, the processor(s) may receive, from an eye tracking sensor(s) of the HMD, eye data associated with one or more eyes of the user, and may calibrate the eye tracking system based at least in part on the eye data and location data indicating a location on the display panel(s) where the user interface element is presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a compact camera device that utilizes one or more spatially varying polarizers, such as one or more multi-twist retarders, to provide compact designs with improved performance. The spatially varying polarizers may be used to multiplex light received by a camera, which allows optics to modify (e.g., focus) incident light in a polarization specific manner to provide better resolution, reduced form factor, or other advantages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more objects, such as components of a head-mounted display (HMD) system. One or more objects may carry a plurality of angle sensitive optical detectors. Each of the optical detectors may include an optical subsystem that is configured to vary at least one of phase or intensity of light imparted on the optical detector. The optical subsystem may include one or more of diffractive optical elements, lens arrays, intensity masks, phase masks, or the like. The optical detectors may include a photodetector that includes a plurality of optically active areas, such as a quadrant cell photodetector, an image sensor with an array of photodiodes, etc. Control circuitry may cause light sources to emit light, and may receive sensor data from the plurality of optical detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data to track a position of one or more objects.

Abstract: The present disclosure related generally to techniques for improving the performance and efficiency of display systems, such as laser scan beam display systems or other types of display systems (e.g., micro-displays). Display systems of the present disclosure may include a polarization compensation optic, such as a spatially varying polarizer, that provides phase retardation that varies as a function of position, which provides polarization compensation to provide light that is well suited for a polarization sensitive optic of the display system, such as a waveguide-based optical system, a pancake optical system, a birdbath optical system, a coating-based optical system, etc. The display systems of the present disclosure may be components of head-mounted display systems, or other types of display systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related generally to techniques for improving the performance and efficiency of display systems, such as laser scan beam display systems or other types of display systems (e.g., micro-displays) of an HMD system or other device. Display systems of the present disclosure may utilize polarization multiplexing that allow for improved optimization of diffraction optics. In at least some implementations, a display system may selectively polarize light dependent on wavelength (e.g., color) or field of view. An optical combiner may include polarization sensitive diffractive optical elements that are each optimized for a subset of colors or portions of an overall field of view, thereby providing improved correction optics for a display system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating generally to information displays, and more particularly to systems and methods for backlight assemblies for information displays that provide improved efficiency. A backlight assembly may include a light guide that is sized and dimensioned to illuminate only a portion of the display that is imaged or focused by an optics system. The backlight assembly may include a light source, such as one or more laser diodes, that directs a light beam into the light guide wherein the beam reflects via total internal reflection. The light guide may include a plurality of light extraction features configured to diffuse light toward a display panel, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

Abstract: Described herein are active noise reduction (ANR) techniques for reducing noise produced by a fan(s) of a head-mounted display (HMD). An example process may include receiving data indicative of a noise that is being produced by the fan(s), determining, based at least in part on the data and using a model(s), one or more audio parameter values, and outputting, via one or more off-ear speakers of the HMD, a sound(s) having one or more audio characteristics based at least in part on the one or more audio parameter values to reduce the noise produced by the fan(s) at a location(s) of an ear(s) of the user of the HMD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more objects, such as components of a head-mounted display (HMD) system. One or more objects may carry a plurality of angle sensitive optical detectors. Each of the optical detectors may include an optical subsystem that is configured to vary at least one of phase or intensity of light imparted on the optical detector. The optical subsystem may include one or more of diffractive optical elements, lens arrays, intensity masks, phase masks, or the like. The optical detectors may include a photodetector that includes a plurality of optically active areas, such as a quadrant cell photodetector, an image sensor with an array of photodiodes, etc. Control circuitry may cause light sources to emit light, and may receive sensor data from the plurality of optical detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data to track a position of one or more objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes a display panel (such as a liquid crystal display), an optics system for focusing a portion of the display onto an eye of a user, and a backlight assembly including a light guide, a plurality of extraction features positioned on a surface of the light guide, and at least one laser diode for directing light into the light guide. The light guide is sized and dimensioned to illuminate only a portion of the display that is focused by the optics system; with the plurality of light extraction features configured to diffuse light toward the display panel for back illuminating the display panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position of a head-mounted display (HMD) system component. The HMD component may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors that are able to detect the angle of light emitted from a light source. The HMD component may include one or more scatter detectors that detect whether light has been scattered or reflected, so such light can be ignored. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of angle sensitive detectors. The processor may process the sensor data and scatter detector data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of the HMD component. An angle sensitive detector may include a spatially-varying polarizer having a position-varying polarizing pattern and one or more polarizer layers that together are operative to detect the angle of impinging light.

Abstract: An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a gaze tracker operative to track a gaze of a user and output data representative of the gaze and a correction portion including multiple spatially varying polarizers. A first polarizer of the spatially varying polarizers has a first control input configured to receive a first control signal indicating whether the first polarizer is to be active or inactive. The first polarizer, when active, provides a first optical correction on light passing through at a location corresponding to a first region of a virtual image. The optical system includes a controller configured to receive the data representative of the gaze, determine, based on the gaze, whether to implement the first optical correction on the light and in response to determining to implement the first optical correction on the light, output the first control signal indicating the first polarizer is to be active.