Abstract: An illumination system having a reduced z-dimensional profile, which is achieved by reflecting light out of plane relative to a light source that generated the light, is disclosed herein. This illumination system includes an IR illumination device, a collimating optic, a turning optic, and a waveguide. The turning optic is specially configured to receive IR light from the IR illumination device and to reflect the IR light out of plane relative to the emission orientation of the IR illumination device. The reflected IR light is reflected towards the collimating optic. The waveguide is positioned in a fixed position relative to the collimating optic and includes an input port or grating to receive the collimated IR light. By reflecting light out of the plane, the size of the illumination system can be beneficially reduced in the z-direction.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to re-arrange the placement of a photodiode within an illumination system to achieve improved characteristics and reduced form factor. An illumination system includes a laser assembly, a MEMS mirror system, a beam combiner, and a photodiode. The laser assembly includes RGB lasers, and the MEMS mirror system redirects laser light produced by the RGB lasers to illuminate pixels in an image frame. The beam combiner combines the laser light. The photodiode is provided to determine a power output of the laser assembly by receiving and measuring some of the laser light. The photodiode may be beneficially positioned before or after collimating optics and/or the beam combiner.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to reduce the form factor of laser-based systems by multi-purposing a photodiode used to help control the output of a laser. A reflective photodiode comprises a light receiving surface and a reflective coating. The light receiving surface is configured to absorb some incident light and to convert it into electrical current. The reflective coating is disposed on the light receiving surface and is configured to reflect some of the incident light away from the light receiving surface. The reflective coating also permits some of the incoming light to pass therethrough for absorption.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to re-arrange the placement of a photodiode within an illumination system to achieve improved characteristics and reduced form factor. An illumination system includes a laser assembly, a MEMS mirror system, a beam combiner, and a photodiode. The laser assembly includes RGB lasers, and the MEMS mirror system redirects laser light produced by the RGB lasers to illuminate pixels in an image frame. The beam combiner combines the laser light. The photodiode is provided to determine a power output of the laser assembly by receiving and measuring some of the laser light. The photodiode may be beneficially positioned before or after collimating optics and/or the beam combiner.

Abstract: An improved eye tracking illumination system is disclosed. The system includes (i) an RGB laser device that is associated with a first collimating optic and (ii) an IR illumination device that is associated with a second collimating optic. The system also includes a DMA that has a MEMS mirror system. The DMA optically combines IR light and RGB light to generate combined light. The combined light is then directed towards a user's eye via a transport medium (e.g., a waveguide). One or more photodetector(s) are positioned to capture reflected light that is reflected off of the user's eye. The photodetectors include an IR detector configured to detect reflected IR light off of the user's eye in order to perform eye tracking.

Abstract: An improved iris recognition illumination system is disclosed. The system includes (i) an RGB laser device that is associated with a first collimating optic and (ii) an IR illumination device that is associated with a second collimating optic. The system also includes a DMA that has a MEMS mirror system. The DMA optically combines IR light and RGB light to generate combined light. The combined light is then directed towards a user's iris via a transport medium (e.g., a waveguide). One or more photodetector(s) are positioned to capture reflected light that is reflected off of the user's iris. The photodetectors include an IR detector configured to detect reflected IR light off of the user's iris in order to perform iris recognition.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to re-arrange the placement of a photodiode within an illumination system to achieve improved characteristics and reduced form factor. An illumination system includes a laser assembly, a MEMS mirror system, a beam combiner, and a photodiode. The laser assembly includes RGB lasers, and the MEMS mirror system redirects laser light produced by the RGB lasers to illuminate pixels in an image frame. The beam combiner combines the laser light. The photodiode is provided to determine a power output of the laser assembly by receiving and measuring some of the laser light. The photodiode may be beneficially positioned before or after collimating optics and/or the beam combiner.

Abstract: An improved eye tracking illumination system is disclosed. The system includes (i) an RGB laser device that is associated with a first collimating optic and (ii) an IR illumination device that is associated with a second collimating optic. The system also includes a DMA that has a MEMS mirror system. The DMA optically combines IR light and RGB light to generate combined light. The combined light is then directed towards a user's eye via a transport medium (e.g., a waveguide). One or more photodetector(s) are positioned to capture reflected light that is reflected off of the user's eye. The photodetectors include an IR detector configured to detect reflected IR light off of the user's eye in order to perform eye tracking.

Abstract: An illumination system having a reduced z-dimensional profile, which is achieved by reflecting light out of plane relative to a light source that generated the light, is disclosed herein. This illumination system includes an IR illumination device, a collimating optic, a turning optic, and a waveguide. The turning optic is specially configured to receive IR light from the IR illumination device and to reflect the IR light out of plane relative to the emission orientation of the IR illumination device. The reflected IR light is reflected towards the collimating optic. The waveguide is positioned in a fixed position relative to the collimating optic and includes an input port or grating to receive the collimated IR light. By reflecting light out of the plane, the size of the illumination system can be beneficially reduced in the z-direction.

Abstract: An improved iris recognition illumination system is disclosed. The system includes (i) an RGB laser device that is associated with a first collimating optic and (ii) an IR illumination device that is associated with a second collimating optic. The system also includes a DMA that has a MEMS mirror system. The DMA optically combines IR light and RGB light to generate combined light. The combined light is then directed towards a user's iris via a transport medium (e.g., a waveguide). One or more photodetector(s) are positioned to capture reflected light that is reflected off of the user's iris. The photodetectors include an IR detector configured to detect reflected IR light off of the user's iris in order to perform iris recognition.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to reduce the form factor of laser-based systems by multi-purposing a photodiode used to help control the output of a laser. A reflective photodiode comprises a light receiving surface and a reflective coating. The light receiving surface is configured to absorb some incident light and to convert it into electrical current. The reflective coating is disposed on the light receiving surface and is configured to reflect some of the incident light away from the light receiving surface. The reflective coating also permits some of the incoming light to pass therethrough for absorption.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to re-arrange the placement of a photodiode within an illumination system to achieve improved characteristics and reduced form factor. An illumination system includes a laser assembly, a MEMS mirror system, a beam combiner, and a photodiode. The laser assembly includes RGB lasers, and the MEMS mirror system redirects laser light produced by the RGB lasers to illuminate pixels in an image frame. The beam combiner combines the laser light. The photodiode is provided to determine a power output of the laser assembly by receiving and measuring some of the laser light. The photodiode may be beneficially positioned before or after collimating optics and/or the beam combiner.

Abstract: An improved eye tracking illumination system is disclosed. The system includes (i) an RGB laser device that is associated with a first collimating optic and (ii) an IR illumination device that is associated with a second collimating optic. The system also includes a DMA that has a MEMS mirror system. The DMA optically combines IR light and RGB light to generate combined light. The combined light is then directed towards a user's eye via a transport medium (e.g., a waveguide). One or more photodetector(s) are positioned to capture reflected light that is reflected off of the user's eye. The photodetectors include an IR detector configured to detect reflected IR light off of the user's eye in order to perform eye tracking.