Abstract: A display method and system includes a module that intercepts the lightfield from an ambient Real World Scene in an observer's direct line-of-sight, 102, and then routes it through a spatial light modulator where the Scene forms an image. During a first portion of the frame time, selective pixels corresponding to the real world scene image on the SLM are modulated for their transparency or opacity and routed to the observer's eye. In a second portion of the frame time, a Digital computer generated Virtual image is created by spatially multiplexing a second illuminant on the same SLM and then routing it to the observer's eye. The resultant time-averaged image, as perceived by the observer, has the Real World Scene modulated for both its Transparency/opacity and also blended with computer generated Digital Virtual image.

Abstract: A head mounted display with wide field of view (WFOV) is disclosed. A conventional small display is used in conjunction with a Beam Steering Mechanism (BSM) to dynamically steer the FOV of the displayed image at a very fast rate to provide an effectively WFOV for immersive visual experience. An electrically actuated switchable Steering Mechanism (SM) is provided within the display projection module that steers the projected image towards different portions of the lens at a fast rate. The steering can be either in one, two or three dimensions. The steering allows for the displayed image to be wider field of view (FOV) to the observer than conventionally projected images that are small fixed FOV. The SM is steered at a high rate so as to be indistinguishable to the human observer. The steering can be controlled in a gaze tracked dynamic, on-demand fashion so as to save power consumed by the display system.

Abstract: A display method and system includes a module that intercepts the lightfield from an ambient Real World Scene in a observer's direct line-of-sight and then routes it through a spatial light modulator where the Scene forms an image. During a first portion of the frame time, selective pixels corresponding to the real world scene image on the SLM are modulated for their transparency or opacity and routed to the observer's eye. In a second portion of the frame time, a Digital computer generated Virtual image is created by spatially multiplexing a second illuminant on the same SLM and then routing it to the observer's eye. The resultant time-averaged image as perceived by the observer is modulated for both its Transparency/opacity and blended with computer generated Digital Virtual image. The present invention enables the ability to hide physical objects in the Real World scene in the observer's direct line-of-sight and allows those to be replaced with computer generated Digital content in a pixel wise manner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rendering images includes providing eyewear having at least one lens capable of mutual occlusion for optical see-through HMD applications. A display module routes image from an ambient real world environment first through a spatial light modulator so that selective portions of the real world scene can be pixel-wise occluded. The resultant modulated image is then combined with another computer generated virtual image and then routed to the viewer. In another embodiment an electrically actuated switchable occlusion mechanism is provided within the display module that allows the ability to provide the occlusion capability only when needed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rendering images includes providing eyewear having at least one lens. A display module routes image from an ambient real world environment first through a spatial light modulator so that selective portions of the real world scene can be occluded. The resultant image is then combined with another computer generated virtual image and then routed to the viewer. In another embodiment an electrically actuated switchable occlusion mechanism is provided within the display module that allows the ability to provide the occlusion capability only when needed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for generating blue color illumination for use in a projection system. Light from a blue laser light source is reflected off a dichroic filter sequentially onto different color emitting phosphor coated light non-transmissive segments and onto a cyan color emitting phosphor coated light transmissive segment of a rotating color wheel. The different color light and cyan color light emitted by the phosphor back to the filter is selectively transmitted by the filter along a projection path. Blue laser light and cyan color light emitted by the phosphor transmitted through the color wheel is directed along a wraparound optical path back to the filter for reflection along the projection optical path.

Abstract: A projector system with a single imaging array has a low-etendue light source. The projector system includes a first optical path from the low-etendue light source to a plurality of optical conversion media having a plurality of emission wavelengths to provide display light with wavelengths longer than blue light. The projector system includes a second optical path from the optical conversion media to the imaging array. The projector system has a means of moving an excitation location on the optical conversion media in the first optical path. The projector system may include a blue LED, a diffuser region, or an optical conversion medium with a blue emission wavelength to provide blue display light. Light from the low-etendue light source is prevented from directly impinging on the imaging array.

Abstract: Image projection illumination apparatus and methods are provided. A color wheel has a blue laser light reflecting region and other regions respectively coated with different color light emitting phosphors. Blue laser light of a given polarization is directed by reflection or transmission by a blue laser light polarization selective filter through a polarization changing element with changed polarization onto the color wheel. When the color wheel reflecting region is aligned with the incident light, incident light is reflected back through the polarization changing element with further changed polarization by the other of reflection or transmission by the filter for image projection. When the other regions are respectively aligned with the incident light, the different color light is emitted by the phosphors along the light path for image projection.

Abstract: An illumination module configured for insertion within a housing has a laser diode and a drive circuit for applying current or voltage to the laser diode at a first magnitude and in a first direction to cause the laser diode to emit laser light in a normal operating mode. An interlock connects the illumination module when inserted within the housing. The interlock has a mechanism configured to automatically modify the drive circuit when the module is removed from the housing, so that current or voltage is applied to the laser diode at a second magnitude and in a second direction opposite to the first direction that permanently damages the ability of the laser diode to emit the laser light that is emitted in the normal operating mode.

Abstract: A projector system with a single imaging array has a low-etendue light source. The projector system includes a first optical path from the low-etendue light source to a plurality of optical conversion media having a plurality of emission wavelengths to provide display light with wavelengths longer than blue light. The projector system includes a second optical path from the optical conversion media to the imaging array. The projector system has a means of moving an excitation location on the optical conversion media in the first optical path. The projector system may include a blue LED, a diffuser region, or an optical conversion medium with a blue emission wavelength to provide blue display light. Light from the low-etendue light source is prevented from directly impinging on the imaging array.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for generating blue color illumination for use in a projection system. Light from a blue laser light source is reflected off a dichroic filter sequentially onto different color emitting phosphor coated light non-transmissive segments and onto a cyan color emitting phosphor coated light transmissive segment of a rotating color wheel. The different color light and cyan color light emitted by the phosphor back to the filter is selectively transmitted by the filter along a projection path. Blue laser light and cyan color light emitted by the phosphor transmitted through the color wheel is directed along a wraparound optical path back to the filter for reflection along the projection optical path.

Abstract: Image projection illumination apparatus and methods are provided. A color wheel has a blue laser light reflecting region and other regions respectively coated with different color light emitting phosphors. Blue laser light of a given polarization is directed by reflection or transmission by a blue laser light polarization selective filter through a polarization changing element with changed polarization onto the color wheel. When the color wheel reflecting region is aligned with the incident light, incident light is reflected back through the polarization changing element with further changed polarization by the other of reflection or transmission by the filter for image projection. When the other regions are respectively aligned with the incident light, the different color light is emitted by the phosphors along the light path for image projection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rendering stereoscopic images includes providing eyewear having a pair of lenses. Each lens is transitioned between an optically-shuttered state and an optically-transmissive state. The transitioning is in response to a voltage waveform applied substantially simultaneously to at least a portion of each lens. Each lens transitions between states in opposition to the other lens.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for reducing speckle in an image produced from a coherent light source includes directing a beam of coherent light at an electrically controlled diffuser. An electrical signal is applied to the electrically controlled diffuser to produce an electrical field across the electrically controlled diffuser layer. At least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the electrical signal are varied to transition the controlled diffuser between a first state and a second state. The varied application of the electrical signal operates to reduce spatial coherence in an image projected through the electrically controlled diffuser.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing visible speckle in images displayed using coherent light. In an embodiment, a system for displaying images includes a light source to produce coherent light, an array of light modulators optically coupled to the light source and positioned in a light path of the light source after the light source, and a controller electronically coupled to the array of light modulators and to the light source. The light source includes a coherent light source, and a first digital micromirror device (DMD) having a first plurality of micromirrors. The first DMD is optically coupled to the coherent light source and positioned in a light path of the coherent light source after the coherent light source. The first DMD directs coherent light by moving the micromirrors of the first plurality of micromirrors through a first range of tilt angles substantially continuously.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of rendering stereoscopic images includes providing eyewear having a pair of lenses. Each lens is transitioned between an optically-shuttered state and an optically-transmissive state. The transitioning is in response to a voltage waveform applied substantially simultaneously to at least a portion of each lens. Each lens transitions between states in opposition to the other lens.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for reducing speckle in an image produced from a coherent light source includes directing a beam of coherent light at an electrically controlled diffuser. An electrical signal is applied to the electrically controlled diffuser to produce an electrical field across the electrically controlled diffuser layer. At least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the electrical signal are varied to transition the controlled diffuser between a first state and a second state. The varied application of the electrical signal operates to reduce spatial coherence in an image projected through the electrically controlled diffuser.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing visible speckle in images displayed using coherent light. In an embodiment, a system for displaying images includes a light source to produce coherent light, an array of light modulators optically coupled to the light source and positioned in a light path of the light source after the light source, and a controller electronically coupled to the array of light modulators and to the light source. The light source includes a coherent light source, and a first digital micromirror device (DMD) having a first plurality of micromirrors. The first DMD is optically coupled to the coherent light source and positioned in a light path of the coherent light source after the coherent light source. The first DMD directs coherent light by moving the micromirrors of the first plurality of micromirrors through a first range of tilt angles substantially continuously.

Abstract: System and method for reducing visible speckle in images displayed using coherent light. An embodiment comprises a first layer in a light path of a display plane, the first layer collimates and diffuses light passing through the first layer from a light source side of the display plane along the light path, an actuator coupled to the first layer, the actuator moves the first layer in plane orthogonal to the light path, and a second layer in the light path on a viewing side of the display plane, the second layer increases a viewing angle of the display plane. The actuator continuously moves the first layer so that the light passing through the first layer is diffused to reduce the appearance of speckles.