Abstract: A display system includes a display alignment tracker configured track the position of a first signal and the position of a second signal. The display alignment tracker optically multiplexes a portion of a first signal and a portion of the second signal into a combined optical signal and measures a differential between the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: An optical system that deploys micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) scanners to contemporaneously generate CG images and to scan a terrain of a real-world environment. An illumination engine emits a first spectral bandwidth and a second spectral bandwidth into an optical assembly along a common optical path. The optical assembly then separates the spectral bandwidth by directing the first spectral bandwidth onto an image-generation optical path and the second spectral bandwidth onto a terrain-mapping optical path. The optical system deploys the MEMS scanners to generate CG images by directing the first spectral bandwidth within the image-generation optical path and also to irradiate a terrain by directing the second spectral bandwidth within the terrain-mapping optical path. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides substantial reductions in both weight and cost for systems such as, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality systems.

Abstract: In implementations of hologram focus accommodation, a focus accommodation system is implemented for variable focus of a generated image, such as a hologram, that is displayed for viewing on a waveguide display. The focus accommodation system includes switchable polarization retarders that rotate a polarization of light of the generated image, where the light passes through the switchable polarization retarders along an imaging path in which the generated image is viewable. The focus accommodation system also includes polarization sensitive gratings alternatingly interspersed with the switchable polarization retarders. Each of the polarization sensitive gratings are configurable to diffract the light in a first polarization state and transmit the light in a second polarization state. The variable focus is adjustable to a focal distance at which a user perceives viewing the generated image as displayed by the waveguide display.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to a near-eye display device including a holographic display system. The holographic display system includes a light source configured to emit light that is converging or diverging, a waveguide configured to be positioned in a field of view of a user's eye, and a digital dynamic hologram configured to receive the light, and project the light into the waveguide such that the light propagates through the waveguide.

Abstract: A display system includes a display alignment tracker configured track the position of a first signal in a first waveguide and the position of a second signal in a second waveguide. The display alignment tracker optically multiplexes a portion of a first signal and a portion of the second signal into a combined optical signal and measures a differential between the first signal and the second signal. The differential is used to adjust the position, dimensions, or a color attribute of the first signal relative to the second signal.

Abstract: Light guide techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a light guide supported by the housing, a light engine disposed within the housing and optically coupled to the light guide, and one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to cause the light engine to output a user interface for display using the light guide along an image plane focused at infinity.

Abstract: In embodiments of an auto-stereoscopic augmented reality display, the display device is implemented with an imaging structure that includes a waveguide for see-through viewing of an environment. The waveguide also transmits light of a virtual image that is generated as a near-display object to appear at a distance in the environment. The imaging structure includes switchable diffractive elements that are integrated in the waveguide and configured in display zones. The switchable diffractive elements are switchable to independently activate the display zones effective to correct for an accurate stereopsis view of the virtual image that appears at the distance in the environment.

Abstract: An optical system that deploys micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) scanners to contemporaneously generate CG images and to scan a terrain of a real-world environment. An illumination engine emits a first spectral bandwidth and a second spectral bandwidth into an optical assembly along a common optical path. The optical assembly then separates the spectral bandwidth by directing the first spectral bandwidth onto an image-generation optical path and the second spectral bandwidth onto a terrain-mapping optical path. The optical system deploys the MEMS scanners to generate CG images by directing the first spectral bandwidth within the image-generation optical path and also to irradiate a terrain by directing the second spectral bandwidth within the terrain-mapping optical path. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides substantial reductions in both weight and cost for systems such as, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality systems.

Abstract: An optical system that deploys micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) scanners to contemporaneously generate CG images and to scan a terrain of a real-world environment. An illumination engine emits a first spectral bandwidth and a second spectral bandwidth into an optical assembly along a common optical path. The optical assembly then separates the spectral bandwidth by directing the first spectral bandwidth onto an image-generation optical path and the second spectral bandwidth onto a terrain-mapping optical path. The optical system deploys the MEMS scanners to generate CG images by directing the first spectral bandwidth within the image-generation optical path and also to irradiate a terrain by directing the second spectral bandwidth within the terrain-mapping optical path. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides substantial reductions in both weight and cost for systems such as, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality systems.

Abstract: Introduced here is a display device that comprises a light emitter and a diffractive optical element (DOE) that is optically coupled to receive light from the light emitter and to convey the light along an optical path. The DOE may have an input surface and an output surface parallel to the input surface, where the input surface and the output surface each have a central region and a peripheral region. The DOE further may have optical characteristics such that light exiting the DOE in the peripheral region of the output surface has greater brightness than light exiting the DOE in the central region of the output surface.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a pixel array including one or more pixels. Two or more independently controllable electrodes are electrically coupled to each pixel. A common ground reference electrode is electrically coupled to all pixels of the pixel array. Each pixel includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules may be oriented in a first direction based on a first function of voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel, and oriented in a second direction based on a second function of the voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel. In this way, both phase modulation and polarization modulation may be introduced to light illuminating the pixel array.

Abstract: A non-telecentric display system that prevents ghost images includes an optical waveguide and a display engine. An image former of the display engine includes a reflective surface having a surface normal thereto. An illumination engine of the display engine emits light towards the reflective surface of the image former such that chief rays are offset by acute angles from the surface normal to the reflective surface. The display engine directs light corresponding to an image, that reflects off the reflective surface of the image former, towards an input-coupler of the optical waveguide so light corresponding to the image is coupled therein and travels by total internal reflection to an output-coupler of the waveguide. Ghost images are prevented at least in part due to the chief rays of light emitted by the illumination engine being offset by acute angles from the surface normal to the reflective surface.

Abstract: A head-mounted display device comprises a rendering engine configured to generate a hologram representative of a three-dimensional object. The hologram includes depth information that causes the three-dimensional object to be rendered with a focus that is determined by the depth information. The device also includes a spatial light modulator that modulates light from a light source as indicated by the hologram. A switchable hologram comprises multiple stacked switchable gratings. Each of the stacked switchable gratings is associated with one or more resulting exit pupil locations on a viewing surface. The system also comprises an eye tracker configured to map a viewing direction of a user's eye to a viewing location on the viewing surface. A processor is configured to activate a particular switchable grating within the switchable transmission hologram that is associated with an exit pupil location that aligns with the viewing location.

Abstract: A MEMS laser scanner is disclosed for use in a near-eye display including an increased field of view (FOV). In embodiments, one or more polarization gratings may be applied to the mirror of the MEMS laser scanner, which polarization gratings may be configured according to the Bragg regime. Using light of different polarizations, the MEMS laser scanner is able to expand the FOV without increasing the range over which the mirror of the scanner oscillates.

Abstract: A wearable image display system includes a headpiece, a first and a second light engine, and a first and a second optical component. The first and second light engines generate a first and a second set of beams respectively, each beam substantially collimated so that the first and second set form a first and a second virtual image respectively. Each optical component is located to project an image onto a first and a second eye of a wearer respectively. The first and second sets of beams are directed to incoupling structures of the first and second optical components respectively. Exit structures of the first and second optical components guide the first and second sets of beams onto the first and second eyes respectively. The optical components are located between the light engines and the eyes. Both of the light engines are mounted to a central portion of the headpiece.

Abstract: A wearable image display system includes a headpiece, a first and a second light engine, and a first and a second optical component. The first and second light engines generate a first and a second set of beams respectively, each beam substantially collimated so that the first and second set form a first and a second virtual image respectively. Each optical component is located to project an image onto a first and a second eye of a wearer respectively. The first and second sets of beams are directed to incoupling structures of the first and second optical components respectively. Exit structures of the first and second optical components guide the first and second sets of beams onto the first and second eyes respectively. The optical components are located between the light engines and the eyes. Both of the light engines are mounted to a central portion of the headpiece.

Abstract: A MEMS laser scanner is disclosed for use in a near-eye display including an increased field of view (FOV). In embodiments, one or more polarization gratings may be applied to the mirror of the MEMS laser scanner, which polarization gratings may be configured according to the Bragg regime. Using light of different polarizations, the MEMS laser scanner is able to expand the FOV without increasing the range over which the mirror of the scanner oscillates.

Abstract: A near-eye optical display system utilizes a compact display engine that couples image light from an imager to a waveguide-based display having diffractive optical elements (DOEs) that provide exit pupil expansion in two directions. The display engine comprises a pair of single axis MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) scanners that are configured to reflect the image light through horizontal and vertical scan axes of the display system's field of view (FOV) using raster scanning. The MEMS scanners are arranged with their axes of rotation at substantially right angles to each other and operate with respective quarter wave retarder plates and a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) to couple the image light into an in-coupling DOE in the waveguide display without the need for additional optical elements such as lenses or relay systems.

Abstract: In implementations of hologram focus accommodation, a focus accommodation system is implemented for variable focus of a generated image, such as a hologram, that is displayed for viewing on a waveguide display. The focus accommodation system includes switchable polarization retarders that rotate a polarization of light of the generated image, where the light passes through the switchable polarization retarders along an imaging path in which the generated image is viewable. The focus accommodation system also includes polarization sensitive gratings alternatingly interspersed with the switchable polarization retarders. Each of the polarization sensitive gratings are configurable to diffract the light in a first polarization state and transmit the light in a second polarization state. The variable focus is adjustable to a focal distance at which a user perceives viewing the generated image as displayed by the waveguide display.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to a near-eye display device including a holographic display system. The holographic display system includes a light source configured to emit light that is converging or diverging, a waveguide configured to be positioned in a field of view of a user's eye, and a digital dynamic hologram configured to receive the light, and project the light into the waveguide such that the light propagates through the waveguide.