Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: In some implementations, an optical device includes a one-way mirror formed by a polarization selective mirror and an absorptive polarizer. The absorptive polarizer has a transmission axis aligned with the transmission axis of the reflective polarizer. The one-way mirror may be provided on the world side of a head-mounted display system. Advantageously, the one-way mirror may reflect light from the world, which provides privacy and may improve the cosmetics of the display. In some implementations, the one-way mirror may include one or more of a depolarizer and a pair of opposing waveplates to improve alignment tolerances and reduce reflections to a viewer. In some implementations, the one-way mirror may form a compact integrated structure with a dimmer for reducing light transmitted to the viewer from the world.

Abstract: A method for displaying an image using a wearable display system including directing display light from a display towards a user through an eyepiece to project images in the user's field of view, determining a relative location between an ambient light source and the eyepiece, and adjusting an attenuation of ambient light from the ambient light source through the eyepiece depending on the relative location between the ambient light source and the eyepiece.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: An electronic eyewear device including a spatial dimming pixel panel within an optical assembly that delivers improved backlighting conditions for displayed images. The spatial dimming pixel panel is spatially dimmed where an image is positioned on a display, and the unoccupied area of the display is not dimmed (undimmed), thereby unaltering the real-world view through that portion of the display. The spatial dimming pixel panel is made of multiple liquid crystal cells arranged in a gridded orientation with a dye-doped or guest-host liquid crystal system having a phase change mode with homeotropic alignment. The spatial dimming pixel panel absorbs nonpolarized light when a voltage is applied across the cells and passes nonpolarized light in the absence of a voltage across the cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are dimming assemblies and display systems for reducing artifacts produced by optically-transmissive displays. A system may include a substrate upon which a plurality of electronic components are disposed. The electronic components may include a plurality of pixels, a plurality of conductors, and a plurality of circuit modules. The plurality of pixels may be arranged in a two-dimensional array, with each pixel having a two-dimensional geometry corresponding to a shape with at least one curved side. The plurality of conductors may be arranged adjacent to the plurality of pixels. The system may also include control circuitry electrically coupled to the plurality of conductors. The control circuitry may be configured to apply electrical signals to the plurality of circuit modules by way of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include determining a fixation point of a user's eyes. Location information associated with a first virtual object to be presented to the user via a display device is obtained. A resolution-modifying parameter of the first virtual object is obtained. A particular resolution at which to render the first virtual object is identified based on the location information and the resolution-modifying parameter of the first virtual object. The particular resolution is based on a resolution distribution specifying resolutions for corresponding distances from the fixation point. The first virtual object rendered at the identified resolution is presented to the user via the display system.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side, wherein during use a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user’s view of the user’s environment. The wearable display system also includes an angularly selective film arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack. The angularly selective film includes a polarization adjusting film arranged between pair of linear polarizers. The linear polarizers and polarization adjusting film significantly reduces transmission of visible light incident on the angularly selective film at large angles of incidence without significantly reducing transmission of light incident on the angularly selective film at small angles of incidence.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side. During use, a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the wearable display system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user's field of view of the user's environment. The system also includes an optical attenuator arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack, the optical attenuator having a layer of a birefringent material having a plurality of domains each having a principal optic axis oriented in a corresponding direction different from the direction of other domains. Each domain of the optical attenuator reduces transmission of visible light incident on the optical attenuator for a corresponding different range of angles of incidence.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include monitoring eye orientations of a user of a display system based on detected sensor information. A fixation point is determined based on the eye orientations, the fixation point representing a three-dimensional location with respect to a field of view. Location information of virtual objects to present is obtained, with the location information indicating three-dimensional positions of the virtual objects. Resolutions of at least one virtual object is adjusted based on a proximity of the at least one virtual object to the fixation point. The virtual objects are presented to a user by display system with the at least one virtual object being rendered according to the adjusted resolution.

Abstract: A head-mounted apparatus include an eyepiece that include a variable dimming assembly and a frame mounting the eyepiece so that a user side of the eyepiece faces a towards a user and a world side of the eyepiece opposite the first side faces away from the user. The dynamic dimming assembly selectively modulates an intensity of light transmitted parallel to an optical axis from the world side to the user side during operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include determining a fixation point of a user's eyes. Location information associated with a first virtual object to be presented to the user via a display device is obtained. A resolution-modifying parameter of the first virtual object is obtained. A particular resolution at which to render the first virtual object is identified based on the location information and the resolution-modifying parameter of the first virtual object. The particular resolution is based on a resolution distribution specifying resolutions for corresponding distances from the fixation point. The first virtual object rendered at the identified resolution is presented to the user via the display system.

Abstract: Disclosed are dimming assemblies and display systems for reducing artifacts produced by optically-transmissive displays. A system may include a substrate upon which a plurality of electronic components are disposed. The electronic components may include a plurality of pixels, a plurality of conductors, and a plurality of circuit modules. The plurality of pixels may be arranged in a two-dimensional array, with each pixel having a two-dimensional geometry corresponding to a shape with at least one curved side. The plurality of conductors may be arranged adjacent to the plurality of pixels. The system may also include control circuitry electrically coupled to the plurality of conductors. The control circuitry may be configured to apply electrical signals to the plurality of circuit modules by way of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side, wherein during use a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user's view of the user's environment. The wearable display system also includes an angularly selective film arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack. The angularly selective film includes a polarization adjusting film arranged between pair of linear polarizers. The linear polarizers and polarization adjusting film significantly reduces transmission of visible light incident on the angularly selective film at large angles of incidence without significantly reducing transmission of light incident on the angularly selective film at small angles of incidence.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: A wearable display system includes an eyepiece stack having a world side and a user side opposite the world side. During use, a user positioned on the user side views displayed images delivered by the wearable display system via the eyepiece stack which augment the user's field of view of the user's environment. The system also includes an optical attenuator arranged on the world side of the of the eyepiece stack, the optical attenuator having a layer of a birefringent material having a plurality of domains each having a principal optic axis oriented in a corresponding direction different from the direction of other domains. Each domain of the optical attenuator reduces transmission of visible light incident on the optical attenuator for a corresponding different range of angles of incidence.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include monitoring eye orientations of a user of a display system based on detected sensor information. A fixation point is determined based on the eye orientations, the fixation point representing a three-dimensional location with respect to a field of view. Location information of virtual objects to present is obtained, with the location information indicating three-dimensional positions of the virtual objects. Resolutions of at least one virtual object is adjusted based on a proximity of the at least one virtual object to the fixation point. The virtual objects are presented to a user by display system with the at least one virtual object being rendered according to the adjusted resolution.

Abstract: A head-mounted apparatus include an eyepiece that include a variable dimming assembly and a frame mounting the eyepiece so that a user side of the eyepiece faces a towards a user and a world side of the eyepiece opposite the first side faces away from the user. The dynamic dimming assembly selectively modulates an intensity of light transmitted parallel to an optical axis from the world side to the user side during operation.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.