Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing dynamic digitized wavefront resolution, i.e., the density of output beamlets, can include receiving a single collimated source light beam and producing multiple output beamlets spatially offset when out-coupled from a waveguide. The multiple output beamlets can be obtained by offsetting and replicating a collimated source light beam. Alternatively, the multiple output beamlets can be obtained by using a collimated incoming source light beam having multiple input beams with different wavelengths in the vicinity of the nominal wavelength of a particular color. The collimated incoming source light beam can be in-coupled into the eyepiece designed for the nominal wavelength. The input beams with multiple wavelengths take different paths when they undergo total internal reflection in the waveguide, which produces multiple output beamlets.

Abstract: An eyepiece for an augmented reality display system. The eyepiece can include a waveguide substrate. The waveguide substrate can include an input coupler grating (ICG), an orthogonal pupil expander (OPE) grating, a spreader grating, and an exit pupil expander (EPE) grating. The ICG can couple at least one input light beam into at least a first guided light beam that propagates inside the waveguide substrate. The OPE grating can divide the first guided light beam into a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart light beams. The spreader grating can receive the light beams from the OPE grating and spread their distribution. The spreader grating can include diffractive features oriented at approximately 90° to diffractive features of the OPE grating. The EPE grating can re-direct the light beams from the first OPE grating and the first spreader grating such that they exit the waveguide substrate.

Abstract: A device for viewing a projected image includes an input coupling grating operable to receive light related to the projected image from a light source and an expansion grating having a first grating structure characterized by a first set of grating parameters varying in one or more dimensions. The expansion grating structure is operable to receive light from the input coupling grating and to multiply the light related to the projected image. The device also includes an output coupling grating having a second grating structure characterized by a second set of grating parameters and operable to output the multiplied light in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An eyepiece for an augmented reality display system. The eyepiece can include a waveguide substrate. The waveguide substrate can include an input coupler grating (ICG), an orthogonal pupil expander (OPE) grating, a spreader grating, and an exit pupil expander (EPE) grating. The ICG can couple at least one input light beam into at least a first guided light beam that propagates inside the waveguide substrate. The OPE grating can divide the first guided light beam into a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart light beams. The spreader grating can receive the light beams from the OPE grating and spread their distribution. The spreader grating can include diffractive features oriented at approximately 90° to diffractive features of the OPE grating. The EPE grating can re-direct the light beams from the first OPE grating and the first spreader grating such that they exit the waveguide substrate.

Abstract: A method of reducing optical artifacts includes injecting a light beam generated by an illumination source into a polarizing beam splitter (PBS), reflecting a spatially defined portion of the light beam from a display panel, reflecting, at an interface in the PBS, the spatially defined portion of the light beam towards a projector lens, passing at least a portion of the spatially defined portion of the light beam through a circular polarizer disposed between the PBS and the projector lens, reflecting, by one or more elements of the projector lens, a return portion of the spatially defined portion of the light beam, and attenuating, at the circular polarizer, the return portion of the spatially defined portion of the light beam.

Abstract: An eyepiece for projecting an image to a viewer includes a substrate positioned in a substrate lateral plane and a set of color filters disposed on the substrate. The set of color filters comprise a first color filter disposed at a first lateral position and operable to pass a first wavelength range, a second color filter disposed at a second lateral position and operable to pass a second wavelength range, and a third color filter disposed at a third lateral position and operable to pass a third wavelength range. The eyepiece further includes a first planar waveguide positioned in a first lateral plane adjacent the substrate lateral plane, a second planar waveguide positioned in a second lateral plane adjacent to the first lateral plane, and a third planar waveguide positioned in a third lateral plane adjacent to the second lateral plane.

Abstract: Techniques are described for applying an edge sealant to the edge of a multi-layer optical device. In particular, embodiments provide an apparatus that performs a precision measurement of the perimeter of an eyepiece, applying the edge sealant (e.g., polymer) based on the precision-measured perimeter, and subsequently cures the edge sealant, using ultraviolet (UV) light that is directed at the edge sealant. The curing process may be performed within a short time following the application of the edge sealant, to ensure that any wicking of the edge sealant between the layers of the eyepiece is controlled to be no greater than a particular depth tolerance. In some examples, the edge sealant is applied to the optical device prevent, or at least reduce, the leakage of light from the optical device, and also to ensure and maintain the structure of the multi-layer optical device.

Abstract: An optical device, such as an eyepiece, including multiple layers of waveguides. The optical device can include an edge sealant for reducing light contamination, a lamination dam to restrict the wicking of the edge sealant between layers of the optical device, and venting gap(s) in the sealant and dam to allow air flow between the exterior and interior of the eyepiece. The gap(s) allow outgassing from the interior of the eyepiece of unreacted polymer and/or accumulated moisture, to prevent defect accumulation caused by chemical reaction of outgassed chemicals with the (e.g., ionic, acidic, etc.) surface of the eyepiece layers. The gap(s) also prevent pressure differences which may physically deform the eyepiece over time.

Abstract: An eyepiece for projecting an image includes a first planar waveguide positioned in a first lateral plane. The first planar waveguide comprises a first diffractive optical element (DOE) disposed at a first lateral position. The eyepiece also includes a second planar waveguide positioned in a second lateral plane adjacent to the first lateral plane. The second planar waveguide comprises a second DOE disposed at a second lateral position different from the first lateral position. The eyepiece further includes a third planar waveguide positioned in a third lateral plane adjacent to the second lateral plane. The third planar waveguide comprises a third DOE disposed at a third lateral position different from the first lateral position and the second lateral position. The eyepiece also includes an optical filter positioned between the second planar waveguide and the third planar waveguide. The optical filter is disposed at the third lateral position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for presenting virtual objects on a limited number of depth planes using, e.g., an augmented reality display system. A farthest one of the depth planes is within a mismatch tolerance of optical infinity. The display system may switch the depth plane on which content is actively displayed so that the content is displayed on the depth plane on which a user is fixating. The impact of errors in fixation tracking is addressed using partially overlapping depth planes. A fixation depth is determined and the display system determines whether to adjust selection of a selected depth plane at which a virtual object is presented. The determination may be based on whether the fixation depth falls within a depth overlap region of adjacent depth planes. The display system may switch the active depth plane depending upon whether the fixation depth falls outside the overlap region.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) system includes a wearable device comprising a display inside the wearable device and operable to display virtual content and an imaging device mounted to the wearable device. The AR system also includes a handheld device comprising handheld fiducials affixed to the handheld device and a computing apparatus configured to perform localization of the handheld device with respect to the wearable device.

Abstract: An optical device, such as an eyepiece, including multiple layers of waveguides. The optical device can include an edge sealant for reducing light contamination, a lamination dam to restrict the wicking of the edge sealant between layers of the optical device, and venting gap(s) in the sealant and dam to allow air flow between the exterior and interior of the eyepiece. The gap(s) allow outgassing from the interior of the eyepiece of unreacted polymer and/or accumulated moisture, to prevent defect accumulation caused by chemical reaction of outgassed chemicals with the (e.g., ionic, acidic, etc.) surface of the eyepiece layers. The gap(s) also prevent pressure differences which may physically deform the eyepiece over time.

Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method of performing localization of a handheld device with respect to a wearable device includes capturing, by a first imaging device mounted to the handheld device, a fiducial image containing a number of fiducials affixed to the wearable device and capturing, by a second imaging device mounted to the handheld device, a world image containing one or more features surrounding the handheld device. The method also includes obtaining, by a sensor mounted to the handheld device, handheld data indicative of movement of the handheld device, determining the number of fiducials contained in the fiducial image, and updating a position and an orientation of the handheld device using at least one of the fiducial image or the world image and the handheld data.

Abstract: A display subsystem for a virtual image generation system for use by an end user comprises a planar waveguide apparatus, an optical fiber, at least one light source configured for emitting light from a distal end of the optical fiber, and a collimation element mounted to a distal end of the optical fiber for collimating light from the optical fiber. The virtual image generation system further comprises a mechanical drive assembly to which the optical fiber is mounted to the drive assembly. The mechanical drive assembly is configured for displacing the distal end of the optical fiber, along with the collimation element, in accordance with a scan pattern. The virtual image generation system further comprises an optical waveguide input apparatus configured for directing the collimated light from the collimation element down the planar waveguide apparatus, such that the planar waveguide apparatus displays image frames to the end user.

Abstract: Wearable and optical display systems and methods for operation thereof incorporating monovision display techniques are disclosed. A wearable device may include left and right optical stacks configured to switch between displaying virtual content at a first focal plane or a second focal plane. The wearable device may determine whether or not an activation condition is satisfied. In response to determining that the activation condition is satisfied, a monovision display mode associated with the wearable device may be activated, which may include causing the left optical stack to display the virtual content at the first focal plane and causing the right optical stack to display the virtual content at the second focal plane.

Abstract: A wearable device includes a left optical stack having a left eyepiece configured to receive left virtual image light, a left accommodating lens, and a left compensating lens. The wearable device also includes a right optical stack having a right eyepiece configured to receive right virtual image light, a right accommodating lens, and a right compensating lens. An optical power of the left accommodating lens is equal in magnitude to an optical power of the left compensating lens, an optical power of the right accommodating lens is equal in magnitude to an optical power of the right compensating lens, and the optical power of the left accommodating lens and the optical power of the right accommodating lens differ by an offset amount.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for presenting virtual objects on a limited number of depth planes using, e.g., an augmented reality display system. A farthest one of the depth planes is within a mismatch tolerance of optical infinity. The display system may switch the depth plane on which content is actively displayed, so that the content is displayed on the depth plane on which a user is fixating. The impact of errors in fixation tracking is addressed using partially overlapping depth planes. A fixation depth at which a user is fixating is determined and the display system determines whether to adjust selection of a selected depth plane at which a virtual object is presented. The determination may be based on whether the fixation depth falls within a depth overlap region of adjacent depth planes. The display system may switch the active depth plane depending upon whether the fixation depth falls outside the overlap region.

Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.