Virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality systems including thick media and related methods

• US 10,539,799 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2017
• Issued: 01/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Inventors: St. Hilaire, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavarias, Arnel C
• Application Number:
  US15/698,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20180067318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 359567558, 359566, 359569, 359571, 359572, 359573, 359574, 359575, 359576, 359618, 359629, 359630, 359633, 359634, 359 1, 359 15, 359 19, 359 32, 359 33, 359 35
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0125 Field-of-view increase by wavefront division
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0185 Displaying image at variable distance
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0081 with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0179 Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4272 having plural diffractive elements positioned sequentially along the optical path
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1819 Plural gratings positioned on the same surface, e.g. array of gratings plural diffractive elements positioned sequentially along the optical path G02B27/4272
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0016 Grooves, prisms, gratings, scattering particles or rough surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0248 Volume holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/28 superimposed holograms only
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2226 Edge lit holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2210/33 3D/2D, i.e. the object is formed of stratified 2D planes, e.g. tomographic data

Abstract

A head worn imaging system includes a light source configured to generate a light beam. The system also includes a light guiding optical element having a thickness between 0.1 and 1.5 mm and configured to propagate at least a portion of the light beam by total internal reflection. The system further includes an entry portion and an exit portion of the light guiding optical element configured to selectively allow light addressing the exit portion to exit the light guiding optical element based on the angle of incidence of the light, the radius of curvature of the light and/or the wavelength of the light.

Claims

1. A head worn imaging system, comprising:

a light source configured to generate a light beam; and

a light guiding optical element having a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.5 mm and comprising an entry portion and an exit portion,

wherein the light guiding optical element is configured to propagate at least a portion of the light beam by total internal reflection,

wherein the exit portion of the light guiding optical element is configured to selectively allow light addressing the exit portion to exit the light guiding optical element based on an angle of incidence of the light, and

wherein the light guiding optical element allows multiplexing of light to a plurality of focal planes through the light guiding optical element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of light beam is selected to exit the light guiding optical element based at least on a thickness of the light guiding optical element or an in-coupling grating.

3. A head worn imaging system, comprising:

a light source configured to generate a light beam; and

a light guiding optical element having a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.5 mm and comprising an entry portion and an exit portion,

wherein the light guiding optical element is configured to propagate at least a portion of the light beam by total internal reflection,

wherein the exit portion of the light guiding optical element is configured to selectively allow light addressing the exit portion to exit the light guiding optical element based on an angle of incidence of the light, and

wherein the exit portion comprises an out-coupling grating corresponding to a particular depth plane.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a portion of light beam is selected to exit the light guiding optical element based at least on a thickness of the light guiding optical element or an in-coupling grating.

5. A head worn imaging system, comprising:

a light source configured to generate a light beam;

a light guiding optical element having a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.5 mm and comprising an entry portion and an exit portion; and

a variable focus element configured to adjust curvature of the light beam by adjusting at least one of focus before the light beam enters the light guiding optical element through the entry portion,

wherein the light guiding optical element is configured to propagate at least a portion of the light beam by total internal reflection, and

wherein the exit portion of the light guiding optical element is configured to selectively allow light addressing the exit portion to exit the light guiding optical element based on an angle of incidence of the light.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a portion of light beam is selected to exit the light guiding optical element based at least on a thickness of the light guiding optical element or an in-coupling grating.