Methods and system for creating focal planes in virtual and augmented reality

• US 10,627,632 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2019
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Inventors: Welch, William Hudson, Tekolste, Robert D., Chung, Hyunsun, Cheng, Hui-Chuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Simpson, Lixi C
• Application Number:
  US16/261,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20190162970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0107 with optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0127 comprising devices increasing the depth of field
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• 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 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0194 with combiner of laminated type, for optical or mechanical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/005 based on electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/007 the movable or deformable optical element controlling the colour, i.e. a spectral characteristic, of the light
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0081 with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0294 adapted to provide an additional optical effect, e.g. anti-reflection or filter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence

Abstract

Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a spatial light modulator operatively coupled to an image source for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, and a variable focus element (VFE) for varying a focus of the projected light such that a first frame of image data is focused at a first depth plane, and a second frame of image data is focused at a second depth plane, and wherein a distance between the first depth plane and the second depth plane is fixed.

Claims

1. A variable focus element (VFE), comprising:

a sealed lens chamber comprising two halves defined by a partial barrier, a first half of the two halves housing a first immiscible liquid having a first refractive index, and a second half of the two halves housing a second immiscible liquid having a second refractive index, wherein the first immiscible liquid of the first half and the second immiscible liquid of the second half forms an optical interface within the sealed lens chamber;

a first piezo ring located in the first half of the sealed lens chamber such that the first piezo ring is in contact with the first immiscible liquid; and

a second piezo ring located in the second half of the sealed lens chamber such that the second piezo ring is in contact with the second immiscible liquid,

wherein changing respective shapes of the first and second piezo rings modifies the shape of the optical interface while maintaining a constant radial dimension of the sealed lens chamber.

2. The VFE of claim 1, wherein the optical interface functions as a lens, and wherein the optical interface is variably modified to vary a focus of the lens.

3. The VFE of claim 1, wherein the sealed lens chamber is devoid of air.

4. The VFE of claim 1, wherein the applied pressure changes a curvature of the optical interface.

5. The VFE of claim 1, wherein a first optical interface corresponds to a first focus.

6. The VFE of claim 5, wherein the first focus generates a first depth plane.

7. The VFE of claim 1, wherein a second optical interface corresponds to a second focus.

8. The VFE of claim 7, wherein the second focus generates a second depth plane.

9. The VFE of claim 1, wherein a volume of the first immiscible liquid remains constant.

10. The VFE of claim 1, wherein a volume of the second immiscible liquid remains constant.

11. The VFE of claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied through a mechanical means.

12. A variable focus element (VFE), comprising:

a sealed lens chamber comprising two halves defined by a ring bender, a first half of the two halves housing a first immiscible liquid having a first refractive index, and a second half of the two halves housing a second immiscible liquid having a second refractive index,

wherein the ring bender partially creates a physical barrier between the first and second immiscible liquids,

wherein the first immiscible liquid of the first half and the second immiscible liquid of the second half forms an optical interface at the ring bender within the sealed lens chamber,

wherein the ring bender is configured such that applying pressure on the ring bender in a first direction bends an inner portion of the ring bender down and modifies a curvature of the optical interface to have a first shape, and

wherein the ring bender is further configured such that applying pressure on the ring bender in a second direction bends an outer portion of the ring bender down and modifies the curvature of the optical interface to have a second shape.

13. The VFE of claim 12, wherein the optical interface functions as a lens, and wherein the optical interface is variably modified to vary a focus of the lens.

14. The VFE of claim 12, wherein the sealed lens chamber is devoid of air.

15. The VFE of claim 12, wherein the applied pressure changes a curvature of the optical interface.

16. The VFE of claim 12, wherein a first optical interface corresponds to a first focus.

17. The VFE of claim 16, wherein the first focus generates a first depth plane.

18. The VFE of claim 12, wherein a second optical interface corresponds to a second focus.

19. The VFE of claim 18, wherein the second focus generates a second depth plane.

20. The VFE of claim 12, wherein a volume of the first immiscible liquid remains constant.

21. The VFE of claim 12, wherein a volume of the second immiscible liquid remains constant.

22. The VFE of claim 12, wherein the pressure is applied through a mechanical means.

23. A method, comprising:

providing a sealed lens chamber comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a first piezo element and a first immiscible liquid in contact with the first piezo element and having a first index of refraction, and the second portion comprising a second piezo element and a second immiscible liquid in contact with the second piezo element and having a second index of refraction;

creating an optical interface between the first immiscible liquid and the second immiscible liquid;

modifying a curvature of the optical interface between the first immiscible liquid and the second immiscible liquid by changing respective shapes of the first and second piezo elements; and

maintaining a constant radial dimension of the sealed lens chamber.