Scanning in optical systems

• US 10,732,414 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2016
• Issued: 08/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Bohn, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, William R
• Application Number:
  US15/239,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20180052325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,448 Days
• Field of Search: 359630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0147 comprising a device modifying the resolution of the displayed image
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2207/115 Electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/005 based on electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/10 Scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/108 having one or more prisms as scanning elements
• 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 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/04 Changes in size, position or resolution of an image
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/025 with scanning or deflecting the beams in two directions or dimensions

Abstract

Examples are disclosed that relate to scanning optical systems. One example provides an optical system comprising an illumination source configured to emit light, a first scanning stage configured to receive the light and to scan the light, and a second scanning stage configured to receive and direct the light from the first scanning stage toward a projected exit pupil.

Claims

1. An optical system, comprising:

an illumination source configured to emit light;

a first scanning stage configured to receive the light and to scan the light to form a two-dimensional image, the first scanning stage comprising an exit pupil within the first scanning stage; and

a second scanning stage configured to receive and direct the two-dimensional image from the first scanning stage toward a projected exit pupil spaced from the first scanning stage and the second scanning stage.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first scanning stage and the second scanning stage comprises a Risley prism pair.

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first scanning stage and the second scanning stage comprises a scanning electro-optic element.

4. The optical system of claim 3, wherein one or more of the first scanning stage and the second scanning stage comprises a liquid crystal element.

5. The optical system of claim 3, wherein one or more of the first scanning stage and the second scanning stage comprises a plurality of electrowetting lenses.

6. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the illumination source comprises a point source.

7. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the illumination source comprises a two-dimensional array source.

8. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a waveguide positioned to receive light at the projected exit pupil.

9. The optical system of claim 8, wherein the waveguide comprises a pupil replication stage.

10. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a partially reflective mirror positioned to receive light from the second scanning stage and to redirect at least a portion of the light from the second scanning stage toward an eyebox.

11. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a computing device and an eye tracking device, and wherein the computing device is configured to produce higher resolution foveal images and lower resolution peripheral images based upon eye tracking data from the eye tracking device.

12. The optical system of claim 11, wherein the eye tracking device comprises one or more light sources, a camera, and a waveguide configured to deliver light from the light sources toward an eyebox, and to deliver image data from the eyebox to the camera.

13. A method of operating a display device, the method comprising:

emitting light via an illumination source;

receiving the light at a first scanning stage and scanning the light to form a two-dimensional image;

forming an exit pupil within the first scanning stage; and

receiving the two-dimensional image at a second scanning stage and directing the two-dimensional image via the second scanning stage toward a projected exit pupil spaced from the first scanning stage and the second scanning stage.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein one or more of receiving the light at the first scanning stage and receiving the two-dimensional image at the second scanning stage comprises receiving at least one of the light and the two-dimensional image at a Risley prism pair.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein one or more of receiving the light at the first scanning stage and receiving the two-dimensional image at the second scanning stage comprises receiving at least one of the light and the two-dimensional image at a scanning electro-optic element.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the two-dimensional image at a waveguide and propagating the two-dimensional image through an exit pupil replication stage of the waveguide.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving eye tracking data from an eye tracking device, and providing higher resolution foveal images and lower resolution peripheral images based upon the eye tracking data.

18. An optical system, comprising:

an illumination source configured to emit light;

a scanning electro-optic element configured to receive the light and to scan the light to form a two-dimensional image; and

a waveguide configured to receive the two-dimensional image from the scanning electro-optic element and to direct the two-dimensional image toward a projected eyebox in which the full two-dimensional image is visible, the waveguide comprising a pupil replication stage.

19. The optical system of claim 18, wherein the scanning electro-optic element is a first scanning stage, further comprising a second scanning stage configured to receive the two-dimensional image from the scanning electro-optic element and to direct the two-dimensional image toward a projected exit pupil.

20. The optical system of claim 18, wherein the scanning electro-optic element comprises one or more of an electrowetting element, a liquid crystal element, and a deformable polymer element.