Information system and method for providing information using a holographic element

• US 20070109619A1
• Filed: 10/08/2001
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Physoptics Opto-Electronic GmbH
• Inventors: Dickerson, David, Eberl, Ronald, Eberl, Heinrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,641,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/12 for looking at the eye fundus, e.g. ophthalmoscopes A61B3/13 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/14 Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• 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 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

In the following, the essential points are summarized again by means of groups of characteristics which each individually and in combination with one another characterize the invention specifically: 1. Information system for providing information in correlation with light incident on an eye, having a holographic element disposed in front of the eye, and an optical scanning device which detects light incident on the eye by way of the holographic element. 2. Information system according to Point 1, wherein the optical scanning device is at a fixed predetermined angular ratio with respect to the holographic element. 3. Information system according to Point 1 or 2, wherein the optical scanning device detects light which is refracted by the holographic element before it impinges on the eye and does not enter the eye. 4. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the optical scanning device detects light which was first reflected back from the eye and was then refracted by the holographic element. 5. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element refracts light originating from the field of vision of the eye only at several discrete wavelengths in the visible range before the light impinges on the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device, and refracts light reflected back from the eye only at one discrete wavelength in the infrared range for the detection by the optical scanning device. 6. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element refracts light originating from the field of vision of the eye at fewer than 20, fewer than 10 or fewer than 5 discrete wavelengths in the visible range either before the light impinges on the eye or after its backscattering as a result of the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device. 7. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element refracts light originating from the field of vision of the eye at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range either before the light impinges on the eye or after its backscattering as a result of the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device. 8. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element refracts light reflected back by the eye only at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range for the detection by the optical scanning device. 9. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element refracts light of one or several discrete wavelengths, at which the optical scanning device has a high sensitivity. 10. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element refracts light a several discrete wavelengths such that the refracted light is guided to a common point, and the angle of incidence of the light on this point permits a clear optionally also wavelength-independent conclusion on the angle of incidence of the light upon the holographic element. 11. Information system according to one of the preceding points, having an optical projection device which projects light into the eye by way of the holographic element. 12. Information system according to Point 11, wherein the light detected by the optical detection device and the light projected in front of the optical projection device run in the opposite direction through a common light guiding lens system and can be focused such by the optical scanning device or projection device that their respective beams describe the same path from or into the eye. 13. Information system for providing information in correlation with information obtained from an eye, having a holographic element disposed in front of the eye, and an optical projection device which projects light into the eye by way of the holographic element. 14. Information system according to one of Points 11 to 13, wherein the optical projection device projects light only at one or several discrete wavelengths in the visible range and/or at a wavelength in the infrared range. 15. Information system according to one of Points 11 to 14, wherein the holographic element refracts the wavelengths of the projected light. 16. Information system according to one of Points 11-15, wherein the optical projection device is in a fixed predetermined angular ratio with respect to the holographic element. 17. Information system according to Point 16, wherein the holographic element comprises one or more optical flags, whose light reflection characteristics can be used by the information system by means of a photodetector for calibrating a projection angle of the optical projection device and/or a light guiding device. 18. Information system according to Point 17, including Point 12, wherein the information system uses the light reflection characteristics of the optical flags for calibrating a scanning angle of the optical scanning device and/or a light guiding device. 19. Information system according to Point 17, wherein the optical flags are generated in that reflecting elements are imaged during the creating of the holographic element such in the holographic element that they (something is missing) reflect light of one or several wavelengths which, corresponding to the predetermined angular ratio with respect to the optical projection device is incident on the holographic element, back along the path of incidence. 20. Information system according to Point 19, wherein the photodetector device has a splitter mirror which is arranged such in the light beam of the optical projection device that it guides a portion of the light, which impinges on the splitter mirror against the projection direction, in the direction of a photodetector which detects in at least two areas situated concentrically around one another. 21. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element has light-refracting characteristics at one or several discrete wavelengths, which correspond to a reflection on the concave side of an area constructed according to the curvature of a rotationally symmetrical ellipsoid. 22. Information system according to one of the preceding points, wherein the holographic element has light refracting characteristics at one or several discrete wavelengths, which correspond to a refraction on the concave side of an area constructed according to the curvature of a rotationally symmetrical ellipsoid, which refraction corresponds to a reflection on a respective conical surface which is rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation of the ellipsoid and is perpendicular with respect to the ellipsoid at the site of the refraction. 23. Method of providing information in correlation with light incident on an eye, whereby a holographic element is disposed in front of the eye, and an optical scanning device detects the light incident on the eye by means of the holographic element. 24. Method according to Point 23, whereby the optical scanning device is at a fixed predetermined angular ratio with respect to the holographic element. 25. Method according to Point 23 or 24, whereby the optical scanning device detects light which is refracted by the holographic element before impinging on the eye and does not enter the eye. 26. Method according to one of Points 23 to 25, whereby the optical scanning device detects light which was first reflected back from the eye and was then refracted by the holographic element. 27. Method according to one of Points 23 to 26, whereby the holographic element refracts light originating from the field of vision of the eye only at several discrete wavelengths in the visible range before its impinging on the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device and refracts light reflected back from the eye only at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range for the detection by the optical scanning device. 28. Method according to one of Points 23 to 27, whereby the holographic element refracts light originating from the field of vision of the eye at fewer than 20, fewer than 10 or fewer than 5 discrete wavelengths in the visible range either before its impinging on the eye or after its backscattering as a result of the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device. 29. Method according to one of Points 23 to 28, whereby the holographic element refracts light originating from the visual field of the eye at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range either before its impinging on the eye or after its backscattering as a result of the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device. 30. Method according to one of Points 23 to 29, whereby the holographic element refracts light reflected back from the eye only at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range for the detection by the optical scanning device. 31. Method according to one of Points 23 to 30, whereby the holographic element refracts light of one or several discrete wavelengths, at which the optical scanning device has a high sensitivity. 32. Method according to one of Points 23 to 31, whereby the holographic element refracts light at several discrete wavelengths such that the refracted light is guided to a common point, an the angle of incidence of the light onto this point allows a clear, optionally also wavelength-independent conclusion on the angle of incidence of the light upon the holographic element. 33. Method according to one of Points 23 to 32, whereby an optical projection device projects light by way of the holographic element into the eye. 34. Method according to Point 33, whereby the light detected by the optical scanning device and the light projected in front of the optical projection device run in the opposite direction through a common light guiding lens system and can be focused such by the optical scanning device or projection device that their respective beams describe the same path from or into the eye. 35. Method of providing information in correlation with information obtained from an eye, whereby a holographic element is disposed in front of the eye, and an optical projection device projects light by way of the holographic element into the eye. 36. Method according to points 33 to 35, whereby the optical projection device projects light only at one or several discrete wavelengths in the visible range and/or at a wavelength in the infrared range. 37. Method according to one of Points 33 to 36, whereby the holographic element refracts the wavelengths of the projected light. 38. Method according to one of Points 33 to 37, whereby the optical projection device is in a fixed predetermined angular ratio with respect to the holographic element. 39. Method according to Point 38, whereby the holographic element is equipped with one or more optical flags, whose light reflection characteristics can be used by means of a photodetector device for calibrating a projection angle of the optical projection device and/or a light guiding device. 40. Method according to Point 39, including Point 34, whereby the light reflection characteristics of the optical flags are used for calibrating a scanning angle of the optical scanning device and/or a light guiding device. 41. Method according to Point 39, whereby the optical flags are generated in that reflecting elements are imaged during the creating of the holographic element such in the holographic element that they beam light of one or more wavelengths which, corresponding to the predetermined angular ratio with respect to the optical projection device is incident on the holographic element, back along the incidence path. 42. Method according to Point 41, whereby the photodetector device is equipped with a photodetector detecting in at least two areas situated concentrically around one another, and a splitter mirror which is arranged such in the light beam of the optical projection device that it directs a portion of the light impinging on the splitter mirror against the projecting direction, in the direction of the photodetector. 43. Method according to one of Points 23 to 42, whereby the holographic element has light-refracting characteristics at one or several discrete wavelengths which correspond to a reflection on the concave side of an area constructed according to a curvature of a rotationally symmetrical ellipsoid. 44. Method according to one of Points 23 to 43, whereby the holographic element has light-refracting characteristics at one or several discrete wavelengths, which correspond to a refraction on the concave side of an area constructed according to a curvature of a rotationally symmetrical ellipsoid, which refraction corresponds to a reflection on a respective conical surface rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation of the ellipsoid, which conical surface is perpendicular with respect to the ellipsoid at the site of the refraction. While the preceding description with respect to the title is limited to embodiments falling under the initially mentioned generic terms “scanning information system” and “projecting information system”, each individual discussed characteristic of their disclosure can also be used in an embodiment of the systems, devices and methods initially identified by reference to their full content. The applications by the same applicant and/or the same inventors mentioned in the present application should be considered to be a correlated invention complex.

Claims

1. An information system for providing information in correlation with light incident on an eye, said system comprising:

a holographic element disposed in front of the eye; and

an optical scanning device which detects light incident on the eye by way of the holographic element.

3. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the optical scanning device detects light which is diffracted by the holographic element before it impinges on the eye, and does not enter the eye.

4. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the optical scanning device detects light which was first reflected back from the eye, then diffracted by the holographic element.

5. The information system according to claim 1, wherein:

the holographic element diffracts light originating from a field of vision of the eye only at several discrete wavelengths in the visible range before the light impinges on the eye for the detection by the optical scanning device; and

the holographic element diffracts light reflected back from the eye only at one discrete wavelength in the infrared range for the detection by the optical scanning device.

6. The information system according to claim 1, wherein:

the holographic element diffracts light originating from a field of vision of the eye at fewer than a predetermined number of discrete wavelengths in the visible range either before the light impinges on the eye or after its backscattering as a result of the eye, for the detection by the optical scanning device; and

said predetermined number is selected from the group consisting of 20, 10 and 5.

7. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the holographic element diffracts light originating from the field of vision of the eye at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range, before the light impinges on the eye or after its backscattering as a result of the eyes for the detection by the optical scanning device.

8. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the holographic element diffracts light reflected back by the eye only at a discrete wavelength in the infrared range for the detection by the optical scanning device.

9. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the holographic element diffracts light of one or several discrete wavelengths, at which the optical scanning device has a high sensitivity.

10. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the holographic element diffracts light at several discrete wavelengths such that the diffracted light is guided to a common point, and the angle of incidence of the light on this point permits an unambiguous, wavelength-independent conclusion as regards an angle of incidence of the light upon the holographic element.

11. The information system according to claim 1, further comprising an optical projection device which projects light into the eye by way of the holographic element.

12. The information system according to claim 11, wherein light detected by the optical detection device and the light projected by the optical projection device travel in opposite directions through a common light guiding system and can be focused by the optical scanning device or projection device such that their respective beams describe the same path from or into the eye.

18. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the holographic element comprises at least one optical marking, whose light reflection characteristics can be used by the information system by means of a photodetector for calibrating a scanning angle of at least one of the optical scanning device and a light guiding device.

19. The information system according to claim 11, wherein the holographic element comprises at least one optical marking created by reproducing mirroring elements in the holographic element during creation of the holographic element such that said mirroring elements reflect light of at least one wavelength that has fallen onto the holographic element from the optical projection device, back along the path of incidence.

2. (canceled)

13. An information system for providing information in correlation with information obtained from an eye, said system comprising:

a holographic element disposed in front of the eye; and

an optical projection device which projects light into the eye by way of the holographic element;

wherein the holographic element diffracts wavelengths of the projected light.

14. The information system according to claim 13, wherein the optical projection device projects light only at discrete wavelengths in the visible range or at a wavelength in the infrared range.

17. The information system according to claim 13, wherein the holographic element comprises one or more optical markings, whose light reflection characteristics can be used by the information system by means of a photodetector for calibrating a projection angle of at least one of the optical projection device and a light guiding device.

20. The information system according to claim 17, wherein the photodetector device has a splitter mirror arranged in the light beam of the optical projection device such that it guides a portion of the light impinging on the splitter mirror against the projection direction, in the direction of a photodetector which detects in at least two areas situated concentrically around one another.

21. The information system according to claim 13, wherein the holographic element has light-diffracting characteristics at at least one discrete wavelength, which correspond to a reflection on the concave side of an surface constructed according to the curvature of a rotationally symmetrical ellipsoid.

22. The information system according to claims claim 13, wherein:

the holographic element has light-diffracting characteristics at at least one discrete wavelength, which corresponds to a diffraction on the concave side of an surface constructed according to the curvature of a rotationally symmetrical ellipsoid;

said diffraction corresponds to a reflection on a respective conical surface which is rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation of the ellipsoid and is perpendicular with respect to the ellipsoid at the site of the diffraction.

45. The information system according to claim 13, wherein the holographic element comprises at least one optical marking created by reproducing mirroring elements in the holographic element during creation of the holographic element, such that said mirroring elements reflect light of at least one wavelength that has fallen onto the holographic element from the optical projection device, back along the path of incidence.

15-16. -16. (canceled)

23-44. -44. (canceled)