IMAGE AND WAVE FIELD PROJECTION THROUGH DIFFUSIVE MEDIA

• US 20160037146A1
• Filed: 07/30/2015
• Published: 02/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
• Original Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
• Inventors: McGrew, Stephen P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,321,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/013 comprising a combiner of particular shape, e.g. curvature
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0103 comprising holographic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/28 superimposed holograms only
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0434 In situ recording when the hologram is recorded within the device used for reconstruction
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0439 for recording Holographic Optical Element [HOE]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

Methods and systems for projecting wave fields use a diffusing medium, a wavefront shaper, an illumination source, and a control system. A system for projecting an object wave field into a projection volume includes a wave scatterer, a wave field projector configured to project a wave field onto the wave scatterer, and a controller coupled to the wave field projector. The controller is configured to cause the wave field projector to project a wave field that, upon interacting with the wave scatterer, is redirected to form an object wave field that forms a predetermined pattern in the projection volume.

Claims

1. A system for projecting an object wave field into a projection volume, comprising:

a wave scatterer;

a wave field projector configured to project a wave field onto the wave scatterer; and

,

a controller coupled to the wave field projector, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wave field projector to project a wave field that, upon interacting with the wave scatterer, is redirected to form an object wave field that forms a predetermined pattern in the projection volume.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the wave field projector comprises a light field projector,

the wave scatterer comprises a light scatterer, and

the object wave field comprises an object light field.

3. A three-dimensional image projector comprising the system of claim 2, wherein the object light field forms a three-dimensional image.

4. A camouflage system comprising the system of claim 2.

5. A heads-up display comprising the system of claim 2.

6. The heads-up display of claim 5, wherein the light diffuser comprises a volume hologram configured to scatter light of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, and

wherein the light field projector is configured to project a light field comprising the predetermined wavelengths.

7. An acoustic surgical system comprising the system of claim 1, wherein:

the wave field projector comprises an acoustic field projector;

the wave scatterer comprises an acoustic diffuser; and

the object wave field comprises an object acoustic field.

8. A near-eye display, comprising:

a holographic element configured to be positioned in front of a wearer'"'"'s eye;

a light field projector configured to project a first light field into the holographic element via an optical coupler; and

a controller coupled to the light field projector, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first light field and to cause the light field projector to project the first light field,

such that the holographic element redirects the first light field to form a second light field directed into the wearer'"'"'s eye, and

such that the second light field is perceptible by the wearer as a virtual image at a distance from the eye and the holographic element.

9. The near-eye display of claim 8, wherein the holographic element is contained within a flat or curved slab of translucent material.

10. The near-eye display of claim 8, wherein the holographic element is configured to redirect light of a predetermined color and transmit light of other colors without substantial redirection.

11. The near-eye display of claim 8, wherein the second light field further forms a three-dimensional image.

12. An eyewear assembly comprising the near-eye display of claim 8, the eyewear system comprising:

a frame configured to be worn on the head of the wearer, the frame including first and second rims with lenses affixed therein, and first and second temple arms extending away from the first and second rims.

13. The eyewear assembly of claim 12, wherein the holographic element is integrated into at least one of the first and second lenses.

14. The eyewear assembly of claim 12, wherein the light field projector and the controller are integrated into one of the first and second temple arms.

15. The eyewear assembly of claim 12, further comprising a second near-eye display.

16. A method of manufacturing a near-eye display, comprising:

manufacturing a holographic element configured to be positioned in front of a wearer'"'"'s eye;

disposing an optical coupler with respect to the holographic optical element;

disposing a light field projector with respect to the optical coupler such that the light field projector is configured to project a first light field onto the holographic element via the optical coupler; and

providing a controller coupled to the light field projector.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein manufacturing the holographic element comprises:

providing a holographic recording medium;

illuminating the holographic recording medium with a reference beam from a first angle of incidence, while illuminating the holographic recording medium with light from the light field projector in a first configuration, wherein light from the light field projector is temporally coherent with the reference beam.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

illuminating the holographic recording medium with the collimated reference beam from a second angle of incidence, wherein the second angle is different from the first angle, while illuminating the holographic recording medium with light from the light field projector in a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first configuration is orthogonal to the second configuration.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the holographic recording medium is contained within a slab of translucent material.