Display device with image depth simulation

• US 9,019,614 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2011
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: DeVaul, Richard Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tallman, Robert E
• Application Number:
  US13/281,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20130107371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 359618-619, 359/627, 359/628, 359630-633, 359/599, 359/13, 362/600, 362604-615, 362617-620, 362621-622, 362627-628
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0006 Arrays G02B3/02, G02B5/188 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements

Abstract

An optical system is provided with a transparent element having a proximal surface on one side and a distal surface on an opposite side. A plurality of light-scattering structures is formed in the distal surface. A positionally-corresponding plurality of surface lenses is provided on the proximal surface. The light-scattering structures and the surface lenses may be arranged in a slightly angled or offset square array relative to a side surface of the transparent element. A rastering, collimated light source, directs a beam of light roughly in the plane of the transparent element towards individual light-scattering structures. The light-scattering structures scatter at least a portion of the light towards the corresponding surface lenses, which may collect and collimate the light towards a viewing location. The optical system may be incorporated into a head-mounted display (HMD).

Claims

1. An optical system, comprising:

a transparent element comprising a proximal surface, and a distal surface opposite the proximal surface, wherein a real-world environment is viewable through the proximal surface in combination with the distal surface;

a plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface, wherein the plurality of light-scattering structures comprises a respective plurality of pits in the distal surface, and wherein each pit comprises at least one of a substantially hemispherical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape;

a rastering light source configured to selectively illuminate individual light-scattering structures in the plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface; and

a plurality of surface lenses on the proximal surface, wherein each surface lens is optically coupled to at least one respective light-scattering structure so as to collimate light scattered therefrom towards a viewing location.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the rastering light source comprises:

at least one laser configured to emit at least one laser beam; and

a galvanometer optically coupled to each at least one laser and configured to selectively direct the at least one laser beam.

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein each surface lens comprises at least one aspherical microlens.

4. The optical system of claim 1, wherein each surface lens comprises at least one spherical microlens.

5. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the transparent element comprises a lens.

6. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the transparent element is in a head-mounted display (HMD).

7. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the transparent element is a visor of a helmet.

8. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the transparent element is a vehicle windshield.

9. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the transparent element is an ocular lens of an optical device.

10. The optical system of claim 9, wherein the optical device comprises a telescope, a microscope, binoculars, or a viewfinder.

11. A head-mounted display (HMD), comprising:

a head-mounted support; and

at least one optical system attached to the head-mounted support, wherein the at least one optical system comprises;

(a) a transparent element comprising a proximal surface, a distal surface opposite the proximal surface, and a side surface, wherein a real-world environment is viewable through the proximal surface in combination with the distal surface;

(b) a plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface, wherein the plurality of light-scattering structures comprises a respective plurality of pits in the distal surface, and wherein each pit comprises at least one of a substantially hemispherical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape;

(c) a rastering light source configured to selectively illuminate individual light-scattering structures in the plurality of light-scattering structures on the distal surface through the side surface of the transparent element; and

(d) a plurality of surface lenses on the proximal surface, wherein each surface lens is optically coupled to at least one respective light-scattering structure so as to collimate light scattered therefrom towards a viewing location.

12. The HMD of claim 11, further comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the rastering light source.

13. The HMD of claim 11, wherein the rastering light source comprises:

at least one laser configured to emit at least one laser beam; and

a galvanometer optically coupled to the at least one laser and configured to selectively direct the at least one laser beam.

14. The HMD of claim 11, wherein each surface lens comprises at least one aspherical microlens.

15. The HMD of claim 11, wherein each surface lens comprises at least one spherical microlens.