Method and apparatus for view recovery

• US 9,086,568 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2013
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Jarvenpaa, Toni Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hasan, Mohammed
• Application Number:
  US13/865,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20140313585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 359630-635
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0125 Field-of-view increase by wavefront division
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/18 Diffraction gratings holographic optical elements G02B5/32, G03H; integrally combined with optical fibres G02B6/02057; for coupling light guides G02B6/34; integrally combined with optical integrated light guides G02B6/12; grating systems G02B27/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member, an optical engine, and a light guide. The member is configured to be placed proximate a face of a user. The optical engine is connected to the member. The optical engine is configured to provide an image viewable by the user. The light guide is connected to the member. The light guide includes an output section and an input section. The light guide is configured to transfer an image corresponding to a visual field of the user blocked by a substantially opaque portion of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a member configured to be placed proximate a face of a user;

an optical engine connected to the member, wherein the optical engine is configured to provide an image viewable by the user;

a substantially opaque portion proximate the member, wherein the substantially opaque portion is configured to block a visual field of the user; and

a light guide connected to the member, wherein the light guide comprises an output section and an input section, and wherein the light guide is configured to transfer the blocked visual field of the user that is blocked by the substantially opaque portion of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member comprises a front frame portion or a side arm portion of a wearable apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a diffractive exit-pupil expander.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a substantially transparent light guide.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical engine comprises a display and optics.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light guide is adjacent the optical engine.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an end of the light guide extends beyond an end of the optical engine.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the light guide comprises an input area at the end of the light guide.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light guide is configured to provide the blocked visual field of the user.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising another different light guide configured to transfer another image corresponding to a visual field of the user blocked by another substantially opaque portion of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image corresponds to environmental light proximate a peripheral visual view field of the user.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a near-eye display.

13. A method, comprising:

receiving light incident on an input area, wherein the input area is at a substantially translucent portion of a wearable apparatus;

transferring the light from the input area along a member adjacent a substantially opaque portion of the wearable apparatus, wherein the substantially opaque portion is configured to block a visual field of a user; and

outputting light from the adjacent member in a direction substantially normal to a portion of the wearable apparatus;

wherein the transferring of the light further comprises transferring the light along a light guide, wherein the light guide is configured to transfer the blocked visual field of the user that is blocked by the substantially opaque portion.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the light guide is adjacent an optical engine of the wearable apparatus.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the input area comprises a portion of a transparent diffractive exit-pupil expander.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the wearable apparatus comprises a near-eye display.

17. A method, comprising:

providing a member configured to be placed proximate a face of a user;

connecting an optical engine to the member, wherein the optical engine is configured to provide an image viewable by the user;

providing a substantially opaque portion proximate the member, wherein the substantially opaque portion is configured to block a visual field of the user; and

providing a light guide connected to the member, wherein the light guide comprises an output section and an input section, and wherein the light guide is configured to transfer the blocked visual field of the user that is blocked by the substantially opaque portion of the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the light guide comprises a substantially transparent diffractive exit-pupil expander.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the member comprises a front frame portion or a side arm portion of a near-eye display.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the image corresponds to environmental light proximate a peripheral visual view field of the user.