Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2748670B1/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 19:40:26
Document Index: 187450653

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'art 52', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61']

EP2748670B1 - Wearable data display - Google Patents
Wearable data display Download PDF
EP2748670B1
EP2748670B1 EP12766702.0A EP12766702A EP2748670B1 EP 2748670 B1 EP2748670 B1 EP 2748670B1 EP 12766702 A EP12766702 A EP 12766702A EP 2748670 B1 EP2748670 B1 EP 2748670B1
EP12766702.0A
EP2748670A1 (en
2011-08-24 Priority to US201161573067P priority Critical
2012-08-22 Application filed by Rockwell Collins Inc, DigiLens Inc filed Critical Rockwell Collins Inc
2012-08-22 Priority to PCT/GB2012/000677 priority patent/WO2013027004A1/en
2014-07-02 Publication of EP2748670A1 publication Critical patent/EP2748670A1/en
2015-11-18 Publication of EP2748670B1 publication Critical patent/EP2748670B1/en
REFERENCE TO PRIORITYAPPLICATION
This application claims the priority of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/573,067 with filing date 24 August 2011 entitled "Wearable Data Display".
PCT Application No.:US2008/001909, with International Filing Date: 22 July 2008 , entitled LASER ILLUMINATION DEVICE; PCT Application No.: US2006/043938 , entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TRANSPARENT DISPLAY; PCT Application No.: PCT/GB2010/001982 entitled COMPACT EDGE ILLUMINATED EYEGLASS DISPLAY PCT Application No.: PCT/GB2010/000835 with International Filing Date: 26 April 2010 entitled COMPACT HOLOGRAPHIC EDGE ILLUMINATED EYEGLASS DISPLAY; and PCT Application No.: PCT/GB2010/002023 filed on 2 November 2010 entitled APPARATUS FOR REDUCING LASER SPECKLE, U.S. Patent Application: Ser. No. 10/555,661 filed 4 November 2005 entitled SWITCHABLE VIEWFINDER DISPLAY; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/344,748 WITH FILING DATE 28 SEPTEMBER 2010 ENTITLED EYE Tracked Holographic Edge Illuminated Eyeglass Display; No. 61/457,835 with filing date 16 June 2011 entitled HOLOGRAPHIC BEAM STEERING DEVICE FOR AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAYS; and United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/573,066 with filing date 24 August 2011 by the present inventors entitled IMPROVEMENTS TO HOLOGRAPHIC POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIALS AND DEVICES.
There is a requirement for a compact see through data display capable of displaying image content ranging from symbols and alphanumeric characters to high-resolution pixelated images. The display should be highly transparent and the displayed image content should be clearly visible when superimposed over a bright background scene. The display should provide full colour with an enhanced colour gamut for optimal data visibility and impact. A prime requirement is that the display should be as easy to wear, natural and non-distracting as possible with a form factor similar to that of ski goggles or, more desirably, sunglasses. The eye relief and pupil should be big enough to avoid image loss during head movement even for demanding military and sports activities. The image generator should be compact, solid state and have low power consumption.
The optical design benefits of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are well known including unique and efficient form factors and the ability to encode complex optical functions such as optical power and diffusion into thin layers. Bragg gratings (also commonly termed volume phase gratings or holograms), which offer the highest diffraction efficiencies, have been widely used in devices such as Head Up Displays.
An important class of diffractive optical element known as an electrically Switchable Bragg Gratings (SBG) is based on recording Bragg gratings into a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) mixture. Typically, SBG devices are fabricated by first placing a thin film of a mixture of photopolymerisable monomers and liquid crystal material between parallel glass plates. One or both glass plates support electrodes, typically transparent indium tin oxide films, for applying an electric field across the PDLC layer. A Bragg grating is then recorded by illuminating the liquid material with two mutually coherent laser beams, which interfere to form the desired grating structure. During the recording process, the monomers polymerize and the PDLC mixture undergoes a phase separation, creating regions densely populated by liquid crystal micro-droplets, interspersed with regions of clear polymer. The alternating liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted regions form the fringe planes of the grating. The resulting Bragg grating can exhibit very high diffraction efficiency, which may be controlled by the magnitude of the electric field applied across the PDLC layer. In the absence of an applied electric field the SBG remains in its diffracting state. When an electric field is applied to the hologram via the electrodes, the natural orientation of the LC droplets is changed thus reducing the refractive index modulation of the fringes and causing the hologram diffraction efficiency to drop to very low levels. The diffraction efficiency of the device can be adjusted, by means of the applied voltage, over a continuous range from essentially zero to near 100%. U. S. Patent 5,942,157 by Sutherland et al. and U. S Patent 5,751,452 by Tanaka et al. describe monomer and liquid crystal material combinations suitable for fabricating SBG devices.
PCT Application No. PCT/GB2010/000835 with International Filing Date 26 April 2010 entitled COMPACT HOLOGRAPHIC EDGE ILLUMINATED EYEGLASS DISPLAY discloses eyeglass display architectures based on a light guiding eyepiece in which a two dimension array of SBG deflectors is combined with an input beam.
There is a requirement for a compact, lightweight wearable data display providing a high brightness, high contrast information display with a high degree of transparency to external light.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact, lightweight wearable data display providing high brightness and high contrast information visibility with a high degree of transparency to external light.
The objects of the invention are achieved in a first embodiment in which there is provided a transparent wearable data display comprising: a source; a means of collimating light from the source; a means for deflecting the collimated light into a scanned beam; a first array comprising one column containing N switchable grating elements sandwiched between first and second parallel transparent substrates, the substrates together functioning as a first light guide; a second array comprising integer M columns and integer N rows of switchable grating elements sandwiched between third and fourth parallel transparent substrates, the substrates together functioning as a second light guide. Transparent electrodes are applied to the first and second and the third and fourth substrates. Each switchable grating element has a diffracting state and a non diffracting state. The apparatus further comprises a first coupling means for directing the scanned beam into a first total internal reflection (TIR) light path between the outer surfaces of the first lightguide along the first array column; and a second coupling means linking each element of the first array to the first element of a row of elements of the second array. Each element of the first array when in its diffracting state directing light via the second coupling means into a second TIR path along a row of the second array for directing the first TIR light into a second TIR path between the outer surfaces of the second lightguide along a row of elements of the second array. At least one of said electrodes of the first array is patterned into 1xN independently switchable elements each element overlapping one of the first array grating elements. At least one of the electrodes of said second array is patterned into M x N independently switchable elements, each element overlapping one of the second array grating elements. In one embodiment of the invention each element of the first array is disposed adjacent to a first element of a row of said second array.
In one embodiment of the invention each switchable grating element has a diffracting state when no electric field is applied across the electrodes sandwiching the grating element and a non diffracting state when a field is applied across the electrodes. Each element of the first array when in its diffracting state directs light from the first TIR path into the second TIR path starting at the first element of a row of elements of the second array and proceeding along said row. In one embodiment of the invention the elements of said first array are switched sequentially into their diffracting states. In one embodiment of the invention the elements of rows of the second array adjacent an element of the first array in its diffracting state are switched sequentially into their diffracting states. Each element of the second array when in its diffracting state deflects light through the fourth substrate.
In one embodiment of the invention each grating element of the second array encodes image information.
In one embodiment of the invention the outer surface of the fourth substrate faces a viewer of the display.
In one embodiment of the invention an element of the second array in its diffracting state forms an image of the information encoded within the grating element at a predefined viewing range and an angular bearing defined by the sweep angles of the scanned beam at.
In one embodiment of the invention the substrates of the first array are parallel to the substrates of the second array.
In one embodiment of the invention the substrates of the first array are orthogonal to the substrates of the second array.
In one embodiment of the invention the first coupling means is a grating device.
In one embodiment of the invention the second coupling means is a grating device abutting each of the first and second arrays.
In one embodiment of the invention each switchable grating element of the output array is divided into independently switchable columns aligned orthogonally to the TIR path direction in the output array.
In one embodiment of the invention a switchable grating is a Switchable Bragg Grating (SBG).
In one embodiment of the invention the scanned beam is characterised by angular deflections in two orthogonal directions.
In one embodiment of the invention the intensity of the scanned beam is modulated by varying the refractive index modulation of at least one of the switchable grating elements traversed by the beam.
In one embodiment of the invention the source of collimated light provides first, second and third wavelength light.
In one embodiment of the invention the source of collimated light provides comprises first second and third wavelength light and each switchable grating element is a multiplexed SBG comprising a first grating for diffracting first wavelength light and a second grating for diffracting second and third wavelength light.
In one embodiment of the invention the source of collimated light provides comprises first second and third wavelength light and each switchable grating element is a multiplexed SBG comprising a first grating for diffracting first wavelength light, a second grating for diffracting second wavelength light and a third grating for diffracting third wavelength light.
In one embodiment of the invention a switchable grating element comprises a surface relief grating backfilled with an electrically variable refractive index medium.
In one embodiment of the invention each switchable grating element in at least one of the first array and second array is divided into independently switchable columns aligned orthogonally to the TIR paths. The refractive index modulation of each switchable column is dynamically controlled such that a predetermined amount of light is diffracted by the switchable column through the fourth substrate.
In one embodiment of the invention N is equal to 4 and M is equal to 4.
In one embodiment of the invention the data display is one of an identical pair of left and right eyepieces.
In one embodiment of the invention the means for providing a scanned beam comprises: a first transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface; a second transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface; transparent electrodes applied to the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate; an electrically variable refractive index layer having a planar surface and a second surface shaped to provide an array of prisms; and a fixed refractive index layer having a planar surface and a second surface shaped to provide an array of prismatic cavities. The prisms and prismatic cavities have identical and opposing geometries, each prism abutting one of said prismatic cavities. The planar surface of the variable refractive index layer abuts the output surface of the first substrate and the planar surface of the fixed refractive index layer abuts the input surface of the second substrate. The transparent electrodes are electrically coupled to a variable voltage generating means. At least one of the transparent electrodes is patterned into independently switchable electrode elements having substantially the same cross sectional area as the prisms such that said the refractive index prisms may be selectively switched in discrete steps from a fully diffracting to a non diffracting state by an electric field applied across the transparent electrodes.
FIG.1 is a schematic front elevation view of a wearable display in a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG.2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wearable display in a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG.3A is a schematic front elevation view of a switchable grating element in a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG.3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a switchable grating element in a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG.4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a switchable grating element in a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG.4B is a schematic front elevation view of a switchable grating element in a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG.5 is a schematic plan view of an illumination source in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a wearable display in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.7 is an example of a image provided in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.8 is a schematic cross-section view of a wearable display eyepiece in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.9 is a schematic illustration showing the subdivision of grating elements into column shaped elements in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.10 is a schematic illustration showing the subdivision of grating elements into column shaped elements in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a grating element subdivided into column elements showing the diffraction of TIR light.
FIG. 12 is a schematic front elevation view of a wearable display in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wearable display in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wearable display in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a wearable display in one embodiment of the invention.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic front elevation view of FIG.1 there is provided a transparent wearable data display comprising: an illumination source 1, a first switchable grating array 2 and a second switchable grating array 3. The display provides an eyepiece that may be one of pair of identical elements used in a binocular display. Alternatively the display may simply provide a monocular eyepiece. The illumination source which will be discussed in more detail later in the description comprises a light source, a means for collimating the light; and a means for deflecting the collimated light into a scanned beam. Desirably, the source is a laser. The first array 2 comprises one column and integer number N switchable grating elements (1xN) sandwiched between first and second parallel transparent substrates 25,26. The substrates 25,26 together function as a first light guide. The second array comprises M columns and N rows of switchable grating elements sandwiched between third and fourth parallel transparent substrates 30,31. The substrates 30,31 together function as a second light guide. The substrates 30,31 are in orthogonal planes to those of 25,26. Transparent electrodes which are not illustrated are applied to the first and second and the third and fourth substrates. Advantageously the electrodes are applied to opposing faces of the substrates. The electrodes are configured such that the applied electric field will be perpendicular to the substrates. The electrodes would typically be fabricated from Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). In one embodiment of the invention the outer surface of the fourth substrate faces a viewer of the display.
In one embodiment of the invention the switchable grating is a Switchable Bragg Grating (SBG).
In the embodiment of FIGS.1 the integer M is equal to 4 and N is equal to 4 in other words the first array is a 1x4 array and the second array is a 4x4 array. The invention does not assume any particular value for M or N.
The illumination source further comprises a first coupling means for directing the scanned beam into a first TIR light path between the outer surfaces of the first lightguide along the first array column. There is further provided a second coupling means 16 for directing the first TIR light into a second TIR path between the outer surfaces of the second lightguide along a row of elements of the second array. In one embodiment of the invention the first coupling means is a grating device. In one embodiment of the invention the second coupling means is a grating device abutting each of the first and second arrays as indicated in FIG.1.
At least one of said electrodes of the first array is patterned into 1xN independently switchable elements each element overlapping one of the first array grating elements. At least one of the electrodes of said second array is patterned into M x N independently switchable elements each element overlapping one of the second array grating elements. Again we will assume M=4 and N=4.
In one embodiment of the invention each element of the first array is disposed adjacent to a first element of a row of said second array. Each switchable grating element has a diffracting state when no electric field is applied across the electrodes sandwiching the grating element and a non diffracting state when a field is applied across the electrodes. Each element of the first array when in its diffracting state directs light from the first TIR path into the second TIR path starting at the first element of a row of elements of the second array and proceeding along said row.
In one embodiment of the invention the elements of said first array are switched sequentially into their diffracting states. The elements of rows of the second array adjacent an element of the first array in its diffracting state are switched sequentially into their diffracting states. Each element of the second array when in its diffracting state deflects light through the fourth substrate towards the eye of the user of the display. The rows of the second array are switched sequentially. For example, in FIG.1 the switchable grating elements of the first array are indicated by 24A-24D with the element 24B being indicated as being in its diffracting state by a dashed line. The diffracted light 102R,102G,102B is diffracted into the row of elements 11A-11D of the second array starting at element 11A. Input colour sequential red, green blue light from the light source 40 is indicated by the rays 100R,100G,100B. It should be noted that the light is in collimated spaced throughout the optical process to be described. The rays are coupled into the first array lightguide into the TIR paths 101R,101G,101B which are coupled the TIR paths indicated by the rays 102R,102G,102B along the row of elements 11A-11B by the grating element 24B which is in its active state.
FIG.2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display showing the input array and the output array. The switchable grating element 24B of the first array and the row of switchable grating elements 11A-11B of the second array are illustrated. Only the red TIR path 102R is illustrated.
In one embodiment of the invention each grating element of the second array encodes image information. For the purpose of understanding the invention this image information may comprise a binary dot pattern or a symbol where the dots or symbols comprise regions of material into which gratings have been recorded surrounded by regions containing no gratings. In other words when illuminated by collimated light and in its diffracting state the grating element diffracts the light to form an image corresponding to said image information. In one embodiment of the invention an element of the second array in its diffracting state forms an image of the information encoded within the grating element at a predefined viewing range and an angular bearing defined by the instantaneous deflection angles of the scanned beam. The encoded information may comprise a numeric symbol or a portion of a numeric symbol. The information may be a gray level pixel. The information may be a binary pixel or symbol characterised solely by "on" and "off" states. In other embodiments of the invention the information may provide a three dimensional or holographic image when the grating element is in its diffracting state. The invention does not assume any particular type of image information.
In one embodiment of the invention the source of collimated light provides color sequential red, green and blue illumination and each switchable grating element is a multiplexed Bragg grating comprising a first grating for diffracting red light and a second grating for diffracting blue and green light.
FIG.3 illustrates the elements of the first array in more detail. FIG 3A is a schematic plan view of a grating element of the first array. The grating contains two multiplexed gratings having slant angles in the YX plane. The fringes 22A, 22B from the first grating and the fringes as 23A, 23B in the second grating are indicated. The same fringes are shown in the orthogonal YZ plane in FIG.3B.
FIG.4 illustrates the elements of the second array in more detail. FIG 3A is a schematic cross sectional view of a switchable grating element of the second array. The grating contains two multiplexed gratings having slant angles in the ZX plane. The fringes 32A, 32B from the first grating and the fringes as 33A, 33B in the second grating are indicated. The same fringes are shown in the orthogonal YX plane in FIG.4B.
In a further embodiment of the invention based on the embodiment of FIGS.3-4 the switchable grating multiplexes separate red, green and blue diffracting Bragg gratings.
It should be apparent from consideration of FIGS.3-4 that the invention may provide a monochrome display by recording a single monochrome grating within each switchable grating element. Further, since the display is fundamentally transparent red green and blue diffracting arrays may be stacked to provide a colour display. However such an implementation of the invention would suffer from increased thickness.
FIG.5 is a schematic plan view of an illumination source in one embodiment of the invention comprising a laser module emitting red, green and blue collimated light 110R,110G,110B, a scanner 42 providing the scanned beams 111R,111G,111B, and angular sweep expansion means 43 providing the beams 112R,112G,112B and a grating coupler 44 (essentially the first coupling means discussed above) for deflecting scanned beams113R,113G,113B into a TIR path insider the lightguide formed by the first array. The angular sweep expansion means may comprise an afocal system of lenses or other equivalent means known to those skilled in the art of optical design. The invention does not assume any particular configuration of the grating coupler with respect to the first array and many alternative schemes should be apparent to those skilled in the art of optical design. The grating coupler may employ any known grating technology. In a typical eyeglass where the display provides left and right eyepieces it would be ergonomically advantageous to integrate the illumination source within the arms of the spectacles.
In one embodiment of the invention the scanned beams are characterised by angular deflections in two orthogonal directions which advantageously correspond to the Y and X coordinate directions indicated in FIG.1. Techniques for scanning a beam in orthogonal direction are well documented in the prior art.
The invention does not assume any particular beam scanning method. Advantageously the scanner will be an electro optical device However, devices based on piezoelectric deflectors and micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) may be also considered. Separate scanners may be provided for red, green and blue light. Alternatively, a single scanner operating on colour sequential light from separate red green and blue sources may be used. The relative merits of such technologies in terms of scanning speed, optical efficiency, physical robustness, size and cost should be apparent to those skilled in the art of optical design.
In one embodiment of the invention, the scanner is similar to the electro optical micro scanner disclosed in United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,835 by the present inventors with filing date 16 June 2011 entitled HOLOGRAPHIC BEAM STEERING DEVICE FOR AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAYS. The micro scanner described in that reference comprises: a first transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface; a second transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface; transparent electrodes applied to the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate; an electrically variable refractive index layer having a planar surface and a second surface shaped to provide an array of prisms; and a fixed refractive index layer having a planar surface and a second surface shaped to provide an array of prismatic cavities. The prisms and prismatic cavities have identical and opposing geometries, each prism abutting one of the prismatic cavities. The planar surface of the variable refractive index layer abuts the output surface of the first substrate and the planar surface of the fixed refractive index layer abuts the input surface of the second substrate. The transparent electrodes are electrically coupled to a variable voltage generating means. At least one of the transparent electrodes is patterned into independently switchable electrode elements having substantially the same cross sectional area as the prisms such that the refractive index prisms may be selectively switched in discrete steps from a fully diffracting to a non diffracting state by an electric field applied across the transparent electrodes.
In one embodiment of the invention the scanner scans the light into discrete angular steps. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the scanner scans the light in continuous sweeps. In one embodiment of the invention the intensity of the scanned beam is modulated by varying the refractive index modulation of at least one of the switchable grating elements traversed by the beam. Advantageously the elements of the first array are used to modulate the beam. However, it will be apparent from consideration of the description and drawings that other modulation schemes based on varying the refractive index modulation of any of the grating elements along the beam path from the light source to the output surface of the display may be used.
The formation of a viewable image by the display is illustrated in more detail in FIGS.6-7. In a typical application of the invention the viewable image is overlaid on the external scene in the manner of a Heads Up Display (HUD). FIG.7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the second array including the grating elements 11A-11C (see FIGS.1-2). The element 11C is in its diffracting state. A voltage source for applying a voltage across each grating element is indicated by 5 and the circuit connection to the switching electrodes across the grating element is indicated by 51. Typically, an active matrix switching scheme would be used to control the voltages applied to the first and second arrays. The TIR path of the illumination light at one point in the beam angular sweep is indicated by the rays 114R,114G,114B. The light deflected out of the display at one extreme of the beam angular sweep is indicated by rays 115R,115G,115B and at the other extreme of the beam angular sweep by the rays 116R,116G,116B. The output light forms a virtual image 111 at infinity. It should be apparent from consideration of FIG.6 that by scanning the beam in the X and Y directions and modulating the voltage applied across the active grating element a symbol image such as the one illustrated in FIG.7 may be written. The symbol image comprises bright pixels 113 and dark pixels 114. In this case the voltage modulation as indicated by the chart 52 showing voltage V plotted against time t would have a binary waveform represented by the characteristic 53. The output light is viewed through the pupil 112. It should be noted that each element of the second array requires a unique prescription to that all light diffracted out of the eye glass passes through an exit pupil through which the eye may observe the entire displayed image. It should be apparent that by switching the voltage to provide grey levels and taking advantage of the colour gamut provided by the red, green blue illumination more complex images may be generated.
FIG.8 is a schematic side elevation view of the display 15 in relation to the observer eye 17 in one embodiment of the invention, showing the angular extent of the display data in relation to the overall field of view defined by the physical aperture of the display. The limiting rays defining the overall field of view are illustrated by 115A,115B. The rays 116A.116b define the vertical extent of the displayed data. In typical applications such as data displays for sports it is desirable to project data into the lower portion of the field of view. The data may extend across the full horizontal field if necessary.
In one embodiment of the invention each switchable grating element in at least one of the input and output arrays is divided into independently switchable columns, aligned orthogonally to the TIR paths. FIG.9 provides a front elevation of view of the elements 11A-11D of the second array. One column of the grating element 11A is indicated by the numeral 13. The invention does not place any restrictions on the width of and number of column elements in a column. The refractive index modulation of each switchable column is dynamically controlled by active matrix voltage control circuitry which is not illustrated. The refractive index modulation within a column can be set by the SBG recording conditions or can be varied dynamically by modulating each column in synchronization with the scanning of the input light. Alternatively, a combination of fixed and dynamic index modulation may be used.
The columns maximise the extraction of light from the lightguide by diffracting a predetermined amount of light from an active column out of the display towards the eye. Non-diffracted or zero-order light which would otherwise be confined to the lightguide by TIR is depleted in small steps each time the beam interacts with a column until all of the light has been extracted. In other applications of diffractive optical elements zero-order light is treated as a loss. However, in the present application the zero order light is recycled to allow uniform out-coupling of TIR light. The diffraction efficiency of individual column elements is controlled by adjusting the index modulation in synchronisation with the beam scanning.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS.9 the grating elements are identical in size and contain equal numbers of columns. The use of columns elements as described above allows the grating element widths to vary across an array row as in the case of the grating elements indicated by 11E-11H in FIG. 10. The grating elements widths may be varied dynamically to match the extraction efficiecny to the time varying beam angle. This overcomes the problem that TIR rays with incidence angles that do not meet the exact Bragg condition (off-Bragg rays) are diffracted with progressively diminishing efficiency as the angle increases up to the angular bandwidth limit, requiring more bounces before the beam or an acceptable portion of the beam is ejected from the lightguide.
FIG.11 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the grating element 11a illustrating the propagation of TIR light through the columns labelled by 13A-13C. The TIR path light inside the light guide is indicated by the ray 102R. The diffraction efficiencies of the column elements 13A,13B,13C for rays meeting the exact Bragg diffraction angle (referred to as on-Bragg rays) are k,k',k" respectively. If the TIR light is injected into the lightguide with power P0 the power diffracted at element 13A is kP0 in to the ray direction 102RA. The power diffracted at the element 13B is k'(1-k)P0 into the ray direction 102RB and so on until most of the beam power has been extracted and the output light is distributed over the ray directions generally indicated by 120R. The k factors are specified to give a fixed light output at each bounce of the TIR beam ensuring a uniform light distribution across the exit pupil of the display. Other light distributions maybe obtained by suitable specification of the k-factors.
In embodiments of the invention using the switchable column principle described above the grating element is no longer a fixed functional element of the display as discussed in relation to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8. The term now describes the instantaneous extent of the set of columns over which extraction of the light corresponds to a defined image element (pixel) takes place. In addition to maximising the extraction of light from the display the switchable columns principle also allow the output put light to be distributed uniformly over the exit pupil. Furthermore, the switchable column principle allow the size of the exit pupil to be expanded by using a sufficiently large subset of columns and matching the column prescriptions to the scanned beam ray directions. Switchable column designs for use with the present invention may be based on the embodiments and teachings disclosed in the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,835 with filing date 16 June 2011 entitled HOLOGRAPHIC BEAM STEERING DEVICE FOR AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAYS.
In the embodiment of FIG.1 the first array is orthogonal the second array. In an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS.12-15 the substrates of the first array are parallel to the substrates of the second array. The advantage of such a configuration which will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 12-15 is that the first and second arrays may share common substrates and transparent electrode layers avoiding the fabrication problems of aligning the first and second arrays. Again the drawings are referred to the coordinate system defined by the axes labelled XYZ. FIG. 12 is a schematic front elevation view of the display showing the illumination source 1 the first array 6 which further comprises the elements 24A-24D and the second array 3. The illumination source and second array are unchanged from the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first and second arrays showing the propagation of red beam. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross sectional view of the first array 6 in the ZY plane. FIG. 15 is schematic cross sectional view of the first array in the ZX plane. The first and second arrays may abut as shown in FIG.13. In alternative embodiments of the invention the first and second arrays may sandwich an air gap or a slab of transparent material. Turning now to FIG.13 we see that the first and second arrays are sandwiched by the substrates 30,31 to which transparent electrodes (not illustrated) are applied on opposing faces. The first array grating element 24B and the second array gratings elements 11A-11D are indicated. A passive grating device comprises a grating 29B sandwiched by substrates 28A,28B abuts the substrate 30 overlapping the element 24A. As indicated in FIG. 14 the passive grating device extends over the entire length of the first array. Although the passive grating is illustrated as four distinct elements 29A-29D in FIG.13 the grating will typically have a uniform prescription along its length. The illumination source injects colour-sequential TIR light 121R,121G,121B into the lightguide formed by the first array substrates which is diffracted by the active element24B into the ray directions 122R,122G,122B. The passive grating diffracts the light which is totally internally reflected at the outer surface of the substrate 28B as represented by the ray paths 123R,124R lying in the plane ZY in FIG.12 and FIG.14. The light then proceeds to follow the TIR path 102R within the second array. At least one of the first or second arrays may use the column element scheme described earlier.
In one embodiment of the invention a switchable grating element according to the principles of the invention is a surface relief grating backfilled with an electrically variable refractive index medium based on the embodiments and teachings disclosed in the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,835 with filing date 16 June 2011 entitled HOLOGRAPHIC BEAM STEERING DEVICE FOR AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAYS.
In order to ensure high transparency to external light, high contrast of displayed data (ie high diffraction efficiency) and very low haze due to scatter the following material characteristics are desirable. A low index-modulation residual grating, with a modulation not greater than 0.007, is desirable. This will require a good match between the refractive index of the polymer region and the ordinary index of the liquid crystal. The material should have a high index modulation capability with a refractive index modulation not less than 0.06. The material should exhibit very low haze for HPDLC cell thicknesses in the range 2-6 micron. The HPDLC should have a good index match (to within +0.015) for glass or plastic at 630 nm. One option is 1.515 (for example, 1737F or BK7 glasses). An alternative option would be 1.472 (for example Borofloat or 7740 Pyrex glasses).
Desirably the light sources are solid-state lasers. The low etendue of lasers results in considerable simplification of the optics. LEDs may also be used with the invention. However, LEDs suffer from large etendue, inefficient light collection and complex illuminator and projection optics. A further disadvantage with regard to SBGs is that LEDs are fundamentally unpolarized.
Any display device using lasers will tend to suffer from speckle. The present invention may incorporate any type of despeckler. Advantageously, the despeckler would be based on electro-optical principles. A despeckler for use with the present invention may be based on the disclosed embodiments and teachings of PCT Application No.:US2008/001909, with International Filing Date: 22 July 2008 , entitled LASER ILLUMINATION DEVICE. and PCT Application No.: PCT/GB2010/002023 filed on 2 November 2010 by the present inventors entitled APPARATUS FOR REDUCING LASER SPECKLE.
The need for a despeckler may be eliminated by using a miniature, broadband (4nm) RGB lasers of the type supplied by Epicrystal Inc.
Speckle arising from laser sources can be reduced by applying decorrelation procedures based on combining multiple sets of speckle patterns or cells from a given speckle-generating surface during the spatio-temporal resolution of the human eye. Desirably the despeckler is an electro-optical device configured to generate set of unique speckle phase cells by operating on the angular or polarization characteristic of rays propagating through the device. Furthermore, the despeckler device may be configured in several different ways to operate on one of more of the phase, and ray angular characteristics of incoming light. The invention does not rely on any particular despeckler technology. Any method for generating and averaging speckle cells may be used with the invention. However, solid-state methods using SBGs offer more scope for miniaturization of the illuminator module.
A wearable display based on any of the above-described embodiments may be implemented using plastic substrates. Using sufficiently thin substrates such embodiments could be implemented as a long clear strip appliqué running from the nasal to ear ends of each eyeglass with a small illumination module continuing laser dies, light guides and display drive chip tucked into the sidewall of the eyeglass. Standard index matched glue would be used to fix the display to the surfaces of the eyeglasses. The plastic substrates may be fabricated from materials such as polycarbonate. The transparent electrodes may be fabricated from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which may be more suitable than ITO for use with flexible substrates. The display may further comprise an environmental seal. A plastic SBG for use in the present invention may be based on the HPDLC material system and processes disclosed in a United States Provisional Patent Application by the present inventors entitled IMPROVEMENTS TO HOLOGRAPHIC POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIALS AND DEVICES for which no filing number is available at the present but which is referenced by the Applicant's docket number SBG104.
Although a planar display element using flat substrates has been discussed in the above description an eyepiece according to the principles of the invention may be fabricated using curved surfaces. The invention the invention may be used to provide a facetted surface display. In one embodiment of the invention the switchable gratings are SBGs operated in reverse mode. In reverse mode the SBG has low diffraction efficiency when no electric field is applied and has high efficiency when a field is applied. A reverse mode SBG for use in the present invention may be based on the HPDLC material system and processes disclosed in United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/573,066 with filing date 24 August 2011 by the present inventors entitled IMPROVEMENTS TO HOLOGRAPHIC POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIALS AND DEVICES.
Although the present application addresses wearable displays it will be clear that in any of the above embodiments the eye lens and retina may be replaced by any type of imaging lens and a screen. Any of the above described embodiments of the invention may be used in either directly viewed or virtual image displays. Possible applications range from miniature displays such as those used in viewfinders to large area public information displays. The above described embodiments may be used in applications where a transparent display is required. For example the invention may be used in applications where the displayed imagery is superimposed on a background scene such as heads up displays and teleprompters. The invention may be used to provide a display device that is located at or near to an internal image plane of an optical system. For example any of the above described embodiments may be used to provide a symbolic data display for a camera viewfinder in which symbol data is projected at an intermediate image plane and then magnified by a viewfinder eyepiece. It will be clear the invention may be applied in biocular or monocular displays. The invention may also be used in a stereoscopic wearable display. Any of the above described embodiments of the invention may be used in a rear projection television. The invention may be applied in avionic, industrial and medical displays. There are applications in entertainment, simulation, virtual reality, training systems and sport.
SBG arrays may be fabricated using a diffractive optical mask formed on a transparent sapphire wafer. The SBG cell optical prescriptions are defined on a cell to cell basis. The process of fabricating the SBG array may start with the creation of a multiphase computer generated hologram encoding the desired optical functions which is then holographically recorded in the SBG.
It should be noted that the total internal reflection ray paths shown in the drawings are meant to be schematic only. The number of total internal reflections will depend on the scrolling scheme used and the overall geometry of the light guide formed by the display layers. Typically, in order to ensure that TIR occurs the incidence angles must lie in the range of about 42 to about 70 degrees. It should be emphasized that the drawings are exemplary and that the dimensions have been exaggerated.
The method of fabricating the SBG pixel elements and the ITO electrodes used in any of the above-described embodiments of the invention may be based on the process disclosed in the PCT Application No.: US2006/043938 , claiming priority to US provisional patent application 60/789,595 filed on 6 April 2006 , entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TRANSPARENT DISPLAY.
The display devices disclosed in the present invention may employ features of the transparent edge lit display embodiments and teachings disclosed in U.S. Patent Application: Ser. No. 10/555,661 filed 4 November 2005 entitled SWITCHABLE VIEWFINDER DISPLAY.
The despeckler referred to in the above description may be based on the disclosed embodiments and teachings of PCT Application No.:US2008/001909, with International Filing Date: 22 July 2008 , entitled LASER ILLUMINATION DEVICE. and PCT Application No.: PCT/GB2010/002023 filed on 2 November 2010 by the present inventors entitled APPARATUS FOR REDUCING LASER SPECKLE.
The optical design of the display disclosed in the present application may be guided by the teachings of PCT Application No.: PCT/GB2010/001982 entitled COMPACT EDGE ILLUMINATED EYEGLASS DISPLAY by the present inventors (and also referenced by the Applicant's docket number SBG081PCT).
The display disclosed in the present application may incorporate an eye tracker based on the embodiments and teachings disclosed in United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/344,748 with filing date 28 September 2010 entitled EYE TRACKED HOLOGRAPHIC EDGE ILLUMINATED EYEGLASS DISPLAY (and also referenced by the Applicant's docket number SBG092).
The means for scanning collimated input light and the column array technique for improving the light extraction efficiency from switchable gratings discussed above may be based on the embodiments and teachings disclosed in the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,835 with filing date 16 June 2011 entitled HOLOGRAPHIC BEAM STEERING DEVICE FOR AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAYS.
The display disclosed in the present application may fabricated using the HPDLC material system and processes disclosed in a United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/573,066 with filing date 24 August 2011 by the present inventors entitled IMPROVEMENTS TO HOLOGRAPHIC POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIALS AND DEVICES.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims.
A transparent wearable data display comprising:
a source of light (1);
a means for collimating said light;
a means (42) for deflecting said collimated light into a scanned beam;
a first array (2, 6)
comprising one column containing M switchable grating elements (24A-24D) sandwiched between first (25) and second (26) parallel transparent substrates, said substrates together functioning as a first light guide;
a second array (3)
comprising N columns and M rows of switchable grating elements (11A-11D) sandwiched between third (30) and fourth (31) parallel transparent substrates, said substrates together functioning as a second light guide;
transparent electrodes applied to said first and second and said third and fourth substrates;
a first coupling means (44) for directing said scanned beam into a first TIR light path between the outer surfaces of said first lightguide along said first array column; and
a second coupling means (16) linking each element of said first array to the first element of a row of elements of said second array,
said switchable grating elements each having a diffracting state and a non diffracting state,
each element of said first array when in its diffracting state directing light via said second coupling means into a second TIR path along a row of said second array,
each element of said second array in said diffracting state deflecting light through said fourth substrate.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein at least one of said electrodes of said first array is patterned into 1 x N independently switchable elements each said element overlapping one of said first array grating elements, wherein at least one of said electrodes of said second array is patterned into M x N independently switchable elements each said element overlapping one of said second array grating elements.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said switchable grating elements each have a diffracting state when no electric field is applied across said electrodes and a non diffracting state when a field is applied across said electrodes.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein each element of said first array is disposed adjacent a first element of a row of said second array.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein each said grating element of said second array encodes image information.
The wearable display of claim 1 wherein said fourth substrate faces a viewer of the display.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein at any point in time said element of said second array in said diffracting state forms an image of the information encoded within said grating element at a predefined viewing range and an angular bearing defined by the instantaneous deflection angles of said scanned beam.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said substrates of said first array are parallel to said substrates of said second array.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said substrates of said first array are orthogonal to said substrates of said second array.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said first coupling means is a grating device.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said second coupling means is a grating device abutting each of said first and second arrays.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein each switchable grating element of said second array is divided into independently switchable columns aligned orthogonally to the direction of said output array TIR path.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said switchable grating is a Switchable Bragg Grating.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said scanned beam is characterised by angular deflections in two orthogonal directions.
The wearable data display of claims 1 wherein the intensity of said scanned beam is modulated by varying the refractive index modulation of at least one of the switchable grating elements traversed by the beam.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said light comprises first, second and third wavelength light.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said light comprises first second and third wavelength light and each switchable grating element is a multiplexed SBG comprising a first grating for diffracting said first wavelength light and a second grating for diffracting said second and third wavelength light.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said light comprises first second and third wavelength light and each switchable grating element is a multiplexed SBG comprising a first grating for diffracting said first wavelength light, a second grating for diffracting said second wavelength light and a third grating for diffracting said third wavelength light
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein each said switchable grating is a surface relief grating backfilled with an electrically variable refractive index medium.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein each switchable grating element in at least one of said first array and said second array is divided into independently switchable columns aligned orthogonally to said TIR paths, wherein the refractive index modulation of each element in said switchable column is dynamically controlled such that a predetermined amount of light is diffracted by said switchable column through said fourth substrate.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said data display is one of a pair of left and right eyepieces.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said means for deflecting said collimated light is an electro optical device.
The wearable data display of claim 1 wherein said means for deflecting said collimated light comprises:
a first transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface;
a second transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface;
transparent electrodes applied to said output surface of said first transparent optical substrate and said input surface of said second transparent optical substrate;
an electrically variable refractive index layer having a planar surface and a second surface shaped to provide an array of prisms; and
a fixed refractive index layer having a planar surface and a second surface shaped to provide an array of prismatic cavities, said prisms and said prismatic cavities having identical and opposing geometries, each said prism abutting one of said prismatic cavities,
wherein said planar surface of said variable refractive index layer abuts said output surface of said first transparent optical substrate and said planar surface of said fixed refractive index layer abuts said input surface of said second transparent optical substrate, wherein said transparent electrodes are electrically couple to a variable voltage generating means,
wherein at least one of said transparent electrodes is patterned into independently switchable electrode elements having substantially the same cross sectional area as said prisms such that said variable refractive index prisms may be selectively switched in discrete steps from a fully diffracting to a non diffracting state by an electric field applied across said transparent electrodes.
EP12766702.0A 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Wearable data display Active EP2748670B1 (en)
US201161573067P true 2011-08-24 2011-08-24
PCT/GB2012/000677 WO2013027004A1 (en) 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Wearable data display
EP15187491.4A EP2995986B1 (en) 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Data display
EP15187491.4A Division EP2995986B1 (en) 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Data display
EP15187491.4A Division-Into EP2995986B1 (en) 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Data display
EP2748670A1 EP2748670A1 (en) 2014-07-02
EP2748670B1 true EP2748670B1 (en) 2015-11-18
ID=46963982
EP12766702.0A Active EP2748670B1 (en) 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Wearable data display
EP15187491.4A Active EP2995986B1 (en) 2011-08-24 2012-08-22 Data display
US (2) US20140204455A1 (en)
EP (2) EP2748670B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013027004A1 (en)
WO2017127897A1 (en) * 2016-01-27 2017-08-03 Paul Lapstun Shuttered waveguide light field display
US20140267618A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Google Inc. Capturing and Refocusing Imagery
US20150205134A1 (en) * 2014-01-17 2015-07-23 Thalmic Labs Inc. Systems, articles, and methods for wearable heads-up displays
JP2015184560A (en) * 2014-03-25 2015-10-22 ソニー株式会社 Light guide device, image display device, and display device
FR3022642B1 (en) * 2014-06-24 2017-11-24 Commissariat Energie Atomique device for projecting an image
WO2016113533A2 (en) * 2015-01-12 2016-07-21 Milan Momcilo Popovich Holographic waveguide light field displays
JP2018506744A (en) 2015-02-17 2018-03-08 サルミック ラブス インコーポレイテッド System for eyeboxes extended in wearable head-up display, instrument, and methods
WO2016146963A1 (en) * 2015-03-16 2016-09-22 Popovich, Milan, Momcilo Waveguide device incorporating a light pipe
US20180035087A1 (en) 2016-07-27 2018-02-01 Thalmic Labs Inc. Systems, devices, and methods for laser projectors
US20180045955A1 (en) * 2016-08-12 2018-02-15 Thalmic Labs Inc. Systems, devices, and methods for variable luminance in wearable heads-up displays
US20180129053A1 (en) 2016-11-10 2018-05-10 Thalmic Labs Inc. Systems, devices, and methods for astigmatism compensation in a wearable heads-up display
WO2018102834A2 (en) * 2016-12-02 2018-06-07 Digilens, Inc. Waveguide device with uniform output illumination
WO2018146326A2 (en) * 2017-02-13 2018-08-16 Seereal Technologies S.A. Light guide device and display device for representing scenes
US20180231784A1 (en) * 2017-02-14 2018-08-16 Optecks, Llc Optical display system for augmented reality and virtual reality
FI114945B (en) * 2002-09-19 2005-01-31 Nokia Corp The electrically adjustable diffractive grating
US7233446B2 (en) * 2004-08-19 2007-06-19 3Dtl, Inc. Transformable, applicable material and methods for using same for optical effects
EP1801798B1 (en) * 2004-10-08 2010-01-06 Pioneer Corporation Diffraction optical element, objective lens module, optical pickup, and optical information recording/reproducing apparatus
US7907342B2 (en) * 2005-09-07 2011-03-15 Bae Systems Plc Projection display
EP2373924B1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2019-02-20 BAE Systems PLC Improvements in or relating to waveguides
WO2010125337A2 (en) * 2009-04-27 2010-11-04 Milan Momcilo Popovich Compact holographic edge illuminated wearable display
US8354640B2 (en) * 2009-09-11 2013-01-15 Identix Incorporated Optically based planar scanner
KR101807691B1 (en) * 2011-01-11 2017-12-12 삼성전자주식회사 Three-dimensional image display apparatus
2012-08-22 EP EP12766702.0A patent/EP2748670B1/en active Active
2012-08-22 US US14/240,643 patent/US20140204455A1/en not_active Abandoned
2012-08-22 EP EP15187491.4A patent/EP2995986B1/en active Active
2012-08-22 WO PCT/GB2012/000677 patent/WO2013027004A1/en active Application Filing
2015-07-08 US US14/794,356 patent/US20160004090A1/en active Pending
US20140204455A1 (en) 2014-07-24
WO2013027004A1 (en) 2013-02-28
EP2995986A1 (en) 2016-03-16
US20160004090A1 (en) 2016-01-07
EP2748670A1 (en) 2014-07-02
EP2995986B1 (en) 2017-04-12
EP2024777B1 (en) 2019-02-27 Split exit pupil expander
EP2748659B1 (en) 2016-05-18 Waveguide with dynamic aperture for near-eye display
KR100993240B1 (en) 2010-11-10 Switchable display apparatus
JP4454429B2 (en) 2010-04-21 Direct-view-type lc display
EP1825318B1 (en) 2014-08-20 Method and system for beam expansion in a display device
US7751662B2 (en) 2010-07-06 Optical display device
2014-12-03 DAX Request for extension of the european patent (to any country) deleted
2015-11-11 RAP1 Transfer of rights of an ep published application
Ref document number: 761837
Ref document number: 602012012429