Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides
US10634919B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/24
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical device comprises an optical waveguide including a volume of optically transparent material having a first longitudinal surface positioned opposite a second longitudinal surface across a width of the volume, an in-coupler, a liquid crystal out-coupler, and a controller to modulate a refractive index of the liquid crystal out-coupler. Light is in-coupled into the waveguide and is propagated along a length of the waveguide by total internal reflection between the longitudinal surfaces before being out-coupled by the liquid crystal out-coupler on a path that is dependent on the modulated refractive index of the liquid crystal out-coupler. In this way, light signals can be steered to create an image and/or to move an exit pupil of an image. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.