Moldable waveguide with embedded micro structures
US8666208B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2027/0178
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A waveguide suitable in form factor and weight for use in a heads-up display or similar wearable display and a method of manufacturing the waveguide are disclosed. The waveguide comprises a waveguide body of light-weight, optically transparent solid material, such as plastic, with a series of micro structures embedded in the waveguide body at a top surface of the waveguide body. A first set of the micro structures near one end of the waveguide body serves to couple light into the waveguide, whereby a portion of the coupled light propagates subject to total internal reflection toward a second set of micro structures that reflects a portion of the propagated light out of the waveguide at a bottom surface of the waveguide body. The waveguide can deliver an image provided by an input light source to a human eye (or other detector) situated near the bottom surface of the waveguide body. In particular, the source image can be focused at infinity so that it appears in focus as viewed by the eye at the output of the waveguide. Methods for simple and inexpensive mass production of the waveguide are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.