Systems for and methods of using fold gratings for dual axis expansion using polarized light for wave plates on waveguide faces

Abstract
A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
Description
BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to displays including but not limited to near eye displays. More specifically, the disclosure relates to substrate guided optics.


Substrate guided displays have been proposed which use waveguide technology with diffraction gratings to preserve eye box size while reducing lens size. U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,070 issued to St. Leger Searle and U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,512 issued to Upatnieks disclose substrate waveguide head up displays where the pupil of a collimating optical system is effectively expanded by the waveguide structure. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/869,866 discloses holographic wide angle displays and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,456 discloses waveguide displays having an upper and lower field of view.


SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the disclosure relates to a near eye optical display. The near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating. The fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface. The output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.


Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of displaying information. The method includes receiving collimated light in a waveguide having a first surface and a second surface; providing the collimated light to a fold grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; providing pupil expansion in a first direction using the fold grating and directing the light to an output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and providing pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and causing the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.


Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure relates to an apparatus for providing an optical display. The apparatus for providing an optical display includes a first image source for a first image for a first field of view, and a second image source for a second image for a second field of view, and a waveguide. The waveguide includes a first surface, a second surface, a first input coupler, a second input coupler, a first fold grating, a second fold grating, a first output grating, and a second output grating. The first input coupler is configured to receive the first image and to cause the first image to travel within the waveguide by total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the first fold grating. The first fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the first image to the first output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface. The first output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the first image to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface. The second input coupler is configured to receive the second image and to cause the second image to travel within the waveguide by total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the second fold grating. The second fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in the first direction and to direct the second image to the second output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface. The second output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in the second direction different than the first direction and to cause the second image to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:



FIG. 1A is a planar side view schematic drawing of a dual axis expansion waveguide display system according to an exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 1B is a planar top view schematic drawing of the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 1A according to an exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 2A is a planar top view schematic drawing of a dual axis expansion waveguide display system according to another exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 2B is a front view schematic illustration of the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 2A according to another exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 2C is a top view schematic drawing of four output gratings forming a composite image by tiling four output images for the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 2A according to another exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 2D is a side view schematic drawing of the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 2A according to another exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 3A is a planar top view schematic drawing of a dual axis expansion waveguide display system according to another exemplary embodiment;



FIG. 3B is a front view schematic illustration of the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 3A according to another exemplary embodiment; and



FIG. 3C is a top view schematic drawing of four output gratings forming a composite image by tiling four output images for the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 3A according to another exemplary embodiment.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and embodiments of, an inventive optical display and methods for displaying information. It should be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the disclosed concepts are not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.


The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with some or all of the present invention as disclosed in the following description. For the purposes of explaining the invention, well-known features of optical technology known to those skilled in the art of optical design and visual displays have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the basic principles of the invention. Unless otherwise stated, the term “on-axis” in relation to a ray or a beam direction refers to propagation parallel to an axis normal to the surfaces of the optical components described in relation to the invention. In the following description, the terms light, ray, beam and direction may be used interchangeably and in association with each other to indicate the direction of propagation of light energy along rectilinear trajectories. Parts of the following description will be presented using terminology commonly employed by those skilled in the art of optical design. It should also be noted that in the following description of the invention, repeated usage of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.


Referring generally to the Figures, systems and methods relating to near-eye display or head up display systems are shown according to various embodiments. Holographic waveguide technology can be advantageously utilized in waveguides for helmet mounted displays or head mounted displays (HMDs) and head up displays (HUDs) for many applications, including military applications and consumer applications (e.g., augmented reality glasses, etc.). Switchable Bragg gratings (SBGs), which are holograms recorded in holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal, may be used in waveguides to create a larger field of view with increased resolution in current display systems, including HMDs, HUDs, and other near eye displays. SBGs may also be used to increase the field of view by tiling images presented sequentially on a micro display. A larger exit pupil may be created by using fold gratings in conjunction with conventional or other gratings to provide pupil expansion on a single waveguide in both the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby enabling the use of a very small lens system. Using the systems and methods disclosed herein, a single optical waveguide substrate may generate a wider field of view than found in current waveguide systems. Diffraction gratings may be used to split and diffract light rays into several beams that travel in different directions, thereby dispersing the light rays.


Referring to FIG. 1, an illustration of a dual axis (e.g., vertical and horizontal) beam expansion waveguide display system 100 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1A is a planar side view schematic drawing of a dual axis expansion waveguide display system according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1B is a planar top view schematic drawing of the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 1A according to an exemplary embodiment. The waveguide display system 100 includes a substrate waveguide 101 and a light source 111. In some embodiments, the light from the light source 111 is polarized.


Substrate waveguide 101 includes a first surface 102, a second surface 104, an input coupler 110, a fold grating 120, and an output grating 130. The first and second surfaces 102 and 104 define the boundaries of the waveguide substrate 101 containing the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130 and are flat, planar surfaces in some embodiments. In some embodiments, waveguide substrate 101 can be a transmissive material, such as glass or plastic suitable for optical designs. The waveguide substrate 101 can be comprised of one or more layers and coatings.


Input coupler 110 can be a prism, mirror, reflective surface or grating for injecting light from the light source 111 into the waveguide substrate 101. In some embodiments, the input coupler 110 can be a holographic grating, such as a switchable or non-switchable SBG grating. Similarly, and in some embodiments, the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130 can be holographic gratings, such as switchable or non-switchable SBGs. As used herein, the term grating may encompass a grating comprised of a set of gratings in some embodiments.


The waveguide substrate 101 may include a number of layers. For example, in some embodiments, a first layer includes the fold grating 120 while a second layer includes the output grating 130. In some embodiments, a third layer can include input coupler 110. The number of layers may then be laminated together into a single waveguide substrate 101.


In some embodiments, the waveguide substrate 101 is comprised of a number of pieces including the input coupler 110, the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130 (or portions thereof) that are laminated together to form a single substrate waveguide. The pieces may be separated by optical glue or other transparent material of refractive index matching that of the pieces.


In another embodiment, the input coupler 110, the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130 can each be recorded into the same substrate to form the waveguide substrate 101. In another embodiment, the waveguide substrate 101 may be formed via a cell making process by creating cells of the desired grating thickness and vacuum filling each cell with SBG material for each of the input coupler 110, the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130. In one embodiment, the cell is formed by positioning multiple plates of glass with gaps between the plates of glass that define the desired grating thickness for the input coupler 110, the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130. In one embodiment, one cell may be made with multiple apertures such that the separate apertures are filled with different pockets of SBG material. Any intervening spaces may then be separated by a separating material (e.g., glue, oil, etc.) to define separate areas within a single substrate waveguide 101. In one embodiment, the SBG material may be spin-coated onto a substrate and then covered by a second substrate after curing of the material.


By using the fold grating 120, the waveguide display system 100 advantageously requires fewer layers than previous systems and methods of displaying information according to some embodiments. In addition, by using fold grating 120, light can travel by total internal refection within the substrate waveguide 101 in a single rectangular prism defined by surfaces 102 and 104 while achieving dual pupil expansion.


In another embodiment, the input coupler 110, the fold grating 120 and the output grating 130 can be created by interfering two waves of light at an angle within the substrate to create a holographic wave front, thereby creating light and dark fringes that are set in the waveguide substrate 101 at a desired angle. In one embodiment, the input coupler 110, the fold grating 120, and the output grating 130 embodied as holograms can be Bragg gratings recorded in a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) (e.g., a matrix of liquid crystal droplets), although Bragg gratings may also be recorded in other materials. Bragg gratings recorded in HPDLC are known as SBGs. In one embodiment, SBGs are recorded in a special HPDLC material, such as POLICRYPS, resulting in a matrix of pure liquid crystal Bragg planes separated by solid polymer. SBGs may also be recorded in other materials, including POLIPHEM. Similar to POLICRYPS, POLIPHEM also provides a matrix of pure liquid crystal Bragg planes separated by solid polymer, however both substances are fabricated by different processes. The SBGs can be switching or non-switching in nature. In its non-switching form, an SBG has the advantage over conventional holographic photopolymer materials of being capable of providing high refractive index modulation due to its liquid crystal component.


The light source 111 can include a number of input objective lenses 112, 113, 114 and an image source 115 and can provide collimated light to the input coupler 110. The image source 115 can be a micro-display or laser based display. In one or more embodiments, the image source is a liquid crystal display (LCD) micro display or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) micro display.


In some embodiments, the input objective lenses 112, 113, 114 may be many different types of lenses, including, for example, projection lenses. In some embodiments, however, the light source 111 includes a single input objective lens (e.g., input objective lens 112). The input coupler 110 is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the substrate waveguide 101 via total internal reflection between the first surface 102 and the second surface 104 to the fold grating 120. The input objective lenses 112, 113, 114 collimate the display image on the image source 115 and each pixel on the image source 115 is converted into a unique angular direction within the substrate waveguide 101 according to some embodiments. The input coupler 110 may be orientated directly towards or at an angle relative to the fold grating 120. For example, in one embodiment, the input coupler 110 may be set at a slight incline in relation to the fold grating 120. One advantage of tilting the input coupler 110 is that the waveguide substrate 101 may also be tilted with respect to the viewer. For example, such tilting may allow the visor of FIG. 3B to provide a peripheral vision rather than a flat faceplate. Another benefit of using dual axis expansion in an optical waveguide is that smaller input objective lenses 112, 113, 114 may be used according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, at least one of the input objective lenses 112, 113, 114 may be a diffractive lens.


In some embodiments, the fold grating 120 may be oriented in a diagonal direction. The fold grating 120 is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating 130 via total internal reflection between the first surface 102 and the second surface 104 of the substrate waveguide 101 in some embodiments. In one embodiment, a longitudinal edge of each fold grating 120 is oblique to the axis of alignment of the input coupler 110 such that each fold grating 120 is set on a diagonal with respect to the direction of propagation of the display light. The fold grating 120 is angled such that light from the input coupler 110 is redirected to the output grating 130. In one example, the fold grating 120 is set at a forty-five degree angle (e.g., 40-50 degrees) relative to the direction that the display image is released from the input coupler 110. This feature causes the display image propagating down the fold grating 120 to be turned into the output grating 130. For example, in one embodiment, the fold grating 120 causes the image to be turned 90 degrees into the output grating 130. In this manner, a single waveguide provides dual axis pupil expansion in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In one embodiment, each of the fold grating 120 may have a partially diffractive structure. In some embodiments, each of the fold grating 120 may have a fully diffractive structure. In some embodiments, different grating configurations and technologies may be incorporated in a single substrate waveguide 101.


The output grating 130 is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide 100 from the first surface or the second surface. The output grating 130 receives the display image from the fold grating 120 via total internal reflection and provides pupil expansion in a second direction. In some embodiments, the output grating 130 may consist of multiple layers of substrate, thereby comprising multiple layers of output gratings. Accordingly, there is no requirement for gratings to be in one plane within the substrate waveguide 101, and gratings may be stacked on top of each other (e.g., cells of gratings stacked on top of each other). The output grating 130 can be disposed approximately perpendicular to the gratings of the input couple 110 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the output grating is disposed approximately 5-10 degrees (e.g., approximately 7.5 degrees) from the vertical axis.


In some embodiments, a quarter wave plate 142 on the substrate waveguide 101 rotates polarization of a light ray to maintain efficient coupling with the SBGs. The quarter wave plate 142 may be coupled to or adhered to the surface 102 of substrate waveguide 101. For example, in one embodiment, the quarter wave plate 142 is a coating that is applied to substrate waveguide 101. The quarter wave plate 142 provides light wave polarization management. Such polarization management may help light rays retain alignment with the intended viewing axis by compensating for skew waves in the substrate waveguide 101. In one embodiment, the output grating 130 may be contained by glass. The quarter wave plate 142 is optional and can increase the efficiency of the optical design in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the substrate waveguide 101 does not include the quarter wave plate 142. The quarter wave plate may be provided as a multi-layer coating.


Referring to FIGS. 2A-C, illustrations of a medium field of view head mounted display system 201 are shown according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2A is a planar top view schematic drawing of one embodiment of a head mounted display system 201 including a dual axis (e.g., vertical and horizontal) beam expansion waveguide 200 and light sources 210 and 211. FIG. 2B is front view schematic illustration of an embodiment of the head mounted display system 201 being worn on a helmet, and FIG. 2C is a top view schematic drawing of four output gratings forming a composite image by tiling four output images for the head mounted display system 201 according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the resolution of the composite image is formed by the tiling of four 800 by 600 images to create a composite 1600 by 1200 image in field of view space. The micro display input image may be updated synchronously with the switching of the SBGs. In some embodiments, the head mounted display system 201 provides a 30 degree by 40 degree field of view at the output grid 221 using multiplexing techniques such as those described in the applications incorporated herein by reference.


The light sources 210 and 211 may each include a number of input objective lenses 212 and image sources 215 that can provide collimated light. The image sources 215 can be micro displays or laser based displays, among other display types. In one or more embodiments, the image sources 215 are liquid crystal display (LCD) micro displays or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) micro displays. In one alternative embodiment, light sources 210 and 211 can be a single light source having two images for substrate waveguide 200.


In some embodiments, the input objective lenses 212 may be many different types of lenses, including, for example, projection lenses. In some embodiments, however, the light sources 210 and 211 include a single input objective lens. Pairs of input couplers on substrate waveguide 200, similar to input coupler 110, are each configured to receive collimated light from respective display sources 210 and 211 and to cause the light to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to respective fold gratings 254, 256, 258, and 260 similar to fold grating 120. The pairs of input couplers include a first pair of input couplers 214 and 216 associated with light source 210 (FIG. 2D). A second pair similar to the first pair is provided on substrate waveguide 201. The light from each respective fold grating 254, 256, 258, and 260 travels within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to a respective output grating 224, 226, 228, and 230 similar to output grating 130 to form a respective image. FIG. 2A depicts output grating 224, 226, 228, and 230 as non-overlapping, however, it will be appreciated that the output gratings 224, 226, 228, and 230 overlap each other in some embodiments. FIG. 2A also depicts fold gratings 254, 258 as non-overlapping and fold gratings 256, 260 as non-overlapping, however, it will be appreciated that the fold gratings 254, 258, 256, and 260 may overlap in some embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, fold grating 254 and fold grating 258 overlap each other.


As shown in FIG. 2A, the substrate waveguide 200 may include the same or similar elements of the substrate waveguide 101 shown and described in relation to FIG. 1A, including fold gratings 254, 256, 258, and 260, and output gratings 224, 226, 228, and 230. In some embodiments, the head mounted display system 201 includes the light source 210 and the light source 211. Additional light sources can be utilized in some embodiments. As explained in further detail below, a light source 210 causes an image to travel from image source 215 to an input grating 214 or 216, which causes the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to one of fold gratings 254 or 258, which in turn causes the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to output grating 224 or 228, respectively. Multiplexing techniques are used such that an image is displayed by one output grating and then the other output grating to form half of a composite image. The multiplexing techniques can be used to turn gratings 214 and 216 on and off in a sequential fashion. Likewise, image source 211 causes an image to travel from image source 215 to a pair of input gratings similar to gratings 214 and 216, which then causes the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to one of fold gratings 256 or 260, which in turn causes the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to output grating 226 or 230, respectively. Multiplexing techniques are used such that an image is displayed by one output grating and then the other out grating to form half of a composite image. Together, the two half composite images form a full composite image. The gratings may be switchable and can be turned on and off, thereby deflecting light or not deflecting light, to effect multiplexing operations.


Referring to FIG. 2C, a top view schematic drawing of four output gratings forming a composite image by tiling four output images for the dual axis expansion waveguide display system illustrated in FIG. 2A is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, output grid 221 includes four or more output gratings 224, 226, 228, and 230, each similar to output grating 130 and each corresponding to an output image that forms a composite image. In some embodiments, the output gratings 224, 226, 228, and 230 are switchable and can be turned on and off, thereby deflecting light or not deflecting light, to effect multiplexing operations. The output gratings 224, 226, 228, and 230 eject the light from the substrate waveguide 201 to the user. In some embodiments, the output grating 224 receives light from light source 210 via fold grating 254, output grating 228 receives light from light source 210 via fold grating 258, output grating 226 receives light from light source 211 via fold grating 256, and output grating 230 receives light from light source 211 via fold grating 260. In some embodiments, each output grating forms an image 20 by 15. Accordingly, each of light sources 210 and 211 forms an image 20 by 30. When the images formed by each light source are combined, a 40 by 30 composite image is formed. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2C, each output grating 224, 226, 228, and 230 forms an image that is 800 pixels by 600 pixels, and when combined form a composite image that is 1600 pixels by 1200 pixels, however it will be appreciated that different configurations are possible. Although output grid 221 is shown as a 2 by 2 grid in a dual waveguide structure, other arrangements are possible. For example, a 3 by 2 grid can be provided on a waveguide structure including three layers or substrates. A 3 by 3 grid can be achieved using a waveguide structure including three layers or substrates and three fold gratings, three input gratings, and three output gratings per layer or substrate and three light sources, and so on. By including the light source 210 and the light source 211, the substrate waveguide 200 may create a full field of view or larger field of view. The composite image may also include an origin 238 positioned in front of a pupil of an eye of a user.


Referring to FIG. 2D, a side view schematic drawing of the dual axis expansion waveguide display system 201 illustrated in FIG. 2A is shown according to another exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2D, only half the dual axis expansion waveguide display system 201 illustrated in FIG. 2A is shown. In one embodiment, the substrate waveguide 200 may include multiple layers, such as first layer 207 and second layer 209, however it will be appreciated that additional layers, or even a single layer, may be used. In one embodiment, fold grating 228 and output grating 258 are located in the same plane within first layer 207, and therefore overlap in FIG. 2D. Similarly, fold grating 254 and output grating 224 are located in the same plane within second layer 209 and therefore overlap in FIG. 2D. The light source 210 causes an image to travel from the image source 215 to input grating 214, which causes the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 via total internal reflection to fold grating 254 (FIG. 2A), which in turn cause the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 within first layer 207 via total internal reflection to output grating 228. Likewise, the light source 210 causes an image to travel from the image source 215 to input grating 216, which causes the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 within second layer 209 via total internal reflection to fold gratings 224 (FIG. 2A), which in turn cause the image to travel within the substrate waveguide 200 within second layer 209 via total internal reflection to output grating 224. The images from light source 211 are provided to fold gratings 256 and 260 and output gratings 226 and 230 in a similar fashion as described above with respect to light source 210. Multiplexing techniques are used such that an image is displayed by one output grating and then the other output grating to form half of a composite image. Together, the two half composite images form a full composite image. The gratings may be switchable and can be turned on and off, thereby deflecting light or not deflecting light, to effect multiplexing operations.


Referring to FIGS. 3A-C, illustrations of a medium field of view goggle display system 301 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3A is a planar top view schematic drawing of one embodiment of the goggle display system 301 including a dual axis (e.g., vertical and horizontal) beam expansion waveguide 300 and light sources 310 and 311. FIG. 3B is a front view schematic illustration of an embodiment of the goggle display system 301 being worn on a helmet, and FIG. 3C is a planar top view schematic drawing of an output grid 321 for the goggle display system 301, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the goggle display system 301 provides a 40 degree by 30 degree field of view at the output grid 321 using multiplexing techniques such as those described in the applications incorporated herein by reference.


As shown in FIG. 3A, the substrate waveguide 300 may include the same or similar elements of the substrate waveguide 200 shown and described in relation to FIGS. 2A-C. In some embodiments, the goggle display system 301 includes the light source 310 and the light source 311. Additional light sources can be utilized in some embodiments.


The light sources 310 and 311 may each include a number of input objective lenses 312 and image sources 315 that can provide collimated light. The image sources 315 can be micro displays or laser based displays, among other display types. In one or more embodiments, the image sources 315 are liquid crystal display (LCD) micro displays or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) micro displays. In one alternative embodiment, light sources 310 and 311 can be a single light source having two images for substrate waveguide 300.


In some embodiments, the input objective lenses 312 may be many different types of lenses, including, for example, projection lenses. In some embodiments, however, the light sources 310 and 311 include a single input objective lens. A pair of input couplers on substrate waveguide 300, similar to input coupler 110, are each configured to receive collimated light from respective display sources 310 and 311 and to cause the light to travel within the substrate waveguide 300 via total internal reflection to a respective fold grating similar to fold grating 120. The light from each respective fold grating travels within the substrate waveguide 300 via total internal reflection to output grid 321.


In some embodiments, output grid 321 includes four or more output gratings 324, 326, 328, and 330, each similar to output grating 130. In some embodiments, the output gratings 324, 326, 328, and 330 are switchable and can be turned on and off to effect multiplexing operations. The output gratings 324, 326, 328, and 330 eject the light from the substrate waveguide 300 to the user. In some embodiments, the output gratings 324 and 326 receive light from the first fold grating in substrate waveguide 300 and light source 310, and the output gratings 328 and 330 receive light from the second fold grating in substrate waveguide 300 and light source 311.


By including the light source 310 and the light source 311, the substrate waveguide 300 may create a full field of view or larger field of view. In some embodiments, the substrate waveguide 300 creates a full field of view or larger field of view using multiplexing techniques. For example, FIG. 3C illustrates an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 2C, except that the composite images are displayed in a horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, each output grating forms an image 15 by 20. Accordingly, each of light sources 310 and 311 forms an image 30 by 20. When the images formed by each light source are combined, a 30 by 40 composite image is formed. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3C, each output grating 324, 326, 328, and 330 forms an image that is 600 pixels by 800 pixels, and when combined form a composite image that is 1200 pixels by 1600 pixels, however it will be appreciated that different configurations are possible. Although output grid 321 is shown as a 2 by 2 grid in a dual waveguide structure, other arrangements are possible. For example, a 3 by 2 grid can be provided on a waveguide structure including three layers or substrates. A 3 by 3 grid can be achieved using a waveguide structure including three layers or substrates and three fold gratings, three input gratings, and three output gratings per layer or substrate and three light sources, and so on. By including the light source 310 and the light source 311, the substrate waveguide 300 may create a full field of view or larger field of view. The composite image may also include an origin positioned in front of a pupil of an eye of a user.


In some embodiments, this configuration is utilized in a head mounted display goggle as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, a sand wind and dust goggle. In some embodiments, the output waveguide SBGs are displaced so that they line up with the eye location in the goggle. In some embodiments, an origin of grid 321 is positioned in front of a pupil of the eye of the user.


The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.


Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.


The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.


Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims
  • 1. A near-eye optical display comprising: a light source providing image light, wherein the image light is polarized;a waveguide;one or more input couplers in the waveguide configured to selectively couple the image light into the waveguide along a first direction;one or more fold gratings in the waveguide configured to receive the image light from the one or more input couplers and direct the image light along a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the two or more fold gratings provide pupil expansion of the image light along the first direction;an output coupler array in the waveguide including two or more output couplers, wherein a number of rows of the output coupler array equals a number of the one or more fold gratings, wherein each of the one or more fold gratings are configured to direct light into a different one of the rows of the output coupler array along a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the two or more output couplers provide pupil expansion of the image light along the second direction, wherein each of the two or more output couplers deflects the image light from a corresponding one of the two or more fold gratings out of the waveguide along an output direction as a sub-image; anda wave plate on a face of the waveguide to rotate the polarization of the image light propagating through the waveguide to provide coupling of the image light with at least one of the one or more fold gratings or the two or more output couplers;wherein a composite image is displayable by sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array, wherein a size of the composite image corresponds to a size of the output coupler array.
  • 2. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein the wave plate comprises: a quarter wave plate.
  • 3. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein the wave plate is formed as a coating on the face of the waveguide.
  • 4. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein the wave plate retains alignment of the image light by compensating for skew waves in the waveguide.
  • 5. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more input couplers, the one or more fold gratings, or the two or more output couplers are formed as one or more switchable diffraction gratings providing transmission of the image light in an off state and deflection of the image light in an on state, wherein sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array comprises selectively controlling the one or more switchable diffraction gratings.
  • 6. The near-eye optical display of claim 5, wherein at least one of one or more switchable diffraction gratings comprises: a switchable bragg grating.
  • 7. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more fold gratings is formed as a switchable diffraction grating providing transmission of the image light along the first direction in an off state and deflection of the image light into a corresponding row of the output coupler in an on state.
  • 8. The near-eye optical display of claim 7, wherein sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array comprises: selectively controlling the at least one switchable diffraction grating to sequentially couple the image light into different rows of the output coupler array.
  • 9. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two or more output couplers in each row of the output coupler array is formed as a switchable diffraction grating providing transmission of the image light along the second direction in an off state and deflection of the image light out of the waveguide in an on state.
  • 10. The near-eye optical display of claim 9, wherein sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array comprises: selectively controlling the at least one switchable diffraction grating in each row to sequentially couple the image light out of different output couplers of the output coupler array.
  • 11. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, wherein a sub-image from at least one of the two or more output couplers is displayed with a field of view of at least 15 by 20 degrees.
  • 12. The near-eye optical display of claim 1, further comprising: a collimating lens system for collimating the image light from the display source.
  • 13. A near-eye optical display comprising: one or more light sources providing image light, wherein the image light is polarized;a waveguide; andtwo or more display sub-systems, each comprising: one or more input couplers in the waveguide configured to selectively couple the image light from one of the one or more light sources into the waveguide along a first direction;one or more fold gratings in the waveguide configured to receive the image light from the one or more input couplers and direct the image light along a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the two or more fold gratings provide pupil expansion of the image light along the first direction;an output coupler array in the waveguide including two or more output couplers, wherein a number of rows of the output coupler array equals a number of the one or more fold gratings, wherein each of the one or more fold gratings are configured to direct light into a different one of the rows of the output coupler array along a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the two or more output couplers provide pupil expansion of the image light along the second direction, wherein each of the two or more output couplers deflects the image light from a corresponding one of the two or more fold gratings out of the waveguide along an output direction as a sub-image; anda wave plate on a face of the waveguide to rotate the polarization of the image light propagating through the waveguide to provide coupling of the image light with at least one of the one or more fold gratings or the two or more output couplers;wherein the output coupler sub-arrays from the two or more display sub-systems are arranged to form a full output coupler array, wherein a composite image from the full output coupler array is displayed by sequentially displaying the sub-images from each of the two or more display sub-systems, wherein a size of the composite image corresponds to a size of the full output coupler array.
  • 14. The near-eye optical display of claim 13, wherein the wave plate comprises: a quarter wave plate.
  • 15. The near-eye optical display of claim 13, wherein the wave plate is formed as a coating on the face of the waveguide.
  • 16. The near-eye optical display of claim 13, wherein the wave plate retains alignment of the image light by compensating for skew waves in the waveguide.
  • 17. The near-eye optical display of claim 13, wherein at least one of the one or more input couplers, the one or more fold gratings, or the two or more output couplers are formed as one or more switchable diffraction gratings providing transmission of the image light in an off state and deflection of the image light in an on state, wherein sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array comprises selectively controlling the one or more switchable diffraction gratings, wherein at least one of one or more switchable diffraction gratings comprises: a switchable bragg grating.
  • 18. A method comprising: directing image light from one or more light sources to a display systems, wherein the image light is polarized, wherein the display system comprises: a waveguide;one or more input couplers in the waveguide configured to selectively couple the image light into the waveguide along a first direction;one or more fold gratings in the waveguide configured to receive the image light from the one or more input couplers and direct the image light along a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the two or more fold gratings provide pupil expansion of the image light along the first direction;an output coupler array in the waveguide including two or more output couplers, wherein a number of rows of the output coupler array equals a number of the one or more fold gratings, wherein each of the one or more fold gratings are configured to direct light into a different one of the rows of the output coupler array along a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the two or more output couplers provide pupil expansion of the image light along the second direction, wherein each of the two or more output couplers deflects the image light from a corresponding one of the two or more fold gratings out of the waveguide along an output direction as a sub-image; anda wave plate on a face of the waveguide to rotate the polarization of the image light propagating through the waveguide to provide coupling of the image light with at least one of the one or more fold gratings or the two or more output couplers;sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array to display a composite image, wherein a size of the composite image corresponds to a size of the output coupler array.
  • 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the wave plate comprises: a quarter wave plate.
  • 20. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the two or more input couplers, the two or more fold gratings, or the two or more output couplers are formed as one or more switchable diffraction gratings providing transmission of the image light in an off state and deflection of the image light in an on state, wherein sequentially displaying the sub-images from the output coupler array comprises selectively controlling the one or more switchable diffraction gratings, a switchable bragg grating.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/027,562 filed on Sep. 21, 2020 by Stanley, et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF USING FOLD GRATINGS FOR DUAL AXIS EXPANSION,” which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/497,280 filed on Sep. 25, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/497,280 is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/465,763 (09KE459CC (047141-1029)) filed on Aug. 21, 2014, by Robbins et al., entitled “OPTICAL DISPLAYS,” which claims the benefit of and priority to and is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/355,360, filed on Jan. 20, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,817,350, issued on Aug. 26, 2014) (09KE459C (047141-0834)), which claims the benefit of and priority to and is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/571,262 filed on Sep. 30, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,233,204, issued on Jul. 31, 2012) (09KE459 (047141-0689)); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/869,866 (13FD325 (047141-0920)) filed on Apr. 24, 2013, by Popovich et al., entitled “HOLOGRAPHIC WIDE ANGLE DISPLAY,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/687,436 filed on Apr. 25, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/689,907 filed on Jun. 15, 2012; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,456 (13FD235 (047141-0903)) filed on Mar. 15, 2013, by Brown et al., entitled “TRANSPARENT WAVEGUIDE DISPLAY PROVIDING UPPER AND LOWER FIELDS OF VIEW,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/796,632 filed on Nov. 16, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/849,853 filed on Feb. 4, 2013, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (609)
Number Name Date Kind
2141884 August Dec 1938 A
3620601 Waghorn et al. Nov 1971 A
3851303 Muller Nov 1974 A
3885095 Wolfson et al. May 1975 A
3940204 Withrington Feb 1976 A
4082432 Kirschner Apr 1978 A
4099841 Ellis Jul 1978 A
4178074 Heller Dec 1979 A
4218111 Withrington et al. Aug 1980 A
4232943 Rogers Nov 1980 A
4309070 Searle Jan 1982 A
4647967 Kirschner et al. Mar 1987 A
4711512 Upatnieks Dec 1987 A
4714320 Banbury Dec 1987 A
4743083 Schimpe May 1988 A
4749256 Bell et al. Jun 1988 A
4775218 Wood et al. Oct 1988 A
4799765 Ferrer Jan 1989 A
4854688 Hayford et al. Aug 1989 A
4860294 Winzer et al. Aug 1989 A
4928301 Smoot May 1990 A
4946245 Chamberlin et al. Aug 1990 A
5007711 Wood et al. Apr 1991 A
5035734 Honkanen et al. Jul 1991 A
5076664 Migozzi Dec 1991 A
5079416 Filipovich Jan 1992 A
5117285 Nelson et al. May 1992 A
5124821 Antier et al. Jun 1992 A
5148302 Nagano et al. Sep 1992 A
5151958 Honkanen Sep 1992 A
5153751 Ishikawa et al. Oct 1992 A
5159445 Gitlin et al. Oct 1992 A
5160523 Honkanen et al. Nov 1992 A
5183545 Branca et al. Feb 1993 A
5187597 Kato et al. Feb 1993 A
5210624 Matsumoto et al. May 1993 A
5218360 Goetz et al. Jun 1993 A
5243413 Gitlin et al. Sep 1993 A
5289315 Makita et al. Feb 1994 A
5295208 Caulfield et al. Mar 1994 A
5303085 Rallison Apr 1994 A
5306923 Kazmierski et al. Apr 1994 A
5317405 Kuriki et al. May 1994 A
5341230 Smith Aug 1994 A
5351151 Levy Sep 1994 A
5359362 Lewis et al. Oct 1994 A
5363220 Kuwayama et al. Nov 1994 A
5369511 Amos Nov 1994 A
5400069 Braun et al. Mar 1995 A
5408346 Trissel et al. Apr 1995 A
5418584 Larson May 1995 A
5438357 McNelley Aug 1995 A
5455693 Wreede et al. Oct 1995 A
5471326 Hall et al. Nov 1995 A
5473222 Thoeny et al. Dec 1995 A
5496621 Makita et al. Mar 1996 A
5500671 Andersson et al. Mar 1996 A
5510913 Hashimoto et al. Apr 1996 A
5515184 Caulfield et al. May 1996 A
5524272 Podowski et al. Jun 1996 A
5532736 Kuriki et al. Jul 1996 A
5537232 Biles Jul 1996 A
5572248 Allen et al. Nov 1996 A
5579026 Tabata Nov 1996 A
5583795 Smyth Dec 1996 A
5604611 Saburi et al. Feb 1997 A
5606433 Yin et al. Feb 1997 A
5612733 Flohr Mar 1997 A
5612734 Nelson et al. Mar 1997 A
5619254 McNelley Apr 1997 A
5629259 Akada et al. May 1997 A
5631107 Tarumi et al. May 1997 A
5633100 Mickish et al. May 1997 A
5646785 Gilboa et al. Jul 1997 A
5648857 Ando et al. Jul 1997 A
5661577 Jenkins et al. Aug 1997 A
5661603 Hanano et al. Aug 1997 A
5665494 Kawabata et al. Sep 1997 A
5668907 Veligdan Sep 1997 A
5680411 Ramdane et al. Oct 1997 A
5682255 Friesem et al. Oct 1997 A
5694230 Welch Dec 1997 A
5701132 Kollin et al. Dec 1997 A
5706108 Ando et al. Jan 1998 A
5707925 Akada et al. Jan 1998 A
5724189 Ferrante Mar 1998 A
5726782 Kato et al. Mar 1998 A
5727098 Jacobson Mar 1998 A
5729242 Margerum et al. Mar 1998 A
5731060 Hirukawa et al. Mar 1998 A
5731853 Taketomi et al. Mar 1998 A
5742262 Tabata et al. Apr 1998 A
5751452 Tanaka et al. May 1998 A
5760931 Saburi et al. Jun 1998 A
5764414 King et al. Jun 1998 A
5790288 Jager et al. Aug 1998 A
5812608 Valimaki et al. Sep 1998 A
5822127 Chen et al. Oct 1998 A
5841507 Barnes Nov 1998 A
5856842 Tedesco Jan 1999 A
5867618 Ito et al. Feb 1999 A
5868951 Schuck, III et al. Feb 1999 A
5886822 Spitzer Mar 1999 A
5892598 Asakawa et al. Apr 1999 A
5898511 Mizutani et al. Apr 1999 A
5903395 Rallison et al. May 1999 A
5907416 Hegg et al. May 1999 A
5907436 Perry et al. May 1999 A
5917459 Son et al. Jun 1999 A
5926147 Sehm et al. Jul 1999 A
5929946 Sharp et al. Jul 1999 A
5937115 Domash Aug 1999 A
5942157 Sutherland et al. Aug 1999 A
5945893 Plessky et al. Aug 1999 A
5949302 Sarkka Sep 1999 A
5966223 Friesem et al. Oct 1999 A
5985422 Krauter Nov 1999 A
5991087 Rallison Nov 1999 A
5999314 Asakura et al. Dec 1999 A
6042947 Asakura et al. Mar 2000 A
6043585 Plessky et al. Mar 2000 A
6075626 Mizutani et al. Jun 2000 A
6078427 Fontaine et al. Jun 2000 A
6115152 Popovich et al. Sep 2000 A
6127066 Ueda et al. Oct 2000 A
6137630 Tsou et al. Oct 2000 A
6156243 Kosuga et al. Dec 2000 A
6169613 Amitai et al. Jan 2001 B1
6176837 Foxlin Jan 2001 B1
6195206 Yona et al. Feb 2001 B1
6222675 Mall et al. Apr 2001 B1
6222971 Veligdan et al. Apr 2001 B1
6249386 Yona et al. Jun 2001 B1
6259423 Tokito et al. Jul 2001 B1
6259559 Kobayashi et al. Jul 2001 B1
6285813 Schultz et al. Sep 2001 B1
6317083 Johnson et al. Nov 2001 B1
6317227 Mizutani et al. Nov 2001 B1
6317528 Gadkaree et al. Nov 2001 B1
6321069 Piirainen Nov 2001 B1
6327089 Hosaki et al. Dec 2001 B1
6333819 Svedenkrans Dec 2001 B1
6340540 Ueda et al. Jan 2002 B1
6351333 Araki et al. Feb 2002 B2
6356172 Koivisto et al. Mar 2002 B1
6359730 Tervonen Mar 2002 B2
6359737 Stringfellow Mar 2002 B1
6366378 Tervonen et al. Apr 2002 B1
6392812 Howard May 2002 B1
6409687 Foxlin Jun 2002 B1
6470132 Nousiainen et al. Oct 2002 B1
6486997 Bruzzone et al. Nov 2002 B1
6504518 Kuwayama et al. Jan 2003 B1
6522795 Jordan et al. Feb 2003 B1
6524771 Maeda et al. Feb 2003 B2
6545778 Ono et al. Apr 2003 B2
6550949 Bauer et al. Apr 2003 B1
6557413 Nieminen et al. May 2003 B2
6560019 Nakai May 2003 B2
6563648 Gleckman et al. May 2003 B2
6580529 Amitai et al. Jun 2003 B1
6583873 Goncharov et al. Jun 2003 B1
6587619 Kinoshita Jul 2003 B1
6598987 Parikka Jul 2003 B1
6611253 Cohen Aug 2003 B1
6624943 Nakai et al. Sep 2003 B2
6646810 Harter, Jr. et al. Nov 2003 B2
6661578 Hedrick Dec 2003 B2
6674578 Sugiyama et al. Jan 2004 B2
6680720 Lee et al. Jan 2004 B1
6686815 Mirshekarl-Syahkal et al. Feb 2004 B1
6690516 Aritake et al. Feb 2004 B2
6721096 Bruzzone et al. Apr 2004 B2
6741189 Gibbons et al. May 2004 B1
6744478 Asakura et al. Jun 2004 B1
6748342 Dickhaus Jun 2004 B1
6750941 Satoh et al. Jun 2004 B2
6750995 Dickson Jun 2004 B2
6757105 Niv et al. Jun 2004 B2
6771403 Endo et al. Aug 2004 B1
6776339 Piikivi Aug 2004 B2
6781701 Sweetser et al. Aug 2004 B1
6805490 Levola Oct 2004 B2
6825987 Repetto et al. Nov 2004 B2
6829095 Amitai Dec 2004 B2
6833955 Niv Dec 2004 B2
6836369 Fujikawa et al. Dec 2004 B2
6844212 Bond et al. Jan 2005 B2
6844980 He et al. Jan 2005 B2
6847274 Salmela et al. Jan 2005 B2
6847488 Travis Jan 2005 B2
6853491 Ruhle et al. Feb 2005 B1
6864861 Schehrer et al. Mar 2005 B2
6864927 Cathey Mar 2005 B1
6885483 Takada Apr 2005 B2
6903872 Schrader Jun 2005 B2
6909345 Salmela et al. Jun 2005 B1
6917375 Akada et al. Jul 2005 B2
6922267 Endo et al. Jul 2005 B2
6926429 Barlow et al. Aug 2005 B2
6940361 Jokio et al. Sep 2005 B1
6950173 Sutherland et al. Sep 2005 B1
6950227 Schrader Sep 2005 B2
6951393 Koide Oct 2005 B2
6952312 Weber et al. Oct 2005 B2
6958662 Salmela et al. Oct 2005 B1
6987908 Bond et al. Jan 2006 B2
7003075 Miyake et al. Feb 2006 B2
7003187 Frick et al. Feb 2006 B2
7018744 Otaki et al. Mar 2006 B2
7021777 Amitai Apr 2006 B2
7026892 Kajiya Apr 2006 B2
7027671 Huck et al. Apr 2006 B2
7034748 Kajiya Apr 2006 B2
7053735 Salmela et al. May 2006 B2
7058434 Wang et al. Jun 2006 B2
7095562 Peng et al. Aug 2006 B1
7101048 Travis Sep 2006 B2
7110184 Yona et al. Sep 2006 B1
7123418 Weber et al. Oct 2006 B2
7126418 Hunton et al. Oct 2006 B2
7126583 Breed Oct 2006 B1
7132200 Ueda et al. Nov 2006 B1
7149385 Parikka et al. Dec 2006 B2
7151246 Fein et al. Dec 2006 B2
7158095 Jenson et al. Jan 2007 B2
7181105 Teramura et al. Feb 2007 B2
7181108 Levola Feb 2007 B2
7184615 Levola Feb 2007 B2
7190849 Katase Mar 2007 B2
7199934 Yamasaki Apr 2007 B2
7205960 David Apr 2007 B2
7205964 Yokoyama et al. Apr 2007 B1
7206107 Levola Apr 2007 B2
7230767 Walck et al. Jun 2007 B2
7242527 Spitzer et al. Jul 2007 B2
7248128 Mattila et al. Jul 2007 B2
7259906 Islam Aug 2007 B1
7268946 Wang Sep 2007 B2
7285903 Cull et al. Oct 2007 B2
7286272 Mukawa Oct 2007 B2
7289069 Ranta Oct 2007 B2
7299983 Piikivi Nov 2007 B2
7313291 Okhotnikov et al. Dec 2007 B2
7319573 Nishiyama Jan 2008 B2
7320534 Sugikawa et al. Jan 2008 B2
7323275 Otaki et al. Jan 2008 B2
7336271 Ozeki et al. Feb 2008 B2
7339737 Urey et al. Mar 2008 B2
7339742 Amitai et al. Mar 2008 B2
7375870 Schorpp May 2008 B2
7376307 Singh et al. May 2008 B2
7391573 Amitai Jun 2008 B2
7394865 Borran et al. Jul 2008 B2
7395181 Foxlin Jul 2008 B2
7397606 Peng et al. Jul 2008 B1
7401920 Kranz et al. Jul 2008 B1
7404644 Evans et al. Jul 2008 B2
7410286 Travis Aug 2008 B2
7411637 Weiss Aug 2008 B2
7415173 Kassamakov et al. Aug 2008 B2
7418170 Mukawa et al. Aug 2008 B2
7433116 Islam Oct 2008 B1
7436568 Kuykendall, Jr. Oct 2008 B1
7454103 Parriaux Nov 2008 B2
7457040 Amitai Nov 2008 B2
7466994 Pihlaja et al. Dec 2008 B2
7479354 Ueda et al. Jan 2009 B2
7480215 Mäkelä et al. Jan 2009 B2
7482996 Larson et al. Jan 2009 B2
7483604 Levola Jan 2009 B2
7492512 Niv et al. Feb 2009 B2
7496293 Shamir et al. Feb 2009 B2
7500104 Goland Mar 2009 B2
7528385 Volodin et al. May 2009 B2
7545429 Travis Jun 2009 B2
7550234 Otaki et al. Jun 2009 B2
7567372 Schorpp Jul 2009 B2
7570429 Maliah et al. Aug 2009 B2
7572555 Takizawa et al. Aug 2009 B2
7573640 Nivon et al. Aug 2009 B2
7576916 Amitai Aug 2009 B2
7577326 Amitai Aug 2009 B2
7579119 Ueda et al. Aug 2009 B2
7587110 Singh et al. Sep 2009 B2
7588863 Takizawa et al. Sep 2009 B2
7589900 Powell Sep 2009 B1
7589901 DeJong et al. Sep 2009 B2
7592988 Katase Sep 2009 B2
7593575 Houle et al. Sep 2009 B2
7597447 Larson et al. Oct 2009 B2
7599012 Nakamura et al. Oct 2009 B2
7600893 Laino et al. Oct 2009 B2
7602552 Blumenfeld Oct 2009 B1
7616270 Hirabayashi et al. Nov 2009 B2
7618750 Ueda et al. Nov 2009 B2
7629086 Otaki et al. Dec 2009 B2
7639911 Lee et al. Dec 2009 B2
7643214 Amitai Jan 2010 B2
7656585 Powell et al. Feb 2010 B1
7660047 Travis et al. Feb 2010 B1
7672055 Amitai Mar 2010 B2
7710654 Ashkenazi et al. May 2010 B2
7724441 Amitai May 2010 B2
7724442 Amitai May 2010 B2
7724443 Amitai May 2010 B2
7733572 Brown et al. Jun 2010 B1
7747113 Mukawa et al. Jun 2010 B2
7751122 Amitai Jul 2010 B2
7764413 Levola Jul 2010 B2
7777819 Simmonds Aug 2010 B2
7778305 Parriaux et al. Aug 2010 B2
7778508 Hirayama Aug 2010 B2
7847235 Krupkin et al. Dec 2010 B2
7864427 Korenaga et al. Jan 2011 B2
7865080 Hecker et al. Jan 2011 B2
7872804 Moon et al. Jan 2011 B2
7884985 Amitai et al. Feb 2011 B2
7887186 Watanabe Feb 2011 B2
7903921 Östergard Mar 2011 B2
7907342 Simmonds et al. Mar 2011 B2
7920787 Gentner et al. Apr 2011 B2
7944428 Travis May 2011 B2
7969644 Tilleman et al. Jun 2011 B2
7970246 Travis et al. Jun 2011 B2
7976208 Travis Jul 2011 B2
7999982 Endo et al. Aug 2011 B2
8000491 Brodkin et al. Aug 2011 B2
8004765 Amitai Aug 2011 B2
8016475 Travis Sep 2011 B2
8022942 Bathiche et al. Sep 2011 B2
RE42992 David Dec 2011 E
8079713 Ashkenazi Dec 2011 B2
8082222 Rangarajan et al. Dec 2011 B2
8086030 Gordon et al. Dec 2011 B2
8089568 Brown et al. Jan 2012 B1
8107023 Simmonds et al. Jan 2012 B2
8107780 Simmonds Jan 2012 B2
8132948 Owen et al. Mar 2012 B2
8132976 Odell et al. Mar 2012 B2
8136690 Fang et al. Mar 2012 B2
8137981 Andrew et al. Mar 2012 B2
8149086 Klein et al. Apr 2012 B2
8152315 Travis et al. Apr 2012 B2
8155489 Saarikko et al. Apr 2012 B2
8159752 Wertheim et al. Apr 2012 B2
8160409 Large Apr 2012 B2
8160411 Levola et al. Apr 2012 B2
8186874 Sinbar et al. May 2012 B2
8188925 DeJean May 2012 B2
8189263 Wang et al. May 2012 B1
8189973 Travis et al. May 2012 B2
8199803 Hauske et al. Jun 2012 B2
8213065 Mukawa Jul 2012 B2
8233204 Robbins et al. Jul 2012 B1
8253914 Kajiya et al. Aug 2012 B2
8254031 Levola Aug 2012 B2
8295710 Marcus Oct 2012 B2
8301031 Gentner et al. Oct 2012 B2
8305577 Kivioja et al. Nov 2012 B2
8306423 Gottwald et al. Nov 2012 B2
8314819 Kimmel et al. Nov 2012 B2
8321810 Heintze Nov 2012 B2
8335040 Mukawa et al. Dec 2012 B2
8351744 Travis et al. Jan 2013 B2
8354806 Travis et al. Jan 2013 B2
8355610 Simmonds Jan 2013 B2
8369019 Baker et al. Feb 2013 B2
8384694 Powell et al. Feb 2013 B2
8398242 Yamamoto et al. Mar 2013 B2
8403490 Sugiyama et al. Mar 2013 B2
8422840 Large Apr 2013 B2
8427439 Larsen et al. Apr 2013 B2
8432363 Saarikko et al. Apr 2013 B2
8432372 Butler et al. Apr 2013 B2
8447365 Imanuel May 2013 B1
8472119 Kelly Jun 2013 B1
8472120 Border et al. Jun 2013 B2
8477261 Travis et al. Jul 2013 B2
8491121 Tilleman et al. Jul 2013 B2
8491136 Travis et al. Jul 2013 B2
8493366 Bathiche et al. Jul 2013 B2
8493662 Noui Jul 2013 B2
8508848 Saarikko Aug 2013 B2
8547638 Levola Oct 2013 B2
8578038 Kaikuranta et al. Nov 2013 B2
8581831 Travis Nov 2013 B2
8582206 Travis Nov 2013 B2
8593734 Laakkonen Nov 2013 B2
8611014 Valera et al. Dec 2013 B2
8619062 Powell et al. Dec 2013 B2
8633786 Ermolov et al. Jan 2014 B2
8634139 Brown et al. Jan 2014 B1
8639072 Popovich et al. Jan 2014 B2
8643691 Rosenfeld et al. Feb 2014 B2
8649099 Schultz et al. Feb 2014 B2
8654420 Simmonds Feb 2014 B2
8659826 Brown et al. Feb 2014 B1
8670029 McEldowney Mar 2014 B2
8693087 Nowatzyk et al. Apr 2014 B2
8736802 Kajiya et al. May 2014 B2
8736963 Robbins et al. May 2014 B2
8749886 Gupta Jun 2014 B2
8749890 Wood et al. Jun 2014 B1
8767294 Chen et al. Jul 2014 B2
8810600 Bohn et al. Aug 2014 B2
8814691 Haddick et al. Aug 2014 B2
8830584 Saarikko et al. Sep 2014 B2
8830588 Brown et al. Sep 2014 B1
8903207 Brown et al. Dec 2014 B1
8913324 Schrader Dec 2014 B2
8937772 Burns et al. Jan 2015 B1
8938141 Magnusson Jan 2015 B2
8964298 Haddick et al. Feb 2015 B2
9097890 Miller et al. Aug 2015 B2
9244280 Tiana et al. Jan 2016 B1
9341846 Popovich et al. May 2016 B2
9366864 Brown et al. Jun 2016 B1
9456744 Popovich et al. Oct 2016 B2
9523852 Brown et al. Dec 2016 B1
9632226 Waldern et al. Apr 2017 B2
9933684 Brown et al. Apr 2018 B2
20010036012 Nakai et al. Nov 2001 A1
20020012064 Yamaguchi Jan 2002 A1
20020021461 Ono et al. Feb 2002 A1
20020127497 Brown et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020131175 Yagi et al. Sep 2002 A1
20030030912 Gleckman et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030039422 Nisley et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030063042 Friesem et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030149346 Arnone et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030228019 Eichler et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040047938 Kosuga et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040075830 Miyake et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040089842 Sutherland et al. May 2004 A1
20040130797 Travis Jul 2004 A1
20040188617 Devitt et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040208446 Bond et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040208466 Mossberg et al. Oct 2004 A1
20050135747 Greiner et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050136260 Garcia Jun 2005 A1
20050259302 Metz et al. Nov 2005 A9
20050269481 David et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060093012 Singh et al. May 2006 A1
20060093793 Miyakawa et al. May 2006 A1
20060114564 Sutherland et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060119916 Sutherland et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060132914 Weiss et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060215244 Yosha et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060215976 Singh et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060221448 Nivon et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060228073 Mukawa et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060279662 Kapellner et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060291021 Mukawa Dec 2006 A1
20070019152 Caputo et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070019297 Stewart et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070041684 Popovich et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070045596 King et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070052929 Allman et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070089625 Grinberg et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070133920 Lee et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070133983 Traff Jun 2007 A1
20070188837 Shimizu et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070211164 Olsen et al. Sep 2007 A1
20080043334 Itzkovitch et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080106775 Amitai et al. May 2008 A1
20080136923 Inbar et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080151379 Amitai Jun 2008 A1
20080186604 Amitai Aug 2008 A1
20080193085 Singh et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080198471 Amitai Aug 2008 A1
20080278812 Amitai Nov 2008 A1
20080285140 Amitai Nov 2008 A1
20080309586 Vitale Dec 2008 A1
20090010135 Ushiro et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090017424 Yoeli et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090019222 Verma et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090052046 Amitai Feb 2009 A1
20090052047 Amitai Feb 2009 A1
20090067774 Magnusson Mar 2009 A1
20090097122 Niv Apr 2009 A1
20090097127 Amitai Apr 2009 A1
20090121301 Chang May 2009 A1
20090122413 Hoffman et al. May 2009 A1
20090122414 Amitai May 2009 A1
20090128902 Niv et al. May 2009 A1
20090128911 Itzkovitch et al. May 2009 A1
20090153437 Aharoni Jun 2009 A1
20090190222 Simmonds et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090213208 Glatt Aug 2009 A1
20090237804 Amitai et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090303599 Levola Dec 2009 A1
20090316246 Asai et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100039796 Mukawa Feb 2010 A1
20100060551 Sugiyama et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100060990 Wertheim et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100079865 Saarikko et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100092124 Magnusson et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100096562 Klunder et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100103078 Mukawa et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100136319 Imai et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100141555 Rorberg et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100165465 Levola Jul 2010 A1
20100171680 Lapidot et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100177388 Cohen et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100214659 Levola Aug 2010 A1
20100231693 Levola Sep 2010 A1
20100231705 Yahav et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100232003 Baldy et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100246003 Simmonds et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100246004 Simmonds Sep 2010 A1
20100246993 Rieger et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100265117 Weiss Oct 2010 A1
20100277803 Pockett et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100284085 Laakkonen Nov 2010 A1
20100284180 Popovich et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100296163 Saarikko Nov 2010 A1
20100315719 Saarikko et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100321781 Levola et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110002143 Saarikko et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110013423 Selbrede et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110019250 Aiki et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110019874 Järvenpää et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110026128 Baker et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110026774 Flohr et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110038024 Wang et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110050548 Blumenfeld et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110096401 Levola Apr 2011 A1
20110157707 Tilleman et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110164221 Tilleman et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110232211 Farahi Sep 2011 A1
20110235179 Simmonds Sep 2011 A1
20110235365 McCollum et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110238399 Ophir et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110242349 Izuha et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110242661 Simmonds Oct 2011 A1
20110242670 Simmonds Oct 2011 A1
20110299075 Meade et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110310356 Vallius Dec 2011 A1
20120007979 Schneider et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120033306 Valera et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120044572 Simmonds et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120044573 Simmonds et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120062850 Travis Mar 2012 A1
20120099203 Boubis et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120105634 Meidan et al. May 2012 A1
20120120493 Simmonds et al. May 2012 A1
20120127577 Desserouer May 2012 A1
20120224062 Lacoste et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120235884 Miller et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120235900 Border et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120242661 Takagi et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120280956 Yamamoto et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120294037 Holman et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120300311 Simmonds et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120320460 Levola Dec 2012 A1
20130069850 Mukawa et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130093893 Schofield et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130101253 Popovich et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130138275 Nauman et al. May 2013 A1
20130141934 Hartung Jun 2013 A1
20130141937 Katsuta et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130170031 Bohn et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130184904 Gadzinski Jul 2013 A1
20130200710 Robbins Aug 2013 A1
20130249895 Westerinen et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130250207 Bohn Sep 2013 A1
20130257848 Westerinen et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130258701 Westerinen et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130314793 Robbins et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130322810 Robbins Dec 2013 A1
20130328948 Kunkel et al. Dec 2013 A1
20140043689 Mason Feb 2014 A1
20140104665 Popovich et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140104685 Bohn et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140140653 Brown et al. May 2014 A1
20140140654 Brown et al. May 2014 A1
20140146394 Tout et al. May 2014 A1
20140152778 Ihlenburg et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140168055 Smith Jun 2014 A1
20140168260 O'Brien et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140168735 Yuan et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140172296 Shtukater Jun 2014 A1
20140176528 Robbins Jun 2014 A1
20140204455 Popovich et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140211322 Bohn et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140218801 Simmonds et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140300966 Travers et al. Oct 2014 A1
20150010265 Popovich et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150167868 Boncha Jun 2015 A1
20150177688 Popovich et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150277375 Large et al. Oct 2015 A1
20150289762 Popovich et al. Oct 2015 A1
20150316768 Simmonds Nov 2015 A1
20160178901 Ishikawa Jun 2016 A1
20160209657 Popovich et al. Jul 2016 A1
20160238772 Waldern et al. Aug 2016 A1
20160274356 Mason Sep 2016 A1
20160291328 Popovich et al. Oct 2016 A1
20170031160 Popovich et al. Feb 2017 A1
20180052277 Schowengerdt et al. Feb 2018 A1
20180284440 Popovich et al. Oct 2018 A1
20180373115 Brown et al. Dec 2018 A1
20190121027 Popovich et al. Apr 2019 A1
20190212699 Waldern et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190319426 Lu et al. Oct 2019 A1
20200026074 Waldern et al. Jan 2020 A1
20200241304 Popovich et al. Jul 2020 A1
20220308352 Stanley Sep 2022 A1
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20220308352 A1 Sep 2022 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 17027562 Sep 2020 US
Child 17718147 US
Parent 14497280 Sep 2014 US
Child 17027562 US