18305953. AUGMENTED REALITY WAVEGUIDES WITH DYNAMICALLY ADDRESSABLE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS simplified abstract (Snap Inc.)
AUGMENTED REALITY WAVEGUIDES WITH DYNAMICALLY ADDRESSABLE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Adam Douglas Greengard of Lafayette CO (US)
AUGMENTED REALITY WAVEGUIDES WITH DYNAMICALLY ADDRESSABLE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18305953 titled 'AUGMENTED REALITY WAVEGUIDES WITH DYNAMICALLY ADDRESSABLE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes a waveguide that can transmit light by total internal reflection and includes diffractive optical elements (DOEs) that can change their diffraction efficiency in response to a stimulus. The DOEs are controlled independently by a DOE driver.
- The waveguide body is made of a material with a different refractive index from the surrounding medium.
- Light is propagated through the waveguide by total internal reflection along the output surface.
- The waveguide includes one or more DOEs that can change their diffraction efficiency.
- Each DOE can respond to a specific stimulus.
- The DOE driver is responsible for providing the stimuli to each DOE independently.
Potential applications of this technology:
- Augmented reality (AR) glasses: The waveguide can be used to display virtual information in the user's field of view.
- Head-up displays (HUDs): The waveguide can project information onto the windshield of a vehicle.
- Optical communication systems: The waveguide can be used to transmit data over long distances.
Problems solved by this technology:
- Efficient light propagation: The waveguide allows for the efficient transmission of light through total internal reflection.
- Dynamic control of diffraction efficiency: The DOEs can change their diffraction efficiency, allowing for dynamic control of the transmitted light.
- Independent control of DOEs: The DOE driver enables independent control of each DOE, providing flexibility in manipulating the transmitted light.
Benefits of this technology:
- Compact and lightweight: The waveguide can be made thin and lightweight, making it suitable for wearable devices.
- Versatile display capabilities: The DOEs can create various visual effects, enhancing the user experience.
- Energy-efficient: The waveguide minimizes light loss, resulting in energy-efficient transmission.
Original Abstract Submitted
A waveguide includes a waveguide body including an optically transmissive material having a refractive index different from a surrounding medium and defining an output surface. The waveguide body is configured to propagate light by total internal reflection in one or more directions substantially tangential to the output surface. The waveguide includes one or more diffractive optical elements (DOEs), each configured to change its diffraction efficiency in response to a respective stimulus, and a DOE driver configured to provide the stimuli to each of the DOEs independently.
