IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,663,657

Granted Patent B2

US 10,663,657 · App. 16/064,178 · Granted May 26, 2020

Selective propagation of energy in light field and holographic waveguide arrays

Inventors: Jonathan Sean Karafin (San Jose, CA); Brendan Elwood Bevensee (San Jose, CA)

Assignee: LIGHT FIELD LAB, INC.

G02B6/08 G02B3/0056 G02B3/08 G02B5/32 G02B6/023 G02B6/04 G02B6/29325 G02B25/00 G02B25/002 G02B27/0103 G02B27/0172 G02B27/0955 G02B27/0994 G02B27/1066 G02B27/1073 G02B30/00 G02B30/56 G03H1/0005 G03H1/0248 G03H1/2202 G03H1/2294 G06F3/01 G06F3/013 G10K11/26 G21K1/00 H04N5/22541 H04N5/89 H04N13/344 H04N13/388 G02B6/0229 G02B2027/0105 G02B2027/0134 G02B2027/0174 G03H2001/0088 G03H2223/19 Y02E10/52

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,663,657
App. No.: 16/064,178
Granted: May 26, 2020
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include an energy waveguide system having an array of waveguides and an energy inhibiting element configured to substantially fill a waveguide element aperture and selectively propagate energy along some energy propagation paths through the array of waveguides. In an embodiment, such an energy waveguide system may define energy propagation paths through the array of waveguides in accordance to a 4D plenoptic system. In an embodiment, energy propagating through the energy waveguide system may comprise energy propagation for stimulation of any sensory receptor response including visual, auditory, somatosensory systems, and the waveguides may be incorporated into a holographic display or an aggregated bidirectional seamless energy surface capable of both receiving and emitting two dimensional, light field or holographic energy through waveguiding or other 4D plenoptic functions prescribing energy convergence within a viewing volume.

Claims (153)

1. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

an array of energy waveguides, the array comprising a first side and a second side, and being configured to direct energy therethrough along a plurality of energy propagation paths extending through a plurality of energy locations on the first side;

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein a first energy waveguide is configured to direct energy along a first energy propagation path of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths, the first energy propagation path defined by a first chief ray formed between the first energy location and the first energy waveguide, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from the first energy waveguide towards the second side of the array in a unique direction which is determined at least by the first energy location; and

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein a first portion of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first region, and a second portion of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a second region, the first and second regions separated by the energy inhibiting element, and wherein the first and second portions of energy propagation paths intersect at the second side of the array, wherein the energy inhibiting element is located on the first side between the array of energy waveguides and the plurality of energy locations; and

wherein the energy inhibiting element is located on the first side between the array of energy waveguides and the plurality of energy locations.

2. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein the first energy waveguide comprises a two-dimensional spatial coordinate, and wherein the unique direction determined at least by the first energy location comprises a two-dimensional angular coordinate, whereby the 2D spatial coordinate and the 2D angular coordinate form a four-dimensional (4D) coordinate set.

3. The energy waveguide system of claim 2 , wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path comprises one or more energy rays directed through the first energy waveguide in a direction that is substantially parallel to the first chief ray.

4. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path converges with energy directed along a second energy propagation path through a second energy waveguide.

5. The energy waveguide system of claim 4 , wherein the first and second energy propagation paths converge at a location on the second side of the array.

6. The energy waveguide system of claim 4 , wherein the first and second energy propagation paths converge at a location on the first side of the array.

7. The energy waveguide system of claim 4 , wherein the first and second energy propagation paths converge at a location between the first and second sides of the array.

8. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein each energy waveguide comprises a structure for directing energy, the structure selected from a group consisting of:

a) a structure configured to alter an angular direction of energy passing therethrough;

b) a structure comprising at least one numerical aperture;

c) a structure configured to redirect energy off at least one internal surface;

d) an energy relay.

9. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein the energy inhibiting element comprises a structure for attenuating or modifying energy propagation paths, the structure selected from a group consisting of:

a) an energy blocking structure;

b) an element configured to alter a first energy propagation path to alter a fill factor of the first aperture;

c) a structure configured to limit an angular extent of energy proximate the first energy location.

10. The energy waveguide system of claim 9 , wherein, when the energy inhibiting structure is the structure configured to limit an angular extent of energy proximate the first energy location, the structure configured to limit an angular extent of energy proximate the first energy location comprises an optical relay faceplate adjacent to the first energy location.

11. The energy waveguide system of claim 9 , wherein the energy inhibiting structure comprises at least one numerical aperture.

12. The energy waveguide system of claim 9 , wherein the energy inhibiting structure comprises a baffle structure.

13. The energy waveguide system of claim 9 , wherein the energy inhibiting structure is positioned adjacent to the first energy waveguide and generally extends towards the first energy location.

14. The energy waveguide system of claim 9 , wherein the energy inhibiting structure is positioned adjacent to the first energy location and generally extends towards the first energy waveguide.

15. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein the array of energy waveguides are arranged to form a planar surface.

16. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein the array of energy waveguides are arranged to form a curved surface.

17. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path is electromagnetic energy defined by a wavelength, the wavelength belonging to a regime selected from a group consisting of:

a) visible light;

b) ultraviolet;

c) infrared;

d) x-ray.

18. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first energy waveguide substantially fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path is mechanical energy defined by pressure waves, the waves selected from a group consisting of:

a) tactile pressure waves;

b) acoustic sound vibrations.

19. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

an array of lenslets, the array comprising a first side and a second side, and being configured to direct energy therethrough along a plurality of energy propagation paths extending through a plurality of energy locations;

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein a first lenslet is configured to direct energy along a first energy propagation path of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths, the first energy propagation path defined by a first chief ray formed between the first energy location and the first lenslet, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from the first lenslet towards the second side of the array in a unique direction which is determined at least by the first energy location; and

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first lenslet substantially fills a first aperture of the first lenslet; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein the array of lenslets are arranged to form a planar surface.

20. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first lenslet substantially fills a first aperture of the first lenslet; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein the array of lenslets are arranged to form a curved surface.

21. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first lenslet substantially fills a first aperture of the first lenslet; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein lenslets of the array of lenslets are disposed side-by-side in an arrangement selected from a group consisting of:

a) hexagonal packing arrangement;

b) a square packing arrangement;

c) a non-regular packing arrangement.

22. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first lenslet substantially fills a first aperture of the first lenslet; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein a lenslet of the array of lenslets is a Fresnel lens.

23. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path through the first lenslet substantially fills a first aperture of the first lenslet; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture;

wherein a shape of the first lenslet is configured to additionally alter the unique direction which is determined at least by the first energy location.

24. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprising:

a reflector element comprising:

a first reflector located on a first side of the reflector element, the first reflector comprising one or more aperture stops formed therethrough, and

a second reflector located on a second side of the reflector element, the second reflector comprising one or more aperture stops formed therethrough;

wherein the first and second reflectors are configured to direct energy along a plurality of energy propagation paths extending through the aperture stops of the first and second reflectors and a plurality of energy locations on the first side of the reflector element;

wherein a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extend through a first energy location;

wherein the reflector element is configured to direct energy along a first energy propagation path of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths, the first energy propagation path defined by a first chief ray formed between the first energy location and a first aperture stop of the first reflector, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from a first aperture stop of the second reflector towards the second side of the reflector element in a unique direction which is determined at least by the first energy location; and

wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path substantially fills the first aperture stop of the first reflector and the first aperture stop of the second reflector; and

an energy inhibiting element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that do not extend through the first aperture stop of the first reflector;

25. The energy waveguide system of claim 24 , wherein a size of the one or more aperture stops of the first and second reflectors is constant.

26. The energy waveguide system of claim 24 , wherein a size of the one or more aperture stops of the first and second reflectors varies.

27. The energy waveguide system of claim 24 , wherein the first and second reflectors comprise one or more parabolic surfaces, such that a first parabolic surface of the first reflector and a first parabolic surface of the second reflector are configured to reflect energy along the first energy propagation path.

28. The energy waveguide system of claim 27 , wherein a focal length of the first parabolic surface of the first reflector is the same as a focal length of the first parabolic surface of the second reflector.

29. The energy waveguide system of claim 27 , wherein a focal length of the first parabolic surface of the first reflector is different than a focal length of the first parabolic surface of the second reflector.

30. The energy waveguide system of claim 24 , wherein an additional energy inhibiting element is located between the first and second sides of the reflector element.

Assignments (2)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2026

From: LIGHT FIELD LAB, LLC

To: PACIFIC LIGHT & HOLOGRAM, INC.

Reel/Frame 075012/0536 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2018

From: KARAFIN, JONATHAN SEAN; BEVENSEE, BRENDAN ELWOOD

To: LIGHT FIELD LAB, INC.

Reel/Frame 046151/0139 →

Continuity (4)

Provisional Application 62507500 · May 17, 2017

Provisional Application 62366076 · Jul 24, 2016

Provisional Application 62362602 · Jul 15, 2016

Related Publication 20180372926A1 · Dec 27, 2018