IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,853,006
Granted Patent B2
US 11,853,006 · App. 18/072,275 · Granted Dec 26, 2023

Light engine

Inventors: Alexander Cole (Milton Keynes, GB); Timothy Smeeton (Milton Keynes, GB); Jamieson Christmas (Milton Keynes, GB)
Assignee: Envisics Ltd
G03H1/2294G02B27/0081G02B2027/0121G03H2001/2239
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,853,006
App. No.
18/072,275
Granted
Dec 26, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light engine arranged to form an image visible from a viewing window. The light engine comprises: a display device arranged to display a hologram of the image and spatially modulate light in accordance with the hologram; a hologram replicator arranged to receive the spatially modulated light and provide a plurality of different light propagation paths for the spatially modulated light from the display device to the viewing window; and a control device disposed in an optical path between the first replicator and the second replicator. The control device is angled such that light from the first replicator is incident at an acute angle on the control device, and each cell of the array is switchable between a first state and a second state.

Claims (16)

1. A light engine arranged to form an image visible from a viewing window, wherein the light engine comprises:

a display device arranged to display a hologram of the image and spatially modulate light in accordance with the hologram, wherein the hologram is configured to angularly distribute spatially modulated light of the image in accordance with position of image content, such that angular channels of the spatially modulated light correspond with respective continuous regions of the image;

a hologram replicator arranged to receive the spatially modulated light and provide a plurality of different light propagation paths for the spatially modulated light from the display device to the viewing window, the hologram replicator comprising a first replicator and a second replicator; and

a control device disposed in an optical path between the first replicator and the second replicator, wherein the control device comprises an array of cells arranged such that a first viewing position within the viewing window receives a first channel of light spatially modulated by the hologram in accordance with a first region of the image and a second viewing position within the viewing window receives a second channel of light spatially modulated by the hologram in accordance with a second region of the image,

wherein the control device is angled at an acute angle relative to the second replicator and each cell of the array is switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein in each cell in the first state light is relayed to be coupled into the second replicator and in each cell in the second state light remains uncoupled into the second replicator;

wherein the first replicator is configured to replicate the light in a first dimension and the second replicator is configured to replicate the light in a second dimension, orthogonal to the first dimension.

2. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is a reflective device, such that in the first state light is reflected towards the second replicator.

3. The light engine according to claim 2 , wherein the reflective device comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.

4. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein each cell comprises a mirror that pivots such that in the first state light is reflected towards the second replicator and coupled into the second replicator and in the second state light is reflected such that it remains uncoupled in the second replicator.

5. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a liquid crystal device such that each cell in first state is substantially reflective or transmissive, and each cell in the second state is substantially absorptive.

6. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein the control device receives light directly from the first replicator.

7. The light engine according to claim 6 , wherein the control device acts as a fold mirror.

8. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein each cell in the second state directs light towards a light dump or a non-coupling region of the second replicator.

9. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein in each cell in the second state light is relayed towards a sensor for monitoring integrity of the light engine.

10. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein the array of cells is a 1D array.

11. The light engine according to claim 1 , wherein the switching is based on output of an eye tracker.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2026
From: ENVISICS LTD
To: DUALITAS LTD
Reel/Frame 076113/0595 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY'S ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 061927 FRAME 0890. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2023
From: COLE, ALEXANDER; SMEETON, TIMOTHY; CHRISTMAS, JAMIESON
To: ENVISICS LTD
Reel/Frame 065333/0551 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2022
From: COLE, ALEXANDER; SMEETON, TIMOTHY; CHRISTMAS, JAMIESON
To: ENVISICS LTD
Reel/Frame 061927/0890 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 2203038 · Mar 4, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230280693A1 · Sep 7, 2023