IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,393,040
Granted Patent B2
US 12,393,040 · App. 18/066,844 · Granted Aug 19, 2025

System and method for generating compact light-field displays through varying optical depths

Inventors: Barmak Heshmat Dehkordi (San Mateo, CA); Christopher Barsi (Lee, NH)
Assignee: Brelyon Inc
G02B27/026G02B27/0101G02B27/141G02B2027/0127
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,393,040
App. No.
18/066,844
Granted
Aug 19, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for generating compact light-field displays through varying optical depths provides digital content in a more effective and efficient manner. The system includes a field-evolving cavity with a cavity exit pupil, a relay mechanism, and a system enclosure with an enclosure exit pupil. The field-evolving cavity modifies the light-field displays before outputting the light-field displays with the cavity exit pupil. More specifically, the field-evolving cavity includes at least one display panel, which initially generates the light-field displays, and at least one optical-tuning mechanism, which subsequently modifies the light-field displays to varying optical depths. The system enclosure houses the field-evolving cavity and the relay mechanism. The relay mechanism directs the light-field displays from the cavity exit pupil to the enclosure exit pupil, which outputs the light-field displays to a user.

Claims (77)

1. A display system comprising:

at least one display panel;

a field-evolving cavity;

a system enclosure;

the field-evolving cavity further comprising at least one semi-reflective element and at least one reflective element;

the field-evolving cavity being in optical communication with the at least one display panel;

the field-evolving cavity and the at least one display panel being mounted within the system enclosure;

the field-evolving cavity being configured to generate at least one virtual image with at least one focal plane along an optical path directed towards a viewer; and

the field-evolving cavity being configured so a portion of the optical path is folded back onto the optical path to adjust a depth of the at least one focal plane along the optical path.

2. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the field-evolving cavity further comprises a switchable mirror.

3. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the field-evolving cavity further comprises an aperture optics and a cavity exit pupil;

the aperture optics being positioned at the cavity exit pupil of the field-evolving cavity; and

the aperture optics modifying a property of a light ray that is directed toward the viewer.

4. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system enclosure further comprises an aperture optics and an enclosure exit pupil;

the aperture optics being positioned at the enclosure exit pupil of the system enclosure; and

the aperture optics modifying a property of a light ray that is directed toward the viewer.

5. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the field-evolving cavity further comprises a mechanical actuator; and

the mechanical actuator configured to adjust the depth of the at least one focal plane along the optical path.

6. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one semi-reflective element is polarization-dependent such that a light of a first polarization travels a first optical path, and a light of a second polarization travels a second optical path.

7. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the field-evolving cavity further comprises at least one piece of higher refractive index material; and

the at least one piece of higher refractive index material configured to adjust the depth of the at least one focal plane along the optical path.

8. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the field-evolving cavity further comprises at least one prismatic film; and

the at least one prismatic film configured to enhance a brightness of the optical path.

9. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one display panel is segmented.

10. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one reflective element or the at least one semi-reflective element is segmented.

11. The display system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a relay mechanism;

the relay mechanism being mounted within the system enclosure;

the relay mechanism being positioned along the optical path after the field-evolving cavity; and

the relay mechanism configured to direct the optical path exiting the field-evolving cavity towards the viewer.

12. The display system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the relay mechanism is selected from a group consisting of: an angled reflector relay, a curved angled reflector relay, a waveguide, and a compressed relay system.

13. The display system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a first element of the field-evolving cavity is positioned at an angle less than 45 degrees relative to a second element of the field-evolving cavity.

14. The display system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the system enclosure is integrated into a roof of a vehicle.

15. The display system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the field-evolving cavity is configured as a light pipe such that the optical path is directed toward a viewer in a vehicle.

16. The display system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein an orientation of the virtual image is different from an orientation of a component of the display system.

17. A display system comprising:

at least one display panel;

a field-evolving cavity;

a system enclosure;

the field-evolving cavity being in optical communication with the at least one display panel;

the field-evolving cavity and the at least one display panel being mounted within the system enclosure;

the field-evolving cavity being configured to generate at least one virtual image with at least one focal plane along an optical path directed towards a viewer;

the field-evolving cavity further comprising a plurality of polarization-dependent elements;

the plurality of polarization-dependent elements configured such that a light of a first polarization travels a first optical path, and a light of a second polarization travels a second optical path; and

the plurality of polarization-dependent elements configured to adjust a depth of the at least one focal plane along the optical path.

18. The display system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the system enclosure further comprises a relay mechanism.

19. The display system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the field-evolving cavity further comprises an aperture optics; and

the aperture optics modifying a property of a light ray that is directed toward the viewer.

20. The display system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the system enclosure further comprises an aperture optics; and

the aperture optics modifying a property of a light ray that is directed toward the viewer.

21. The display system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the plurality of polarization-dependent elements further comprises a waveplate and a polarizer.

22. The display system as claimed in claim 17 further comprising:

a first element;

a second element;

the system enclosure being integrated into a roof of a vehicle;

the field-evolving cavity being configured as a light pipe such that the optical path is directed toward a viewer in a vehicle; and

the plurality of polarization-dependent elements being configured such that a light of a first polarization travels a first optical path, and a light of a second polarization travels a second optical path.

23. A display system comprising:

at least one display panel;

a field-evolving cavity;

a system enclosure;

the field-evolving cavity being in optical communication with the at least one display panel;

the field-evolving cavity and the at least one display panel being mounted within the system enclosure;

the field-evolving cavity being configured to generate at least one virtual image with at least one focal plane along an optical path directed towards a viewer;

the system enclosure further comprising an exit aperture;

the exit aperture of the system enclosure being in optical communication with a mirror; and

the field-evolving cavity configured such that a virtual image produced by the field-evolving cavity appears at a virtual depth similar to a depth of a reflection of the viewer in the mirror.

24. The display system as claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

a retroreflective element; and

the retroreflective element configured such that the virtual image produced by the field-evolving cavity appears at a virtual depth closer than the depth of the reflection of the viewer in the mirror.

25. The display system as claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

a gesture sensor; and

the gesture sensor configured to observe a gesture of the viewer.

26. The display system as claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

a depth sensor; and

the depth sensor configured to observe a position of the viewer.

27. The display system as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the at least one display panel is segmented.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2022
From: HESHMAT DEHKORDI, BARMAK; BARSI, CHRISTOPHER
To: BRELYON INC
Reel/Frame 062110/0356 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 16684586 · Nov 14, 2019
Provisional Application 62806968 · Feb 18, 2019
Provisional Application 62767029 · Nov 14, 2018
Related Publication 20230124178A1 · Apr 20, 2023
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