Selective propagation of light fields and energy in holographic waveguide arrays

Abstract

The present application is entitled "Selective Propagation of Energy in Light Fields and Holographic Waveguide Arrays". The disclosed embodiments include an energy waveguide system having a waveguide array and an energy suppression element configured to substantially fill the waveguide element aperture and selectively propagate energy through the waveguide array along some energy propagation paths. In embodiments, such an energy waveguide system may define energy propagation paths through the waveguide array according to a 4D plenoptic system. In embodiments, the energy propagated through the energy waveguide system may include energy propagation for stimulating any sensory receptor response, including visual, auditory, somatosensory systems, and the waveguide may be incorporated into a holographic display or a polymeric bidirectional seamless energy surface capable of receiving and transmitting two-dimensional light fields or holographic energy through waveguides or other 4D plenoptic functions that define energy convergence within an observation volume.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application 2017800439646 (PCT / US2017 / 042276) filed on July 14, 2017 and entitled “Selective Propagation of Energy in Light Fields and Holographic Waveguide Arrays”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to energy guiding devices, and in particular, to energy waveguides configured to guide energy according to a four-dimensional all-optical system. Background Art

[0003] The dream of an interactive virtual world inside a "holodeck" popularized by Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek was first conceived by writer Alexander Moszkowski in the early 20th century and has been an inspiration for science fiction and technological innovation for nearly a century. Yet, outside of literature, the media, and the collective imaginations of children and adults, the experience has had few convincing implementations. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment of an energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths comprises an energy waveguide array comprising a first side and a second side and configured to direct energy therethrough along a plurality of energy propagation paths extending through a plurality of energy locations on the first side. A subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths may extend through a first energy location.

[0005] In an embodiment, a first energy waveguide is configured to guide energy along a first energy propagation path of a first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths, the first energy propagation path being defined by a first principal ray formed between the first energy position and the first energy waveguide, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from the first energy waveguide toward the second side of the array in a unique direction determined at least by the first energy position. Energy guided through the first energy waveguide along the first energy propagation path may substantially fill a first aperture of the first energy waveguide. In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system comprises an energy suppression element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that does not extend through the first aperture.

[0006] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element may be located on a first side between the energy waveguide array and the plurality of energy locations. In an embodiment, the first energy waveguide comprises a two-dimensional spatial coordinate, and wherein the unique direction determined by at least the first energy location comprises a two-dimensional angular coordinate, wherein the 2D spatial coordinate and the 2D angular coordinate form a four-dimensional (4D) coordinate set.

[0007] In embodiments, energy guided along the first energy propagation path may include one or more energy rays guided through the first energy waveguide in a direction substantially parallel to the first primary ray.

[0008] In an embodiment, energy guided along the first energy propagation path may converge with energy guided along the second energy propagation path through the second energy waveguide. In addition, the first and second energy propagation paths may converge on the second side of the array, on the first side of the array, or between the first and second sides of the array.

[0009] Furthermore, the structure of the energy suppression element may be configured to limit the angular range of energy approaching the first energy location and may include an energy repeater adjacent to the first energy location. Additionally, the energy suppression structure may include at least one numerical aperture and may include a baffle structure. The energy suppression structure may be positioned adjacent to the first energy waveguide and extend generally toward the first energy location, or may be positioned adjacent to the first energy location and extend generally toward the first energy waveguide.

[0010] In embodiments, the array of energy waveguides may be arranged to form a planar surface, or may be arranged to form a curved surface.

[0011] Embodiments of an energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths may include an array of microlenses including a first side and a second side and configured to direct energy therethrough along a plurality of energy propagation paths extending through a plurality of energy locations. A first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths extends through a first energy location.

[0012] In an embodiment, a first microlens 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 being defined by a first principal ray formed between the first energy location and the first microlens, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from the first energy waveguide toward the second side of the array in a unique direction determined at least by the first energy location. Energy directed through the first microlens along the first energy propagation path may fill a first aperture of the first microlens.

[0013] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system comprises an energy suppression element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of said first subset of said plurality of energy propagation paths that does not extend through said first aperture. In an embodiment, said waveguide array may be arranged to form a planar surface, or may be arranged to form a curved surface.

[0014] In an embodiment, the elements in the waveguide array may be Fresnel lenses.

[0015] In embodiments, the shape of the first waveguide may be configured to additionally alter the unique direction determined by at least the first energy position.

[0016] An embodiment of an energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths includes a reflector element comprising: a first reflector located on a first side of the reflector element, the first reflector including one or more aperture stops formed therethrough; and a second reflector located on a second side of the reflector element, the second reflector including one or more aperture stops formed therethrough. 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. A first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths may extend through a first energy location.

[0017] In an embodiment, 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 being defined by a first principal ray formed between the first energy position and a first aperture stop of the first reflector, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from the first aperture stop of the second reflector toward the second side of the reflector element in a unique direction determined at least by the first energy position. Energy directed along the first energy propagation path may substantially fill the first aperture stop of the first reflector and the first aperture stop of the second reflector.

[0018] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system comprises an energy suppression element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first aperture stop of the first reflector that does not extend through the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths.

[0019] In embodiments, the size of the one or more aperture stops of the first and second reflectors may be constant, or may vary.

[0020] In an embodiment, the first and second reflectors include one or more paraboloids, such that a first parabola of the first reflector and a first parabola of the second reflector are configured to reflect energy along the first energy propagation path. A focal length of the first parabola of the first reflector may be the same as a focal length of the first parabola of the second reflector, or may be different from a focal length of the first parabola of the second reflector.

[0021] In embodiments, an additional energy suppression element may be located between said first and second sides of said reflector element.

[0022] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system propagates energy bi-directionally.

[0023] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to propagate mechanical energy

[0024] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to propagate electromagnetic energy.

[0025] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to simultaneously propagate mechanical energy, electromagnetic energy, and / or other forms of energy.

[0026] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide propagates energy at different ratios of u and v, respectively, within a 4D coordinate system.

[0027] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide propagates energy as a composite function.

[0028] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide comprises a plurality of elements along said energy propagation path.

[0029] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is formed directly from the polished surface of the optical fiber repeater.

[0030] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system comprises a material that exhibits lateral Anderson localization.

[0031] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is configured to suppress electromagnetic energy.

[0032] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is configured to suppress mechanical energy.

[0033] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is configured to suppress mechanical energy, electromagnetic energy, and / or other forms of energy.

[0034] These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating design parameters for an energy directing system;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an energy system with a mechanical housing having an active device region;

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an energy repeater system;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of energy repeater elements bonded together and secured to a base structure;

[0039] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image relayed through a multicore optical fiber;

[0040] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image relayed by an optical repeater having characteristics of the lateral Anderson localization principle;

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing light rays propagating from an energy surface to an observer;

[0042] Figure 7 A top-down perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an energy waveguide system that may be used to define multiple energy propagation paths;

[0043] Figure 8 illustrate Figure 7 A front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0044] Fig. 9A -H describes various embodiments of energy suppression elements;

[0045] Fig.10 Another embodiment of the energy waveguide system is described;

[0046] Fig.11 Another embodiment of the energy waveguide system is described;

[0047] Fig.12 highlights the differences between square, hexagonal, and irregular packing for energy waveguide design considerations;

[0048] Fig.13 describes an embodiment having an array of energy waveguides arranged in a curved configuration;

[0049] Fig.14 The description highlights embodiments of how waveguide elements can affect the spatial distribution of energy passing therethrough;

[0050] Fig.15 The description further highlights another embodiment of how a waveguide element can affect the spatial distribution of energy passing therethrough;

[0051] Fig.16 describing embodiments in which the plurality of energy waveguides include diffractive waveguide elements;

[0052] Fig.17 A microlens configuration is described for providing full intensity light illumination for a desired viewing angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Embodiments of the holodeck (collectively, the "holodeck design parameters") provide energy stimulation sufficient to fool human sensory receptors into believing that energy pulses received within a virtual, social, and interactive environment are real, thereby providing: 1) binocular parallax without external accessories, head-mounted glasses, or other peripherals; 2) accurate motion parallax, occlusion, and opacity throughout the viewing volume for any number of observers simultaneously; 3) visual focus through synchronized convergence, accommodation, and miosis of all perceived light rays by the eyes; and 4) converged energy wave propagation with sufficient density and resolution to exceed the human sensory "resolution" of vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and / or balance.

[0054] Based on conventional technology to date, we are decades, if not centuries, away from being able to realize all receptive fields in a convincing manner as proposed in the holodeck design parameters (encompassing vision, hearing, somatosensory, taste, olfactory, and vestibular systems).

[0055] In this disclosure, the terms light field and holographic are used interchangeably to define energy propagation for stimulating any sensory receptor response. Although the initial disclosure may refer to examples of electromagnetic and mechanical energy propagation through holographic images and stereo tactile energy surfaces, all forms of sensory receptors are contemplated in this disclosure. In addition, the principles of energy propagation along a propagation path disclosed herein are applicable to energy emission and energy capture.

[0056] Many technologies exist today that are unfortunately often confused with holograms, including lenticular printing, Pepper's Ghost, glasses-free stereoscopic displays, horizontal parallax displays, head-mounted VR and AR displays (HMDs), and other such illusions summarized as "fauxlography." These technologies may exhibit some of the desirable characteristics of true holographic displays, but they fail to stimulate human visual responses in any way sufficient to achieve at least two of the four identified holodeck design parameters.

[0057] Conventional technologies have not yet successfully achieved these challenges to produce seamless energy surfaces sufficient for holographic energy propagation. There are various methods of implementing stereoscopic and directionally multiplexed light field displays, including parallax barriers, hogels, voxels, diffractive optics, multi-view projection, holographic diffusers, rotating mirrors, multi-layer displays, time-sequential displays, head-mounted displays, etc., but conventional methods may involve compromises to image quality, resolution, angular sampling density, size, cost, security, frame rate, etc., which ultimately make the technology infeasible.

[0058] In order to achieve the holodeck design parameters for the visual, auditory, and somatosensory systems, the human acuity of each of the corresponding systems needs to be studied and understood to propagate energy waves in order to adequately confuse human sensory receptors. The visual system is able to resolve to approximately 1 arc minute, the auditory system can distinguish positional differences as small as three degrees, and the somatosensory system of the hand is able to distinguish points separated by 2-12 mm. Although the ways of measuring these acuities vary and conflict, these values ​​are sufficient to understand the systems and methods of stimulating the perception of energy propagation.

[0059] Of the sensory receptors mentioned, the human visual system is by far the most sensitive, as even a single photon can induce a sensation. For this reason, much of this introduction will focus on visual energy wave propagation, and much lower resolution energy systems coupled within the disclosed energy waveguide surfaces can focus the appropriate signals to induce holographic sensory perception. Unless otherwise noted, all disclosures apply to all energy and sensory domains.

[0060] When calculating effective design parameters for energy propagation of a visual system given a view volume and viewing distance, the desired energy surface can be designed to contain an effective energy position density of several gigapixels. For wide view volumes or near-field viewing, the design parameters of the desired energy surface can contain an effective energy position density of hundreds of gigapixels or more. In comparison, the desired energy source can be designed to have an energy position density of 1 to 250 effective megapixels for ultrasonic propagation of stereo tactile, or an array of 36 to 3,600 effective energy positions for acoustic propagation of holographic sound, depending on the input environmental variables. It is important to note that with the disclosed bidirectional energy surface architecture, all components can be configured to form a structure suitable for use in any energy domain to achieve holographic propagation.

[0061] However, the main challenges to realizing holodecks currently relate to the limitations of available visual technology and electromagnetic devices. Acoustic and ultrasonic devices are less challenging given the order of magnitude difference in the desired density based on the sensory acuity in the corresponding receptive fields, but the complexity should not be underestimated. Although holographic emulsions with resolution exceeding the desired density exist to encode interference patterns in static images, prior art display devices are limited by resolution, data throughput, and manufacturing feasibility. To date, no single display device has been able to meaningfully produce light fields with near-holographic resolution with visual acuity.

[0062] The production of a single silicon-based device capable of meeting the required resolution for a convincing light field display may be impractical and may involve extremely complex manufacturing processes that are beyond current manufacturing capabilities. Limitations on tiling multiple existing display devices together involve gaps and spaces created by the physical size of the packaging, electronics, housing, optics, and several other challenges that inevitably render the technology infeasible from an imaging, cost, and / or size perspective.

[0063] Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a realistic path to building a holographic deck.

[0064] Example embodiments will now be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present invention and illustrate example embodiments that can be practiced. As used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, the terms "embodiment", "example embodiment" and "exemplary embodiment" do not necessarily refer to a single embodiment, but they may refer to a single embodiment, and various example embodiments may be easily combined and interchanged without departing from the scope or spirit of the example embodiments. In addition, the terms used herein are only used to describe various example embodiments and are not intended to be restrictive. In this regard, as used herein, the term "in" may include "in" and "on", and the terms "one", "an" and "the" may include singular references and plural references. In addition, as used herein, the term "by" may also mean "according to" according to the context. In addition, as used herein, the term "if" may also mean "when" or "when" according to the context. In addition, as used herein, the word "and / or" may refer to and cover any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0065] Holographic system considerations:

[0066] Overview of light field energy propagation resolution

[0067] Light fields and holographic displays are the result of multiple projections, where the energy surface position provides angle, color, and brightness information propagating within the viewing volume. The disclosed energy surface provides an opportunity for additional information to coexist and propagate through the same surface to induce responses from other sensory systems. Unlike stereoscopic displays, the position of the observed convergent energy propagation path in space does not change as the observer moves around in the viewing volume, and any number of observers can see the propagated object in real space at the same time, just as if it were really in real space. In some embodiments, the propagation of energy can be located in the same energy propagation path, but in opposite directions. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, both energy emission and energy capture along the energy propagation path are possible.

[0068] Figure 1is a schematic diagram illustrating variables associated with stimulation to which sensory receptors respond. These variables may include surface diagonal 01, surface width 02, surface height 03, determined target seat distance 18, target seat field of view from the center of the display 04, number of intermediate samples shown herein as samples between eyes 05, average adult interocular spacing 06, average resolution of the human eye in arc minutes 07, horizontal field of view formed between target observer position and surface width 08, vertical field of view formed between target observer position and surface height 09, resulting horizontal waveguide element resolution or total number of elements on the surface 10, resulting vertical waveguide element resolution or total number of elements on the surface 11, sample distance 12 based on the interocular spacing between eyes and the number of intermediate samples of the angular projection between eyes. Angular sampling may be based on sample distance and target seat distance 13, total resolution per waveguide element Horizontal 14 derived from desired angular sampling, total resolution per waveguide element Vertical 15 derived from desired angular sampling. The means Horizontal is a count 16 of the determined number of desired precision energy sources, and the means Vertical is a count 17 of the determined number of desired precision energy sources.

[0069] One approach to understanding the minimum resolution desired may be based on the following criteria to ensure adequate stimulation of visual (or other) sensory receptor responses: surface size (e.g., 84" diagonal), surface aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9), seating distance (e.g., 128" from display), seating field of view (e.g., 120 degrees or + / - 60 degrees around center of display), desired intermediate sample at a distance (e.g., one additional propagation path between eyes), average interocular separation for adults (approximately 65 mm), and average resolution of the human eye (approximately 1 arc minute). These example values ​​should be considered placeholders depending on application-specific design parameters.

[0070] Additionally, each of these values ​​attributed to visual sensory receptors may be replaced by other systems to determine desired propagation path parameters. For other energy propagation embodiments, angular sensitivity of the auditory system as low as three degrees, and spatial resolution of the somatosensory system of the hand as small as 2-12 mm may be considered.

[0071] Although the methods of measuring these sensory acuities vary and conflict, these values ​​are sufficient to understand the systems and methods of stimulating the perception of virtual energy propagation. There are many ways to consider design resolution, and the method proposed below combines practical product considerations with the biological resolution limits of sensory systems. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the following overview is a simplification of any such system design and should be considered for exemplary purposes only.

[0072] With an understanding of the resolution limit of the sensory system, the total energy waveguide element density, such that the receiving sensory system cannot discern a single energy waveguide element from neighboring elements, can be calculated given the following equation:

[0073] ·

[0074] ·

[0075] ·

[0076] ·

[0077] ·

[0078] ·

[0079] ·

[0080] The above calculations yield an approximately 32x18° field of view, yielding the desired approximately 1920x1080 (rounded to the nearest format) energy waveguide element. The variables may also be constrained so that the field of view is uniform for (u, v), providing a more regular spatial sampling of energy positions (e.g., pixel aspect ratio). The angular sampling of the system employs a defined target volume position and an additional propagation energy path between two points at an optimized distance, given by:

[0081] ·

[0082] ·

[0083] In this case, the interocular distance is used to calculate the sample distance, but any metric may be used to consider an appropriate number of samples for a given distance. Taking into account the above variables, approximately one ray every 0.57° may be required, and the total system resolution per independent sensory system may be determined given the following equation:

[0084] ·

[0085] Total resolution H = N * horizontal element resolution

[0086] Total resolution V = N * vertical element resolution

[0087] In the above scenario, given the size of the energy surface and the angular resolution achieved by the visual acuity system, the resulting energy surface may ideally contain energy resolution locations of approximately 400k x 225k pixels, or a holographic spread density of 90 gigapixels. These variables are provided for exemplary purposes only, and optimizing the holographic spread of energy should take into account many other sensory and energy metrology considerations. In another embodiment, based on the input variables, energy resolution locations of 1 gigapixel may be desired. In another embodiment, based on the input variables, energy resolution locations of 1,000 gigapixels may be desired.

[0088] Current technical limitations:

[0089] Active area, device electronics, packaging and mechanical housing

[0090] Figure 2 A device 20 is illustrated having an active area 22 with specific mechanical appearance dimensions. The device 20 may include a driver 23 and electronics 24 for powering and interfacing to the active area 22, the active area having dimensions as shown by the x and y arrows. This device 20 does not take into account the routing and mechanical structures for driving, powering, and cooling components, and the mechanical footprint can be further minimized by introducing wiring into the device 20. The minimum footprint of such a device 20 can also be referred to as a mechanical housing 21 having dimensions as shown by the M:x and M:y arrows. This device 20 is for illustrative purposes only, and a custom electronics design can further reduce the mechanical housing overhead, but may not be the exact size of the active area of ​​the device in almost all cases. In an embodiment, this device 20 illustrates the dependence of the electronics on the active image area 22 of a micro OLED, DLP chip or LCD panel, or any other technology for image illumination.

[0091] In some embodiments, other projection technologies that aggregate multiple images onto a larger overall display may also be considered. However, these technologies may come at the expense of greater complexity in throw distance, shortest focus, optical quality, uniform field resolution, chromatic aberration, thermal properties, calibration, alignment, additional size or apparent dimensions. For most practical applications, hosting dozens or hundreds of these projection sources 20 may result in a much larger and less reliable design.

[0092] For exemplary purposes only, assuming an energy device with an energy location density of 3840 x 2160 sites, the number of individual energy devices (eg, devices 10) required for the energy surface can be determined given the following equation:

[0093] ·

[0094] ·

[0095] Given the resolution considerations above, it might be necessary to Figure 2 5 devices such as those shown in . It should be noted that many devices are composed of various pixel structures that may or may not be mapped onto a regular grid. Where there are additional sub-pixels or positions within each full pixel, these can be used to generate additional resolution or angular density. Additional signal processing can be used to determine how to convert the light field into the correct (u, v) coordinates based on the specified position of the pixel structure, and the additional signal processing can be an explicit feature of each device that is known and calibrated. In addition, other energy domains may involve different processing of these ratios and device structures, and those skilled in the art will understand the direct intrinsic relationship between each of the desired frequency domains. This will be shown and discussed in more detail in the subsequent disclosure.

[0096] The resulting calculations can be used to understand how many of these individual devices may be needed to produce a full resolution energy surface. In this case, approximately 105 x 105 or approximately 11,080 devices may be required to reach the visual acuity threshold. There are challenges and novelties in making a seamless energy surface from these available energy locations for adequate sensory holographic propagation.

[0097] Seamless Energy Surface Overview:

[0098] Configuration and design of energy repeater arrays

[0099] In some embodiments, methods are disclosed to address the challenge of seamlessly generating high energy location density from an array of individual devices due to limitations in the mechanical structure of the devices. In embodiments, an energy propagation repeater system may allow the effective size of the active device area to be increased to meet or exceed the mechanical dimensions, thereby configuring the repeater array and forming a single seamless energy surface.

[0100] Figure 3 An embodiment of such an energy repeater system 30 is illustrated. As shown, the repeater system 30 may include a device 31 mounted to a mechanical housing 32, wherein an energy repeater element 33 propagates energy from the device 31. The repeater element 33 may be configured to have the ability to reduce any gaps 34 that may be created when multiple mechanical housings 32 of the device are placed into an array of multiple devices 31.

[0101] For example, if the active area 310 of the device is 20mm x 10mm and the mechanical housing 32 is 40mm x 20mm, the energy repeater element 33 may be designed with a 2:1 magnification ratio to produce a tapered form that is approximately 20mm x 10mm on the reduced end (arrow A) and 40mm x 20mm on the magnified end (arrow B), thereby providing the ability to seamlessly align arrays of these elements 33 together without altering or colliding with the mechanical housing 32 of each device 31. Mechanically, the repeater elements 33 may be bonded or fused together for alignment and polishing to ensure that the gap spacing 34 between devices 31 is minimized. In one such embodiment, it is possible to achieve a gap spacing 34 that is less than the visual acuity limit of the eye.

[0102] Figure 4 An example of a base structure 400 is illustrated having energy repeater elements 410 formed together and securely fastened to an additional mechanical structure 430. The mechanical structure of the seamless energy surface 420 provides the ability to couple multiple energy repeater elements 410, 450 in series to the same base structure through bonding or other mechanical processes of mounting the repeater elements 410, 450. In some embodiments, each repeater element 410 may be fused, bonded, adhesively bonded, press-fitted, aligned, or otherwise attached together to form the resulting seamless energy surface 420. In some embodiments, a device 480 may be mounted onto the rear of the repeater elements 410 and passively or actively aligned to ensure proper energy position alignment is maintained within a determined tolerance.

[0103] In an embodiment, the seamless energy surface comprises one or more energy locations, and one or more energy repeater element stacks comprise first and second sides, and each energy repeater element stack is arranged to form a single seamless display surface, thereby guiding energy along a propagation path extending between the one or more energy locations and the seamless display surface, wherein a spacing between edges of any two adjacent second sides of terminal energy repeater elements is less than a minimum perceptible outline, as defined by the visual acuity of a human eye with better than 20 / 40 vision at a distance greater than the width of the single seamless display surface.

[0104] In an embodiment, each of the seamless energy surfaces comprises one or more energy repeater elements, each energy repeater element having one or more structures forming first and second surfaces with transverse and longitudinal orientations, the first repeater surface having an area different from the second repeater surface, thereby producing positive or negative magnification, and configured with a well-defined surface profile for the first and second surfaces to transfer energy through the second repeater surface, thereby substantially filling a + / - 10 degree angle relative to a normal to the surface profile across the second repeater surface.

[0105] In embodiments, multiple energy domains may be configured within a single energy repeater or between multiple energy repeaters to direct one or more sensory holographic energy propagation pathways encompassing visual, acoustic, tactile, or other energy domains.

[0106] In an embodiment, the seamless energy surface is configured with an energy repeater that includes two or more first sides for each second side to simultaneously receive and transmit one or more energy domains, thereby providing bidirectional energy propagation throughout the system.

[0107] In an embodiment, an energy repeater is provided as a loosely coherent element.

[0108] Introduction to component engineering structure:

[0109] Public progress on lateral Anderson localized energy repeater

[0110] According to the principles disclosed herein for energy repeater elements inducing lateral Anderson localization, the properties of energy repeaters can be significantly optimized. Lateral Anderson localization is the propagation of light through laterally disordered but longitudinally uniform materials.

[0111] This means that the effect of a material producing the Anderson localization phenomenon may be less affected by total internal reflection than by randomization between multiple scattering paths where wave interference continues in the longitudinal orientation which may completely limit propagation in the transverse orientation.

[0112] The most significant additional benefit is the removal of the cladding of conventional multicore fiber materials. The cladding is intended to functionally eliminate scattering of energy between fibers, but at the same time acts as a barrier to the energy rays, thereby reducing the transmission by at least the core-to-cover ratio (e.g., a core-to-cover ratio of 70:30 will transmit at most 70% of the received energy transmission), and additionally forming a strong pixelated pattern in the propagating energy.

[0113] Figure 5A An end view illustrating an example of such a non-Anderson localized energy repeater 500, where an image is relayed through a multicore optical fiber, where it can exhibit pixelation and fiber noise due to the intrinsic properties of the optical fiber. With conventional multimode and multicore optical fibers, the relayed image can be pixelated in nature due to the properties of total internal reflection of the dispersed array of cores, where any crosstalk between cores will degrade the modulation transfer function and increase blur. The resulting image produced with conventional multicore optical fibers will tend to have a similar Figure 3 The residuals of those shown are fixed noise fiber patterns.

[0114] Figure 5BAn example illustrating the same image 550 being relayed by an energy repeater comprising a material having the property of lateral Anderson localization, wherein compared to Figure 5A The fixed fiber pattern has a greater density of particle structures. In an embodiment, the repeater including the randomized micro-component engineered structure induces lateral Anderson localization and transmits light more efficiently, with a higher resolvable resolution of propagation than commercially available multimode glass optical fibers.

[0115] The lateral Anderson localized material properties uniformly provide significant advantages in both cost and weight, where the cost and weight of similar optical grade glass materials may be 10 to 100 times higher than the cost of the same material produced within the embodiments, wherein the disclosed systems and methods include randomized micro-component engineered structures that have numerous opportunities to improve cost and quality compared to other technologies known in the art.

[0116] In an embodiment, a repeater element exhibiting lateral Anderson localization may include a plurality of at least two different component engineered structures in each of three orthogonal planes arranged into a three-dimensional grid, and the plurality of structures form a randomized distribution of material wave propagation properties in the lateral planes within the three-dimensional grid and channels of similar values ​​of material wave propagation properties in the longitudinal planes within the three-dimensional grid, wherein localized energy waves propagating through the energy repeater have higher transmission efficiency in the longitudinal orientation as compared to the lateral orientation.

[0117] In an embodiment, multiple energy domains may be configured within a single lateral Anderson localized energy repeater or between multiple lateral Anderson localized energy repeaters to direct one or more sensory holographic energy propagation paths including visual, acoustic, tactile, or other energy domains.

[0118] In an embodiment, the seamless energy surface is configured with lateral Anderson localized energy repeaters that include two or more first sides for each second side to simultaneously receive and transmit one or more energy domains, thereby providing bidirectional energy propagation throughout the system.

[0119] In an embodiment, the lateral Anderson localized energy repeater is configured as a loosely coherent or flexible energy repeater element.

[0120] Considerations for 4D plenoptic functions:

[0121] Selective propagation of energy through holographic waveguide arrays

[0122] As discussed above and herein, a light field display system generally includes an energy source (e.g., an illumination source) and a seamless energy surface configured with a sufficient energy location density, as set forth in the above discussion. A plurality of repeater elements may be used to relay energy from the energy device to the seamless energy surface. Once the energy is transferred to the seamless energy surface having the necessary energy location density, the energy may be propagated through the disclosed energy waveguide system according to a 4D plenoptic function. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, 4D plenoptic functions are well known in the art and will not be further described in detail herein.

[0123] An energy waveguide system selectively propagates energy through multiple energy positions along a seamless energy surface, wherein the seamless energy surface represents the spatial coordinates of a 4D plenoptic function, wherein the structure is configured to change the angular direction of the passing energy waves, wherein the angular direction represents the angular component of the 4D plenoptic function, wherein the propagated energy waves can be converged in space according to multiple propagation paths guided by the 4D plenoptic function.

[0124] Reference now Figure 6 , Figure 6 An example of a light field energy surface in a 4D image space according to a 4D plenoptic function is illustrated. This figure shows ray trajectories from an energy surface 600 to an observer 620, which describes how energy rays converge in space 630 from various locations within the viewing volume. As shown, each waveguide element 610 defines four information dimensions that describe the propagation 640 of energy through the energy surface 600. Two of the spatial dimensions (referred to herein as x and y) are the physical multiple energy locations that can be observed in the image space, and the angular components θ and y are the angular components θ and y. (referred to herein as u and v) can be observed in virtual space when projected through an array of energy waveguides. In general, in accordance with a 4D plenoptic function, multiple waveguides (e.g., microlenses) are capable of directing energy positions from the x, y dimensions to a unique location in virtual space along a direction defined by the u, v angular components when forming a holographic or light field system as described herein.

[0125] However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that significant challenges with light field and holographic display technologies arise from uncontrolled energy propagation because the design does not accurately account for any of the following: diffraction, scattering, diffusion, angular orientation, calibration, focus, collimation, curvature, uniformity, element crosstalk, and a host of other parameters that result in reduced effective resolution and the inability to accurately focus energy with sufficient fidelity.

[0126] In an embodiment, a method for selective energy propagation that achieves challenges associated with holographic displays may include an energy suppression element and a substantially filled waveguide aperture, wherein nearly collimated energy enters an environment defined by a 4D plenoptic function.

[0127] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide array may define multiple energy propagation paths for each waveguide element, wherein the energy propagation paths are configured to extend through and substantially fill the effective aperture of the waveguide element in a unique direction defined by a 4D function specified for multiple energy locations along the seamless energy surface, wherein the multiple energy locations are suppressed by one or more elements positioned to limit the propagation of each energy location to only through a single waveguide element.

[0128] In embodiments, multiple energy domains may be configured within a single energy waveguide or between multiple energy waveguides to direct one or more sensory holographic energy propagations including visual, acoustic, tactile, or other energy domains.

[0129] In embodiments, the energy waveguide and seamless energy surface are configured to receive and transmit one or more energy domains to provide bi-directional energy propagation throughout the system.

[0130] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to be oriented to any seamless energy surface including a wall, table, floor, ceiling, room, or other geometrically based environment, using a digitally encoded, diffractive, refracting, reflective, grin, holographic, Fresnel, etc. waveguide configuration to propagate a non-linear or irregular distribution of energy, including non-transmitting void areas. In another embodiment, the energy waveguide element can be configured to produce a variety of geometric structures that provide any surface contour and / or desktop browsing to enable users to observe holographic images from various positions of the energy surface in a 360-degree configuration.

[0131] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide array elements may be reflective surfaces, and the arrangement of the elements may be hexagonal, square, irregular, semi-regular, curved, non-planar, spherical, cylindrical, tilted regularly, tilted irregularly, spatially varying and / or multi-layered.

[0132] For any components within the seamless energy surface, the waveguide or repeater components may include, but are not limited to, optical fibers, silicon, glass, polymers, optical repeaters, diffractive, holographic, refractive or reflective elements, optical panels, energy combiners, beam splitters, prisms, polarizing elements, spatial light modulators, active pixels, liquid crystal cells, transparent displays, or any similar material exhibiting Anderson localization or total internal reflection.

[0133] Implementing the Holodeck:

[0134] Aggregation of bidirectional seamless energy surface systems for stimulating human sensory receptors within holographic environments

[0135] It is possible to construct large environments of seamless energy surface systems, including entire rooms, by tiling, fusing, bonding, attaching and / or stitching together multiple seamless energy surfaces to form any size, shape, contour or apparent dimensions. Each energy surface system may include an assembly having a base structure, energy surface, repeaters, waveguides, devices and electronics that are collectively configured for bidirectional holographic energy propagation, emission, reflection or sensing.

[0136] In an embodiment, the environment of a tiled seamless energy system aggregates to form a large seamless planar or curved wall that contains facilities up to all surfaces in a given environment and is configured as any combination of seamless, discontinuous planar, faceted, curved, cylindrical, spherical, geometric, or irregular geometric structures.

[0137] In an embodiment, for theatrical or location-based holographic entertainment, aggregated tiles of planar surfaces form a wall-sized system. In an embodiment, for cave-based holographic facilities, aggregated tiles of planar surfaces cover a room with four to six walls, including ceiling and floor. In an embodiment, for immersive holographic facilities, aggregated tiles of curved surfaces create a cylindrical seamless environment. In an embodiment, for immersive experiences based on holodecks, aggregated tiles of seamless spherical surfaces form a holographic dome.

[0138] In an embodiment, polymeric tiles of seamless curved energy waveguides provide mechanical edges in a precise pattern along the boundaries of energy suppression elements within the energy waveguide structure to join, align or fuse adjacent tiled mechanical edges of adjacent waveguide surfaces, thereby creating a modular seamless energy waveguide system.

[0139] In another embodiment of the polymerized tiling environment, energy is propagated bidirectionally for multiple simultaneous energy domains. In another embodiment, the energy surface provides the ability to display and capture simultaneously from the same energy surface, where the waveguide is designed so that light field data can be projected by an illumination source through the waveguide and simultaneously received by the same energy surface. In another embodiment, additional depth sensing and active scanning techniques can be utilized to enable interaction between energy propagation and observers in the correct world coordinates. In another embodiment, the energy surface and waveguide can be used to emit, reflect or converge frequencies to induce tactile sensations or somatotactile feedback. In some embodiments, any combination of bidirectional energy propagation and polymerized surfaces is possible.

[0140] In an embodiment, a system includes an energy waveguide capable of bidirectionally emitting and sensing energy through an energy surface, wherein one or more energy devices are independently paired with two or more path energy combiners to pair at least two energy devices to the same portion of a seamless energy surface, or one or more energy devices are fixed behind the energy surface and close to additional components fixed to a base structure, or close to a location in front of and outside the FOV of the waveguide for off-axis direct or reflected projection or sensing, and the resulting energy surface enables bidirectional transmission of energy, thereby enabling the waveguide to focus energy, the first device to emit energy, the second device to sense energy, and wherein information is processed to perform computer vision related tasks, including but not limited to 4D plenoptic eye and retina tracking or sensing of interference within the propagating energy pattern, depth estimation, proximity, motion tracking, image, color or sound formation, or other energy frequency analysis. In another embodiment, the tracked position is actively calculated and the energy position is corrected based on the interference between the bidirectional captured data and the projected information.

[0141] In some embodiments, multiple combinations of three energy devices including an ultrasonic sensor, a visible electromagnetic display, and an ultrasonic transmitting device are configured together for each of three first repeater surfaces that transmit energy combined into a single second energy repeater surface, wherein each of the three first surfaces includes engineered properties specific to an energy domain of each device, and two engineered waveguide elements are configured for ultrasonic and electromagnetic energy, respectively, to provide the ability to independently guide and focus the energy of each device, and are substantially unaffected by other waveguide elements configured for separate energy domains.

[0142] In some embodiments, a calibration procedure is disclosed that enables efficient manufacturing to remove systematic artifacts and produce a geometric map of the resulting energy surface for use with encoding / decoding techniques, as well as a dedicated integrated system for converting the data into calibration information suitable for energy propagation based on a calibration profile.

[0143] In some embodiments, additional energy waveguides and one or more energy devices in series may be integrated into the system to produce opaque holographic pixels.

[0144] In some embodiments, additional waveguide elements including energy suppression elements, beam splitters, prisms, active parallax barriers, or polarization techniques may be integrated to provide spatial and / or angular resolution greater than the waveguide diameter or for other super-resolution purposes.

[0145] In some embodiments, the disclosed energy system may also be configured as a wearable bidirectional device, such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR). In other embodiments, the energy system may include an adjustment optical element that focuses the displayed or received energy near a determined plane in the observer's space. In some embodiments, the waveguide array may be incorporated into a holographic head-mounted display. In other embodiments, the system may include multiple optical paths to enable the observer to see the energy system and the real world environment (e.g., a transparent holographic display). In these cases, the system may be presented as a near field, among other methods.

[0146] In some embodiments, the transmission of data includes an encoding process with a selectable or variable compression ratio, the encoding process receiving an arbitrary data set of information and metadata; analyzing the data set and receiving or assigning material properties, vectors, surface IDs, new pixel data, thereby forming a sparser data set, and wherein the received data may include: 2D, stereo, multi-view, metadata, light field, holographic, geometry, vectors or vectorized metadata, and the encoder / decoder may provide the ability to convert the data in real time or offline including image processing for: 2D; 2D plus depth, metadata or other vectorized information; stereo, stereo plus depth, metadata or other vectorized information; multi-view; multi-view plus depth, metadata or other vectorized information; holographic; or light field content; with or without depth metadata through a depth estimation algorithm; and an inverse ray tracing method by characterizing a 4D plenoptic function to appropriately map the resulting converted data generated by inverse ray tracing of various 2D, stereo, multi-view, stereo, light field or holographic data into real world coordinates. In these embodiments, the total data transmission required may be orders of magnitude less than the transmission information of the original light field data set.

[0147] Selective propagation of light fields and energy in holographic waveguide arrays

[0148] Figure 7 A top-down perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an energy waveguide system 100 that may be used to define a plurality of energy propagation paths 108. The energy waveguide system 100 includes an energy waveguide array 112 configured to direct energy therethrough along the plurality of energy propagation paths 108. In an embodiment, the plurality of energy propagation paths 108 extend through a plurality of energy locations 118 on a first side 116 of the array to a second side 114 of the array.

[0149] See also Figure 7 and Figure 9HIn an embodiment, a first subset 290 of the plurality of energy propagation paths 108 extends through the first energy location 122. The first energy waveguide 104 is configured to guide energy along a first energy propagation path 120 of the first subset 290 of the plurality of energy propagation paths 108. The first energy propagation path 120 may be defined by a first principal ray 138 formed between the first energy location 122 and the first energy waveguide 104. The first energy propagation path 120 may include rays 138A and 138B formed between the first energy location 122 and the first energy waveguide 104, the rays 138A and 138B being guided by the first energy waveguide 104 along the energy propagation paths 120A and 120B, respectively. The first energy propagation path 120 may extend from the first energy waveguide 104 toward the second side 114 of the array. In an embodiment, the energy guided along the first energy propagation path 120 includes one or more energy propagation paths between or including energy propagation paths 120A and 120B, and the one or more energy propagation paths are guided through the first energy waveguide 104 in a direction substantially parallel to the angle at which the first principal light ray 138 propagates through the second side 114.

[0150] Embodiments may be configured such that energy guided along the first energy propagation path 120 may exit the first energy waveguide 104 in a direction substantially parallel to the energy propagation paths 120A and 120B and parallel to the first principal ray 138. It may be assumed that the energy propagation paths extending through the energy waveguide element 112 on the second side 114 include a plurality of energy propagation paths having substantially similar propagation directions.

[0151] Figure 8 is a front view illustration of an embodiment of the energy waveguide system 100. The first energy propagation path 120 may be directed in a unique direction 208 extending from the first energy waveguide 104 and determined by at least the first energy location 122. Figure 7 1. The first energy waveguide 104 can be defined by a spatial coordinate 204, and a unique direction 208 determined by at least the first energy position 122 can be defined by an angular coordinate 206 that defines the direction of the first energy propagation path 120. The spatial coordinate 204 and the angular coordinate 206 can form a four-dimensional plenoptic coordinate set 210 that defines the unique direction 208 of the first energy propagation path 120.

[0152] In an embodiment, energy guided through the first energy waveguide 104 along the first energy propagation path 120 substantially fills the first aperture 134 of the first energy waveguide 104 and propagates along one or more energy propagation paths located between the energy propagation paths 120A and 120B and parallel to the direction of the first energy propagation path 120. In an embodiment, the one or more energy propagation paths that substantially fill the first aperture 134 may include a diameter of the first aperture 134 that is greater than 50%.

[0153] In a preferred embodiment, energy guided through the first energy waveguide 104 along a first energy propagation path 120 that substantially fills the first aperture 134 may comprise 50% to 80% of the diameter of the first aperture 134 .

[0154] Transfer back Figure 7 and 9A -H, In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system 100 may further include an energy suppression element 124 positioned to limit the propagation of energy between the first side 116 and the second side 114 and to suppress energy propagation between adjacent waveguides 112. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is configured to suppress energy propagation along a portion of the first subset 290 of the plurality of energy propagation paths 108 that does not extend through the first aperture 134. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may be located on the first side 116 between the energy waveguide array 112 and the plurality of energy locations 118. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may be located on the second side 114 between the plurality of energy locations 118 and the energy propagation paths 108. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may be located on the first side 116 or the second side 114 orthogonal to the energy waveguide array 112 or the plurality of energy locations 118.

[0155] In an embodiment, energy directed along the first energy propagation path 120 may converge with energy directed along the second energy propagation path 126 through the second energy waveguide 128. The first and second energy propagation paths may converge at a location 130 on the second side 114 of the array 112. In an embodiment, the third energy propagation path 140 and the fourth energy propagation path 141 may also converge at a location 132 on the first side 116 of the array 112. In an embodiment, the fifth energy propagation path 142 and the sixth energy propagation path 143 may also converge at a location 136 between the first side 116 and the second side 114 of the array 112.

[0156] In embodiments, the energy waveguide system 100 may include structures for guiding energy, such as: structures configured to change the angular direction of energy passing therethrough, such as refraction, diffraction, reflection, gradient index, holographic or other optical elements; structures including at least one numerical aperture; structures configured to redirect energy away from at least one internal surface; optical repeaters; etc. It should be appreciated that the waveguide 112 may include any one or combination of bidirectional energy guiding structures or materials, such as:

[0157] a) refraction, diffraction or reflection;

[0158] b) Single or composite multilayer components;

[0159] c) Holographic optical elements and digitally encoded optical devices;

[0160] d) 3D printed components or photolithographic masters or replicas;

[0161] e) Fresnel lenses, gratings, zone plates, binary optical elements;

[0162] f) Retroreflective elements;

[0163] g) Fiber optics, total internal reflection or Anderson localization;

[0164] h) Gradient index optics or various refractive index matching materials;

[0165] i) Glass, polymer, gas, solid, liquid;

[0166] j) acoustic waveguide;

[0167] k) micro- and nano-scale elements; or

[0168] l) Polarization, prism or beam splitter.

[0169] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system propagates energy bi-directionally.

[0170] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to propagate mechanical energy.

[0171] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to propagate electromagnetic energy.

[0172] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is configured to simultaneously propagate mechanical energy, electromagnetic energy and / or other forms of energy by interlacing, layering, reflecting, combining or otherwise providing appropriate material properties within one or more structures within the energy waveguide element and within one or more layers comprising the energy waveguide system.

[0173] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide propagates energy at different ratios of u and v, respectively, within a 4D coordinate system.

[0174] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide propagates energy as a composite function.In an embodiment, the energy waveguide comprises a plurality of elements along said energy propagation path.

[0175] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide is formed directly from the polished surface of the optical fiber repeater.

[0176] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide system comprises a material that exhibits lateral Anderson localization.

[0177] In an embodiment, an energy waveguide system propagates hypersonic frequencies to focus tactile sensations in three-dimensional space.

[0178] Fig. 9A -H is a diagram of various embodiments of the energy suppression element 124. For the avoidance of doubt, these embodiments are provided for exemplary purposes and in no way limit the scope of the combinations or embodiments provided within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0179] Fig. 9A An embodiment of a plurality of energy locations 118 is described wherein an energy suppression element 251 is placed adjacent to a surface of the energy location 118 and includes a specified refractive, diffractive, reflective, or other energy-altering property. The energy suppression element 251 may be configured to restrict a first subset 290 of energy propagation paths to a smaller range of propagation paths 253 by suppressing propagation of energy along the energy propagation paths 252. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is an energy repeater having a numerical aperture less than 1.

[0180] Fig. 9B An embodiment of a plurality of energy locations 118 is described wherein energy suppression structures 254 are placed orthogonally between regions of energy locations 118, and wherein energy suppression structures 254 exhibit absorption properties, and wherein energy suppression structures 254 have defined heights along energy propagation paths 256 such that certain energy propagation paths 255 are suppressed. In an embodiment, the shape of energy suppression structures 254 is hexagonal. In an embodiment, the shape of energy suppression structures 254 is circular. In an embodiment, the shape or size of energy suppression structures 254 is non-uniform along any orientation of a propagation path. In an embodiment, energy suppression structures 254 are embedded within another structure having additional properties.

[0181] Fig. 9CA plurality of energy locations 118 are illustrated wherein a first energy suppression structure 257 is configured to direct energy 259 propagating therethrough generally into a first state. A second energy suppression structure 258 is configured to allow energy 259 directed generally into the first state to propagate therethrough and to restrict propagation of energy 260 directed generally in a manner not similar to the first state. In an embodiment, the energy suppression elements 257, 258 are a pair of energy polarizing elements. In an embodiment, the energy suppression elements 257, 258 are a pair of energy wavebandpass elements. In an embodiment, the energy suppression elements 257, 258 are a pair of diffractive waveguides.

[0182] Fig.9D An embodiment of a plurality of energy locations 118 is described wherein an energy suppression element 261 is configured to alter an energy propagation path 263 to some extent depending on which of the plurality of energy locations 118 the energy propagation path 263 extends through. The energy suppression element 261 may alter the energy propagation path 263 in a uniform or non-uniform manner along the energy propagation path 263 such that certain energy propagation paths 262 are suppressed. An energy suppression structure 254 is placed orthogonally between regions of the energy locations 118, and wherein the energy suppression structure 254 exhibits absorptive properties, and wherein the energy suppression structure 254 has a defined height along the energy propagation path 263 such that certain energy propagation paths 262 are suppressed. In an embodiment, the suppression element 261 is a field lens. In an embodiment, the suppression element 261 is a diffractive waveguide. In an embodiment, the suppression element 261 is a curved waveguide surface.

[0183] Fig.9E An embodiment of multiple energy locations 118 is illustrated wherein energy suppression elements 264 provide absorptive properties to limit propagation of energy 266 while allowing other propagation paths 267 to pass.

[0184] Fig.9F An embodiment of a plurality of energy locations 118 and a plurality of energy waveguides 112 is illustrated wherein a first energy suppression structure 268 is configured to direct energy 270 propagating therethrough generally into a first state. A second energy suppression structure 271 is configured to allow energy 270 directed generally into the first state to propagate therethrough and to restrict the propagation of energy 269 directed generally in a manner not similar to the first state. To further control energy propagation through the system, such as stray energy propagation 272, the energy suppression structures 268, 271 may require composite energy suppression elements to ensure that energy propagation maintains an accurate propagation path.

[0185] Figure 9GAn embodiment of a plurality of energy locations 118 is described, and wherein an energy suppression element 276 provides absorptive properties to limit propagation of energy along an energy propagation path 278 while allowing other energy along an energy propagation path 277 to pass through a pair of energy waveguides 112 for an effective aperture 284 within the waveguide array 112. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 276 comprises black chrome. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 276 comprises an absorptive material. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 276 comprises a transparent pixel array. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 276 comprises an anodized material.

[0186] Figure 9H An embodiment including a plurality of energy locations 118 and a plurality of energy waveguides 112 is described, wherein a first energy suppression structure 251 is placed adjacent to a surface of the energy locations 118 and includes a specified refractive, diffractive, reflective, or other energy-altering property. The energy suppression structure 251 may be configured to restrict a first subset 290 of energy propagation paths to a smaller range of propagation paths 275 by suppressing propagation of energy along the energy propagation paths 274. A second energy suppression structure 261 is configured to alter the energy propagation paths 275 to some extent depending on which energy locations in the plurality of energy locations 118 the energy propagation paths 275 extend through. The energy suppression structure 261 may alter the energy propagation paths 275 in a uniform or non-uniform manner such that certain energy propagation paths 274 are suppressed. A third energy suppression structure 254 is placed orthogonally between regions of the energy locations 118. The energy suppression structure 254 exhibits an absorptive property and has a defined height along the energy propagation paths 275 such that certain energy propagation paths 274 are suppressed. Energy suppression element 276 provides absorptive properties to limit the propagation of energy 280 while allowing energy 281 to pass therethrough. A composite system of similar or dissimilar waveguide elements 112 is positioned to substantially fill the effective waveguide element aperture 285 with energy from multiple energy locations 118 and alter the propagation path 273 of the energy as defined by the particular system.

[0187] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may include a structure for attenuating or modifying the energy propagation path. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may include one or more energy absorbing elements or walls positioned within the system to limit the propagation of energy to or from the waveguide 112. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may include a specified numerical aperture positioned within the system 100 to limit the angular distribution of energy to and from the waveguide 112.

[0188] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may include one or more energy blocking walls, structures, metals, plastics, glasses, epoxies, pigments, liquids, display technologies, or other absorptive or structural materials with a defined thickness between the plane of the energy locations 122 and the plane of the waveguide array having gaps or structures spaced up to the diameter of the waveguide opening.

[0189] In an embodiment, the energy suppression structure 124 is located near the first energy location 122 and includes an optical relay panel adjacent to the first energy location 122. In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 124 may include an optical relay panel that includes one or more spatially uniform or variable numerical apertures, wherein the value of the numerical aperture meaningfully limits the angular distribution of energy to and from the waveguide 112. For example, embodiments of the numerical aperture may be designed to provide an angular distribution equal to or close to twice the center of a field of view formed between energy locations and perpendicular to an effective waveguide element size, entrance pupil, aperture, or other physical parameter for energy propagation, thereby providing an off-axis filling factor for a specified waveguide aperture 134.

[0190] In embodiments, the energy suppression element 124 may include a binary, gradient index, Fresnel, holographic optical element, zone plate, or other diffractive optical element that changes the path of energy waves through the system to reduce scattering, diffusion, stray light, or chromatic aberration. In embodiments, the energy suppression element 124 may include a positive or negative optical element at or around the location where the energy propagation path is changed to further increase the fill factor of the waveguide aperture 134 or reduce stray light. In embodiments, the energy suppression element 124 may include an active or passive polarization element and a second active or passive polarization element designed to provide spatial or temporal multiplexing attenuation of a defined area of ​​the energy location 122, waveguide aperture 134, or other area. In embodiments, the energy suppression element 124 may include an active or passive aperture stop barrier designed to provide spatial or temporal multiplexing attenuation of a defined area of ​​the energy location 122, waveguide aperture 134, or other area. In embodiments, the energy suppression element 124 may include any one or any combination of the following:

[0191] a) Physical energy baffle structure;

[0192] b) Three-dimensional, conical or faceted mechanical structures;

[0193] c) aperture stop or mask;

[0194] d) optical relays and controlled numerical aperture;

[0195] e) refraction, diffraction or reflection;

[0196] f) Retroreflective elements;

[0197] g) Single or composite multilayer components;

[0198] h) Holographic optical elements and digitally encoded optical devices;

[0199] i) 3D printed components or photolithographic masters or replicas;

[0200] j) Fresnel lenses, gratings, zone plates, binary optical elements;

[0201] k) Fiber optics, total internal reflection or Anderson localization;

[0202] l) Gradient refractive index optical devices or various refractive index matching materials;

[0203] m) glass, polymer, gas, solid, liquid;

[0204] n) millimeter-, micrometer- and nanometer-scale elements; and

[0205] o) Polarization, prism or beam splitter.

[0206] In an embodiment, the energy suppression structure 124 may be configured to include energy blocking baffles packed in hexagons configured to form a gap that tapers along the Z axis, thereby reducing the gap size when reaching the aperture stop position of the waveguide system. In another embodiment, the energy suppression structure 124 may be configured to include energy blocking baffles packed in hexagons combined with an optical repeater panel. In another embodiment, the energy suppression structure 124 may be configured to include energy blocking baffles packed in hexagons filled with a specified refractive index to further change the energy wave projection path to and from the energy waveguide array. In another embodiment, a diffractive or refractive element may be placed, attached or bonded to the energy blocking baffle with a defined waveguide prescription to further change the energy projection path to and from the waveguide element 112. In another example, the energy suppression structure 124 may be formed as a single mechanical assembly, and the energy waveguide array 112 may be placed, attached or bonded to the assembled energy suppression element 124. It should be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized to implement other energy waveguide configurations or super-resolution considerations.

[0207] In an embodiment, the energy inhibiting structure 124 may be located proximate to the first energy location 122 and extend generally toward the first energy waveguide 104. In an embodiment, the energy inhibiting structure 124 may be located proximate to the first energy waveguide 104 and extend generally toward the first energy location 122.

[0208] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is configured to suppress electromagnetic energy.

[0209] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element is configured to suppress mechanical energy.

[0210] In embodiments, an energy suppression element is configured to simultaneously attenuate mechanical, electromagnetic, and / or other forms of energy by interlacing, layering, reflecting, combining, or otherwise providing appropriate material properties within one or more structures within the energy suppression element and within one or more layers comprising the energy waveguide system.

[0211] In embodiments, the array of energy waveguides may be arranged to form a planar surface, or a curved surface having a desired shape. Fig.13 is an illustration of an embodiment 1100 having an array of energy waveguides 1102 arranged in a curved configuration.

[0212] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to direct energy having any wavelength belonging to the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, x-rays, etc. The present disclosure may also be configured to direct other forms of energy, such as acoustic sound vibrations and tactile pressure waves.

[0213] Fig.10 30 is an illustration of another embodiment of an energy waveguide system 300. The energy waveguide system 300 may define a plurality of energy propagation paths 304 and may include a reflector element 314 including: a first reflector 306 on a first side 310 of the reflector element 314, the first reflector 306 including one or more aperture stops 316 formed therethrough; and a second reflector 308 on a second side 312 of the reflector element 314, the second reflector 308 including one or more aperture stops 318 formed therethrough. The first reflector 306 and the second reflector 308 are configured to direct energy along the plurality of energy propagation paths 304 extending through the aperture stops of the first reflector 316 and the second reflector 318 and a plurality of energy locations 320 on the first side 310 of the reflector element 314. A first subset 322 of the plurality of energy propagation paths 304 extends through the first energy location 324. Reflector element 314 is configured to direct energy along first energy propagation path 326 in first subset 322 of plurality of energy propagation paths 304 .

[0214] In an embodiment, the first energy propagation path 326 may be defined by a first principal ray 338 formed between the first energy position 324 and the first aperture stop 328 of the first reflector 306. The first energy propagation path 326 may extend from the first aperture stop 330 of the second reflector 308 toward the second side 312 of the reflector element 314 in a unique direction extending from the first aperture stop 330 of the second reflector 308 and determined at least by the first energy position 324.

[0215] In an embodiment, energy directed along the first energy propagation path 326 substantially fills the first aperture stop 328 of the first reflector 306 and the first aperture stop 330 of the second reflector 308 .

[0216] In an embodiment, the energy suppression element 332 may be positioned to limit the propagation of energy along a portion of the first aperture stop 328 of the first reflector 306 that does not extend through the first subset 322 of the plurality of energy propagation paths 304 .

[0217] In embodiments where the energy is light and an energy waveguide can be used to guide said light, through a perfect parabolic structure, any light ray passing through or from the focus of the first reflector will be reflected parallel to the optical axis, reflected by the second reflector, and then relayed at the same angle in the reverse orientation.

[0218] In an embodiment, the first reflector and the second reflector have different focal lengths to produce different magnifications of energy information and / or change the viewing angle range when an observer observes the reflected information from above the surface of the second reflector. The aperture stop can have different sizes and different focal lengths for different design purposes.

[0219] Another embodiment is provided in which both reflective surfaces are tapered, faceted, curved in a non-linear shape or otherwise shaped. This curved design is critical to ensure that the displayed information and the observed information can have a non-linear relationship to change or simplify signal processing.

[0220] In an embodiment, the energy waveguide comprises a flexible reflective surface capable of dynamically changing a reflective surface profile to change the propagation path of energy through the energy waveguide system.

[0221] In embodiments, additional waveguides including but not limited to reflective or optical elements, birefringent materials, liquid lenses, refraction, diffraction, holography, etc. may be located anywhere within the energy propagation path. By this approach, such an embodiment provides a design that allows viewing angles at significantly different locations than the aperture stop and focal length that would otherwise be provided when viewed. Fig.11 Show such an application of this method.

[0222] Fig.11 is an illustration of an embodiment of an energy waveguide system 700. The energy waveguide system 700 includes a first reflector 702 and a second reflector 704, respectively. Positioned at the focus of the second reflector 702 are additional optical elements 706 and an energy inhibitor 707 perpendicular to the energy position 708. The additional optical elements are designed to affect the energy propagation path of energy propagating through the energy waveguide system 700. Additional waveguide elements may be included within the energy waveguide system 700, or additional energy waveguide systems may be placed into the energy propagation path.

[0223] In an embodiment, the array of energy waveguide elements may include:

[0224] a) Hexagonal packing of energy waveguide arrays;

[0225] b) Square packaging of the energy waveguide array;

[0226] c) irregular or semi-regular packing of energy waveguide arrays;

[0227] d) curved or non-planar energy waveguide arrays;

[0228] e) Spherical energy waveguide array;

[0229] f) cylindrical energy waveguide array;

[0230] g) inclined regular energy waveguide array;

[0231] h) tilted irregular energy waveguide array;

[0232] i) spatially varying energy waveguide arrays;

[0233] j) multi-layer energy waveguide array;

[0234] Fig.12 The differences between the square packing 901, hexagonal packing 902 and irregular packing 903 of the energy waveguide element array are highlighted.

[0235] Energy waveguides may be fabricated on glass or plastic substrates to specifically include optical repeater elements where desired, and may be designed with glass or plastic optical elements to specifically include optical repeaters where desired. In addition, energy waveguides may be faceted for providing multiple propagation paths or other column / row or checkerboard oriented designs, particularly allowing for but not limited to multiple propagation paths separated by beam splitters or prisms, or tiled for waveguide configurations that allow tiling or a single monolithic sheet, or tiled into curved arrangements (e.g., faceted cylinders or geometries that become spherical shapes that tile to match), curved surfaces including but not limited to spherical and cylindrical shapes or any other arbitrary geometry as required for a particular application.

[0236] In embodiments where the energy waveguide array includes a curved configuration, the curved waveguides may be created by thermal processing or by fabrication directly on the curved surface to include optical repeater elements.

[0237] In embodiments, arrays of energy waveguides may be against other waveguides and may cover entire walls and / or ceilings and or rooms depending on the specific application. Waveguides may be specifically designed for mounting on or under a substrate. Waveguides may be designed to be matched directly to an energy surface, or offset with an air gap or other offset medium. Waveguides may include alignment devices that provide the ability to focus a plane actively or passively as a permanent fixture or tool element. The purpose of the described geometry is to help optimize the viewing angle defined by the normal of the waveguide element and the image represented. For extremely large energy surface plane surfaces, most of the angular samples on the far left and far right of the surface are primarily outside the visual volume of the environment. For the same energy surface, the ability to form a convergence volume using more of these propagating rays is significantly improved by bending the profile and bending the waveguide. However, this is at the expense of available information when off-axis. The application-specific properties of the design generally indicate which of these proposed designs will be implemented. In addition, waveguides may be designed with regular, gradual or regional element structures that are manufactured with additional waveguide elements to tilt the elements toward a predetermined waveguide axis.

[0238] In embodiments where the energy waveguide is a lens, embodiments may include convex and concave microlenses, and may include lenses fabricated directly onto the optical repeater surface. This may involve decomposition or additive microlens fabrication processes, including removal of material and microlens profiles to be formed or molded, or direct replicas fabricated directly onto this surface.

[0239] Embodiments may include multiple layered waveguide designs to achieve additional energy propagation optimization and angle control. All of the above embodiments may be combined together independently or in conjunction with this method. In embodiments, multiple layered designs are envisioned, with a tilted waveguide structure on the first waveguide element and a regionally varying structure on the second waveguide element.

[0240] Embodiments include the design and fabrication of per-element or per-region liquid lens waveguides that are joined together as a single waveguide. Additional designs to this approach include a single birefringent or liquid lens waveguide optics unit that can modify the entire waveguide array simultaneously. This design can dynamically control the effective waveguide parameters of the system without redesigning the waveguide.

[0241] In an embodiment configured to guide light, it is possible to generate a wall-mounted 2D, light field or holographic display through any combination of the present disclosure provided herein. The wall-mounted configuration is designed so that the observer sees an image that may float in front of the designed display surface, at the designed display surface or behind the designed display surface. Through this method, the angular distribution of light can be uniform, or have an increased density at any specific position in space, depending on the specific display requirements. In this way, it is possible to configure the waveguide to change the angular distribution according to the surface profile. For example, for a given distance perpendicular to the display surface and the planar waveguide array, an optically perfect waveguide will provide an increased density at the vertical center of the display, where the light separation distance gradually increases along the given vertical distance to the display. On the contrary, if the light is observed radially around the display, where the observer maintains the distance between the eye and the center point of the display, the observed light will maintain a consistent density over the entire field of view. Depending on the expected viewing conditions, the characteristics of each element can be optimized by changing the waveguide function to produce any potential light distribution that optimizes the viewing experience of any such environment.

[0242] Fig.14 is an illustration of an embodiment 1200 highlighting how a single waveguide element function 1202 can produce the same energy distribution 1204 over a radial observation environment 1206, whereas the same waveguide element function 1202, when propagating at a constant distance 1208 parallel to a waveguide surface 1210, appears to exhibit increased density at a waveguide element center 1212 of the waveguide surface and decreased density at locations further away from the center 1212 of the waveguide surface.

[0243] Fig.15 13 is a diagram of an embodiment 1300 illustrating configuring a waveguide element function 1302 to exhibit a uniform density at a constant distance 1304 parallel to the waveguide surface 1306 when measured around a radius 1308 about the center of the waveguide surface 1306, while producing a significantly lower density at the center 1310 of the waveguide surface 1306.

[0244] The ability to generate waveguide functions that vary the sampling frequency over field distance is a feature of various waveguide distortions and is known in the art. Traditionally, it has been undesirable to include distortions in waveguide functions, however, for the purposes of waveguide element design, these are all features that claim to be a benefit of the ability to further control and distribute energy propagation depending on the specific view volume required. Depending on the view volume requirements, it may be necessary to add multiple functions or layers or gradients of functions across the waveguide array.

[0245] In an embodiment, the function is further optimized by the energy surface and / or the curved surface of the waveguide array. The change of the normal of the chief ray angle with respect to the energy surface itself can also improve the efficiency and requires a function different from a planar surface, but the gradient, change, and / or optimization of the waveguide function still apply.

[0246] Additionally, considering the waveguide splicing method, with the resulting optimized waveguide array, it is possible to further increase the effective size of the waveguide by tiling each waveguide and the system to produce any size with the desired form factor. It is important to note that due to the reflections generated between any two individual substrates, the significant contrast differences at mechanical gaps, or due to any form of non-square grid packaging pattern, the waveguide array may exhibit gap artifacts different from the energy surface. To eliminate this effect, either larger individual waveguides can be produced, a refractive matching material can be utilized between the edges of any two surfaces, or a regular waveguide grid structure can be employed to ensure that no element is separated between the two waveguide surfaces, and / or precise cuts between the energy suppression elements and along the seams of the non-square waveguide grid structure can be utilized.

[0247] Using this method, it is possible to produce room-scale 2D, light field, and / or holographic displays. These displays can seamlessly span large planar or curved walls, can be produced to cover all walls in a cubic manner, or can be produced in a curved configuration where a cylindrical or spherical shape is formed to improve the viewing angle efficiency of the entire system.

[0248] Alternatively, it is possible to design a waveguide function that distorts the propagated energy to virtually remove regions not required for the desired viewing angle, thereby causing a non-uniform distribution of energy propagation. To achieve this, an optical profile in the shape of a Taurus, an annular lens, a concentric prism array, a Fresnel or diffraction function, binary, refractive, holographic, and / or any other waveguide design can be implemented to provide the ability to actually form a single-element or multi-element (or multi-sheet) Fresnel waveguide array. Depending on the waveguide configuration, this can be combined with or without additional optical devices, including additional waveguide arrays.

[0249] To produce a wide energy propagation angle (e.g., 180 degrees), a very low effective f-number (e.g., <f / .5) is required, and to ensure that no 4D "disk flipping" (the ability of the light rays from one waveguide element to see an unwanted energy position below any second waveguide element) occurs, the focal length also needs to be closely matched to the desired viewing angle in an appropriate manner. This means that to produce a viewing volume of approximately 160 degrees, a lens with an f-number of approximately f / .17 and a focal length of almost matching approximately.17 mm are required.

[0250] Fig.16An embodiment 1400 is illustrated in which the plurality of energy waveguides comprises a diffractive waveguide element 1402, and a proposed structure for a modified Fresnel waveguide element structure 1404 is shown that produces an effective extremely short focal length and low f / number while directing energy to a well-defined location 1406.

[0251] Fig.17 An embodiment 1500 is described in which a plurality of energy waveguides comprises element 1502, and it is shown how such a waveguide configuration 1506 can be used in an array to provide full density light propagation for a desired view volume 1504.

[0252] Another embodiment of the proposed modified waveguide configuration provides a method of producing radially symmetric or spiral rings or gradients of two or more materials having a certain refractive index along either or both of the transverse or longitudinal orientations, which are spaced a predetermined amount apart, where each ring spacing has a diameter X, where X can be constant or variable.

[0253] In another embodiment, for wall mounted and / or table mounted waveguide structures and all room or environment based waveguide structures, equal or non-linear distribution of all light rays is produced with or without modified waveguide configurations where multiple waveguides are tiled.

[0254] With a waveguide array, it is possible to produce a plane of projected light that converges in space at a location that is not on the surface of the display itself. By ray tracing these rays, it is clear to see the geometry involved and how the converging rays can appear in the screen (away from the observer) and outside the screen (toward the observer) or both. As the plane moves away from the observer on a flat panel display with a traditional waveguide array design, the plane grows with the viewpoint volume and may be obscured by the physical frame of the display itself, depending on the number of illumination sources at work. In contrast, as the plane moves toward the observer on a flat panel display with a traditional waveguide array design, the plane shrinks with the viewpoint volume, but can be seen from all angles at a given location, as long as the observer is at an angle that presents energy to the eye and the virtual plane does not move beyond the angle formed between the observer and the far edge of the active display area.

[0255] In one embodiment, the observed 2D image is rendered off-screen.

[0256] In another embodiment, the observed 2D image is presented on a screen.

[0257] In another embodiment, the observed 2D image is presented simultaneously in the screen and / or off the screen.

[0258] In another embodiment, the observed 2D image is presented along with other stereoscopic elements, or as text for other graphic design or interaction reasons.

[0259] In another embodiment, the observed 2D image exhibits an effective 2D resolution that is higher than the physical number of X and Y waveguide elements would otherwise indicate because light rays can be focused in space at a higher density than the physical elements.

[0260] The novelty of this approach is that it is entirely possible to create a holographic display that is capable of both stereoscopic imaging and extremely high-resolution 2D images, without the need for additional mechanical or electronic equipment or changes to allow the waveguides in the display to move seamlessly between flat and stereo images or to produce other interesting effects.

[0261] Through this feature, it is possible to programmatically isolate certain illumination sources so that they appear to the observer as only visible to the display at certain apparent angles.

[0262] In one embodiment, a single pixel or group of pixels is illuminated beneath each waveguide element at an angle that is triangular to the observer's eyes and presents an image that is visible only from the observer's position in space.

[0263] In another embodiment, a second illumination source or set of illumination sources is simultaneously presented to triangulate a position that is only seen by the second observer and that includes an image that may be the same or different from the first image presented to the first observer. For the avoidance of doubt, this may be X addressable viewpoints, where X represents the number of individually addressable viewpoints which may be one or more.

[0264] In another embodiment, these images are presented using tracking of the eye, retina, object, etc. using sensors and algorithms as known in the art, so that the illuminated pixel position is dynamically changed to dynamically present the image to the observer and the triangulated position between the pixels under each waveguide element. This can be applied to one or more observers. Tracking can be performed as a 2D process or a 3D / stereo process, or using other depth sensing techniques known in the art.

[0265] In one embodiment, the first zone and the second zone are both parabolic in profile, wherein the focus of the first zone is located at the vertex of the second zone, and the focus of the second zone is located at the vertex of the first zone, and the display surface is located at the opening at the vertex of the second zone, and an opening equivalent to the diameter of the display surface is presented to the vertex of the second zone located at the vertex of the first zone. In this way, the display surface image appears to float on a surface without any physical surface, because light rays passing through the focus of the second zone observed from an off-axis viewpoint will reflect from the second zone surface and decouple from the first surface, and then make the same angle as the observation position in the reverse orientation from the first zone to the display surface.

[0266] In an embodiment, a dual parabola repeater system includes two reflective regions, in each reflective region, the focus is located at the vertex of the other reflector, the display surface is located at the vertex of the second region, and the opening is equal to the diameter of the presented display surface and is located at the first region to produce a virtual image of the display surface. In the case of utilizing a waveguide array, holographic or light field display, the observed image will maintain the properties of the holographic data and appear to float in space without a physical display surface.

[0267] In another embodiment, the focus position of zone two is different, thereby producing a magnification or reduction.In a second embodiment, the two zones have matching focal lengths and are offset from each other by a distance greater than the focal lengths to produce a virtual image at an increased magnification.

[0268] In another embodiment, the parabolic profile is manufactured to accommodate a specific shape so that different viewing positions from the display can accommodate various display surface geometries or other desired viewing angles or conditions.

[0269] In another embodiment, the two regions include multiple facets to propagate light independently through the faceted regions rather than as a single surface.

[0270] In another embodiment, the reflective surface is formed by an energy repeater so that the CRA of the energy surface exceeds the possible viewing angle of the curved surface applied to one or more surfaces, wherein a first surface that is originally a reflective surface has a specific geometric profile, and a second surface at the other end of the waveguide element has a specific geometric profile, which cumulatively have a CRA for reflecting energy from the position of an observer, and the addition of an energy surface panel at the second surface can be implemented to provide energy information that is not visible from the direct position of the observer but can be provided indirectly through one or more reflective surfaces, and the associated calibration process required to calculate the reflected imaging data about the final observed data.

[0271] Although various embodiments according to the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and are not limiting. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should only be defined in accordance with the claims issued by the present disclosure and their equivalents. In addition, the above advantages and features are provided in the described embodiments, and the application of such issued claims should not be limited to the process and structure that realize any or all of the above advantages.

[0272] It should be understood that the main features of the present disclosure may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents to the specific methods described herein using no more than routine experiments. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure and are covered by the claims.

[0273] In addition, the section titles herein are provided for consistency with the recommendations of 37CFR 1.77, or otherwise provide organizational cues. These titles should not limit or characterize the inventions set forth in any claims that may be issued from this disclosure. Specifically and as an example, although the title mentions the "technical field", such claims should not be limited by the language describing the so-called technical field under this title. In addition, the description of the technology in the "background technology" section should not be understood as an admission that the technology is the prior art of any invention in the present disclosure. "Summary of the invention" should also not be considered as a feature of the invention set forth in the issued claims. In addition, any reference to "invention" in the singular form in the present invention should not be used to argue that there is only a single novel point in the present invention. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of multiple claims issued from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the inventions and their equivalents protected thereby. In all cases, the scope of such claims should be considered on their own merits in view of the present disclosure, and should not be constrained by the titles set forth herein.

[0274] The word "a" when used in conjunction with the term "comprising" in the claims and / or specification may refer to "one", and it also complies with the meaning of "one or more", "at least one" and "one or more than one". Although the present disclosure supports reference to individual alternatives and the definition of "and / or", unless it is explicitly indicated that individual alternatives are referred to or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, the term "or" used in the claims is used to refer to "and / or". Throughout this application, the term "about" is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error of the device, method used to determine the value, or the variation that exists between research subjects. In general but consistent with the foregoing discussion, the numerical values ​​modified by approximate terms such as "about" herein may vary by at least ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15% from the stated value.

[0275] As used in this specification and claims, the words "comprise" (and any form of comprising, such as "comprises" and "comprises"), "having" (and any form of having, such as "have" and "has"), "including" (and any form of including, such as "includes" and "include"), or "contain" (and any form of containing, such as "contains" and "contain") are inclusive or open-ended, and do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps.

[0276] Comparison, measurement, and timing terms such as "at," "equivalent to," "during," "completely," and the like should be understood to mean "substantially at," "substantially equivalent to," "substantially during," "substantially completely," and the like, where "substantially" means that such comparisons, measurements, and timing can be used to achieve the desired results either implicitly or explicitly stated. Terms such as "near," "close to," and "adjacent," relating to the relative position of elements, should mean close enough to have a substantial effect on the interaction of the corresponding system elements. Other approximate terms similarly refer to certain conditions that, when so modified, are understood not to be necessarily absolute or perfect, but would be considered close enough to warrant the existence of the specified conditions by one skilled in the art. The degree to which the description can vary will depend on how large a variation can be made and still allow one of ordinary skill in the art to recognize the modified feature as still having the desired properties and capabilities of the unmodified feature.

[0277] As used herein, the term "or combinations thereof" refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, A, B, C, or combinations thereof are intended to include at least one of A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular case, BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, combinations containing repetitions of one or more items or clauses are expressly included, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, unless otherwise apparent from the context, there is generally no limit to the number of items or clauses in any combination.

[0278] All compositions and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and performed without undue experimentation in accordance with the present disclosure. Although the compositions and methods of the present disclosure have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the compositions and / or methods and in the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

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 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 extends through a first energy location; wherein a first energy waveguide is configured to direct energy along a first energy propagation path of said first subset of said plurality of energy propagation paths, said first energy propagation path being defined by a first principal ray formed between said first energy location and said first energy waveguide, and further wherein said first energy propagation path extends from said first energy waveguide toward said second side of said array in a unique direction determined at least by said first energy location; as well as wherein energy guided through the first energy waveguide along the first energy propagation path fills a first aperture of the first energy waveguide; as well as an energy suppression element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of said first subset of said plurality of energy propagation paths that does not extend through said first aperture; Wherein the energy suppression element comprises a structure configured to limit the angular range of energy proximate the first energy location.

2. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the energy suppression element is located on the first side between the energy waveguide array and the plurality of energy locations.

3. An energy waveguide system according to claim 1, wherein the first energy waveguide includes two-dimensional spatial coordinates, and wherein the unique direction determined by at least the first energy position includes two-dimensional angular coordinates, wherein the two-dimensional spatial coordinates and the two-dimensional angular coordinates form a four-dimensional (4D) coordinate set.

4. An energy waveguide system according to claim 3, wherein the energy guided along the first energy propagation path includes one or more energy rays guided through the first energy waveguide in a direction parallel to the first main light ray.

5. An energy waveguide system according to claim 1, wherein energy guided along the first energy propagation path converges with energy guided along the second energy propagation path through the second energy waveguide.

6. An energy waveguide system according to claim 5, wherein the first and second energy propagation paths converge at a location on the second side of the array.

7. An energy waveguide system according to claim 5, wherein the first and second energy propagation paths converge at a location on the first side of the array.

8. An energy waveguide system according to claim 5, wherein the first and second energy propagation paths converge at a location between the first and second sides of the array.

9. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein each energy waveguide comprises a structure for guiding energy, the structure being selected from the group consisting of: a) A structure configured to change the angular direction of energy passing therethrough: b) a structure comprising at least one numerical aperture; c) a structure configured to redirect energy away from at least one interior surface; d) Energy repeater.

10. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the energy suppression element further comprises: a) Energy blocking structure; or b) an element configured to change the first energy propagation path to change a filling factor of the first aperture.

11. The energy waveguide system of claim 1 , wherein said structure configured to limit the angular range of energy approaching said first energy location comprises an optical repeater panel adjacent to said first energy location.

12. The energy waveguide system of claim 10, wherein the energy blocking structure comprises at least one numerical aperture.

13. The energy waveguide system of claim 10, wherein the energy blocking structure comprises a baffle structure.

14. The energy waveguide system of claim 10, wherein the energy blocking structure is positioned adjacent to the first energy waveguide and extends toward the first energy location.

15. The energy waveguide system of claim 10, wherein the energy blocking structure is positioned adjacent to the first energy location and extends toward the first energy waveguide.

16. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the array of energy waveguides is arranged to form a planar surface.

17. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the energy waveguide array is arranged to form a curved surface.

18. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the energy guided along the first energy propagation path is electromagnetic energy defined by a wavelength belonging to a range selected from the group consisting of: a) visible light; b) Ultraviolet rays; c) infrared; d) x-rays.

19. The energy waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the energy guided along the first energy propagation path is mechanical energy defined by a pressure wave selected from the group consisting of: a) tactile pressure waves; b) Acoustic sound vibration.

20. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths, comprising: a microlens array comprising a first side and a second side and 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 extends through a first energy location; wherein a first microlens is configured to direct energy along a first energy propagation path of said first subset of said plurality of energy propagation paths, said first energy propagation path being defined by a first principal ray formed between said first energy location and said first microlens, and further wherein said first energy propagation path extends from said first microlens toward said second side of said array in a unique direction determined at least by said first energy location; as well as wherein energy directed through the first microlens along the first energy propagation path fills a first aperture of the first microlens; as well as An energy suppression element positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths that does not extend through the first aperture, wherein the energy suppression element includes a structure configured to limit the angular range of energy proximate the first energy location.

21. An energy waveguide system according to claim 20, wherein the microlens array is arranged to form a planar surface.

22. The energy waveguide system of claim 20, wherein the microlens array is arranged to form a curved surface.

23. The energy waveguide system of claim 20, wherein the microlenses in the microlens array are arranged side by side in an arrangement selected from the group consisting of: a) Hexagonal packing arrangement; b) Square packaging arrangement; c) Irregular packaging layout.

24. The energy waveguide system of claim 20, wherein the microlenses in the microlens array are Fresnel lenses.

25. The energy waveguide system of claim 20, wherein a shape of said first microlens is configured to additionally alter said unique direction determined by at least said first energy location.

26. An energy waveguide system for defining a plurality of energy propagation paths, comprising: A reflector element comprising: a first reflector on a first side of the reflector element, the first reflector including one or more aperture stops formed therethrough, and a second reflector on a second side of the reflector element, the second reflector including 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 extends 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 being defined by a first principal ray formed between the first energy position and a first aperture stop of the first reflector, and further wherein the first energy propagation path extends from the first aperture stop of the second reflector toward the second side of the reflector element in a unique direction determined at least by the first energy position; and wherein energy directed along the first energy propagation path fills the first aperture stop of the first reflector and the first aperture stop of the second reflector; and An energy suppression element is positioned to limit propagation of energy along a portion of the first aperture stop of the first reflector that does not extend through the first subset of the plurality of energy propagation paths.

27. An energy waveguide system according to claim 26, wherein the size of the one or more aperture stops of the first and second reflectors is constant.

28. An energy waveguide system according to claim 26, wherein the size of the one or more aperture stops of the first and second reflectors varies.

29. An energy waveguide system according to claim 26, wherein the first and second reflectors include one or more paraboloids, such that the first parabola of the first reflector and the first parabola of the second reflector are configured to reflect energy along the first energy propagation path.

30. The energy waveguide system of claim 29, wherein a focal length of the first parabola of the first reflector is the same as a focal length of the first parabola of the second reflector.

31. An energy waveguide system according to claim 29, wherein the focal length of the first parabola of the first reflector is different from the focal length of the first parabola of the second reflector.

32. The energy waveguide system of claim 26, wherein an additional energy suppression element is located between said first and second sides of said reflector element.

Images