Split Input Coupler Grid for Multisheet Diffraction Waveguide with Single Pupil-Type Optical Engine

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to waveguide combiners having split input couplers. In one embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes a first color filter for filtering light of a first color from a first portion of light. The first color filter is aligned with a first input coupler. A first waveguide layer is located below the first color filter and has a first input coupler positioned above it to incouple the light of the first color into the first waveguide layer. A second portion of light passes through the first waveguide layer. A second color filter for filtering light of a second color from a second portion of light is aligned with a second input coupler. A second waveguide layer is located below the second color filter and has a second input coupler positioned above it to incouple the light of the second color into the second waveguide layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an augmented reality waveguide combiner. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to a waveguide combiner having a split input coupler.

Background Art

[0002] Description of Related Art

[0002] Virtual reality is generally a computer-generated simulation environment in which a user is considered to be in a simulation environment as if they were physically present. Virtual reality experiences may be generated in 3D and viewed using a head-mounted display (HMD) such as glasses or other wearable display devices having a near-eye display panel as a lens for displaying a virtual reality environment in place of the actual environment.

[0003]

[0003] However, augmented reality enables the experience that a user can view an image of a virtual object that is displayed and appears as part of the environment while being able to view the surrounding environment through the display lens of glasses or other HMD devices. Augmented reality may include not only any type of input (such as voice input and tactile input), but also virtual images, graphics, and video that enhance or augment the environment that the user is experiencing. There are many challenges and design constraints in augmented reality as an emerging technology.

[0004]

[0004] One such challenge is to display a virtual image so as to overlay the surrounding environment. To assist in the overlay of the image, a waveguide combiner is used. The generated light is in-coupled into the waveguide combiner, propagates through the augmented waveguide combiner, and is out-coupled from this augmented waveguide combiner and overlaid on the surrounding environment. Using a surface relief grating, light is in-coupled and out-coupled into the augmented waveguide combiner.

[0005]

[0005] Therefore, what is needed in the art is a waveguide combiner having a split input coupler. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006]

[0006] In one embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes a first color filter for filtering light of a first color from a first portion of light corresponding to a first filter region. The first color filter is aligned with a first input coupler. A first waveguide layer is located below the first color filter and has a first input coupler positioned above it to incouple light of the first color into the first waveguide layer. A second portion of light passes through the first waveguide layer. The device further includes a second color filter for filtering light of a second color from a second portion of light corresponding to a second filter region. The second color filter is aligned with a second input coupler, and the second waveguide layer is located below the second color filter and has a second input coupler positioned above it to incouple light of the second color into the second waveguide layer.

[0007]

[0007] In another embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes a light source; a first waveguide layer located below the light source, having a first input coupler positioned thereon to incouple light of a first color into the first waveguide layer, with light from a first region of the first input coupler passing through the first waveguide layer; a second waveguide layer located below the light source, having a second input coupler positioned thereon to incouple light of a second color different from the first color into the second waveguide layer, with a third portion of the light passing through the second waveguide layer; and a third waveguide layer located below the light source, having a third input coupler positioned thereon to incouple light of a third color different from the first color and light of a second color into the third waveguide layer.

[0008]

[0008] In a further embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes a first waveguide layer located below a light source, which includes a first input coupler located on top of the first waveguide layer to incouple light of a first color into the first waveguide layer, and a first output coupler for outcoupling a blue field of view (FOV) and a green FOV, through which a second portion of the light passes. A second waveguide layer is located below the light source, which includes a second input coupler located on top of the second waveguide layer to incouple light of a second color into the second waveguide layer, and a second output coupler for outcoupling a red FOV.

[0009]

[0009] To enable a detailed understanding of the features of the present disclosure, a more specific description of the present disclosure, which has been briefly summarized above, can be obtained by referring to embodiments. Some of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings show only exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting in scope, and other equally valid embodiments may be permitted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective front view of a waveguide according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide combiner according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waveguide combiner according to an embodiment. [Figure 4A-4C] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first waveguide layer according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011]

[0014] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate identical elements common to the figures where possible. It is assumed that elements and features of one embodiment may be usefully incorporated into other embodiments without further description.

[0012]

[0015] This disclosure relates, in general terms, to augmented reality waveguide combiners. More specifically, the embodiments described herein relate to waveguide combiners having split input couplers.

[0013]

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective front view of the waveguide layer 100. It should be understood that the waveguide layer 100 described herein is an exemplary waveguide, and other waveguides may be used together or modified to achieve embodiments of this disclosure. The waveguide layer 100 includes a plurality of structures 102. The structures 102 may be located on, below, or on the surface 103 of the substrate 101, or located within the substrate 101. The structures 102 are nanostructures having submicron limit dimensions, e.g., a width of less than 1 micrometer. The region of the structure 102 corresponds to one or more grids 104. In one embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the waveguide layer 100 includes at least a first grid 104A corresponding to an input coupler and a third grid 104C corresponding to an output coupler. In another embodiment, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the waveguide layer 100 further includes a second grid 104B. The second grid 104B corresponds to a pupil expander or folded grid.

[0014]

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waveguide combiner 200. The waveguide combiner 200 includes a plurality of waveguide layers 201 (e.g., waveguide layer 100 shown in Figure 1), including a first waveguide layer 201A and a second waveguide layer 201B. The waveguide layers 201 include input and output couplers that can operate to incouple light within the waveguide layers 201. The first waveguide layer 201A has a first grid 104A, a second grid 104B, and a third grid 104C. The first waveguide layer has a first input coupler 210 corresponding to the first grid 104A. The first input coupler 210 has a first coupler region 203. The first coupler region 203 is the surface area of ​​the first input coupler 210. The second waveguide layer 201B has a first grid 104A, a second grid 104B, and a third grid 104C. The second waveguide layer 201B has a second input coupler 220 corresponding to the first grid 104A. In some embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, at least one of the waveguide layers 201 includes a pupil expander (not shown).

[0015]

[0018] The waveguide combiner 200 may include a first color filter 202 positioned above a first input coupler 210 on a first waveguide layer 201A. In embodiments including the first color filter 202, the first color filter 202 is aligned with the first input coupler 210. The first color filter 202 has a first filter region 204, which is the surface area of ​​the first color filter 202. An optical engine 205 is positioned above the first color filter 202. The optical engine 205 includes a pupil 206 positioned above the first color filter 202 and aligned with the first color filter 202. The optical engine 205 is operable to project light 207 from the pupil 206 onto the first waveguide layer 201A. The light 207 is projected at the optical engine output. Light 207 is a projected image of red, green, and blue light, i.e., white light. The optical engine output is at all wavelengths of light 207. Pupil 206 projects light 207 in an in-plane region measured at the Z coordinate of the first input coupler 210. The in-plane region is larger than the first coupler region 203 and the first filter region 204. The first color filter 202 filters the first portion 208A of light 207 corresponding to the first filter region 204 into the first color light 207A. The second portion 208B of light 207 passes through the first waveguide layer 201A to the second waveguide layer 201B. The first coupler region 203 is smaller than the surface area of ​​light 207 projected from the optical engine 205.

[0016]

[0019] The first color light 207A is incoupled into the first waveguide layer 201A by the first input coupler 210. The first color light 207A is outcoupled by the first output coupler 211 of the first waveguide layer 201A. The first output coupler 211 corresponds to the third grid 104C. The outcoupled first color light 207A is superimposed on the user's eyes. The first color light 207A includes blue and green light in the projected image, which are outcoupled as a blue field of view (FOV) and a green FOV.

[0017]

[0020] The first input coupler 210 and the first color filter 202 have matching shapes. Although the shapes of the first input coupler 210 and the first color filter 202 are identical, the first filter region 204 and the first coupler region 203 change to correspond to the convergence or divergence of the pupil 206, as explained in Figures 4A to 4C. The first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210 is defined by the following formula. Ac = Ap / n Here, Ac is the first coupler region 203, Ap is the in-plane region of the pupil 206, and n is the number of waveguide layers 201 in the waveguide combiner 200. Thus, the first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210 is 50% of the in-plane region of the pupil 206. The ratio of the in-plane region to the first coupler region 203 is equal to the maximum output of the first color light 207A relative to the optical engine output of the corresponding color. Thus, the maximum power of the first color light 207A is equal to half the optical engine power in the first color light 207A. The above formula can be used to calculate the coupler area of ​​any input coupler, and the number of waveguide layers 201 can be changed as shown in Figure 2. The number of waveguide layers 201 corresponds to the amount of separate color FOV. Each separate color light has a maximum output equal to half the optical engine output in the corresponding color light.

[0018]

[0021] The waveguide combiner 200 has a second waveguide layer 201B. The second waveguide layer 201B includes a second input coupler 220. The second input coupler 220 has a second coupler region 213. The second coupler region 213 is the surface area of ​​the second input coupler 220. The waveguide combiner 200 may include a second color filter 212. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the second color filter 212 is located directly below the optical engine 205. In some embodiments, the first color filter 202 and the second color filter 212 are coplanar. In some embodiments shown in Figure 3, the second color filter 212 is positioned above the second input coupler 220 on the second waveguide layer 201B. The second color filter 212 is aligned with the second input coupler 220. The second color filter 212 has a second filter region 214, which is the surface area of ​​the second color filter 212. In some embodiments, the second portion 208B of the light 207 that has passed through the first waveguide layer 201A has an in-plane region measured at the Z coordinate of the second input coupler 220 that is equal to the second coupler region 213 and the second filter region 214. The in-plane region of the light 207 from the pupil 206 measured at the Z coordinate of the first input coupler 210 is equal to the first coupler region 203 and the second coupler region 213, which are combined to adjust the convergence or divergence of any pupil 206. The second color filter 212 is aligned with the second portion 208B of the light 207. The second color filter 212 filters the second portion 208B of the light 207 corresponding to the second filter region 214 into light 207B of the second color. The second coupler region 213 is smaller than the surface area of ​​the light 207 projected from the optical engine 205. The waveguide combiner 200 includes both the first color filter 202 and the second color filter 212, includes either the first color filter 202 or the second color filter 212, or does not include either the first color filter 202 or the second color filter 212.

[0019]

[0022] The second color light 207B is incoupled to the second waveguide layer 201B by the second input coupler 220. The second color light 207B is outcoupled to the second output coupler 221 of the second waveguide layer 201B. The second output coupler 221 corresponds to the third grid 104C. The outcoupled second color light 207B is superimposed on the user's eyes. The second color light includes the red light of the projected image, which is outcoupled as the red FOV of the displayed image. The blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV combine to generate the total FOV of the displayed image.

[0020]

[0023] The first input coupler 210 is offset from the second input coupler 220 in the X and Y directions in the XYZ coordinate system. The first color filter 202 has the same center point X coordinate on the X axis of the XYZ coordinate system and the same center point Y coordinate on the Y axis of the XYZ coordinate system, as shown in Figures 4A to 4C. The second color filter 212 has a center point X coordinate on the X axis and a center point Y coordinate on the Y axis relative to the second input coupler 220. By positioning the input couplers and color filters, it is prevented that light 207A of the first color enters the second input coupler 220 and that light 207B of the second color enters the first input coupler 210.

[0021]

[0024] Using the above equation, the second coupler region 213 of the second input coupler 220 is 50% of the in-plane region of the pupil 206 in the Z coordinate of the first input coupler 210, so the maximum optical output of the second color light 207B is half the optical engine output of the second color light 207B. The first coupler region 203 and the second coupler region 213 are added together to equal the in-plane region of the pupil 206. The waveguide combiner 200 has two waveguide layers 201 supporting two different color lights. The first waveguide layer 201A supports the first color light 207A over the entire FOV. The second waveguide layer 201B supports the second color light 207B over the entire FOV.

[0022]

[0025] The cyan and green FOVs and the red FOV are projected to have optimized color uniformity and efficiency. In some embodiments, the waveguide combiner 200 is within an augmented reality (AR) device, and the cyan and green FOVs and the red FOV are projected within the AR device. The cyan and green FOVs and the red FOV can be combined with an image that optimizes the red, green, and blue (RGB) color uniformity across the FOV.

[0023]

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waveguide combiner 200. The waveguide combiner 300 includes a plurality of waveguide layers 201 including a first waveguide layer 201A, a second waveguide layer 201B, and a third waveguide layer 301. The waveguide layers 201 include input couplers and output couplers. The first waveguide layer 201A has a first grating 104A, a second grating 104B, and a third grating 104C. The first waveguide layer has a first input coupler 210 corresponding to the first grating 104A. The first input coupler 210 has a first coupler region 203. The first coupler region 203 is the surface area of the first input coupler 210. The second waveguide layer 201B has a first grating 104A, a second grating 104B, and a third grating 104C. The second waveguide layer 201B has a second input coupler 220 corresponding to the first grating 104A. The third waveguide layer 301 has a first grating 104A, a second grating 104B, and a third grating 104C. The third waveguide layer 301 has a third input coupler 310 corresponding to the first grating 104A. In some embodiments, the waveguide layer 201 includes a pupil expander (not shown).

[0024]

[0027] The waveguide combiner 300 may include a first color filter 202 positioned above the first input coupler 210 on the first waveguide layer 201A. The light engine 205 is disposed above the first input coupler 210. The first color filter 202 is aligned with the first input coupler 210. The first color filter 202 has a first filter region 204. The first filter region 204 is the surface area of the first color filter 202. The light engine is disposed above the first color filter 202. The light engine 205 includes a pupil 206 disposed above the first color filter 202 and aligned with the first color filter 202. The light engine 205 is operable to project light 207 from the pupil 206 onto the first waveguide layer 201A. The light 207 is projected with a light engine output. The light 207 is a projected image of red light, green light, and blue light, i.e., white light. The light engine supplies power at all wavelengths of the light 207. The light engine 205 projects the light 207 from the pupil 206 within an in-plane region measured at the Z coordinate of the first input coupler 210. The in-plane region is larger than the first coupler region 203 and the first filter region 204. The first color filter 202 filters a first portion 208A of the light 207 corresponding to the first filter region 204 into the first color light 207A. The light 207 not in the first portion 208A passes through the first waveguide layer 201A and reaches the second waveguide layer 201B. The first coupler region 203 is smaller than the surface area of the light 207 projected from the light engine 205.

[0025]

[0028] The light 207A of the first color is in-coupled into the first waveguide layer 201A by the first input coupler 210. The light 207A of the first color is out-coupled by the first output coupler 211 of the first waveguide layer 201A. The out-coupled light 207A of the first color is superimposed over the user's eye. The light 207A of the first color includes the blue light of the projected image out-coupled as the blue FOV of the displayed image.

[0026]

[0029] The first input coupler 210 and the first color filter 202 have matching shapes. Although the shapes of the first input coupler 210 and the first color filter 202 are identical, the values ​​of the first filter region 204 and the first coupler region 203 change to match the convergence or divergence of the pupil 206, as shown in Figures 4A to 4C. The first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210 is defined by the following formula. Ac = Ap / n Here, Ac is the first coupler region 203, Ap is the in-plane region of the pupil 206 in the Z coordinate of the first input coupler 210, and n is the number of waveguide layers 201 in the waveguide combiner 300. Therefore, since the first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210 is 33.3% of the in-plane region of the pupil 206, the maximum power of the first color light 207A is one-third of the optical engine power in the first color light 207A. The above formula can be used to calculate the coupler region of any input coupler. The number of waveguide layers 201 corresponds to the amount of separate color FOV. Each separate color light has a maximum power equal to one-third of the optical engine power in the light of the corresponding color.

[0027]

[0030] The waveguide combiner 300 has a second waveguide layer 201B. The second waveguide layer 201B may include a second input coupler 220. The second input coupler 220 has a second coupler region 213. The second coupler region 213 is the surface area of ​​the second input coupler 220. The waveguide combiner 200 has a second color filter 212. As shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the second color filter 212 is positioned directly above the second input coupler 220 on the second waveguide layer 201B. In another embodiment shown in Figure 2, the second color filter 212 is positioned directly below the optical engine 205. In some embodiments, the first color filter 202 and the second color filter 212 are coplanar. The second color filter 212 is aligned with the second input coupler 220. The second color filter 212 has a second filter region 214, which is the surface area of ​​the second color filter 212. In some embodiments, the light 207 that has passed through the first waveguide layer 201A has an in-plane region measured at the Z coordinate of the second input coupler 220 that is larger than the second coupler region 213 and the second filter region 214. The second color filter 212 is aligned with the second portion 208B of the light 207. The second color filter 212 filters the second portion 208B of the light 207 corresponding to the second filter region 214 into the second color light 207B. The third portion 208C of the light 207 passes through the second waveguide layer 201B to the third waveguide layer 301. The second coupler region 213 is smaller than the surface area of ​​the light 207 projected from the optical engine 205.

[0028]

[0031] The second color light 207B is incoupled into the second waveguide layer 201B by the second input coupler 220. The second color light 207B is outcoupled by the second output coupler 221 of the second waveguide layer 201B. The outcoupled second color light 207B is superimposed over the user's eyes. The second color light includes the green light of the projected image, which is outcoupled as the green FOV of the displayed image.

[0029]

[0032] Using the above equation, the second coupler region 213 of the second input coupler 220 is 33.3% of the in-plane region of the pupil 206 in the Z coordinate of the second input coupler 220, so the maximum output of the second color light 207B is one-third of the optical engine output in the second color light 207B. The waveguide combiner 300 has three waveguide layers 201 and three colors of light, which means that each separate color has a maximum power equal to one-third of the optical engine output in the light of the corresponding color.

[0030]

[0033] The waveguide combiner 300 has a third waveguide layer 301. The third waveguide layer 301 includes a third input coupler 310. The third input coupler 310 has a third coupler region 303. The third coupler region 303 is the surface area of ​​the third input coupler 310. The waveguide combiner 300 may include a third color filter 302. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the third color filter 302 is positioned directly above the third input coupler 310 on the third waveguide layer 301. In other embodiments, the third color filter 302 is positioned directly below the optical engine 205. In some embodiments, the first color filter 202, the second color filter 212, and the third color filter 302 are coplanar. The third color filter 302 is aligned with the third input coupler 310. The third color filter 302 has a third filter region 304, which is the surface area of ​​the third color filter 302. The third portion 208C of the light 207 that has passed through the second waveguide layer 201B has an in-plane region measured from the Z coordinate of the third input coupler 310, which is equal to the third coupler region 303. The in-plane regions of the light 207 from the pupil 206 measured at the first input coupler 210 are equal to the first coupler region 203, the second coupler region 213, and the third coupler region 303, which are combined to adjust for the convergence or divergence of the pupil 206. The third color filter 302 is aligned with the third portion 208C of the light 207. The third color filter 302 filters the third portion 208C of the light 207 corresponding to the third filter region 304 into light 207C of the third color. The third coupler region 303 is smaller than the surface area of ​​the light 207 projected from the optical engine 205. The waveguide combiner 200 includes a first color filter 202, a second color filter 212, and a third color filter 302, or includes at least one of the first color filter 202, the second color filter 212, or the third color filter 302, or does not include any of the first color filter 202, the second color filter 212, or the third color filter 302.

[0031]

[0034] The third color light 207C is incoupled to the third waveguide layer 301 by the third input coupler 310. The third color light 207C is outcoupled by the third output coupler 311 of the third waveguide layer 301. The outcoupled third color light 207C is superimposed on the user's eyes. The third color light 207C includes the red light of the projected image, which is outcoupled as the red FOV of the displayed image. The blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV combine to generate the total FOV of the displayed image.

[0032]

[0035] The first input coupler 210 is offset from the second input coupler 220 and the third input coupler 310 in the X and Y directions of the XYZ coordinate system. The second input coupler 220 is offset from the third input coupler 310 in the X and Y directions of the XYZ coordinate system. The first color filter 202 has a center point X coordinate on the X axis and a center point Y coordinate on the Y axis, as shown in Figures 4A to 4C. The second color filter 212 has a center point X coordinate on the X axis and a center point Y coordinate on the Y axis relative to the second input coupler 220. The third color filter 302 has the same center point X coordinate as the center point X coordinate on the X axis and the center point Y coordinate on the Y axis relative to the third input coupler 310. By positioning the input couplers and color filters, it is prevented that the first color light 207A and the third color light 207C enter the second input coupler 220, the second color light 207B and the third color light 207C enter the first input coupler 210, and the first color light 207A and the second color light 207B enter the third input coupler 310.

[0033]

[0036] Using the above formula, the third coupler region 303 of the third input coupler 310 is 33.3% of the region of the pupil 206, so the maximum power of the third color light 207C is one-third of the optical engine power in the third color light 207C. The first coupler region 203, the second coupler region 213, and the third coupler region 303 are added together to be equal to the in-plane region of the pupil 206 in the Z coordinate of the first input coupler 210, taking into account the convergence and divergence of the pupil 206. The waveguide combiner 300 has three waveguide layers 201 and three colors of light, meaning that each separate color has a maximum output equal to one-third of the optical engine output in the light of the corresponding color.

[0034]

[0037] The blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV are projected to have optimized color uniformity and efficiency. In some embodiments, the waveguide combiner 300 is located within the AR device, and the blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV are projected within the AR device. The blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV can be combined in an image with optimized color uniformity.

[0035]

[0038] Figures 4A to 4C are schematic cross-sectional views of the first waveguide layer 201A. The first waveguide layer 201A has a first grid 104A, a second grid 104B, and a third grid 104C. The first waveguide layer has a first input coupler 210 corresponding to the first grid 104A. The first waveguide layer 201A has a first output coupler 211 corresponding to the third grid 104C. Figures 4A to 4C show how the optical engine 205, which has various optical outputs including divergent and convergent light, affects the characteristics of the color optical filter and input coupler used in the waveguide combiner. In Figure 4A, the optical engine 205 outputs parallel light 401, i.e., collimated light from the pupil 206, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The first filter region 204 of the first color filter 202 is equal to the first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210. The first color filter 202 has the same X-coordinate on the X-axis and Y-coordinate on the Y-axis as the first input coupler 210. The Z-coordinate on the Z-axis of the first color filter 202 may vary so that the first color filter 202 is positioned below the optical engine 205 and above the first input coupler 210. The exact size and shape of the first color filter 202 and the first input coupler 210 depend on the number of waveguide layers 201.

[0036]

[0039] In Figure 4B, the optical engine 205 outputs focused light 402 from the pupil 206. The first filter region 204 of the first color filter 202 is larger than the first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210. The first color filter 202 has the same center X coordinate on the X axis and center Y coordinate on the Y axis as the first input coupler 210. The Z coordinate on the Z axis of the first color filter 202 can be varied so that the first color filter 202 is positioned below the optical engine 205 and above the first input coupler 210. The Z coordinate of the first color filter 202 determines how much larger the filter region is from the coupler region. The exact size and shape of the first color filter 202 and the first input coupler 210 depend on the number of waveguide layers 201, as well as the Z coordinates of the color filter and the input coupler.

[0037]

[0040] In Figure 4C, the optical engine outputs light 403 diverging from the pupil 206. The first filter region 204 of the first color filter 202 is smaller than the first coupler region 203 of the first input coupler 210. The first color filter 202 has the same center X coordinate on the X axis and center Y coordinate on the Y axis as the first input coupler 210. The Z coordinate on the Z axis of the first color filter 202 can vary so that the first color filter 202 is positioned below the optical engine 205 and above the first input coupler 210. The Z coordinate of the first color filter 202 determines how small the filter region is compared to the coupler region. The exact size and shape of the first color filter 202 and the first input coupler 210 depend on the number of waveguide layers 201, as well as the Z coordinates of the color filter and the input coupler.

[0038]

[0041] In summary, a waveguide combiner includes waveguide layers 201 and color filters for filtering light of different colors into each waveguide layer. Light of each color is outcoupled from the waveguide layer to the field of view (FOV). In one embodiment, two waveguide layers and two color filters are used. A first color filter 202 filters light of a first color into a first input coupler 210. Blue FOV and green FOV are outcoupled from the first waveguide layer 201A. A second color filter 212 filters light of a second color into a second input coupler 220. Red FOV is outcoupled from the second waveguide layer 201B. The configuration of the embodiment makes it possible for the blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV to have optimized FOV color uniformity and efficiency. In one embodiment, three waveguide layers and three color filters are used. The first color filter 202 filters light of a first color into the first input coupler 210. The blue FOV is outcoupled from the first waveguide layer 201A. The second color filter 212 filters light of a second color into the second input coupler 220. The green FOV is outcoupled from the second waveguide layer 201B. The third color filter 302 filters light of a third color into the third input coupler 310. The red FOV is outcoupled from the third waveguide layer 301. The configuration of this embodiment makes it possible for the blue FOV, green FOV, and red FOV to have optimized FOV color uniformity and efficiency. The configuration of this embodiment makes it possible for the optical engine 205 to generate only white light, thereby reducing costs. The embodiment supports an optical engine 205 that generates focused and unfocused light, including parallel light, focused light, and divergent light.

[0039]

[0042] While the above description applies to embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments and further embodiments of the present disclosure can be devised without departing from the basic scope of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. It is a device, A first color filter for filtering light of a first color from a first portion of light corresponding to a first filter region, the first color filter being aligned with a first input coupler, A first waveguide layer positioned below the first color filter, having a first input coupler positioned thereon to incouple light of the first color within the first waveguide layer, wherein a second portion of the light passes through the first waveguide layer. A second color filter for filtering out light of a second color from the second portion of the light corresponding to a second filter region, the second color filter being aligned with a second input coupler, A second waveguide layer positioned below the second color filter, having the second input coupler positioned thereon to incouple light of the second color within the second waveguide layer, A device equipped with the following features.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first waveguide layer further comprises a first output coupler for outcoupling a blue field of view (FOV) and a green FOV.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second waveguide layer further comprises a second output coupler for outcoupling the red FOV.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical engine positioned above the first color filter, the optical engine having a pupil aligned with the first color filter.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first input coupler has a first coupler region.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the optical engine outputs parallel light, and the first filter region of the first color filter is equal to the first coupler region of the first input coupler.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the optical engine outputs focused light, and the first filter region of the first color filter is larger than the first coupler region of the first input coupler.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the optical engine outputs divergent light, and the first filter region of the first color filter is smaller than the first coupler region of the first input coupler.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second color filter is located below the first waveguide layer.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second color filter is positioned above the first waveguide layer.

11. It is a device, Light source and A first waveguide layer disposed below the light source, having a first input coupler disposed thereon to incouple light of a first color within the first waveguide layer, wherein light from a first region of the first input coupler passes through the first waveguide layer. A second waveguide layer positioned below the light source, having a second input coupler positioned thereon to incouple light of a second color different from the first color light into the second waveguide layer, wherein a third portion of the light passes through the second waveguide layer. A third waveguide layer disposed below the light source, the third waveguide layer having a third input coupler disposed thereon to incouple light of a third color different from the first color and light of the second color within the third waveguide layer, A device equipped with the following features.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first waveguide layer further comprises a first output coupler for outcoupling a blue field of view (FOV).

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the second waveguide layer further comprises a second output coupler for outcoupling the green FOV.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the third waveguide layer further comprises a third output coupler for outcoupling the red FOV.

15. The device according to claim 11, further comprising an optical engine positioned above a first color filter, the optical engine having a pupil aligned with the first color filter.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein a second color filter is located below the first waveguide layer.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein a second color filter is positioned above the first waveguide layer.

18. It is a device, A first waveguide layer positioned below the light source, A first input coupler positioned on top of the first waveguide layer to incouple light of the first color into the first waveguide layer, and A first output coupler for outcoupling a blue field of view (FOV) and a green FOV, wherein a second portion of the light passes through the first waveguide layer. A first waveguide layer including, A second waveguide layer positioned below the light source, A second input coupler positioned on top of the second waveguide layer to incouple the light of the second color into the second waveguide layer, and A second output coupler for outcoupling the red FOV and A second waveguide layer, including, A device equipped with the following features.

19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a first color filter for filtering light of the first color, the first color filter being aligned with the first input coupler.

20. The device according to claim 19, further comprising a second color filter for filtering light of the second color, the second color filter being aligned with the second input coupler.

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