Apparatus, system, and method for packaging compact pupil relay devices

Abstract

An apparatus comprising (1) a beam splitter, (2) a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another, and (3) a controllable mirror configured to (A) receive the light from the beam splitter and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING COMPACT PUPIL RELAY DEVICESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 631,314 filed April 08, 2024.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for steered retinal projection.BACKGROUND

[0003] Eyewear devices like head-mounted displays (HMDs) have revolutionized the way people experience various kinds of digital media. Forexample, HMDs may allow users of artificial reality to experience realistic, immersive virtual and / or augmented environments. Artificial reality may provide users with opportunities to interact with virtual objects and / or environments in one way or another.

[0004] Despite incredible advances in such technology, HMDs still have certain deficiencies and / or drawbacks.SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising: a beam splitter; a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another; and a controllable mirror configured to: receive the light from the beam splitter; and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide.

[0006] In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources may be positioned in a package such that a first beam of light emitted by one of the light sources and a second beam of light emitted by another one of the light sources are substantially perpendicular to one another.

[0007] In some embodiments, the beam splitter may be positioned proximate to the package such that the beam splitter receives the first beam of light from a first direction and the second beam of light from a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise an additionallight source positioned in the package such that a third beam of light emitted by the additional light source and the first beam of light are substantially parallel to one another.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first beam of light, the second beam of light, and the third beam of light may comprise different wavelengths relative to one another.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources and the additional light source may be all aligned along a single plane of the package.

[0011] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: one or more optical elements positioned between the one of the light sources and the beam splitter; and one or more additional optical elements positioned between the other one of the light sources and the beam splitter.

[0012] In some embodiments, the optical elements may comprise at least one of: a quarter wave plate; a half wave plate; or a dichroic lens.

[0013] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise circuitry communicatively coupled to the controllable mirror, the circuitry may be configured to actuate the controllable mirror along multiple axes to facilitate generating graphical imagery from the light in a scanning display.

[0014] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise an optical element positioned between the beam splitter and the controllable mirror such that the light passes through the optical element a first time while heading from the beam splitter toward the controllable mirror and then passes through the optical element a second time while returning from the controllable mirror to the beam splitter.

[0015] In some embodiments, the optical element may comprise a quarter wave plate.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources may be positioned in a package such that a first beam of light emitted by one of the light sources and a second beam of light emitted by another one of the light sources head in substantially opposite directions relative to one another.

[0017] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a reflective beam-combining prism configured to: receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light from the substantially opposite directions; and redirect the first beam of light and the second beam of light perpendicular to the substantially opposite directions toward the beam splitter.

[0018] In some embodiments, the beam splitter may be positioned proximate to the reflective beam-combining prism such that the beam splitter receives the first beam of light and the second beam of light from the reflective beam-combining prism.

[0019] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise an additional light source positioned adjacent to the one of the light sources such that a third beam of light emitted by the additional light source and the first beam of light are transmitted substantially parallel to one another toward the reflective beam-combining prism.

[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a silicon mount on which the plurality of light sources are disposed, wherein the reflective beam-combining prism may be etched into the silicon mount.

[0021] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a package that: seals the plurality of light sources; and includes at least one transparent window through which the plurality of light sources transmit the first beam of light and the second beam of light.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system comprising: an eyewear frame dimensioned to be worn by a user and configured to provide an artificial-reality experience to the user; and a scanning display that is coupled to the eyewear frame and comprises: a beam splitter; a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another; and a controllable mirror configured to: receive the light from the beam splitter; and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide.

[0023] In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources may be positioned in a package such that a first beam of light emitted by one of the light sources and a second beam of light emitted by another one of the light sources head in substantially opposite directions relative to one another.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method comprising: coupling, to an eyewear frame dimensioned to be worn by a user, a scanning display that comprises: a beam splitter; a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another; and a controllable mirror; and configuring the controllable mirror to: receive the light from the beam splitter; and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eyeof a user via a waveguide.

[0025] It will be appreciated that any features described herein as being suitable for incorporation into one or more aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be generalizable across any and all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. Other aspects of the present disclosure can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying Drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are parts of the specification. Together with the following description, the Drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the instant disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of an apparatus for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary system for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary system for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary package for a compact pupil relay device according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary package for a compact pupil relay device according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for packaging compact pupil relay devices according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 10 is an illustration of exemplary AR system that may be used inconnection with one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary VR system that may be used in connection with one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 12 an illustration of an exemplary system that incorporates an eyetracking subsystem capable of tracking a user's eye(s) according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a more detailed illustration of various aspects of the eye-tracking subsystem illustrated in FIG. 12 according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0040] While the exemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, combinations, equivalents, and alternatives falling within this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present disclosure is generally directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for steered retinal projection. As will be explained in greater detail below, these apparatuses, systems, and methods may provide numerous features and benefits.

[0042] In some examples, eyewear devices like head-mounted displays (HMDs) have revolutionized the way people experience various kinds of digital media. For example, HMDs may allow users of artificial reality to experience realistic, immersive virtual and / or augmented environments. Artificial reality may provide users with opportunities to interact with virtual objects and / or environments in one way or another. In this context, artificial reality may constitute a form of reality that has been altered by virtual objects for presentation to a user. Such artificial reality may include and / or represent virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, hybrid reality, or some combination and / or variation of one or more of the same.

[0043] Although artificial-reality systems are commonly implemented for gaming and other entertainment purposes, such systems are also implemented for purposes outside of recreation. For example, governments may use them for military training simulations, pilots may use them for flight simulations, doctors may use them to practice surgery, engineers may use them as visualization aids, and co-workers may use them to facilitate inter-personal interactions and collaboration from across the globe.

[0044] Despite incredible advances in such technology, HMDs may still have certain deficiencies and / or drawbacks. For example, in laser-based AR displays, all lasers may need to be contained and / or positioned within a very small area (e.g., 250-micrometers by 50-micrometer emission ellipse). In one example, such laser-based AR displays may involve placing, configuring, and / or arranging all the lasers with the anode and / or p-side up or on top. Additionally or alternatively, certain lasers (e.g., red lasers) may be placed and / or stacked atop other lasers (e.g., green and / or blue lasers) in three-dimensional (3D) and / or vertical packages. Unfortunately, such configurations and / or placements of the lasers may lead to, result in, and / or cause higher thermal resistivity and / or lower efficiency.

[0045] In some examples, the laser packages may feature and / or implement common cathodes and / or discrete anodes for the lasers. Such configurations and / or designs may involve and / or necessitate high-side drive, thereby leading to and / or causing decreased efficiency when compared to low-side drive. Moreover, to achieve similar efficiency with high-side drive architectures, the laser packages may involve and / or necessitate the use of negative voltages, which threaten and / or compromise the reliability of the laser drivers and / or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0046] Stacked, staggered, and / or vertical laser configurations and / or placements may involve and / or necessitate extra lengths in signal traces from the laser drivers to the metal contacts and / or terminals, thereby degrading and / or compromising the signal integrity. In one example, such configurations and / or designs may lead to, result in, and / or cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) crosstalk in certain lasers (e.g., red lasers) due to the cathode impedance and / or inductive coupling.

[0047] To mitigate and / or prevent the above-described deficiencies and / or drawbacks, laser and / or eyewear equipment manufacturers may essentially unfold the 3D and / or vertical packages into a two-dimensional (2D) and / or planar packages. For example, in a 2D and / or planar package, all the lasers (e.g., red, blue, and / or green lasers) may be placed, configured, and / or arranged on a common submount (e.g., a piece of silicon). In one example, the lasers may be placed, configured, and / or arranged in an L-shape within the 2D and / or planar package. In another example, the lasers may be placed, configured, and / or arranged in a T-shape within the 2D and / or planar package.

[0048] In some L-shape and / or T-shape configurations and / or placements, the redlaser emitter may be isolated and / or separated from the blue and / or green laser emitters to avoid thermal crosstalk among the colors. In one example, an L-shape configuration and / or placement may include and / or implement a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that combines, unites, and / or joins the laser beams emitted from the various lasers deployed in the 2D and / or planar package. In this example, the PBS may include and / or represent a better angle and / or wavelength tolerance than a more traditional dichroic combiner. Additionally or alternatively, the PBS may be configured to reflect certain types of light and / ortransmit other types of light depending the polarization states.

[0049] In some examples, a T-shape configuration and / or placement may include and / or implement a reflective beam combiner prism that combines, unites, and / or joins the laser beams emitted from the various lasers deployed in the 2D and / or planar package. In certain implementations, the L-shape and / or T-shape configurations and / or placements may enable the anode and / or p-side down or on bottom, thereby reducing and / or decreasing the thermal load— especially on the red laser emitters. Additionally or alternatively, the L-shape and / or T-shape configurations and / or placements may enable the lasers to be driven from the cathode and / or n-side (e.g., low side).

[0050] In some examples, 2D and / or planar packages equipped with PBSs may be dimensioned, sized, and / or fitted for a compact pupil relay system. As a result, such 2D and / or planar packages may be compatible with gap waveguides and / or surface relief grating (SRG) waveguides in AR eyewear devices. Additionally or alternatively, 2D and / or planar packages may boost input coupling efficiency for laser-driven displays by mitigating and / or eliminating pupil walk-off.

[0051] In some examples, an L-shape 2D red-green-blue (RGB) package may include and / or represent a pair of blue and green laser emitters positioned on one side of the L-shape submount and a red laser emitter on the other side of the L-shape submount. In one example, the L-shape 2D RGB package may include and / or represent a PBS positioned and / or placed at a location and / or point where the RGB laser beams converge and / or intersect with one another. In this example, the PBS may combine the RGB laser beams.

[0052] In some examples, the L-shape 2D RGB package may include and / or represent a waveguide positioned and / or placed opposite the red laser emitter relative to the PBS. Additionally or alternatively, the L-shape 2D RGB package may include and / or represent may include and / or represent a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror that tilts,rotates, shifts, vibrate, and / or otherwise moves to facilitate and / or support aiming or directing the laser beams to a specific point or position. In one example, a lens stack may be positioned and / or placed between the blue and / or green laser emitters and the PBS, and / or a lens stack may be positioned and / or placed between the red laser emitter and the PBS. In this example, such a lens stack may include and / or represent one or more waveplates, such as quarter or half waveplates, a dichroic lens or material, and / or a reflective surface. In certain implementations, one or more lens and / or waveplates, a diochroic lens or mirror, and / or a reflective surface may be positioned and / or placed between the PBS and the MEMS mirror and / or between the PBS and the waveguide.

[0053] In some examples, the blue and green laser beams may traverse from the blue and green laser emitters to the MEMS mirror via the PBS and then be reflected by the MEMS mirror back toward the PBS. In one example, upon receiving the blue and green laser beams from the MEMS mirror, the PBS may reflect the blue and green laser beams toward the red laser emitter. In this example, a mirrored surface positioned and / or placed between the PBS and the red laser emitter may reflect and / or bounce the blue and green laser beams toward the waveguide via the PBS. Accordingly, the PBS may transmit and / or pass the blue and green laser beams to the waveguide for presentation and / or display to a user.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, the red laser beam may traverse from the red laser emitter to PBS, which reflects the red laser beam toward the MEMS mirror. In one example, upon receiving the red laser beam from the PBS, the MEMS mirror may reflect and / or bounce the red laser beam back toward the PBS. In this example, the PBS may transmit and / or pass the red laser beam toward the blue and green laser emitters. In certain implementations, a mirrored surface positioned and / or placed between the PBS and the blue and green laser emitters may reflect and / or bounce the red laser beam back toward the PBS. In such implementations, the PBS may then reflect the red laser beam toward the waveguide for presentation and / or display to a user.

[0055] In some examples, a T-shape 2D RGB package may include and / or represent a reflective beam combiner prism etched and / or formed on a silicon submount. In one example, the T-shape RGB package may include and / or represent a pair of blue and green laser emitters positioned on one side of the reflective beam combiner prism and a red laser emitter on the opposite side of the red laser emitter. In one example, the reflective beam combiner prism may combine, unite, and / or join the laser beams emitted from the RGB lasers.In this example, the T-shape RGB package may also include and / or represent a PBS that receives the combined RGB laser beams from the reflective beam splitter.

[0056] In some examples, the T-shape 2D RGB package may include and / or represent a MEMS mirror positioned and / or placed opposite the RGB laser emitters relative to the PBS. In one example, a lens and / or collimator may be positioned and / or placed between the PBS and the MEMS mirror. Additionally or alternatively, the MEMS mirror may reflect and / or bounce the RGB laser beams back toward the PBS, which then reflects and / or bounces those RGB laser beams to a stationary mirror that is fixed and / or positioned on a side of the PBS adjacent to the laser emitters disposed on the submount. In certain implementations, the T-shaped 2D RGB package may include and / or represent a waveguide that is positioned and / or placed opposite the stationary mirror relative to the PBS. In such implementations, the stationary mirror may reflect and / or bounce the laser beams back toward the PBS, which then transmits and / or passes the RGB laser beams to the waveguide for presentations and / or display to a user.

[0057] In one example, one or more lenses and / or waveplates, such as quarter or half waveplates, may be positioned and / or placed between the stationary mirror and the PBS. Additionally or alternatively, one or more lenses and / or waveplates, such as quarter or half waveplates, may be positioned and / or placed between the PBS and the waveguide.

[0058] In some examples, the submount may include and / or represent through- silicon vias that electrically and / or communicatively couple the laser emitters to a driver. In one example, the T-shape 2D RGB package may include and / or represent a hermetic sealing and / or enclosure covering the laser emitters and / or a portion of the submount. Additionally or alternatively, the hermetic sealing and / or enclosure may include and / or represent a window that facilitates and / or supports the passage and / or transmission of the laser beams.

[0059] In some examples, a user may wear and / or don an eyewear device that facilitates, supports, and / or provides an artificial-reality experience. In one example, the eyewear device may include and / or represent a display device configured to display images for viewing by the user. In this example, the eyewear device may include and / or represent circuitry communicatively coupled to the display device.

[0060] In some examples, the circuitry may include and / or represent a graphics pipeline, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a display driver integrated circuit (DDIC), an image compensation component, a display device, portions of one or more of the same, and / or anyother suitable circuitry. In one example, a graphics pipeline may output an image formed by the laser beams.

[0061] In some examples, optical elements may be inserted and / or installed in the eyewear device. In other words, optical elements may be coupled to, incorporated in, and / or held by the eyewear frame. In one example, optical elements may be configured and / or arranged to provide one or more virtual features for presentation to a user wearing the eyewear frame. These virtual features may be driven, influenced, and / or controlled by the circuitry and / or one or more wireless technologies supported by eyewear device.

[0062] In some examples, the optical elements may each include and / or represent optical stacks, lenses, and / or films. In one example, the optical elements may each include and / or represent various layers that facilitate and / or support the presentation of virtual features and / or elements that overlay real-world features and / or elements. Additionally or alternatively, the optical elements may each include and / or represent one or more screens, lenses, and / or fully or partially see-through components. Examples of the optical elements include, without limitation, electrochromic layers, dimming stacks, transparent conductive layers (such as indium tin oxide films), metal meshes, antennas, transparent resin layers, lenses, films, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and / or any other suitable optical elements.

[0063] The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-8, detailed descriptions of exemplary apparatuses, devices, systems, components, and corresponding configurations for packaging compact pupil relay devices. In addition, detailed descriptions of methods for packaging compact pupil relay devices in connection with FIG. 9. The discussion corresponding to FIGS. 10-13 will provide detailed descriptions of types of exemplary artificial-reality devices, wearables, and / or associated systems capable of packaging compact pupil relay devices.

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 100 capable of packaging a compact pupil relay device. In some examples, apparatus 100 may include and / or represent a pupil relay device incorporated in an HMD and / or a pair of smart glasses. Additionally or alternatively, apparatus 100 may include and / or represent a scanning display, a raster display, retinal scan display, a virtual retinal display, and / or a retinal projector that rasterizes light into graphical imagery injected in the users' eyes.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 may include and / or represent a beamsplitter 102, light sources 104(l)-(3), and a controllable mirror 106. In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(3) may be oriented and / or configured to generate, emit, and / or produce light toward beam splitter 102 from different directions relative to one another. For example, light sources 104(1) and 104(2) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light toward a direction 126, and light source 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light toward a direction 124. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may be configured to receive light from beam splitter 102 and / or reflect light back toward beam splitter 102 for transmission to the eye of a user via a waveguide 112.

[0066] In some examples, light source 104(1) may generate, emit, and / or produce a beam of light heading toward direction 126. In one example, light source 104(2) may generate, emit, and / or produce a beam of light heading toward direction 126. Additionally or alternatively, light source 104(3) may generate, emit, and / or produce a beam of light heading toward direction 124.

[0067] In some examples, apparatus 100 may also include and / or represent various optical elements through which light is passed, manipulated, collimated, dispersed, and / or focused. For example, optical elements 110 may be positioned and / or installed between light sources 104(l)-(2) and beam splitter 102. In one example, optical elements 116 may be positioned and / or installed between light source 104(3) and beam splitter 102. Additionally or alternatively, an optical element 108 may be positioned and / or installed between controllable mirror 106 and beam splitter 102.

[0068] In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(2) may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a first side of beam splitter 102, and / or light source 104(3) may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a second side of beam splitter 102 that is adjacent and / or next to the first side. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a third side of beam splitter 102 that is opposite the first side. Additionally or alternatively, waveguide 112 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a fourth side of beam splitter 102 that is opposite the second side.

[0069] In some examples, apparatus 100 may also include and / or represent a package 114 that houses, holds, and / or encloses one or more of light sources 104(l)-(3). In certain embodiments, package 114 may constitute and / or represent an L-shaped enclosure or configuration. In one example, light sources 104(l)-(3) may be positioned and / or installedin package 114 such that the beams of light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(2) and the beam of light emitted by light source 104(3) are completely and / or substantially perpendicular to one another. In this example, beam splitter 102 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to package 114 such that beam splitter 102 receives the beams of light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(2) from direction 126 and / or the beam of light emitted by light source 104(3) from direction 124.

[0070] In some examples, the beams of light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) may include and / or represent different wavelengths relative to one another. In one example, the beam of light emitted by light source 104(1) may include and / or represent wavelengths of approximately 400 to 495 nanometers, which correspond to and / or are associated with the blue light spectrum. In this example, the beam of light emitted by light source 104(2) may include and / or represent wavelengths of approximately 495 to 570 nanometers, which correspond to and / or are associated with the green light spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, the beam of light emitted by light source 104(3) may include and / or represent wavelengths of approximately 620 to 750 nanometers, which correspond to and / or are associated with the red light spectrum.

[0071] In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(3) may all be aligned and / or collocated along a single plane and / or horizontal of package 114. Accordingly, in one example, light sources 104(l)-(3) may avoid and / or be distinguished from a configuration in which light sources are partially stacked and / or somewhat staggered along different planes or horizontals of package 114.

[0072] In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(3) may each include and / or represent any type or form of device capable of emitting, outputting, and / or producing light and / or electromagnetic radiation. In one example, light sources 104(l)-(3) may each emit, produce, and / or generate coherent light. Additionally or alternatively, light sources 104(1)- (3) may include and / or represent different colors (e.g., red, blue, green, etc.) and / or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation relative to one another in any suitable arrangement and / or order. Examples of light sources 104(l)-(3) include, without limitation, laser devices, vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) devices, coherent light devices, collimated light devices, fiber optics, waveguide-driven lasers, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and / or any other suitable light sources.

[0073] In some examples, optical elements 108, 110, and 116 may each includeand / or represent optical stacks, lenses, and / or films. In one example, optical elements 108, 110, and 116 may each include and / or represent various layers that facilitate and / or support the presentation of virtual features and / or elements that overlay real-world features and / or elements. Additionally or alternatively, optical elements 108, 110, and 116 may each include and / or represent one or more screens, lenses, and / or fully or partially see-through components. Examples of optical elements 108, 110, and 116 include, without limitation, electrochromic layers, dimming stacks, transparent conductive layers (such as indium tin oxide films), metal meshes, antennas, transparent resin layers, lenses, films, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and / or any other suitable optical elements.

[0074] In some examples, optical element 108 may include and / or represent a quarter-wave plate (QWP). In one example, optical elements 110 and 116 may include and / or represent a combination of a first QWP, a dichroic lens or mirror, and / or a second QWP. In this example, the dichroic feature may be positioned and / or installed between the first and second QWPs. Additional examples of optical elements 108, 110, and 116 include, without limitation, QWPs, half wave plates (HWPs), dichroic lenses and / or mirror, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and / or any other suitable optical elements.

[0075] In some examples, optical element 108 may include and / or represent a QWP. In one example, the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) may pass through optical element 108 a first time while heading from beam splitter 102 toward controllable mirror 106. In this example, such light may then pass through optical element 108 a second time while returning from controllable mirror 106 to beam splitter 102. In certain implementations, beam splitter 102 may include and / or represent a PBS.

[0076] In some examples, the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(2) may travel and / or traverse in direction 126 through beam splitter 102 and optical element 108 to controllable mirror 106. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may reflect the light back through optical element 108 to beam splitter 102 such that the light effectively makes two passes through optical element 108. In this example, beam splitter 102 may then alter the direction of such light down toward optical elements 116 due at least in part to the light's polarization. In certain implementations, the dichroitic feature of optical elements 116 may reflect the light back through beam splitter 102 in direction 124 toward waveguide 112, which leads to the user's eye.

[0077] In some examples, the light emitted by light sources 104(3) may traveland / or traverse in direction 124 to beam splitter 102, which then alters the direction of such light toward optical element 108 and controllable mirror 106 due at least in part to the light's polarization. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may reflect the light back through optical element 108 to beam splitter 102 such that the light effectively makes two passes through optical element 108. In this example, the light may travel and / or traverse from controllable mirror 106 through optical element 108 and beam splitter 102 to optical elements 110. In certain implementations, the dichroitic feature of optical elements 110 may reflect the light back in direction 126 to beam splitter 102, which then alters the direction of such light up toward waveguide 112 leading to the user's eye.

[0078] In some examples, the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) may combine to form a collection of light 118. For example, light 118 may constitute and / or represent one or more beams of light used to paint and / or rasterize virtual imagery for display and / or injection into the user's eye.

[0079] In some examples, apparatus 100 may also include and / or represent circuitry 120 that is communicatively and / or electrically coupled to controllable mirror 106 and / or light sources 104(l)-(3). In one example, circuitry 120 may actuate, tilt, rotate, shift, vibrate, and / or otherwise move controllable mirror 106 along one or more axes (e.g., vertically and / or horizontally). In this example, by doing so, circuitry 120 may facilitate and / or support generating graphical imagery from the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) in a scanning display. Accordingly, circuitry 120 may direct and / or cause controllable mirror 106 to facilitate and / or support painting virtual images for display and / or injection into the user's eye. Additionally or alternatively, circuitry 120 may be configured and / or programmed to activate and / or deactivate light sources 104(l)-(3).

[0080] In some examples, circuitry 120 may include and / or represent one or more electrical and / or electronic circuits capable of processing, applying, modifying, transforming, displaying, transmitting, receiving, and / or executing data and / or signals for apparatus 100 and / or an HMD. In one example, circuitry 120 may launch, perform, and / or execute certain executable files, code snippets, and / or computer-readable instructions to facilitate and / or support controlling a compact pupil device. Circuitry 120 may include and / or represent a collection of multiple processing units and / or electrical or electronic components that work and / or operate in conjunction with one another.

[0081] Examples of circuitry 120 include, without limitation, ASICs, centralprocessing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), processing devices, microprocessors, microcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), systems on chips (SoCs), parallel accelerated processors, tensor cores, integrated circuits, chiplets, optical modules, receivers, transmitters, transceivers, optical modules, memory devices, transistors, antennas, resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, switches, registers, drivers, flipflops, digital logic, connections, traces, buses, semiconductor (e.g., silicon) devices and / or structures, storage devices, video and / or audio controllers, portions of one or more of the same, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and / or any other suitable circuitry.

[0082] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 200 capable of packaging a compact pupil relay device. In some examples, apparatus 200 may include and / or involve certain components and / or features that perform and / or provide functionalities that are similar and / or identical to those described above in connection with FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, apparatus 200 may include and / or represent beam splitter 102, light sources 104(1)- (3), optical element 108, controllable mirror 106, waveguide 112, a reflective beamcombining prism 202, and / or a fixed mirror 206. In one example, some of light sources 104(1)- (3) may be oriented and / or configured to generate, emit, and / or produce light toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 from different directions relative to one another. For example, light sources 104(1) and 104(2) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in direction 126, and light source 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in a direction 226.

[0083] In some examples, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may receive light emitted by light sources 104(1) and 104(2) and light emitted by light source 104(3) from completely and / or substantially opposite directions (e.g., directions 126 and 226). Additionally or alternatively, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may redirect such light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) perpendicular to direction 126 and direction 226. In one example, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may redirect the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) to beam splitter 102. In certain implementations, beam splitter 102 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to reflective beam-combining prism 202 such that beam splitter 102 receives the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) from reflective beamcombining prism 202.

[0084] In some examples, the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) may traveland / or traverse in direction 124 from reflective beam-combining prism 202 to beam splitter 102, which then alters the direction of such light toward optical element 108 and controllable mirror 106 due at least in part to the light's polarization. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may reflect the light back through optical element 108 to beam splitter 102 such that the light effectively makes two passes through optical element 108. In this example, the light may travel and / or traverse from controllable mirror 106 through optical element 108 and beam splitter 102 to a fixed mirror 206. In certain implementations, fixed mirror 206 may reflect the light back in direction 126 to beam splitter 102, which then alters the direction of such light up toward waveguide 112 leading to the user's eye.

[0085] In some examples, apparatus 200 may also include and / or represent a package 114 that houses, holds, and / or encloses one or more of beam splitter 102, light sources 104(l)-(3), optical element 108, controllable mirror 106, waveguide 112, reflective beam-combining prism 202, and / or fixed mirror 206. In one example, such a package may constitute and / or represent a T-shaped enclosure or configuration. Additionally or alternatively, apparatus 200 may constitute and / or represent a package in which light travels and / or traverses in a T-shaped path.

[0086] In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(3) and / or reflective beamcombining prism 202 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a first side of beam splitter 102. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a second side of beam splitter 102 that is adjacent and / or next to the first side. In this example, fixed mirror 206 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a third side of beam splitter 102 that is opposite the second side. Additionally or alternatively, waveguide 112 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a fourth side of beam splitter 102 that is opposite the first side.

[0087] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 300 capable of being compactly packaged as a pupil relay device. In some examples, apparatus 300 may include and / or involve certain components and / or features that perform and / or provide functionalities that are similar and / or identical to those described above in connection with either FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, apparatus 300 may include and / or represent light sources 104(l)-(3), reflective beam-combining prism 202, and / or a transparent window 320. In one example, light sources 104(1) and 104(2) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(1) and light 318(2), respectively, toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in direction 126, and lightsource 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(3) toward reflective beamcombining prism 202 in direction 226.

[0088] In some examples, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may receive light 318(l)-(3) emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) and then redirect such light 318(l)-(3) perpendicular to direction 126 and direction 226. For example, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may redirect light 318(l)-(3) through transparent window 320 to beam splitter 102 in direction 124. Accordingly, light 318(l)-(3) may travel and / ortraverse in direction 124 from reflective beam-combining prism 202 to beam splitter 102 via transparent window 320.

[0089] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation 400 of at least a portion of a compactly packaged pupil relay device. In some examples, implementation 400 may include and / or involve certain components and / or features that perform and / or provide functionalities that are similar and / or identical to those described above in connection with any of FIGS. 1-3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, implementation 400 may include and / or represent light sources 104(l)-(3), reflective beam-combining prism 202, transparent window 320, a silicon mount 402, and / or a package 404. In one example, light sources 104(1) and 104(2) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(1) and light 318(2), respectively, toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in direction 126, and light source 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(3) toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in direction 226.

[0090] In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(3) may be disposed on and / or coupled to silicon mount 402. In one example, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may be etched and / or fabricated on or into silicon mount 402. Additionally or alternatively, package 404 may seal and / or enclose light sources 104(l)-(3). In this example, package 404 may include, incorporate, and / or form transparent window 320 through which light 328(l)-(3) passes on the way to beam splitter 102. In certain implementations, silicon mount 402 may be sealed and / or enclosed inside package 404. In other implementations, silicon mount 402 may constitute and / or represent the base, bottom, and / or foundation of package 404.

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system 500 that constitutes and / or represents at least a portion of a compactly packaged pupil relay device. In some examples, system 500 may include and / or involve certain components and / or features that perform and / or provide functionalities that are similar and / or identical to those described above in connection with any of FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated in FIG. 5, system 500 may include and / or represent light sources 104(l)-(3), optical elements 110 and 116, a PBS 502, a QWP 508,controllable mirror 106, and / or waveguide 112. In one example, light sources 104(1) and 104(2) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(1) and light 318(2), respectively, toward PBS 502 in direction 126, and light source 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(3) toward PBS 502 in direction 124.

[0092] In some examples, light 318(l)-(2) emitted by light sources 104(l)-(2), respectively, may travel and / or traverse in direction 126 through PBS 502 and QWP 508 to controllable mirror 106. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may reflect light 318(l)-(2) back through QWP 508 to PBS 502 such that light 318(l)-(2) effectively makes two passes through QWP 508. In this example, PBS 502 may then alter the direction of light 318(l)-(2) down toward optical elements 116 due at least in part to the polarization of light 318(l)-(2). In certain implementations, the dichroitic feature of optical elements 116 may reflect light 318(l)-(2) back through PBS 502 in direction 124 toward waveguide 112, which leads to the user's eye.

[0093] In some examples, light 318(3) emitted by light source 104(3) may travel and / or traverse in direction 124 to PBS 502, which then alters the direction of light 318(3) toward QWP 508 and controllable mirror 106 due at least in part to the polarization of light 318(3). In one example, controllable mirror 106 may reflect light 318(3) back through QWP 508 to PBS 502 such that light 318(3) effectively makes two passes through QWP 508. In this example, light 318(3) may travel and / or traverse from controllable mirror 106 through QWP 508 and PBS 502 to optical elements 110. In certain implementations, the dichroitic feature of optical elements 110 may reflect the light back in direction 126 to PBS 502, which then alters the direction of light 318(3) up toward waveguide 112 leading to the user's eye.

[0094] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system 600 that constitutes and / or represents at least a portion of a compactly packaged pupil relay device. In some examples, system 600 may include and / or involve certain components and / or features that perform and / or provide functionalities that are similar and / or identical to those described above in connection with any of FIGS. 1-5. As illustrated in FIG. 6, system 600 may include and / or represent PBS 502, silicon mount 402, reflective beam-combining prism 202, QWP 508, controllable mirror 106, waveguide 112, and / or fixed mirror 206. In one example, some of light sources 104(l)-(3) may be disposed on silicon mount 402 to generate, emit, and / or transmit light toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 from different directions relative to one another. For example, light sources 104(1) and 104(2) may be oriented and / or aimedto emit light toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in direction 126, and light source 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light toward reflective beam-combining prism 202 in direction 226.

[0095] In some examples, the light emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) may travel and / or traverse in direction 124 from reflective beam-combining prism 202 to controllable mirror 106 via PBS 502 and QWP 508. In one example, controllable mirror 106 may reflect the light back through QWP 508 to PBS 502 such that the light effectively makes two passes through QWP 508. In this example, the light may travel and / or traverse from controllable mirror 106 through QWP 508 to PBS 502, which then alters the direction of the light toward fixed mirror 206 due at least in part to the light's polarization. In certain implementations, fixed mirror 206 may reflect the light back in direction 126 to waveguide 112 via PBS 502.

[0096] In some examples, light sources 104(l)-(3) and / or reflective beamcombining prism 202 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a first side of PBS 502. In one example, fixed mirror 206 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a second side of PBS 502 that is adjacent and / or next to the first side. In this example, controllable mirror 106 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a third side of beam splitter 102 that is opposite the first side. Additionally or alternatively, waveguide 112 may be positioned and / or installed proximate to and / or facing a fourth side of PBS 502 that is opposite the second side.

[0097] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates an exemplary package 404 capable of being incorporated into a compact pupil relay device. In some examples, package 404 may include and / or involve certain components and / or features that perform and / or provide functionalities that are similar and / or identical to those described above in connection with any of FIGS. 1-6. As illustrated in FIG. 7, package 404 may include and / or represent light sources 104(l)-(3), reflective beam-combining prism 202, silicon mount 402, a driver 702, a hermetic seal 704, transparent window 320, vias 710 and 712, and / or a lens 714. In one example, light sources 104(l)-(2) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(1) and light 318(2), respectively, toward reflective beam-combining prism 202, and light source 104(3) may be oriented and / or aimed to emit light 318(3) toward reflective beam-combining prism 202.

[0098] In some examples, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may receive light 318(l)-(3) emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) and then redirect such light 318(l)-(3) to PBS502 via transparent window 320. Accordingly, light 318(l)-(3) may travel and / or traverse from reflective beam-combining prism 202 to PBS 502 via transparent window 320. In one example, driver 702 may be configured and / or programmed to control activating and / or deactivating light sources 104(l)-(3). In this example, driver 702 may be communicatively and / or electrically coupled to light sources 104(l)-(3) through vias 710 and 712. In certain implementations, vias 710 and 712 may be applied, configured, and / or formed through silicon mount 402.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 8, package 404 may include and / or represent light sources 104(l)-(3), reflective beam-combining prism 202, silicon mount 402, driver 702, a cap lens 820, vias 710 and 712, and / or a lens 714. In some examples, package 404 may enclose and / or surround light sources 104(l)-(3) atop silicon mount 402 via cap lens 820. In one example, reflective beam-combining prism 202 may receive light 318(l)-(3) emitted by light sources 104(l)-(3) and then redirect such light 318(l)-(3) to PBS 502 via cap lens 820. Accordingly, light 318(l)-(3) may travel and / or traverse from reflective beam-combining prism 202 to PBS 502 via cap lens 820.

[0100] In some examples, the various apparatuses, devices, and systems described in connection with FIGS. 1-8 may include and / or represent one or more additional circuits, components, and / or features that are not necessarily illustrated and / or labeled in FIGS. 1-8. For example, the apparatuses, devices, and systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 may also include and / or represent additional analog and / or digital circuitry, onboard logic, transistors, radiofrequency (RF) transmitters, RF receivers, RF transceivers, antennas, resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, switches, registers, flipflops, digital logic, connections, traces, buses, semiconductor (e.g., silicon) devices and / or structures, processing devices, storage devices, circuit boards, sensors, packages, substrates, housings, waveguides, combinations or variations of one or more of the same, and / or any other suitable components. In certain implementations, one or more of these additional circuits, components, and / or features may be inserted and / or applied between any of the existing circuits, components, and / or features illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 consistent with the aims and / or objectives described herein. Accordingly, the couplings and / or connections described with reference to FIGS. 1-8 may be direct connections with no intermediate components, devices, and / or nodes or indirect connections with one or more intermediate components, devices, and / or nodes.

[0101] In some examples, the phrase "to couple" and / or the term "coupling", asused herein, may refer to a direct connection and / or an indirect connection. For example, a direct coupling between two components may constitute and / or represent a coupling in which those two components are directly connected to each other by a single node that provides continuity from one of those two components to the other. In other words, the direct coupling may exclude and / or omit any additional components between those two components.

[0102] Additionally or alternatively, an indirect coupling between two components may constitute and / or represent a coupling in which those two components are indirectly connected to each other by multiple nodes that fail to provide continuity from one of those two components to the other. In other words, the indirect coupling may include and / or incorporate at least one additional component between those two components. In some examples, one or more components and / or features illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 may be excluded and / or omitted from the various apparatuses, devices, and / or systems described in connection with FIGS. 1-8.

[0103] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 900 for packaging compact pupil relay devices. In one example, the steps shown in FIG. 9 may be achieved and / or accomplished by a computing equipment manufacturer or subcontractor that creates and / or assembles smart eyewear devices. Additionally or alternatively, the steps shown in FIG. 9 may incorporate and / or involve various sub-steps and / or variations consistent with one or more of the descriptions provided above in connection with FIGS. 1-8.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 9, method 900 may include and / or involve the step of coupling a scanning display to an eyewear frame dimensioned to be worn by a user (910). Step 910 may be performed in a variety of ways, including any of those described above in connection with FIGS. 1-8. For example, a computing equipment manufacturer or subcontractor may couple, secure, and / or connect a scanning display to an eyewear frame dimensioned to be worn by a user. In this example, the scanning display may include and / or represent a beam splitter and / or a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another.

[0105] In some examples, method 900 may also include the step of configuring the controllable mirror to receive the light from the beam splitter and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide (920). Step 920 may be performed in a variety of ways, including any of those described above in connectionwith FIGS. 1-8. For example, the computing equipment manufacturer or subcontractor may configure the controllable mirror to receive the light from the beam splitter and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide.

[0106] E mbodiments of the present disclosure may include or be implemented in conjunction with various types of artificial-reality systems. Artificial reality is a form of reality that has been adjusted in some manner before presentation to a user, which may include, for example, a VR, an AR, a mixed reality, a hybrid reality, or some combination and / or derivative thereof. Artificial-reality content may include completely computer-generated content or computer-generated content combined with captured (e.g., real-world) content. The artificial-reality content may include video, audio, haptic feedback, or some combination thereof, any of which may be presented in a single channel or in multiple channels (such as stereo video that produces a three-dimensional (3D) effect to the viewer). Additionally, in some embodiments, artificial reality may also be associated with applications, products, accessories, services, or some combination thereof, that are used to, for example, create content in an artificial reality and / or are otherwise used in (e.g., to perform activities in) an artificial reality.

[0107] Artificial-reality systems may be implemented in a variety of different form factors and configurations. Some artificial-reality systems may be designed to work without near-eye displays (NEDs). Other artificial-reality systems may include an NED that also provides visibility into the real world (such as, e.g., AR system 1000 in FIG. 10) or that visually immerses a user in an artificial reality (such as, e.g., VR system 1100 in FIG. 11). While some artificial-reality devices may be self-contained systems, other artificial-reality devices may communicate and / or coordinate with external devices to provide an artificial-reality experience to a user. Examples of such external devices include handheld controllers, mobile devices, desktop computers, devices worn by a user, devices worn by one or more other users, and / or any other suitable external system.

[0108] Turning to FIG. 10, AR system 1000 may include an eyewear device 1002 with a frame 1010 configured to hold a left display device 1015(A) and a right display device 1015(B) in front of a user's eyes. Display devices 1015(A) and 1015(B) may act together or independently to present an image or series of images to a user. While AR system 1000 includes two displays, embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in AR systems with a single NED or more than two NEDs.

[0109] In some embodiments, AR system 1000 may include one or more sensors, such as sensor 1040. Sensor 1040 may generate measurement signals in response to motion of AR system 1000 and may be located on substantially any portion of frame 1010. Sensor 1040 may represent one or more of a variety of different sensing mechanisms, such as a position sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a depth camera assembly, a structured light emitter and / or detector, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, AR system 1000 may or may not include sensor 1040 or may include more than one sensor. In embodiments in which sensor 1040 includes an IMU, the IMU may generate calibration data based on measurement signals from sensor 1040. Examples of sensor 1040 may include, without limitation, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, other suitable types of sensors that detect motion, sensors used for error correction of the IMU, or some combination thereof.

[0110] In some examples, AR system 1000 may also include a microphone array with a plurality of acoustic transducers 1020(A)-1020(J), referred to collectively as acoustic transducers 1020. Acoustic transducers 1020 may represent transducers that detect air pressure variations induced by sound waves. Each acoustic transducer 1020 may be configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (e.g., an analog or digital format). The microphone array in FIG. 10 may include, for example, ten acoustic transducers: 1020(A) and 1020(B), which may be designed to be placed inside a corresponding ear of the user, acoustic transducers 1020(C), 1020(D), 1020(E), 1020(F), 1020(G), and 1020(H), which may be positioned at various locations on frame 1010, and / or acoustic transducers 1020(1) and 1020(J), which may be positioned on a corresponding neckband 1005.

[0111] In some embodiments, one or more of acoustic transducers 1020(A)-(J) may be used as output transducers (e.g., speakers). For example, acoustic transducers 1020(A) and / or 1020(B) may be earbuds or any other suitable type of headphone or speaker.

[0112] The configuration of acoustic transducers 1020 of the microphone array may vary. While AR system 1000 is shown in FIG. 10 as having ten acoustic transducers 1020, the number of acoustic transducers 1020 may be greater or less than ten. In some embodiments, using higher numbers of acoustic transducers 1020 may increase the amount of audio information collected and / or the sensitivity and accuracy of the audio information. In contrast, using a lower number of acoustic transducers 1020 may decrease the computingpower required by an associated controller 1050 to process the collected audio information. In addition, the position of each acoustic transducer 1020 of the microphone array may vary. For example, the position of an acoustic transducer 1020 may include a defined position on the user, a defined coordinate on frame 1010, an orientation associated with each acoustic transducer 1020, or some combination thereof.

[0113] Acoustic transducers 1020(A) and 1020(B) may be positioned on different parts of the user's ear, such as behind the pinna, behind the tragus, and / or within the auricle or fossa. Or, there may be additional acoustic transducers 1020 on or surrounding the ear in addition to acoustic transducers 1020 inside the ear canal. Having an acoustic transducer 1020 positioned next to an ear canal of a user may enable the microphone array to collect information on how sounds arrive at the ear canal. By positioning at least two of acoustic transducers 1020 on either side of a user's head (e.g., as binaural microphones), AR system 1000 may simulate binaural hearing and capture a 3D stereo sound field around about a user's head. In some embodiments, acoustic transducers 1020(A) and 1020(B) may be connected to AR system 1000 via a wired connection 1030, and in other embodiments acoustic transducers 1020(A) and 1020(B) may be connected to AR system 1000 via a wireless connection (e.g., a BLUETOOTH connection). In still other embodiments, acoustic transducers 1020(A) and 1020(B) may not be used at all in conjunction with AR system 1000.

[0114] Acoustic transducers 1020 on frame 1010 may be positioned in a variety of different ways, including along the length of the temples, across the bridge, above or below display devices 1015(A) and 1015(B), or some combination thereof. Acoustic transducers 1020 may also be oriented such that the microphone array is able to detect sounds in a wide range of directions surrounding the user wearing the AR system 1000. In some embodiments, an optimization process may be performed during manufacturing of AR system 1000 to determine relative positioning of each acoustic transducer 1020 in the microphone array.

[0115] In some examples, AR system 1000 may include or be connected to an external device (e.g., a paired device), such as neckband 1005. Neckband 1005 generally represents any type orform of paired device. Thus, the following discussion of neckband 1005 may also apply to various other paired devices, such as charging cases, smart watches, smart phones, wrist bands, other wearable devices, hand-held controllers, tablet computers, laptop computers, other external compute devices, etc.

[0116] As shown, neckband 1005 may be coupled to eyewear device 1002 via oneor more connectors. The connectors may be wired or wireless and may include electrical and / or non-electrical (e.g., structural) components. In some cases, eyewear device 1002 and neckband 1005 may operate independently without any wired or wireless connection between them. While FIG. 10 illustrates the components of eyewear device 1002 and neckband 1005 in example locations on eyewear device 1002 and neckband 1005, the components may be located elsewhere and / or distributed differently on eyewear device 1002 and / or neckband 1005. In some embodiments, the components of eyewear device 1002 and neckband 1005 may be located on one or more additional peripheral devices paired with eyewear device 1002, neckband 1005, or some combination thereof.

[0117] Pairing external devices, such as neckband 1005, with AR eyewear devices may enable the eyewear devices to achieve the form factor of a pair of glasses while still providing sufficient battery and computation power for expanded capabilities. Some or all of the battery power, computational resources, and / or additional features of AR system 1000 may be provided by a paired device or shared between a paired device and an eyewear device, thus reducing the weight, heat profile, and form factor of the eyewear device overall while still retainingdesired functionality. Forexample, neckband 1005 may allow components that would otherwise be included on an eyewear device to be included in neckband 1005 since users may tolerate a heavier weight load on their shoulders than they would tolerate on their heads. Neckband 1005 may also have a larger surface area over which to diffuse and disperse heat to the ambient environment. Thus, neckband 1005 may allow for greater battery and computation capacity than might otherwise have been possible on a stand-alone eyewear device. Since weight carried in neckband 1005 may be less invasive to a user than weight carried in eyewear device 1002, a user may tolerate wearing a lighter eyewear device and carrying or wearing the paired device for greater lengths of time than a user would tolerate wearing a heavy standalone eyewear device, thereby enabling users to more fully incorporate artificial-reality environments into their day-to-day activities.

[0118] Neckband 1005 may be communicatively coupled with eyewear device 1002 and / or to other devices. These other devices may provide certain functions (e.g., tracking, localizing, depth mapping, processing, storage, etc.) to AR system 1000. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, neckband 1005 may include two acoustic transducers (e.g., 1020(1) and 1020(J)) that are part of the microphone array (or potentially form their own microphone subarray). Neckband 1005 may also include a controller 1025 and a power source 1035.

[0119] Acoustic transducers 1020(1) and 1020(J) of neckband 1005 may be configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (analog or digital). In the embodiment of FIG. 10, acoustic transducers 1020(1) and 1020(J) may be positioned on neckband 1005, thereby increasing the distance between the neckband acoustic transducers 1020(1) and 1020(J) and other acoustic transducers 1020 positioned on eyewear device 1002. In some cases, increasing the distance between acoustic transducers 1020 of the microphone array may improve the accuracy of beamforming performed via the microphone array. For example, if a sound is detected by acoustic transducers 1020(C) and 1020(D) and the distance between acoustic transducers 1020(C) and 1020(D) is greater than, e.g., the distance between acoustic transducers 1020(D) and 1020(E), the determined source location of the detected sound may be more accurate than if the sound had been detected by acoustic transducers 1020(D) and 1020(E).

[0120] Controller 1025 of neckband 1005 may process information generated by the sensors on neckband 1005 and / or AR system 1000. For example, controller 1025 may process information from the microphone array that describes sounds detected by the microphone array. For each detected sound, controller 1025 may perform a direction-of- arrival (DOA) estimation to estimate a direction from which the detected sound arrived at the microphone array. As the microphone array detects sounds, controller 1025 may populate an audio data set with the information. In embodiments in which AR system 1000 includes an inertial measurement unit, controller 1025 may compute all inertial and spatial calculations from the IMU located on eyewear device 1002. A connector may convey information between AR system 1000 and neckband 1005 and between AR system 1000 and controller 1025. The information may be in the form of optical data, electrical data, wireless data, or any other transmittable data form. Moving the processing of information generated by AR system 1000 to neckband 1005 may reduce weight and heat in eyewear device 1002, making it more comfortable to the user.

[0121] Power source 1035 in neckband 1005 may provide power to eyewear device 1002 and / or to neckband 1005. Power source 1035 may include, without limitation, lithium ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, primary lithium batteries, alkaline batteries, or any other form of power storage. In some cases, power source 1035 may be a wired power source. Including power source 1035 on neckband 1005 instead of on eyewear device 1002 may help better distribute the weight and heat generated by power source 1035.

[0122] As noted, some artificial-reality systems may, instead of blending an artificial reality with actual reality, substantially replace one or more of a user's sensory perceptions of the real world with a virtual experience. One example of this type of system is a head-worn display system, such as VR system 1100 in FIG. 11, that mostly or completely covers a user's field of view. VR system 1100 may include a front rigid body 1102 and a band 1104 shaped to fit around a user's head. VR system 1100 may also include output audio transducers 1106(A) and 1106(B). Furthermore, while not shown in FIG. 11, front rigid body 1102 may include one or more electronic elements, including one or more electronic displays, one or more inertial measurement units (IMUs), one or more tracking emitters or detectors, and / or any other suitable device or system for creating an artificial-reality experience.

[0123] Artificial-reality systems may include a variety of types of visual feedback mechanisms. For example, display devices in AR system 1000 and / or VR system 1100 may include one or more liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode (LED) displays, microLED displays, organic LED (OLED) displays, digital light project (DLP) micro-displays, liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) micro-displays, and / or any other suitable type of display screen. These artificial-reality systems may include a single display screen for both eyes or may provide a display screen for each eye, which may allow for additional flexibility for varifocal adjustments or for correcting a user's refractive error. Some of these artificial-reality systems may also include optical subsystems having one or more lenses (e.g., concave or convex lenses, Fresnel lenses, adjustable liquid lenses, etc.) through which a user may view a display screen. These optical subsystems may serve a variety of purposes, including to collimate (e.g., make an object appear at a greater distance than its physical distance), to magnify (e.g., make an object appear larger than its actual size), and / or to relay (to, e.g., the viewer's eyes) light. These optical subsystems may be used in a non-pupil-forming architecture (such as a single lens configuration that directly collimates light but results in so-called pincushion distortion) and / or a pupil-forming architecture (such as a multi-lens configuration that produces so- called barrel distortion to nullify pincushion distortion).

[0124] In addition to or instead of using display screens, some of the artificial-reality systems described herein may include one or more projection systems. For example, display devices in AR system 1000 and / or VR system 1100 may include micro-LED projectors that project light (using, e.g., a waveguide) into display devices, such as clear combiner lenses that allow ambient light to pass through. The display devices may refract theprojected light toward a user's pupil and may enable a user to simultaneously view both artificial-reality content and the real world. The display devices may accomplish this using any of a variety of different optical components, including waveguide components (e.g., holographic, planar, diffractive, polarized, and / or reflective waveguide elements), lightmanipulation surfaces and elements (such as diffractive, reflective, and refractive elements and gratings), coupling elements, etc. Artificial-reality systems may also be configured with any other suitable type or form of image projection system, such as retinal projectors used in virtual retina displays.

[0125] The artificial-reality systems described herein may also include various types of computer vision components and subsystems. For example, AR system 1000 and / or VR system 1100 may include one or more optical sensors, such as two-dimensional (2D) or 3D cameras, structured light transmitters and detectors, time-of -flight depth sensors, singlebeam or sweeping laser rangefinders, 3D LiDAR sensors, and / or any other suitable type or form of optical sensor. An artificial-reality system may process data from one or more of these sensors to identify a location of a user, to map the real world, to provide a user with context about real-world surroundings, and / or to perform a variety of other functions.

[0126] The artificial-reality systems described herein may also include one or more input and / or output audio transducers. Output audio transducers may include voice coil speakers, ribbon speakers, electrostatic speakers, piezoelectric speakers, bone conduction transducers, cartilage conduction transducers, tragus-vibration transducers, and / or any other suitable type or form of audio transducer. Similarly, input audio transducers may include condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, ribbon microphones, and / or any other type or form of input transducer. In some embodiments, a single transducer may be used for both audio input and audio output.

[0127] In some embodiments, the artificial-reality systems described herein may also include tactile (i.e., haptic) feedback systems, which may be incorporated into headwear, gloves, body suits, handheld controllers, environmental devices (e.g., chairs, floormats, etc.), and / or any other type of device or system. Haptic feedback systems may provide various types of cutaneous feedback, including vibration, force, traction, texture, and / or temperature. Haptic feedback systems may also provide various types of kinesthetic feedback, such as motion and compliance. Haptic feedback may be implemented using motors, piezoelectric actuators, fluidic systems, and / or a variety of other types of feedbackmechanisms. Haptic feedback systems may be implemented independent of other artificial-reality devices, within other artificial-reality devices, and / or in conjunction with other artificial-reality devices.

[0128] By providing haptic sensations, audible content, and / or visual content, artificial-reality systems may create an entire virtual experience or enhance a user's real- world experience in a variety of contexts and environments. For instance, artificial-reality systems may assist or extend a user's perception, memory, or cognition within a particular environment. Some systems may enhance a user's interactions with other people in the real world or may enable more immersive interactions with other people in a virtual world. Artificial-reality systems may also be used for educational purposes (e.g., for teaching or training in schools, hospitals, government organizations, military organizations, business enterprises, etc.), entertainment purposes (e.g., for playing video games, listening to music, watching video content, etc.), and / or for accessibility purposes (e.g., as hearing aids, visual aids, etc.). The embodiments disclosed herein may enable or enhance a user's artificial-reality experience in one or more of these contexts and environments and / or in other contexts and environments.

[0129] In some embodiments, the systems described herein may also include an eye-tracking subsystem designed to identify and track various characteristics of a user's eye(s), such as the user's gaze direction. The phrase "eye tracking" may, in some examples, refer to a process by which the position, orientation, and / or motion of an eye is measured, detected, sensed, determined, and / or monitored. The disclosed systems may measure the position, orientation, and / or motion of an eye in a variety of different ways, including through the use of various optical-based eye-tracking techniques, ultrasound-based eye-tracking techniques, etc. An eye-tracking subsystem may be configured in a number of different ways and may include a variety of different eye-tracking hardware components or other computervision components. For example, an eye-tracking subsystem may include a variety of different optical sensors, such as two-dimensional (2D) or 3D cameras, time-of-flight depth sensors, single-beam or sweeping laser rangefinders, 3D LiDAR sensors, and / or any other suitable type or form of optical sensor. In this example, a processing subsystem may process data from one or more of these sensors to measure, detect, determine, and / or otherwise monitor the position, orientation, and / or motion of the user's eye(s).

[0130] FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary system 1200 that incorporates aneye-tracking subsystem capable of tracking a user's eye(s). As depicted in FIG. 12, system 1200 may include a light source 1202, an optical subsystem 1204, an eye-tracking subsystem 1206, and / or a control subsystem 1208. In some examples, light source 1202 may generate light for an image (e.g., to be presented to an eye 1201 of the viewer). Light source 1202 may represent any of a variety of suitable devices. For example, light source 1202 can include a two-dimensional projector (e.g., a LCoS display), a scanning source (e.g., a scanning laser), or other device (e.g., an LCD, an LED display, an OLED display, an active-matrix OLED display (AMOLED), a transparent OLED display (TOLED), a waveguide, or some other display capable of generating light for presenting an image to the viewer). In some examples, the image may represent a virtual image, which may refer to an optical image formed from the apparent divergence of light rays from a point in space, as opposed to an image formed from the light ray's actual divergence.

[0131] In some embodiments, optical subsystem 1204 may receive the light generated by light source 1202 and generate, based on the received light, converging light 1220 that includes the image. In some examples, optical subsystem 1204 may include any number of lenses (e.g., Fresnel lenses, convex lenses, concave lenses), apertures, filters, mirrors, prisms, and / or other optical components, possibly in combination with actuators and / or other devices. In particular, the actuators and / or other devices may translate and / or rotate one or more of the optical components to alter one or more aspects of converging light 1220. Further, various mechanical couplings may serve to maintain the relative spacing and / or the orientation of the optical components in any suitable combination.

[0132] In one embodiment, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may generate tracking information indicating a gaze angle of an eye 1201 of the viewer. In this embodiment, control subsystem 1208 may control aspects of optical subsystem 1204 (e.g., the angle of incidence of converging light 1220) based at least in part on this tracking information. Additionally, in some examples, control subsystem 1208 may store and utilize historical tracking information (e.g., a history of the tracking information over a given duration, such as the previous second or fraction thereof) to anticipate the gaze angle of eye 1201 (e.g., an angle between the visual axis and the anatomical axis of eye 1201). In some embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may detect radiation emanating from some portion of eye 1201 (e.g., the cornea, the iris, the pupil, or the like) to determine the current gaze angle of eye 1201. In other examples, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may employ a wavefront sensor to track the current location ofthe pupil.

[0133] Any number of techniques can be used to track eye 1201. Some techniques may involve illuminating eye 1201 with infrared light and measuring reflections with at least one optical sensor that is tuned to be sensitive to the infrared light. Information about how the infrared light is reflected from eye 1201 may be analyzed to determine the position(s), orientation(s), and / or motion(s) of one or more eye feature(s), such as the cornea, pupil, iris, and / or retinal blood vessels.

[0134] In some examples, the radiation captured by a sensor of eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may be digitized (i.e., converted to an electronic signal). Further, the sensor may transmit a digital representation of this electronic signal to one or more processors (for example, processors associated with a device including eye-tracking subsystem 1206). Eyetracking subsystem 1206 may include any of a variety of sensors in a variety of different configurations. For example, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may include an infrared detector that reacts to infrared radiation. The infrared detector may be a thermal detector, a photonic detector, and / or any other suitable type of detector. Thermal detectors may include detectors that react to thermal effects of the incident infrared radiation.

[0135] In some examples, one or more processors may process the digital representation generated by the sensor(s) of eye-tracking subsystem 1206 to track the movement of eye 1201. In another example, these processors may track the movements of eye 1201 by executing algorithms represented by computer-executable instructions stored on non-transitory memory. In some examples, on-chip logic (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit or ASIC) may be used to perform at least portions of such algorithms. As noted, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may be programmed to use an output of the sensor(s) to track movement of eye 1201. In some embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may analyze the digital representation generated by the sensors to extract eye rotation information from changes in reflections. In one embodiment, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may use corneal reflections or glints (also known as Purkinje images) and / orthe center of the eye's pupil 1222 as features to track over time.

[0136] In some embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may use the center of the eye's pupil 1222 and infrared or near-infrared, non-collimated light to create corneal reflections. In these embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may use the vector between the center of the eye's pupil 1222 and the corneal reflections to compute the gaze directionof eye 1201. In some embodiments, the disclosed systems may perform a calibration procedure for an individual (using, e.g., supervised or unsupervised techniques) before tracking the user's eyes. For example, the calibration procedure may include directing users to look at one or more points displayed on a display while the eye-tracking system records the values that correspond to each gaze position associated with each point.

[0137] In some embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1206 may use two types of infrared and / or near-infrared (also known as active light) eye-tracking techniques: bright- pupil and dark-pupil eye tracking, which may be differentiated based on the location of an illumination source with respect to the optical elements used. If the illumination is coaxial with the optical path, then eye 1201 may act as a retroreflector as the light reflects off the retina, thereby creating a bright pupil effect similar to a red-eye effect in photography. If the illumination source is offset from the optical path, then the eye's pupil 1222 may appear dark because the retroreflection from the retina is directed away from the sensor. In some embodiments, bright-pupil tracking may create greater iris / pupil contrast, allowing more robust eye tracking with iris pigmentation, and may feature reduced interference (e.g., interference caused by eyelashes and other obscuring features). Bright-pupil tracking may also allow tracking in lighting conditions ranging from total darkness to a very bright environment.

[0138] In some embodiments, control subsystem 1208 may control light source 1202 and / or optical subsystem 1204 to reduce optical aberrations (e.g., chromatic aberrations and / or monochromatic aberrations) of the image that may be caused by or influenced by eye 1201. In some examples, as mentioned above, control subsystem 1208 may use the tracking information from eye-tracking subsystem 1206 to perform such control. For example, in controlling light source 1202, control subsystem 1208 may alter the light generated by light source 1202 (e.g., by way of image rendering) to modify (e.g., pre-distort) the image so that the aberration of the image caused by eye 1201 is reduced.

[0139] The disclosed systems may track both the position and relative size of the pupil (since, e.g., the pupil dilates and / or contracts). In some examples, the eye-tracking devices and components (e.g., sensors and / or sources) used for detecting and / or tracking the pupil may be different (or calibrated differently) for different types of eyes. For example, the frequency range of the sensors may be different (or separately calibrated) for eyes of different colors and / or different pupil types, sizes, and / or the like. As such, the various eye-trackingcomponents (e.g., infrared sources and / or sensors) described herein may need to be calibrated for each individual user and / or eye.

[0140] The disclosed systems may track both eyes with and without ophthalmic correction, such as that provided by contact lenses worn by the user. In some embodiments, ophthalmic correction elements (e.g., adjustable lenses) may be directly incorporated into the artificial-reality systems described herein. In some examples, the color of the user's eye may necessitate modification of a corresponding eye-tracking algorithm. For example, eyetracking algorithms may need to be modified based at least in part on the differing color contrast between a brown eye and, for example, a blue eye.

[0141] FIG. 13 is a more detailed illustration of various aspects of the eye-tracking subsystem illustrated in FIG. 12. As shown in this figure, an eye-tracking subsystem 1300 may include at least one source 1304 and at least one sensor 1306. Source 1304 generally represents any type or form of element capable of emitting radiation. In one example, source 1304 may generate visible, infrared, and / or near-infrared radiation. In some examples, source 1304 may radiate non-collimated infrared and / or near-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum towards an eye 1302 of a user. Source 1304 may utilize a variety of sampling rates and speeds. For example, the disclosed systems may use sources with higher sampling rates in order to capture fixational eye movements of a user's eye 1302 and / or to correctly measure saccade dynamics of the user's eye 1302. As noted above, any type or form of eye-tracking technique may be used to track the user's eye 1302, including optical-based eye-tracking techniques, ultrasound-based eye-tracking techniques, etc.

[0142] Sensor 1306 generally represents any type or form of element capable of detecting radiation, such as radiation reflected off the user's eye 1302. Examples of sensor 1306 include, without limitation, a charge coupled device (CCD), a photodiode array, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) based sensor device, and / or the like. In one example, sensor 1306 may represent a sensor having predetermined parameters, including, but not limited to, a dynamic resolution range, linearity, and / or other characteristic selected and / or designed specifically for eye tracking.

[0143] As detailed above, eye-tracking subsystem 1300 may generate one or more glints. As detailed above, a glint 1303 may represent reflections of radiation (e.g., infrared radiation from an infrared source, such as source 1304) from the structure of the user's eye. In various embodiments, glint 1303 and / or the user's pupil may be tracked using an eye-tracking algorithm executed by a processor (either within or external to an artificial-reality device). For example, an artificial-reality device may include a processor and / or a memory device in order to perform eye tracking locally and / or a transceiver to send and receive the data necessary to perform eye tracking on an external device (e.g., a mobile phone, cloud server, or other computing device).

[0144] FIG. 13 shows an example image 1305 captured by an eye-tracking subsystem, such as eye-tracking subsystem 1300. In this example, image 1305 may include both the user's pupil 1308 and a glint 1310 near the same. In some examples, pupil 1308 and / or glint 1310 may be identified using an artificial-intelligence-based algorithm, such as a computer-vision-based algorithm. In one embodiment, image 1305 may represent a single frame in a series of frames that may be analyzed continuously in order to track the eye 1302 of the user. Further, pupil 1308 and / or glint 1310 may be tracked over a period of time to determine a user's gaze.

[0145] In one example, eye-tracking subsystem 1300 may be configured to identify and measure the inter-pupillary distance (IPD) of a user. In some embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1300 may measure and / or calculate the IPD of the user while the user is wearing the artificial-reality system. In these embodiments, eye-tracking subsystem 1300 may detect the positions of a user's eyes and may use this information to calculate the user's IPD.

[0146] As noted, the eye-tracking systems or subsystems disclosed herein may track a user's eye position and / or eye movement in a variety of ways. In one example, one or more light sources and / or optical sensors may capture an image of the user's eyes. The eyetracking subsystem may then use the captured information to determine the user's inter- pupillary distance, interocular distance, and / or a 3D position of each eye (e.g., for distortion adjustment purposes), including a magnitude of torsion and rotation (i.e., roll, pitch, and yaw) and / orgaze directions for each eye. In one example, infrared light may be emitted by the eyetracking subsystem and reflected from each eye. The reflected light may be received or detected by an optical sensor and analyzed to extract eye rotation data from changes in the infrared light reflected by each eye.

[0147] The eye-tracking subsystem may use any of a variety of different methods to track the eyes of a user. For example, a light source (e.g., infrared light-emitting diodes) may emit a dot pattern onto each eye of the user. The eye-tracking subsystem may then detect (e.g., via an optical sensor coupled to the artificial-reality system) and analyze areflection of the dot pattern from each eye of the user to identify a location of each pupil of the user. Accordingly, the eye-tracking subsystem may track up to six degrees of freedom of each eye (i.e., 3D position, roll, pitch, and yaw) and at least a subset of the tracked quantities may be combined from two eyes of a user to estimate a gaze point (i.e., a 3D location or position in a virtual scene where the user is looking) and / or an IPD.

[0148] In some cases, the distance between a user's pupil and a display may change as the user's eye moves to look in different directions. The varying distance between a pupil and a display as viewing direction changes may be referred to as "pupil swim" and may contribute to distortion perceived by the useras a result of light focusing in different locations as the distance between the pupil and the display changes. Accordingly, measuring distortion at different eye positions and pupil distances relative to displays and generating distortion corrections for different positions and distances may allow mitigation of distortion caused by pupil swim by tracking the 3D position of a user's eyes and applying a distortion correction corresponding to the 3D position of each of the user's eyes at a given point in time. Thus, knowing the 3D position of each of a user's eyes may allow for the mitigation of distortion caused by changes in the distance between the pupil of the eye and the display by applying a distortion correction for each 3D eye position. Furthermore, as noted above, knowing the position of each of the user's eyes may also enable the eye-tracking subsystem to make automated adjustments for a user's IPD.

[0149] In some embodiments, a display subsystem may include a variety of additional subsystems that may work in conjunction with the eye-tracking subsystems described herein. For example, a display subsystem may include a varifocal subsystem, a scene-rendering module, and / or a vergence-processing module. The varifocal subsystem may cause left and right display elements to vary the focal distance of the display device. In one embodiment, the varifocal subsystem may physically change the distance between a display and the optics through which it is viewed by moving the display, the optics, or both. Additionally, moving or translating two lenses relative to each other may also be used to change the focal distance of the display. Thus, the varifocal subsystem may include actuators or motors that move displays and / or optics to change the distance between them. This varifocal subsystem may be separate from or integrated into the display subsystem. The varifocal subsystem may also be integrated into or separate from its actuation subsystem and / or the eye-tracking subsystems described herein.

[0150] In one example, the display subsystem may include a vergence-processing module configured to determine a vergence depth of a user's gaze based on a gaze point and / or an estimated intersection of the gaze lines determined by the eye-tracking subsystem. Vergence may refer to the simultaneous movement or rotation of both eyes in opposite directions to maintain single binocular vision, which may be naturally and automatically performed by the human eye. Thus, a location where a user's eyes are verged is where the user is looking and is also typically the location where the user's eyes are focused. For example, the vergence-processing module may triangulate gaze lines to estimate a distance or depth from the user associated with intersection of the gaze lines. The depth associated with intersection of the gaze lines may then be used as an approximation for the accommodation distance, which may identify a distance from the user where the user's eyes are directed. Thus, the vergence distance may allow forthe determination of a location where the user's eyes should be focused and a depth from the user's eyes at which the eyes are focused, thereby providing information (such as an object or plane of focus) for rendering adjustments to the virtual scene.

[0151] The vergence-processing module may coordinate with the eye-tracking subsystems described herein to make adjustments to the display subsystem to account for a user's vergence depth. When the user is focused on something at a distance, the user's pupils may be slightly farther apart than when the user is focused on something close. The eyetracking subsystem may obtain information about the user's vergence or focus depth and may adjust the display subsystem to be closer together when the user's eyes focus or verge on something close and to be farther apart when the user's eyes focus or verge on something at a distance.

[0152] The eye-tracking information generated by the above-described eyetracking subsystems may also be used, for example, to modify various aspect of how different computer-generated images are presented. For example, a display subsystem may be configured to modify, based on information generated by an eye-tracking subsystem, at least one aspect of how the computer-generated images are presented. For instance, the computer-generated images may be modified based on the user's eye movement, such that if a user is looking up, the computer-generated images may be moved upward on the screen. Similarly, if the user is looking to the side or down, the computer-generated images may be moved to the side or downward on the screen. If the user's eyes are closed, the computer-generated innages may be paused or removed from the display and resumed once the user's eyes are back open.

[0153] The above-described eye-tracking subsystems can be incorporated into one or more of the various artificial-reality systems described herein in a variety of ways. For example, one or more of the various components of system 1200 and / or eye-tracking subsystem 1300 may be incorporated into augmented-reality system 1000 in FIG. 10 and / or virtual-reality system 1100 in FIG. 11 to enable these systems to perform various eye-tracking tasks (including one or more of the eye-tracking operations described herein).

[0154] The process parameters and sequence of the steps described and / or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and may be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and / or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various exemplary methods described and / or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

[0155] The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Reference should be made to any claims appended hereto and their equivalents in determining the scope of the present disclosure.

[0156] Uni ess otherwise noted, the terms "connected to" and "coupled to" (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and / or claims, are to be construed as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connection. In addition, the terms "a" or "an," as used in the specification and / or claims, are to be construed as meaning "at least one of." Finally, for ease of use, the terms "including" and "having" (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and / or claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word "comprising."

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: a beam splitter; a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another; and a controllable mirror configured to: receive the light from the beam splitter; and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are positioned in a package such that a first beam of light emitted by one of the light sources and a second beam of light emitted by another one of the light sources are substantially perpendicular to one another; and preferably wherein the beam splitter is positioned proximate to the package such that the beam splitter receives the first beam of light from a first direction and the second beam of light from a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an additional light source positioned in the package such that a third beam of light emitted by the additional light source and the first beam of light are substantially parallel to one another; preferably wherein the first beam of light, the second beam of light, and the third beam of light comprise different wavelengths relative to one another; and preferably wherein the plurality of light sources and the additional light source are all aligned along a single plane of the package.

4. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: one or more optical elements positioned between the one of the light sources and the beam splitter; and one or more additional optical elements positioned between the other one of the light sources and the beam splitter; preferably wherein the optical elements comprise at least one of: a quarter wave plate; a half wave plate; or a dichroic lens.

5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising circuitrycommunicatively coupled to the controllable mirror, the circuitry configured to actuate the controllable mirror along multiple axes to facilitate generating graphical imagery from the light in a scanning display.

6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an optical element positioned between the beam splitter and the controllable mirror such that the light passes through the optical element a first time while heading from the beam splitter toward the controllable mirror and then passes through the optical element a second time while returning from the controllable mirror to the beam splitter; preferably wherein the optical element comprises a quarter wave plate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are positioned in a package such that a first beam of light emitted by one of the light sources and a second beam of light emitted by another one of the light sources head in substantially opposite directions relative to one another.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a reflective beam-combining prism configured to: receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light from the substantially opposite directions; and redirect the first beam of light and the second beam of light perpendicular to the substantially opposite directions toward the beam splitter.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the beam splitter is positioned proximate to the reflective beam-combining prism such that the beam splitter receives the first beam of light and the second beam of light from the reflective beam-combining prism.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising an additional light source positioned adjacent to the one of the light sources such that a third beam of light emitted by the additional light source and the first beam of light are transmitted substantially parallel to one another toward the reflective beam-combining prism.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a silicon mount on which the plurality of light sources are disposed, wherein the reflective beam-combining prism is etched into the silicon mount.

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a package that: seals the plurality of light sources; andincludes at least one transparent window through which the plurality of light sources transmit the first beam of light and the second beam of light.

13. A system comprising: an eyewear frame dimensioned to be worn by a user and configured to provide an artificial-reality experience to the user; and a scanning display that is coupled to the eyewear frame and comprises: a beam splitter; a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another; and a controllable mirror configured to: receive the light from the beam splitter; and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of light sources are positioned in a package such that a first beam of light emitted by one of the light sources and a second beam of light emitted by another one of the light sources head in substantially opposite directions relative to one another.

15. A method comprising: coupling, to an eyewear frame dimensioned to be worn by a user, a scanning display that comprises: a beam splitter; a plurality of light sources that are oriented to emit light toward the beam splitter from different directions relative to one another; and a controllable mirror; and configuring the controllable mirror to: receive the light from the beam splitter; and reflect the light back toward the beam splitter for transmission to an eye of a user via a waveguide.

Images