公开(公告)号：US20200271935A1

公开(公告)日：2020-08-27

申请号：US16742467

申请日：2020-01-14

Applicant: North Inc.

Inventor： Arnett Weber ,  Darren Ihmels

IPC: G02B27/01 ,  G02B27/09 ,  G02B27/32

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for aligning a diffractive element in a wearable heads-up display (“WHUD”) are described. A WHUD that includes a projector, a transparent combiner, a WHUD frame, and a diffractive optical element (DOE) embedded in the transparent combiner, requires alignment between the DOE and the eye of the user and/or the projector. A WHUD includes a DOE aligned with an eye of a user when the WHUD is worn on the head of the user. A method of aligning a DOE in a WHUD with an eye of a user when the WHUD is worn on a head of a user includes aligning a first part of the WHUD frame with a first part of the face of the user, and aligning the DOE with a second part of the WHUD frame.

公开(公告)号：US20200225481A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-16

申请号：US16738074

申请日：2020-01-09

Applicant: North Inc.

Inventor： Timothy Paul Bodiya ,  Shreyas Potnis ,  Stuart James Myron Nicholson ,  Bergen Fletcher

IPC: G02B27/01 ,  H04N9/31 ,  G09G5/10 ,  G02B27/00

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a wearable heads-up display (WHUD). The WHUD may include a light source, a spatial modulator, and a display optic. The method may include generating, by the light source, an output light to form an image viewable by a user of the WHUD. The method may also include receiving a position of a pupil of the user relative to an eyebox of the WHUD, and obtaining an image correction map based on the position of the pupil. Moreover, the method may include adjusting the output light to form an adjusted output light. The adjusted output light may be adjusted based on the image correction map to reduce at least one of an intensity non-uniformity and a color balance non-uniformity of the image. The method may also include directing, by the display optic, the adjusted output light into a field of view of the user.

公开(公告)号：US20200225480A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-16

申请号：US16738056

申请日：2020-01-09

Applicant: North Inc.

Inventor： Timothy Paul Bodiya ,  Shreyas Potnis

IPC: G02B27/01 ,  G02B27/09 ,  F21V8/00

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a wearable heads-up display, which display includes a light source, a light guide, and an incoupler carried by the light guide. The method includes emitting first and second beams having first and second wavelengths respectively, directing the first and second beams towards the incoupler, and directing, by the incoupler, at least a portion of the first and second beams into the light guide. Moreover the method includes internally reflecting, by the light guide, the portions of the first and second beams to form first and second reflected beams respectively. The first and second beams respectively may have first and second incoupling losses. Furthermore, the method includes adjusting a beam characteristic of at least one of the first and second beams to control a difference between their respective incoupling losses.

公开(公告)号：US10691180B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-23

申请号：US16226213

申请日：2018-12-19

Applicant: NORTH INC.

Inventor： Jaehong Choi ,  Marie Stipancik ,  Jennifer Anne Pretti ,  Jason T. Griffin

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0338 ,  H03K17/965 ,  H04W4/20 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G05G9/047

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body defining an aperture therethrough, sized and shaped to receive a digit of a user. The wearable electronic device may include a processor housed in the body and an input device at least partially extending from an outer surface of the body to receive input from another digit of the user. The input device has an actuating surface that is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuating surface between the first position and second position provides an input to the processor. The wearable electronic device includes a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to send electronic transmissions to an external electronic device, the electronic transmissions corresponding to the inputs received from the user, and a power source for providing power to the processor, the input device, and the transmitter.

公开(公告)号：US10678391B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-09

申请号：US16226319

申请日：2018-12-19

Applicant: NORTH INC.

Inventor： Jason T. Griffin

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G04G17/08 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/041 ,  H04W4/20 ,  H03K17/96 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/01 ,  H05K5/00 ,  H05K7/14

Abstract: A wearable electronic device is provided herein. The wearable electronic device includes a body defining an aperture therethrough. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive a finger of a user. The wearable electronic device further includes a computer processor and an input device at least partially extending from an inner surface of the body. The input device is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the input device between the first position and second position provides an input to the processor. The electronic wearable device also includes a transmitter coupled to the computer processor and configured to send electronic transmissions to an external electronic device. The electronic transmissions correspond to the input. The electronic wearable device also includes a power source for providing power to the computer processor, the input device and the transmitter.

公开(公告)号：US20200175768A1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-04

申请号：US16700255

申请日：2019-12-02

Applicant: NORTH INC.

Inventor： Stephen Lake ,  Samuel Legge ,  Lee Payne ,  Lahiru Maramba Kodippilige ,  Eric A. Patterson

IPC: G06T19/00 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G02B27/01 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06F3/0481

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods relate to generation of augmented images using virtual content that is part of an augmented reality presentation and images of a scene captured via an image sensor. A wearable heads-up display (WHUD) may present an augmented reality presentation with virtual content projected into a field of view of a scene, while an image sensor captures images of the scene. The image sensor may be part of the WHUD or part of a separate device, for instance part of a smartphone. A wearer may view a scene via the WHUD and capture an image of all or a portion of the scene, for instance via a camera of either the WHUD or a separate device. An application monitors the virtual content and can generate an augmented image, which can be transmitted/printed, replicating the augmented reality experience and/or adding customized messages to the resulting augmented image.

公开(公告)号：US20200170504A1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-04

申请号：US16699263

申请日：2019-11-29

Applicant: NORTH INC.

Inventor： Douglas Raymond Dykaar

IPC: A61B3/113 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G02B27/01

Abstract: An apparatus to illuminate a target includes a lens having a lens side to be positioned in opposing relation to the target. The apparatus includes a lightguide that circumscribes at least a portion of the periphery of the lens. The lightguide has an input end to receive light and a length along which the receive light propagates. The apparatus includes outcoupling elements that are spaced out along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements couple light out of the lightguide at respective positions along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements are oriented to direct the outcoupled light towards the target when the lens side is positioned in opposing relation to the target. An eye tracking apparatus including the illumination apparatus and a method of eye tracking are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US10672310B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-02

申请号：US16245753

申请日：2019-01-11

Applicant: North Inc.

Inventor： Patrick Gerard McGlew ,  Nicolas Abele ,  Alexandre Fotinos

IPC: G09G3/00 ,  G02B26/10 ,  G02B26/08 ,  G02B27/01 ,  H04N9/31

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods to provide a display including a projection system and a lens including a holographic optical element to receive light and reflect the light to an exit pupil. The projection system is adapted to move the image projected onto the lens based on a location of the HOE within the lens.

公开(公告)号：US10649215B2

公开(公告)日：2020-05-12

申请号：US16171206

申请日：2018-10-25

Applicant: NORTH INC.

Inventor： Douglas R. Dykaar

IPC: H01S5/40 ,  G02B27/01 ,  H04N9/31 ,  H01S5/042 ,  H01S5/022 ,  G02B26/10 ,  G02B27/09 ,  G02B27/30 ,  H01S5/42

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. The optical engines include an optical director element that includes a curved reflective surface (e.g., parabolic cylinder) that redirects laser light beams and collimates the same along the fast axes thereof. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

公开(公告)号：US10606072B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-31

申请号：US16258088

申请日：2019-01-25

Applicant: NORTH INC.

Inventor： Idris S. Aleem ,  Mélodie Vidal ,  Jake Chapeskie

IPC: G01J5/02 ,  G02B27/00 ,  G02B27/01 ,  G02B5/32 ,  G02B26/10 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06K9/00

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for laser eye tracking are described. Laser eye tracking involves scanning laser light over the eye and detecting diffuse reflections of the laser light with one or more photodetector(s). While conventional camera-based eye tracking techniques rely on detecting and identifying specific reflections (i.e., Purkinje images such as the “glint”), the laser eye tracking techniques described herein detect and identify a reduction in reflection intensity due to transmission of laser light through the pupil and/or increased diffusivity of reflections from the cornea relative to reflections from the sclera. This effect is referred to herein as the “corneal shadow” effect. Laser eye tracking uses considerably less power than conventional camera-based eye tracking techniques. As a result, the laser eye tracking techniques described herein do not add significant power demands to a system and can be implemented in wearable heads-up displays without adding significant volume to the system battery.