US 12,216,380 B2
Gradient-index liquid crystal lens having a plurality of independently-operable driving zones
Eric Stratton, Redmond, WA (US); and Amit Bhowmick, Kent, OH (US)
Assigned to Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed by Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/188,923.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/407,455, filed on Sep. 16, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0094594 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. G02F 1/29 (2006.01); G02B 27/01 (2006.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01); G09G 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC G02F 1/294 (2021.01) [G02B 27/0172 (2013.01); G02B 27/0179 (2013.01); G06F 3/013 (2013.01); G09G 3/003 (2013.01); G02B 2027/0123 (2013.01); G02B 2027/0178 (2013.01); G02B 2027/0187 (2013.01); G09G 2354/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lens system comprising:
a lens comprising;
a liquid crystal layer;
a driving electrode array disposed on a first side of the liquid crystal layer, the driving electrode array comprising a plurality of driving zones, wherein:
the plurality of driving zones each comprise a plurality of driving electrodes consecutively arranged along a radial direction extending from a central region of the lens, and
adjacent driving electrodes in a driving zone of the plurality of driving zones are coupled to each other by a resistor;
a floating electrode array overlapping the driving electrode array, wherein the floating electrode array is disposed between the driving electrode array and the liquid crystal layer and is separated from the driving electrode array by a dielectric layer; and
at least one common electrode disposed on a second side of the liquid crystal layer opposite the driving electrode array; and
a controller that is configured to independently operate each of the plurality of driving zones via a separate plurality of bus lines coupled to each of the plurality of driving zones.