US 11,853,006 B2
Light engine
Alexander Cole, Milton Keynes (GB); Timothy Smeeton, Milton Keynes (GB); and Jamieson Christmas, Milton Keynes (GB)
Assigned to Envisics Ltd, Milton Keynes (GB)
Filed by ENVISICS LTD, Milton Keynes (GB)
Filed on Nov. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/072,275.
Claims priority of application No. 2203038 (GB), filed on Mar. 4, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0280693 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. G03H 1/22 (2006.01); G02B 27/00 (2006.01); G02B 27/01 (2006.01)
CPC G03H 1/2294 (2013.01) [G02B 27/0081 (2013.01); G02B 2027/0121 (2013.01); G03H 2001/2239 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A light engine arranged to form an image visible from a viewing window, wherein the light engine comprises:
a display device arranged to display a hologram of the image and spatially modulate light in accordance with the hologram, wherein the hologram is configured to angularly distribute spatially modulated light of the image in accordance with position of image content, such that angular channels of the spatially modulated light correspond with respective continuous regions of the image;
a hologram replicator arranged to receive the spatially modulated light and provide a plurality of different light propagation paths for the spatially modulated light from the display device to the viewing window, the hologram replicator comprising a first replicator and a second replicator; and
a control device disposed in an optical path between the first replicator and the second replicator, wherein the control device comprises an array of cells arranged such that a first viewing position within the viewing window receives a first channel of light spatially modulated by the hologram in accordance with a first region of the image and a second viewing position within the viewing window receives a second channel of light spatially modulated by the hologram in accordance with a second region of the image,
wherein the control device is angled at an acute angle relative to the second replicator and each cell of the array is switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein in each cell in the first state light is relayed to be coupled into the second replicator and in each cell in the second state light remains uncoupled into the second replicator;
wherein the first replicator is configured to replicate the light in a first dimension and the second replicator is configured to replicate the light in a second dimension, orthogonal to the first dimension.