# US 12,114,103 B2 · Projector with field lens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,114,103 B2 - Document ID: US12114103B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/240,034 - Filed: 2023-08-30 - Published: 2023-12-21 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-28 - Assignees: Snap Inc. - Applicants: Snap Inc. - Inventors: Robert Matthew Bates; David G. Fliszar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12114103B2 ## CPC - G02B 17/04: using prisms only - H04N 9/31: Projection devices for colour picture display {, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]} - G02B 5/04: Prisms - G02B 17/086: {wherein the system is made of a single block of optical material, e.g. solid catadioptric systems} - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G02B 27/18: for optical projection, e.g. combination of mirror and condenser and objective {(photographic, cine and overhead projectors G03B21/00; photographic projection printing G03B27/32; photolithographic projectors G03F7/20; projection television H04N5/74; colour projection television H04N9/31)} - G02C 11/10: {Electronic devices other than hearing aids} - G03B 21/10: Projectors with built-in or built-on screen - G03B 21/62: Translucent screens - G03B 33/12: using beam-splitting or beam-combining systems, e.g. dichroic mirrors - G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00) - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A projector having a curved field lens and a displaced light modulating display. The system includes at least one light source configured to generate colored light beams, and a prism routing the light beams to the display. The curved field lens is coupled to a face of the prism, and the prism and curved field lens together decenter the light beam from the prism face and uniformly illuminate the display. A center of the display is displaced from the projection lens optical axis. The decentered light beam and the displaced display together generate a favorable shifted boresight of the created image. Dimensions of components of the projector are a function of a curvature of the curved field lens. The greater the curvature of the curved field lens, the smaller the dimensions of the components and the overall projector. The projector may be used in eyewear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A projector, comprising: a light source configured to generate a light beam comprising a center axis; a modulator configured to modulate the light beam to generate an image, the modulator having a modulator center; a prism having a prism face and configured to route the light beam from the light source to the modulator; and a curved field lens configured to route the light beam from the prism face to the modulator, wherein the curved field lens is configured to decenter the light beam from the prism face and the modulator center is positioned a distance from a center axis of the curved field lens. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The projector of claim 1, wherein the curved field lens is configured to angle the center axis of the light beam from the prism face to the modulator such that the angle is not perpendicular to the prism face. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The projector of claim 2, wherein the modulator is configured to be evenly illuminated by the light beam. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The projector of claim 3, wherein the modulator center is positioned in an image plane from the curved field lens optical axis a distance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The projector of claim 1, wherein the modulator center is positioned in an image plane from the curved field lens optical axis a distance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The projector of claim 1, wherein the projector has an illumination section having a dimension that is a function of a curvature of the curved field lens. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The projector of claim 1, wherein the curved field lens has a dimension that is a function of a curvature of the curved field lens. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The projector of claim 7, wherein the curved field lens is proximate the modulator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The projector of claim 8, wherein curved field lens is configured to pass the light beam to the modulator and also from the modulator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The projector of claim 1, further comprising eyewear and wherein the modulator is coupled to eyewear. ### Claim 11 A method of use of a projector, comprising: a light source generating a light beam comprising a center axis; a modulator modulating the light beam to generate an image, the modulator having a modulator center; a prism having a prism face and routing the light beam from the light source to the modulator; and a curved field lens decentering the light beam from the prism face and the modulator center, wherein the modulator center is positioned a distance from a center axis of the curved field lens. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the curved field lens angles the center axis of the light beam from the prism face to the modulator such that the angle is not perpendicular to the prism face. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the modulator is evenly illuminated by the light beam. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the modulator center is positioned in an image plane from the curved field lens optical axis a distance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the modulator center is positioned in an image plane from the curved field lens optical axis a distance. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the projector has an illumination section having a dimension that is a function of a curvature of the curved field lens. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the curved field lens has a dimension that is a function of a curvature of the curved field lens. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the curved field lens is proximate the modulator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the curved field lens is configured to pass the light beam to the modulator and also from the modulator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the projector comprises eyewear, wherein the modulator is coupled to eyewear.