# US 12,181,671 B2 · Systems, devices, and methods for inputting light from a scanning projector into a waveguide > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,671 B2 - Document ID: US12181671B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/217,673 - Filed: 2021-03-30 - Published: 2022-08-25 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-01 - Assignees: Google Inc. - Applicants: Google LLC - Inventors: Daniel Adema; Timothy Paul Bodiya - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181671B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G02B 6/0031: {Reflecting element, sheet or layer} - G02B 26/0833: {the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD (G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B)} - G02B 26/101: {with both horizontal and vertical deflecting means, e.g. raster or XY scanners (colour television using laser beams scanning a display screen H04N9/3129)} - G02B 26/105: {with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors (G02B26/101 takes precedence)} - G02B 27/0176: {characterised by mechanical features} - G02B 2027/0154: {with movable elements} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Systems and methods for incoupling light into a waveguide. A system includes a transfer optic and an optical scanner being configured to receive light from an optical engine. The optical scanner includes a first scan mirror positioned close to the transfer optic. The system further includes a waveguide with an incoupler positioned close to the transfer optic, which is configured to direct the light from the optical engine to the first scan mirror and to transmit light reflected from the first scan mirror to one of a second scan mirror or the incoupler of the waveguide. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a transfer optic; an optical scanner comprising a first scan mirror disposed proximate to the transfer optic and to receive light from an optical engine; and a waveguide comprising an incoupler disposed proximate to the transfer optic, wherein the transfer optic is configured to direct the light from the optical engine to the first scan mirror and to transmit light reflected from the first scan mirror to a second scan mirror, and to transmit light reflected from the second scan mirror to the incoupler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first scan mirror is articulated by a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) to reflect light received from the transfer optic over a range of angles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having at least one mirror coated surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having at least one surface angled relative to a path of the light from the optical engine to achieve total internal reflection (TIR) of the light received from the optical engine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second scan mirror is articulated by a MEMS to reflect the received light towards the incoupler over a range of angles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having a higher index of refraction than air. ### Claim 7 A method comprising: receiving light from an optical engine at a transfer optic disposed proximate to a first scan mirror; reflecting the light from a surface of the transfer optic at least once; subsequent to reflecting the light from the surface of the transfer optic, transmitting the reflected light to the first scan mirror; and reflecting the transmitted reflected light from the first scan mirror to one of a second scan mirror; and subsequent to reflecting the transmitted reflected light, transmitting light received from the second scan mirror to an incoupler of a waveguide. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the first scan mirror is articulated by a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) to reflect light transmitted from the transfer optic over a range of angles. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having at least one reflective surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having at least one surface angled relative to a path of the light from the optical engine to achieve total internal reflection (TIR) of the light received from the optical engine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the second scan mirror is disposed proximate to the transfer optic and positioned to receive light transmitted from the first scan mirror through the transfer optic. ### Claim 12 A wearable heads-up display (WHUD) comprising: an optical engine; a waveguide having an incoupler; a transfer optic disposed in an optical path of light provided from the optical engine to the incoupler; a first scan mirror disposed in the optical path and proximate to a first surface of the transfer optic; and a second scan mirror disposed in the optical path and proximate to a second surface of the transfer optic, and wherein the transfer optic is configured to direct the light from the optical engine to the first scan mirror and to transmit light received from the first scan mirror to the second scan mirror, and to transmit light received from the second scan mirror to the incoupler. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The WHUD of claim 12, wherein the first scan mirror is articulated by a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) to reflect light received from the transfer optic over a range of angles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The WHUD of claim 12, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having at least one reflective surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The WHUD of claim 12, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having at least one surface angled relative to a path of the light from the optical engine to achieve total internal reflection (TIR) of the light received from the optical engine. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The WHUD of claim 12, wherein the second scan mirror is articulated by a MEMS to reflect the received light towards the incoupler over a range of angles. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The WHUD of claim 12, wherein the transfer optic is a prism having a higher index of refraction than air. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The WHUD of claim 12, wherein the second scan mirror is configured to scan the light received from the transfer optic over a range of angles different from a range of angles over which the first scan mirror is configured to scan the light.