Optical combiners for binocular disparity detection

A binocular display system, comprising:

• a left image source configured to display a left image to a user's left eye;
• a right image source configured to display a right image to the user's right eye;
• and
• an optical binocular disparity detection device, comprising:
• an optical combiner including:
• a left input configured to receive the left image,
• a right input configured to receive the right image, and
• an output grating configured to direct the left image and the right image out of the optical combiner and towards a single image sensor, the output grating being positioned on a first surface of the optical combiner, and
• an optical director positioned on a second surface of the optical combiner opposite the first surface and configured to direct each of the left image and the right image towards the output grating;
• and
• the single image sensor configured to:
• receive and sense the left image and the right image from the output grating, and
• generate data indicative of a disparity between the left image and the right image.

A method of fabricating an optical binocular disparity detection device, the method comprising:

• forming an optical combiner to include;
• a left input configured to receive a left image,
• a right input configured to receive a right image,
• an output grating configured to direct the left image and the right image out of the optical combiner and towards a single image, the output grating being positioned on a first surface of the optical combiner, and
• an output director positioned on a second surface of the optical combiner opposite the first surface and configured to direct each of the left image and the right image towards the output grating;
• and
• coupling a single image sensor to the optical combiner to receive and sense the left image and the right image from the output grating.