Near eye display device

Abstract

A near-eye display device includes a frame, a display module, an imaging module, a sensing module, and a control unit. The frame includes a main body and a light-transmitting area corresponding to the user's eye. The display module is disposed on the main body and provides an image beam. The imaging module is disposed on the light-transmitting area. The imaging module includes a waveguide element and an adjustment element. The waveguide element is located in the transmission path of the image beam. The image beam is transmitted to the user's eye via the waveguide element for imaging. The adjustment element is disposed on the waveguide element. The sensing module is disposed on the frame and is used to sense the user's eye to obtain sensing information. The control unit is electrically connected to the adjustment element and the sensing module. The control unit is used to generate adjustment information based on the sensing information and to control the diopter of the adjustment element based on the adjustment information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a near-eye display device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Near-eye displays (NEDs) and head-mounted displays (HMDs) are currently highly promising next-generation killer products. Applications of near-eye display technology can be categorized into Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. Augmented Reality is a technology that spatially visualizes various types of information from the real world. It provides users with virtual information through images, videos, 3D models, etc., enhancing their perception and interaction with the real physical world. Near-eye display devices are the core component in realizing augmented reality technology. These devices typically feature an optical combiner (such as a beam splitter, partial mirror, prism, or waveguide lens) placed in front of the user's eyes to guide the image projection beam from the display and ambient light into the user's eyes. Therefore, the user can simultaneously observe the virtual information generated by the image beam and the physical world formed by the ambient light.

[0003] However, in near-eye displays or head-mounted displays using augmented reality technology, the need for vision correction has consistently hampered the user experience. This vision problem stems from variations in the thickness of the user's lens, which affects the lens's refractive power, preventing images from forming properly on the retina. Additional components or glasses are required for vision compensation to achieve a complete viewing experience. Therefore, enabling users to use near-eye display devices without requiring additional vision compensation is one of the development goals in this field. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a near-eye display device that allows users with different levels of vision to use the near-eye display device together without the need for vision compensation through additional devices.

[0005] This invention provides a near-eye display device, including a frame, a display module, an imaging module, a sensing module, and a control unit. The frame includes a main body and a light-transmitting area corresponding to the user's eye. The display module is disposed on the main body to provide an image beam. The imaging module is disposed on the light-transmitting area. The imaging module includes a waveguide element and an adjustment element. The waveguide element is located on the transmission path of the image beam. The image beam is imaged on the waveguide element. The adjustment element is disposed on the waveguide element. The sensing module is disposed on the frame to sense the user's eye and obtain sensing information. The control unit is electrically connected to the adjustment element and the sensing module. The control unit is used to generate adjustment information based on the sensing information and to control the diopter of the adjustment element based on the adjustment information.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described adjustment element is disposed on the side of the waveguide element facing the user's eyes.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing module includes at least one light-emitting element and at least one sensing element. The at least one light-emitting element is used to provide a sensing beam to the user's eye. The at least one sensing element is used to receive the sensing beam from the user's eye to obtain sensing information.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement position of the at least one light-emitting element on the body is symmetrical with respect to the arrangement position of the at least one sensing element on the body with the light-transmitting area as the center.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned at least one light-emitting element is an infrared light-emitting element, and the sensing beam is an infrared structured beam.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described at least one sensing element generates sensing information based on the thickness information of the lens of the user's eye.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned near-eye display device further includes a touch element electrically connected to the control unit. The touch element provides a start signal to the control unit according to the user's press, and the control unit controls the sensing module to sense the user's eyes according to the start signal.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the imaging module further includes a dimming element electrically connected to the control unit, a waveguide element located between the adjustment element and the dimming element, and the control unit is also used to adjust the transmittance of the dimming element.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the imaging module further includes a first protective element disposed on the side of the waveguide element away from the user's eye.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the imaging module further includes a second protective element disposed between the waveguide element and the user's eye.

[0015] Based on the above, in the near-eye display device of the present invention, the near-eye display device includes a frame, a display module, an imaging module, a sensing module, and a control unit. The display module provides an image beam to the imaging module, and an image is formed on the waveguide element of the imaging module. When a user needs vision compensation, the sensing module senses the user's eye to obtain sensing information, the control unit generates adjustment information based on the sensing information, and controls the refractive power of the adjustment element of the imaging module using the adjustment information. In this way, users with different levels of vision can use the near-eye display device together without needing additional devices for vision compensation.

[0016] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below, and detailed descriptions are given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a near-eye display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to Figure 1. This embodiment provides a near-eye display device 100, such as a wearable display with the appearance of eyeglasses. The near-eye display device 100 includes a frame 110, a display module 120, an imaging module 130, a sensing module 140, and a control unit 150. The display module 120 is used to provide a display beam to the imaging module 130 for imaging, so that when the user wears the near-eye display device 100, a virtual image can be observed by the imaging module 130, and augmented reality (AR) can be achieved by combining it with real objects in the environment.

[0019] The frame 110 includes a body 112 and a light-transmitting area 114 corresponding to the user's eye E. The frame 110 is, for example, an eyeglass frame. The display module 120 is disposed on the body 112 of the frame 110 to provide an image beam L1. The display module 120 includes, for example, a light-emitting element (e.g., a light-emitting diode, laser diode, or other types of light-emitting element), an image generating element (e.g., a light valve or display panel), and a lens element for providing the image beam L1. The present invention does not limit the type and structure of the display module 120.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the imaging module of the near-eye display device of Figure 1. Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The imaging module 130 is disposed in the light-transmitting area 114 of the frame 110. The imaging module 130 includes a waveguide element 132 and an adjustment element 134. The waveguide element 132 is located on the transmission path of the image beam L1, and the image beam L1 is imaged on the waveguide element 132. The adjustment element 134 is disposed on the waveguide element 132 and is used to switch to change the refractive power, thereby adjusting the refractive index of the ambient light transmitted through the imaging module 130. In this way, users with different visual acuity can use the near-eye display device 100 together without the need for additional vision compensation. In this embodiment, the adjustment element 134 can be positioned on the side of the waveguide element 132 facing the user's eye E, that is, between the waveguide element 132 and the user's eye E. The refractive index of the imaging light from the image beam L1 in the waveguide element 132 can be further adjusted by the adjustment element 134, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] In this embodiment, the imaging module 130 further includes a dimming element 136 electrically connected to the control unit 150, and a waveguide element 132 located between the adjustment element 134 and the dimming element 136. The control unit 150 is also used to adjust the transmittance of the dimming element 136. For example, the dimming element 136 is a photochromic film or an electrochromic film. A photochromic film is, for example, a material in a lens that changes the transmittance of the lens in response to the intensity of light illuminating the lens, and an electrochromic film is, for example, a material that changes the transmittance of the lens in response to the voltage applied to the electrodes of the lens, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this way, the light intensity of the ambient light can be further adjusted, improving the optical quality of the near-eye display device 100.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the imaging module 130 also includes a first protective element 1381 and a second protective element 1382. The first protective element 1381 is disposed on the side of the waveguide element 132 away from the user's eye E, while the second protective element 1382 is disposed between the waveguide element 132 and the user's eye E. The first protective element 1381 and the second protective element 1382 are, for example, glass or plastic light-transmitting elements, used to protect the internal structural layers of the imaging module 130, such as the waveguide element 132, the adjustment element 134, and the dimming element 136. The first protective element 1381 and the second protective element 1382 can be configured according to different products, meaning only one of them can be provided. In addition, the outer surface type of the first protective element 1381 and the second protective element 1382 can also be selected according to different products, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0023] Figure 3 is a front view of the near-eye display device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a side view of part of the near-eye display device of Figure 3. Please refer to Figures 3 and 4. The sensing module 140 is disposed in the frame 110 to sense the user's eye E to obtain sensing information. In this embodiment, the sensing module 140 includes at least one light-emitting element 142 and at least one sensing element 144. In this embodiment, there are two light-emitting elements 142 and two sensing elements 144, that is, two sets of light-emitting elements 142 and sensing elements 144 are respectively disposed around two different light-transmitting areas 114. For example, the light-emitting element 142 can be disposed on the top side A1 of the body 112 corresponding to the two light-transmitting areas 114, and the sensing element 144 can be disposed on the bottom side A2 of the body 112 corresponding to the two light-transmitting areas 114, as shown in Figure 3. In other words, the arrangement of the light-emitting element 142 on the body 112 and the arrangement of the sensing element 144 on the body 112 are symmetrical about the light-transmitting area 114. Therefore, the near-eye display device 100 can have good sensing quality without obstructing the user's field of vision.

[0024] The light-emitting element 142 provides a sensing beam L21 to the user's eye E2. For example, the light-emitting element 142 is an infrared light-emitting element, and the sensing beam L21 is an infrared structured beam. The sensing element 144 receives the sensing beam L22 from the user's eye E to obtain sensing information. Specifically, the sensing element 144 generates sensing information based on the lens thickness information of the user's eye E. Therefore, the sensing module 140 can sense different users to obtain sensing information containing information about the user's visual acuity.

[0025] Figure 5 is a frontal view of a near-eye display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to Figure 5. The near-eye display device 100A of this embodiment is similar to the near-eye display device 100 shown in Figure 3. The only difference is that, in this embodiment, the light-emitting element 142 is modified to be disposed on the outer side A3 of the body 112 corresponding to the two light-transmitting areas 114, while the sensing element 144 is disposed on the inner side A4 of the body 112 corresponding to the two light-transmitting areas 114. Under this configuration, the placement positions of the light-emitting element 142 and the sensing element 144 on the body 112 are still symmetrical about the light-transmitting area 114. Therefore, the near-eye display device 100A can have good sensing quality without obstructing the user's field of vision.

[0026] The control unit 150 is electrically connected to the adjustment element 134 and the sensing module 140. The control unit 150 generates adjustment information based on the sensing information generated by the sensing module 140, and controls the diopter of the adjustment element 134 based on the adjustment information. The control unit 150 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or other similar devices or combinations thereof, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, when a user experiences unclear vision of the ambient light, vision compensation can be activated. The sensing module 140 senses the user's eye E to obtain sensing information, and the control unit 150 generates adjustment information based on the sensing information and adjusts the diopter of the adjustment element 134 based on the adjustment information. In this way, users with different levels of vision can use the near-eye display device 100 together without the need for additional vision compensation devices.

[0027] In this embodiment, the near-eye display device 100 further includes a touch element 160 electrically connected to the control unit 150. The touch element 160 is, for example, a physical button, so that when the user has difficulty seeing the ambient light, they can press the touch element 160 to activate vision compensation. Specifically, during vision compensation, the touch element 160 provides an activation signal to the control unit 150 based on the user's press. The control unit 150 controls the sensing module 140 to sense the user's eye E based on the activation signal. Therefore, when different users use the same near-eye display device 100, different users can easily use the touch element 160 to trigger vision compensation sensing after wearing the near-eye display device 100, thereby quickly switching to near-eye display devices 100 with different refractive degrees to achieve the effect of automatic adjustment of refractive power. However, the present invention does not limit the type, triggering mechanism, or actual configuration position of the touch element 160.

[0028] In summary, in the near-eye display device of the present invention, the near-eye display device includes a frame, a display module, an imaging module, a sensing module, and a control unit. The display module provides an image beam to the imaging module, and an image is formed on the waveguide element of the imaging module. When a user needs vision compensation, the sensing module senses the user's eye to obtain sensing information, the control unit generates adjustment information based on the sensing information, and controls the refractive power of the adjustment element of the imaging module using the adjustment information. In this way, users with different levels of vision can use the near-eye display device together without needing additional devices for vision compensation.

[0029] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a near-eye display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging module of the near-eye display device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view of the near-eye display device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a side view of a portion of the near-eye display device of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a front view of a near-eye display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A near-eye display device, comprising: The frame includes the main body and the light-transmitting area corresponding to the user's eyes; A display module, configured on the main body, is used to provide an image beam; An imaging module, disposed in the light-transmitting area, includes: a waveguide element located on the transmission path of the image beam, the image beam being imaged on the waveguide element; an adjustment element disposed on the waveguide element; a sensing module disposed in the frame for sensing the user's eye to obtain sensing information; a control unit electrically connected to the adjustment element and the sensing module, the control unit for generating adjustment information based on the sensing information and controlling the diopter of the adjustment element based on the adjustment information; and a touch element electrically connected to the control unit, the touch element providing a start signal to the control unit upon user pressing, the control unit controlling the sensing module to sense the user's eye based on the start signal, the sensing information including user visual acuity information, wherein the sensing module includes at least one light-emitting element and at least one sensing element, the at least one light-emitting element for providing a sensing beam to the user's eye, the at least one sensing element for receiving the sensing beam from the user's eye to obtain the sensing information, wherein the at least one sensing element generates the sensing information based on the lens thickness information of the user's eye.

2. The near-eye display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment element is disposed on the side of the waveguide element facing the user's eye.

3. The near-eye display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is symmetrical about the arrangement position of the at least one sensing element in the body with respect to the light-transmitting area.

4. The near-eye display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is an infrared light-emitting element, and the sensing beam is an infrared structured beam.

5. The near-eye display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging module further includes a dimming element electrically connected to the control unit, the waveguide element being located between the adjustment element and the dimming element, and the control unit being further configured to adjust the transmittance of the dimming element.

6. The near-eye display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging module further includes a first protective element disposed on the side of the waveguide element away from the user's eye.

7. The near-eye display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging module further includes a second protective element disposed between the waveguide element and the user's eye.

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