Waveguide display lenses and augmented reality glasses

Abstract

A waveguide display lens comprises a lens body, wherein the lens body is provided with an in-coupling region, an out-coupling region, a left turning region and a right turning region, wherein the in-coupling region, the out-coupling region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all provided with nanostructures for diffracting light, wherein the in-coupling region and the out-coupling region are arranged between the left turning region and the right turning region, wherein the in-coupling region is used to receive image light, wherein the image light is symmetrically diffracted by the nanostructure to form left diffracted light and right diffracted light, wherein the left diffracted light is diffracted through the left turning region and enters the out-coupling region, wherein the right diffracted light is diffracted through the right turning region and enters the out-coupling region, and the left diffracted light and the right diffracted light are emitted from the out-coupling region. The waveguide display lens of the present invention has symmetrical diffraction characteristics, and can realize the superposition of left and right fields of view, expand the field of view, and eliminate the imbalance of diffraction efficiency. The present invention also relates to augmented reality glasses.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of augmented reality display technology, and in particular to a waveguide display lens and augmented reality glasses. Background Art

[0002] Augmented reality (AR) technology is a new technology that "seamlessly" integrates real-world information and virtual-world information. It not only displays real-world information, but also displays virtual information at the same time. The two types of information complement and overlap each other. In visual augmented reality, users use helmet displays to overlap the real world with computer graphics, so that they can see the real world around it. Currently, most mainstream near-eye augmented reality display devices use the principle of optical waveguides. In order to expand the field of view, it is expanded horizontally or vertically. However, this expansion method will cause uneven multi-color diffraction efficiency and produce obvious color difference. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a waveguide display lens with symmetrical diffraction characteristics, which can realize the superposition of left and right fields of view, expand the field of view, and eliminate the imbalance of diffraction efficiency.

[0004] A waveguide display lens comprises a lens body, wherein a coupling-in region, a coupling-out region, a left turning region and a right turning region are arranged on the lens body, wherein the coupling-in region, the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all provided with nanostructures for diffracting light, wherein the coupling-in region and the coupling-out region are arranged between the left turning region and the right turning region, wherein the coupling-in region is used for receiving image light, wherein the image light is symmetrically diffracted by the nanostructure to form left diffracted light and right diffracted light, wherein the left diffracted light is diffracted through the left turning region and enters the coupling-out region, wherein the right diffracted light is diffracted through the right turning region and enters the coupling-out region, and the left diffracted light and the right diffracted light are emitted from the coupling-out region.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned left turning region includes a first left turning region and a second left turning region, the first left turning region and the second left turning region are spaced apart, the first left turning region is arranged on one side of the coupling-in region, and the second left turning region is arranged on one side of the coupling-out region; the right turning region includes a first right turning region and a second right turning region, the first right turning region and the second right turning region are spaced apart, the first right turning region is arranged on the other side of the coupling-in region, and the second right turning region is arranged on the other side of the coupling-out region.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the nanostructure is a tilted grating, a rectangular grating, a blazed grating, or a volume grating.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the grating orientation of the coupling region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the first left turning region; the grating orientation of the coupling region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the first right turning region;

[0008] The grating orientation of the first left turning region forms an angle of 90° with the grating orientation of the second left turning region; the grating orientation of the first right turning region forms an angle of 90° with the grating orientation of the second right turning region;

[0009] The grating orientation of the second left turning region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the outcoupling region; the grating orientation of the second right turning region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the outcoupling region.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gratings in the coupling-in region, the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all one-dimensional gratings.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the second left turning region is greater than or equal to the width of the first left turning region; the width of the second right turning region is greater than or equal to the width of the first right turning region;

[0012] The width of the outcoupling region is greater than or equal to the length of the second left turning region; the width of the outcoupling region is greater than or equal to the length of the second right turning region.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling-in region is circular, and the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all rectangular.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lens body has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the coupling-in region, the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are located on the first surface or the second surface.

[0015] The present invention also provides an augmented reality glasses, comprising the above-mentioned waveguide display lens.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned augmented reality glasses also include a frame and a supporting leg, one end of the supporting leg is connected to the frame, two waveguide display lenses are arranged on the frame, and a micro-projection system is arranged on the supporting leg.

[0017] The waveguide display lens of the present invention has symmetrical diffraction characteristics, can realize the superposition of left and right fields of view, expand the field of view, and eliminate the imbalance of diffraction efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the waveguide display lens of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of light transmission of the waveguide display lens of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the field of view expansion of the waveguide display lens of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 The diffraction efficiency diagram of the lens is displayed for blue light that meets the diffraction waveguide.

[0022] Figure 5 The diffraction efficiency diagram of the lens is shown for green light that meets the diffraction waveguide.

[0023] Figure 6 The diffraction efficiency diagram of the lens is displayed for red light that meets the diffraction waveguide.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of the augmented reality glasses of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] First embodiment

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the waveguide display lens structure of the present invention, Figure 2 Schematic diagram of light transmission of the waveguide display lens of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the waveguide display lens includes a lens body 10, on which a coupling-in region 11, a coupling-out region 12, a left turning region 13 and a right turning region 14 are provided, and nanostructures 15 for diffracting light are provided in the coupling-in region 11, the coupling-out region 12, the left turning region 13 and the right turning region 14. The coupling-in region 11 and the coupling-out region 12 are arranged between the left turning region 13 and the right turning region 14. The coupling-in region 11 is used to receive image light, and the image light is symmetrically diffracted by the nanostructure 15 to form left diffracted light and right diffracted light. The left diffracted light is diffracted into the coupling-out region 12 through the left turning region 13, and the right diffracted light is diffracted into the coupling-out region 12 through the right turning region 14, and the left diffracted light and the right diffracted light are emitted from the coupling-out region 12.

[0028] Further, the left turning region 13 includes a first left turning region 131 and a second left turning region 132, the first left turning region 131 and the second left turning region 132 are arranged at intervals, the first left turning region 131 is arranged on one side of the coupling-in region 11, and the second left turning region 132 is arranged on one side of the coupling-out region 12; the right turning region 14 includes a first right turning region 141 and a second right turning region 142, the first right turning region 141 and the second right turning region 142 are arranged at intervals, the first right turning region 141 is arranged on the other side of the coupling-in region 11, and the second right turning region 142 is arranged on the other side of the coupling-out region 12. In the present embodiment, the first left turning region 131 and the first right turning region 141 are arranged symmetrically, and the coupling-in region 11 is located between the first left turning region 131 and the first right turning region 141; the second left turning region 132 and the second right turning region 142 are arranged symmetrically, and the coupling-out region 12 is located between the second left turning region 132 and the second right turning region 142. The nanostructure 15 in the coupling-in region 11 is defined as a first nanostructure 151; the nanostructure 15 in the coupling-out region 12 is defined as a second nanostructure 152; the nanostructure 15 in the first left turning region 131 is defined as a third nanostructure 153; the nanostructure 15 in the second left turning region 132 is defined as a fourth nanostructure 153; the nanostructure 15 in the first right turning region 141 is defined as a fifth nanostructure 155; and the nanostructure 15 in the second right turning region 142 is defined as a sixth nanostructure 156. Figure 2 As shown, when the image light is incident on the coupling-in region 11, the image light is symmetrically diffracted by the nanostructure 15 to form left diffracted light and right diffracted light, that is, the first nanostructure 151 is symmetrically diffracted to form left diffracted light and right diffracted light, wherein:

[0029] The left diffracted light is totally reflected in the lens body 10 to the first left turning area 131, realizing the lateral field of view expansion. The nanostructure 15 in the first left turning area 131 changes the propagation direction of the light, that is, the third nanostructure 153 changes the propagation direction of the light, so that the diffracted light is totally reflected to the second left turning area 132, realizing the longitudinal field of view expansion. The nanostructure 15 in the second left turning area 132 changes the propagation direction of the light, that is, the fourth nanostructure 154 changes the propagation direction of the light, so that the diffracted light is totally reflected to the outcoupling area 12, realizing the lateral field of view expansion, and finally exits from the outcoupling area 12, at this time, the left half of the field of view image can be seen;

[0030] At the same time, the right diffracted light is totally reflected in the lens body 10 to the first right turning area 141, realizing the lateral field of view expansion. The nanostructure 15 in the first right turning area 141 changes the propagation direction of the light, that is, the fifth nanostructure 155 changes the propagation direction of the light, so that the diffracted light is totally reflected to the second right turning area 142, realizing the longitudinal field of view expansion. The nanostructure 15 in the second right turning area 142 changes the propagation direction of the light, that is, the sixth nanostructure 156 changes the propagation direction of the light, so that the diffracted light is totally reflected to the coupling-out area 12, realizing the lateral field of view expansion, and finally exiting from the coupling-out area 12. At this time, the right half of the field of view image can be seen; the left diffracted light and the right diffracted light are finally emitted through the same coupling-out area 12 via different optical paths, realizing field of view fusion, expanding the field of view, and realizing symmetrical compensation of the coupling-out image light efficiency within the field of view, eliminating the imbalance of diffraction efficiency.

[0031] Further, the nanostructure 15 is a tilted grating, a rectangular grating, a blazed grating, or a volume grating, that is, the first nanostructure 151, the second nanostructure 152, the third nanostructure 153, the fourth nanostructure 153, the fifth nanostructure 155, and the sixth nanostructure 156 are tilted gratings, rectangular gratings, blazed gratings, or volume gratings. In this embodiment, the nanostructure 15 can be prepared by holographic interference technology, photolithography technology, or nanoimprint technology, which can be freely selected according to actual needs.

[0032] Further, the grating orientation of the coupling region 11 forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the first left turning region 131; the grating orientation of the coupling region 11 forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the first right turning region 141;

[0033] The grating orientation of the first left turning area 131 and the grating orientation of the second left turning area 132 form an angle of 90°; the grating orientation of the first right turning area 141 and the grating orientation of the second right turning area 142 form an angle of 90°;

[0034] The grating orientation of the second left turning region 132 forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the outcoupling region 12 ; the grating orientation of the second right turning region 142 forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the outcoupling region 12 .

[0035] Furthermore, the gratings in the coupling-in region 11 , the coupling-out region 12 , the left turning region 13 , and the right turning region 14 are all one-dimensional gratings.

[0036] Further, the width of the second left turning area 132 is greater than or equal to the width of the first left turning area 131; the width of the second right turning area 142 is greater than or equal to the width of the first right turning area 141;

[0037] The width of the out-coupling region 12 is greater than or equal to the length of the second left turning region 132 ; the width of the out-coupling region 12 is greater than or equal to the length of the second right turning region 142 .

[0038] Furthermore, the coupling region 11 is circular, and the coupling region 12, the left turning region 13 and the right turning region 14 are all rectangular, but it is not limited to this. For example, the coupling region 11 can also be rectangular or conical; the coupling region 12, the left turning region 13 and the right turning region 14 can also be circular or conical.

[0039] Furthermore, the lens body 10 has a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 opposite to each other, and the coupling-in region 11 , the coupling-out region 12 , the left turning region 13 and the right turning region 14 are located on the first surface 101 or the second surface 102 .

[0040] In this embodiment, the period and orientation angle of the nanostructure 15 satisfy the grating equation, specifically satisfying equations (1) and (2):

[0041] tanψ=sinφ / (cosφ-nsinθ1(Λ / λ)) (1)

[0042] Where, ψ represents the azimuth of the diffracted light; φ represents the orientation angle of the diffraction grating; θ1 represents the incident angle of the incident light; Λ represents the period of the diffraction grating; λ represents the wavelength of the incident light; n represents the refractive index of the diffraction grating;

[0043] sin 2 (θ2)=(λ / Λ) 2 +(nsinθ1) 2 +2nsinθ1cosφ(λ / Λ) (2)

[0044] Here, θ2 represents the diffraction angle of the diffracted light.

[0045] After the wavelength and angle of incidence of the incident light and the diffraction angle and azimuth of the diffracted light are specified, the period and orientation angle of the required nanostructure 15 can be calculated using the above two formulas. For the specific calculation process, please refer to the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the field of view expansion of the waveguide display lens of the present invention, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, for the right half, the solid line represents the light that can be transmitted from the coupling region 11 to the right turning region 14. Due to the design of the nanostructure 15 (the first nanostructure 151) of the coupling region 11, for light of some wavelengths, only the first-order diffraction light generated under the condition of asymmetric incidence can be totally reflected in the lens body 10 to the right turning region 14. When finally emitted, only the right half of the field of view image can be seen;

[0047] For the left half, the dotted line represents the light that can be transmitted from the coupling region to the right turning region 14. Due to the design of the nanostructure 15 (the first nanostructure 151) of the coupling region 11, for light of some wavelengths, only asymmetric incidence can be achieved. The -1 order diffraction light generated is totally reflected in the lens body 10 to the left turning region 13. When it is finally emitted, only the left half of the field of view image can be seen; the left diffraction light and the right diffraction light are finally emitted through the same coupling region 12 via different optical paths, realizing field of view fusion and expanding the field of view.

[0048] Figure 4 The diffraction efficiency diagram of the blue light that satisfies the diffraction waveguide display lens is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the right conduction +1 order transmission diffraction efficiency has a relatively high average transmission diffraction efficiency during -30° to 0°, and at 0° to 30°, there is almost no +1 order diffraction efficiency that satisfies the right conduction; correspondingly, the left conduction -1 order transmission diffraction efficiency has a relatively high average transmission diffraction efficiency during 0° to 30°, and at -30° to 0°, there is almost no +1 order diffraction efficiency that satisfies the right conduction. The waveguide display lens of the present invention has symmetrical diffraction characteristics, can realize the superposition of left and right fields of view, and expand the field of view, and its symmetrical conduction transmission diffraction efficiency has relatively high and relatively average diffraction characteristics during -30° to 30°.

[0049] Figure 5 The diffraction efficiency diagram of the green light that satisfies the diffraction waveguide display lens is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the right conduction +1 order transmission diffraction efficiency has a relatively high average transmission diffraction efficiency in the period of -30° to -5°, while at 5° to 30°, there is almost no +1 order diffraction efficiency that satisfies the right conduction; correspondingly, the left conduction -1 order transmission diffraction efficiency has a relatively high average transmission diffraction efficiency in the period of 5° to 30°, while at -30° to -5°, there is almost no +1 order diffraction efficiency that satisfies the left conduction. The waveguide display lens of the present invention has symmetrical diffraction characteristics, and can realize the superposition of left and right viewing fields and efficiencies, and expand the viewing field.

[0050] Figure 6 The diffraction efficiency diagram of the red light satisfying the diffraction waveguide display lens is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the right conduction +1 order transmission diffraction efficiency has a relatively high average transmission diffraction efficiency during -30° to 0°, while at 0° to 30°, there is almost no +1 order diffraction efficiency that satisfies the right conduction; correspondingly, the left conduction -1 order transmission diffraction efficiency has a relatively high average transmission diffraction efficiency during 0° to 30°, while at -30° to 0°, there is almost no +1 order diffraction efficiency that satisfies the left conduction. The waveguide display lens of the present invention has symmetrical diffraction characteristics, can realize the superposition of left and right viewing fields and efficiencies, and expand the viewing field.

[0051] Second embodiment

[0052] The present invention further relates to an augmented reality glasses 20, which include the waveguide display lenses described above.

[0053] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the augmented reality glasses of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the augmented reality glasses 20 further include a frame 21 and two supporting legs 22, the two supporting legs 22 are symmetrically arranged, one end of the supporting leg 22 is connected to the frame 21, two waveguide display lenses are arranged on the frame 21, and a micro-projection system 23 is arranged on the supporting leg 22. In this embodiment, the left and right two independent micro-projection systems 23 output different parallax images, which can realize stereoscopic three-dimensional display.

[0054] Furthermore, the micro-projection system 23 includes a light source and a functional film, on which a nanostructure 15 for focusing and imaging is provided, and the light emitted by the light source is focused and imaged after passing through the functional film, and the image light is injected into the coupling-in area 11, and the image light is output from the coupling-out area 14 of the waveguide display lens. In this embodiment, the functional film can be thermally deformed or made of photoresist, and in other embodiments, the nanostructure 15 of the functional film is a structure formed by replication and transfer.

[0055] Furthermore, the light source of the micro-projection system 23 can be selected from one of a liquid crystal projector (Liquid Crystal on Silicon; LCOS), a digital light processing (DLP), a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display; LCD), and a light emitting diode (LED).

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the specific details in the above-mentioned embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention can be subjected to a variety of simple modifications, and these simple modifications all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. The various specific technical features described in the above-mentioned specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present invention will not further explain various possible combinations.

Claims

1. A waveguide display lens, characterized in that: The lens body comprises a coupling-in region, a coupling-out region, a left turning region and a right turning region, wherein the coupling-in region, the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all provided with nanostructures for diffracting light, the coupling-in region and the coupling-out region are arranged between the left turning region and the right turning region, the coupling-in region is used for receiving image light, the image light is symmetrically diffracted by the nanostructure to form left diffracted light and right diffracted light, the left diffracted light is diffracted through the left turning region and enters the coupling-out region, the right diffracted light is diffracted through the right turning region and enters the coupling-out region, and the left diffracted light and the right diffracted light are emitted from the coupling-out region.

2. The waveguide display lens according to claim 1, wherein: The left turning region includes a first left turning region and a second left turning region, the first left turning region and the second left turning region are spaced apart, the first left turning region is arranged on one side of the coupling-in region, and the second left turning region is arranged on one side of the coupling-out region; the right turning region includes a first right turning region and a second right turning region, the first right turning region and the second right turning region are spaced apart, the first right turning region is arranged on the other side of the coupling-in region, and the second right turning region is arranged on the other side of the coupling-out region.

3. The waveguide display lens according to claim 2, wherein: The nanostructure is a tilted grating, a rectangular grating, a blazed grating, or a volume grating.

4. The waveguide display lens according to claim 3, wherein: The grating orientation of the coupling region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the first left turning region; the grating orientation of the coupling region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the first right turning region; The grating orientation of the first left turning region forms an angle of 90° with the grating orientation of the second left turning region; the grating orientation of the first right turning region forms an angle of 90° with the grating orientation of the second right turning region; The grating orientation of the second left turning region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the outcoupling region; the grating orientation of the second right turning region forms an angle of 45° with the grating orientation of the outcoupling region.

5. The waveguide display lens as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The gratings in the coupling-in region, the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all one-dimensional gratings.

6. The waveguide display lens as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The width of the second left turning area is greater than or equal to the width of the first left turning area; the width of the second right turning area is greater than or equal to the width of the first right turning area; The width of the outcoupling region is greater than or equal to the length of the second left turning region; the width of the outcoupling region is greater than or equal to the length of the second right turning region.

7. The waveguide display lens as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The coupling-in region is circular, and the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are all rectangular.

8. The waveguide display lens as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The lens body has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the coupling-in region, the coupling-out region, the left turning region and the right turning region are located on the first surface or the second surface.

9. An augmented reality glasses, characterized in that: A waveguide display lens comprising the waveguide display lens according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The augmented reality glasses according to claim 9, wherein: The augmented reality glasses also include a frame and a supporting leg, one end of the supporting leg is connected to the frame, two waveguide display lenses are arranged on the frame, and a micro-projection system is arranged on the supporting leg.

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