Near-eye display optical apparatus and methods thereof

Abstract

A near-eye display optical device and a method thereof. The near-eye display optical device includes at least one image light projecting assembly and at least one waveguide device. The waveguide device includes a waveguide group, an in-coupling element group, and an out-coupling element group. The waveguide group has an in-coupling region and an out-coupling region for propagating at least two monochromatic image lights coupled in from the in-coupling region to the out-coupling region. The in-coupling element group is correspondingly disposed at the in-coupling region of the waveguide group, and the in-coupling element corresponds to the image light projecting assembly for coupling in the at least two monochromatic image lights projected via the image light projecting assembly from the in-coupling region to the waveguide group. The out-coupling element group is correspondingly disposed at the out-coupling region of the waveguide group for coupling out the at least two monochromatic image lights propagated via the waveguide group from the out-coupling region to form at least two monochromatic image lights having the same angular spatial distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of near-eye display technology, and in particular to a near-eye display optical device and method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the emergence of LED technology and microdisplay chip technology has made miniaturized and high-resolution projection displays possible. With the continuous development of projection display technology and market demand, micro projection light engines with large field of view, high imaging quality, small size, and wearability are receiving increasing attention, especially in the currently booming fields of augmented reality (AR), near-eye display (NED), and wearable devices.

[0003] Currently, existing near-eye display systems typically consist of a miniature projection light engine and a waveguide display device. The waveguide display device transmits the image light from the miniature projection light engine to the human eye to achieve near-eye display. Specifically, such as... Figure 1 As shown, a conventional micro-projection light engine 1P typically comprises an illumination system 10P, a relay mirror group 20P, a display chip 30P, and a projection imaging system 40P. The relay mirror group 20P is located in the illumination path of the illumination system 10P, and the display chip 30P and the projection imaging system 40P are located on opposite sides of the relay mirror group 20P. When the illumination system 10P emits an illumination beam along the illumination path, the relay mirror group 20P first transmits the illumination beam to the display chip 30P. After the illumination beam is modulated into image light by the display chip 30P (e.g., LCOS), the image light is then transmitted to the projection imaging system 40P for projection imaging.

[0004] Furthermore, to achieve color display, the illumination system 10P of existing micro-projection light engines 1P typically employs color combining devices such as X-Cube to combine primary color light from three light paths into a single light path. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the X-color combining prism is typically made of four right-angle prisms 11P glued together along their right-angle faces, and the right-angle faces of the right-angle prisms 11P are coated with corresponding first and second film systems 12P and 13P; the inclined surfaces of the four right-angle prisms 11P serve as the light input and output surfaces, respectively, and the red, green, and blue three-primary-color polarized light sources 14P correspond to the inclined surfaces of three right-angle prisms 11P, respectively, while the inclined surface of the remaining right-angle prism 11P serves as the output surface after the three primary-color light is combined into white light.

[0005] However, although this X-color combining prism can combine three primary color lights into a single white light, its structure is relatively loose and bulky, resulting in a large size and weight for illumination systems equipped with it. In particular, existing micro-projection light engines are limited by their own structure (e.g., Figure 1 As shown, the illumination beam emitted by the illumination system 10P must pass through a large and heavy relay mirror group 20P to reach the illumination area required by the display chip 30P, and then be redirected to transmit the illumination beam so that the display chip 30P can modulate the image light, etc. This has many shortcomings, such as large size, bulky equipment, and extremely difficult manufacturing. It is difficult to meet the market demand for small-sized and lightweight micro projection light engines, especially in the fields of augmented reality, near-eye display, and wearable devices. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One advantage of this invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method that can meet the market demand for small-volume, lightweight near-eye display optical devices.

[0007] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method. In one embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide device of the near-eye display optical device can realize near-eye display and also realize color combining functions such as X-color combining prism, so as to overcome the problems of large size and heavy weight caused by the limitations of the existing micro projection light engine's own structure.

[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method, wherein, in one embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide device can modulate monochromatic image light with different spatial distributions at different angles into image light with the same spatial distribution at the same angle, so as to achieve color matching directly in front of the human eye, thereby achieving color display without the need for additional color matching devices.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method thereof, wherein, in one embodiment of the present invention, the near-eye display optical device does not require the use of polarized light and compound eye technology, which can greatly improve the light energy utilization rate.

[0010] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the near-eye display optical device uses waveguides to directly perform color mixing, without the need for additional color mixing devices, making the entire device more compact, smaller in size and lighter in weight, and also helping to reduce the difficulty of processing and assembly and reduce costs.

[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method thereof, wherein, in one embodiment of the present invention, the image source of the near-eye display optical device adopts a monochrome self-emissive display chip, eliminating the illumination relay in the traditional system, so as to reduce costs by significantly reducing the size and weight of the micro-projection light engine.

[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method thereof, wherein, in one embodiment of the present invention, the near-eye display optical device adopts an innovative system design to achieve a sufficiently small size, making the near-eye display optical device wearable and consumer-oriented.

[0013] Another advantage of this invention is that it provides a near-eye display optical device and method, wherein, to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, expensive materials or complex structures are not required. Therefore, this invention successfully and effectively provides a solution that not only offers a simple near-eye display optical device and method, but also increases the practicality and reliability of the near-eye display optical device and method.

[0014] To achieve at least one of the above advantages or other advantages and objectives, the present invention provides a near-eye display optical device, comprising:

[0015] At least one image light projection component, wherein the image light projection component is used to project at least two monochromatic image lights; and

[0016] At least one waveguide device, wherein the waveguide device comprises:

[0017] A waveguide group, wherein the waveguide group has an input region and an output region for propagating at least two monochromatic image lights coupled in from the input region to the output region;

[0018] A coupling element group, wherein the coupling element group is correspondingly disposed in the coupling region of the waveguide group, and the coupling element corresponds to the image light projection component, for coupling the at least two monochromatic image lights projected via the image light projection component from the coupling region into the waveguide group; and

[0019] A set of coupling elements, wherein the set of coupling elements is correspondingly disposed in the coupling region of the waveguide group, for coupling out the at least two monochromatic image lights propagating through the waveguide group from the coupling region to form at least two monochromatic image lights having the same angular spatial distribution.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide layer, a second waveguide layer, and a third waveguide layer stacked sequentially, wherein the first waveguide layer is used to propagate a first monochromatic image light having a first angular spatial distribution from the coupling region to the coupling region; wherein the second waveguide layer is used to propagate a second monochromatic image light having a second angular spatial distribution from the coupling region to the coupling region; and wherein the third waveguide layer is used to propagate a third monochromatic image light having a third angular spatial distribution from the coupling region to the coupling region.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling element group includes a first coupling element correspondingly disposed on the first waveguide layer, a second coupling element correspondingly disposed on the second waveguide layer, and a third coupling element correspondingly disposed on the third waveguide layer, and the coupling element group includes a first coupling element correspondingly disposed on the first waveguide layer, a second coupling element correspondingly disposed on the second waveguide layer, and a third coupling element correspondingly disposed on the third waveguide layer.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first coupling element, the second coupling element, and the third coupling element are sequentially aligned and stacked, and the first coupling element and the third coupling element are adapted to be located adjacent to and away from the image light projection assembly, respectively. The first coupling element is used to couple the first monochromatic image light having a first angular spatial distribution into the first waveguide layer, and to allow the second monochromatic image light having a second angular spatial distribution and the third monochromatic image light having a third angular spatial distribution to pass through. The second coupling element is used to couple the second monochromatic image light having a second angular spatial distribution into the second waveguide layer, and to allow the third monochromatic image light having a third angular spatial distribution to pass through. The third coupling element is used to couple the third monochromatic image light having a third angular spatial distribution into the third waveguide layer.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first coupling element, the second coupling element, and the third coupling element are stacked in a staggered manner, wherein the first coupling element is used to couple a first monochromatic image light having a first angular spatial distribution into the first waveguide layer; wherein the second coupling element is used to couple a second monochromatic image light having a second angular spatial distribution into the second waveguide layer; and wherein the third coupling element is used to couple a third monochromatic image light having a third angular spatial distribution into the third waveguide layer.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first coupling element, the second coupling element and the third coupling element are sequentially aligned and stacked.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, both the coupled-in element group and the coupled-out element group include one or more of the following: surface relief grating, volume grating, metasurface, plasma, and photonic crystal.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the image light projection assembly includes an image source and an imaging lens, wherein the image source is used to emit at least two monochromatic image lights carrying the same image information, and wherein the imaging lens is disposed in the optical path between the image source and the coupling region of the waveguide group of the waveguide device, for imaging processing of the at least two monochromatic image lights from the image source, so as to project the at least two monochromatic image lights with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling region of the waveguide group.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the image source includes at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips, wherein the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips have the same light-emitting surface, and the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips are offset relative to the image plane of the imaging lens.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips are Micro LED chips or OLED chips.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips include a first monochrome self-emissive display chip, a second monochrome self-emissive display chip, and a third monochrome self-emissive display chip, wherein the first monochrome self-emissive display chip, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip are arranged side by side on the same side of the imaging lens, and the first monochrome self-emissive display chip, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip are offset relative to the image plane of the imaging lens.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first monochrome self-emissive display chip is used to emit red image light, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip is used to emit green image light, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip is used to emit blue image light.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the imaging lens is selected from one of the following: an imaging lens group, a folding lens, a superlens, and a diffractive lens.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a near-eye display optical device, comprising the steps of:

[0033] A group of coupled-in elements and a group of coupled-out elements are respectively set in the coupled-in region and coupled-out region of a waveguide group to obtain a waveguide device; and

[0034] A corresponding image light projection component is disposed in the coupling region of the waveguide group of the waveguide device, wherein the image light projection component is used to project at least two monochromatic image lights with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling region of the waveguide group, and the coupling element group and / or the coupling element group are used to modulate the at least two monochromatic image lights with different angular spatial distributions to form at least two monochromatic image lights with the same angular spatial distribution, so as to realize color combination display.

[0035] The further objects and advantages of the invention will become fully apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0036] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be fully realized through the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an existing micro-projection light engine is shown.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a near-eye display optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the waveguide device of the near-eye display optical device according to the above embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] Figures 4A to 4D A modified embodiment of the waveguide device described above according to the present invention is shown.

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the image light projection component of the near-eye display optical device according to the above embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 6 A first modified embodiment of the image light projection assembly according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 7 A second modified embodiment of the image light projection assembly according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0044] Figure 8 A third modified embodiment of the image light projection assembly according to the above embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0045] Figure 9This is a schematic flowchart of a color-combining display method for a waveguide device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 10 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing a near-eye display optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The following description is intended to disclose the present invention and enable those skilled in the art to implement it. The preferred embodiments described below are merely examples, and other obvious variations will occur to those skilled in the art. The basic principles of the invention defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0048] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of this invention, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0049] In this invention, the term "a" in the claims and specification should be understood as "one or more," that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element can be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element can be multiple. Unless explicitly indicated in the disclosure of this invention that the number of the element is only one, the term "a" should not be construed as unique or single, and the term "a" should not be construed as a limitation on the quantity.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "connected" or "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through a medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0052] Existing micro-projection optical systems typically include an illumination module and an imaging module. To achieve color display, the illumination module usually needs to include a light source, color combining components, and light homogenizing devices. This results in a large size and heavy weight for the entire micro-projection optical system and its near-eye display system. However, current AR and NED wearable products have increasingly stringent requirements for size and weight; only products that are sufficiently small, lightweight, low-cost, and possess high imaging quality can meet market demands. Therefore, to meet market needs, this invention application provides a near-eye display optical device and method.

[0053] Refer to the attached diagram in the instruction manual. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a near-eye display optical device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the near-eye display optical device 1 includes at least one waveguide device 10 and at least one image light projection component 20, wherein the waveguide device 10 may include a waveguide group 11, and the waveguide group 11 has an insertion region 1101 and an exit region 1102 for propagating at least two monochromatic image lights 200 coupled from the insertion region 1101 to the exit region 1102.

[0054] Specifically, the image light projection component 20 is disposed on one side of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10 and corresponds to the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11. It is used to project at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions into the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11. The waveguide device 10 is used to propagate the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 and modulate the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions into at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution, so that they overlap in front of the human eye, thereby realizing full-color near-eye display.

[0055] More specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, the waveguide device 10 may further include a coupling element group 12 and a coupling element group 13. The coupling element group 12 is correspondingly disposed in the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11, and the coupling element group 12 is adapted to correspond to the image light projection component 20 for coupling at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions projected via the image light projection component 20 from the coupling region 1101 into the waveguide group 11. The coupling element group 13 is disposed in the coupling region 1102 of the waveguide group 11 for coupling the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 propagating via the waveguide group 11 from the coupling region 1102 to form at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution, thereby achieving color-combined display.

[0056] It is worth noting that, since the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions projected by the image light projection component 20 are modulated by the coupling element group 12 and / or the coupling element group 13 to form at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution coupled out of the coupling region 1102, the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 coupled out of the coupling region 1102 coincide in front of the human eye (i.e., color combining) because they have the same angular spatial distribution. Thus, color display can be achieved without additional color combining devices such as X-color combining prisms, which helps to make the structure of the entire optical device more compact, smaller in size, and lighter in weight.

[0057] Furthermore, the coupling element group 12 and the coupling element group 13 of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, diffraction gratings such as surface relief gratings or volume gratings, and may also include microstructures such as metasurfaces, plasmas or photonic crystals, as long as it is possible to modulate the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions into at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution through the coupling element group 12 and / or the coupling element group 13. The present invention will not elaborate further on this.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions projected by the image light projection component 20 can be, but are not limited to, a first monochromatic image light 201 with a first angular spatial distribution, a second monochromatic image light 202 with a second angular spatial distribution, and a third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution. Correspondingly, the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 coupled from the coupling region 1102 can also be implemented as a first monochromatic image light 201, a second monochromatic image light 202, and a third monochromatic image light 203, each with a fourth angular spatial distribution. It is understood that the colors of the first monochromatic image light 201, the second monochromatic image light 202, and the third monochromatic image light 203 are different from each other; for example, they can be implemented as red image light (R image light), green image light (G image light), and blue image light (B image light), respectively. Furthermore, the first angular spatial distribution, the second angular spatial distribution, and the third angular spatial distribution are all different from each other, while the fourth angular spatial distribution may be different from all three of the first angular spatial distribution, the second angular spatial distribution, and the third angular spatial distribution, or it may be the same as one of the first angular spatial distribution, the second angular spatial distribution, and the third angular spatial distribution.

[0059] Preferably, the first monochrome image light 201, the second monochrome image light 202, and the third monochrome image light 203 all carry the same image information to ensure that they overlap in front of the human eye, thereby achieving full-color near-eye display.

[0060] More preferably, the first monochromatic image light 201, the second monochromatic image light 202, and the third monochromatic image light 203 projected by the image light projection component 20 all have the same field of view to obtain high-quality full-color near-eye display. In other words, RGB monochromatic image lights carrying the same image information are coupled into the waveguide group 11 from the coupling region 1101 with the same field of view and different angular spatial distribution; then, RGB monochromatic image lights carrying the same image information are coupled out of the waveguide group 11 from the coupling region 1102 with the same field of view and the same angular spatial distribution, so that the coupled RGB monochromatic image lights can completely overlap in front of the human eye, thereby realizing full-color display.

[0061] According to the above embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3As shown, the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10 may include a first waveguide layer 111, a second waveguide layer 112 and a third waveguide layer 113 stacked sequentially. The coupling element group 12 may correspondingly include a first coupling element 121, a second coupling element 122 and a third coupling element 123, and the coupling element group 13 may correspondingly include a first coupling element 131, a third coupling element 132 and a third coupling element 133.

[0062] More in detail, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first coupling element 121 is correspondingly disposed on the first waveguide layer 111 and located in the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11; wherein the first coupling element 131 is correspondingly disposed on the first waveguide layer 111 and located in the coupling region 1102 of the waveguide group 11. Thus, the first monochromatic image light 201 having a first angular spatial distribution will first be modulated by the first coupling element 121 to couple into the first waveguide layer 111 from the coupling region 1101, and then, after propagation through the first waveguide layer 111, will be modulated by the first coupling element 131 to couple out of the first waveguide layer 111 from the coupling region 1102, thereby forming the first monochromatic image light 201 having a fourth angular spatial distribution.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the second coupling element 122 is correspondingly disposed on the second waveguide layer 112 and located in the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11; wherein the second coupling element 132 is correspondingly disposed on the second waveguide layer 112 and located in the coupling region 1102 of the waveguide group 11. Thus, the second monochromatic image light 202 having a second angular spatial distribution will first be coupled into the second waveguide layer 112 from the coupling region 1101 via modulation by the second coupling element 122, and then, after propagation through the second waveguide layer 112, be coupled out of the second waveguide layer 112 from the coupling region 1102 via modulation by the second coupling element 132, thereby forming the second monochromatic image light 202 having a fourth angular spatial distribution.

[0064] like Figure 3As shown, the third coupling element 123 is correspondingly disposed on the third waveguide layer 113 and located in the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11; wherein the third coupling element 133 is correspondingly disposed on the third waveguide layer 113 and located in the coupling region 1102 of the waveguide group 11. Thus, the third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution will first be coupled into the third waveguide layer 113 from the coupling region 1101 via modulation by the third coupling element 123, and then, after propagation through the third waveguide layer 113, will be coupled out of the third waveguide layer 113 from the coupling region 1102 via modulation by the third coupling element 133, thereby forming the third monochromatic image light 203 with a fourth angular spatial distribution.

[0065] It is worth noting that in the above embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first coupling element 121, the second coupling element 122, and the third coupling element 123 are sequentially aligned and stacked, with the first coupling element 121 and the third coupling element 123 located adjacent to and away from the image light projection assembly 20, respectively. In this case, the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 projected by the image light projection assembly 20 will both propagate to the first coupling element 121. Therefore, the first coupling element 121 is preferably designed to couple the first monochromatic image light 201 with a first angular spatial distribution into the first waveguide layer 111, and allow the second monochromatic image light 202 with a second angular spatial distribution and the third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution to pass through.

[0066] Similarly, the second monochromatic image light 202 with a second angular spatial distribution and the third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution projected by the image light projection component 20 will both propagate to the second coupling element 122. Therefore, the second coupling element 123 is preferably designed to couple the second monochromatic image light 202 with a second angular spatial distribution into the second waveguide layer 112 and allow the third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution to pass through.

[0067] It is worth noting that in the above embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first coupling element 131, the second coupling element 132, and the third coupling element 133 are preferably also stacked in alignment to ensure that the first monochrome image light 201, the second monochrome image light 202, and the third monochrome image light 203 coupled through the first coupling element 131, the second coupling element 132, and the third coupling element 133, respectively, have the same angular spatial distribution, thereby enabling color mixing display in front of the human eye.

[0068] It is worth mentioning that, attached Figures 4A to 4D A modified embodiment of the waveguide device 10 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is shown. The difference between this modified embodiment and the above-described embodiment is that the first coupling element 121, the second coupling element 122, and the third coupling element 123 are stacked in a staggered manner. At this time, the first monochromatic image light 201 with a first angular spatial distribution, the second monochromatic image light 202 with a second angular spatial distribution, and the third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution projected by the image light projection component 20 will be propagated to the first coupling element 121, the second coupling element 122, and the third coupling element 123 respectively. Therefore, the first coupling element 121, the second coupling element 122, and the third coupling element 123 only need to be designed to couple the first monochromatic image light 201 with a first angular spatial distribution, the second monochromatic image light 202 with a second angular spatial distribution, and the third monochromatic image light 203 with a third angular spatial distribution to the first waveguide layer 111, the second waveguide layer 112, and the third waveguide layer 113 respectively, which helps to reduce the design difficulty of the first coupling element 121, the second coupling element 122, and the third coupling element 123.

[0069] It is worth noting that in the above embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the image light projection component 20 and the human eye can be located on the same side of the waveguide device 10, such that the coupling directions of the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution are exactly opposite to the coupling directions of the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions. Of course, in other examples of the invention, the image light projection component 20 and the human eye can also be located on opposite sides of the waveguide device 10, such that the coupling directions of the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution are consistent with the coupling directions of the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions.

[0070] Specifically, in the above embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the image light projection component 20 of the near-eye display optical device 1 may include an image source 21 and an imaging lens 22. The image source 21 is used to emit at least two monochromatic image lights 200 carrying the same image information. The imaging lens 22 is disposed in the optical path between the image source 21 and the coupling region 111 of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10, and is used to perform imaging processing on the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 from the image source 21 to project the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling region 111 of the waveguide group 11.

[0071] More specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the image source 21 of the image light projection assembly 20 may include at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips 210, wherein the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips 210 have the same light-emitting surface to carry the same image information, and the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips 210 are offset relative to the image plane of the imaging lens 22, so that the at least two monochrome image lights 200 carrying the same image information emitted by the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips 210 form at least two monochrome image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions after passing through the imaging lens 22.

[0072] It is worth noting that the at least two monochromatic self-emissive display chips 210 of the image source 21 can be, but are not limited to, implemented as Micro LED chips or OLED chips. It is understood that because the image source 21 of the near-eye display optical system 1 uses Micro LED chips or OLED chips capable of directly providing image light, compared to existing micro-projection light engines, the near-eye display optical system 1 of the present invention does not require an additional relay lens group, thus significantly reducing the size and weight of the near-eye display optical system 1.

[0073] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the at least two monochrome self-emissive display chips 210 of the image source 21 may include a first monochrome self-emissive display chip 211, a second monochrome self-emissive display chip 212, and a third monochrome self-emissive display chip 213, wherein the first monochrome self-emissive display chip 211, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip 212, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip 213 are arranged side by side on the same side of the imaging lens 22, and the first monochrome self-emissive display chip 211, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip 212, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip 213 are offset in position relative to the image plane of the imaging lens 22.

[0074] Preferably, the first monochrome self-emissive display chip 211 is used to emit red image light, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip 212 is used to emit green image light, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip 213 is used to emit blue image light. Of course, in other examples of the present invention, the colors of the image light emitted by the first monochrome self-emissive display chip 211, the second monochrome self-emissive display chip 212, and the third monochrome self-emissive display chip 213 can be interchanged, and they can also be used to emit monochrome image light of other colors.

[0075] It is worth noting that the first, second, and third monochrome self-emissive display chips 211, 212, and 213 have the same light-emitting surface and carry the same image information, and are used to sequentially emit first, second, and third monochrome image lights 201, 202, and 203 carrying the same image information. Furthermore, since the first, second, and third monochrome self-emissive display chips 211, 212, and 213 are positionally offset relative to the image plane of the imaging lens 22, the first, second, and third monochrome image lights 201, 202, and 203 carrying the same image information emitted by the first, second, and third monochrome self-emissive display chips 211, 212, and 213 can form first, second, and third monochrome image lights 201, 202, and 203 with different angular spatial distributions after imaging processing by the imaging lens 22, thereby realizing the projection of RGB monochrome image light in different angular spaces.

[0076] It is worth mentioning that, in the above embodiments of the present invention, as Figure 5 As shown, the imaging lens 22 of the image light projection assembly 20 can be, but is not limited to, an imaging lens group 221, wherein the imaging lens group 221 is correspondingly disposed between the image source 21 and the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10, for converging the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 from the image source 21 to form an image, and transmitting the converged at least two monochromatic image lights 200 to the coupling region 1101, so as to couple the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 into the waveguide group 11 through the coupling element group 12. Then, after propagating within the waveguide group 11 to the coupling region 1102, the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 are coupled out of the waveguide group 11 through the coupling element group 13, so as to propagate into the user's eye and be viewed by the user as a corresponding color image. It is understood that the number, material, and surface shape of the lenses in the imaging lens group 221 are not limited to those shown in the figure, as long as they can achieve the projection imaging required by the present invention, the present invention does not impose any restrictions on them.

[0077] Appendix Figure 6 A first modified embodiment of the imaging lens 22 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the imaging lens 22 is implemented as a folding lens 222, wherein the folding lens 22 is correspondingly disposed between the image source 21 and the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10, for folding back the at least two monochromatic image lights 200, such that the imaging optical path in the folding lens 222 is folded back and turned, so as to provide a sufficiently long imaging optical path in a smaller space, which helps to reduce the size and weight of the imaging lens, thereby further reducing the size and weight of the near-eye display optical device 1.

[0078] Appendix Figure 7 A second modified embodiment of the imaging lens 22 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the imaging lens 22 is implemented as a superlens 223, wherein the superlens 223 is correspondingly disposed between the image source 21 and the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10, so as to image the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 from the image source 21 by means of the superlens 223. It is worth noting that since the volume and weight of the superlens 223 are much smaller than the volume and weight of the imaging lens group 221, the volume and weight of the near-eye display optical device 1 are significantly reduced.

[0079] Appendix Figure 8 A third modified embodiment of the imaging lens 22 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the imaging lens 22 is implemented as a diffraction lens 224 (such as a Fresnel lens, etc.), wherein the diffraction lens 224 is correspondingly disposed between the image source 21 and the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10, so as to image the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 from the image source 21 via diffraction by the diffraction lens 224. It is worth noting that since the volume and weight of the diffraction lens 224 are also much smaller than the volume and weight of the imaging lens group 221, the volume and weight of the near-eye display optical device 1 can also be significantly reduced.

[0080] According to another aspect of the invention, such as Figure 9 As shown, the present invention further provides a method for color combining display of waveguide devices, comprising the following steps:

[0081] S110: At least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions are coupled from the coupling region 1101 of a waveguide group 11 into the waveguide group 11 via a coupling element group 12.

[0082] S120: The at least two monochromatic image lights 200 coupled from the coupling region 1101 are propagated to the coupling out region 1102 of the waveguide group 11 via the waveguide group 11; and

[0083] S130: The at least two monochromatic image lights 200 propagating to the coupling region 1102 are coupled out of the waveguide group 11 via a coupling element group 13, wherein the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 having different angular spatial distributions are modulated by the coupling element group 12 and / or the coupling element group 13 to form at least two monochromatic image lights 200 having the same angular spatial distribution.

[0084] According to another aspect of the invention, such as Figure 10 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a near-eye display optical device, comprising the steps of:

[0085] S210: A coupling-in element group 12 and a coupling-out element group 13 are respectively disposed in the coupling-in region 1101 and coupling-out region 1102 of a waveguide group 11 to obtain a waveguide device 10; and

[0086] S220: Correspondingly, an image light projection component 20 is disposed in the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11 of the waveguide device 10, wherein the image light projection component 20 is used to project at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling region 1101 of the waveguide group 11, and the coupling element group 12 and / or the coupling element group 13 are used to modulate the at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with different angular spatial distributions to form at least two monochromatic image lights 200 with the same angular spatial distribution, so as to realize color combination display.

[0087] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present invention described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. The objectives of the present invention have been fully and effectively achieved. The functions and structural principles of the present invention have been demonstrated and explained in the embodiments, and any variations or modifications may be made to the implementation of the present invention without departing from the stated principles.

Claims

1. A near-eye display optical device, characterized by, The application comprises: at least one image light projection assembly, wherein the image light projection assembly is used to project at least two monochromatic image lights with the same field of view angle and different angular spatial distributions; and at least one waveguide device, wherein the waveguide device comprises: a waveguide group, wherein the waveguide group has a coupling-in area and a coupling-out area, and is used to propagate the at least two monochromatic image lights coupled in from the coupling-in area to the coupling-out area; a coupling-in element group, wherein the coupling-in element group is correspondingly arranged at the coupling-in area of the waveguide group, and the coupling-in element corresponds to the image light projection assembly, and is used to couple in the at least two monochromatic image lights with the same field of view angle and different angular spatial distributions projected by the image light projection assembly from the coupling-in area to the waveguide group; and a coupling-out element group, wherein the coupling-out element group is correspondingly arranged at the coupling-out area of the waveguide group, and is used to couple out the at least two monochromatic image lights propagated by the waveguide group from the coupling-out area to form at least two monochromatic image lights with the same field of view angle and the same angular spatial distribution to realize color display; wherein the image light projection assembly comprises an image source and an imaging lens, wherein the image source is used to emit at least two monochromatic image lights carrying the same image information, and the imaging lens is arranged in the optical path between the image source and the coupling-in area of the waveguide group of the waveguide device, and is used to image process the at least two monochromatic image lights from the image source to project the at least two monochromatic image lights with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling-in area of the waveguide group; wherein the image source comprises at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips, wherein the at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips have the same light-emitting surface, and the at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips have a positional offset relative to the image plane of the imaging lens, so that the projected at least two monochromatic image lights have the same field of view angle and different angular spatial distributions; wherein the at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips are Micro LED chips or OLED chips.

2. The near-eye display optical device of claim 1, wherein, The waveguide group comprises a first waveguide layer, a second waveguide layer and a third waveguide layer which are sequentially stacked, wherein the first waveguide layer is used to propagate a first monochromatic image light with a first angular spatial distribution in the at least two monochromatic image lights from the coupling-in area to the coupling-out area; wherein the second waveguide layer is used to propagate a second monochromatic image light with a second angular spatial distribution in the at least two monochromatic image lights from the coupling-in area to the coupling-out area; and wherein the third waveguide layer is used to propagate a third monochromatic image light with a third angular spatial distribution in the at least two monochromatic image lights from the coupling-in area to the coupling-out area.

3. The near-eye display optical device of claim 2, wherein, The in-coupling element group includes a first in-coupling element disposed on the first waveguide layer, a second in-coupling element disposed on the second waveguide layer, and a third in-coupling element disposed on the third waveguide layer, and the out-coupling element group includes a first out-coupling element disposed on the first waveguide layer, a second out-coupling element disposed on the second waveguide layer, and a third out-coupling element disposed on the third waveguide layer.

4. The near-eye display optical device of claim 3, wherein, The first in-coupling element, the second in-coupling element, and the third in-coupling element are sequentially and alignedly stacked, and the first in-coupling element and the third in-coupling element are adapted to be located adjacent to and away from the image light projection assembly, respectively, wherein the first in-coupling element is used for coupling the first monochromatic image light having the first angular spatial distribution into the first waveguide layer and allowing the second monochromatic image light having the second angular spatial distribution and the third monochromatic image light having the third angular spatial distribution to pass through; wherein the second in-coupling element is used for coupling the second monochromatic image light having the second angular spatial distribution into the second waveguide layer and allowing the third monochromatic image light having the third angular spatial distribution to pass through; wherein the third in-coupling element is used for coupling the third monochromatic image light having the third angular spatial distribution into the third waveguide layer.

5. The near-eye display optical device of claim 3, wherein, The first in-coupling element, the second in-coupling element, and the third in-coupling element are sequentially and misalignedly stacked, wherein the first in-coupling element is used for coupling the first monochromatic image light having the first angular spatial distribution into the first waveguide layer; wherein the second in-coupling element is used for coupling the second monochromatic image light having the second angular spatial distribution into the second waveguide layer; wherein the third in-coupling element is used for coupling the third monochromatic image light having the third angular spatial distribution into the third waveguide layer.

6. The near-eye display optical device of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The first out-coupling element, the second out-coupling element, and the third out-coupling element are sequentially and alignedly stacked.

7. The near-eye display optical apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The in-coupling element group and the out-coupling element group each include one or more of a surface relief grating, a volume grating, a metasurface, a plasmonic, and a photonic crystal.

8. The near-eye display optical device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips include a first monochromatic self-luminous display chip, a second monochromatic self-luminous display chip, and a third monochromatic self-luminous display chip, wherein the first monochromatic self-luminous display chip, the second monochromatic self-luminous display chip, and the third monochromatic self-luminous display chip are disposed side by side on the same side of the imaging lens, and the first monochromatic self-luminous display chip, the second monochromatic self-luminous display chip, and the third monochromatic self-luminous display chip are positionally offset relative to an image plane of the imaging lens.

9. The near-eye display optical device of claim 8, wherein, The first monochromatic self-luminous display chip is used for emitting red image light, the second monochromatic self-luminous display chip is used for emitting green image light, and the third monochromatic self-luminous display chip is used for emitting blue image light.

10. The near-eye display optical apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The imaging lens is selected from one of an imaging lens group, a fold mirror, a superlens, and a diffractive lens.

11. A method of manufacturing a near-eye display optical device, characterized by, The method comprises the steps of: respectively correspondingly setting a coupling-in element group and a coupling-out element group at a coupling-in region and a coupling-out region of a waveguide group to obtain a waveguide device; and respectively correspondingly setting an image light projecting assembly at the coupling-in region of the waveguide group of the waveguide device, wherein the image light projecting assembly is used to project at least two monochromatic image lights with the same field of view angle and with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling-in region of the waveguide group, and the coupling-in element group and / or the coupling-out element group is used to modulate the at least two monochromatic image lights with the same field of view angle and with different angular spatial distributions to form at least two monochromatic image lights with the same field of view angle and with the same angular spatial distribution to realize color display; wherein the image light projecting assembly comprises an image source and an imaging lens, wherein the image source is used to emit at least two monochromatic image lights carrying the same image information, and the imaging lens is arranged in an optical path between the image source and the coupling-in region of the waveguide group of the waveguide device, and is used to perform imaging processing on the at least two monochromatic image lights from the image source to project the at least two monochromatic image lights with different angular spatial distributions to the coupling-in region of the waveguide group; wherein the image source comprises at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips, wherein the at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips have the same light-emitting surface, and the at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips have a positional offset relative to an image plane of the imaging lens; wherein the at least two monochromatic self-luminous display chips are Micro LED chips or OLED chips.

Images