Waveguide-based augmented reality device and method

Abstract

A waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof. The waveguide-based augmented reality device includes: an image source component for emitting image light; a waveguide component having an incoupling region and an outcoupling region arranged side by side, wherein the incoupling region of the waveguide component corresponds to the image source component; and a planar folding optical component disposed in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component, wherein the planar folding optical component has optical power and includes a plurality of planar optical elements stacked on top of each other, so that the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component can be folded at a selectable deflection angle by the plurality of planar optical elements, so that the image light from the image source component, after being folded multiple times within the planar folding optical component and being converged or diverged, is first coupled into the incoupling region of the waveguide component and then coupled out of the outcoupling region of the waveguide component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of augmented reality technology, and in particular to a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the emergence of microdisplay chip technology has made miniaturized and high-resolution projection displays possible. With the continuous development of projection display technology and market demand, wearable micro-projection systems are gaining increasing attention, especially in the hotly developing field of augmented reality (AR). AR, also known as augmented reality or mixed reality, is a technology that overlays virtual objects onto the real environment and enables interaction. By projecting images of virtual objects and the real environment into the user's view, the user experiences a fusion of virtual and real worlds.

[0003] At present, although there are many AR optical system solutions on the market, there are still many shortcomings in the products that can be truly marketed to consumers, such as low brightness, small field of view, large size, high cost, bulky equipment, etc. In particular, with the emergence of catadioptric optical systems that use self-luminous display chips as image display sources, they have become popular due to their advantages in controlling costs, reducing volume, and reducing difficulty. Figure 1 As shown, the existing catadioptric augmented reality device 10P generally includes an image source component 11P, a lens 12P, a half-reflective mirror 13P and a curved reflector 14P. The image light emitted by the image source component 11P is focused by the lens 12P and then reflected into the human eye by the half-reflective mirror 13P and the curved reflector 14P to present a magnified virtual image. The human eye can see real objects through the half-reflective mirror 13P and the curved reflector 14P, so that the virtual image is superimposed on the real world to complete the enhanced interaction.

[0004] However, although the existing catadioptric augmented reality device 10P can increase the optical path by reflecting image light, the overall size of the front end of the device is relatively large because the semi-reflective half-mirror 13P and the curved reflector 14P used are both curved elements; at the same time, the image source component 11P and the lens 12P are both located at the front end of the device, causing the weight of the front end of the device to be relatively heavy.

[0005] With the development of waveguide technology, waveguide technology has gradually been widely used in the field of augmented reality to replace the semi-reflective mirror 13P and the curved reflector 14P in the existing return-type augmented reality device 10P. Figure 2As shown, the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P generally includes an image source component 21P, a lens component 22P and a waveguide 23P, so that the image light emitted by the image source component 21P is focused by the lens component 22P and then transmitted to the human eye through the waveguide 23P to present a magnified virtual image, and the human eye can see real objects through the waveguide 23P, so that the virtual image and the real world are superimposed to complete the enhanced interaction.

[0006] However, although the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P can solve the problem of large front-end size and heavy weight of the device, because the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P loses the return light path, it has to increase the number of lenses in the lens assembly 22P to extend the optical path to ensure that the image light has a sufficient optical path to form a high-quality virtual image. In this way, the volume and weight of the lens assembly 22P will increase sharply, resulting in the overall size and weight of the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P will also increase. What is even more unacceptable is that most of the weight of the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P will be concentrated on the lens assembly 22P to cause uneven weight distribution, thereby affecting the user's wearing comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof, which can reduce the size and weight of the device while ensuring that the image light has a sufficient optical path, thereby helping to improve the wearing comfort of the user.

[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide-based augmented reality device can use planar folding technology to increase the optical path of image light in a smaller physical space, which helps to improve the compactness of the device structure and reduce the size and weight of the device.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide-based augmented reality device can package a planar folded optical component at the edge of the waveguide to simplify the packaging process and improve the packaging quality while avoiding interference with the coupling-in area and the coupling-out area of ​​the waveguide.

[0010] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof, wherein, in one embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide-based augmented reality device is capable of integrally encapsulating the planar folded optical component and the waveguide so as to reduce the difficulty of aligning the projection area of ​​the planar folded optical component with the coupling area of ​​the waveguide.

[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide-based augmented reality device can use the developing area of ​​the planar folded optical component to converge or diverge light to replace curved hyperopia or myopia lenses, which helps hyperopic or myopic users to see clear virtual images and real objects directly using the waveguide-based augmented reality device, thereby obtaining a good augmented reality experience.

[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof, wherein to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention does not require the use of expensive materials or complex structures. Thus, the present invention successfully and effectively provides a solution that not only provides a waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof, but also increases the practicality and reliability of the waveguide-based augmented reality device and method thereof.

[0013] To achieve at least one of the above advantages or other advantages and purposes, the present invention provides a waveguide-based augmented reality device, comprising:

[0014] an image source component for emitting image light;

[0015] a waveguide assembly, wherein the waveguide assembly has an incoupling region and an outcoupling region arranged side by side, and the incoupling region of the waveguide assembly corresponds to the image source assembly; and

[0016] A planar folded optical component, wherein the planar folded optical component is arranged in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component, wherein the planar folded optical component has optical focal length and includes a plurality of planar optical elements stacked on each other, so that the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component can be folded at a selectable deflection angle by the plurality of planar optical elements, so that the image light from the image source component is converged or diverged while being folded multiple times in the planar folded optical component, and then coupled into the coupling-in region of the waveguide component and then coupled out from the coupling-out region of the waveguide component.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present application, the multiple planar optical elements in the planar folding light component include a second optical element, a third optical element and a fourth optical element with optical focal length, wherein the second optical element is used to transmit the first polarized image light and reflect the second polarized image light at a selectable angle; wherein the third optical element is used to convert the first polarized image light and the second polarized image light into the third polarized image light and the fourth polarized image light; wherein the fourth optical element is used to reflect the third polarized image light and transmit the fourth polarized image light; wherein the first polarized image light and the second polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other, and the third polarized image light and the fourth polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the multiple planar optical elements in the planar folding light component further include a first optical element, wherein the first optical element is used to polarize the image light from the image source component into the first polarized image light, and the first optical element, the second optical element, the third optical element and the fourth optical element are stacked in sequence in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present application, the first optical element is a circular polarizer, wherein the circular polarizer is used to polarize the image light into circularly polarized light.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present application, the multiple planar optical elements in the planar folding light component further include a first optical element, wherein the first optical element is used to polarize the image light from the image source component into the fourth polarized image light, and the first optical element, the fourth optical element, the third optical element and the second optical element are stacked in sequence in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present application, the first optical element is a linear polarizer, wherein the linear polarizer is used to polarize the image light into linearly polarized light.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present application, the second optical element is a polarizer hologram, which is used to transmit one of the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light, and can selectively reflect the other of the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light at an angle; wherein the third optical element is a 1 / 4 wave plate; and wherein the fourth optical element is a polarization reflector, which is used to transmit one of the P-polarized image light and the S-polarized image light, and reflect the other of the P-polarized image light and the S-polarized image light.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present application, the second optical element and the third optical element are stacked at intervals to form a light-transmitting gap between the second optical element and the third optical element.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present application, the multiple planar optical elements in the planar folding optical component further include a planar light-transmitting element, wherein the planar light-transmitting element is arranged in the light-transmitting gap, and the refractive index of the planar light-transmitting element is greater than the refractive index of air.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present application, the planar folded optical component is configured to match the coupling-in region of the waveguide component.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present application, the planar folded optical component is configured to match the coupling-in region and the coupling-out region of the waveguide component.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present application, the planar folding optical component is configured to match the coupling-in region and the coupling-out region of the waveguide component at the same time, and the first optical element in the planar folding optical component only corresponds to the coupling-in region of the waveguide component.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present application, the second optical element in the planar folding optical component has a first optical area and a second optical area arranged side by side, wherein the first optical area of ​​the second optical element corresponds to the coupling-in area of ​​the waveguide component, is used to transmit the first polarized image light, and can select the angle to reflect the second polarized image light; wherein the second optical area of ​​the second optical element corresponds to the coupling-out area of ​​the waveguide component, is used to transmit the second polarized image light, and can select the angle to reflect the first polarized image light.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present application, the second optical element includes a first polarization hologram and a second polarization hologram having opposite polarization sensitivities, wherein the first polarization hologram and the second polarization hologram are arranged side by side to provide the first optical zone and the second optical zone, respectively.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present application, the waveguide component is an SRG diffraction waveguide or a two-dimensional array waveguide.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present application, the present application further provides a method for manufacturing a waveguide-based augmented reality device, comprising the steps of:

[0032] Correspondingly disposing an image source component for emitting image light in a coupling region of a waveguide component; and

[0033] A planar folding optical component with optical focal length is arranged in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component, wherein the planar folding optical component includes a plurality of planar optical elements stacked on each other, so that the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component can be folded at a selectable deflection angle by the plurality of planar optical elements, so that the image light from the image source component is converged or diverged while being folded multiple times in the planar folding optical component, and then coupled into the coupling-in region of the waveguide component and then coupled out from the coupling-out region of the waveguide component.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present application, the present application further provides a near-eye display method, comprising the steps of:

[0035] emitting an image light;

[0036] The image light can be folded back multiple times at a selectable deflection angle to converge or diverge the image light; and

[0037] The image light that has been converged or diverged is transmitted to the human eye by total reflection to form an image.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present application, the step of returning the image light multiple times at a selectable deflection angle to converge or diverge the image light includes the following steps:

[0039] polarizing the image light to form a first polarized image light;

[0040] Transmitting the first polarized image light to convert it into a third polarized image light;

[0041] reflecting the third polarized image light back to convert it into a second polarized image light, wherein the second polarized image light and the first polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other;

[0042] reflecting the second polarized image light back at a selectable angle to diverge or converge the second polarized image light; and

[0043] The second polarized image light is converted to form a fourth polarized image light, wherein the fourth polarized image light and the third polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present application, the step of returning the image light multiple times at a selectable deflection angle to converge or diverge the image light includes the following steps:

[0045] polarizing the image light to form a fourth polarized image light;

[0046] transmitting the fourth polarized image light to convert it into a second polarized image light;

[0047] reflecting the second polarized image light back at a selectable angle to diverge or converge the second polarized image light;

[0048] converting the second polarized image light to form a third polarized image light, wherein the third polarized image light and the fourth polarized image light are orthogonally polarized to each other; and

[0049] The third polarized image light is reflected back to be converted into a first polarized image light, wherein the first polarized image light and the second polarized image light are orthogonally polarized to each other.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present application, the step of transmitting the image light that has been converged or diverged to the human eye by total reflection to form an image includes the following steps:

[0051] coupling in the fourth polarized image light;

[0052] guiding the coupled-in fourth polarized image light by total reflection; and

[0053] The fourth polarized image light guided by total reflection is coupled out.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present application, the step of transmitting the image light that has been converged or diverged to the human eye by total reflection to form an image further includes the steps of:

[0055] transmitting the outcoupled fourth polarized image light to convert it into the first polarized image light;

[0056] reflecting the first polarized image light back at a selectable angle to diverge or converge the first polarized image light;

[0057] converting the first polarized image light to form the third polarized image light; and

[0058] The third polarized image light is reflected back to be converted into the second polarized image light and propagates to the human eye for imaging.

[0059] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from an understanding of the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0060] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, accompanying drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an existing catadioptric augmented reality device is shown.

[0062] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an existing waveguide-based augmented reality device is shown.

[0063] Figure 3 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a waveguide-based augmented reality device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the optical path of the planar folded optical component of the waveguide-based augmented reality device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0065] Figure 4A A first example of the planar folding optical component according to the above-mentioned first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0066] Figure 4B A second example of the planar folding optical component according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0067] Figure 5 A first variant implementation of the planar folding optical component according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0068] Figure 6 A second variant implementation of the planar folding optical component according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0069] Figure 7 A third variant implementation of the planar folding optical component according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0070] Figure 8 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a waveguide-based augmented reality device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 9 and Figure 10 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a waveguide-based augmented reality device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 11 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a waveguide-based augmented reality device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 12 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a near-eye display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 13A An example of one of the steps in the near-eye display method according to the above embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0075] Figure 13B Another example of one of the steps in the near-eye display method according to the above embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0076] Figure 14 A flow chart of step 2 of the near-eye display method according to the above embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The following description is intended to disclose the present invention so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention. The preferred embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other obvious variations. The basic principles of the present invention defined in the following description may be applied to other embodiments, variations, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0078] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of the present invention, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0079] In the present invention, the term "a" or "an" in the claims and the specification should be understood as "one or more." That is, in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element may be multiple. Unless the disclosure of the present invention clearly indicates that the number of the element is only one, the term "a" or "an" should not be understood as a unique or singular element, and the term "a" or "an" should not be understood as a limitation on the quantity.

[0080] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through a medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0081] In the description of this specification, the reference terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0082] In recent years, with the rapid development of augmented reality technology, devices or equipment that can realize augmented reality have become more and more popular and used by people. Figure 1 As shown, although the existing catadioptric augmented reality device 10P can increase the optical path by reflecting the image light, the overall size of the front end of the device is relatively large because the half-reflective half-mirror 13P and the curved reflector 14P used are both curved elements; at the same time, the image source component 11P and the lens 12P are both located at the front end of the device, resulting in a relatively heavy weight of the front end of the device; and as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, although the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P can solve the problem of large front-end size and heavy weight of the device, because the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P loses the return light path, it has to increase the number of lenses in the lens assembly 22P to extend the optical path to ensure that the image light has a sufficient optical path to form a high-quality virtual image. In this way, the volume and weight of the lens assembly 22P will increase sharply, resulting in the overall size and weight of the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P will also increase. What is even more unacceptable is that most of the weight of the existing waveguide-based augmented reality device 20P will be concentrated on the lens assembly 22P to cause uneven weight distribution, thereby affecting the user's wearing comfort.

[0083] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, refer to the attached Figures 3 to 4B As shown, the first embodiment of the present invention provides an augmented reality device based on a waveguide, which can reduce the size and weight of the device while ensuring that the image light has a sufficient optical path, thereby helping to improve the wearing comfort of the user.

[0084] Specifically, if Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 may include an image source component 10 for emitting image light 100, a waveguide component 20, and a planar folded light component 30. The waveguide component 20 has an incoupling region 201 and an outcoupling region 202 arranged side by side, and the incoupling region 201 of the waveguide component 20 corresponds to the image source component 10. The planar folding optical component 30 is disposed in the optical path between the image source component 10 and the waveguide component 20. The planar folding optical component 30 has optical power and includes a plurality of stacked planar optical elements 300. The planar folding optical component 300 allows the optical path between the image source component 10 and the waveguide component 20 to be folded at a selectable deflection angle. This allows the image light 100 from the image source component 10 to be folded multiple times within the planar folding optical component 30, converged or diverged, and then coupled into the incoupling region 201 of the waveguide component 20 and then outcoupling from the outcoupling region 202 of the waveguide component 20. This allows the human eye to form an image, resulting in a virtual image corresponding to the image light 100. Simultaneously, ambient light can also be formed into the human eye after passing through the outcoupling region 202 of the waveguide component 20, resulting in a real image corresponding to the ambient light, thereby providing an augmented reality experience. It can be understood that the image light 100 of the present application can be implemented as light with a certain angle and carrying image information.

[0085] It is worth noting that, since the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention can selectively fold the optical path at a deflection angle through the planar folding optical component 30, the image light 100 is folded back multiple times along the folded optical path in the planar folding optical component 30 and is converged or diverged, thereby extending the optical path of the image light 100 within a limited space while selectively changing the convergence or divergence angle of the image light 100. Therefore, when providing the same optical path and the same convergence or divergence effect, the thickness and size of the planar folding optical component 30 will be much smaller than those of a traditional lens group (such as Figure 2The thickness and size of the lens assembly 22P shown in FIG. 2 are significantly smaller than those of the lens assembly 22P. In other words, the volume and weight of the planar folding optical assembly 30 are much smaller than those of the lens group, thereby reducing the volume and weight of the entire device, thereby improving the wearing comfort of the user. In particular, because the multiple planar optical elements 300 of the planar folding optical assembly 30 all have flat surfaces and are stacked on top of each other, compared to the existing folding-type augmented reality device 10P, which both have curved surfaces, the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 of the present application is superior to the existing folding-type augmented reality device 10P in terms of size and compactness. In addition, the planar folding optical assembly 30 is easier to assemble, which greatly reduces the assembly cost of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1.

[0086] More specifically, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the multiple planar optical elements 300 in the planar folding optical assembly 30 of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 may include a first optical element 301, a second optical element 302 having optical power, a third optical element 303, and a fourth optical element 304. The first optical element 301, the second optical element 302, the third optical element 303, and the fourth optical element 304 are sequentially stacked in the optical path between the image source assembly 10 and the waveguide assembly 20. The first optical element 301 is used to polarize the image light 100 into a first polarized image light 101. The second optical element 302 is used to transmit the first polarized image light 101 and reflect the second polarized image light 102 at a selectable angle. The third optical element 303 is used to convert the first polarized image light 101 and the second polarized image light 102 into the third polarized image light 103 and the fourth polarized image light 104. The fourth optical element 304 is configured to reflect the third polarized image light 103 and transmit the fourth polarized image light 104. It is understood that when the second polarized image light 102 is reflected by the second optical element 302, its incident angle may not be equal to the reflection angle. Instead, the second polarized image light 102 is reflected at a predetermined specific angle to converge or diverge the second polarized image light 103 as needed.

[0087] In this way, Figure 4As shown, first, the image light 100 from the image source assembly 10 propagates to the first optical element 301 to be polarized into the first polarized image light 101 by the first optical element 301; then, the first polarized image light 101 propagates to the second optical element 302 to be converted into the third polarized image light 103 by the third optical element 303 after passing through the second optical element 302; then, the third polarized image light 103 propagates to the fourth optical element 304 to be reflected by the fourth optical element 304 back to the third optical element 303 and then converted into the third polarized image light 103 by the third optical element 303. The third optical element 303 converts the image light into the second polarized image light 102. The second polarized image light 102 then propagates to the second optical element 302 and is reflected back to the third optical element 303 at a selectable deflection angle by the second optical element 302. After that, the third optical element 303 converts the image light into the fourth polarized image light 104. Finally, the fourth polarized image light 104 propagates to the fourth optical element 304, passes through the fourth optical element 304, and propagates to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide assembly 20 to be coupled into the waveguide assembly 20 from the coupling-in region 201. It can be understood that because the image light of various polarization states is folded back and forth between the second optical element 302 and the fourth optical element 304 in the planar folding optical assembly 30, the optical path between the image source assembly 10 and the waveguide assembly 20 is folded within the planar folding optical assembly 30, thereby achieving the effect of extending the optical path within a limited space.

[0088] It is noteworthy that the first polarized image light 101 and the second polarized image light 102 are polarized orthogonally to each other, and the third polarized image light 103 and the fourth polarized image light 104 are polarized orthogonally to each other. This ensures that the optical path is folded to extend the optical path, while enabling the first optical element 301, the second optical element 302, the third optical element 303 and the fourth optical element 304 to achieve the above-mentioned effects using existing optical elements, which helps to reduce the manufacturing difficulty of the planar folding light component 30.

[0089] Preferably, if Figure 4As shown, the first optical element 301 in the planar folded light assembly 30 is implemented as a circular polarizer 31, wherein the circular polarizer 31 is used to polarize image light into circularly polarized light. For example, the image light 100 from the image source assembly 10 can be polarized by the circular polarizer 31 into left-handed circularly polarized image light (i.e., image light with a left-handed circular polarization state) or right-handed circularly polarized image light (i.e., image light with a right-handed circular polarization state). In particular, the circular polarizer 31 can be implemented, but is not limited to, as a circular polarizing film, which helps to reduce the difficulty of manufacturing and assembling the first optical element 301. It is understood that the circular polarizer 31 can also be implemented as other optical elements, such as a circular polarizer, as long as it can polarize the image light 100 from the image source assembly 10 into the first polarized image light 101. This application will not elaborate on this further.

[0090] like Figure 4 As shown, the second optical element 302 in the planar folded optical assembly 30 is preferably implemented as a polarizer hologram 32, wherein the polarizer hologram 32 is designed to transmit one of the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light and to reflect the other at a selectable angle. In particular, the polarizer hologram 32 can be, but is not limited to, implemented as a polarizer holographic film, which helps to reduce the difficulty of manufacturing and assembling the second optical element 302.

[0091] It is worth noting that the polarizer hologram 32 is an anisotropic optical element fabricated using holographic technology. It is typically a grating array structure formed by spiral photopolymers formed by liquid crystal alignment. It exhibits both angular and polarization selectivity, emitting light at different deflection angles at different locations. This gives the planar structure of the polarizer hologram 32 optical power, enabling it to converge or diverge light similar to a curved lens. It is understood that the polarizer hologram 32 can also be implemented as other optical elements, such as a polarizer hologram sheet, as long as they can transmit the first polarized image light 101 and reflect the second polarized image light 102. This application will not elaborate further on this aspect.

[0092] like Figure 4 As shown, the third optical element 303 in the plane folding light component 30 is preferably implemented as a 1 / 4 wave plate 33, wherein the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 is used to convert linearly polarized light (such as P-polarized image light or S-polarized image light) and circularly polarized light (such as the left-handed circularly polarized image light or the right-handed circularly polarized image light) into each other.

[0093] like Figure 4As shown, the fourth optical element 304 in the planar folding light assembly 30 is preferably implemented as a polarized reflective element 34, wherein the polarized reflective element 34 is configured to reflect one of the S-polarized image light and the P-polarized image light and transmit the other of the S-polarized image light and the P-polarized image light. In particular, the polarized reflective element 34 may be, but is not limited to, implemented as a polarized reflective film, configured to reflect the S-polarized image light and transmit the P-polarized image light, thereby reducing the difficulty in manufacturing and assembling the fourth optical element 304. It is understood that the polarized reflective element 34 may also be implemented as another optical element, such as a polarizing beam splitter, as long as it can transmit the fourth polarized image light 104 and reflect the third polarized image light 103. This application will not further elaborate on this aspect.

[0094] For example, in the first example of this application, Figure 4A As shown, the first polarized image light 101 and the second polarized image light 102 can be implemented in sequence as image light with a left-handed circular polarization state (referred to as left-handed circularly polarized image light) and image light with a right-handed circular polarization state (referred to as right-handed circularly polarized image light), and the third polarized image light 103 and the fourth polarized image light 104 can be correspondingly implemented in sequence as image light with an S-polarization state (referred to as S-polarized image light) and image light with a P-polarization state (referred to as P-polarized image light).

[0095] Meanwhile, in the above first example of the present application, as Figure 4A As shown, the circular polarizer 31 in the planar folding light assembly 30 is used to polarize the image light 100 into the left-handed circularly polarized image light; the polarizer hologram 32 is used to transmit the left-handed circularly polarized image light and to reflect the right-handed circularly polarized image light at an optional deflection angle; the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 is used to convert the P-polarized image light and the S-polarized image light into the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light; the polarized reflector 34 is used to transmit the P-polarized image light and to reflect the S-polarized image light.

[0096] In this way, Figure 4AAs shown, first, the image light 100 from the image source component 10 propagates to the circular polarizer 31 to be polarized by the circular polarizer 31 into the left-handed circularly polarized image light; then, the left-handed circularly polarized image light propagates to the polarizer hologram 32 to be converted into the S-polarized image light by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after passing through the polarizer hologram 32; then, the S-polarized image light propagates to the polarizing reflector 34 to be converted into the right-handed circularly polarized image light by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after being reflected back to the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 by the polarizing reflector 34; thereafter, the right-handed circularly polarized image light propagates to the polarizer hologram 32. 2 is reflected by the polarizer hologram 32 at a selectable deflection angle back to the quarter wave plate 33, and then converted into the P-polarized image light by the quarter wave plate 33; finally, the P-polarized image light propagates to the polarized reflective element 34, transmits through the polarized reflective element 34, and propagates to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20, so as to be coupled into the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-in region 201, so that the optical path between the image source component 10 and the waveguide component 20 is folded at a selectable deflection angle within the planar folding optical component 30, so as to achieve the effect of extending the optical path in a limited space and at the same time be able to converge or diverge the image light as needed.

[0097] It is worth noting that in the second example of this application, Figure 4B As shown, the first polarized image light 101 and the second polarized image light 102 can also be implemented as right-handed circularly polarized image light and left-handed circularly polarized image light, respectively, and the third polarized image light 103 and the fourth polarized image light 104 can still be implemented as S-polarized image light and P-polarized image light, respectively.

[0098] Meanwhile, in the above second example of the present application, as Figure 4B As shown, the circular polarizer 31 in the plane folding light component 30 is used to polarize the image light 100 into the right-handed circularly polarized image light; the polarizer hologram 32' in the plane folding light component 30 is designed to transmit the right-handed circularly polarized image light and to reflect the left-handed circularly polarized image light at a selective deflection angle; the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 is used to convert the P-polarized image light and the S-polarized image light into the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light; the polarized reflector 34 is used to transmit the P-polarized image light and to reflect the S-polarized image light.

[0099] In this way, Figure 4BAs shown, first, the image light 100 from the image source component 10 propagates to the circular polarizer 31 to be polarized by the circular polarizer 31 into the right-handed circularly polarized image light; then, the right-handed circularly polarized image light propagates to the polarizer hologram 32' to be converted into the S-polarized image light by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after passing through the polarizer hologram 32'; then, the S-polarized image light propagates to the polarizing reflective element 34 to be converted into the left-handed circularly polarized image light by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after being reflected back to the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 by the polarizing reflective element 34; thereafter, the left-handed circularly polarized image light propagates to the polarizer hologram 32' After being reflected back to the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 at a selectable deflection angle by the polarizer hologram 32', the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 is converted into the P-polarized image light; finally, the P-polarized image light propagates to the polarized reflective element 34 to pass through the polarized reflective element 34 and propagate to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20 to be coupled into the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-in region 201, so that the optical path between the image source component 10 and the waveguide component 20 can still be folded at a selectable deflection angle in the planar folding optical component 30 to achieve the effect of extending the optical path in a limited space while also being able to converge or diverge the image light as needed.

[0100] Of course, in other examples of the present application, the third polarized image light 103 and the fourth polarized image light 104 may also be implemented as P-polarized image light and S-polarized image light, respectively. In this case, compared to the first and second examples described above, the polarized reflector 34 only needs to be adjusted to transmit the S-polarized image light and reflect the P-polarized image light. This application will not elaborate on this further.

[0101] It is worth mentioning that according to the above-mentioned first embodiment of the present application, the waveguide component 20 can be implemented as, but not limited to, an SRG (surface relief grating) diffraction waveguide or a two-dimensional array waveguide, etc., which will not be elaborated in this application.

[0102] The image source assembly 10 is not limited to being implemented as a self-luminous OLED or Micro LED; it can also be implemented as a backlit LCD or LCOS, and illuminated by LED or laser, which is not described in detail in this application. It is understood that when the image light 100 emitted by the image source assembly 10 is itself the first polarized image light 101, the first optical element 301 in the planar folding assembly 30 can be omitted to further reduce the thickness of the planar folding assembly 30.

[0103] In the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application, the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303 are preferably stacked at intervals to form a light-transmitting gap 3000 between the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303, so that the distance between the second optical element 302 and the fourth optical element 304 becomes larger, which helps to increase the optical path within the planar folding optical component 30.

[0104] More preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, the light-transmitting gap 3000 is implemented as an air gap 3001 to increase the optical path within the planar-folding optical assembly 30 without increasing the overall weight of the planar-folding optical assembly 30. In other words, no other optical element is disposed between the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303, so that the air gap 3001 is formed between the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303. In this case, the first optical element 301 and the second optical element 302 can be in close contact with each other, and the third optical element 303 and the fourth optical element 304 can be in close contact with each other.

[0105] It is worth noting that the Figure 5 A first variant embodiment of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Compared to the first embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 according to the first variant embodiment of the present invention differs in that the third optical element 303 and the fourth optical element 304 are stacked with an interval to form the light-transmitting gap 3000 between the third optical element 303 and the fourth optical element 304. This still increases the distance between the second optical element 302 and the fourth optical element 304, thereby increasing the optical path within the planar folding optical assembly 30. In this case, the first optical element 301, the second optical element 302, and the third optical element 303 can be in close contact with each other.

[0106] Attachment Figure 6A second variant embodiment of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Compared to the first embodiment of the present invention, the difference of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 according to the second variant embodiment of the present invention is that the planar folding optical component 30 may further include a planar light-transmitting element 305, wherein the planar light-transmitting element 305 is disposed in the light-transmitting gap 3000, and the refractive index of the planar light-transmitting element 305 is greater than the refractive index of air. Therefore, while providing the same optical path, the thickness of the planar light-transmitting element 305 can be thinner than the thickness of the air gap 3001, which helps to further reduce the thickness of the planar folding optical component 30.

[0107] Preferably, if Figure 6 As shown, the planar light-transmitting element 305 is implemented as a planar lens 35, wherein the planar lens 35 has an upper flat surface 351 and a lower flat surface 352, and the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303 are respectively adhered to the upper flat surface 351 and the lower flat surface 352 of the planar lens 35, so as to reduce the difficulty of assembling the planar folding light component 30 while ensuring the flatness of the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303.

[0108] For example, when the second optical element 302 is the polarizer holographic film, the polarizer holographic film may be coated on the upper flat surface 351 of the plane lens 35 to ensure that the polarizer holographic film has a high flatness.

[0109] Of course, in other examples of the present application, the first optical element 301 and the fourth optical element 304 may also be correspondingly attached to the second optical element 302 and the third optical element 303, respectively, to further reduce the difficulty of assembling the planar folding optical component 30.

[0110] Attachment Figure 7 A third variant embodiment of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Compared to the first embodiment, the third variant embodiment of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 differs in that the second optical element 302 and the fourth optical element 304 are swapped, and the first optical element 301' is used to polarize the image light 100 into the fourth polarized image light 104. In other words, the first optical element 301', the fourth optical element 304, the third optical element 303, and the second optical element 302 of the planar folding light assembly 30 are sequentially stacked between the image source assembly 10 and the waveguide assembly 20.

[0111] Preferably, if Figure 7 As shown, the first optical element 301' is implemented as a linear polarizer 31', which is used to polarize the image light 100 into linearly polarized light, such as P-polarized image light. Of course, in other examples of the present application, the linear polarizer 31' can also be used to polarize the image light 100 into S-polarized image light. In this case, the fourth optical element 304 will transmit the S-polarized image light and reflect the P-polarized image light.

[0112] In this way, Figure 7 As shown, first, the image light 100 from the image source component 10 propagates to the linear polarizer 31' to be polarized by the linear polarizer 31' into the P-polarized image light (i.e., the fourth polarized image light 104); then, the P-polarized image light propagates to the polarizing reflector 34 to be converted into the left-handed circularly polarized image light (i.e., the second polarized image light 102) by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after passing through the polarizing reflector 34; then, the left-handed circularly polarized image light propagates to the polarizer hologram 32 to be converted into the S-polarized image light (i.e., the third polarized image light 103) by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after being reflected back to the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 at a selective deflection angle by the polarizer hologram 32; thereafter, the The S-polarized image light propagates to the polarized reflective element 34 and is converted into the right-handed circularly polarized image light (i.e., the first polarized image light 101) by the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 after being reflected back to the 1 / 4 wave plate 33 by the polarized reflective element 34; finally, the right-handed circularly polarized image light propagates to the polarizer hologram 32 and propagates through the polarizer hologram 32 to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20 to be coupled into the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-in region 201, and can still enable the optical path between the image source component 10 and the waveguide component 20 to be folded at a selectable deflection angle within the planar folding optical component 30 so as to achieve the effect of extending the optical path in a limited space while also being able to converge or diverge the image light as needed.

[0113] It is worth mentioning that in the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 of the above-mentioned first embodiment of the present invention and its modified implementation mode: the planar folding light component 30 is arranged to match the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20, that is, the planar folding light component 30 corresponds to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20, so that the image light converged or diverged through the planar folding light component 30 is matched with the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20 to be coupled into the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20.

[0114] However, since the planar folded optical component 30 matches the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20, the planar folded optical component 30 can only be assembled in the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20. This brings many inconveniences to the assembly of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1, such as difficulty in accurately aligning the planar folded optical component 30 with the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20. In particular, when the light-transmitting gap 3000 in the planar folded optical component 30 is the air gap 3001, the planar folded optical component 30 must first be assembled separately using an assembly bracket to support the multiple planar optical elements 300 and maintain sufficient flatness. The assembled planar folded optical component 30 is then installed in the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20. However, this not only increases the assembly process and difficulty, but also the assembly bracket of the planar folded optical component 30 will block the user's line of sight, affecting the user's comfortable experience.

[0115] In order to solve the above problems, the second embodiment of the present invention provides an augmented reality device based on waveguide. Specifically, Figure 8 As shown, compared with the above-mentioned first embodiment according to the present application, the difference of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present application is that the planar folding optical component 30 is simultaneously arranged to match the coupling-in region 201 and the coupling-out region 202 of the waveguide component 20, that is, the planar folding optical component 30 corresponds to the coupling-in region 201 and the coupling-out region 202 of the waveguide component 20 at the same time, so that the planar folding optical component 30 and the waveguide component 20 can be assembled as a whole using the same assembly bracket, so that the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1 looks similar to ordinary glasses in appearance, that is, a flat plate of several millimeters thick, with a more compact structure, and there is no need to worry about the assembly bracket affecting the user's line of sight.

[0116] Thus, similar to the first embodiment of the present application, the image light 100 from the image source component 10 is folded back multiple times by the planar folding optical component 30 and converted into the fourth polarized image light 104, which is then coupled into the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-in region 201 and coupled out of the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-out region 202. However, different from the first embodiment of the present application, the fourth polarized image light 104 coupled out of the coupling-out region 202 transmits through the fourth optical element 304 and then propagates to the third optical element 303 to be converted into the first polarized image light 101. The first polarized image light 101 then transmits through the second optical element 302 and the first optical element 301 in sequence to the human eye, forming a virtual image, thereby still providing the user with an augmented reality experience. It should be understood that, similar to the first example in the first embodiment of the present application, the fourth polarized image light 104 in the second embodiment of the present application can be implemented as P-polarized image light, and the first polarized image light 101 can be correspondingly implemented as left-handed circularly polarized image light.

[0117] It is worth noting that, since the image light beams coupled into the waveguide assembly 20 from the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide assembly 20 are generally parallel light, to ensure that the optical path of the image light beams transmitted within the waveguide assembly 20 remains consistent, the image light beams coupled out from the coupling-out region 202 of the waveguide assembly 20 remain parallel light when incident on the user's eyes because they are not reflected at a selectable angle within the planar folded optical assembly 30. While these parallel image light beams form clear virtual images when directed into the eyes of a user with normal vision, they fail to form clear virtual images when directed into the eyes of a myopic or hyperopic user. This requires the myopic or hyperopic user to wear their own myopia or hyperopia glasses when using the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1, significantly limiting the user's usability and comfort experience.

[0118] In order to solve the above problems, the third embodiment of the present invention provides a waveguide-based augmented reality device 1, which can meet the needs of myopic or hyperopic people, so that they can obtain a better augmented reality experience without wearing myopia or hyperopia glasses. Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown, compared to the second embodiment of the present invention, the difference of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1A according to the third embodiment of the present invention is that the second optical element 302A of the plane-folding light component 30A has a first optical region 3021A and a second optical region 3022A arranged side by side, wherein the first optical region 3021A of the second optical element 302A corresponds to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20, and is configured to transmit the first polarized image light 101 and reflect the second polarized image light 102 at a selectable angle; and wherein the second optical region 3022A of the second optical element 302A corresponds to the coupling-out region 202 of the waveguide component 20, and is configured to transmit the second polarized image light 102 and reflect the first polarized image light 101 at a selectable angle. At the same time, the first optical element 301A of the plane-folding light component 30A only corresponds to the coupling-in region 201 of the waveguide component 20.

[0119] Thus, similar to the above-mentioned second embodiment of the present application, Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, first, the image light 100 from the image source assembly 10 propagates to the first optical element 301 to be polarized into the first polarized image light 101 by the first optical element 301; then, the first polarized image light 101 propagates to the first optical region 3021A of the second optical element 302A to be converted into the third polarized image light 103 by the third optical element 303 after passing through the first optical region 3021A of the second optical element 302A; then, the third polarized image light 103 propagates to the fourth optical element 304 to be reflected back to the third optical element 303 by the fourth optical element 304 and converted into the second polarized image light 102 by the third optical element 303. Afterwards, the second polarized image light 102 propagates to the first optical area 3021A of the second optical element 302A, and is reflected back to the third optical element 303 at a selectable deflection angle by the first optical area 3021A of the second optical element 302A, and is then converted into the fourth polarized image light 104 by the third optical element 303; finally, the fourth polarized image light 104 propagates to the fourth optical element 304, and is transmitted through the fourth optical element 304 to the coupling-in area 201 of the waveguide component 20, so as to be coupled into the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-in area 201, and then is coupled out of the waveguide component 20 from the coupling-out area 202 of the waveguide component 20 after being guided by the waveguide component 20.

[0120] The difference from the above second embodiment of the present application is that: Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, first, the fourth polarized image light 104 coupled out from the outcoupling region 202 propagates to the fourth optical element 304, and is converted into the first polarized image light 101 by the third optical element 303 after passing through the fourth optical element 304; secondly, the first polarized image light 101 propagates to the second optical region 3022A of the second optical element 302A, and is converted into the third polarized image light 101 by the third optical element 303 after being reflected back to the third optical element 303 by the second optical region 3022A of the second optical element 302A. The third polarized image light 103 is transmitted to the fourth optical element 304 and then converted into the second polarized image light 102 by the third optical element 303 after being reflected back to the third optical element 303 by the fourth optical element 304. Finally, the second polarized image light 102 first transmits to the second optical region 3022A of the second optical element 302A and transmits through the second optical region 3022A of the second optical element 302A before transmitting to the human eye to form a virtual image, so that the user can obtain an augmented reality experience.

[0121] It is worth noting that, compared with the above-mentioned second embodiment of the present application, the planar folding optical component 30A of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1A according to the third embodiment of the present application can selectively reflect the image light beam at an angle to diverge or converge the light while folding the image light beam coupled out from the outcoupling region 202 multiple times. That is, the planar folding optical component 30A corresponding to the outcoupling region 202 of the waveguide component 20 uses a folded optical path to realize the convergence or divergence of the light beam, so that the parallel light beam coupled out from the outcoupling region 202 of the waveguide component 20 forms a converging light beam (such as ) after passing through the planar folding optical component 30A. Figure 9 as shown) or diverging beams (as Figure 10 The waveguide-based augmented reality device 1A (shown) is used to introduce human eye imaging, helping people with farsightedness or myopia to see clear virtual images without wearing glasses. At the same time, ambient light is also converged or diverged when passing through the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1A, allowing people with farsightedness or myopia to see clear real images of the environment without wearing glasses. This effectively meets the needs of people with farsightedness or myopia, allowing them to obtain a better augmented reality experience without wearing glasses.

[0122] For example, Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown, the second optical element 302A in the planar folding optical component 30A includes a first polarizer hologram 321A and a second polarizer hologram 322A having opposite polarization-sensitive directions, wherein the first polarizer hologram 321 and the second polarizer hologram 322A are arranged side by side to provide the first optical region 3021A and the second optical region 3022A, respectively, wherein the first polarizer hologram 321A is the same as the above-mentioned polarizer hologram 32, and is used to transmit the left-handed circularly polarized image light and to selectively reflect the right-handed circularly polarized image light at a deflection angle; wherein the second polarizer hologram 322A is the same as the above-mentioned polarizer hologram 32', and is used to transmit the right-handed circularly polarized image light and to selectively reflect the left-handed circularly polarized image light at a deflection angle.

[0123] Preferably, the first polarizer hologram 321A in the second optical element 302A is integrally connected to the second polarizer hologram 322A to simplify assembly of the planar folding optical assembly 30A. Of course, in other examples of the present application, the first polarizer hologram 321A and the second polarizer hologram 322A in the second optical element 302A may be arranged spaced apart to form the first polarizer hologram 321A and the second polarizer hologram 322A separately.

[0124] It is worth noting that in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, since the refractive power of the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1A is determined by the optical focal length (i.e., the reflection angle) of the second optical element 302A, the waveguide-based augmented reality device 1A obtains different refractive powers by selecting the second optical elements 302A with different optical focal lengths to meet the needs of different myopic or hyperopic people.

[0125] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a waveguide-based augmented reality device. Specifically, Figure 11 As shown, the manufacturing method of the waveguide-based augmented reality device may include the steps of:

[0126] S110: correspondingly disposing an image source component for emitting image light in a coupling-in region of a waveguide component; and

[0127] S120: A planar folding optical component with optical focal length is arranged in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component, wherein the planar folding optical component includes a plurality of planar optical elements stacked on each other, so that the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component can be folded at a selective deflection angle by the plurality of planar optical elements, so that the image light from the image source component is converged or diverged while being folded back multiple times in the planar folding optical component, and then coupled into from the coupling-in region of the waveguide component and then coupled out from the coupling-out region of the waveguide component.

[0128] It is worth noting that in step S120 of the method for manufacturing the waveguide-based augmented reality device: a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element and a fourth optical element are stacked in sequence to form the planar folded light component.

[0129] It is worth mentioning that, according to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a near-eye display method. Specifically, Figure 12 As shown, the near-eye display method may include the steps of:

[0130] S210: emitting an image light;

[0131] S220: folding the image light multiple times at a selectable deflection angle to converge or diverge the image light; and S230: transmitting the converged or diverged image light to the human eye by total reflection to form an image.

[0132] In one example of this application, Figure 13A As shown, the step S220 of the near-eye display method may include the following steps:

[0133] S221: polarizing the image light to form a first polarized image light;

[0134] S222: Transmitting the first polarized image light to convert it into a third polarized image light;

[0135] S223: reflecting the third polarized image light back to convert it into a second polarized image light, wherein the second polarized image light and the first polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other;

[0136] S224: reflecting the second polarized image light back at a selectable angle to diverge or converge the second polarized image light; and

[0137] S225: Convert the second polarized image light to form a fourth polarized image light, wherein the fourth polarized image light and the third polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other.

[0138] In another example of this application, Figure 13BAs shown, the step S220 of the near-eye display method may include the following steps:

[0139] S221′: polarizing the image light to form a fourth polarized image light;

[0140] S222′: transmitting the fourth polarized image light to convert it into a second polarized image light;

[0141] S223′: reflecting the second polarized image light back at a selected angle to diverge or converge the second polarized image light;

[0142] S224′: converting the second polarized image light to form a third polarized image light, wherein the third polarized image light and the fourth polarized image light are orthogonally polarized to each other; and

[0143] S225 ′: Reflecting the third polarized image light back to convert it into a first polarized image light, wherein the first polarized image light and the second polarized image light are orthogonally polarized to each other.

[0144] It is worth noting that Figure 14 As shown, the step S230 of the near-eye display method may include the following steps:

[0145] S231: coupling in the fourth polarized image light;

[0146] S232: guiding the coupled-in fourth polarized image light by total reflection; and

[0147] S233: Decoupling the fourth polarized image light guided by total reflection.

[0148] Preferably, if Figure 14 As shown, the step S230 of the near-eye display method further includes the steps of:

[0149] S234: Transmitting the outcoupled fourth polarized image light to convert it into the first polarized image light;

[0150] S235: reflecting the first polarized image light back at a selected angle to diverge or converge the first polarized image light;

[0151] S236: Converting the first polarized image light to form the third polarized image light; and

[0152] S237: Reflecting the third polarized image light back to convert it into the second polarized image light and transmitting it to the human eye for forming an image.

[0153] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present invention described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The objectives of the present invention have been fully and effectively achieved. The functional and structural principles of the present invention have been demonstrated and illustrated in the embodiments. Any variations or modifications may be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the principles described.

Claims

1. A waveguide-based augmented reality device, characterized in that include: an image source component for emitting image light; a waveguide assembly, wherein the waveguide assembly has an incoupling region and an outcoupling region arranged side by side, and the incoupling region of the waveguide assembly corresponds to the image source assembly; and A planar folded optical component, wherein the planar folded optical component is disposed in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component, wherein the planar folded optical component has optical power and comprises a plurality of planar optical elements stacked on each other, so as to fold the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component at a selectable deflection angle by the plurality of planar optical elements, so that the image light from the image source component is converged or diverged while being folded multiple times within the planar folded optical component, and then coupled into the coupling-in region of the waveguide component and then coupled out from the coupling-out region of the waveguide component; The plurality of planar optical elements in the planar folding optical assembly include a second optical element, a third optical element, and a fourth optical element having optical power, wherein the second optical element is configured to transmit a first polarized image light and to reflect a second polarized image light at a selectable angle; wherein the third optical element is configured to convert the first polarized image light and the second polarized image light into a third polarized image light and a fourth polarized image light; wherein the fourth optical element is configured to reflect the third polarized image light and transmit the fourth polarized image light; wherein the first polarized image light and the second polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other, and the third polarized image light and the fourth polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other; The plurality of planar optical elements in the planar folded light assembly further includes a first optical element, wherein the first optical element is used to polarize the image light from the image source assembly into the first polarized image light, and the first optical element, the second optical element, the third optical element, and the fourth optical element are sequentially stacked in the optical path between the image source assembly and the waveguide assembly; wherein the planar folded optical component is configured to match both the incoupling region and the outcoupling region of the waveguide component, and the first optical element in the planar folded optical component only corresponds to the incoupling region of the waveguide component; The second optical element in the planar folded optical component has a first optical region and a second optical region arranged side by side, wherein the first optical region of the second optical element corresponds to the incoupling region of the waveguide component, and is configured to transmit the first polarized image light and reflect the second polarized image light at a selectable angle; wherein the second optical region of the second optical element corresponds to the outcoupling region of the waveguide component, and is configured to transmit the second polarized image light and reflect the first polarized image light at a selectable angle; The second optical element includes a first polarization volume hologram and a second polarization volume hologram having opposite polarization-sensitive directions, wherein the first polarization volume hologram and the second polarization volume hologram are arranged side by side to provide the first optical zone and the second optical zone respectively.

2. The waveguide-based augmented reality device of claim 1, wherein: The first optical element is a circular polarizer, wherein the circular polarizer is used to polarize the image light into circularly polarized light.

3. The waveguide-based augmented reality device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second optical element is a polarizing hologram, which is used to transmit one of the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light, and can selectively reflect the other of the left-handed circularly polarized image light and the right-handed circularly polarized image light at an angle; wherein the third optical element is a 1 / 4 wave plate; and wherein the fourth optical element is a polarizing reflector, which is used to transmit one of the P-polarized image light and the S-polarized image light, and reflect the other of the P-polarized image light and the S-polarized image light.

4. The waveguide-based augmented reality device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second optical element and the third optical element are stacked with an interval to form a light-transmitting gap between the second optical element and the third optical element.

5. The waveguide-based augmented reality device of claim 4, wherein: The plurality of planar optical elements in the planar folding optical assembly further include a planar light-transmitting element, wherein the planar light-transmitting element is disposed in the light-transmitting gap, and the refractive index of the planar light-transmitting element is greater than the refractive index of air.

6. The waveguide-based augmented reality device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The waveguide component is an SRG diffraction waveguide or a two-dimensional array waveguide.

7. A method for manufacturing a waveguide-based augmented reality device, characterized in that: Including steps: Correspondingly disposing an image source component for emitting image light in a coupling region of a waveguide component; and A planar folding light component with optical focal length is arranged in the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component, wherein the planar folding light component includes a plurality of planar optical elements stacked on each other, so that the optical path between the image source component and the waveguide component can be folded at a selective deflection angle by the plurality of planar optical elements, so that the image light from the image source component is converged or diverged while being folded back multiple times in the planar folding light component, and then coupled into from the coupling-in region of the waveguide component and then coupled out from the coupling-out region of the waveguide component, so as to produce a waveguide-based augmented reality device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A near-eye display method, characterized in that: Including steps: Emittering an image light through the image source component of the waveguide-based augmented reality device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; By using the planar folded light component of the waveguide-based augmented reality device, the image light can be folded back multiple times at a selective deflection angle to converge or diverge the image light; as well as The image light that has been converged or diverged is transmitted to the human eye by total reflection through the waveguide component of the waveguide-based augmented reality device to form an image.

9. The near-eye display method according to claim 8, wherein: The step of returning the image light multiple times at a selectable deflection angle to converge or diverge the image light comprises the following steps: polarizing the image light to form a first polarized image light; Transmitting the first polarized image light to convert it into a third polarized image light; reflecting the third polarized image light back to convert it into a second polarized image light, wherein the second polarized image light and the first polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other; reflecting the second polarized image light back at a selectable angle to diverge or converge the second polarized image light; and The second polarized image light is converted to form a fourth polarized image light, wherein the fourth polarized image light and the third polarized image light are polarized orthogonally to each other.

10. The near-eye display method according to claim 9, wherein: The step of transmitting the image light that has been converged or diverged to the human eye by total reflection to form an image comprises the following steps: coupling in the fourth polarized image light; guiding the coupled-in fourth polarized image light by total reflection; and The fourth polarized image light guided by total reflection is coupled out.

11. The near-eye display method according to claim 10, wherein: The step of transmitting the image light after being converged or diverged to the human eye by total reflection to form an image further includes the steps of: transmitting the outcoupled fourth polarized image light to convert it into the first polarized image light; reflecting the first polarized image light back at a selectable angle to diverge or converge the first polarized image light; converting the first polarized image light to form the third polarized image light; and The third polarized image light is reflected back to be converted into the second polarized image light and propagates to the human eye for imaging.

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