Augmented reality display lens and device

Abstract

The application provides an augmented reality display lens and device. The augmented reality display lens comprises a substrate, a coupling-in structure on one side of the substrate for coupling-in multiple lights with different visual angle contents into the substrate, and a visual angle separation diffraction structure for respectively diffraction of the multiple lights transmitted from the substrate to different preset visual positions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display devices, and more particularly, to an augmented reality display lens, an augmented reality display device, and a method for manufacturing an augmented reality display device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Augmented reality (AR) is a popular technology that can be more widely used in the future.

[0003] AR glasses are a representative application of augmented reality display. After a user wears the AR glasses, the user can see the real world on one hand and the images provided by the AR glasses on the other hand. The AR glasses can fuse virtual images with the real world and have broad application prospects in many fields such as military, medical, and teaching.

[0004] Existing AR glasses are of light waveguide type and volume holographic type, and the technical solutions of the two types of AR glasses are different. Due to the limitation of material stability of volume holographic technology at present, the light waveguide type of AR glasses becomes the mainstream choice. People expect that the AR glasses can better fuse virtual images with the real world when in use. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide an augmented reality display lens, which comprises a substrate, a coupling-in structure located on one side of the substrate and configured to couple-in multiple lights with different viewing angle contents into the substrate, and a viewing angle separation diffraction structure configured to diffract the multiple lights transmitted from the substrate to different preset visual positions, respectively.

[0006] In one embodiment, the coupling-in structure and the viewing angle separation diffraction structure are located on the same side of the substrate.

[0007] In one embodiment, the viewing angle separation diffraction structure comprises a plurality of grating arrays, each of which is configured to diffract a corresponding light to a corresponding preset visual position.

[0008] In one embodiment, in the grating array, a plurality of pixel gratings arranged in alignment along a first direction have the same orientation angle and different periods, and a plurality of pixel gratings arranged in alignment along a second direction have the same period and different orientation angles, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to a perspective working direction of the lens.

[0009] In one embodiment, in the plurality of grating arrays, a first grating array is located at one side of a second grating array, and a preset visual position corresponding to the first grating array is located at the side of the first grating array relative to a preset visual position corresponding to the second grating array.

[0010] In one embodiment, the preset visual position is located in a direction defined by a negative first-order diffraction angle of the corresponding pixel grating.

[0011] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide an augmented reality display device, comprising: the aforementioned augmented reality display lens; and a projection component configured to emit the plurality of lights having different visual angle contents to the in-coupling structure.

[0012] In one embodiment, a first preset visual position is located at one side of a second visual position; and the projection component is configured to emit one light having a first visual angle content to the first preset visual position, and emit one light having a second visual angle content to the second preset visual position, wherein the first visual angle content is rotated to the side of the first preset visual position relative to the second visual angle content, or the first visual angle content is scaled relative to the second visual angle content.

[0013] In one embodiment, the plurality of lights are coupled into the augmented reality display lens in parallel.

[0014] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for manufacturing an augmented reality display device, comprising: forming the aforementioned augmented reality display lens; configuring a projection component configured to emit lights having different visual angle contents; and disposing the projection component at a position corresponding to the in-coupling structure.

[0015] In one embodiment, the projection component is configured to emit one light from different regions respectively, and each light has one of the visual angle contents; and the step of forming the visual angle separation diffraction structure comprises: forming a plurality of grating arrays in parallel, wherein each grating array is configured to diffract a corresponding light to a corresponding preset visual position.

[0016] In one embodiment, in the formed grating arrays, a plurality of pixel gratings arranged in alignment along a first direction have the same orientation angle and different periods, and a plurality of pixel gratings arranged in alignment along a second direction have the same period and different orientation angles, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to a perspective working direction of the augmented reality display lens.

[0017] The augmented reality display lens provided by the embodiments of the present application can be used to form images with different visual angles at different preset visual positions. When the augmented reality display device provided by the embodiments of the present application is used as AR glasses, the different visual positions of the lens are adapted to be located at different positions of the pupil caused by the rotation of the eyeball. Then, when the eyeball of the user rotates to different positions, the light with different visual angle contents is respectively received. Then, the picture reflected in the brain of the user matches the movement of the eyeball, and the motion parallax does not occur. The AR experience of the user is better. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an augmented reality display device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic image collectively presented by three preset visual positions according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an augmented reality display lens according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the working principle of a pixel grating according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an augmented reality display lens according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic image collectively presented by six preset visual positions according to an embodiment of the present application; and

[0025] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an augmented reality display device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] For better understanding of the present application, various aspects of the present application will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these detailed descriptions are only descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the present application, and do not limit the scope of the present application in any way. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] It should be noted that the terms first, second, third, etc. that are used in this specification are used only to distinguish one feature from another, and not to denote any limitation. Thus, a first grating array discussed below could also be termed a second grating array, without departing from the teachings of the present application. Conversely, a second grating array could also be termed a first grating array.

[0028] In the drawings, the thicknesses of components, sizes, and the like, are exaggerated for clarity. The drawings are not strictly to scale. For example, the size, number, arrangement, etc. of the first pixel gratings are not to scale as in actual production. As used in this document, the terms "substantially", "approximately", and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in a measuring or computing process.

[0029] It should also be understood that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "have", "having", "contain", and / or "containing", when used in this specification, indicate the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. In addition, when expressions such as "at least one of... " appear in a list of two or more items, the phrase is intended to refer to any combination of the listed items, including individual items in the list. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present application, the use of "may" indicates that one or more embodiments of the present application. Also, the term "exemplary" is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and not be interpreted in an overly formal or overly literal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0031] It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. In addition, unless explicitly limited or contrary to the context of the specification, the specific steps in the methods described in the present application can not be limited to the order described, but can be performed in any order or in parallel. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with embodiments.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an augmented reality display device according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 1 , the embodiment of the present application provides an augmented reality display device including a projection component 1 and an augmented reality display lens 2.

[0033] The augmented reality display lens 2 includes a substrate 21, a coupling structure 22, and a viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23. The coupling structure 22 and the viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23 can be attached to the substrate 21, or they can be formed on the substrate 21 using engraving or other processing methods. The augmented reality display lens 2 can be a single, integrated structure, and light can be transmitted between the coupling structure 22 and the viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23 through the substrate 21.

[0034] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the coupling structure 22 and the view-separated diffraction structure 23 are located on the same side of the substrate 21, that is, both are located on the substrate 21. Figure 1 The lower side of the augmented reality display lens 2 is located near the left end of the substrate 21, and the viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23 is located near the right end of the substrate 21. When the augmented reality display lens 2 is used in AR glasses, the lower side of the augmented reality display lens 2 faces the user's eyeball. Consequently, the coupling structure 22 also faces the user. This allows for a more compact structure in AR glasses with the augmented reality display lens 2.

[0035] Specifically, the projection component 1 is configured to emit light L with different viewing angle contents to the coupling structure 22. The light L emitted by the projection component 1 may include multiple light segments divided within the cross-section of the optical axis, each carrying a different viewing angle content. After the light L emitted by the projection component 1 is coupled into the substrate 21 by the coupling structure 22, it can be divided into... Figure 1 The three beams L1 to L3 shown are coupled into the coupling structure 22. Each of the three beams L1 to L3 has a viewpoint content.

[0036] The coupling structure 22 is used to couple light L with different viewing angle contents into the substrate 21. The substrate 21 is used to directionally propagate the three light components L1 to L3 coupled by the coupling structure 22 to the viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23. The viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23 is used to diffract these three light components L1 to L3 to different preset visual positions E1 to E3. Specifically, the viewing angle separation diffraction structure 23 is used to diffract the first light component L1 to the first preset visual position E1, diffract the second light component L2 to the second preset visual position E2, and diffract the third light component L3 to the third preset visual position E3.

[0037] For example, three beams L1 to L3 are coupled into the augmented reality display lens 2 in parallel. The three beams L1 to L3 propagate in parallel within the augmented reality display lens 2, specifically, the substrate 21 serves as an optical waveguide.

[0038] When the augmented reality display device provided in this application is used in AR glasses, the user's eyes can... Figure 1The Y direction (i.e. the perspective working direction described herein) is shown from bottom to top. Exemplarily, the perspective separation diffractive structure 23 can correspond to one eyeball. Exemplarily, the AR glasses can include another augmented reality display device to correspond to another eyeball. Figure 1 The X direction in the figure can be parallel to the line connecting the two eyeballs of the user, i.e. horizontally placed for the user; or vertically placed.

[0039] Exemplarily, Figure 1 The X direction (i.e. the first direction described herein) in the figure can be parallel to the line connecting the two eyeballs of the user, and the augmented reality display lens 2 can be arranged in front of the left eye. The in-coupling structure 22 is located at the left end, and the perspective separation diffractive structure 23 is located at the right end. The second preset visual position E2 is the position of the pupil when the left eye of the user looks straight. When the left eye of the user turns left, the pupil can move to the vicinity of the first preset visual position E1; when the left eye of the user turns right, the pupil can move to the vicinity of the third preset visual position E3. When the eyeball of the user turns to different positions, images of different perspective contents can be seen. When the eyeball moves, different perspective contents can be received at different positions. In this way, the visual effect experienced by the eyeball is more stable, and the motion parallax is eliminated.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2 The three portions of light L1-L3 propagating from the substrate 21 to the perspective separation diffractive structure 23 form a "sunny" image at the three preset visual positions E1-E3, respectively. Figure 2 The "sunny" on the left in the figure is the image that can be formed at the first preset visual position E1, the "sunny" in the middle is the image that can be formed at the second preset visual position E2, and the "sunny" on the right is the image that can be formed at the third preset visual position E3. When the eyeball of the user turns to different positions, different "sunnys" can be seen. Generally, the image in the middle can be configured as the content of the orthoscopic perspective, and then the image on the left can be configured as the content of the left view perspective, and the image on the right can be configured as the content of the right view perspective. Of course, the difference between different perspective contents is relative. For example, the perspective content on the left is rotated leftward in the X-Y plane relative to the perspective content in the middle, and vice versa, the perspective content in the middle is rotated rightward in the X-Y plane relative to the perspective content on the left.

[0041] The lens provided by the embodiments of the present application can realize the projection of multiple preset visual positions. The AR glasses assembled by the lens provided by the embodiments of the present application can have better augmented reality display effect and better 3D display effect, and the motion parallax is avoided.

[0042] Reference is made to Figure 3wherein a schematic structural diagram of a lens according to one embodiment of the present application is shown. The augmented reality display lens 2 is a perspective view of the working direction, Figure 3 The X direction in the figure can be a first direction, and the Z direction can be a second direction. Exemplarily, when the augmented reality display lens 2 is used in, for example, AR glasses, the X direction can be placed along the direction of the line connecting the user's two eyes.

[0043] The substrate 21 is provided with the in-coupling structure 22 and the view angle separation diffractive structure 23, and the substrate 21 can transmit the light in-coupled by the in-coupling structure 22 to the view angle separation diffractive structure 23. The view angle separation diffractive structure 23 includes grating arrays 31-33 arranged along the X direction, and specifically, can include a first grating array 31, a second grating array 32, and a third grating array 33 arranged in sequence.

[0044] Each grating array 31-33 includes a plurality of pixel gratings of the array. Figure 3 The number of pixel gratings shown is only an example, and actually more pixel gratings can be included. The first grating array 31 includes a plurality of pixel gratings 41-43. Referring again to Figure 1 , the first grating array 31 is used to diffract a portion of light L1 having a first view angle content. The first view angle content can be a pixel image, and further each pixel grating can be used to diffract a light ray corresponding to one pixel.

[0045] Referring to Figure 4 , the first pixel grating 41 can be parallel to the x-z plane, and the light ray diffracted thereby can be incident from the negative side of the y axis and diffracted toward the positive side. The period Λ and the orientation angle Φ of the first pixel grating 41 satisfy the following two formulas:

[0046]

[0047] wherein λ is the wavelength of the incident light, n is the refractive index of the first pixel grating 41; α is the included angle between the incident light ray and the x axis, and β is the included angle between the incident light ray and the z axis. Exemplarily, the illustrated diffracted light path is a negative first-order diffracted light path, and further α1 is the included angle between the diffracted light path and the x axis, and β1 is the included angle between the diffracted light path and the z axis.

[0048] The negative first order diffraction light path of the first pixel grating 41 can converge with the diffraction light path of other pixel gratings in the first grating array 31 to the first preset visual position E1, that is, the first preset visual position E1 is in the direction defined by the negative first order diffraction angle of the corresponding pixel gratings 41-43. For example, the first pixel grating 41 and the second pixel grating 42 are arranged along the Z direction, and the periods of the two are the same but the orientation angles are different. For example, the second pixel grating 42 and the third pixel grating 43 are arranged along the X direction, and the orientation angles of the two are the same but the periods are different. Further, in the first grating array 31, the periods of the pixel gratings in the same horizontal direction are different but the orientation angles are the same, and the periods of the pixel gratings in the same vertical direction are the same but the orientation angles are different.

[0049] For example, the third grating array 33 includes a fourth pixel grating 44, and the orientation angle of the fourth pixel grating 44 can be the same as that of the second pixel grating 42, and the period of the fourth pixel grating 44 can be different from that of the second pixel grating 42.

[0050] Reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the first grating array 31 is used to diffract a portion of light L1 having a first view angle content to a first preset visual position E1, the second grating array 32 is used to diffract a portion of light L2 having a second view angle content to a second preset visual position E2, and the third grating array 33 is used to diffract a portion of light L3 having a third view angle content to a third preset visual position E3. The arrangement position of the grating array 31-33 is the same as the arrangement position of the preset visual position E1-E3, for example, the third grating array 33 is located on the right side of the second grating array 32, and the corresponding third preset visual position E3 of the third grating array 33 is also on the right side of the second preset visual position E3.

[0051] Further, for the augmented reality display device provided in the present application, the projection component 1 is matched with the coupling-in structure 22 to ensure that the portions of light L1-L3 having different view angle contents coupled into the base 21 by the coupling-in structure 22 can be transmitted to the corresponding grating array 31-33.

[0052] Reference is made to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , another embodiment of the present application provides an augmented reality display lens. The view angle separation diffraction structure 23 of the augmented reality display lens 2 can include a plurality of grating arrays 31-32, for example, six. The augmented reality display device equipped with the augmented reality display lens 2 can form an image as shown in Figure 6 in space.

[0053] As Figure 6As shown, the view separation diffraction structure 23 can include two rows of grating arrays arranged along the X direction, and can also be regarded as including three columns of grating arrays arranged along the Z direction. For example, the first grating array 31 and the second grating array 32 are arranged along the Z direction, and the first grating array 31 is on the upper side of the second grating array 32, and the corresponding preset visual position of the first grating array 31 is also on the upper side of the corresponding preset visual position of the second grating array 32.

[0054] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. Figure 6 In the view content of the lower row, the left view content rotates left in the X-Y plane relative to the middle view content, and the right view content rotates right in the X-Y plane relative to the middle view content. In the view content of the upper row, the left view content is larger in the Z direction than the middle view content, and the right view content is smaller in the Z direction than the middle view content.

[0055] The "sunny" at different preset visual positions has different views. When the operator uses the augmented reality display device equipped with the augmented reality display lens, different view contents can be observed by eye movement to different positions, and almost no motion parallax is felt, and the AR experience is better.

[0056] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. Figure 7 Another aspect of the present application provides a method for manufacturing an augmented reality display device. The method 1000 includes the following steps:

[0057] Step S101, forming a lens. Specifically, step S101 includes: forming a coupling-in structure for coupling-in light with different view contents into a substrate at one end of the substrate serving as a light waveguide; and forming a view separation diffraction structure for diffracting light with different view contents transmitted by the substrate to a plurality of preset visual positions at the other end of the substrate.

[0058] Step S102, configuring a projection component. The configured projection component is used to emit light with different view contents. For example, the projection component is used to emit one portion of light from different regions respectively, and each portion of light has one view content.

[0059] Step S103, setting the projection component at a position corresponding to the coupling-in structure. By setting the relative position of the projection component and the lens, it can be ensured that the light emitted by the projection component is coupled-in by the coupling-in structure, and then the light at the coupling-in structure can be transmitted by the substrate from the one end of the coupling-in structure to the one end of the view separation diffraction structure.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming a lens includes: forming the coupling-in structure and the view separation diffraction structure on the same side of the substrate.

[0061] Exemplarily, the step of forming the viewing angle separation diffraction structure comprises forming a plurality of grating arrays in parallel. Each grating array is used to diffract a corresponding portion of light to a corresponding preset visual position. The number of grating arrays to be set can be determined according to the use requirement.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the lens has a perspective working direction, and a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the perspective working direction and perpendicular to each other; and in the formed grating array, a plurality of pixel gratings arranged in alignment along the first direction have the same orientation angle and different periods, and a plurality of pixel gratings arranged in alignment along the second direction have the same period and different orientation angles.

[0063] The above description is merely exemplary of the preferred embodiments of the present application and of the principles thereof. It is to be understood that the scope of protection of the present application is not limited to the specific combinations of technical features disclosed in the above description, and that the scope of protection of the present application also covers other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or equivalent features thereof without departing from the technical concept. For example, technical solutions formed by mutually replacing the above features with technical features having similar functions in the present application (but not limited to) are also included.

Claims

1. An augmented reality display lens, characterized in that, include: Base; The coupling structure, located on one side of the substrate, couples multiple light sources with different viewpoint contents into the substrate; as well as The viewpoint separation diffraction structure includes multiple grating arrays, each of which is used to diffract one of the multiple light sources transmitted from the substrate to a corresponding preset visual position. In this configuration, the first grating array is located to one side of the second grating array. The preset visual position corresponding to the first grating array is located on the same side as the preset visual position corresponding to the second grating array; In the preset visual positions, the first preset visual position is located to one side of the second preset visual position; The multiple light sources with different perspectives include a light source with a first perspective content transmitted to a first preset visual position, and a light source with a second perspective content transmitted to a second preset visual position. The content of the first perspective is rotated relative to the content of the second perspective towards the side where the first preset visual position is located, or the content of the first perspective is scaled relative to the content of the second perspective.

2. The augmented reality display lens according to claim 1, wherein, The coupling structure and the view-separated diffraction structure are located on the same side of the substrate.

3. The augmented reality display lens according to claim 1, wherein, In the grating array, multiple pixel gratings aligned along a first direction have the same orientation angle and different periods, while multiple pixel gratings aligned along a second direction have the same period and different orientation angles. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the perspective working direction of the lens.

4. The augmented reality display lens according to claim 3, wherein, The preset visual position is located in the direction defined by the negative first-order diffraction angle of the corresponding pixel grating.

5. An augmented reality display device, characterized in that, include: Augmented reality display lens as described in any one of claims 1 to 4; as well as A projection component is used to project multiple beams of light with different viewpoints onto the coupling structure. The projection component is configured to emit light that is transmitted to a first preset visual position and contains content with a first viewing angle, and to emit light that is transmitted to a second preset visual position and contains content with a second viewing angle.

6. The augmented reality display device according to claim 5, wherein, The multiple beams of light are coupled in parallel into the augmented reality display lens.

7. A method for manufacturing an augmented reality display device, characterized in that, include: Form an augmented reality display lens as described in any one of claims 1-4; Configure a projection component to emit light with different viewing angles; as well as The projection component is positioned at the location corresponding to the coupling structure.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The projection component is used to emit a light from different areas, and each light has a viewpoint content; as well as The step of forming the view-separated diffraction structure includes: forming a plurality of parallel grating arrays, wherein each grating array is used to diffract a corresponding portion of light to a corresponding preset visual position.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, In the formed grating array, a plurality of pixel gratings aligned along the first direction have the same orientation angle and different periods, and a plurality of pixel gratings aligned along the second direction have the same period and different orientation angles, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the perspective working direction of the augmented reality display lens.

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