Augmented reality display device

Abstract

The present application provides an augmented reality display device for providing an augmented reality image to a user's eye. The augmented reality display device includes a curved eyepiece, a plurality of first micromirrors, and two first displays. The first micromirrors are disposed on the curved eyepiece. The two first displays are disposed on opposite sides of the curved eyepiece, respectively. Each of the first displays is configured to emit a first image beam. The first micromirrors are configured to image the two first image beams emitted by the two first displays onto a retina of the eye to form the augmented reality image. The first micromirrors form a horizontal field of view for the eye that falls within a range of 80 degrees to 110 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to an augmented reality display device. Background Technology

[0002] With advancements in display technology, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies have gradually been developed. In existing VR and AR technologies, different images with a visual perspective difference are projected onto the left and right eyes, respectively, allowing them to focus on different planes and thus creating stereoscopic vision. However, current research indicates that while this stereoscopic vision can create a sense of depth, the human eye is still focusing on different planes at the same depth. Compared to focusing on different depths of a three-dimensional object in actual space, the visual effect is not entirely the same. Therefore, one reason why existing VR or AR displays may cause dizziness in some users is an effect known as vergence-accommodation conflict.

[0003] To resolve the convergence-accommodation conflict, one existing technology uses pinhole mirrors to reflect image beams to the human eye, achieving a long depth of field through pinhole imaging. This allows for a wider range of focusing distances for the human eye, ensuring that the distance at which the lines of sight intersect between the eyes matches the eye's focusing distance, effectively resolving the convergence-accommodation conflict. However, in existing technologies, the pinhole mirrors are arranged in a planar array, resulting in a limited field of view. Furthermore, a larger viewing angle requires a greater number of pinhole mirrors, leading to a longer lateral arrangement and consequently, excessively large augmented reality displays using pinhole mirrors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to an augmented reality display device that combines a wide field of view with good space utilization.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides an augmented reality display device for providing augmented reality images to a user's eyes. The augmented reality display device includes a curved eyepiece, a plurality of first micromirrors, and two first displays. The first micromirrors are disposed on the curved eyepiece. The two first displays are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the curved eyepiece, each first display emitting a first image beam. The first micromirrors image the two first image beams emitted by the two first displays onto the retina of the eye to form an augmented reality image. The horizontal field of view formed by the first micromirrors for the eye falls within the range of 80 to 110 degrees, and for some of the first micromirrors, different groups of first micromirrors are illuminated by first image beams provided by different first displays.

[0006] In the augmented reality display device of this invention, curved eyepieces are employed. The field of view formed by these first micromirrors for the eye falls within the range of 80 to 110 degrees. Furthermore, for some of these first micromirrors, different groups of first micromirrors are illuminated by first image beams provided by different first displays. Therefore, the augmented reality display device combines a large field of view with good space utilization, thus achieving a large field of view in a relatively small volume. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1A This is a top view schematic diagram of an augmented reality display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A 3D schematic diagram of an augmented reality display device;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0014] Figure 1A This is a top view schematic diagram of an augmented reality display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A 3D diagram of an augmented reality display device. Please refer to... Figure 1A and Figure 1B The augmented reality display device 100 of this embodiment is used to provide augmented reality images to the user's eyes 50. The augmented reality display device 100 includes a curved eyepiece 130, a plurality of first micromirrors 132, and two first displays 110. These first micromirrors 132 are disposed on the curved eyepiece 130. In this embodiment, the curved eyepiece 130 is made of a transparent material, such as plastic or glass. The first micromirrors 132 may be located inside the curved eyepiece 130 and covered by the transparent material, such as... Figure 1A As shown. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the first micromirror 132 may also be located on the surface of the curved eyepiece 130, for example, the surface of the curved eyepiece 130 facing the eye 50, or the surface of the curved eyepiece 130 facing away from the eye 50. In this embodiment, the width W1 of each first micromirror 132 is less than the diameter of the pupil of the eye 50 (e.g., less than 4 mm), for example, the width of each first micromirror 132 in all directions is less than the diameter of the pupil (e.g., less than 4 mm), that is, each first micromirror 132 is, for example, a pinhole mirror.

[0015] The two first displays 110 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the curved eyepiece 130. Each first display 110 emits a first image beam 112. The first micromirrors 132 are used to image the two first image beams 112 emitted by the two first displays 110 onto the retina of the eye 50 to form an augmented reality image. The horizontal field of view θ1 formed by the first micromirrors 132 for the eye 50 falls within the range of 80 to 110 degrees. The horizontal field of view θ1 is, for example, a field of view angle unfolded in the xy plane, where the x-direction is parallel to the line connecting the user's two eyes 50, the y-direction is the direction directly in front of the user's head, and the z-direction is the direction from the user's neck to the top of the head. The x, y, and z directions are perpendicular to each other. In one embodiment, the horizontal field of view θ1 formed by the first micromirrors 132 for the eye 50 falls within the range of 90 to 110 degrees. Figure 1A The image shows an augmented reality display device 100 positioned in front of the user's right eye. In actual use, an augmented reality display device 100 can be positioned in front of each of the user's eyes, right and left. The augmented reality display device 100 positioned in front of the left eye is positioned relative to... Figure 1AThe augmented reality display device 100 configured for the right eye is mirror-symmetrical (i.e., left-right symmetrical) in the arrangement and shape of its internal components. In this case, the horizontal field of view achieved by the two augmented reality display devices 100 together relative to the user's eyes can fall within the range of 160 degrees to 220 degrees, and in one embodiment, for example, within the range of 180 degrees to 220 degrees.

[0016] Furthermore, for some of these first micromirrors 132, different groups of first micromirrors 132 are illuminated by first image beams 112 provided by different first displays 110. Specifically, in this embodiment, the two first displays 110 are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the curved eyepiece 130, where left and right are relative to the user's eye 50. For the group of first micromirrors 132 near the left end of the curved eyepiece 130, they are illuminated by the first image beam 112 provided by the first display 110 located on the right side, and this first image beam 112 is reflected to the eye 50. For the group of first micromirrors 132 near the right end of the curved eyepiece 130, they are illuminated by the first image beam 112 provided by the first display 110 located on the left side, and this first image beam 112 is reflected to the eye 50.

[0017] In this embodiment, since these first micromirrors 132 are pinhole mirrors dispersed on the curved eyepiece 130, a virtual image can be formed in front of the user's eye 50. Furthermore, the pinhole mirrors effectively enhance the depth of field of this virtual image, thereby effectively resolving the visual convergence-accommodation conflict. Additionally, since these first micromirrors 132 are dispersed on the curved eyepiece 130, the space of the eye 50's field of view can be effectively utilized, thereby achieving a large horizontal field of view θ1.

[0018] Furthermore, light 40 from the outside can pass through the curved eyepiece 130 and reach the eye 50. In this way, the user's eye 50 can simultaneously see the external scenery and the virtual image formed by the first display 110, thereby achieving an augmented reality effect.

[0019] In the augmented reality display device 100 of this embodiment, curved eyepieces 130 are used. The field of view formed by these first micromirrors for the eye falls within the range of 80 to 110 degrees. Furthermore, for some of these first micromirrors 132, different groups of first micromirrors 132 are illuminated by first image beams 112 provided by different first displays 110. Therefore, the augmented reality display device 100 has both a large field of view and good space utilization, thus achieving a large field of view in a relatively small volume.

[0020] In this embodiment, the augmented reality display device 100 further includes a plurality of second micromirrors 132b and two second displays 120. These second micromirrors 132b are disposed on the curved eyepiece 130. Like the first micromirror 132, these second micromirrors 132b can be disposed within the transparent material of the curved eyepiece 130 or on the surface of the transparent material of the curved eyepiece 130. In this embodiment, the width of each second micromirror 132b is smaller than the diameter of the pupil of the eye 50 (e.g., less than 4 mm). For example, the width of each second micromirror 132b in all directions is smaller than the diameter of the pupil (e.g., less than 4 mm), meaning that each second micromirror 132b is, for example, a pinhole mirror.

[0021] The two second displays 120 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the curved eyepiece 130, for example, on the upper and lower sides of the curved eyepiece 130, where the upper and lower sides are relative to the user's eye 50. Each second display 120 is used to emit a second image beam 122, and the second micromirrors 132b are used to image the two second image beams 122 emitted by the two second displays 120 onto the retina of the eye 50 to form an augmented reality image.

[0022] In this embodiment, for some of these second micromirrors 132b, different groups of second micromirrors 132b are illuminated by second image beams 122 provided by different second displays 120. For example, in this embodiment, the group of second micromirrors 132b near the upper end of the curved eyepiece 130 is illuminated by the second image beam 122 emitted from the upper second display 120, and this second image beam 122 is reflected to the eye 50. Furthermore, the group of second micromirrors 132b near the lower end of the curved eyepiece 130 is illuminated by the second image beam 122 emitted from the lower second display 120, and this second image beam 122 is reflected to the eye 50. This embodiment uses second displays 120 located on the upper and lower sides to improve the vertical field of view (i.e., the field of view unfolded in the yz plane) of the augmented reality display device 100.

[0023] In this embodiment, the curved eyepiece 130 is curved in one dimension, that is, curved in the xy plane, while remaining straight and uncurved in the yz plane. The arrangement of the first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b is also curved in one dimension. However, in another embodiment, the curved eyepiece 130 may be curved in two dimensions, that is, curved in both the xy and yz planes, and the arrangement of the first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b is also curved in two dimensions. In this embodiment, because the first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b are curved, they can be positioned around the side of the eye 50 or even behind the side, thus achieving a larger horizontal field of view θ1.

[0024] Since the eye 50 rotates, the first image beam 112 and the second image beam 122 incident on the eye 50 will be designed according to the position of the pupil after the eye rotates. The outer (ear side) image is transmitted by the outer first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b, the front image is transmitted by the front first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b, and the inner (nose side) image is transmitted by the inner first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b.

[0025] In this embodiment, the two first image beams 112 have a first polarization direction (e.g., a P-polarization direction), and the two second image beams 122 have a second polarization direction (e.g., an S-polarization direction). These first micromirrors 132 are adapted to reflect light with the first polarization direction and to allow light with the second polarization direction to pass through; that is, adapted to reflect the first image beam 122 and to allow the second image beam 122 to pass through. These second micromirrors 132b are adapted to reflect light with the second polarization direction and to allow light with the first polarization direction to pass through; that is, adapted to reflect the second image beam 122 and to allow the first image beam 122 to pass through. Therefore, the positions of the first micromirrors 132 and the second micromirrors 132b on the curved eyepiece 130 can overlap or partially overlap. In other embodiments, the first polarization direction can be an S-polarization direction, and the second polarization direction can be a P-polarization direction. In other words, the first micromirrors 132 and the second micromirrors 132b can be polarizing beam splitters. In other embodiments, the first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b may also be partially penetrating mirrors, such as semi-penetrating semi-reflecting mirrors.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first display 110 and the second display 120 are, for example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, or other suitable displays. If the first display 110 and the second display 120 are liquid crystal displays, the light emitted by the liquid crystal display itself has a polarization direction. By adjusting the configuration of the liquid crystal displays, the first image beam 112 emitted by the first display 110 can have a first polarization direction, and the second image beam 122 emitted by the second display 120 can have a second polarization direction. If the first display 110 and the second display 120 are organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, the light-emitting surface of this display can be provided with a polarizer to ensure that the first image beam 112 emitted by the first display 110 has a first polarization direction, and the second image beam 122 emitted by the second display 120 has a second polarization direction.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 2 The augmented reality display device 100a in this embodiment and Figure 1A and Figure 1B The augmented reality display device 100 is similar, but the differences between the two are as follows. Compared to Figure 1A and Figure 1B The augmented reality display device 100a of this embodiment has a second display 120 but does not have, as in the case of augmented reality display device 100a. Figure 1B The first display 110, and the augmented reality display device 100a has a second micromirror 132b, but does not have, as Figure 1B The first micromirror 132b. Thus, a virtual image for viewing by the eye 50 can also be formed by the second display 120 (which can also be referred to as two first displays arranged on the upper and lower sides) disposed on the upper and lower sides, and has a large horizontal field of view. In this embodiment, the second micromirror 132b can be a general specular mirror, rather than a polarizing beam splitter.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 3 The augmented reality display device 100b in this embodiment and Figure 1A and Figure 1B The augmented reality display device 100 is similar, but the differences between the two are as follows. Compared to Figure 1A and Figure 1B The augmented reality display device 100b of this embodiment has a first display 110 but does not have, as in the case of augmented reality display device 100b. Figure 1B The second display 120, and the augmented reality display device 100b having a first micromirror 132, but without having such Figure 1BThe second micromirror 132b. Thus, a virtual image for viewing by the eye 50 can also be formed by the first display 110 positioned on the left and right sides, and it has a large horizontal field of view. In this embodiment, the first micromirror 132 can be a general specular mirror, rather than a polarizing beam splitter.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 4 The augmented reality display device 100c in this embodiment and Figure 1A and Figure 1B Similar to the augmented reality display device 100, the differences are as follows. The augmented reality display device 100c of this embodiment further includes two first optical elements 140 and two second optical elements 150. Each first optical element 140 is disposed between an adjacent first display 110 and a curved eyepiece 130, and is located on the transmission path of the first image beam 112 emitted by the adjacent first display 110. Each second optical element 150 is disposed between an adjacent second display 120 and a curved eyepiece 130, and is located on the transmission path of the second image beam 122 emitted by the adjacent second display 120. In this embodiment, the two first optical elements 140 and the two second optical elements 150 are lenses with smooth curved surfaces, freeform lenses, or Fresnel lenses, which can extend the image distance of the virtual images generated by the first display 110 and the second display 120 for the eye 50, facilitating a more comfortable viewing experience for the human eye. Furthermore, this also allows for a reduction in the size of the first display 110 and the second display 120 while achieving the same size virtual image. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the two first optical elements 140 and the two second optical elements 150 may also be polarizers (i.e., polarizers) or wave plates, wherein the wave plate is, for example, a half-wave plate or a quarter-wave plate. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the two second optical elements 150 may also be applied to… Figure 2 In the augmented reality display device 100a. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment, the two first optical elements 140 can also be applied to... Figure 3 In the augmented reality display device 100b.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an augmented reality display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 5 The augmented reality display device 100d in this embodiment and Figure 1A and Figure 1BSimilar to the augmented reality display device 100, the difference between the two is that in the augmented reality display device 100d of this embodiment, the curved eyepiece 130d can be curved in two dimensions, that is, curved in the xy plane and also curved in the yz plane, and the arrangement of the first micromirror 132 and the second micromirror 132b is also curved in two dimensions.

[0031] In summary, the augmented reality display device of the embodiments of the present invention employs curved eyepieces. The field of view formed by these first micromirrors for the eye falls within the range of 80 to 110 degrees. Furthermore, for some of these first micromirrors, different groups of first micromirrors are illuminated by first image beams provided by different first displays. Therefore, the augmented reality display device combines a large field of view with good space utilization, thus achieving a large field of view within a relatively small volume.

[0032] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An augmented reality display device, characterized in that, The augmented reality display device, used to provide augmented reality images to a user's eyes, includes: Curved eyepiece; Multiple first micromirrors are disposed on the curved eyepiece; and Two first displays are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the curved eyepiece. Each first display emits a first image beam. The plurality of first micromirrors are used to image the two first image beams emitted by the two first displays onto the retina of the eye to form the augmented reality image. The horizontal field of view formed by the plurality of first micromirrors for the eye falls within the range of 80 to 110 degrees. For some of the plurality of first micromirrors, different groups of first micromirrors are illuminated by first image beams provided by different first displays. The plurality of first micromirrors includes a first group of micromirrors adjacent to the first of the two first displays and a second group of micromirrors adjacent to the second of the two first displays. The first image beam emitted by the first of the two first displays is reflected to the eye by the second group of micromirrors, and the first image beam emitted by the second of the two first displays is reflected to the eye by the first group of micromirrors.

2. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of each first micromirror is smaller than the diameter of the pupil of the eye.

3. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curved eyepiece is bent in one dimension.

4. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curved eyepiece is curved in two dimensions.

5. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple second micromirrors are disposed on the curved eyepiece; as well as Two second displays are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the curved eyepiece. Each second display is used to emit a second image beam. The plurality of second micromirrors are used to image the two second image beams emitted by the two second displays onto the retina of the eye to form the augmented reality image. For some of the plurality of second micromirrors, different groups of second micromirrors are illuminated by the second image beams provided by different second displays.

6. The augmented reality display device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The two first image beams have a first polarization direction, the two second image beams have a second polarization direction, the plurality of first micromirrors are adapted to reflect light with the first polarization direction and to allow light with the second polarization direction to pass through, and the plurality of second micromirrors are adapted to reflect light with the second polarization direction and to allow light with the first polarization direction to pass through.

7. The augmented reality display device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Two first optical elements, each first optical element being disposed between an adjacent first display and the curved eyepiece, and located on the transmission path of the first image beam emitted by the adjacent first display; as well as Two second optical elements, each of which is disposed between an adjacent second display and the curved eyepiece, and is located on the transmission path of the second image beam emitted by the adjacent second display.

8. The augmented reality display device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The two first optical elements and the two second optical elements are lenses with smooth curved surfaces, freeform lenses, or Fresnel lenses.

9. The augmented reality display device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The two first optical elements and the two second optical elements are polarizers or waveplates.

10. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal field of view formed by the plurality of first micromirrors on the eye falls within the range of 90 degrees to 110 degrees.

11. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two first displays are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the curved eyepiece, wherein the upper and lower sides are relative to the user's eyes.

12. The augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two first displays are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the curved eyepiece, wherein the left and right sides are relative to the user's eyes.

Images