Optical assembly for head mounted display (HMD) device

Abstract

According to an example, an optical assembly for a head mounted display (HMD) device may include a compensation element (312) to modify a phase of first light (318) arriving from an environment external to the head mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display (310) for presenting an image or video and allowing the phase-modified first light (318) to pass through; and a focusing element (308) for focusing the phase-modified first light (318) and second light (316) from the transparent display on an eye-adapted zone (304). The optical assembly may reduce one or more aberrations in the first light (318) or the second light (316). The focusing element (308) may be a super lens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical configuration having two optical elements, the optical configuration including an air gap between the two optical elements. The compensation element (312) may be a free-form phase plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present patent application relates generally to compact and low-profile display systems, and more particularly to a head-mounted display (HMD) device using an optical assembly including a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element. Background Art

[0002] A head-mounted display (HMD) can be a headset or eyewear for video playback, gaming, or sports, and can be used in a variety of environments and applications, such as for Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and / or Mixed Reality (MR). A head-mounted display (HMD) device can transmit information to or receive information from a user wearing the head-mounted device. For example, a virtual reality (VR) head-mounted device can be used to present visual information when worn by a user to simulate any number of virtual environments. The same virtual reality (VR) head-mounted device can also receive information based on the user's eye movements, head / body displacement, voice, or other signals provided by the user.

[0003] However, conventional head mounted display (HMD) devices rely on optical structures that are typically large and bulky. Since head mounted displays (HMD) are typically worn on the user's head for a long time, it becomes more important to focus on and improve the characteristics of head mounted display (HMD) devices (such as compactness, weight, and optical performance), especially in design and implementation. However, improving optical performance may typically involve increasing the number or size of optical components, which in turn may create or add more volume and weight. Other head mounted displays (HMD) may have optical structures that improve compactness and reduce size and weight, but these conventional display devices with fewer optical components may often have reduced optical resolution or visual acuity, such as limitations on the user's central field of view (FOV) and / or peripheral field of view.

[0004] The present disclosure seeks to at least partially address any or all of the above-mentioned shortcomings and disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an optical component is provided, which includes: a compensation element for modifying the phase of a first light arriving from an environment outside a head-mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display for presenting an image or video and allowing the first light with the modified phase to pass through; and a focusing element for focusing the first light with the modified phase and second light from the transparent display on an eye-adaptive zone, wherein the optical component is used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

[0006] In some embodiments, the compensation element may include a free-form phase plate, a zoom focus lens, or a liquid lens.

[0007] In some embodiments, the compensating element can also focus optical power from the focusing element.

[0008] In some embodiments, the compensating element may also correct one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

[0009] In some embodiments, the compensation element may be fabricated by one or more of cylindrical coordinate machining, etching, photolithography, grinding, raster flycutting, or holographic techniques.

[0010] In some embodiments, the focusing element may include one of: a metalens; a light field lens; a solid optical lens; or an optical construction including two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements.

[0011] In some embodiments, the light field lens may include a microlens array, a liquid lens, a variable focus lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

[0012] In some embodiments, the transparent display can have a curvature that includes a spherical curvature, a cylindrical curvature, or a combination thereof.

[0013] In some embodiments, the shape and size of the transparent display can be selected based at least in part on one or more of the shape and size of the compensating element or the shape and size of the focusing element.

[0014] In some embodiments, the transparent display, the compensating element, and the focusing element may be aligned along a primary optical axis of the head mounted display (HMD) device.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a head-mounted display (HMD) device is provided, which includes a body and an optical component, the body including a transparent front side, the optical component being located within the body, the optical component including: a compensation element for modifying the phase of first light arriving from an environment outside the head-mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display for presenting an image or video and allowing the first light with the modified phase to pass through; and a focusing element for focusing the first light with the modified phase and second light from the transparent display on an eye-adaptive zone, wherein the optical component is used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

[0016] In some embodiments, the compensating element may include a free-form phase plate, a zoom lens, or a liquid lens; and the focusing element may include a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction including two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements.

[0017] In some embodiments, the light field lens may include a microlens array, a liquid lens, a variable focus lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

[0018] In some embodiments, the compensating element may also be used to: focus the optical power from the focusing element; or correct one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transparent display, the compensating element, and the focusing element may be aligned along a primary optical axis of the head mounted display (HMD) device.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a head mounted display (HMD) device, the method comprising: modifying, at a compensation element, a phase of first light arriving at the compensation element from an environment outside the head mounted display (HMD) device; providing an image or video through a transparent display while allowing the first light with the modified phase to pass through the transparent display; and

[0021] The phase-modified first light and second light from the transparent display are focused on an eye zone at a focusing element, wherein the compensating element and the focusing element are used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method may further include: focusing optical power from the focusing element through the compensating element; or correcting one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism through the compensating element.

[0023] In some embodiments, the compensating element may include a free-form phase plate, a variable focus lens, or a liquid lens.

[0024] In some embodiments, the focusing element may include a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction including two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements.

[0025] In some embodiments, the light field lens may include a microlens array, a liquid lens, a variable focus lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

[0026] It will be understood that any feature described herein as being suitable for incorporation into one or more aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be common to any and all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. Other aspects of the present disclosure may be understood by those skilled in the art based on the specification, claims and drawings of the present disclosure. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only, and are not limitations on the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The features of the present disclosure are shown by way of example and are not limited to the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following that alternative examples of the structures and methods shown in the drawings may be adopted without departing from the principles described herein.

[0028] Figure 1 A head mounted display (HMD) device 100 is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a simplified version of a head mounted display (HMD) device 200 is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 An optical assembly of a head mounted display (HMD) device having a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 Several implementations of optical elements according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0032] Figure 5 Focusing visual content from a display to an eye zone through an optical lens configuration is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, where the display is smaller than the optical lens configuration.

[0033] Figure 6 Focusing visual content from a display to an eye zone through an optical lens configuration is shown, wherein the display is larger than the optical lens configuration, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 7 A number of optical lens configurations for focusing elements are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 8 Details of an optical lens construction for a focusing element having a reflective polarizer layer, a quarter-wave layer, and a semi-transparent mirror are shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] 9A to 9E Multiple configurations of reflective polarizer layers, quarter-wave layers, and semi-transparent mirrors in optical lens configurations for focusing elements according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0037] Fig. 10A An assembly system for providing a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical lens configuration according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Fig. 10B An assembled system for providing a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical assembly including a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Fig.11A A flowchart 1100A is shown of a method of assembling a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical lens configuration according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 11B A flowchart 1100B is shown of a method of assembling a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical assembly including a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] For the purpose of simplification and illustrativeness, the present application is described by referring mainly to the examples of the present application. In the following description, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will be apparent that the present application can be implemented without being limited to these specific details. In other cases, some methods and structures that are easily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art are not described in detail, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present application. As used herein, the terms "one" and "an" are intended to represent at least one specific element, the term "includes" means including but not limited to, the term "including" means including but not limited to, and the term "based on" means at least partially based on.

[0042] As discussed herein, head-mounted displays (HMDs) may include optical constructions that are typically large and bulky, and therefore may be prone to compactness, weight, and optical performance issues. For example, simple lenses may be prone to aberrations (especially chromatic aberrations) and therefore may not be suitable for precise imaging. A doublet consisting of two simple lenses paired together can allow for more optical surfaces, thickness, and configuration, thereby providing additional degrees of freedom to correct more optical aberrations and improve image accuracy. Conventional doublets may include oil or similar materials in the gap between the two lenses, which may increase the weight challenges of head-mounted display (HMD) devices, especially when larger lenses may be required to focus the display content on the eye zone.

[0043] In addition, augmented reality (AR) and / or mixed reality (MR) head mounted display (HMD) devices may combine a view of the user's environment (i.e., light from the environment) with displayed content (light from the display). While the light from the environment may be unpolarized, the light from the display may be polarized. Therefore, when the different lights pass through optical elements (such as lenses) to focus on the eye zone, these different lights may experience different aberrations.

[0044] Disclosed herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for head mounted display (HMD) devices that can provide optical assemblies using focusing elements, transparent displays, and compensating elements. In some examples, the focusing elements, transparent displays, and compensating elements can be arranged so that light from the environment can pass through the compensating element, the transparent display, and be focused on the eye zone by the focusing element. Light from the transparent display can also be focused on the eye zone by the focusing element.

[0045] In some examples, the compensation element can modify the phase profile of the incident light from the environment before it passes through the transparent display and / or correct spherical aberration and / or coma. The focusing element can be implemented in a variety of different ways, and in addition to focusing the light from the environment and the light from the display to the eye zone, the focusing element can also correct chromatic aberration. For example, the focusing element can be implemented as a super lens, in which the phase can be induced by the nanostructure on the substrate, so that the focusing element acts as a diffractive optical lens without chromatic aberration. The focusing element can also be implemented as a light field lens, which can generate 3D data from a 2D image. In other examples, the focusing element can be implemented as an optical lens configuration (also known as a hollow singlet optical lens configuration), in which selected surfaces of two optical elements (with a gap between the two optical elements) can be provided with a reflective polarizer layer, a quarter wavelength layer, and / or a semi-transparent mirror to reduce chromatic aberration while focusing the light on the eye zone.

[0046] In some examples, the optical lens construction may include two optical elements with a gap between the two optical elements. In some examples, the surfaces of the individual elements may also be provided with any number of optical layers. These optical layers may include, but are not limited to, reflective polarizer layers, quarter-wave layers, semi-transparent mirrors, or other optical layers. These optical layers may be used by the optical lens construction, for example, to help focus visual content on a display of a head-mounted display (HMD) system to an eye-friendly zone.

[0047] In some examples, the optical lens configuration can generate optical power through the reflective surface of the cavity between the elements. The dual-element optical lens configuration can provide achromatic aberration, thereby improving optical imaging quality and increasing compactness. More than two refractive surfaces can reduce spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism and / or field curvature. In addition, the optical lens configuration can allow for reducing the weight of the optical components of a head-mounted display (HMD) device. Compared to conventional lens systems, the optical lens configuration can also allow for simpler, higher-yield production. Other benefits and advantages may also be apparent.

[0048] The optical assembly used herein refers to a collection of optical components for a head-mounted display (HMD) device including a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element, which are used to focus light from the environment and light from the transparent display onto an eye-friendly area while reducing aberrations. The optical construction used herein refers to two optical elements with a gap between them. In some examples, in other embodiments, the optical construction can be used as a focusing element. The optical element used herein refers to, for example, an optical lens that can form an optical construction together with another optical lens. In other examples, a single optical element (optical lens) can also be used as a focusing element.

[0049] Figure 1 A head mounted display (HMD) device 100 according to an example is shown. As used herein, a "near eye display" may refer to a device (e.g., an optical device) that may be very close to a user's eyes. As used herein, an "artificial reality" may refer to aspects of a "metaverse," or an environment of real and virtual elements, and may include the use of technologies associated with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and / or mixed reality (MR). As used herein, a "user" may refer to a user or wearer of a "near eye display."

[0050] Figure 1The head mounted display (HMD) device 100 shown in a stereogram in FIG. 1 includes a body 102, a front side 104, a bottom side 106, a left side 108, and a headband 110. In some examples, the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 may be part of a virtual reality (VR) system, an augmented reality (AR) system, a mixed reality (MR) system, another system using a display or a wearable device, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the headband 110 may have an adjustable or extendable length. In particular, in some examples, there may be enough space between the body 102 and the headband 110 of the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 to allow the user to mount the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 on the user's head. In some examples, the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 may include additional, fewer, and / or different components.

[0051] In some examples, a head mounted display (HMD) device 100 can present media or other digital content to a user that includes a virtual view and / or an augmented view of a physical, real-world environment with computer-generated elements. Examples of media or digital content presented by the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 can include images (e.g., two-dimensional (2D) images or three-dimensional (3D) images), video (e.g., 2D video or 3D video), audio, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the images and videos can be presented via one or more display components (e.g., a display device 102) enclosed in a body 102 of the head mounted display (HMD) device 100. Figure 1 ) are presented to each eye of the user.

[0052] In some examples where the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 may only provide virtual reality (VR) applications, the front side 104 of the body 102 may be opaque, as such applications may not require a see-through function. On the other hand, a head mounted display (HMD) providing augmented reality (AR) and / or mixed reality (MR) applications may include a transparent front side 104 to allow a user to see through a real environment, which may be enhanced with artificial content by the corresponding application. Thus, in any scenario, a display optical device (i.e., one or more lenses) may be used to focus content from the display and / or environment in the body 102 to the eye zone.

[0053] In some cases, for head mounted display (HMD) devices (also referred to as "near eye display systems"), it may be generally desirable to expand the eye zone, reduce display haze, improve image quality (e.g., resolution and contrast), reduce physical size, improve power efficiency, and increase or expand the field of view (FOV). As used herein, "field of view (FOV)" may refer to the angular range of an image seen by a user, which is typically measured in degrees as viewed by one eye (for a monocular HMD) or both eyes (for a binocular HMD). In addition, as used herein, an "eye zone" may be a two-dimensional area that may be positioned in front of a user's eyes from which a displayed image from an image source may be viewed.

[0054] In some examples, the display electronics of the head mounted display (HMD) device 100 may be configured to receive a display signal from, for example, a communicatively coupled console or server ( Figure 1 In some examples, the display electronics may include one or more display panels. In some examples, the display electronics may include any number of pixels that emit light of a dominant color, such as red, green, blue, white, or yellow. In some examples, the display electronics may display a three-dimensional (3D) image, for example, using a stereoscopic effect produced by a two-dimensional panel to create a subjective perception of image depth.

[0055] In some examples, the display optics may optically (e.g., using optical waveguides and / or couplers) display image content or amplify image light received from the display electronics, correct optical errors associated with the image light, and / or present the corrected image light to a user of the head mounted display (HMD) device 100. In some examples, the display optics may include a single optical element, or any number of combinations of various optical elements and mechanical couplings for maintaining the relative spacing and orientation of the optical elements in the combination. In some examples, one or more optical elements in the display optics may have an optical coating, such as an anti-reflective coating, a reflective coating, a filter coating, and / or a combination of different optical coatings.

[0056] In some examples, the display optics may also be designed to correct for one or more types of optical errors, such as two-dimensional optical errors, three-dimensional optical errors, or any combination thereof. Examples of two-dimensional errors may include barrel distortion, pincushion distortion, longitudinal chromatic aberration, and / or lateral chromatic aberration. Examples of three-dimensional errors may include spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, field curvature, and astigmatism.

[0057] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a head mounted display (HMD) device 200 is shown according to a simplified version of an example. Figure 2 2. A head mounted display (HMD) device 200, shown in FIG. 2 with components selected for purposes of illustration, may include a rigid body 202 housing various electronic and optical components, one or more displays 210, and an optical lens configuration 212. An eye 208 and associated eye zone 214 are also shown, as well as a primary optical axis 204 and an optical axis 206.

[0058] In some examples, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and / or mixed reality (MR) content can be displayed via one or more displays 210 within a head mounted display (HMD) device 200. The one or more displays 210 can be transparent or translucent to allow a user (i.e., eyes 208) to see the environment through a transparent or translucent body 202 of the head mounted display (HMD) device 200.

[0059] In some examples, the optical lens configuration 212 can provide a larger or extended field of view (FOV) to improve the user's immersive experience. In some examples, as shown, the head mounted display (HMD) device 200 can include a main optical axis 204 and an optical axis 206. For the user's eyes 208, the main optical axis 204 can provide a central field of view (FOV), and the oblique optical axis 206 can provide a peripheral field of view (FOV).

[0060] In some examples, content displayed on one or more displays 210 can be focused on an eye zone 214 via an optical lens construction 212. As shown, the optical lens construction 212 can actually extend the optical axis 206 between the optical lens construction 212 and the one or more displays 210, thereby allowing a wider area of ​​content to be focused on the eye zone 214. As discussed previously, if a single lens is used as the optical lens construction 212, chromatic aberration may be caused. On the other hand, according to some examples, an optical lens construction comprising two lenses with an air gap therebetween can reduce spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, and / or field curvature by providing an additional refractive surface. Additionally, combining two lightweight lenses in a single structure can allow the use of thinner lenses, thereby reducing the overall weight of the head-mounted display (HMD) device 200.

[0061] Figure 3An optical assembly of a head mounted display (HMD) device having a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensating element according to an example is shown. Diagram 300 shows that light 318 from the environment passes through a transparent or translucent front side of a body 314 of the head mounted display (HMD) device, a compensating element 312, and a display 310, and is then focused by a focusing element 308 on an eye zone 304 for viewing by a user's eye 302. Light 316 from the display may originate at the display 310 and be focused by the focusing element 308 on the eye zone 304. The eye zone 304, the focusing element 308, the display 310, and the compensating element 312 may be centrally aligned about a primary axis 306. In some examples, the compensating element 312 may have an optical focus power that is substantially similar to the optical focus power of the focusing element 308, but of an opposite sign to compensate for the focus power of the focusing element 308 so that the user can see his / her environment without any focus power. In other examples, compensating element 312 may have different focusing capabilities than focusing element 308 to correct one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

[0062] In some examples, a head mounted display (HMD) providing augmented reality (AR) and / or mixed reality (MR) applications may include a transparent front side of the body 314 to allow a user to see through a real environment, which may be augmented with artificial content by the corresponding application.

[0063] In some examples, the compensating element 312 used to compensate for the focusing power introduced by the focusing element 308 can be a free-form phase plate, a zoom lens, a liquid lens, or a similar phase correction structure used to modify the phase profile of the light passing therethrough. For example, wavefront deformation can be compensated in the form of spherical aberration or coma. Depending on the specific aberration correction, the compensating element 312 can have a radially symmetric or pseudo-random phase variation profile.

[0064] In some examples, the compensating element 312 (free-form phase plate) can operate based on having one or both surfaces of the plate with a customized surface relief, thereby having a spatially variable path length through the plate material (e.g., optical glass). Since the refractive index of the plate material can be significantly higher than that of air, even small surface features can produce large phase changes. Alternatively, the compensating element 312 can operate based on changes in the refractive index in the medium while having flat (and generally parallel) surfaces. In some examples, an anti-reflection coating can be applied to both surfaces of the phase corrector structure to minimize reflection losses and potential interfering effects of parasitic reflected beams.

[0065] In some examples, the compensating element 312 can be manufactured by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to cylindrical coordinate machining, such as diamond turning, etching, lithography, grinding, and grating fly cutting. In the case where the compensating element has a refractive index variation within the material, for example, holographic techniques can be applied to automatically obtain a phase profile for compensating for optical aberrations of certain optical elements.

[0066] In some examples, the display 310 can be curved to emit light from the display in a direction toward the eye zone 304. The curvature of the display 310 can be spherical, cylindrical, or a combination thereof, depending at least in part on the configuration of the head mounted display (HMD) device, the shape and size of the compensating element 312, and / or the shape and size of the focusing element 308. To allow light 318 from the environment to pass through the focusing element 308, the display 310 can be transparent. In other examples, the display 310 can be flexible and can be shaped according to the configuration of the remaining components.

[0067] The display 310 may be manufactured using absorption technology or emission technology. Absorption technology may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), while emission technology may include a display based on a light-emitting diode (LED). LED-based displays may include displays based on organic LEDs (OLED) or inorganic LEDs. Other examples of transparent displays may include, but are not limited to, projection displays in which images or videos are projected onto a transparent material; passive transparent displays that utilize a projector as an external light source to project images or videos onto a transparent medium embedded with resonant nanoparticles that can selectively scatter the projected light; and electroluminescent displays that may include a light-emitting phosphor layer sandwiched between two transparent electrode layers. Other examples may include a micro-LED display or any transparent pixelated emitter.

[0068] In some examples, an optical assembly combining a focusing element 308, a (transparent and curved) display 310, and a compensating element 312 can allow light 318 from the environment and light 316 from the display to be focused on the eye zone 304 while reducing aberrations (such as chromatic aberration) that may be produced by thinner, lighter optical elements in a lightweight head-mounted display (HMD) device.

[0069] Figure 4Multiple implementations of optical elements according to examples are shown. Diagram 400 shows four example implementations of focusing elements 402. Focusing elements 402 can be implemented as metalenses 404, lightfield lenses 406, solid lenses 408, or as optical lens configurations 410 (also referred to as hollow single optical lens configurations).

[0070] To reduce weight and volume, optical lenses can be designed in a flat form, such as a diffractive lens. For example, in a diffractive lens that simulates a plano-convex refractive lens, the convex surface can be flattened by decomposing it into radial regions. However, such a diffractive lens may have strong chromatic aberration, that is, at wavelengths other than the main wavelength of the lens, the focus of the lens may shift linearly with the inverse of the wavelength.

[0071] In some examples, a superlens is an optical component that is manufactured using flat lens technology and uses a metasurface to focus light. A superlens can be used with or in place of a diffractive lens, which can be made of a metamaterial, which refers to an artificially engineered 3D material with sub-wavelength levels of effective optical parameters. In a superlens, a phase can be induced via the response of a nanostructure formed on the surface of a substrate material. A superlens can also manipulate the polarization of light, while a diffractive surface cannot. Thus, a superlens 404 can be used as a focusing element 402, thereby reducing volume and weight, while also reducing chromatic aberration by polarization manipulation during the focusing of light 318 from the environment and light 316 from the display on the eye zone 304.

[0072] In some examples, light field lens 406 may be a collection of optical lenses or optical elements for collecting information from a light field in a particular scene, including the intensity, color, and direction of light. Thus, a three-dimensional model of the scene may be constructed. Additional data collected by the light field lens (also referred to as rich light field data) may include a depth map and / or different perspectives of the scene captured at the time of collection. Light field lens 406 may be implemented as one or more microlens arrays. An array with hundreds of microlenses in front of a single digital sensor may allow light field information (rich light field data) to be collected to produce an image that may be composed of any number of sub-images. Light field lens 406 may also include a liquid lens, a zoom lens, a liquid crystal lens, and the like.

[0073] In some examples, another alternative implementation of focusing element 402 can be a solid lens 408 (also referred to herein as an optical element or optical lens). In the case of solid lens 408, chromatic aberration can be digitally corrected using a pre-color corrected display (which can be a transparent pixelated OLED, LED, micro-LED, or other RGB emitter).

[0074] In some examples, an optical lens configuration 410 having two optical elements with a gap between them can be used as the focusing element 402. As discussed in more detail herein ( Figure 5 9), the surfaces of the various elements may also be provided with any number of optical layers. These optical layers may include, but are not limited to, reflective polarizer layers, quarter-wave layers, semi-transparent mirrors, or other optical layers. These optical layers may be used by optical lens constructions, for example, to help focus visual content on a display of a head-mounted display (HMD) system to an eye-friendly zone.

[0075] Figure 5 500 shows a light ray 516 from a display 508 arriving at a first surface of the optical lens structure, which may include a first optical element 504 and a second optical element 506, with an air gap 510 between the first optical element and the second optical element. Figure 6 and 9A to 9E As discussed, light 518 in air gap 510 is a mixture of refracted light and reflected light, where the reflection is caused by a semi-transparent mirror applied to one surface of an optical element. The optical lens configuration can allow focused light 512 (displayed content) to be provided to the eye zone 502, thereby allowing the user to view the entire content on the display 508 that is wider than the eye zone 502.

[0076] In some examples, first optical element 504 and second optical element 506 can be selected from a variety of optical lens types, such as convex, concave, plano-convex, plano-concave, positive meniscus, or negative meniscus. At least one of first optical element 504 and second optical element 506 can also be uniform, i.e., neither convex nor concave. In some examples, selected surfaces of first optical element 504 and second optical element 506 can be provided with a reflective polarizer layer, a quarter-wave layer, and / or a semi-transparent mirror to provide polarization adjustment and reflection of light for enhanced optical focusing capabilities while keeping the lens thin (i.e., lightweight).

[0077] Figure 6 600 shows light 616 from a display 608 arriving at a first surface of the optical lens structure, which may include a first optical element 604 and a second optical element 606, with an air gap 610 between the first optical element and the second optical element. Figure 6 and 9A to 9EAs discussed, light 618 in air gap 610 is a mixture of refracted light and reflected light, where the reflection is caused by a semi-transparent mirror applied to one surface of an optical element. The optical lens configuration can allow focused light 612 (displayed content) to be provided to eye zone 602, thereby allowing the user to view the entire content on display 608.

[0078] In some examples, as shown in diagram 600, the first optical element 604 can be a meniscus-shaped negative optical lens (i.e., the optical lens can be used as a concave optical lens), and the second optical element 606 can be a meniscus-shaped positive optical lens (i.e., the optical lens can be used as a convex optical lens). As shown in diagram 600, by selecting the shape and strength of the optical elements, a wider display area can be focused on the eye zone 602. As shown in Figure 5 In the embodiment, selected surfaces of the first optical element 604 and the second optical element 606 can be provided with a reflective polarizer layer, a quarter-wave layer and / or a semi-transparent mirror to provide polarization adjustment and reflection of light for enhancing the optical focusing capability.

[0079] Figure 7 A plurality of optical lens configurations for focusing elements according to examples are shown. Illustration 700 includes example optical lens configurations 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, and 712, wherein in each configuration, a first optical element is identified as L1 and a second optical element is identified as L2. In optical lens configuration 702, L1 may be a uniform optical lens and L2 may be a plano-convex optical lens. In optical lens configuration 704, both L1 and L2 may be uniform optical lenses. In optical lens configuration 706, L1 may be a meniscus-shaped negative optical lens and L2 may be a uniform optical lens. In optical lens configuration 708, L1 may be a uniform optical lens and L2 may be a meniscus-shaped negative optical lens. In optical lens configuration 710, L1 may be a meniscus-shaped positive optical lens and L2 may be a uniform optical lens. In optical lens configuration 712, L1 may be a uniform optical lens and L2 may be a meniscus-shaped positive optical lens.

[0080] Optical focusing power (also called refractive power, refractive power, or converging power) is the degree to which an optical lens or similar optical system converges or diverges light. The optical focusing power is equal to the inverse of the focal length of the optical lens or system. A high optical focusing power may correspond to a short focal length. A converging optical lens, such as a converging optical lens commonly used in head-mounted display (HMD) devices to focus displayed content on an eye zone, may have a positive optical focusing power. For two or more thin optical lenses placed close together, the optical focusing power of the combined optical lens may be approximately equal to the sum of the optical focusing powers of each optical lens. Similarly, the optical focusing power of a single optical lens (e.g., a meniscus positive optical lens) may be approximately equal to the sum of the optical focusing powers of each surface.

[0081] In some examples, additional surfaces of individual optical lenses in the optical lens configuration can provide refractive surfaces for reducing spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, and / or field curvature. Thus, the image accuracy on the eye zone can be improved by the optical lens configuration.

[0082] Figure 8 Details of an optical lens construction for a focusing element having a reflective polarizer layer, a quarter-wave layer, and a semi-transparent mirror according to an example are shown. To illustrate reflection and refraction, the example optical lens construction in diagram 800 is shown with two optical elements separated. Diagram 800 includes a display 812, a first optical element 804, a second optical element 802, and an eye zone 820. A reflective polarizer layer 806 is shown on a first surface of the second optical element 802, a semi-transparent mirror 810 is shown on a first surface of the first optical element 804, and a quarter-wave layer 808 is shown on a second surface of the first optical element 804. Also shown in diagram 800 are light rays 826 passing through the first optical element 804, light rays 824 in the gap between the two optical elements, and light rays 822 arriving at the eye zone 820.

[0083] In some examples, the first surface of the second optical element 802 (facing the first optical element 804) can be provided with a reflective polarizer layer 806. The reflective polarizer can transmit light with a specific polarization and reflect light with other polarizations. In an optical see-through augmented reality (AR) system, polarization management may be critical to improving the ambient contrast and brightness of the display. Conventional polarizing beam splitters (PBS) for polarization management can provide excellent performance, but for head-mounted display (HMD) devices, conventional polarizing beam splitters may be too large and too heavy, while compactness and light weight may be characteristics pursued by head-mounted AR displays. In some examples, a thin reflective polarizer layer 806 can be uniformly laminated on the first surface of the second optical element 802 to provide performance similar to that of a polarizing beam splitter (PBS). In a reflective polarizer, unpolarized ambient light can partially pass through, while polarized display light (e.g., display light from display 812) can be reflected by the reflective polarizer. Thus, the head-mounted augmented reality (AR) system can effectively combine the image displayed by the display 812 with the outside world.

[0084] However, just like polarizing beam splitters (PBS), reflective polarizers may also face challenges. In actual implementation, only about half of the unpolarized ambient light can pass through, while the other half is reflected back. The reduction in transmittance may make it difficult to achieve an unobtrusive display system, where the display may need to disappear into the background. In some examples, a quarter-wave layer 808 can be provided on the second surface of the first optical element 804 to compensate for the transmittance defects of the reflective polarizer layer 806. The quarter-wave layer can change the polarization state of the light wave traveling through the quarter-wave layer by converting linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light. If unpolarized ambient light passes through the quarter-wave layer 808, the ambient light can become linearly polarized or circularly polarized. Therefore, the transmittance of the ambient light (environment) can be increased by the reflective polarizer layer 806.

[0085] Wave plates can be constructed using birefringent materials (such as quartz, mica, or plastic) whose refractive index can be different for linearly polarized light along one or the other of two specific perpendicular crystal axes. The performance of the wave plate can depend on the thickness of the crystal, the wavelength of the light, and the change in refractive index. By selecting these parameters, a controlled phase shift between the two polarization components of a light wave can be introduced, thereby changing the polarization of the light wave.

[0086] In some examples, a semi-transparent mirror 810 can be disposed on the first surface of the first optical element 804. A semi-transparent mirror, also known as a one-way mirror or a 50 / 50 mirror, is a reciprocal mirror that appears reflective on one side and transparent on the other side. While a semi-transparent mirror can be constructed by a variety of techniques, one example technique can include coating or wrapping glass or a similar material with a thin, nearly transparent layer of metal, such as aluminum. The reflection of light rays toward the eye zone 820 by the semi-transparent mirror 810 can increase the amount of light focused by the optical lens construction.

[0087] In some examples, light from the display can pass through the semi-transparent mirror 810 and become focused by the first optical element 804. When the light leaves the first optical element 804, the polarization of the light can change as the light passes through the quarter-wave layer 808. When passing through the gaps between the optical elements, the light from the display can pass through the reflective polarizer layer 806 and be further focused by the second optical element 802 to reach the eye zone 820. (In augmented reality (AR) applications) unpolarized light from the environment can pass through the semi-transparent mirror 810 and be focused by the first optical element 804. When the light from the environment leaves the first optical element 804, the light can become at least partially polarized by the quarter-wave layer 808. Partially polarized light from the environment can pass through the gaps between the optical elements and at least partially pass through the reflective polarizer layer 806 to enter the second optical element 802, where the light can be further focused on the eye zone 820. A portion of the light from the environment that may be reflected by the reflective polarizer layer 806 may pass through the quarter-wave layer 808, the first optical element 804, and be reflected back by the semi-transparent mirror 810. When the reflected light becomes further polarized by the quarter-wave layer 808, more of it may pass through the reflective polarizer layer 806 and reach the eye zone 820. Thus, the loss of light from the environment for augmented reality (AR) applications may be significantly reduced.

[0088] In some examples, an optical lens construction may include an assembly of two optical elements attached together with an air gap between the two optical elements. Optical materials may be affected by dispersion, which may result in scattering of signals of different wavelengths. An example optical lens construction may utilize two complementary dispersive optical elements to compensate for dispersion and have a final optical lens construction with similar focusing capabilities over the entire wavelength range. Therefore, an achromatic optical lens construction may limit the effects of chromatic aberration and spherical aberration. In some examples, one optical element may be a negative (concave) element with relatively high dispersion, while the other optical element may be a positive (convex) element with lower dispersion. Other constructions may also be implemented. Although conventional doublet lens structures typically utilize two lenses joined together without a gap or without a gap filled by a liquid (e.g., oil), such an implementation may not address the size and weight challenges in a head-mounted display (HMD) device. An example optical lens construction with an air gap between two optical elements may allow the use of thinner, lighter optical lenses with a lower total weight, and may also be easier to manufacture. For example, the optical lens construction may be formed by mechanically or chemically (eg, gluing) fixing the two optical elements along their peripheral edges. In some examples, the gap may also be filled with an inert gas or the like instead of air.

[0089] In diagram 800, first optical element 804 and second optical element 802 are shown as plano-convex optical lenses, but embodiments are not limited to this configuration. Other optical lens types may also be selected using the principles discussed herein. In addition, reflective polarizer layer 806, quarter-wave layer 808, and semi-transparent mirror 810 are shown on specific surfaces of first optical element 804 and second optical element 802. Examples are not limited to these configurations. 9A to 9E As discussed, the three light management layers may also be provided in other configurations.

[0090] 9A to 9E Multiple configurations of reflective polarizer layers, quarter-wave layers, and semi-transparent mirrors in optical lens configurations for focusing elements according to examples are shown. Fig. 9A The diagram 900A shows an example two-component configuration for use as FIG. 9B to FIG. 9E900A, for simplicity, the first optical element (L1) 910 and the second optical element (L2) 912 are shown as uniform optical lenses. As discussed herein, the two optical elements may include any optical lens type, depending on the overall optical lens construction structure. The first surface 902 (facing the display) of the first optical element (L1) 910 may be labeled L1S1. The second surface 904 (facing the eye zone) of the first optical element (L1) 910 may be labeled L1S2. The first surface 906 (facing the display) of the second optical element (L2) 912 may be labeled L2S1. The second surface 908 (facing the eye zone) of the second optical element (L2) 912 may be labeled L2S2.

[0091] Fig. 9B Illustration 900B shows a first example construction, in which a reflective polarizer layer (Reflective Polarizer, RP) 922 can be disposed on the first surface (L2S1) of the second optical element, a quarter wavelength layer (Quarter Wave, QW) 924 can be disposed on the second surface (L1S2) of the first optical element, and a semi-transparent mirror (50 / 50 mirror) 926 can be disposed on the first surface (L1S1) of the first optical element.

[0092] Fig. 9C 900C shows a second example configuration in which a quarter-wave layer (QW) 924 may be disposed on the second surface (L2S1) of the first optical element, a reflective polarizer layer (RP) 922 may be disposed on the quarter-wave layer (QW) 924, and a semi-transparent mirror (50 / 50 mirror) 926 may be disposed on the first surface (L1S1) of the first optical element. In this configuration, the second optical element (L2) 914 may be used as an aberration correction lens.

[0093] Fig.9D Illustration 900D shows a third example construction in which a quarter wavelength layer (QW) 924 may be disposed on the second surface (L2S2) of the second optical element, a reflective polarizer layer (RP) 922 may be disposed on the quarter wavelength layer (QW) 924, and a semi-transparent mirror (50 / 50 mirror) 926 may be disposed on the second surface (L2S1) of the first optical element.

[0094] Fig.9EIllustration 900E shows a fourth example construction, in which a reflective polarizer layer (RP) 922 may be disposed on the first surface (L1S2) of the second optical element, a quarter-wave layer (QW) 924 may be disposed on the reflective polarizer layer (RP) 922, and a semi-transparent mirror (50 / 50 mirror) 926 may be disposed on the first surface (L1S1) of the first optical element.

[0095] As combined Figure 8 As discussed, using the principles described in this article, it is possible to FIG. 9B to FIG. 9E Other configurations may be configured differently than those shown in the drawings to select the shape and type of the various optical elements and the placement of the light management layers.

[0096] Fig. 10A An assembly system for providing a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical lens configuration according to an example is shown. Diagram 1000A shows a controller 1002 managing the operation of various assembly units, including a lens unit 1004, a reflective polarizer unit 1006, a quarter wave unit 1008, a semi-transparent (50 / 50) mirror unit 1010, and an assembly unit 1012. Various optical elements (e.g., a first optical element and a second optical element) may be provided (1022) by the lens unit 1004, followed by a reflective polarizer layer being applied (1024) on a surface of one of the optical elements by the reflective polarizer unit 1006. The quarter wave layer may be applied to a surface of one of the optical elements or to the reflective polarizer layer by the quarter wave unit 1008, followed by a semi-transparent mirror (1026) being applied to a surface of one of the optical elements by the semi-transparent (50 / 50) mirror unit 1010. The processed lenses may be assembled ( 1030 ) together to form an optical lens construction and then assembled with the remaining components of a head mounted display (HMD) device 1032 by an assembly unit 1012 .

[0097] In some examples, lens unit 1004 may use any suitable optical material to provide optical elements (e.g., first optical element and second optical element), but these materials are not limited to glass, optical grade plastics, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), monomer plastic, polymer plastic, polycarbonate (PC), epoxy resin, polyester, optical nylon, etc. Optical elements may be provided using casting, injection molding, compression molding, machining, polishing, and / or similar methods or techniques.

[0098] In some examples, the reflective polarizer unit 1006 can provide a reflective polarizer layer on the surface of one of the optical elements using a birefringent material such as calcite, a linear polymer film (e.g., based on polyvinyl alcohol "PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)"), a modified polycarbonate, or the like. The reflective polarizer layer can be provided using lamination, spraying, and / or similar methods or techniques.

[0099] In some examples, quarter-wave unit 1008 can provide a quarter-wave layer on the surface of the optical element (or on the reflective polarizer layer) using materials such as quartz (crystalline SiO2), mica, or modified polycarbonate. Since the thickness of the quarter-wave layer is a key property that may need to be adjusted with high precision, the quarter-wave layer can be formed as a separate layer and can be laminated or otherwise fixed to the surface of the optical element or reflective polarizer layer.

[0100] In some examples, the semi-transparent (50 / 50) reflector unit 1010 can provide a semi-transparent reflector on the surface of one of the optical elements by applying a thin layer of metal (e.g., aluminum, silver, gold, or the like) to a thin layer of glass or a transparent polymer material, and then laminating or similarly fixing the reflector to the surface of the optical element. In other examples, the reflector can be formed layer by layer on the surface of the optical element by using a suitable application technique (such as injection, lamination, spraying, vapor deposition, etc.).

[0101] As discussed herein, an optical lens construction may include an assembly of two optical elements attached together with an air gap between the two optical elements. In contrast to conventional doublet structures that typically utilize two lenses joined together without a gap or without a gap filled with a liquid (e.g., oil), example optical lens constructions may be assembled by mechanically or chemically (e.g., gluing) securing the two optical elements along their peripheral edges. In some examples, the gap may also be filled with an inert gas or the like instead of air.

[0102] Fig. 10B An assembly system for providing a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical assembly including a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensating element is shown according to an example. Diagram 1000B shows a controller 1052 managing the operation of the various assembly units, including a focusing element unit 1054, a display unit 1056, a compensating element unit 1058, and an assembly unit 1060. The focusing element unit 1054 can provide (1062) any alternative implementation of the focusing element 402, such as a metalens 404, a light field lens 406, a solid lens 408, or an optical construction 410 (a hollow single optical lens construction). The display unit 1056 can provide (1064) a transparent and curved display 310, which can be shaped according to the construction of the components. The compensating element unit 1058 can provide (1066) a compensating element 312, such as a free-form phase plate. The various components of the optical assembly can be assembled (1068) together with other parts of the head mounted display (HMD) device 1070 by the assembly unit 1060.

[0103] The modules (stations) of an example head mounted display (HMD) assembly system for producing a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical lens configuration or having a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element as described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting of the assembly system. Some of the modules may be implemented as a single station that performs any number of functions at any number of assembly stages. The order of the modules (i.e., assembly steps) may be different than that shown in the diagrams. The assembly system may also be implemented using fewer or additional modules using the principles described herein.

[0104] Fig.11A A flowchart 1100A is shown of a method of assembling a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical lens configuration according to an example. Fig.11AEach block shown in the may further represent one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, and one or more blocks may include machine-readable instructions that are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by a processor or other type of processing circuit to perform one or more operations described herein.

[0105] At 1102, any suitable optical material may be used to provide the first optical element (L1) 804 and the second optical element (L2) 802, but these materials are not limited to glass, optical grade plastics, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), monomer plastics, polymer plastics, polycarbonate (PC), epoxy resin, polyester, optical nylon, etc. The optical elements may be provided using casting, injection molding, compression molding, machining, polishing, and / or similar methods or techniques. At 1104, a reflective polarizer layer 806 may be provided on a surface of the first optical element (L1) 804 or the second optical element (L2) 802 using lamination, spraying, and / or similar methods or techniques.

[0106] At 1106, a quarter-wave layer 808 may be provided on one surface of the first optical element (L1) 804 or the second optical element (L2) 802 or on the reflective polarizer layer 806. The quarter-wave layer 808 may be formed as a separate layer and laminated or otherwise affixed to the surface of one of the optical elements or the reflective polarizer layer. At 1108, a semi-transparent mirror 810 may be provided on one surface of the first optical element (L1) 804 or the second optical element (L2) 802 by applying a thin layer of metal (e.g., aluminum, silver, gold, or the like) to a thin layer of glass or a transparent polymer material and then laminating or similarly affixing the mirror to the optical element surface.

[0107] At 1110, the processed optical elements (having the reflective polarizer layer 806, the quarter-wave layer 808, and the semi-transparent mirror 810) can be assembled together to form an optical lens construction. The optical lens construction can be assembled by mechanically or chemically (e.g., gluing) fixing the two optical elements along their edges. In some examples, the gap can also be filled with an inert gas or the like instead of air. At 1112, a head mounted display (HMD) device 1032 can be assembled by combining any number of electronic, mechanical, and optical components (such as the optical lens construction, the body 102, the headband 110, and other components).

[0108] Fig. 11BA flowchart 1100B of a method of assembling a head mounted display (HMD) device having an optical assembly including a focusing element, a transparent display, and a compensation element is shown according to an example. Fig. 11B Each block shown in the may further represent one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, and one or more blocks may include machine-readable instructions that are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by a processor or other type of processing circuit to perform one or more operations described herein.

[0109] At 1152, alternative embodiments of focusing element 402, such as metalens 404, light field lens 406, solid lens 408, or optical construction 410 (hollow single optical lens construction) may be provided by focusing element unit 1054. In some examples, the focusing element may be formed by focusing element unit 1054 (e.g., in the case of an alternative to optical construction 410, two optical lens elements are fixed and a reflective polarizer layer, a quarter-wave layer, and a semi-transparent mirror layer are applied). In other examples, focusing element 402 may be formed elsewhere and its assembly with other components may be provided by focusing element unit 1054.

[0110] At 1154, a transparent, curved display 310 can be provided by the display unit 1056. A transparent display is an electronic display that can allow a user to view content displayed on the screen while still being able to see through the display. A curved display is a display technology that features a three-dimensional (3D) screen rather than a traditional two-dimensional (2D) screen. The shape and size of the display can be selected to match the focusing elements and / or compensation elements. In some examples, the display can be a flexible display and formed into a shape based on other components. In other examples, the display can have a fixed shape and / or size, and the shape and size of the focusing elements and compensation elements can be selected to match the display.

[0111] At 1156, a compensation element 312 may be provided by a compensation element unit 1058. For example, the compensation element may be a free-form phase plate and used to adjust the phase of light 318 from the environment. At 1158, the various components of the optical assembly aligned about the primary axis 306 may be assembled with other mechanical, optical, and electronic components of a head mounted display (HMD) device 1070.

[0112] According to some examples, an optical component may include: a compensation element for modifying the phase of first light arriving from an environment outside a head-mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display for presenting an image or video and allowing the phase-modified first light to pass through; and a focusing element for focusing the phase-modified first light and second light from the transparent display on an eye zone, wherein the optical component is used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

[0113] According to some examples, the compensating element may include a free-form phase plate, a zoom lens, or a liquid lens. The compensating element may have an optical focusing power that is substantially similar to the optical focusing power of the focusing element, but of opposite sign, or the compensating element may have a focusing power that is different from the focusing power of the focusing element to correct one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. The compensating element may be fabricated by one or more of cylindrical coordinate machining, etching, lithography, grinding, grating fly cutting, or holographic techniques. The focusing element may include a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction including two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements.

[0114] According to some examples, the light field lens may include a microlens array, a liquid lens, a zoom lens, or a liquid crystal lens. The transparent display may have a curvature, the curvature including a spherical curvature, a cylindrical curvature, or a combination thereof. The shape and size of the transparent display may be selected based at least in part on one or more of the shape and size of the compensating element or the shape and size of the focusing element. The transparent display, the compensating element, and the focusing element may be aligned along a primary optical axis of the head mounted display (HMD) device.

[0115] According to some examples, a head mounted display (HMD) device may include: a body including a transparent front side; and an optical assembly located within the body. The optical assembly may include: a compensation element for modifying the phase of a first light arriving from an environment outside the head mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display for presenting an image or video and allowing the first light with the modified phase to pass through; and a focusing element for focusing the first light with the modified phase and a second light from the transparent display on an eye area, wherein the optical assembly is used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

[0116] According to some examples, the compensating element may include a free-form phase plate, a zoom lens, or a liquid lens. The focusing element may include a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction including two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements. The light field lens may include a microlens array, a liquid lens, a zoom lens, or a liquid crystal lens. The compensating element may have an optical focusing power that is substantially similar to the optical focusing power of the focusing element, but has an opposite sign, or the compensating element may have a different focusing power than the focusing power of the focusing element to correct one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. The transparent display, the compensating element, and the focusing element may be aligned along a principal optical axis of the head mounted display (HMD) device.

[0117] According to some examples, a method for a head-mounted display (HMD) device may include: modifying, at a compensation element, a phase of first light arriving at the compensation element from an environment external to the head-mounted display (HMD) device; providing an image or video through a transparent display while allowing the phase-modified first light to pass through the transparent display; and focusing the phase-modified first light and second light from the transparent display on an eye zone at a focusing element, wherein the compensation element and the focusing element are used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

[0118] According to some examples, the method may also include: focusing the optical power from the focusing element by the compensating element; or correcting one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism by the compensating element. The compensating element may include a free-form phase plate, a zoom lens, or a liquid lens. The focusing element may include a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction including two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements. The light field lens may include a microlens array, a liquid lens, a zoom lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

[0119] According to some examples, systems and / or methods for manufacturing an optical assembly as described herein may also be provided. According to other examples, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may have an executable file stored thereon, which, when executed, may instruct a processor to perform a method for manufacturing an optical assembly and / or a head mounted display (HMD) device as described herein.

[0120] In the foregoing description, various invention examples are described, including devices, systems, and methods, etc. For the purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent that various examples can be practiced without these specific details. For example, devices, systems, structures, assemblies, methods, and other components can be shown as components in block diagram form, so as not to obscure these examples in unnecessary details. In other cases, in order to avoid obscuring these examples, well-known devices, processes, systems, structures, and techniques can be shown without the necessary details.

[0121] These drawings and descriptions are not intended to be limiting. The terms and expressions employed in this disclosure are used as descriptive terms rather than restrictive terms, and when used, are not intended to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. The word "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or design described herein as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as being preferred or superior to other embodiments or designs.

[0122] Although the methods and systems as described herein may be primarily directed to a focus on displayed digital content (eg, video or interactive media), it should be understood that the methods and systems as described herein may also be used for other types of content or scenarios.

Claims

1. An optical component, comprising: a compensation element for modifying a phase of first light arriving from an environment external to a head mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display for presenting an image or a video and allowing the first light with a modified phase to pass therethrough; as well as A focusing element is used to focus the first light with modified phase and the second light from the transparent display on an eye zone, wherein the optical component is used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

2. The optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The compensating element comprises a free-form phase plate, a variable focus lens, or a liquid lens; and / or Wherein, the compensation element is also used to focus the optical power from the focusing element; and / or The compensating element is also used to correct one or more of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.

3. The optical component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The compensating element is manufactured by one or more of cylindrical coordinate machining, etching, photolithography, grinding, grating fly cutting or holographic techniques.

4. An optical component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The focusing element comprises one of the following: Superlens; Light field lens; Solid optical lenses; or An optical construction comprising two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements.

5. The optical assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The light field lens includes a microlens array, a liquid lens, a zoom lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

6. An optical component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transparent display has a curvature, the curvature comprising a spherical curvature, a cylindrical curvature, or a combination thereof; and / or wherein the shape and size of the transparent display are selected at least in part based on one or more of the shape and size of the compensation element or the shape and size of the focusing element.

7. An optical component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transparent display, the compensating element, and the focusing element are aligned along a primary optical axis of the head mounted display (HMD) device.

8. A head mounted display (HMD) device, comprising: a body including a transparent front side; as well as An optical component, the optical component is located in the body, and the optical component includes: a compensation element for modifying a phase of first light arriving from an environment external to the head mounted display (HMD) device; a transparent display for presenting an image or a video and allowing the first light having a modified phase to pass therethrough; and A focusing element is used to focus the first light with modified phase and the second light from the transparent display on an eye zone, wherein the optical component is used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

9. The head mounted display (HMD) device of claim 8, wherein: The compensating element comprises a free-form phase plate, a variable focus lens, or a liquid lens; and / or The focusing element comprises a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction comprising two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements.

10. The head mounted display (HMD) device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The light field lens includes a microlens array, a liquid lens, a zoom lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

11. A head mounted display (HMD) device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The compensation element is also used for: focusing optical power from said focusing element; and / or Correction of one or more of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.

12. A head mounted display (HMD) device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The transparent display, the compensating element, and the focusing element are aligned along a primary optical axis of the head mounted display (HMD) device.

13. A method for a head mounted display (HMD) device, comprising: modifying, at a compensation element, a phase of first light arriving at the compensation element from an environment external to the head mounted display (HMD) device; providing an image or video through a transparent display while allowing the first light with a modified phase to pass through the transparent display; as well as The phase-modified first light and second light from the transparent display are focused onto an eye zone at a focusing element, wherein the compensating element and the focusing element are used to reduce one or more aberrations in the first light or the second light.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: focusing optical power from the focusing element through the compensation element; and / or One or more of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism is corrected by the compensating element.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The compensating element comprises a free-form phase plate, a variable focus lens, or a liquid lens; and / or wherein the focusing element comprises a metalens, a light field lens, a solid optical lens, or an optical construction comprising two optical elements with an air gap between the two optical elements; and / or Wherein, the light field lens includes a microlens array, a liquid lens, a zoom lens, or a liquid crystal lens.

Images