2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device

Abstract

The invention discloses a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device. The device comprises a projector, a polarization generation unit, a polarization selective holographic microlens array and an optical diffusion element. The projector projects a corresponding film source according to the display mode; the polarization generation unit is composed of a polaroid, a twisted nematic liquid crystal panel and a 1 / 4 wave plate. The polaroid performs polarization modulation on the light; the twisted nematic liquid crystal panel is used for keeping linearly polarized light in the vertical direction or converting the linearly polarized light into linearly polarized light in the horizontal direction; the 1 / 4 wave plate converts the passing linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light; the polarization selective holographic micro-lens array has a focusing effect on right-handed circularly polarized light and has a defocusing effect on left-handed circularly polarized light. The optical diffusion element not only can homogenize a 3D image, but also can be used as a screen for receiving a 2D image, and ambient light can directly pass through the optical diffusion element. The device can realize three modes of 2D augmented reality display, 3D augmented reality display and 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display.

Description

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of augmented reality technology, and in particular to a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device. 2. Background Technology

[0002] Augmented reality technology is a technology that integrates virtual information with the real world. It can help observers focus on their work more effectively, so it has been widely studied by researchers and the industry. At the same time, with the development of augmented reality technology, people are no longer satisfied with only displaying flat 2D images, and hope to observe richer information, so 3D display has gradually been introduced into the field of augmented reality. Integrated imaging display technology can reconstruct the light field of a three-dimensional scene and provide full parallax, continuous viewpoints and various physiological depth cues without the problem of visual fatigue. At the same time, its structure is relatively compact, simple, and has low hardware complexity, making it suitable for integration into augmented reality displays. However, current 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality displays mostly use time or space multiplexing technology, resulting in a large system size, complex structure, poor display image quality, and a single type.

[0003] Although 3D display can provide depth information that does not exist in 2D display, the current 3D display still has problems such as low image resolution, small viewing angle, narrow depth, and unsatisfactory display effect. 2D / 3D compatible display can display full-resolution 2D images in the background and 3D images with depth information in the foreground, optimize the viewing experience of 3D images, and promote the application of 3D display. Therefore, it is necessary to develop 2D / 3D compatible display. Existing 2D / 3D compatible display solutions mostly use liquid crystal active devices to quickly switch display modes, based on the visual temporary memory effect of the human eye, to achieve 2D / 3D hybrid display; or use space division multiplexing technology to form 2D / 3D hybrid display by simultaneously using rear projection to display 2D background images and front projection to display 3D foreground images. This will lead to a complex system structure, reduced imaging quality, and the inability to achieve the effect of virtual-real fusion. III. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, as shown in the attached Figure 1 As shown, the device consists of a projector, a polarization generating unit, a polarization selective holographic microlens array and an optical diffusion element. The device has three modes: 2D display, 3D display and 2D / 3D compatible display, and all of them can achieve the effect of virtual-real fusion.

[0005] The projector projects corresponding film sources according to the display mode, projects 2D film sources in 2D display mode, projects 3D film sources in 3D display mode, and projects 2D / 3D mixed film sources in 2D / 3D compatible display mode.

[0006] The polarization generating unit is composed of a polarizer, a twisted nematic liquid crystal panel and a quarter wave plate, and is used to generate right-handed circularly polarized light. Figure 2 As shown, or left-handed circularly polarized light, as shown in the attached Figure 3 As shown. The polarizer is used to generate linear polarized light in the vertical direction. The twisted nematic liquid crystal panel is used to maintain the linear polarized light in the vertical direction or convert it into linear polarized light in the horizontal direction. The 1 / 4 wave plate is used to modulate the linear polarized light in the vertical and horizontal directions into right-handed circularly polarized light and left-handed circularly polarized light, respectively.

[0007] The polarization selective holographic microlens array can realize two states, state 1, as shown in the attached Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the incident polarized light is right-handed circularly polarized light, the polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a lens focusing effect on the light; State 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, when the incident polarized light is left-handed circularly polarized light, the polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a lens defocusing effect on the light.

[0008] The optical diffusion element can not only homogenize the 3D image, but also serve as a screen for receiving 2D images. In addition, ambient light can also directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye.

[0009] The 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, the optical path in the 2D augmented reality display mode is as shown in the attached Figure 6 As shown, the 2D film source projected by the projector generates left-handed circularly polarized light through the polarization generation unit, and the polarization-selective holographic microlens array defocuses the left-handed circularly polarized light. The light diverged by the polarization-selective holographic microlens array is projected on the optical diffusion element, and the optical diffusion element serves as a display screen for receiving 2D images to realize the display of 2D images. At the same time, the light of the real environment can directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye, so the viewer in front of the display system can see the 2D image and the real scene at the same time, realizing 2D augmented reality display.

[0010] The 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, the optical path in the 3D augmented reality display mode is as shown in the attached Figure 7 As shown, the 3D film source projected by the projector generates right-handed circularly polarized light through the polarization generation unit, and the polarization-selective holographic microlens array focuses the right-handed circularly polarized light, and the light is gathered to reconstruct a 3D image. The 3D image is scattered by the optical diffusion element to form a continuous and smooth 3D image. The light of the real environment can directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye, so that the observer can see the virtual 3D image and the real scene at the same time, realizing 3D augmented reality display.

[0011] The optical path of the 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device in the 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display mode is as shown in the attached Figure 8 As shown, the 2D / 3D mixed film source projected by the projector passes through the polarization generation unit to generate a 2D film source of left-handed circularly polarized light and a 3D film source of right-handed circularly polarized light. The polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a defocusing effect on the 2D film source of left-handed circularly polarized light, and the light diverged by the polarization-selective holographic microlens array is projected on the optical diffusion element to realize the display of 2D images. The polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a focusing effect on the 3D film source of right-handed circular polarization, and the light is converged to reconstruct a 3D image, which is then scattered by the optical diffusion element to form a continuous and smooth 3D image. The 2D image light and the 3D image light do not affect each other in space, thereby realizing 2D / 3D compatible display. At the same time, the light of the real environment can also directly enter the human eye through the optical diffusion element, so that the observer can see the real scene while seeing the 2D / 3D mixed image, realizing 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display.

[0012] The present invention provides a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device. The device generates circularly polarized light in different directions respectively through a polarization generating unit. The polarization selective holographic microlens array modulates polarized light in different directions, and can realize three modes of 2D augmented reality display, 3D augmented reality display and 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display. The device can achieve the effect of augmented reality in the three display modes, and only one projector is needed to realize 2D / 3D compatible display, with a simple structure and a compact system. IV. Description of the drawings

[0013] Attached Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device.

[0014] Attached Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the optical path for generating right-handed circularly polarized light for the polarization image generation unit.

[0015] Attached Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the optical path for generating left-handed circularly polarized light for the polarization image generation unit.

[0016] Attached Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the focusing effect of the polarization-selective holographic microlens array on right-handed circularly polarized light.

[0017] Attached Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the defocusing effect of the polarization-selective holographic microlens array on left-handed circularly polarized light.

[0018] Attached Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the optical path of the 2D augmented reality display mode of the device of the present invention.

[0019] Attached Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the optical path of the 3D augmented reality display mode of the device of the present invention.

[0020] Attached Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the optical path of the 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display mode of the device of the present invention.

[0021] The diagram numbers in the above drawings are:

[0022] 1 Projector, 2 Polarizer, 3 Twisted nematic liquid crystal, 4 1 / 4 wave plate, 5 Polarization-selective holographic microlens array, 6 Optical diffusion element, 7 Polarization image generating unit, 8 Vertical linear polarized light, 9 Horizontal linear polarized light, 10 Right-handed circularly polarized light, 11 Left-handed circularly polarized light, 12 Converging light, 13 Diverging light, 14 2D image, 15 3D image, 16 Real object, 17 Viewer.

[0023] It should be understood that the above drawings are only schematic and are not drawn to scale. V. Specific implementation methods

[0024] A typical embodiment of a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device of the present invention is described in detail below to further describe the present invention. It is necessary to point out here that the following embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present invention and cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Personnel skilled in the art in this field may make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present invention based on the above content of the present invention, which still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] The present invention provides a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, as shown in the attached Figure 1 As shown, the device consists of a projector, a polarization generating unit, a polarization selective holographic microlens array and an optical diffusion element. The device has three modes: 2D display, 3D display and 2D / 3D compatible display, and all of them can achieve the effect of virtual-real fusion.

[0026] The projector is a laser projector with a projection resolution of 1920×1080dpi. It projects corresponding film sources according to the display mode, projects 2D film sources in 2D display mode, projects 3D film sources in 3D display mode, and projects 2D / 3D mixed film sources in 2D / 3D compatible display mode.

[0027] The polarization generating unit is composed of a polarizer, a twisted nematic liquid crystal panel and a quarter wave plate, and is used to generate right-handed circularly polarized light. Figure 2 As shown, or left-handed circularly polarized light, as shown in the attached Figure 3As shown. The polarizer is used to generate linear polarized light in the vertical direction. The twisted nematic liquid crystal panel is used to maintain the linear polarized light in the vertical direction or convert it into linear polarized light in the horizontal direction. The 1 / 4 wave plate is used to modulate the linear polarized light in the vertical and horizontal directions into right-handed circularly polarized light and left-handed circularly polarized light, respectively.

[0028] The polarization selective holographic microlens array can realize two states, state 1, as shown in the attached Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the polarized light is right-handed circularly polarized light, the polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a lens focusing effect on the light; state 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, when the polarized light is left-handed circularly polarized light, the polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a lens defocusing effect on the light.

[0029] The optical diffusion element has a light transmittance of 88.0%, which can not only homogenize 3D images, but also serve as a screen for 2D images. In addition, ambient light can also directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye.

[0030] The 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, the optical path in the 2D augmented reality display mode is as shown in the attached Figure 6 As shown, the 2D film source projected by the projector generates left-handed circularly polarized light through the polarization generation unit, and the polarization-selective holographic microlens array defocuses the left-handed circularly polarized light. The light diverged by the polarization-selective holographic microlens array is projected on the optical diffusion element, and the optical diffusion element serves as a display screen for receiving 2D images to realize the display of 2D images. At the same time, the light of the real environment can directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye, so the viewer in front of the display system can see the 2D image and the real scene at the same time, realizing 2D augmented reality display.

[0031] The 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, the optical path in the 3D augmented reality display mode is as shown in the attached Figure 7 As shown, the 3D film source projected by the projector generates right-handed circularly polarized light through the polarization generation unit, and the polarization-selective holographic microlens array focuses the right-handed circularly polarized light, and the light is gathered to reconstruct a 3D image. The 3D image is scattered by the optical diffusion element to form a continuous and smooth 3D image. The light of the real environment can directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye, so that the observer can see the virtual 3D image and the real scene at the same time, realizing 3D augmented reality display.

[0032] The optical path of the 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device in the 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display mode is as shown in the attached Figure 8As shown, the 2D / 3D mixed film source projected by the projector passes through the polarization generation unit to generate a 2D film source of left-handed circularly polarized light and a 3D film source of right-handed circularly polarized light. The polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a defocusing effect on the 2D film source of left-handed circularly polarized light, and the light diverged by the polarization-selective holographic microlens array is projected on the optical diffusion element to realize the display of 2D images. The polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a focusing effect on the 3D film source of right-handed circular polarization, and the light is converged to reconstruct a 3D image, which is then scattered by the optical diffusion element to form a continuous and smooth 3D image. The 2D image light and the 3D image light do not affect each other in space, thereby realizing 2D / 3D compatible display. At the same time, the light of the real environment can also directly enter the human eye through the optical diffusion element, so that the observer can see the real scene while seeing the 2D / 3D mixed image, realizing 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display.

[0033] The present invention provides a 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device. The device generates circularly polarized light in different directions respectively through a polarization generating unit. The polarization selective holographic microlens array modulates polarized light in different directions, and can realize three modes of 2D augmented reality display, 3D augmented reality display and 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display. The device can realize augmented reality effects in the three display modes, and only one projector is needed to realize 2D / 3D compatible display, with a simple structure and a compact system.

Claims

1. A 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device, characterized in that: The device is composed of a projector, a polarization generation unit, a polarization selective holographic microlens array and an optical diffusion element; the projector projects a corresponding film source according to a display mode, projects a 2D film source in a 2D display mode, projects a 3D film source in a 3D display mode, and projects a 2D / 3D mixed film source in a 2D / 3D compatible display mode; the polarization generation unit is composed of a polarizer, a twisted nematic liquid crystal panel and a 1 / 4 wave plate, and is used to generate right-handed circularly polarized light or left-handed circularly polarized light; the polarizer is used to generate vertical linearly polarized light; the twisted nematic liquid crystal panel is used to maintain the vertical linearly polarized light or convert it into horizontal linearly polarized light; The 1 / 4 wave plate is used to modulate the linear polarized light in the vertical and horizontal directions into right-handed circularly polarized light and left-handed circularly polarized light respectively; the polarization-selective holographic microlens array can realize two states, state 1, when the incident polarized light is right-handed circularly polarized light, the polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a lens focusing effect on the light; state 2, when the incident polarized light is left-handed circularly polarized light, the polarization-selective holographic microlens array has a lens defocusing effect on the light; the optical diffusion element can both homogenize the 3D image and serve as a screen for receiving 2D images, and the ambient light can also directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye.

2. A 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the 2D augmented reality display mode, the 2D film source projected by the projector generates left-handed circularly polarized light through the polarization generation unit, and the polarization-selective holographic microlens array defocuses the left-handed circularly polarized light. The light diverged by the polarization-selective holographic microlens array is projected onto the optical diffusion element, and the optical diffusion element serves as a display screen for receiving the 2D image to realize the display of the 2D image; at the same time, the light of the real environment can directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye, so the viewer in front of the display system can see the 2D image and the real scene at the same time, realizing the 2D augmented reality display.

3. The 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the 3D augmented reality display mode, the 3D film source projected by the projector generates right-handed circularly polarized light through the polarization generation unit, and the polarization-selective holographic microlens array acts as a lens to focus the right-handed circularly polarized light, so that the light is converged and a 3D image is reconstructed; the 3D image is scattered by the optical diffusion element to form a continuous and smooth 3D image; the light of the real environment can directly pass through the optical diffusion element into the human eye, so that the observer can see the virtual 3D image and the real scene at the same time, thereby realizing 3D augmented reality display.

4. The 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display mode, the 2D / 3D mixed film source projected by the projector passes through the polarization generation unit to generate a 2D film source of left-handed circularly polarized light and a 3D film source of right-handed circularly polarized light respectively; the polarization selective holographic microlens array has a defocusing effect on the 2D film source of left-handed circularly polarized light, and the light diverged by the polarization selective holographic microlens array is projected on the optical diffusion element to realize the display of 2D images; the polarization selective holographic microlens array has a focusing effect on the 3D film source of right-handed circularly polarized light, and the light is converged to reconstruct a 3D image, and then scattered by the optical diffusion element to form a continuous and smooth 3D image; the 2D image light and the 3D image light do not affect each other in space, thereby realizing 2D / 3D compatible display; at the same time, the light of the real environment can also directly enter the human eye through the optical diffusion element, so that the observer can see the real scene while seeing the 2D / 3D mixed image, realizing 2D / 3D compatible augmented reality display.

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