Ar device and optical waveguide

Abstract

The invention discloses AR (Augmented Reality) equipment and an optical waveguide. The AR equipment comprises an optical machine and the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide comprises an entrance pupil region, a pupil expanding region and an exit pupil region; the ray machine is used for emitting image light beams to the entrance pupil area; the distance between the ray machine and the entrance pupil area is smaller than or equal to the focal length of the ray machine. Therefore, the distance between the ray machine and the pupil entrance area is smaller than the focal length of the ray machine, so that the ray machine emits an image light beam to have an intersection area in the optical waveguide, the propagation area of the image light beam in the optical waveguide is reduced, the area corresponding to the pupil expansion area can be set to be smaller, and the area of the optical waveguide is reduced. And the cost of the manufacturing material of the AR equipment is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of AR devices, and more specifically, to an AR device and an optical waveguide. Background Art

[0002] Augmented Reality (AR) is widely used in various fields such as games, education, and medical treatment. AR devices provide users with an immersive experience by combining virtual information with the real world. Among them, the diffraction waveguide is a key component in AR devices. The diffraction waveguide uses grating diffraction to guide the propagation direction of the image beam and expand the propagation range of the image beam, so as to transmit the image beam to the user's eyes and form an image in the user's eyeball.

[0003] In the related art, the diffractive optical waveguide includes an independently set entrance pupil area, an expanded pupil area, and an exit pupil area. The entrance pupil area is the entrance for coupling the image beam displayed by the optical machine into the diffractive optical waveguide; the expanded pupil area guides the propagation direction of the image beam in the diffractive optical waveguide to the exit pupil area; and the exit pupil area couples the image beam out of the diffractive optical waveguide to transmit the image beam to the user's eyes, thereby forming an image in the user's eyeball.

[0004] In order to allow the image light beam coupled into the entrance pupil area to fully propagate to the exit pupil area, the pupil expansion area can only be enlarged to allow the image light beam coupled into the entrance pupil area to fully propagate to the exit pupil area. However, due to the large area of ​​the pupil expansion area, the area of ​​the diffraction light waveguide is also large, thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing materials for the AR device. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present application proposes an AR device and an optical waveguide, which can effectively reduce the area corresponding to the pupil expansion region, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing materials of the AR device.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an AR device, which includes: an optical machine and an optical waveguide; the optical waveguide includes an entrance pupil area, an expanded pupil area, and an exit pupil area; the optical machine is used to emit an image light beam to the entrance pupil area; the distance between the optical machine and the entrance pupil area is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine.

[0007] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides an optical waveguide, which includes: an entrance pupil area, an expanded pupil area, and an exit pupil area, wherein the width of the expanded pupil area increases gradually from the middle of the expanded pupil area to both ends along the length direction of the expanded pupil area.

[0008] The technical solution provided by the present application, the AR device includes: an optical machine and an optical waveguide; the optical waveguide includes an entrance pupil area, an expanded pupil area and an exit pupil area; the optical machine is used to emit an image beam to the entrance pupil area; the distance between the optical machine and the entrance pupil area is less than the focal length of the optical machine. Therefore, by making the distance between the optical machine and the entrance pupil area less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine, the image beam emitted by the optical machine has a cross area in the optical waveguide, so as to reduce the propagation area of ​​the image beam in the optical waveguide, and then the area corresponding to the expanded pupil area can be set to be smaller, thereby reducing the area of ​​the optical waveguide, and then reducing the cost of manufacturing materials of the AR device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments and drawings obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an optical waveguide provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an image light beam provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0013] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of an image light beam propagation path provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0014] Figure 5 A structural schematic diagram of another AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0015] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of another image light beam propagation path provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0016] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of another optical waveguide provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0017] Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram of another AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0018] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a distance adjustment method provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0019] Fig.10 A schematic structural diagram of a distance adjustment device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0020] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of an AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0021] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a computer-readable storage medium provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments should not be regarded as limiting the present application. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] In the following description, reference is made to "some embodiments", which describes a subset of all possible embodiments, but it is understood that "some embodiments" may be the same subset or different subsets of all possible embodiments, and may be combined with each other without conflict. In the following description, reference is made to the term "multiple" to mean at least two.

[0024] In the following description, the terms "first\second" involved are merely used to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of the objects. It can be understood that "first\second" can be interchanged with a specific order or sequence where permitted, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0026] Augmented Reality (AR) is widely used in various fields such as games, education, and medical treatment. AR devices provide users with an immersive experience by combining virtual information with the real world. Among them, the diffraction waveguide is a key component in AR devices. The diffraction waveguide uses grating diffraction to guide the propagation direction of the image beam and expand the propagation range of the image beam, so as to transmit the image beam to the user's eyes and form an image in the user's eyeball.

[0027] In the related art, the diffractive optical waveguide includes an independently set entrance pupil area, an expanded pupil area, and an exit pupil area. The entrance pupil area is the entrance for coupling the image beam displayed by the optical machine into the diffractive optical waveguide; the expanded pupil area guides the propagation direction of the image beam in the diffractive optical waveguide to the exit pupil area; and the exit pupil area couples the image beam out of the diffractive optical waveguide to transmit the image beam to the user's eyes, thereby forming an image in the user's eyeball.

[0028] By increasing the area of ​​the pupil expansion region, the image light beam coupled into the entrance pupil region can better reach the exit pupil region. However, due to the larger area of ​​the pupil expansion region, the area of ​​the diffraction light waveguide is also larger, thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing materials for the AR device.

[0029] In order to improve the above-mentioned problems, the present application provides an AR device and an optical waveguide, wherein the AR device includes an optical machine and an optical waveguide; the optical waveguide includes an entrance pupil area, an expanded pupil area and an exit pupil area; the optical machine is used to emit an image light beam to the entrance pupil area; the distance between the optical machine and the entrance pupil area is less than the focal length of the optical machine.

[0030] Therefore, by making the distance between the optical machine and the entrance pupil area smaller than the focal length of the optical machine, the image beam emitted by the optical machine has a cross area in the optical waveguide, so as to reduce the propagation area of ​​the image beam in the optical waveguide, and then the area corresponding to the pupil expansion area can be set smaller, thereby reducing the area of ​​the optical waveguide and reducing the cost of manufacturing materials of the AR device.

[0031] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0032] See also Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical waveguide provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the AR device 100 includes an optical machine 1 and an optical waveguide 2. The optical waveguide 2 includes an entrance pupil area 21, an expanded pupil area 22, and an exit pupil area 23. The distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than the focal length of the optical machine 1. The optical machine 1 is used to emit an image beam to the entrance pupil area 21.

[0033] The entrance pupil region 21 can couple the image beam into the entrance of the optical waveguide 2; the pupil expansion region 22 can make the image beam propagate in a certain direction in the optical waveguide 2 to increase the size of the exit pupil region 23, thereby improving the field of view of the AR device 100. The exit pupil region 23 can release the image beam from the optical waveguide 2 and transmit it to the exit of the user's eyes, directly affecting the display effect seen by the user.

[0034] The entrance pupil area 21, the dilated pupil area 22 and the exit pupil area 23 are usually independently arranged, and there are few structures in which the entrance pupil area 21, the dilated pupil area 22 and the exit pupil area 23 completely overlap. The entrance pupil area 21, the dilated pupil area 22 and the exit pupil area 23 are independently arranged to ensure that the function of each area is not interfered.

[0035] That is to say, when the optical machine 1 is in a light-emitting state, the optical machine 1 emits an image light beam to the optical waveguide 2 through the entrance pupil area 21, the image light beam propagates inside the optical waveguide 2, and the image light beam emitted by the optical machine 1 is emitted to the exit pupil area 23 through the pupil expansion area 22, and the image light beam then propagates to the user's eyes through the exit pupil area 23, so that the user can obtain the corresponding content played by the optical machine 1.

[0036] In some embodiments, the optical machine 1 may be a micro projector. In some embodiments, the optical machine 1 includes one of a DLP projector, an LCOS projector, and a micro light emitting diode (MicroLED).

[0037] In some embodiments, the entrance pupil region 21 and the exit pupil region 23 include one of a grating and a beam splitter. Whether the entrance pupil region 21 and the exit pupil region 23 are gratings or beam splitters is determined according to the specific conditions of the optical waveguide 2. For example, when the optical waveguide 2 is a diffraction optical waveguide, the entrance pupil region 21 and the exit pupil region 23 are gratings (such as surface relief gratings). For another example, when the optical waveguide 2 is an array optical waveguide, the entrance pupil region 21 and the exit pupil region 23 are beam splitters.

[0038] The optical engine 1 emits an image beam to the entrance pupil area 21, and is coupled into the optical waveguide 2 through the entrance pupil area 21. At this time, the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is called the coupling distance. The coupling distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 includes negative distance coupling, positive distance coupling and zero distance coupling.

[0039] Specifically, the change trend of the image beam emitted by the optical machine 1 is to first shrink to a point and then diffuse from a point. When the image beam is emitted from the optical machine 1 and the image beam is in a shrinking state, the coupling distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is called negative distance coupling. That is, the distance from the time when the image beam is emitted from the optical machine 1 to the time when the image beam shrinks to a point is determined as negative distance coupling.

[0040] The distance from when the image beam is emitted from the optical machine 1 to when the image beam is contracted to a point is determined as zero distance coupling. The distance after the image beam is diffused from a point is determined as positive distance coupling.

[0041] In some embodiments, the coupling distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 when there is zero distance coupling between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 can be determined according to the focal length of the optical engine 1. In other words, the focal length of the optical engine 1 is the coupling distance corresponding to zero distance coupling.

[0042] The distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, and the light source corresponding to the image light beam emitted by the optical machine 1 to the entrance pupil area 21 can be equivalent to two symmetrically distributed sub-light sources, thereby forming a complete field of view image in the entrance pupil area 21. For example, the angle of the left image light beam is -20°, and the angle of the right image light beam is 20°, and the combination of the two together constitutes a 40° field of view image.

[0043] For example, there are numerous -20° image beams emitted by the optical machine 1, and numerous 20° image beams emitted by the optical machine 1, and the angle between these image beams is 40°, thereby forming a 40° field of view. Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an image light beam provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 3 Only two image beams are shown as an example, the angle of the left image beam is -20°, and the angle of the right image beam is 20°, and the two together form a 40° field of view. It can be understood that the optical machine 1 can also emit image beams at other angles to form other angles of the field of view. This application does not limit the angle of the image beam.

[0044] The area of ​​the entrance pupil area 21 is related to the area of ​​the light spot formed in the entrance pupil area 21 by the image light beam emitted by the optical machine 1 to the entrance pupil area 21, and the area of ​​the expanded pupil area 22 is related to the area of ​​the entrance pupil area 21, that is, the larger the area of ​​the entrance pupil area 21, the larger the area of ​​the expanded pupil area 22, so that the expanded pupil area 22 can transmit the image light beam propagated from the entrance pupil area 21 to the exit pupil area 23 to the greatest extent, so as to avoid the situation where part of the image light beam propagated from the entrance pupil area 21 cannot hit the expanded pupil area 22, causing waste.

[0045] In some embodiments, the shape of the pupil expansion area 22 is the same as the shape of the propagation area of ​​the image beam in the optical waveguide 2, so that the image beam in the optical waveguide 2 can hit the pupil expansion area 22 as much as possible, and then propagate to the exit pupil area 23 through the pupil expansion area 22, so as to avoid the waste of the image beam.

[0046] From the above description, it can be seen that since the distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, the image beams emitted by the two sub-light sources intersect, so that the image beams form a smaller light spot in the entrance pupil area 21. For details, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of another AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a structure of an image beam propagation path provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 A is that the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is greater than the focal length of the optical engine 1, that is, the coupling distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is positive distance coupling, and there is no crossover of the image beam, so that the propagation area of ​​the image beam in the optical waveguide 2 is larger, so that a larger area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22 is required. Figure 4 B is the distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 which is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1. The image light beams are crossed, which makes the propagation area of ​​the image light beams in the optical waveguide 2 smaller, so that a smaller pupil expansion area 22 needs to be set.

[0047] For more details, please refer to Figure 4 , the pupil expansion area 22 presents a trapezoidal structure, assuming Figure 4 The upper base length of the pupil expansion area 22 in A is 2d, and the lower base length of the pupil expansion area 22 is b, then Figure 4 The area of ​​the pupil expansion region 22 in A is (b / (2d+b))*100%. Assuming that the value of b is 10mm and 2d is 5mm, it can be determined that Figure 4 The area of ​​the pupil dilation region 22 in A is 66.6%. Figure 4 In B, Figure 4 The length of the upper base of the pupil expansion area 22 in B can be designed to be d according to the diameter of the sub-light source, that is, Figure 4 The pupil dilation area 22 in B is relative to Figure 4 The area of ​​the pupil expansion region 22 in A can be reduced by about 34%.

[0048] By controlling the distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 to be less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, the image light beam emitted by the optical machine 1 crosses in the optical waveguide 2, so that the propagation range of the image light beam in the optical waveguide 2 becomes smaller, so that the area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22 can be set smaller accordingly. At the same time, when the area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22 is reduced, it can still effectively avoid the situation where part of the image light beam propagated from the entrance pupil area 21 cannot hit the pupil expansion area 22, causing waste.

[0049] Furthermore, since the specific value of the focal length of the optical engine 1 is generally small (for example, the focal length of the optical engine 1 is 1 mm), in order to ensure that the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical engine 1, in a specific embodiment, refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 FIG. 2 shows a structural diagram of another AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, the light output side of the optical machine 1 is attached to the entrance pupil area 21 .

[0050] The light exit side of the optical machine 1 is fitted with the entrance pupil area 21 to ensure that the distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is small, so that the distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, thereby making the image light beams cross in the optical waveguide 2, so that the propagation range of the image light beams in the optical waveguide 2 is smaller, so that the area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22 can be set to a smaller area accordingly, thereby reducing the area of ​​the optical waveguide 2, and further reducing the cost of the manufacturing materials of the optical waveguide 2.

[0051] Assuming that 8 optical waveguides 2 can be printed on a wafer, by reducing the area of ​​the pupil expansion region 22, and thereby reducing the area corresponding to one optical waveguide 2, 3 to 4 more optical waveguides 2 can be printed on a wafer of the same size, thereby saving the production cost of the AR device.

[0052] However, when the light-emitting side of the optical machine 1 is attached to the entrance pupil area 21, the image beam will be reflected inside the optical machine 1 to produce a ghost image, which will affect the imaging effect of the AR device and further affect the user experience. To avoid the above situation, in some embodiments, the central axis of the optical machine 1 is inclined to the surface of the entrance pupil area 21.

[0053] In some embodiments, the angle between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is an acute angle. The surfaces of the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 are tilted to remove the ghost image outside the screen, thereby avoiding the influence of the ghost image on the imaging effect of the AR device and improving the user experience.

[0054] The optical engine 1 is fitted with the entrance pupil area 21, and the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 are arranged at an angle to ensure that the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical engine 1, so as to improve the imaging effect while effectively reducing the setting area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22. However, since the light exit side of the optical engine 1 is fitted with the entrance pupil area 21, the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 are prone to interfere with each other.

[0055] For example, the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 are prone to friction with each other, causing wear of the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21, which may affect the imaging effect of the AR device. It is even possible that the optical machine 1 is misaligned due to the friction between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21. The distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is greater than the focal length of the optical machine 1, so that part of the image beam sent by the optical machine 1 does not hit the entrance pupil area 21, causing waste and possibly affecting the imaging effect of the AR device.

[0056] Based on the above situation, in some embodiments, the focal length of the optical engine 1 is greater than 1 mm. By increasing the focal length of the optical engine 1, the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is increased. In other words, the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 can be less than or equal to the focal length of the optical engine 1 without the need for the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 to be arranged in close contact with each other.

[0057] By adjusting the focal length of the optical engine 1, when the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is large, the coupling distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is still negative distance coupling, so as to avoid mutual interference between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21. At the same time, it can also avoid the optical engine 1 being misaligned due to friction between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21.

[0058] In a specific embodiment, the optical machine 1 includes a front lens group. The front lens group may include a plurality of lenses. The focal length of the optical machine 1 is adjusted by adjusting the pupil distance (i.e., focal length) of the outermost convex lens of the front lens group.

[0059] The pupil distance of the convex lens is related to the radius of curvature of the convex lens. Generally, the larger the radius of curvature of the convex lens, the larger the focal length of the optical machine 1. In extreme cases, the convex lens can be a flat lens.

[0060] Specifically, the exit pupil distance of the convex lens can be adjusted by the refractive index of the convex lens and the curvature radius on both sides of the convex lens. That is, the exit pupil distance of the convex lens is related to the refractive index of the convex lens and the curvature radius on both sides of the convex lens, and the relationship between the exit pupil distance of the convex lens and the refractive index of the convex lens and the curvature radius on both sides of the convex lens can be expressed by the following formula: f ; Among them, f is the exit pupil distance of the convex lens; n is the refractive index of the convex lens, and R1 and R2 are the curvature radii on both sides of the convex lens.

[0061] The user can set specific values ​​of the curvature radii on both sides to make the exit pupil distance of the convex lens equal to the target value, for example, the exit pupil distance of the convex lens is 1.5 mm, 2 mm or 2.2 mm.

[0062] By adjusting the radius of curvature of the convex lens to adjust the focal length of the optical machine 1 , it is possible to achieve a distance between the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 that is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1 without requiring the optical machine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 to be fitted together.

[0063] When the distance between the optical engine 1 and the entrance pupil area 21 is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical engine 1, the light source corresponding to the image light beam emitted by the optical engine 1 to the entrance pupil area 21 can be equivalent to two symmetrically distributed sub-light sources, and the position relationship of the two sub-light sources is tangent. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 , Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of another image beam propagation path provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of another optical waveguide provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, at this time, the propagation area of ​​the image light beam through the entrance pupil area 21 in the optical waveguide 2 presents a butterfly shape, and the area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22 can be set according to the propagation area of ​​the image light beam in the optical waveguide 2. That is, the width of the pupil expansion area 22 increases from the middle of the pupil expansion area 22 to both ends of the pupil expansion area 22 along the length direction.

[0064] By configuring the pupil expansion region 22 to be butterfly-shaped, the area of ​​the pupil expansion region 22 can be further reduced, thereby further reducing the area of ​​the optical waveguide 2 .

[0065] In a specific embodiment, see Figure 8 , Figure 8 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of another AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the optical waveguide 2 includes two pupil expansion areas 22 and two exit pupil areas 23. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the two pupil expansion areas 22 and the two exit pupil areas 23. That is, the pupil expansion area 22 on the left is used to propagate the image light beam entering the optical waveguide 2 through the entrance pupil area 21 to the exit pupil area 23 on the left. The pupil expansion area 22 on the right is used to propagate the image light beam entering the optical waveguide 2 through the entrance pupil area 21 to the exit pupil area 23 on the right.

[0066] Furthermore, if Figure 8 As shown, two pupil expansion areas 22 and two exit pupil areas 23 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the entrance pupil area 21. It can be understood that the specific structure of the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 can also be used in a monocular waveguide architecture.

[0067] In one embodiment, the entrance pupil region 21, the two pupil dilation regions 22, and the two exit pupil regions 23 are arranged on the same side of the optical waveguide 2, that is, the entrance pupil region 21, the two pupil dilation regions 22, and the two exit pupil regions 23 are arranged on the same surface of the optical waveguide 2. In one embodiment, the entrance pupil region 21, the two pupil dilation regions 22, and the two exit pupil regions 23 are respectively arranged on opposite surfaces of the optical waveguide 2. That is, the entrance pupil region 21, the two pupil dilation regions 22, and the two exit pupil regions 23 can be arranged on two opposite side surfaces of the optical waveguide 2. In other words, the entrance pupil region 21, the two pupil dilation regions 22, and the two exit pupil regions 23 do not need to be arranged on the same side surface.

[0068] For example, the optical waveguide 2 includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged oppositely, the entrance pupil area 21 is arranged on the first surface, and the two pupil expansion areas 22 and the two exit pupil areas 23 are arranged on the second surface. For another example, the entrance pupil area 21 is arranged on the second surface, and the two pupil expansion areas 22 and the two exit pupil areas 23 are arranged on the first surface. For another example, the two pupil expansion areas 22 are arranged on the first surface, and the entrance pupil area 21 and the two exit pupil areas 23 are arranged on the second surface.

[0069] The specific structures of the above-mentioned optical machine 1 and optical waveguide 2 can be applied to head-mounted display devices (AR / VR). By utilizing the specific structures of the optical machine 1 and optical waveguide 2 provided in the present application, and the distance between the optical machine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 being less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, the optical waveguide 2 of the head-mounted display device (AR / VR) can be made more compact, which helps to reduce the overall weight of the display device (AR / VR) and improve the user's wearing comfort and usage experience.

[0070] The specific structures of the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 can also be applied to smart glasses. By using the specific structures of the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 provided in this application, and the distance between the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 being less than or equal to the focal length of the optical engine 1, the optical waveguide 2 can be more easily integrated into the lenses of the smart glasses. The wearability and aesthetics of the smart glasses are improved, and they are suitable for long-term use without affecting the visual effect.

[0071] The specific structures of the optical machine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 can also be applied to a head-up display (HUD) system of a car. By utilizing the specific structures of the optical machine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 provided in the present application, and the distance between the optical machine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 being less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, the area of ​​the optical waveguide 2 can be reduced, and the space occupied by the head-up display system of the car in the dashboard can be reduced, making it easier to integrate and optimizing the interior design of the car.

[0072] The specific structures of the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 can also be applied to optical display modules. For example, optical display modules such as projectors and micro displays. By using the specific structures of the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 provided in the present application, and the distance between the optical engine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 being less than or equal to the focal length of the optical engine 1, the internal space of the optical display module is saved by reducing the area of ​​the pupil expansion area 22 and the overall optical waveguide 2, providing a more compact and efficient optical transmission solution.

[0073] The specific structures of the above-mentioned optical machine 1 and optical waveguide 2 can also be applied to industrial-grade optical systems. By utilizing the specific structures of the optical machine 1 and optical waveguide 2 provided in this application, and the distance between the optical machine 1 and the optical waveguide 2 being less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine 1, the efficiency of the light transmission 2 can be improved, and the distance requirements between optical elements can be reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the corresponding equipment of the industrial-grade optical system.

[0074] See also Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a distance adjustment method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the distance adjustment method is applied to the above-mentioned AR device, and the distance adjustment method includes steps 210 to 230, specifically: In step 210, an ideal distance between the optical engine and the optical waveguide is determined.

[0075] In step 220, the focal length of the optical machine is adjusted according to the ideal distance.

[0076] In step 230, the actual distance between the optical engine and the optical waveguide is adjusted according to the focal length of the optical engine, so that the optical engine and the optical waveguide are negatively coupled.

[0077] In order to avoid the optical engine being attached to the optical waveguide and the friction between the optical engine and the optical waveguide, which may cause the optical engine and the optical waveguide to wear or the optical engine to be misaligned, the focal length of the optical engine is adjusted so that the optical engine and the optical waveguide do not need to be attached to each other, so that the optical engine and the optical waveguide can be coupled at a negative distance.

[0078] The ideal distance can be determined based on the overall setting of the AR device. For example, the ideal distance can be around 2 mm. For example, the ideal distance can be 1.5 mm, 2 mm, or 2.2 mm, etc.

[0079] The focal length of the optical machine is related to the curvature radius of the convex lens. The focal length of the optical machine can be adjusted by adjusting the specific value of the curvature radius of the convex lens. When the ideal distance between the optical machine and the optical waveguide is determined, the curvature radius of the convex lens corresponding to the ideal distance can be determined through a preset table, and then the corresponding convex lens is now installed on the optical machine according to the determined curvature radius of the convex lens.

[0080] The preset table includes exit pupil distances (focal lengths) corresponding to different curvature radii of the convex lens.

[0081] After adjusting the convex lens on the optical machine, the actual distance between the optical machine and the optical waveguide is adjusted according to the current focal length of the optical machine to ensure that the actual distance between the optical machine and the optical waveguide is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine, thereby achieving negative distance coupling between the optical machine and the optical waveguide, so that the image light beams emitted by the optical machine cross in the optical waveguide, thereby reducing the propagation area of ​​the image light beam in the optical waveguide, and then determining a smaller pupil expansion area according to the propagation area of ​​the image light beam in the optical waveguide, so that the area of ​​the pupil expansion area on the optical waveguide of the AR device can be set smaller, thereby reducing the production cost of the AR device.

[0082] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, reference can be made to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned structural embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0083] See also Fig.10 , Fig.10 The schematic diagram of the structure of a distance adjustment device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The distance adjustment device 300 includes: a first determination module 310, a second determination module 320 and an adjustment module 330. Specifically: The first determination module 310 is used to determine an ideal distance between the optical engine and the optical waveguide.

[0084] The second determination module 320 is used to adjust the focal length of the optical machine according to the ideal distance.

[0085] The adjustment module 330 is used to adjust the actual distance between the optical machine and the optical waveguide according to the focal length of the optical machine, so that the optical machine and the optical waveguide are negatively coupled.

[0086] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described devices and modules can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] In several embodiments provided in the present application, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the modules shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0088] In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules.

[0089] See also Fig.11 , Fig.11 A structural schematic diagram of an AR device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The terminal device 400 in the present application may include one or more of the following components: a processor 410, a memory 420, and one or more applications, wherein the one or more applications may be stored in the memory 420 and configured to be executed by one or more processors 410, and the one or more programs are configured to execute the distance adjustment method described in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0090] The processor 410 may include one or more processing cores. The processor 410 uses various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire terminal device 400, and executes various functions and processes data of the terminal device 400 by running or executing instructions, programs, code sets or instruction sets stored in the memory 420, and calling data stored in the memory 420. Optionally, the processor 410 can be implemented in at least one hardware form of digital signal processing (DSP), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and programmable logic array (PLA). The processor 410 can integrate one or a combination of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a modem. Among them, the CPU mainly processes the operating system, user interface, and application programs; the GPU is responsible for rendering and drawing display content; and the modem is used to process wireless communications. It can be understood that the above-mentioned modem may not be integrated into the processor 410, but may be implemented separately through a communication chip.

[0091] The memory 420 may include a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The memory 420 may be used to store instructions, programs, codes, code sets, or instruction sets. The memory 420 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store instructions for implementing an operating system, instructions for implementing at least one function, instructions for implementing the following various method embodiments, etc. The data storage area may also store data created by the terminal device 400 during use.

[0092] See also Fig.12 , Fig.12A schematic diagram of the structure of a computer-readable storage medium provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the computer-readable medium 500 stores program code, and the program code can be called by a processor to execute the cooking control method described in the above method embodiment.

[0093] The computer-readable storage medium 500 may be an electronic memory such as a flash memory, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), an EPROM, a hard disk or a ROM. Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium 400 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium 500 has storage space for program code 510 for executing any method steps in the above method. These program codes can be read from or written to one or more computer program devices. The program code 510 can be compressed, for example, in a suitable form.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An AR device, characterized in that: The AR device includes an optical machine and an optical waveguide; The optical waveguide includes an entrance pupil region, an expanded pupil region, and an exit pupil region; The optical machine is used to emit an image light beam to the entrance pupil area; The distance between the optical machine and the entrance pupil area is less than or equal to the focal length of the optical machine.

2. The AR device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light output side of the optical machine is attached to the entrance pupil area.

3. The AR device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The central axis of the optical machine is inclined to the surface of the entrance pupil area.

4. The AR device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical waveguide includes two pupil expansion regions and two exit pupil regions.

5. The AR device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two pupil expansion areas and the two exit pupil areas are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the entrance pupil area.

6. The AR device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The focal length of the optical machine is greater than 1 mm.

7. The AR device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The shape of the pupil expansion area is the same as the shape of a propagation area of ​​the image light beam in the optical waveguide.

8. An optical waveguide, characterized in that: The optical waveguide includes an entrance pupil area, an expansion pupil area, and an exit pupil area, and the width of the expansion pupil area increases gradually from the middle of the expansion pupil area to both ends along the length direction of the expansion pupil area.

9. The optical waveguide according to claim 8, characterized in that The optical waveguide includes two pupil expansion areas and two exit pupil areas, and the two pupil expansion areas and the two exit pupil areas are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the entrance pupil area.

10. The optical waveguide according to claim 8, characterized in that The shape of the pupil expansion area is the same as the shape of the propagation area of ​​the image light beam in the optical waveguide, and the image light beam is the light beam emitted by the optical machine to the entrance pupil area.

Images