Real image and virtual image composite display system and method based on phase modulation

Abstract

The invention relates to a real image and virtual image composite display system and method based on phase modulation, and the system comprises a real image display module and a virtual image display module which are arranged in parallel, and the real image display module and the virtual image display module achieve the optical path coupling through a common transparent optical element. By means of the method, the real image display module and the virtual image display module achieve optical path coupling through the shared transparent optical element, the number of involved components is very small, combined display of the near-field real image and the far-field virtual image can be well achieved, meanwhile, the overall size is greatly reduced, and the applicability of the device is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of real-image and virtual-image composite display technology, and more specifically, to a real-image and virtual-image composite display system and method based on phase modulation. Background Technology

[0002] Real-image and virtual-image composite display technology has broad application prospects in fields such as intelligent car cockpit display, AR cultural tourism experience, holographic interactive system, microscopic imaging equipment, and mixed reality education and popular science. Taking the head-up display (HUD) of intelligent car cockpit display as an example: HUD is a technology that projects driving information to the driver's field of vision through optical reflection. Its core goal is to reduce the frequency of drivers looking down at the instrument panel and improve driving safety. Common display information includes vehicle speed, navigation guidance, fuel / battery status, and driver assistance system warnings. Currently, the images formed by head-up displays are usually single virtual or single real images. There is no solution that can combine virtual and real images. In the surrounding fields, although there are solutions that combine virtual and real images, these solutions all require relatively complex optical structures or AR devices. They are not only costly, but also limited by spatial and other scene factors, and cannot be applied to head-up display-related products. There is a need for a phase modulation-based real-virtual image composite display system and method that can solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a real-image and virtual-image composite display system based on phase modulation, and to provide a real-image and virtual-image composite display method based on phase modulation, in view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: A phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system is constructed, comprising a real-image display module and a virtual-image display module arranged in parallel, wherein the real-image display module and the virtual-image display module achieve optical path coupling through a shared transparent optical element.

[0005] The phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention comprises a real-image display module consisting of a real-image generating unit and a real-image display film, and a virtual-image display module consisting of a virtual-image generating unit and a virtual-image display film; both the real-image display film and the virtual-image display film are attached to the transparent optical element.

[0006] The phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention includes a real-image display film comprising a real-image phase modulation layer, a real-image partial reflection layer and a real-image phase compensation layer arranged sequentially along the optical path direction.

[0007] The real-image and virtual-image composite display system based on phase modulation of the present invention wherein the real-image phase modulation layer is a multi-layer holographic structure or a Fresnel lens; the surface shape of the Fresnel lens is spherical, aspherical, freeform, or holographic.

[0008] The phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention includes a virtual image display film comprising a virtual image phase modulation layer, a virtual image partial reflection layer, and a virtual image phase compensation layer.

[0009] The phase modulation-based real-virtual-image composite display system of the present invention comprises a virtual image phase modulation layer, which is a multi-layer holographic structure or a Fresnel lens; the surface shape of the Fresnel lens is spherical, aspherical, freeform, or holographic. The phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention comprises, wherein the real-image display film, the virtual-image display film, and the transparent optical element are sequentially bonded together, or the virtual-image display film, the real-image display film, and the transparent optical element are sequentially bonded together, or a sandwich layer is provided within the transparent optical element, and both the real-image display film and the virtual-image display film are disposed within the sandwich layer; the real-image generating unit and the virtual-image generating unit are both disposed on the side of the transparent optical element near the real-image display film.

[0010] The phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention includes a real image generating unit that is a projection device and a virtual image generating unit that is a display device, or a virtual image generating unit that is composed of a projection device and a scattering film.

[0011] The phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention, wherein the transparent optical element is made of glass or PC material.

[0012] A phase-modulation-based real-image / virtual-image composite display method, according to the aforementioned phase-modulation-based real-image / virtual-image composite display system, wherein the method includes: When light emitted from the real image generation unit passes through the real image phase modulation layer of the real image display film, the real image partial reflection layer reflects and scatters part of the light back to the observer, forming a real image. The direction and outline of the reflected light are determined by the phase modulation layer structure. When the other part of the light passes through the real image phase modulation layer and the real image phase compensation layer, its phase modulation is compensated and it passes through the transparent optical element to achieve transparent display. The light emitted by the virtual image generation unit is partially reflected into the virtual image phase modulation layer after passing through the virtual image partial reflection layer. The virtual image phase modulation layer performs specific control on the light of the microdisplay, so that the light forms an enlarged virtual image at a distance, forming a virtual image picture. At the same time, the virtual image phase modulation layer works in conjunction with the virtual image phase compensation layer to cancel the optical path change introduced by the modulation layer through reverse phase adjustment, ensuring that the transmission of light incident on the transparent optical element from the outside is not affected.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by applying the method of this application, the real image display module and the virtual image display module achieve optical path coupling through a shared transparent optical element, which not only involves very few components, but also can achieve a good combination display of near-field real image and far-field virtual image, while greatly reducing the overall size and improving its applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path structure of a phase-modulated real-image and virtual-image composite display system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the phase modulation-based real-image and virtual-image composite display system of the present invention in a usage scenario. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path structure of a phase-modulated real-image and virtual-image composite display system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a phase modulation-based real-virtual-image composite display method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, a clear and complete description will be provided below in conjunction with the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0016] Example 1 A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a phase-modulated real-virtual-image composite display system, such as... Figure 1 As shown, see also Figure 2 and Figure 3It includes a real image display module and a virtual image display module arranged in parallel, and the real image display module and the virtual image display module achieve optical path coupling through a shared transparent optical element; By applying the method of this application, the real image display module and the virtual image display module achieve optical path coupling through a shared transparent optical element. This not only involves very few components, but also enables the combined display of near-field real images and far-field virtual images, while greatly reducing the overall size and improving its applicability. This solution achieves low-cost, small-volume virtual and real image compositing, significantly reducing the cost while minimizing device size, making it highly flexible in application. It is suitable not only for small-space display scenarios such as smart car cockpit displays and microscopic imaging equipment, but also for large-space display scenarios such as AR cultural tourism experiences, holographic interactive systems, and mixed reality education and popular science. Of course, it can also be applied to any other scenario that requires projection display.

[0017] It should be noted that, Figures 1-3 As shown, 1 represents the observer's position, 7 represents the position of the real image, 8 represents the position of the virtual image, and 10 represents the external environment. Preferably, the real image display module consists of a real image generating unit 3 and a real image display film 4, and the virtual image display module consists of a virtual image generating unit 2 and a virtual image display film 5; both the real image display film and the virtual image display film are attached to the transparent optical element 6; the real image generating unit 3 can be a projection device, such as a projector; the virtual image generating unit 2 can be a display device, such as a (micro) display, a micro display chip, etc., wherein the micro display chip can be one of the following micro display technologies: LCOS, LCD, DLP, OLED, LED, Micro LED; the transparent optical element can be made of glass or PC material.

[0018] A preferred implementation scenario: Transparent optical elements can be integrated into the car's windshield. A micro-display and projector are placed under the car's dashboard. This system utilizes the space between the windshield and the dashboard, significantly reducing the size of the head-up display and enabling both near-field real-image display and far-field virtual-image display.

[0019] It should be noted that the above scenario is only an example to illustrate the advantages of head-up display in terms of space, display performance, and cost when combining virtual and real images. It can also be applied to other head-up display scenarios without limiting the specific scenario. The solutions obtained by simply applying the above solution to different head-up display scenarios also fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] More specifically, the optical principles are explained below: The real image display film 4 includes a real image phase modulation layer, a real image partial reflection layer, and a real image phase compensation layer arranged sequentially along the optical path. When the light emitted by the real image generation unit 3 passes through the real image phase modulation layer of the real image display film 4, the real image partial reflection layer reflects and scatters part of the light back to the observer, forming a real image. The direction and outline of the reflected light are determined by the phase modulation layer structure. When the other part of the light passes through the real image phase modulation layer and the real image phase compensation layer, its phase modulation is compensated and it passes through the transparent optical element 6 to achieve transparent display.

[0021] The real image phase modulation layer is a multi-layer holographic structure or a Fresnel lens. If a Fresnel lens is used, the surface shape of the Fresnel lens can be spherical, aspherical, freeform, or holographic, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0022] The virtual image display film 5 includes a virtual image phase modulation layer, a virtual image partial reflection layer, and a virtual image phase compensation layer. When the light emitted by the virtual image generation unit 2 passes through the virtual image phase modulation layer of the virtual image display film 5, the virtual image phase modulation layer performs specific control on the light of the microdisplay, so that the light forms an enlarged virtual image at a distance, thus forming a virtual image picture.

[0023] The virtual image phase modulation layer is a multi-layer holographic structure or a Fresnel lens; if a Fresnel lens is used, the surface shape of the Fresnel lens can be spherical, aspherical, freeform, or holographic, and there are no restrictions on this. Preferably, the real image display film 4, the virtual image display film 5, and the transparent optical element 6 are sequentially bonded together, or the virtual image display film, the real image display film, and the transparent optical element are sequentially bonded together, or a sandwich layer is provided inside the transparent optical element, and both the real image display film and the virtual image display film are disposed in the sandwich layer; the real image generating unit 3 and the virtual image generating unit 2 are both disposed on the side of the transparent optical element close to the real image display film. Example 2 Another preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, and the similarities will not be repeated. The differences are as follows: The virtual image generating unit consists of a projection device 20 (such as a projector) and a scattering film 21. This combination can also form a virtual image and implement the present solution. Of course, it is understood that it can be replaced with other existing virtual image generating methods, and this is not limited. Solutions obtained by simply replacing conventional virtual image generating methods also fall within the scope of this application. Similarly, the real image generating unit can also be replaced with other existing real image generating methods, and this is not limited. Solutions obtained by simply replacing conventional real image generating methods also fall within the scope of this application.

[0024] Example 3 A phase modulation-based real-image / virtual-image composite display method, based on the aforementioned phase modulation-based real-image / virtual-image composite display system, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes: S01: When the light emitted by the real image generation unit passes through the real image phase modulation layer of the real image display film, the real image partial reflection layer reflects and scatters part of the light back to the observer, forming a real image. The direction and outline of the reflected light are determined by the phase modulation layer structure. When the other part of the light passes through the real image phase modulation layer and the real image phase compensation layer, its phase modulation is compensated and it passes through the transparent optical element to achieve transparent display. S02: The light emitted by the virtual image generation unit is partially reflected into the virtual image phase modulation layer after passing through the virtual image partial reflection layer. The virtual image phase modulation layer performs specific control on the light of the microdisplay, so that the light forms a magnified virtual image at a distance, forming a virtual image picture. At the same time, the virtual image phase modulation layer works with the virtual image phase compensation layer to cancel the optical path change introduced by the modulation layer through reverse phase adjustment, ensuring that the transmission of light entering the transparent optical element from the outside is not affected. By applying the method of this application, the real image display module and the virtual image display module achieve optical path coupling through a shared transparent optical element. This not only involves very few components, but also enables the combined display of near-field real images and far-field virtual images, while greatly reducing the overall size and improving its applicability.

[0025] It should be noted that S01 and S02 mentioned above are not in any particular order and are performed simultaneously.

[0026] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A real-virtual image composite display system based on phase modulation, characterized in that, The real image display module and the virtual image display module are coupled by a common transparent optical element.

2. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to claim 1, wherein, The real image display module comprises a real image generating unit and a real image display film, and the virtual image display module comprises a virtual image generating unit and a virtual image display film.

3. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to claim 2, wherein, The real image display film comprises a real image phase modulation layer, a real image partial reflection layer and a real image phase compensation layer arranged in sequence along the light path.

4. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to claim 3, wherein, The real image phase modulation layer is a multi-layer holographic structure or a Fresnel lens.

5. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to claim 2, wherein, The virtual image display film comprises a virtual image phase modulation layer, a virtual image partial reflection layer and a virtual image phase compensation layer.

6. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to claim 5, wherein, The virtual image phase modulation layer is a multi-layer holographic structure or a Fresnel lens.

7. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to claim 2, wherein, The real image display film, the virtual image display film and the transparent optical element are sequentially attached, or the virtual image display film, the real image display film and the transparent optical element are sequentially attached, or a sandwich layer is arranged in the transparent optical element, and the real image display film and the virtual image display film are arranged in the sandwich layer; the real image generating unit and the virtual image generating unit are arranged on the side of the transparent optical element close to the real image display film.

8. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system according to any one of claims 2-7, wherein, The real image generating unit is a projection device, and the virtual image generating unit is a display device or is composed of a projection device and a scattering film.

9. The phase modulation based real image virtual image composite display system of claim 1, wherein, The transparent optical element is made of glass or PC.

10. A real image and virtual image composite display method based on phase modulation, the real image and virtual image composite display system based on phase modulation according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method comprises: When the light emitted by the real image generating unit passes through the real image phase modulation layer of the real image display film, the real image partial reflection layer reflects and scatters part of the light back to the observer, forming a real image picture, and the direction and profile of the reflected light are determined by the structure of the phase modulation layer; another part of the light passes through the real image phase modulation layer and the real image phase compensation layer, and the phase modulation is compensated and the light passes through the transparent optical element to realize transparent display; After the light emitted by the virtual image generating unit passes through the virtual image partial reflection layer, part of the light is reflected into the virtual image phase modulation layer, the virtual image phase modulation layer controls the light of the micro display in a specific manner, so that the light rays form an enlarged virtual image at a distance, forming a virtual image picture; at the same time, the virtual image phase modulation layer and the virtual image phase compensation layer cooperate to offset the change of optical path introduced by the modulation layer through reverse phase adjustment, ensuring that the transmission of the light incident from the outside of the transparent optical element is not affected.

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