Optical waveguide equipment and self-alignment method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses optical waveguide equipment and a self-alignment method thereof, the optical waveguide equipment comprises an optical machine, a waveguide substrate, at least two sensor groups, an image collector and at least one processor, and the optical machine is used for emitting incident light; the waveguide substrate at least comprises a coupling-in area and a coupling-out area; the at least two sensor groups are arranged on the periphery of the coupling-in area, and each sensor group comprises two sensors; the two sensors are symmetrical about the coupling-in area; the sensor is used for detecting the energy value of incident light; the image collector is used for receiving emergent light of the coupled-out area; the at least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the ray machine in the coupling-in area based on the feedback of the emergent ray; based on the energy value of the incident light, the relative position of the pupil of the ray machine and the coupling-in area is adjusted, self-alignment of the ray machine and the coupling-in area can be automatically achieved, and high self-alignment precision is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to an optical waveguide device and its self-alignment method. Background Technology

[0002] Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that blends the real world with virtual information. AR display systems typically include a micro-projector and an optical display screen. The micro-projector provides virtual content for the AR display system, which is then projected onto the viewer's eyes through the optical display screen. The optical display screen is usually a transparent optical component, allowing the user to see the real world through it at the same time.

[0003] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, optical waveguides typically include a coupling region. Light rays emitted from the optomechanical system enter this coupling region and, after being coupled by the coupling structure within the region, are transmitted via total internal reflection into the waveguide substrate. To ensure that the light rays emitted from the optomechanical system are coupled into the waveguide substrate as much as possible, and to minimize wasted secondary coupling effects, the coupling region should not be too large or too small. (Reference) Figure 1 When the coupling region is too small, not all light can enter the waveguide substrate; Reference Figure 2 When the coupling region is too large, secondary coupling effects occur, resulting in waste. Therefore, ensuring the self-alignment of the optical engine's pupil with the coupling region is crucial. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide an optical waveguide device and its self-alignment method, which can automatically achieve self-alignment between the pupil of the optomechanism and the coupling region, and has high self-alignment accuracy.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an optical waveguide device, including:

[0006] An optical engine is used to emit incident light rays;

[0007] The waveguide substrate includes at least one coupling-in region and one coupling-out region;

[0008] At least two sensor groups are disposed around the coupling region, each sensor group comprising two sensors; the two sensors are symmetrical about the coupling region; the sensors are used to detect the energy value of the incident light.

[0009] An image acquisition device is used to receive the emitted light from the coupled region;

[0010] At least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanism in the coupling region based on feedback from the emitted light; and to adjust the relative position of the optomechanism's pupil and the coupling region based on the energy value of the incident light, thereby aligning the optomechanism's pupil with the coupling region.

[0011] Optionally, at least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region based on feedback from the emitted light, including:

[0012] An image acquisition device is used to capture the emitted light rays from the coupling region;

[0013] Based on the position information of the emitted light rays fed back by the image acquisition device, it is determined whether the emitted light rays are deviated;

[0014] If so, calculate the offset and direction of the emitted light beam, and adjust the incident angle and direction of the optical engine according to the relationship between the offset direction of the emitted light beam and the incident angle of the optical engine, so that the offset of the emitted light beam is less than the threshold.

[0015] If not, determine that the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region match the preset incident angle and direction.

[0016] Optionally, at least one processor is configured to adjust the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region, including:

[0017] The optical mechanism's pupil is adjusted to align the light spot on the plane of the coupling region with the coupling region; and...

[0018] In the first direction, the distance between the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region is adjusted to an alignment distance; the first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the coupling region is located.

[0019] Optionally, the pupil shape of the optomechanism is circular, and the coupling region is circular;

[0020] The diameter of the pupil of the optical engine is L, the minimum diameter of the coupling region is D, the half field of view of the optical engine is φ, and the angle between the pupil of the optical engine and the plane containing the coupling region is θ, satisfying: D=L*Cos(φ) / Cos(φ+θ).

[0021] Optionally, the sensor is fitted to the coupling region, and a metal film layer is deposited between the bottom of the sensor and the waveguide substrate.

[0022] Based on the same inventive concept, in a second aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a self-alignment method for an optical waveguide device, used to self-align the optical waveguide device provided in the first aspect, including:

[0023] Based on the feedback of the emitted light obtained by the image acquisition device, the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region are adjusted;

[0024] Based on the energy value of the incident light detected by the sensor group, the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region is adjusted to achieve alignment between the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region.

[0025] Optionally, based on feedback from the outgoing light rays acquired by the image acquisition unit, the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region are adjusted, including:

[0026] An image acquisition device is used to capture the emitted light rays from the coupling region;

[0027] Based on the position information of the emitted light rays fed back by the image acquisition device, it is determined whether the emitted light rays are deviated;

[0028] If so, calculate the offset and direction of the emitted light beam, and adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optical engine according to the relationship between the offset direction of the emitted light beam and the incident angle of the optical engine, so that the offset of the emitted light beam is less than the threshold.

[0029] If not, determine that the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region match the preset incident angle and direction.

[0030] Optionally, the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region can be adjusted, including:

[0031] The optical mechanism's pupil is adjusted to align the light spot on the plane of the coupling region with the coupling region; and...

[0032] In the first direction, the distance between the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region is adjusted to an alignment distance; the first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the coupling region is located.

[0033] Optionally, the optical engine's pupil can be adjusted to align the light spot on the plane of the coupling region with the coupling region, including:

[0034] In a first direction, the distance between the optical engine and the coupling region is fixed, and the optical engine is controlled to emit incident light rays at a first boundary field of view angle to illuminate the coupling region.

[0035] Using the line connecting two sensors in each sensor group as the self-alignment direction, the energy value of incident light rays outside the coupling region is detected by the sensor group in the self-alignment direction.

[0036] Based on the comparison of the energy values ​​of the two incident rays obtained in each group, the optomechanic is moved along the self-alignment direction corresponding to the sensor group, and the pupil of the optomechanic is adjusted to align with the coupling region along the self-alignment direction.

[0037] Optionally, in the first direction, adjusting the distance between the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region to an alignment distance includes:

[0038] The optical engine is controlled to emit incident light rays with a second boundary field of view; or, the optical engine is controlled to alternately emit incident light rays with a first boundary field of view and a second boundary field of view; within a first plane, the first boundary field of view and the second boundary field of view are symmetrical with respect to the central field of view; the first plane is perpendicular to the plane containing the waveguide substrate;

[0039] Using the line connecting two sensors in each sensor group as the self-alignment direction, when the field of view is open, the energy value of the incident light rays outside the coupling area is detected by the sensor group in the self-alignment direction.

[0040] Based on the comparison result of the energy value of the incident light obtained from the first boundary field of view, the optomechanic is moved along the self-alignment direction corresponding to the group of sensors to adjust the pupil of the optomechanic to be aligned with the coupling region along the self-alignment direction; based on the comparison result of the energy value of the incident light obtained from the second boundary field of view, the optomechanic is moved along the first direction to adjust the pupil of the optomechanic to maintain an alignment distance with the coupling region along the first direction.

[0041] This invention discloses an optical waveguide device comprising an optomechanical system, a waveguide substrate, at least two sensor groups, an image acquisition unit, and at least one processor. The optomechanical system emits incident light rays. The waveguide substrate includes at least one coupling-in region and one coupling-out region. At least two sensor groups are disposed around the coupling-in region, each sensor group including two sensors. The two sensors are symmetrical about the coupling-in region. During optomechanical self-alignment, the sensors detect the energy value of the incident light rays. The image acquisition unit receives the outgoing light rays from the coupling-out region. At least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanical system in the coupling-in region based on feedback from the outgoing light rays. Based on the energy value of the incident light rays, the processor adjusts the relative position of the optomechanical system's pupil and the coupling-in region, enabling automatic self-alignment of the optomechanical system's pupil with the coupling-in region, achieving high self-alignment accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0043] Figure 1 This is a side view schematic diagram of an optical waveguide structure in the prior art;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of another optical waveguide structure in the prior art;

[0045] Figure 3This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 4 This is a side view of an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a side view of another optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 6 This is a side view of another optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a self-calibration method for an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 8 This application provides a schematic diagram of multiple fields of view for an optical engine.

[0051] Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the offset of the feedback image from the image acquisition device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 10 This is a top view of an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A flowchart of the self-alignment method for the provided optical waveguide device;

[0054] Figure 12 for Figure 10 Alignment intention of an optical waveguide device in the XZ plane;

[0055] Figure 13 for Figure 10 Alignment intention in the XZ plane of an optical waveguide device. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this invention, through specific implementation methods. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0057] Based on one or more issues raised in the background section, the present invention provides an optical waveguide device. Figure 3This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 This is a side view of an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a side view of another optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a side view of another optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figures 3-6 This application provides an optical waveguide device including an optomechanical system 10, a waveguide substrate 20, at least two sensor groups 30, an image acquisition unit 40, and at least one processor (not shown in the figure). The optomechanical system 10 is used to emit incident light rays S0. The waveguide substrate 20 includes at least one coupling region G1 and one coupling region G2. At least two sensor groups 30 are disposed around the coupling region G1, and each sensor group 30 includes two sensors. The two sensors are symmetrical about the coupling region G1. The sensors are used to detect the energy value of the incident light rays S0. The image acquisition unit 40 is used to receive the outgoing light rays S1 from the coupling region G2. At least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanical system 10 in the coupling region G1 based on the feedback of the outgoing light rays S1. Based on the energy value of the incident light rays S0, the processor adjusts the relative position of the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1 to achieve self-alignment between the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1.

[0058] For details, please refer to Figures 3-6 The optomechanical system 10 emits incident light rays S0, carrying image information. The waveguide substrate 20 can be an optical glass substrate, a resin substrate, or a light-transmitting semiconductor material, etc., with an exemplary thickness between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. At least one side of the upper and lower surfaces of the waveguide substrate 20 is provided with a coupling-in region G1 and a coupling-out region G2, wherein the coupling-in region G1 and the coupling-out region G2 can be located on the same side or different sides of the waveguide substrate 20. The area of ​​the coupling-in region G1 matches the light spot projected onto the waveguide surface by the pupil of the optomechanical system 10, and the area of ​​the coupling-out region G2 can be reasonably set according to the size of the user's observation area. Diffraction optical elements, such as one-dimensional or two-dimensional gratings, such as straight-tooth gratings, blazed gratings, oblique-tooth gratings, volume holographic gratings, etc., can be provided in the coupling-in region G1; geometric optical elements, such as coupling-in prisms or coupling-in inclined planes, can also be provided in the coupling-in region G1. This application embodiment does not impose specific limitations.

[0059] At least two sensor groups 30 are arranged around the coupling region G1. Each sensor group 30 consists of two sensors, which are symmetrically arranged relative to the coupling region G1. Figure 3 The example described uses only two sensor groups 30.

[0060] refer to Figure 3As shown, the first sensor group consists of sensor A and sensor B, and the second sensor group consists of sensor A' and sensor B'. A three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system XYZ is established with the plane containing the waveguide substrate 20 as the reference plane. The direction of the line connecting sensor A and sensor B is the X-axis, the direction of the line connecting sensor A' and sensor B' is the Y-axis, and the direction of the normal to the plane containing the waveguide substrate 20 is the Z-axis. Sensors A, B, A', and B' can detect the energy values ​​of the incident light ray S0 at the left, right, front, and rear sides of the coupling region G1, respectively. The direction of the line connecting sensor A and sensor B can be considered the total internal reflection transmission direction of the incident light ray after entering the waveguide substrate.

[0061] Optional, see reference Figure 3 and Figure 6 The sensor is fitted into the coupling region G1, and a metal film is deposited between the bottom of the sensor and the waveguide substrate 20. This configuration improves the measurement accuracy of the light energy value outside the coupling region G1 and enhances the optomechanical alignment.

[0062] An incident light ray S0 emitted from the optomechanical system 10 is coupled into the waveguide substrate 20 through the coupling region G1. The incident light ray S0 undergoes total internal reflection within the waveguide substrate 20 and is diffracted in the output region G2 to form the output light ray S1. The image acquisition unit 40 receives the output light ray S1 from the output region G2 and generates a feedback image. The image acquisition unit 40 can be a camera, an image sensor chip, an imaging lens, etc.

[0063] The processor is electrically connected to the optomechanical system 10, the sensor group 30, and the image acquisition unit 40. The processor can receive feedback images from the image acquisition unit 40 and, based on these images, control the drive device of the optomechanical system 10 to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanical system 10 in the coupling region G1 to meet set values. It can also adjust the relative position of the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 with the coupling region G1 based on the energy values ​​of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the coupling region G1 obtained by the sensor group 30, thereby achieving self-alignment between the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1.

[0064] The processor can be a microprocessor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0065] In other implementations, the optical waveguide substrate may also include at least one transition region. Figure 3 (Not shown in the image), the turning region is located between the optical paths of the coupling-in region and the coupling-out region, and is used to deflect and diffract incident light rays, etc. Those skilled in the art should clearly understand the application and design of the turning region, and the embodiments of this application will not be shown one by one.

[0066] Based on the same inventive concept, this application provides a self-alignment method for an optical waveguide device, which is used to perform self-alignment on the optical waveguide device provided in this application. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a self-calibration method for an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figures 3-7 The self-alignment method for optical waveguide devices provided in this application includes:

[0067] S101. Based on the feedback of the emitted light obtained by the image acquisition device, adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region.

[0068] Specifically, refer to Figures 3-6 During operation, the optical engine 10 emits incident light rays S0, and the image acquisition unit 40 outside the coupling region G2 receives the emitted light rays S1 coupled out of the coupling region G2, generating a feedback image. Based on the position feedback from the feedback image, the processor controls the transmission device of the optical engine 10 to correct the rotation angle of the optical engine 10, ensuring that the actual incident angle and direction of the optical engine 10 reach the preset incident angle and direction. That is, it first ensures that the incident angle of the incident light ray S0 of the optical engine 10 is equal to the emission angle, satisfying the coupling-in and coupling-out conditions.

[0069] Optionally, the stepping distance of the transmission device of the optomechanical system 20 is less than or equal to 0.1 mm. This setting helps to improve the adjustment accuracy of the incident angle and direction of the optomechanical system 10 in the coupling region G1.

[0070] S102. Based on the energy value of the incident light detected by the sensor group, adjust the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region to achieve self-alignment between the optical engine and the coupling region.

[0071] Specifically, refer to Figures 3-6 The sensor group 30 detects the energy value of the incident light S0 outside the coupling region G1. Based on the energy values ​​of the coupling region G1 at the left, right, front, and rear positions in the XY plane fed back by the four sensors, the processor adjusts the relative position of the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1 in the XYZ coordinate system. Due to stray light, the energy values ​​sensed by the four sensors are unlikely to be zero. When the energy values ​​at the four positions are close and simultaneously less than a certain value, it is considered that the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1 are self-aligned in the ZYZ coordinate system. This can also be understood as the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 being completely aligned with the coupling region G1. In this way, all the incident light S0 can enter the waveguide substrate 20, preventing light leakage and improving light utilization and imaging display effects.

[0072] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple fields of view of an optical engine provided in an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figure 8 Typically, an optical engine contains a miniature display screen for displaying virtual images. Figure 8 In the diagram, line L1 represents the pupil position of the optomechanical system 10, and line L2 represents the coupling region G2 position. In some embodiments, combined with... Figures 3-8 The pupil of the optomechanism 10 is circular, and the coupling region G1 is also circular. The diameter of the pupil of the optomechanism 10 is L, and the minimum diameter of the coupling region G1 is D.

[0073] refer to Figure 8 Figure (a) and Figure 5 When the incident light ray is perpendicular to the coupling region G1, the pupil position should coincide with and be the same size as the coupling region G1, where D = L. (Reference) Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 In Figure (b), when the incident light rays are obliquely incident on the coupling region G1, the position of the pupil and the coupling region G1 should coincide at one end and satisfy formula (1.1): D=L*Cos(φ) / Cos(φ+θ). In this way, it is beneficial that the light rays of the entire field of view can be incident on the coupling region G1 and thus enter the waveguide substrate 20.

[0074] Where φ is the half-field angle of the optical engine, and θ is the plane containing the pupil of the optical engine 10 and the coupling region G1. Figure 8 The angle between the XY plane and the plane.

[0075] Optical engines typically emit light rays with a defined field of view. They can emit light rays across the entire field of view or emit light rays from a specific field of view. (Reference) Figure 8 As shown, the optical engine 10 can emit a first boundary field of view 1, a central field of view 2, and a second boundary field of view 3, respectively.

[0076] In this embodiment, the relative position of the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1 can also be self-calibrated using the first boundary field of view 1, the central field of view 2 and the second boundary field of view 3 of the incident light ray S0 of the optomechanical system 10.

[0077] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the offset of the feedback image from the image acquisition device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 Image (a) shows that the feedback image (letters ABC) is located in the center of the display screen, and the feedback image is normal; Figure 9 Image (b) shows the feedback image (letters ABC) located on the left side of the display screen, indicating that the feedback image is skewed to the left. Figure 9 Figure (c) shows the feedback image (letters ABC) located on the right side of the display screen. The feedback image in this embodiment is only represented by the letters "ABC". Figure 9 The middle (d) figure is for obtaining Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the incident and outgoing rays in Figure (a); Figure 9 Figure (e) is for obtaining Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the incident and outgoing rays in Figure (b); Figure 9 Figure (f) is for obtaining Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the incident and outgoing rays in Figure (c).

[0078] In one embodiment of this application, in step S101 of the self-alignment method described above, adjusting the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region based on feedback from the outgoing light rays acquired by the image acquisition device includes:

[0079] Step S10: Use an image acquisition device to acquire the emitted light rays from the coupling region.

[0080] For details, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 9 An image acquisition unit 40 is used to acquire the emitted light rays from the coupling region G3 to generate a feedback image. The deflection of the feedback image is used to determine whether the angle between the optomechanical unit 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 meets the design requirements. When the optomechanical unit 10 is tilted and incident on the coupling region G1, the actual incident angle and direction are the design values. Since the angle at which the light rays are incident on the waveguide substrate is the same in magnitude but opposite in direction to the angle at which they emerge from the waveguide substrate, the desired exit angle and direction of the light rays can be determined, thereby determining the actual placement position of the image acquisition unit. Therefore, the image acquisition unit 40 can be used to receive the emitted light rays S1 and generate a feedback image.

[0081] Step S11: Based on the position information of the emitted light rays fed back by the image acquisition device, determine whether there is any deviation in the emitted light rays.

[0082] If yes, proceed to step S10; if no, proceed to step S13.

[0083] refer to Figure 9 The processor determines whether the actual incident angle and direction of the optical engine 10 deviate from the preset incident angle and direction based on whether the feedback image fed back by the image acquisition unit 40 is offset (or whether the feedback image is distorted).

[0084] Step S12: Calculate the offset and direction of the emitted light beam. Based on the relationship between the offset direction of the emitted light beam and the incident angle of the optical engine, adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optical engine so that the offset of the emitted light beam is less than the threshold.

[0085] For details, please refer to Figure 9 Figure (a) and Figure 9 In Figure (d), when the tilted incident angle of the optical engine 10 (i.e., the incident angle θin of the incident ray S0) meets the preset condition, the feedback image is centered on the screen, meaning the offset of the emitted ray from the surface is less than a threshold. This threshold can be zero or a set value, where the offset of the feedback image is within an acceptable range.

[0086] refer to Figure 9 Chinese (b) map and Figure 9 In Figure (e), when the tilted incident angle of the optical engine 10 is too small (i.e., the incident angle of the actual incident light S0 is < θin), that is, when the angle between the optical engine 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 is too large, the feedback image is off to the left of the screen, that is, the surface emitted light is shifted to the left and the shift is greater than the threshold. At this time, the angle between the optical engine 20 and the waveguide substrate 20 should be reduced, and the feedback image should be adjusted to move to the right and to the center of the screen.

[0087] refer to Figure 9 (c) diagram and Figure 9 In Figure (f), when the tilted incident angle of the optical engine 10 is too large (i.e., the incident angle of the actual incident light S0 is greater than θin), that is, when the angle between the optical engine 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 is too small, the feedback image is off to the right of the screen, that is, the surface emitted light is shifted to the right and the shift is greater than the threshold. At this time, the angle between the optical engine 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 should be increased to adjust the feedback image to move to the left and to the center of the screen.

[0088] Step S13: Determine whether the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region match the preset incident angle and direction.

[0089] For details, please refer to Figure 9 Figure (a) and Figure 9 In Figure (d), when the feedback image is in the center of the screen, the actual incident angle and direction of the incident light S0 in the coupling region of the optomechanical 10 are the design values, i.e., the preset incident angle and direction.

[0090] In one embodiment of this application, in step S102 of the self-alignment method described above, adjusting the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region includes:

[0091] Step S21: Adjust the pupil of the optical engine to align the light spot on the plane where the coupling region is located with the coupling region.

[0092] Step S22: In the first direction, adjust the distance between the pupil of the optical engine and the coupling region to the alignment distance.

[0093] Wherein, the first direction (Z direction in the figure) is the normal direction of the plane (XY plane in the figure) where the coupled region is located.

[0094] For details, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 8 In Figure (a), when the incident light ray is perpendicularly incident on the coupling region G1, the incident light ray S0 of the optomechanical 10 is incident with the central field of view 2. The angle between the pupil of the optomechanical 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 is 0°, and the area of ​​the coupling region G1 is only related to the size of the pupil of the optomechanical 10. At this time, the optical axis direction of the incident light ray S0 is perpendicular to the center of the optical path. Figure 8 The Z-direction is parallel. The diameter of the light spot on the XY plane (the plane where the coupling region is located) of the pupil of the optomechanical 10 is the pupil diameter L.

[0095] refer to Figure 5 The processor can first adjust the light spot of the optical engine 10's pupil on the XY plane to align with the coupling region G1 on the XY plane; then, along the Z direction, adjust the distance between the optical engine 10's pupil and the coupling region G1 to an alignment distance, thus achieving alignment between the optical engine 10 and the coupling region G1. In other embodiments, the processor can also first adjust the distance between the optical engine 10's pupil and the coupling region G1 along the Z direction to an alignment distance, and then adjust the light spot of the optical engine 10's pupil on the XY plane to align with the coupling region G1 on the XY plane, thus achieving alignment between the optical engine 10 and the coupling region G1. No specific limitations are imposed in the embodiments of this application.

[0096] Here, alignment refers to the alignment of the light spot of the optical engine 10's pupil on the XY plane (the plane where the coupling region is located) with the coupling region G1. The alignment distance can be set reasonably, and no specific restrictions are imposed here.

[0097] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8In Figure (b), when the optomechanical system 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 are designed at a certain angle, the incident light S0 of the optomechanical system 10 is incident with the central field of view 2. The angle between the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 and the waveguide substrate 20 is not 0°. At this time, the area of ​​the coupling region G1 is related to the field of view and the size of the pupil of the optomechanical system 10, and must satisfy the above formula (1.1). At this time, it is also necessary to adjust the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 and the coupling region G1 to meet a certain height and relative position.

[0098] Figure 10 This is a top view of an optical waveguide device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 11 for Figure 10 A flowchart of the self-alignment method for the provided optical waveguide device; Figure 12 for Figure 10 Alignment intention of the provided optical waveguide device in the XZ plane. See reference for details. Figures 10-12 In step S21 above, adjusting the optical lens of the optical engine to align the light spot on the plane of the coupling region with the coupling region includes:

[0099] Step S211: In the first direction, fix the distance between the optical engine and the coupling region, and control the optical engine to emit incident light rays at the first boundary field of view angle to illuminate the coupling region.

[0100] Specifically, refer to Figure 10 Using the plane containing the waveguide substrate 20 as the XY plane, the coupling region G1 is circular, and the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 is also circular. Four sensors are positioned around the coupling region G1 to determine whether the pupil of the optomechanical system 10 is aligned with the coupling region G1. The first sensor A and the second sensor B are symmetrical about the coupling region G, and the third sensor A' and the fourth sensor B' are also symmetrical about the coupling region G. (Reference) Figure 12 The following example illustrates the self-alignment process of the optical engine 10 in the XZ plane.

[0101] Step S212: Using the line connecting two sensors in each sensor group as the self-alignment direction, control the optomechanic to emit incident light rays at the first boundary field of view angle in the self-alignment direction to illuminate the coupling region, and use the sensor group in the self-alignment direction to detect the energy value of the incident light rays outside the coupling region.

[0102] Step S213: Based on the comparison results of the energy values ​​of the two incident rays in each group, move the optomechanic along the self-alignment direction corresponding to the sensor group, and adjust the pupil of the optomechanic to align with the coupling region along the self-alignment direction.

[0103] For details, please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 12The processor controls the optical engine 10 to emit incident light rays S0 at the first boundary field of view 1 to illuminate the coupling region G1. The first sensor A is activated to detect the energy value of the incident light rays in the outer region of the coupling region G1 as δa, and the second sensor B detects the energy value of the incident light rays in the outer region of the coupling region G1 as δb, and the detected values ​​are fed back to the processor.

[0104] refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 The processor compares the detected values. If δa > δb, it determines that the optomechanical 10 is left-biased relative to the coupling region G1. The processor then controls the optomechanical 10 to move horizontally to the right along the X direction in the diagram. Figure 12 The optical engine 10 moves from the solid line position to the dashed line area; if δa < δb, it is determined that the optical engine 10 is right-biased relative to the coupling region G1, and the processor controls the optical engine 10 to move horizontally to the left along the X direction in the figure; if δa = δb < σ, it is determined that the light spot of the pupil of the optical engine 10 at the current height on the XY plane is aligned with the coupling region G1 left and right (along the X direction in the figure), that is, the optical engine is aligned in the X direction.

[0105] Since there is a correlation between the displacement of the optical engine and the detection value of the detector, step S212 must be executed again after each movement of the optical engine to obtain the detection values ​​of the first sensor A and the second sensor B and make a judgment to verify whether the light spot of the optical engine's pupil at the current height on the XY plane is aligned with the coupling area (aligned in the X direction).

[0106] It should be noted that, ideally, when the pupil of the optical engine is aligned with the coupling region, δa = δb = 0. However, due to the presence of stray light and background light, δa ≠ 0 and δb ≠ 0. It is sufficient to set δa = δb to be less than a certain threshold σ. The threshold σ is an acceptable setting value that can be reasonably set according to the image display effect.

[0107] Furthermore, the optomechanical system 10 can be self-aligned with the coupling region G1 along the Y direction in the XY plane.

[0108] Specifically, the processor controls the optical engine 10 to emit incident light rays S0 at a first boundary field of view angle 1 to illuminate the coupling region G1. The third sensor A' and the fourth sensor B' respectively detect the energy of the incident light rays in the outer region of the coupling region G1 as δa' and δb', and feed the detected values ​​back to the processor. The processor compares δa' and δb' in a similar way to the comparison direction of δa and δb provided in the above embodiment.

[0109] refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11If δa'>δb', it is determined that the optical engine 10 is forward biased relative to the coupling region G1, and the processor controls the optical engine 10 to move horizontally forward along the Y direction in the figure; if δa'<δb', it is determined that the optical engine 10 is right biased relative to the coupling region G1, and the processor controls the optical engine 10 to move horizontally backward along the Y direction in the figure; if δa'=δb'<σ, it is determined that the light spot of the pupil of the optical engine 10 at the current height on the XY plane is aligned with the coupling region G1 front and back (along the Y direction in the figure), that is, the optical engine is aligned in the Y direction.

[0110] It should be noted that the self-alignment of the optical engine 10 in any direction within the XY plane is similar to its self-alignment in the X direction, and will not be shown individually here. In this embodiment, "front," "back," "left," and "right" refer to... Figure 10 In the XY plane where the waveguide substrate 20 is located, the third sensor A' is located in front of the coupling region G, the fourth sensor B' is located behind the coupling region G, the first sensor A is located to the left of the coupling region G, and the second sensor B is located to the right of the coupling region G.

[0111] After the exit pupil of the control optical engine 10 at the current height is aligned with the light spot on the XY plane and the coupling region left and right and / or front and back, the alignment distance between the control optical engine and the coupling region is further adjusted.

[0112] Figure 13 for Figure 10 Alignment intention in the XZ plane of an optical waveguide device.

[0113] In step S22 above, adjusting the distance between the optical mechanism's pupil and the coupling region in the first direction is the alignment distance; including:

[0114] S221, control the optical engine to emit incident light rays with the second boundary field of view; or, control the optical engine to alternately emit incident light rays with the first boundary field of view and the second boundary field of view.

[0115] Among them, reference Figure 8 Within the first plane (plane XZ in the figure), the second boundary field of view 3 and the first boundary field of view 1 are symmetrical with respect to the central field of view 2; the first plane (within the plane XZ in the figure) Figure 13 Taking the XZ plane as an example, it is perpendicular to the plane where the waveguide substrate 20 is located (the XY plane in the figure).

[0116] S221. Using the line connecting two sensors in each sensor group as the self-alignment direction, when the field of view is open, the sensor group in the self-alignment direction is used to detect the energy value of the incident light rays outside the coupling area.

[0117] S223. Based on the comparison results of the energy values ​​of the incident light obtained from the first boundary field of view, the optical engine is moved along the self-alignment direction corresponding to the group of sensors to adjust the pupil of the optical engine to align with the coupling region along the self-alignment direction; based on the comparison results of the energy values ​​of the incident light obtained from the second boundary field of view, the optical engine is moved along the first direction to adjust the pupil of the optical engine to maintain the alignment distance with the coupling region along the first direction.

[0118] For details, please refer to Figure 11 and Figure 13 After verifying that the spot of the optical engine at the current height on the XY plane is aligned with the coupling region horizontally and / or vertically, the processor can independently control the optical engine 10 to emit incident light S0 at the third boundary field of view 3 to illuminate the coupling region G1. The first sensor A is activated to detect the energy value of the incident light in the outer region of the coupling region G1 as δa, and the second sensor B detects the energy value of the incident light in the outer region of the coupling region G1 as δb, and the detected values ​​are fed back to the processor.

[0119] refer to Figure 11 and Figure 13 The processor compares the detected values. If δa > σ and δb = 0, it determines that the relative alignment position of the optical engine 10 is offset downwards. The processor then controls the optical engine 10 to move along the Z direction in the diagram. Figure 13 The optical engine 10 moves along the solid line to the dashed line area (coupled region G1); if δa=0 and δb>σ, it is determined that the optical engine 10 is offset upward relative to the alignment position, and the processor controls the optical engine 10 to move downward along the Z direction in the figure to the alignment position; if δa=δb<σ, it is determined that the light spot of the exit pupil of the optical engine 10 on the XY plane is aligned with the left and right coupled regions G1 of the coupled region G1 and at the height of the alignment position, that is, the optical engine is aligned in the Z direction.

[0120] Since moving the optical engine 10 up and down along the Z direction in the figure will affect the alignment in the left and right (X direction) and front and back (Y direction), this application can also align the optical engine 10 in any direction in the XY plane while aligning the optical engine 10 along the Z direction in the figure.

[0121] The following explanation will take the alignment of the optical engine 10 along the Z direction in the figure and the alignment of the optical engine 10 along the X direction as an example.

[0122] Specifically, the optical engine 10 is controlled to alternately emit incident light rays with a first boundary field of view 1 and a second boundary field of view 3. When the second boundary field of view 3 is open, the optical engine provided in the above embodiment is aligned in the Z direction.

[0123] The optical engine 10 is aligned in both the Z and X directions simultaneously. Specifically, it moves left while moving up, and right while moving down. After each left-right movement, the first boundary field of view 1 is opened again. The first sensor A and the second sensor B detect the energy values ​​δa and δb of the incident light rays in the outer region of the coupling area G1, respectively, and feed these values ​​back to the processor for judgment. The processor compares the magnitudes of the detected values ​​δa and δb, and verifies, according to the comparison method in step S213 of the above embodiment, whether the optical engine is at the correct height (Z direction) and whether the light spot of the exit pupil on the XY plane is aligned left-right (along the X direction in the figure) with the coupling area G1. The optical engine 10 is then aligned left-right (along the X direction in the figure) with the coupling area G1 along the X direction in the figure, thus achieving alignment of the optical engine in both the Z and X directions.

[0124] It should be noted that the alignment of the optical engine 10 in the Z direction and the alignment in any direction in the XY plane provided in this application embodiment are not sequential. That is, the optical engine 10 can be aligned in any direction in the XY plane first, and then aligned in the Z direction in the figure; or, the optical engine 10 can be aligned in the Z direction in the figure first, and then aligned in any direction in the XY plane; or, the optical engine 10 can be aligned in the Z direction in the figure while being calibrated in any direction in the XY plane. This application embodiment does not impose specific limitations. The optical engine and coupling region self-alignment scheme using one or more combinations of the above embodiments are all within the protection scope of this application, and this application embodiment will not list them one by one.

[0125] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and the features of various embodiments of the present invention can be combined partially or entirely with each other, and can cooperate and be technically driven in various ways. Various obvious changes, readjustments, combinations, and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide device, characterized by, include: An optical engine is used to emit incident light rays; The waveguide substrate includes at least one coupling-in region and one coupling-out region; At least two sensor groups are disposed around the coupling region, each sensor group comprising two sensors; the two sensors are symmetrical about the coupling region; the sensors are used to detect the energy value of the incident light. An image acquisition device is used to receive the emitted light from the coupled region; At least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanism in the coupling region based on feedback from the emitted light; and to adjust the relative position of the pupil of the optomechanism and the coupling region based on the energy value of the incident light, thereby aligning the optomechanism with the coupling region.

2. The optical waveguide device of claim 1, wherein, At least one processor is configured to adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region based on feedback from the emitted light ray, including: An image acquisition device is used to capture the emitted light rays from the coupling region; Based on the position information of the emitted light rays fed back by the image acquisition device, it is determined whether the emitted light rays are deviated; If so, calculate the offset and direction of the emitted light beam, and adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the optical engine according to the relationship between the offset direction of the emitted light beam and the incident angle of the optical engine, so that the offset of the emitted light beam is less than the threshold. If not, determine that the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region match the preset incident angle and direction.

3. The optical waveguide device of claim 1, wherein, At least one processor configured to adjust the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region, including: The optical mechanism's pupil is adjusted to align the light spot on the plane of the coupling region with the coupling region; and... In the first direction, the distance between the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region is adjusted to an alignment distance; the first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the coupling region is located.

4. The optical waveguide device of claim 1, wherein, The pupil of the optical engine is circular, and the coupling region is circular. The diameter of the pupil of the optical engine is L, the minimum diameter of the coupling region is D, the half field of view of the optical engine is φ, and the angle between the pupil of the optical engine and the plane containing the coupling region is θ, satisfying: D=L*Cos(φ) / Cos(φ+θ).

5. The optical waveguide device of claim 1, wherein, The sensor is attached to the coupling region, and a metal film layer is deposited between the bottom of the sensor and the waveguide substrate.

6. A method of self-alignment of an optical waveguide device for self- aligning the optical waveguide device of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that include: Based on the feedback of the emitted light obtained by the image acquisition device, the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region are adjusted; Based on the energy value of the incident light detected by the sensor group, the relative position of the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region is adjusted to achieve alignment between the optical engine's pupil and the coupling region.

7. The self-alignment method of claim 6, wherein, Based on feedback from the outgoing light rays acquired by the image acquisition unit, the actual incident angle and direction of the optomechanic in the coupling region are adjusted, including: An image acquisition device is used to capture the emitted light rays from the coupling region; Based on the position information of the emitted light rays fed back by the image acquisition device, it is determined whether the emitted light rays are deviated; If yes, calculate the offset amount and offset direction of the exit light ray, and adjust the actual incident angle and direction of the light machine according to the comparison relationship between the offset direction of the exit light ray and the incident angle of the light machine, so that the offset amount of the exit light ray is less than the threshold value; If no, determine whether the actual incident angle and direction of the light machine in the coupling-in area match the preset incident angle and direction.

8. The self-alignment method of claim 6, wherein, Adjusting the relative position of the light pupil of the light machine and the coupling-in area includes: Adjusting the light spot of the light pupil of the light machine in the plane where the coupling-in area is located to align with the coupling-in area; and, In a first direction, the distance between the light pupil of the light machine and the coupling-in area is an alignment distance; the first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the coupling-in area is located.

9. The self-alignment method of claim 8, wherein, Adjusting the light spot of the light pupil of the light machine in the plane where the coupling-in area is located to align with the coupling-in area includes: Fixing the distance between the light machine and the coupling-in area in a first direction; Taking the connecting line direction of the two sensors in each sensor group as the self-alignment direction, controlling the light machine to emit incident light rays in a first boundary field of view in the self-alignment direction to irradiate on the coupling-in area, and using the sensor group in the self-alignment direction to detect the energy values of the peripheral incident light rays of the coupling-in area; According to the comparison result of the energy values of the two incident light rays obtained by each group, moving the light machine along the self-alignment direction corresponding to the sensor group to adjust the light pupil of the light machine to align with the coupling-in area along the self-alignment direction.

10. The self-alignment method of claim 8, wherein, In a first direction, adjusting the distance between the light pupil of the light machine and the coupling-in area to an alignment distance includes: Controlling the light machine to emit incident light rays in a second boundary field of view; or, controlling the light machine to emit incident light rays in a first boundary field of view and a second boundary field of view alternately; in a first plane, the first boundary field of view and the second boundary field of view are symmetric to the central field of view; the first plane is perpendicular to the plane where the waveguide substrate is located; Taking the connecting line direction of the two sensors in each sensor group as the self-alignment direction, when the field of view angle is turned on, using the sensor group in the self-alignment direction to detect the energy values of the peripheral incident light rays of the coupling-in area; According to the comparison result of the energy values of the incident light rays obtained by the first boundary field of view, moving the light machine along the self-alignment direction corresponding to the sensor group to adjust the light pupil of the light machine to align with the coupling-in area along the self-alignment direction; according to the comparison result of the energy values of the incident light rays obtained by the second boundary field of view, moving the light machine along the first direction to adjust the light pupil of the light machine to keep the alignment distance with the coupling-in area along the first direction.

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