Adjustable Stereo Angle 3D Display Optical Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stereoscopic visualization systems cause physical discomfort, such as dizziness, due to the mismatch between the perceived distance of three-dimensional objects and the focal plane, leading to an unnatural viewing experience.

Innovation Solution

A system that adjusts the stereo angle of the display device to match the natural viewing direction of the observer, using an optical assembly with adjustable prisms and polarization filters to separate and direct light to each eye, allowing the viewer to perceive three-dimensional structures at varying distances with improved comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed stereo angle is used in the display device, then the three-dimensional image can be visualized, but the viewer experiences physical discomfort and dizziness due to mismatch between perceived distance and focal plane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual comfortVSAvoidphysical discomfort and dizziness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the stereo angle adjustable rather than fixed. The optical assembly includes adjustable prisms that can change the beam path angles dynamically to match the viewer's natural convergence angle, eliminating the mismatch between perceived depth and accommodation focus that causes discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of stereo angle from a fixed value to an adjustable parameter. By modifying the prismatic angle in the optical assembly, the system can adapt the convergence angle of observation beams to correspond to the natural viewing direction of the viewer's eyes, resolving the contradiction between 3D visualization and visual comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the observation beams are directed to converge at a finite plane, then the three-dimensional structure can be perceived, but the viewer's eyes experience strain due to unnatural convergence angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereo angle accuracyVSAvoideye strain
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback by allowing the viewer to naturally adjust the convergence angle through eye movement while the display system maintains the appropriate stereo angle. The adjustable optical assembly responds to the viewer's natural viewing direction, creating a feedback loop that eliminates eye strain while preserving 3D perception accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables relaxed and comfortable viewing of three-dimensional structures by aligning the stereo angle with the natural viewing direction, reducing eye strain and discomfort, and allowing perception of structures at different apparent distances.

Implementation Method 1

The display device generates the left and right partial images with differently polarized light and the optical assembly includes a first polarization filter by means of which the light originating from the first group of display zones in the left observation beam path is separated from the light that the left observation beam path receives from the second group of display zones, and a second polarization filter by means of which the light originating from the second group of display zones in the right observation beam path is separated from the light that the right observation beam path receives from the first group of display zones

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2831662B1Visualization system for three-dimensional images
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 CARL ZEISS VISION INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP2831662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2831662B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2831662B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (100) for the stereoscopic visualization of image information. The system has a display device (102) that has a display area (104) for displaying a left and a right partial image (106, 108). The display device (102) provides the left partial image (106) to a left eye (114) of an observer (118) focused on the display area (104) in a first viewing direction (114) by means of a left observation beam path (120). The right partial image (108) is displayed to a right eye (116) of the observer (118) focused on the display area (104) in a second viewing direction (146) by means of a right observation beam path (122). The system (100) contains a vision aid (130) through which the left and/or right observation beam path (120, 122) pass. According to the invention, the vision aid (130) sets a beam course for the left and right observation beam paths (120, 122), wherein proceeding from the left and right eyes (114, 116) in the direction (136) of the display area (104), the perpendicular distance (A) of the left observation beam path (120, 120') continued to infinity from the right observation beam path (122) continued to infinity decreases. The distance (A) has a minimum at a point (140) in the left and right observation beam paths (120, 122) continued to infinity located at a distance (C) from the display area (104).