Anamorphic Near-Eye Optics for Wide-View Wearable Displays

The patent applies anamorphic optics with different optical powers in lateral and transverse directions, creating asymmetric optical paths that expand the exit pupil area without proportionally increasing device volume. The waveguide thickness varies between lateral and transverse dimensions, enabling non-uniform light propagation that achieves broader image coverage while minimizing bulk.

The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional display approaches to three-dimensional anamorphic optical paths. By introducing different optical powers in lateral and transverse directions and using waveguide thickness variations, the system exploits the third dimension to expand exit pupil area without linearly increasing device volume.

The patent implements directionally selective optical properties within the waveguide, where different regions exhibit different transmission characteristics. The optical system is designed to transmit real-world light from specific angular directions while blocking stray light from other directions, creating local quality variations that differentiate between desired and harmful light paths.

The patent converts potentially harmful stray light into beneficial transmitted light by designing the anamorphic optical system to selectively transmit real-world imagery while blocking glare. The waveguide structure transforms stray light paths that would normally cause glare into controlled transmission paths that enhance real-world visibility.

The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single integrated waveguide structure. The waveguide simultaneously performs light guiding, anamorphic transformation, exit pupil expansion, and field of view enhancement, eliminating the need for separate optical components and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high image quality.

The anamorphic waveguide serves multiple functions: it guides light from the display source, transforms the optical path to expand the exit pupil, provides the wide field of view, and maintains high resolution. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving superior image quality.