Anisotropic Optical Member for Wide-Angle See-Through Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing see-through display technologies for augmented and mixed reality struggle to provide a wide angle of view without image distortion, often requiring complex structures and lenses that limit the viewing angle and introduce distortion issues when trying to display virtual information alongside real-world images.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multipath optical member and an anisotropic optical member that functions as both a lens and a flat plate depending on the polarization direction of light, allowing for the simultaneous display of virtual and real-world images without distortion, while maintaining a wide angle of view by arranging the anisotropic optical member between the user's eye and the multipath optical member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional lenses are used to display virtual images, then the display function is achieved, but the angle of view is limited and image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple functional segments: a first optical path for real images, a second optical path for virtual images, and a third optical path combining both. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, enabling a wide angle of view without compromising display quality or causing distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary element that separates and combines different optical paths. The beam splitter enables real images and virtual images to be displayed simultaneously through different paths, resolving the contradiction between wide angle of view and image quality by mediating between the two requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex optical structures are used to achieve wide angle of view, then the viewing angle increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display of real images and virtual images into a single optical system with three integrated optical paths. By combining these paths using a beam splitter and appropriate optical elements, the system achieves a wide angle of view without requiring multiple separate complex systems, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple tasks: displaying real images, displaying virtual images, and combining both paths. This universal design allows the system to achieve wide angle of view while maintaining simplicity through a unified structure that performs multiple functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical paths are combined to display both real and virtual images, then the functionality increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into three distinct but integrated paths: a first path for real images, a second path for virtual images, and a third path that combines both. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter serves as an intermediary that manages the combination of multiple optical paths. It separates incoming light into different paths and recombines them, enabling the system to display both real and virtual images simultaneously without requiring complex switching mechanisms or additional optical components.
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
This configuration enables a wide angle of view exceeding 40° or 60°, allowing for clear and undistorted viewing of both virtual and real-world images, enhancing the usability of see-through type display apparatuses in augmented and mixed reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
an anisotropic optical member that functions as both a lens and a flat plate depending on the polarization direction of light
Implementation Method 2
depending on the polarization direction of light
Implementation Method 3
External light is transmitted through a polarizing filter and then through the mirror
Implementation Method 4
The internally-generated image light is reflected in the mirror and is focused by the lens
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
See-through type display apparatuses and electronic apparatuses including the same are disclosed. A see-through type display apparatus may include a multipath optical member (M10) that transfers a plurality of images along a plurality of paths to an ocular organ (10) of a user, and an anisotropic optical member (A10) that is arranged between the multipath optical member (M10) and the ocular organ (10) of the user. The anisotropic optical member (A10) may exhibit characteristics which vary based on a polarization direction of incident light (L1, L2). For example, the anisotropic optical member (A10) may function as a lens with respect to light that propagates along a first path (L1) and function in a different manner than the lens with respect to light that propagates along a second path (L2). The anisotropic optical member (A10) may function as a flat plate with respect to the light that propagates along the second path (L2).