AR Headset Aspheric Lens Ellipsoidal Relay Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual retina display technologies face challenges in effectively focusing projected images onto the user's eye, particularly in providing augmented reality experiences with clear and hands-free access to digital information in the ambient environment.
Innovation Solution
The use of rotationally symmetric aspheric lenses in conjunction with an ellipsoidal pupil relay to focus projected images onto the user's pupil or eye center, integrated within a head-mounted display system, such as glasses or goggles, which includes an OLED or LED image projector and a head mount system for precise image alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional lenses are used to focus projected images, then the system structure is simpler, but the image focus quality and clarity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspheric lenses with rotationally symmetric surfaces instead of conventional spherical lenses. The aspheric surfaces provide superior light focusing capability by eliminating spherical aberration, thereby improving image focus quality and clarity while maintaining a manageable system structure through optimized curvature profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes compound lens systems combining multiple lens elements with different optical properties. This composite approach allows correction of various optical aberrations and achieves high-quality image focus by integrating the strengths of different lens materials and designs.
2Area of stationary object
If the projector and lens system are positioned close to the eye (inboard), then the field of view is improved, but the device becomes more cumbersome and obstructs the natural view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the projector and lens system in an outboard location away from the eye, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than placing components directly in front of the eye. This spatial reconfiguration allows the optical system to project images onto the peripheral retina, expanding the effective field of view without obstructing the user's natural forward view of the environment.
3Ease of operation
If the projector and lens system are positioned away from the eye (outboard), then the natural view is preserved, but the image projection efficiency and focus deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard positioning is compensated by employing aspheric lenses with optimized curvature that maintain high projection efficiency despite the increased distance from the eye. The rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces ensure efficient light focusing and image formation on the retina while preserving the user's natural view of the environment.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional spherical lenses are used, then the manufacturing is easier, but optical aberrations increase reducing image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies rotationally symmetric aspheric lenses that, while more complex to manufacture than spherical lenses, provide superior optical performance by eliminating spherical aberration. The manufacturing complexity is justified by the significant improvement in image quality and focus precision achieved through the aspheric surface geometry.
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 solution enables clear and precise projection of images onto the user's eye, providing an augmented reality experience with improved image focus and hands-free access to digital information, enhancing the user's ambient environment viewing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The rotationally symmetric aspheric lenses focus or refract the projected image through either a three or a two lens element adjacent the first foci
Implementation Method 2
uses an ellipsoid as a pupil relay as part of the head mounted display. The image is projected at a first foci of the ellipsoid relay through the lenses. The ellipsoid relay focuses the optically pre-processed image at a second foci of the ellipsoid
Data Source
AI summary
The method and system focuses a projected image with a multiple rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces and an ellipsoidal reflector-relay onto or in a user's eye. The image is projected from the first elliptical foci and is focused on the eye at the second foci. A peripherally mounted outboard projector unit uses three lenses and a substantially flat projector surface. Alternatively, an inboard mounted projector unit uses two lenses with non-rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces and a biconic projector surface (organic light emitting diode (OLED) or curved silicon). The image projector-lens system and the ellipsoid pupil relay are correctly positioned on the head of the user by a head mount system which may be goggles, eye glasses worn by the user, or screens or shields depending from a head piece or helmet worn by the user.