Adjustable Polarizing Elements for AR Display Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality devices struggle with overlaying virtual objects on real-world environments, especially in high-ambient-light conditions and fail to effectively control the attributes of the real world environment, leading to suboptimal visibility and contrast in the simulated environment.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus comprising an image source, a processor, at least one optical combiner, a first polarizing element, and a second polarizing element, where the optical combiner combines projections of rendered images with real-world images, and the polarizing elements adjust polarization properties to enhance visibility and contrast, allowing for effective overlaying of virtual objects on real-world environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additive overlaying technique is used to superimpose virtual objects on real world environment, then virtual objects can be displayed on real world environment, but control over attributes of real world environment is lost leading to suboptimal visibility and contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polarizing elements as intermediary components between the real world environment and the user's eyes. These polarizing elements selectively filter light from the real world environment before it reaches the user, providing control over real world attributes without interfering with the additive overlaying of virtual objects. This mediator approach enables independent control of real world light properties while maintaining the virtual object overlay functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polarization parameter of light from the real world environment using adjustable polarizing elements. By modifying the polarization state of real world light independently of the virtual object brightness, the system can control the visibility and contrast of both real and virtual elements. This parameter change approach allows dynamic adjustment of real world attributes to optimize the overall augmented reality experience.
2Reliability
If additive overlaying is used to display virtual objects, then virtual objects can be superimposed on real world, but dark virtual objects cannot be effectively displayed on bright real world environments
Solution Approach 1:
Polarizing elements serve as intermediaries that selectively attenuate light from bright real world environments before it reaches the user's eyes. By controlling the polarization state, these elements can reduce the intensity of real world light independently, creating a darker real world background that allows dark virtual objects to be clearly visible while maintaining the additive overlaying technique.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the polarization parameter of real world light to control its intensity. By adjusting the polarization angle and degree, the system can dynamically reduce the brightness of the real world environment, enabling effective display of dark virtual objects on previously bright backgrounds without altering the virtual object properties themselves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional augmented reality devices are used in high ambient light conditions, then device can operate in various environments, but visibility and contrast of virtual objects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizing elements act as intermediaries that can be adjusted to compensate for high ambient light conditions. By selectively filtering polarized light from the environment, these elements reduce the impact of ambient brightness on virtual object visibility, allowing the device to maintain reliable performance across diverse lighting conditions while preserving environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the polarization parameters of incoming light from the real world environment. By adjusting polarization angle and intensity in response to ambient light conditions, the system can maintain optimal contrast and visibility for virtual objects regardless of the surrounding lighting environment, enabling reliable operation in both bright and dim conditions.
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
The solution improves visibility and contrast in the simulated environment by allowing control over real-world environment attributes, enabling effective overlaying of virtual objects even in high-ambient-light conditions and on dark virtual objects.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarizing element for polarizing the projection of the real world image at a first polarization orientation
Implementation Method 2
a second polarizing element facing the second side of the at least one optical combiner, polarization properties of the second polarizing element being adjustable
Implementation Method 3
the at least one optical combiner comprises a reflective element for substantially reflecting the projection of the rendered image towards a direction in which the projection of the real world image is directed
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus and a method of displaying, via the display apparatus. The display apparatus includes an image source, a processor configured to render an image at the image source, at least one optical combiner for combining a projection of the rendered image with a projection of a real world image, a first polarizing element for polarizing the projection of the real world image at a first polarization orientation, wherein the first polarizing element is positioned on a first side of the at least one optical combiner upon which the projection of the real world image is incident, and a second polarizing element facing a second side of the at least one optical combiner, polarization properties of the second polarizing element being adjustable, wherein the polarization properties of the second polarizing element are to be adjusted with respect to the first polarization orientation of the first polarizing element.