AR Holographic Display Optics Without a Separate Image Combiner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality (AR) devices face challenges with system complexity, weight, and size due to the use of image combiners, which hinder their development towards a wide viewing angle and high-quality, lightweight, compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A display device comprising a light source, a light guide plate, and a transmissive spatial light modulator that utilizes coherent light to generate holographic images, with components like diffractive optical elements and planar lenses to enhance image quality and reduce device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an image combiner is used to combine external images with holographic images, then image combination capability is achieved, but system complexity, weight, and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the image combiner component from the AR device system. Instead of using an image combiner to combine external and holographic images, the patent employs a light guide plate with in-coupler and out-coupler that directly transmits both external light and holographic light to the user's eye, thereby eliminating the complex image combiner assembly while maintaining image combination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it guides coherent light from the light source through the in-coupler, transmits external light through the out-coupler, and enables both holographic image generation and external image transmission through a single integrated structure, replacing the need for separate dedicated components
2Adaptability or versatility
If an image combiner is used to combine external images with holographic images, then image combination capability is achieved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy image combiner component and replaces it with a lightweight light guide plate structure. The light guide plate with integrated in-coupler and out-coupler provides the same image combination function with significantly reduced weight, enabling more portable AR devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of light guidance, external light transmission, and holographic image delivery into a single light guide plate assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate image combiner components, thereby reducing overall device weight while maintaining full functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If an image combiner is used to combine external images with holographic images, then image combination capability is achieved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bulky image combiner assembly, replacing it with a compact light guide plate structure. This removal of the image combiner component directly reduces the overall device volume and size, enabling more compact AR device designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional image combiner assembly to a planar light guide plate structure. By flattening the optical path and using a two-dimensional light guide plate with in-coupler and out-coupler, the device achieves the same functional capability in a much smaller volume
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 enables AR devices to provide high-quality holographic images with a wide viewing angle while maintaining a compact and lightweight design, allowing simultaneous viewing of external and holographic images.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate including a first surface and a second surface, the light guide plate configured to emit the first light incident on the first surface to the second surface
Implementation Method 2
a transmissive spatial light modulator including a third surface facing the second surface of the light guide plate and a fourth surface, the transmissive spatial light modulator configured to modulate the first light incident on the third surface and emitted to the fourth surface to generate a holographic image
Implementation Method 3
Each of the in-coupler and the out-coupler may include at least one of a diffractive optical element (DOE), a holographic optical element (HOE), or a meta surface
Data Source
AI summary
A display device and an augmented reality device including the display device are provided. The display device includes a light source configured to provide first light, a light guide plate including a first surface and a second surface and configured to emit the first light provided from the light source to the second surface, and a transmissive spatial light modulator including a third surface facing the second surface of the light guide plate and a fourth surface and configured to modulate the first light incident on the third surface and emitted to the fourth surface to generate a holographic image. Each of the light guide plate and the transmissive spatial light modulator is configured to transmit external second light incident on the first surface of the light guide plate to a fourth surface of the transmissive spatial light modulator.