Integrated AR Lens with Folded Optics for Wide Field of View
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality (AR) eyeglasses face challenges in providing a compact, lightweight, and comfortable design while maintaining a wide field of view and efficient image presentation, which limits their utility and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The development of wide field of view (FOV) AR eyeglasses with a unique light folding image generator and transfer optics integrated into the lenses, utilizing an OLED image generator and reflective gratings to create a compact structure that enhances comfort and utility, allowing for a 90-degree field of view and efficient image presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional AR optical systems are used, then image presentation is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the waveguide, diffraction grating, and lens into a single integrated optical lens assembly. This merging of previously separate optical components into one unified structure reduces the overall size and weight of the AR eyeglasses while maintaining the necessary optical functions for image presentation and wide field of view.
2Ease of operation
If compact design is implemented, then comfort is improved, but field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded optical path within the integrated lens assembly, utilizing multiple reflections and refractions to extend the effective optical path length within a compact physical footprint. This dimensional manipulation allows the system to achieve a wide 90-degree field of view while maintaining a compact form factor that ensures wearer comfort.
3Volume of moving object
If integrated optics are used, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes precise control of optical parameters such as the diffraction grating period, refractive indices of different layers, and curvature radii of optical surfaces. By carefully optimizing these parameters during the design phase, the integrated lens assembly achieves the desired optical performance with a compact size, while the manufacturing process is designed to accommodate these precise parameter requirements.
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 provides a compact, lightweight, and comfortable AR eyeglasses design that offers an enlarged field of view and improved user experience by efficiently projecting virtual augmented reality images over the real environment, enhancing both comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing an OLED image generator and reflective gratings to create a compact structure
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an OLED image generator and reflective gratings to create a compact structure
Implementation Method 3
transfer optics integrated into the lenses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Augmented reality lenses configured to be light, fit in standard eyeglass frames, have a field of view of 90 degrees and visible light intensity of above 1000 NIT. The lenses receive an encoded light image from an image generator. Transfer optics and an image presenter are integrally formed within the lens. An image presenter curved in one direction having reflective diffraction gratings on a concave surface of the curve and configured to present the encoded light image as a virtual augmented reality image to the eye of the wearer. The transfer optics system also having reflectors and reflective gratings and is configured to propagate image of encoded light from the image generator to the image presenter. The transfer optics system and image presenter are integrally formed in at least one lens of the augmented reality eyeglasses.