AR Micro-Display Parallax Views for Variable Accommodation Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality (AR) technologies struggle to provide a comfortable and natural presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery due to challenges in simulating realistic depth perception and accommodating the human visual system's complex response to vergence and accommodation.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted display system utilizing an emissive micro-display and an array of selectively-activated shutters or light collimators to inject parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images into the eye, approximating a continuous wavefront divergence without requiring a one-to-one correspondence with physical structures, thereby mimicking realistic depth perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional AR display methods are used to present virtual image elements, then the system structure is simpler, but the depth perception and visual comfort are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display function into multiple segments: a micro-display for generating base images, an array of shutters for spatial light modulation, and projection optics for wavefront shaping. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of depth perception while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system between the micro-display and the eye, consisting of projection optics and shutter arrays. This intermediary transforms simple 2D images into complex wavefronts with controlled divergence, enabling realistic depth perception without requiring the eye to physically move
2Reliability
If multiple physical structures are used to provide different depth planes, then the depth perception is more accurate, but the system bulk and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavefront divergence dynamically through electronic shutter control and optical projection, rather than using fixed physical structures for each depth plane. By varying the divergence angle of light waves, the system can present multiple depth planes using the same physical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rapid sequential presentation of images with different wavefront divergences, cycling through multiple depth planes faster than the flicker fusion threshold. This periodic action creates the perception of continuous depth variation without requiring physical structures for each depth level
3Reliability
If continuous wavefront divergence is simulated with discrete structures, then the depth perception is more realistic, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a micro-display to create simplified 2D image copies that represent 3D scenes, then applies optical transformations to reconstruct the wavefront properties. This copying approach allows complex wavefronts to be generated from simple source images, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining depth perception accuracy
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 system provides a more comfortable and realistic 3D experience by accurately simulating depth through synchronized presentation of intra-pupil images within the flicker fusion threshold, reducing system bulk and weight, and enhancing viewer comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an array of selectively-activated shutters for selectively transmitting the image light to the eye from different locations
Implementation Method 2
projection optics configured to direct the image light from the micro-display for propagation to an eye of a viewer
Implementation Method 3
a micro-display configured to output image light defining images
Data Source
AI summary
A display system is configured to direct a plurality of parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images into a viewer's eye. The parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images provide different parallax views of a virtual object, and impinge on the pupil from different angles. The wavefronts of light forming the images approximate a continuous divergent wavefront and provide selectable accommodation cues for the user, depending on the amount of parallax disparity between the intra-pupil images. The images may be formed by an emissive micro-display. Each pixel formed by the micro-display may be formed by one of a group of light emitters, which are at different locations such that the emitted light takes different paths to the eye to provide different amounts of parallax disparity.