AR Optical Device Using Segmented Reflective Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality optical devices have limitations such as complex configurations leading to high manufacturing costs, weight, and volume, as well as a narrow field of view and luminous non-uniformity due to the use of single small reflective units, which also require separate operations or hardware for focal length adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An optical device utilizing multiple reflective units smaller than the pupil, arranged in a specific configuration to widen the field of view and improve luminous uniformity by creating a pinhole effect and deepening the depth of field, while maintaining image continuity without disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single small reflective unit is used, then the depth of field is deepened and a pinhole effect is provided, but the field of view becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The single reflective unit is divided into multiple reflective units (first reflective unit group and second reflective unit group) arranged in parallel. Each unit maintains the pinhole effect properties while collectively providing a wider field of view through their distributed arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective units are arranged not only along a first direction but also extended in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This two-dimensional arrangement allows the system to maintain the depth of field benefits of small reflective units while expanding the field of view in multiple directions.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple reflective units are arranged in parallel, then the field of view is widened, but luminous uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a luminance adjustment layer between the reflective units that selectively adjusts the luminance of light passing through different regions. This compensates for the non-uniform luminous distribution caused by the parallel arrangement of reflective units, ensuring uniform overall luminance across the field of view.
3Ease of manufacture
If reflective units are arranged with larger intervals, then manufacturing is easier, but image disconnection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the interval between adjacent reflective units should be smaller than the diameter of the pupil. This parameter constraint ensures that the pupil can simultaneously receive light from multiple reflective units, maintaining image continuity while allowing practical manufacturing tolerances.
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 wider field of view and improved luminous uniformity by using multiple reflective units smaller than the pupil, enhancing the depth of field and maintaining image continuity without disconnection, thus addressing the limitations of conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective unit group including a plurality of reflective units disposed in a line along a first direction, which is any straight-line direction, on the surface of the optical means or inside the optical means; wherein the reflective units reflect image light, output from an image output unit configured to output image light corresponding to an image for augmented reality, toward the pupil of an eye of a user
Implementation Method 2
an optical means for transmitting at least part of visible light therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a type of pinhole effect is provided by deepening the depth of field, so that a clear virtual image may always be provided regardless of whether the user changes the focal length while gazing at the real world
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical device for augmented reality, the optical device including: an optical means for transmitting at least part of visible light therethrough; and a reflective unit group including a plurality of reflective units disposed in a line along a first direction, which is any straight-line direction, on the surface of the optical means or inside the optical means; wherein the reflective units reflect image light, output from an image output unit configured to output image light corresponding to an image for augmented reality, toward the pupil of an eye of a user.